Passing this on to VENTS. I don't know about
this personally check it out
well. Ax
______________________________________________________

NATION WIDE CASTING FOR VENTRILOQUISTS!!!

A Major Network Television Production Studio is
casting for Ventriloquists of all skill levels to
potentially participate in an unscripted look
into the lives of those who live and breathe
Ventriloquism. This program will shed light on
one of mankind’s oldest art forms…Talking to yourself.

M/F Ages 18+, anywhere in the US. We are looking
for big/loud personalities as well as individual
characters. Must have your own dummy/dummies, and
be willing to potentially create a short casting video.

Please apply to: ventcasting@gmail.com
Names:
Ages:
Contact Info:
Recent Photos: (you and your character)
Bio: (Why you think you're perfect for this experience)

Cheers,

SCOTT MORETTI
Creative Drive Media - President
Wilshire Studios @ NBC Universal - Casting Director
323 692 4571(O)

I hate to be cynical, but I can't see anything good that can come out of this either for individual vents or the vent community as a whole. Caveat ventor, so to speak.

Bob

I had the same thought, Bob.

This group contacted me to get my info from the vent community. I haven't responded yet, but I have heard this same "pitch" from others who promesed the moon yet was an excuse to make us look stupid on camera. I am not in favor of this kind of show anyway (reality) as much of it is made up and is the farthest thing from what real vent is about. I classified "reality" shows as being as real as "wrestling" shows I see on TV. Much ado about nothing!

Mark
kidshowvent@gmail.com

I think the key phrase that scares me is: We are looking for big/loud personalities. If find that big/loud usually compensates for something.

I sent my info in to them when Steve first sent out the email. So far no response. If & when they respond if it seems like a "reality" show then I will kiss it off, but if it is a "real" show, why not go for it.

I also was contacted by this group. I was not impressed and didn't post it on Ventriloquist Central.
Dan
http://www.ventriloquistcentral.com

Any so called "reality show" these days can't be good for the subject. A network of people looking to make money at the expense of their cast who in turn are wanting their 15 minutes of fame calls for another droll TV program that will belittle and ridicule the cast and in this case the profession as well.

I sent in my info, when I got the email fro Steve Axtell. In the Bio I expressly explained that I am a Children's Pastor/Minister/Evangelist and use the art in my services to minister and entertain children at church and sumer camps.
They contacted me back and asked for a 3-5 min video introducing my self and a day interacting with the dummy (I'm not the type to carry any of my figures or puppets around with me as they are real, although I have been known to take one to the store to try on clothes. The last time was my Axtell hippo to get a tutu, I got many funny looks and I did have a bit of fun with it).

Until I read this post I thought it to be a documentary, now I'm not real sure what type of show it is. Apparently they are calling it a day in the life of a ventriloquist. As long as I'm not portrayed as some schizoid and basket case I am not a posed to it.

I can't stress enough that we have all worked hard to uplift the image of vents and ventriloquism and we are well on our way. These types of shows are all about getting ratings, not doing the right thing by us. They will zero in on the weirdest vents they can find that will go along with what they want, and if they don't go along with what they want they will script it to see if the vent will agree to do something strange. We've had our hands full of "documentaries" , newspaper articles, et al at the ConVENTion and for the most part they all have an agenda. These people are looking for another "masterpiece" like "Honey Boo Boo". Run..don't walk..away from this.

Mark
kidshowvent@gmail.com

Coming from a man with the years of industry experience you have this advice should not be taken lightly. If they don't script it to make ventriloquists look stupid then they'll just edit it that way.

*BE WARNED*

Mark has nailed it.
I agree that it sounds like they're basically looking for a freak show...and most likely, one where they will not even be paying the freaks.

It certainly wouldn't be the first project to set out to make the vent community look like a bunch of eccentrics (or worse).
For whatever it's worth, this proposed project has been floating around for a while now (in fact, I first got wind of it last year).
As to the whole concept of this kind of show, I can tell you firsthand that "reality" shows rarely reflect any kind of reality.

I can't help but feel that something just sounds really "off" about this thing. To anyone contemplating actually following up on this "casting" call, all I can say (having been involved in the business for longer than I care to admit) is that I would definitely urge caution.
Let's just say that this whole thing has a very familiar smell. ;-)

In an effort to suss out where they may be going with this concept, I sent a subtle, and non-confrontational query to the production company in an attempt to get more info about the project in an effort to ascertain what their "angle" might be.
The lack of any response _at all_ is, to me, somewhat telling.

Given the modus operandi of shows like this one, I can't see it being beneficial to anyone but the producers.
And frankly the probably accurate comparison to the schlock-fest that is "Honey Boo Boo" makes me shudder.

Over the course of 2 years, I was contacted by the producers of Wife Swap 7 or 8 times. There is also a Nigerian prince that offers me a handsome reward for assisting in the recovery of his royal fortune.

I agree it's probably best to disregard the post. Not the best for our image as Ventrilquists even if it ends up showing some young folks rising to fame through the struggles of family, school & practicing daily, etc. They'll find a way to turn it into a freak show. I hope that anyone who does apply is very cautious about their role and if the show goes forward that it makes more people love vent. Certainly they are picking it as a subject because it's come back so much into the public awareness because of Jeff, Terry, Jay etc. We don't need steps backwards. Ax

Unfortunately these so-called "reality" TV shows certainly aren't focused on making more people love ventriloquism. These days more and more people have jumped on the trendy band wagon of "ooh those things freak me out" and no doubt a television show like this is sure to capitalise on that. No doubt they are picking it up due to the current awareness Fator, Dunham and the like have brought it, but that's not going to make the producers of a reality tv show money. Consider such banal reality shows such as those awful Real Housewives and scripted "..... Got Talent" etc.

This is the info I got about the show: As of now its just a development idea. They want to see if the talent is out there before they develop a show. Two ideas have been thrown around, a competition for a large amount of money or a docu-series. The show is 100% cast contingent.

They want to see if the talent is out there??

LOL I guess they thought there are no ventriloquists left in the world then.

I think the issue is talent that is interested. As from this in tire post seems several are not.

I can't think of a 'doco', short film, movie or news piece that I have seen over the last couple of decades that hasn't tried to perpetuate the stereotype of the mad vent who talks/argues/treats his vent figure as if it's real. You'd think someone would come up with something original once in a while wouldn't you?...but no, they seem to love to portray the mad, stereotypical 'loser' ventriloquist.

I could continue to rant about this but I think my Axtell Buzzard has got out again so I better go and get him before he kills my family.

We did have one positive documentary about a year ago called "ConVENTion" done by Neil Lifer and Gary Hunter that featured the Vent Haven ConVENTion and vent in a very positive light. Neil has sold five projects to HBO and other places and is trying to sell this one, but to date, no bites just yet. I hope it goes thru as it shows us as we really are..not weird sterotypes that the media has created for us.

Mark

kidshowvent@gmail.com