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Selecting what type vent figure to purchase can sometimes be difficult. The wide range of styles and characters available can be overwhelming. Here are a few tips that might help you pick the one that is right for you.
First, decide what type personality and character you want to use. Do you want a male or female? The voices you can make play a part in this decision. Some male vents cannot effectively carry off a female voice, while some female vents cannot convincingly do a male voice. Will it be young or old, intelligent or a bit dim, talk slow or fast, happy or sad, funny or serious, have an accent or not? Make sure you can produce a voice that fits the character.
Another decision to make is if the figure will be human, animal or an object. The possibilities are endless, and the choice should consider your intended audience. Young children relate well to animals, but may find human characters a bit scary. Older kids and adults enjoy animal as well as human figures. Objects such as books, ball bats, Axtell's drawing board and the like are great novelty items, but are usually used as short bits between other characters. If you are looking to add a little pizzazz to your current show, using one of these may be a wise choice.
The size of the figure should also be decided. Larger audiences usually require larger puppets to be seen better. If you are planning on performing for small groups, especially children, a smaller figure may fit the bill. The size difference between you and the character should also be considered. A very tall person can use a larger puppet and look natural, while a shorter person may find a smaller one appears better in relation on stage. The type of character itself may also determine the proper size.
Choosing between a hard or soft figure is usually a matter of style preference and how much it will be used. Hard figures are the tradition, but soft ones are very popular. Young kids usually find soft puppets more attractive, approachable and "huggable" than hard ones, while adults enjoy both. Hard figures can often be fitted with more animations, like moving eyes and winkers, while soft ones may be able to more convincingly gesture with an attached arm rod. Hard figures usually need to pack in a sturdy case, which takes up more room in your vehicle, and need protective bags covering the head and hands. Soft ones scrunch up smaller, can be kept in duffle-type bags, and generally don't need as much protection. The "look" between soft and hard puppets differ, so personal preference plays a part in your choice.
Economics and experience also affects your figure decision. Some vents consider hard characters as investments that will last their entire careers, and soft puppets as ones that are often less expensive but will eventually need to be replaced sometime down the road. Beginners often are anxious to jump into the art with an expensive figure, only to later discover after some experience that the character choice was not appropriate. My advice to novice vents is to purchase something that is not extremely costly but fills your current needs. Later on, after you are performing more regularly and have more experience, you may wish to invest in another one.
Selecting a figure can be a difficult decision. Hopefully these tips will help you find the perfect partner for your shows.
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