For ventriloquism, a puppet of figure with a moving mouth is almost mandatory. In the history of the integration of ventriloquism and puppetry there have been cases where a non-mouth moving figure has been employed, but it certainly is a rarity today. Here's some information on the mechanics of the moving mouth. Anyone who has anything to add or another method, please email me at gkoepke@bellsouth.net.
Here's a tip I remember someone (I think it was Ray Guyll) giving me 20 or more years ago concerning the placement of the pivot point on the mouth of a figure. Look at yourself in a mirror and see where your own jaw hinges and then try to run the pivot rod in the same place on your figure (A). This way the mouth will open in a more natural manner than if the rod is placed too close to the front of the face. Also, according to the late Frank Marshall, you should strive to have the mouth of your figure open a full inch or more. This will allow the audience in the back of the theatre to see the movement and also allow you room for varying the amount the mouth opens for different types of speech... whispering, normal speaking, yelling, etc.
This is a method of installing the moving mouth in a figure which utilizes the spring coming down from the inside top of the head. The spring runs from the top of the head to the top of the mouth piece and is moved by pulling a cord attached to the bottom of the mouth box which runs through the head stick and into the body. The positive side of this method is that the pressure of the spring and the pull necessary to open the mouth are nearly equal in relation to the fulcrum or pivot point of the mouth. The negative side is that the spring is relatively easy to see by the audience, especially when working up close or on television. Sketches were sent in by my buddy Marcia.
A method of installing the moving mouth which has been used regularly in recent years is the method of installing the spring from the mouth piece behind the pivot and running down towards the bottom of the neck. This method does aid in hiding the spring because it is hidden by the mouth piece itself. Again the mouth is opened by pulling a cord attached to the bottom of the mouth box which runs through the head stick and into the body.
