Running head: THE ART OF THROWING ONES VOICE

The Art of Throwing Ones Voice:

Ventriloquism 101
Vedra Robertson
Jefferson Technical College

ENG 102
Proffesor Lee Ann Dickerson
April 7, 2015

THE ART OF THROWING ONES VOICE

Contents
Contents
The Art of Throwing Ones Voice:........................................................................................1
Ventriloquism 101................................................................................................................1
Contents...............................................................................................................................2
Abstract................................................................................................................................2
Introduction..........................................................................................................................3
Course Goals and Outcomes................................................................................................3
Justification..........................................................................................................................4
Implementation....................................................................................................................5
Planning Specifications...................................................................................................5
Content Specifications.....................................................................................................5
Budget..............................................................................................................................5
Communication and Coordination...................................................................................5
Instructor Qualifications..................................................................................................6
References............................................................................................................................7
Appendix: Grading Scale.....................................................................................................7

Abstract
In this abridgment, Ventriloquism is examined as a course that may take off with in the
college community giving students an enlightened approach to the entertainment world
and perhaps more. This course offers a felicitous approach for all students eager to learn
the art of throwing ones voice. While most agree Ventriloquism is a fun and delightful

THE ART OF THROWING ONES VOICE

act to watch, it is also a course worth looking into. This article in depth explains the lore,
budgeting, and proper tools to exercise the practice into the administered effective course.

THE ART OF THROWING ONES VOICE

Introduction
This section gives detailed description on the Art of throwing ones voice 101.The intro
into this course begins with learning the basics of ventriloquism 101.A student entering
the 101 course will be allowed to use this course as a corequisite.This course requires 3
credit hours and the student receives a certificate and a letter grade upon completion and
passing the course. This course is repeatable and in class instructed. The course meets
two times a week and is an elective. The course is offered through both spring and fall
and is a building foundation to individuals who desire a career in in the entertainment
industry as well as out of inquisitiveness.

Course Goals and Outcomes

The expected course goals and outcomes are to attain a level of respect for the art of
ventriloquism. The student will foster a relationship within the entertainment field. The
student will learn a significant rich history and become knowledgeable within the course
and learn the techniques involved in the course. The student will learn great deal of the
behind the scenes. Bertelson (1999) stated that the term ventriloquism refers to various
manifestations of cross modal spatial interaction between auditory and visual inputs
which are observed in sensory conflict situations.

The goals of this course are:

To introduce students to the art of ventriloquism
To foster a love and respect for the craft
To introduce a wealth of history to students
To generate a generation of appreciation of ventriloquism

Provide students to make a connection across puppetry genres

To enhance a career in the world of entertainment
Foster self-confidence of a growing artist
Distinguish the difference between puppets and ventriloquism

The benefits of taking a course in learning how to throw ones voice, is quite an amusing course.
This course explores imaginative play, visual arts, movement, and storytelling.
The course will give a rich history of the content to allow the student to evolve into a
semiprofessional ventriloquist artist. The course will teach the specifics and techniques into how
to animate the character. According to Mason (2010) ventriloquism is really about how people
hear what sounds are being made rather than where theyre coming from. The human ear cannot
always make out where a sound is coming from, where it is created, or even who made the sound.
The ventriloquist makes use of this gray area, and throws his voice into the mix, by using his
diaphragm. And a little theater, he tricks the listener (p.27). The student will learn how to
develop their personal style with the dummy and learn what character best fits their personal
needs. The student will have the opportunity to learn the difference between puppets and
ventriloquist. Abdou (2010) writes a ventriloquist can bring out an introverted person when
given the opportunity, whether there in a restaurant, hotel lobby, or doctors office, without a
stage the show could go on. The opposite is true for puppeteers. Puppeteers tend to be more

THE ART OF THROWING ONES VOICE

reserved when it comes to performing. It has to be the right time and the right place, especially if
a show needs a stage set up and lighting.
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to entertain a variety of crowds of
all ages. The student will developed self-confidence of a growing artist and will have
mastered a manipulation technique of their mouth to throw their voice. The student will
be well prepared to deliver and perform the art on a scale level well enough to perform at
a club, bars, and at family friendly affairs.
(1) To entertain a diverse crowd
(2 demonstrate a technique using only his or her mouth.
(3) Perform in a local comedy club
(4) Bring a new friend to life
(5) Gesture using facial & body language
(6) Create an illusion
The students will enthrall guest with their witty sidekick and pull entertainment in whole
new direction. The students will have manifested a display to showcase to a diverse
crowd with their unique found talent, in formulating the technique of mouth movement.
Upon completing the course, the student will have the skills to perform amateur
showcases to ventriloquist enthusiast. The student will have the ability to develop the
skill to work alongside their buddy and build a personal relationship with their new found
friend to captivate a crowd. The student will incorporate the use of hand, mouth, and
body language to add to their professionalism. The student will have mastered the illusion
of a special effect and create effects that are greatly enhanced to charm and make a hit
with the crowd. King noted (1997) that there are different ways to showcase his or her
talent one way is to develop a portfolio along with photos to send to talent agencies, but
the best way is by word of mouth. (p.69).

Justification
The students who are interested in this course tend to be out going and open minded.The
scholar may perhaps be interested in the field out of inquisitiveness and acquire a desire
to set a goal to newfangled interest. The art of throwing ones voice course will abet the
student into a course of a plethora of entertainment and excitement. The course would
assist the student and setting the student toward a goal of wanting to pursue a career in
the entertainment industry or perhaps wanting to achieve a goal out of curiosity. The
student needs to know that this course is a fun and exciting course yet needs to be taken
fervently. The student will learn that there are technicalities toward learning about
ventriloquism. It requires more than what most may think. The student will need to study
and rehearse their scripts before the presentation and write their own jokes. A student
may have interest in this course if preparing for entertaining in theater, art, public
speaking, and drama. Career opportunities are landing an acting job in theater, clubs, and
even promoting oneself locally. There is a similar course being taught at Amherst
College. However the course I am proposing a course offering a variety of instructional
assets including a night club amateur presentation, guest speaker, and ventriloquist
convention. This course will take the student on a journey into the most thought-out
beginning learning sessions to explore. This course is essential to KCTCS; it will enhance
the students interest going above and beyond the students current ideal ideologies of art.

THE ART OF THROWING ONES VOICE

Implementation
Planning Specifications
To make my course successful, scholarly information material will be used to
implement my course and to become successful. A planned research of ventriloquism has
been thought through thoroughly with resourceful knowledge interacting in scholarly
websites, books, local acts, and watching clips online to understand the instructional
methods to familiarize with the art of throwing ones voice.
To manage the course students will be encouraged to enroll by being offered a
variety of perks.The offers consist of a special guest speaker, a local convention, a shot to
entertain at a local comedy club, your own doll to keep, and guaranteed laughs. The
expected occupancy of space is 25 with a room of 23 students. To accommodate learning
styles students will learn visually, auditory, and kinesthetically. Technology will be used
at a minimum in class due to text book referencing formulated by a ventriloquist
specialist.
Content Specifications
This course will cover a variety of themes. The student will be expected to write a
paper that on his or her experience as a new ventriloquist and what goals they are wanting
to achieve upon completion of the course. The field trip will be in Fort Mitchell KY. The
students will spend a day interviewing ventriloquist artist and attend the show afterwards
enjoying food, drinks, and logging which will all be within the budget. The desired
accomplishments as a teacher are for the students to have a new found respect for the
craft and hopes that it enhances their career in the world of theater, art, and acting. As a
teacher the accomplishments will be for the students to have fun and learn how to work
amongst a whole new crowd and to have a new found respect for the art of ventriloquism.
Budget
The table below explains the details of the budget I am proposing to meet the
criteria of the course.
Item

Supplier

Textbook
Puppet
Bus Rental
A Local Ventriloquist
Celebrity

Name of Publisher
Agent
Charter Bus Rentals
Louisvilles Finest
McMaster Supply

Night Club
logging

Sams Club

Catalog No#

Quantity

IJ-60825
N/A
N/A
N/A

23
23
1
1

Unit
Price
25.00
$49.95
$40.00
$200.00

Total

8486K626

$500.00

$500.00

54341

23

65.00

1,485

$575.00
$1,148.85
$900.00
$200.00

THE ART OF THROWING ONES VOICE

Food

Cracker
Barrel

7
00-2785

Total

12.50
2
3
5,096.35

Communication and Coordination

The communication process and coordination is to generate the idea through the
proposal and generate a buzz through social networking, flyers, and promote locally and
to eventually spread throughout Kentuckiana. As an instructor the hope is to encourage
other instructors with in the field of entertainment to use the course as a stepping stone
for their students. Individuals who are perhaps skeptical nay Sayers would gain a new
found hobby perhaps and definitely a laugh.
Instructor Qualifications
The instructor teaching this course must poses a masters degree in theater and
arts with a deep zeal for teaching others. The instructor is required to renew and
modernize the material according to standards, keeping in mind the interest of new and
up and coming beginner ventriloquist enthusiast.

THE ART OF THROWING ONES VOICE

References
Abdou, B. (2010).To be or not to bea ventriloquist. Puppeteers of America, 62,
http://www.puppeteers.org/puppetry-journal/journals/to-be-or-not-to-be-aventriloquist-by-bob-abdou/
Bertelson. (1999).Chapter 14 ventriloquism: a case of cross modal perceptual grouping.
Science Direct.129, 10.1016150166-4115(99)80034-x
King, K. (1997).Ventriloquism made easy. Mineola, New York: Dover Publication.
Mason, T. (2010). The complete idiots guide to ventriloquism. New York, New York:
Penguin Group.

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Appendix: Grading Scale

Course Assignments/Description of How Grades are Determined

Exams
There will be three exams; each exam is worth 200 points. Each
exam will include a
variety of questions (e.g., multiple choice questions, matching,
short-answer). Exam
Application Activities
Throughout the course of the semester, there will be 5 group
and/or individual
activities; each is worth 20 points. For example, application
activities may include
brief reaction papers, small group discussions, etc. These
activities will supplement
the material from course readings and lectures as well as assist
students in applying
their knowledge of developmental issues to real life guidance
situations.
Research Paper
Students will be required to write a research paper related to
Ventrioloquism and/or
Puppeteer. This paper is to be 5 8 pages in length, should use
APA
citation style, and must incorporate at least 6 scholarly sources.
More information
will be handed out and discussed at a later date.
Grading Scale
A = 900-1000 points (90% - 100%)
B = 800-899 points (80% - 89%)
C = 700-799 points (70% - 79%)

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D = 600-699 points (60% - 69%)

F = 0-599 points (0 - 59%)
Exams
600 points (3 exams worth up to 200 points each)
Application Activities
200 points (5 activities worth up to 20 points each)
Research Paper
200 points (1 paper worth up to 200 points)
1000 points total

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