Steve Johnson & Stan Winston School of Character Arts

Now if you have questioned whether or not to join the Stan Winston School of Character Arts stop waiting and sign up now. For the month of October they are having a special for 50% off streaming, DVD's, & Merch. Just use the discount code HALLOWEEN at check out. Now, the newly added video features Steve Johnson Legendary makeup artist and Creature Effects Fabricator Bill Bryan doing some awsome stuff! Now, get your but over the the website and check it out! Here is the preview

MIB 3 interview with Makeup Master RIck Baker

I found this interview with Rick Baker and wanted to share it. It's always fun to learn more about what goes into creating a makeup or creature. Enjoy!

Great Howard Berger Interview

Here is a fantastic interview with Howard Berger of KNB FX talking about the makeup FX industry and the Stan Winston School for character arts. Enjoy!

Count Down to ParaNorman T-12

T-12 days Happy SUnday Blog-o-sphere! have you ever wanted to be an animator? Have you ever wondered what it was like to make a movie one frame at a time? Well here is your chance. The ParaNorman website has a VERY COOL section where you can do just that. Check it out and show us what you make: http://www.paranorman.com/#open/stop-motion-zombie-lab have fun..see y'all tomorrow!

Count Down to ParaNorman T-13

T-13 days to ParaNorman Release on August 17th, 2012! With the Onlympics going on this was a great clip put out by Laika for ParaNorman. Be sure to get your best zombie outift on and get ready to head to the theaters. (ok...even if you don't wear a zombie costume you should go see it August 17th) Let's Support our Stopmotion animators.

Count down to ParaNorman T-14

T-15 days to ParaNorman Release August 17th, 2012 Here is a great clip with the Director Sam Fell. I think most of us would LOVE to "Play" for a living as well. If we're not doing what we love each and every day of our lives I thnk we need to be doing something every day to get closer to that dream. I guess it's time for me to make room to set up my animation table and get my puppets moving again. :) Have a Great day!

Count down to ParaNorman T-15

T-15 days and counting. Here is the official Trailer. How can you not be excited about this Stop motion movie release? I know my whole family is wanting to go on opening day..and we will :) Enjoy

Count down to ParaNorman T-16

Agust 1st, 2012 and only 16 days until ParaNorman releases in Theaters. This looks to be another Winning film by Laika Studios done in Wonderful stop motion animation! I am excited to see the newest creations of this creative tams and in watching some of the trailers I see some of the folks from Stopmotionanimation.com in them. Exciting! Join me in the countdown won't you. and be sure to check out their website for lots of cool downlaods and behind the scenes clips.

Paranorman Coming soon! WOOT!

Here is a great video of making Norman.

Check it out and then be sure to go see the movie August 17th!

While you're waiting to see the movie, go check out the official website. http://www.paranorman.com/ CJ

2012 Vent Haven Ventriloquist ConVention

Well another great Ventriloquist conVention has come and gone.  This year proved to be a wonderful time!  The ConVention was held in a new location, The Greater Cincinnati airport Marriot, which is actually in Heron Kentucky.  The new venue was great!  The airconditioning worked, the rooms were clean and comfortable, and everyone was in such a better mood as result of it.  This year my mother joined us and had a good time watching the shows and meeting new dummies and their vent figures too.

The Lectures were good, the dealers rooms were packed full of goodies, and the restaurant was in the hotel as well making it a one stop trip for most.  It was nice to get to see Tom ladshaw and his wonderful better half Leslye Hunter.  Tom is the premier ventriloquist historian, I am amazed at his wealth of knowledge on the subject.  Jeff Dunham gave his annual lecture on ways to improve our acts and art.  He then garciously signed for all those in line, yes were got in line too. :)

The Museum tours are always a wonderful highlight of the trip.  Be sure to check it out if your in the northern kentucky area, or even if your not, it's WORTH THE TRIP!

Be sure to check out the cool new logo items the Museum has as well, like this rockin' hat modeled here. ;)

Check out the Museum website for more information.  www.venthavenmuseum.com

We are looking forward to next year already!  Be sure to mark the days on your calendar  July 17-20, 2013.

Rush- Clockwork Angels

The latest Album(CD) CLOCKWORK ANGELS, has been out for a week now and it is Great. 
Back to a style of the past the whole album is a story.
Great music with some new and old sounds.

Pick it up, you won't be dissapointed.

Here is an interview with Geddy Lee about the new album.

Here is a wonderful interview with Candice Bergen on the Rock Center Show with Brian Williams. Candice is best known for her role on the hilarious comedy Murphy Brown also known by many as Charlie McCarthy's little sister. The daughter to Great Ventriloquist Edgar Bergen, Candice grew up in a household filled with the wonder and sarcasm of Edgar and Charlie. In my youth I always envied her and how she was around the duo. As she states she wasn't always as enamoured. Enjoy this great interview and tell us wat you think.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

MIB 3

Men in Black 3 hit theaters on Friday May 25th.



I have always been a fan of the series creativity and the fact that it is a great display of alien makeups. All 3 installments have been outfitted with wonderful Aliens by the makeup artistery of Rick Baker and his talented crews. Be sure to check out the current issue of Makeup Artist Magazine for some behind the scenes looks at the aliens.

I must admit I was a bit concerned that it seemed someone else was playing "K" in this installment but the story made sense and I have to admit that Josh Brolin did a great job as a younger "K". Tommy Lee Jones never fails to amuse me with his nick names for "J", played by Will Smith who also brings in the laughs and character to the film. Some great back ground is revealed as well.

Rick Baker has appeared in makeup as an alien in each of the three installments.

Be sure to check it out. let me know what ya think.

Lighthouse senior luncheon May 16th, 2012

I had the great opportunity to perform for a great group on Wednesday the 16th at the Lighthouse of Pontiac. The Lighthouse provides assistance for those in need. Food, financial, or utility assiatance. They put on a luncheon for the Seniors once a month and We volunteered to be the entertainment for May. May is also the last show for the summer months until they resume in the fall so we were in for a treat. There were about 25-30 guests and I performed closeup magic for them while they were arriving and then did a stage show for the group. After lunch Jack and i walked around to thank them for coming. They were responsive and laughed and had a good time. It was fun for tamara and I to provide entertainment to those in attendance.

We are looking forward to going back in the fall.

Fun trick of the mind and eyes

Check this out. If you play the slide show and stare at the cross in the middle it makes these otherwise good looking people look.well..different. Enjoy.

Geico Lizard has become a Ventriloquist

This is a great new Geico Commercial. Yeah I know I am biased because it's Ventriloquist related, but its also fun. Enjoy!
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Avengers!!!

Well it is finally here and well worth the wait!

The Avengers Movie hit the theaters Friday May 4th to a great opening weekend.

We had the chance to go see it tonight and were not disapointed.
The action is awsome the story was fantastic and the visualas were stunning.
I would/will see this in theaters again and I know we will get it on blu-ray as soon as it's out.

If you have seen it, what did you think?

Drop me a note.

Caine's Arcade

This is a wonderful story.

Please watch this and let it inspire you to follow your dreams.





Way to go Caine!

Hoppy Easter

CJ, Buster and the Gang wanted to wish everyone a Very Hoppy Easter.  May all your baskets flow over and your jelly beans taste delicious.

Be sure to make time for Family and sprituality in your own way.

And lest we forget the classic Rankin & Bass specials, here is a reminder of those wonderful days,

Have a Wonderful Easter!

Vent Haven Fund Raiser Ventriloquist Show

Coming up soon is a great event for a great cause. Be sure to check out
DOUBLE TALK 2012

Emcee'd by Tom Ladshaw and featuring Kevin Johnson, Mike Hemmelgarn, and Megan Piphus.

This looks to be a Fantastic show and I highly recommend that if any of you can make that you go for the fun and also to support the Vent Haven Museum.