OK, I remember as a kid getting a book about this and the idea of throwing ones voice stumps me, then and today. Is it different then ventriloquism? or the same thing different name? I remember toying with it, but all I really understood was talking without moving lips and getting the voice to come from deeper in the throat But making it sound like it's coming from somewhere else??? I am sooooo confused

Voice throwing is part of ventriloquism.
Most ventriloquist now call it Distant Voice, because it heard like from a distant.
There are some resource to learn this technique. One of the best, I think, is by Bob Neller.

Regards,

Budi Ha Ha

Let me DEconfuse you. There is an interesting story about Paul Winchell, the great Vent who gave us Jerry mahoney and eventually went on to do voices for Disney animation, including his most famous Tigger.

Anyway, the story goes about how TV was new and a ventriloquist had never been used on a TV Broadcast, because they thought it wouldn't "work" on Tv.

But they let Paul try, (I don't remember why).

Well, they ran into a little technical problem. Everytime Paul would say his lines, it came out clear and loud. But when Jerry said his lines, they could not hear them!

Paul eventually noticed that the guy who was controlling the boom mike over head was MOVING it back and forth between Jerry and Paul, depending on who was speaking. Paul asked him why he was doing this, and he said it was to catch the little guys lines.

Paul suggested that he try to keep the mike on HIM, (Paul) and magically it worked out great! They could now hear both speakers.

Why was this? Because "throwing one's voice" is an ILLUSION (caused by the fact that your lips are not moving and the figures lips ARE, in perfect sync to the words. This fools the ear as well as the eye.! No human being can REALLY throw their voice. But it's nice to have people believe you can!

Want to prove it to yourself? OK. This may feel a little foolish, but stand in front of a mirror, and say anything, and WATCH how the voice seems to be coming from the image of you in the mirror. Did you just THROW your voice into the mirror? Of course not! It's an illusion!

Turn on your TV set, and watch how words seem to be coming specifically from the mouths of the people on the screen, when in actuality, the real SOURCE of the voice, (the TV speaker) may in fact be INCHES away from the spot where the words seem to be emanating.

Bottom line, the human ear is a very poor locator or pinpointer of sound sources.

The ventriloquist takes advantage of this fact, thus the ilusion of throwing one's voice is created.

Wow...that is absolutely correct Doug...I'm so proud!
Steve V

Backing up Steve V here...

Absolutely beautiful and accurate explination of 'throwing ones voice'!

I have to explain this about 120000000 time a day at the theme park I work (ok, that's an exageration)...

Couldn't have said it better Doug!

Prof. Piper
(Terry)

What happened to secrets........

Proud?

Yes...you often are in left field but that was a beautifully done explanation. I need a tissue!
Steve V

To a certain degree you have a point, but:

EVERYONE knows, at the end of the day, that that cute figure on your arm isn't ACTUALLY doing the talking...

Even the smallest of kiddos (in my years of experience) figure it out and start watching the Vents lips....

So this, in effect, is not a secret at all.

Prof. Piper
(Terry)

Yes, but being a specialized site, I also doubt many non vetriloquists are seeking secrets here. Especially when they are so much easier to find on other sites. Even more so then magic secrets.

Me? Left field? Naaahh!

Yes they know I'm doing the talking.... but how am I doing it ...was I born with the skill? Does it come from my belly ? These are great mysteries......I think they mystery makes it better ... especially voice throwing ...the stuff without the dummy ... This stuff is like a magic trick... is it not ? So it has secrets .. real secrets ...lets keep it that way ......

Dang, Doug finally puts together a rational thought and you go and point out it is exposing a secret to venting.
Steve V

You got it. From the latin, ventor (the belly), and loqui, (to speak)...so then ventriloquists are ", uh, shall I say it? "belly speakers."

Posted: Aug 31, 2006 4:35pm
Quote:

On 2006-08-31 13:58, Steve V wrote:
Dang, Doug finally puts together a rational thought and you go and point out it is exposing a secret to venting.
Steve V

Then, this is the only rational thought I have ever come up with?

Naaaah.

Yes! I'm changing my birds name from Houdini to Doug tonight.
Steve V

I would be honored.