We are all the time hearing the phrase “think outside the box”. Face it. We are all headed for “the box” and when we get there we will not be doing any thinking in the box. Obviously we won’t be thinking, or speaking or moving around because by then we will be dead. So by definition, to think outside the box is something we are all able to do as long as we are alive, because we aren’t yet in the box.
The more common definition would be to be different than all those around us who only seem to be able to think in a type of a box because they lack the inspiration or imagination to let themselves be different than those around them. Thus the phrase “think outside the box”. Be different. You don’t have to be weird or sick to be different. Being different is what made this Country great. People did not get ahead by merely being cookie cutters of those around them.
There is nothing wrong with having a standard typical little boy puppet, (cheeky boy) or an old woman. However, for the most part you just become another performer like so many others if you just have the same type of puppet that so many others have. Soooo – Think outside the box.
Recently a friend of ours contacted us and asked to do something “outside the box”. Rodney Jansen is not a big name talent, but he had an idea that we had not seen or heard of before. It is my guess that Rodney will be able to get just as many bookings as he wants with his new puppet once he gets out there with this one.
The reason that we are telling you about this one is not to get 20 or 30 of you asking for a similar of it, but to inspire each of you to add some little twist to your thinking and come up with an idea that will make you unique in the field of Ventriloquism. You need something that will have people talking about your act when they are on the way home after your performance and still talking about you the next day and a week later. That is what will get you more bookings.
First Rodney had a novel new idea. Then he combined it with a great name for the puppet. In this case, the name of the puppet is “Leonard McLooney”. That name alone will have people looking forward to seeing the character even before he comes out on stage. They will be starting to laugh because they will be expecting something Zany or “Looney” and when they see Leonard they will not be disappointed.
The puppet is one that in itself is funny, but the genius of the creation was in the costuming.
Meet Leonard McLooney.
By the time you finished looking at the pictures, you have already thought of a half dozen lines for Leonard to use. The character just inspires that reaction. We had a great time making him and his outfit and came up with several zingers before he was complete.
Now get off to yourself and begin thinking outside the box. You are not dead yet, so be different. Then get hold of us and lets work together on your new idea to get you something different to be your signature character.
Thats all for now folks. Hope we inspired a fresh batch of ideas. . . and thanks Rodney for daring to be unusual.
Steve and JET