Puppets and Props

   John Parisi says. . . Mike Brose kit let me do something that I have always wanted to do, build my very own vent figure. Along with my figures, I made new friends just by asking for advice, these friends are among the top vents and vent figure builders in the business. This kit allowed me to use my natural artistic talents to produce figures that I am proud of and that professional ventriloquist are impressed with. Not only is the face that Mike designed great as is, but it lends itself to easy modifications that can make the figure you build a unique personality all it's own. I only hope that my ability with ventriloquism can do these guys justice. John

   Gary Reuter writes...... I wanted to send you a couple shots of the dummy I constructed with the castings I purchased from you and the help of your book and (Al) Stevens' web site. I call him Jake and he is a bee keeper. I take him with me when I go to schools to talk to kids about honey bees. I am still working on teaching him to talk. I want to thank you for your web site with all the great instructions and the book. I am going to start another one making my own model, mold, and casting. I already have the armature set up and the clay on. It may take me awhile to make the clay look more like a face but I am not in a rush. Thanks again! Gary

   Lee reports that he used oil paints to finish this figure and installed McElroy style winkers (these are shown in my book!) for both eyes. Figure also has raising eyebrows.

   Roger Carrol writes..... "I have always wanted a Real Vent Figure (Hard Figure). Last week, I finished my Mike Brose kit (Shirly) just in time for Read Across America day (Dr. Seuss' birthday) this past Monday. I had been invited to read to five classes, in two different schools, from 2nd to 4th grade. I wanted to use Shirly, but was worried that she would "freak out" the little kids. I was so wrong. They were enthralled with her. Out of the five performances, three groups asked to see her again at the end. The greatest compliment the kids paid me was that the last group, the bell rang for the end of day. No one got up, they didn't want to leave. We had to chase them out to the bus."

   When Roger sent the photos, he added. "I think it is good for people to see a wide range of figures they can create (with the head kits), without even modifying the head." Roger

   Jacques Thijs from Antwerp, Belgium writes...... "It took me some time but I finally finished the kit you send me. I already performed twice with "Joske", my new figure. As you can see I made moving eyebrows. These are controlled by the control that does also move the eyes : left to right for the eyes, down to raise the eyebrows. All the best and keep up the good work. Thanks to you I now own this fine figure." Jacques Thijs

   Rod Smith of Mississippi writes..... "Attached is a photo of Paco, my bilingual Mariachi. The clothes are authentic Mexican including the sombrero. They were purchased in Monterrey, Mexico. I have a little fine tuning to do but is otherwise finished. I plan to use him next week. Thanks for your help and prompt response to my questions as well as my orders. If you want to use me as a reference please feel free. He turned out exactly as I wanted so I am pleased. Actually the only figure I have actually worked even a little is one (a friend of mine) has so I really don't know much about figures...only what I read. SO, that is why I say even the most inexperienced person can use your kit." Thanks a million, Rod

   Arthur says...... The kit makes figure building a whole lot simpler. For those of us that have spent huge amounts of time sculpting, casting, and trying various ways to come up with a quality head that can accept the kinds of mechanics that a professional figure often has, this kit is a true gift. Mike has taken the difficult and sloppy work out of my hands and allowed me to concentrate on the "fun part" of adding the mechanics. Facial features can easily be modified on these heads which allow for additional creativity if one so chooses. For Luke, I followed the basic suggestions offered in Mike's book for the mechanics. I followed Mike's book exactly. Having just purchased 2 sets of Mike's hand castings, no future body will be without them. They are perfect in every way.

   On his second figure..... At long last, I have had some time to complete the 2nd head kit (see pics above). This one with self centering eyes and winkers as promised. I used Al's (Stevens) idea for a vacuum table which worked well. I basically used the same approach that Al points out on his Fred project website with some different modifications. He has both hands and feet from the Brose collection!! His name is Marcus.

   Glen frequently has completed 'Marshall Tribute' figures for sale made from our quality cast parts. Email Glen here.

   Lawrence Harris says. . . I love the figure that my friend, Dan Payes, just finished for me. The Brose kit head looks so good with some wild red hair. "Noodles" is as close to a "Frank Marshall" look that I am going to have for some time. The quality can't be beat for the money. Dan did a fantastic paint job for me. I think "Noodles" will be a big hit with young and old. Best Regards, Lawrence E. Harris - ComicVent

   Mark Behrens says. . . Thanks so much for the puppet castings. I've learned so much creating my little friend "Andy". This project was a dream come true from when I was a little boy entertaining friends with a Willie Tyler's Lester doll, not to mention very easy (but time consuming). I look forward to creating other puppets using your castings, keep up the good work.

Mark Behrens - Redding, CA

   Harry Kidd says. . . Hi Mike. Harry here from Ediburgh (UK). Your parts for making dolls are what i have been looking for since 1996. I used all kinds of materials over the years, but you have come up with the best idea many thanks. Harry Kidd.

   Al Rosson says..... I bought 2 sets of castings from you about 2 mos. ago. One from your website and the other was an ebay auction I won. Here are some pictures of Prof. Hoodwink. My first figure. He's an affable sort who claims to know a little something about everything. Your book is really wonderful and was of tremendous help. As was Al Stevens web page.

   I made his shell blinkers out of the preformed clear packaging from a set of ping pong balls. They work great! His hair was applied to a thin skull cap made out of magic sculp and is removable for maintenance. I did alter his features to get the look of an older fella. His fez and glasses I also made by hand. I had a few set backs along the way but enjoyed every moment. Al Rosson

   Kirk Wickizer says about his first figure...... What a phenominal kit! I have found a new hobby I can enjoy in my own home. I spent roughly 4 hours a night for 2 weeks to complete the job. I hope to order my next kit very soon. Thanks again for a quality product! sincerely, Kirk Wickizer

   Kirk says about his second figure...... This was the funnest project! I call him Herman Nostrilli. This one took me a full three weeks to complete. He has raising eyebrows like my last one (Jeffrey). I spring load the eyeball lever so when I pull down it activates the brows. This keeps my levers down to two which will acommodate right or left handers. Again I want to thank you Mike for prompt delivery and a dependable, quality product. If I could just improve my skills as a ventriloquist I could make a few bucks without selling him! Thanks, Kirk Wickizer

   Bill Dozier writes..... "I cant say enough about the quality of your products and your generous involvment in the process. I mailed some new pictures of my boys. I finally got the eyelids working on the latest model {Danny} ,They are not perfect but they are pretty good. Again thanks for the encouragement. You make a great product and I hope others are having as much enjoyment from your stuff as I do. If you ever offer the head kit with the works installed I could probably get you some customers. Thanks once more for all your efforts and especially for your willingness to be involved with your product after the sale is made. That is what is sadly missing in so many areas of commerce today. I am getting fairly active with church work and nursing homes, and to see the smiles on these old folks makes it all worthwhile. By the way I am seventy eight but the figures make me ten years old again. WOW! As always, my regards Bill

   Fred Crawford...."This was the first (kit) I made. Spent a total of about 12 hours over a few weekends, very proud of him. Told my wife, "See, I don't have any trouble making new friends! Ha! Ha!" He has moving mouth, self-centering side-to-side moving eyes, raising eyebrows, blinkers, and a tongue that sticks out!

   Chuck Poole writes..... "He's my first born. After buying and restoring some older figures I decided to build my own. I took my skills as a model maker and transferred them to vent figure building. The details of the project are outlined on my website. The website allows curious vent enthusiasts to view my techniques and send me feedback if they desire. I can share what I've learned so far. I don't know what else to say. The website really says it all. Your input has been very valuable to me, thank you." Regards, Chuck

   Tony Davies writes..... "I had always dreamed of owning a traditional cheeky boy vent figure since seeing Ray Alan with Titch, here in the UK, as I was growing up in the 1960s. Mike has made it possible for this dream to be realized. The castings are excellent and there is lots of online help, particularly from Al Stevens' wonderful site. Jimmy has self centering eyes, which were particularly easy to construct with the eyeballs supplied, this really gives the figure that professional look. It took me about a week to build him, now I have a new hobby and an investment. Thanks Mike!"

   Mike Brooks..... I bought a puppet kit off of you around oct last year. I just finished it up about a month ago and wanted to say a big thanks. It was easier than I thought to assemble. A friend of mine painted it for me. I did the moving side to side eyes. I didn't do the winkers. Looked a little more than what I wanted to do for the first puppet. Just wanted to say thanks. Mike Brooks