# Living Ventriloquist Dummy with MONSTER M4SK Eyes ## Overview ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/081/263/medium800/hacks_slappyBeauty.jpg?1569024227) Ventriloquist dummies can be charming, hilarious, spunky sidekicks! But sometimes, they'd like to really come alive and be the start of the show. No better way to bring extra pizazz to your dummy than to add a set of realistic eyes that look around as they perform! You can use your Adafruit MONSTER M4SK board to add windows into the soul of your ventriloquist dummy. Then, take them to the open mic night at your local cafe, or even just give it the opportunity to watch over people who come to your house for trick or treats on Halloween! ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/081/269/medium800/hacks_2048988958_57532031af_o.jpg?1569025424 Man with his ventriloquist dummy .ca 1870. Photographer: William James Harding Reference number: 1/4-006818-G Wet collodion glass negative Photographic Archive, Alexander Turnbull Library https://www.flickr.com/photos/nationallibrarynz/2048988958/in/pool-vintage-ventriloquism/) Find other interesting dummies in the [Vintage Ventriloquism group on Flickr](https://www.flickr.com/groups/vintage-ventriloquism/pool/page1). ## Ventriloquist Dummy There are a number of resources for acquiring a dummy. There are relatively inexpensive, entry level dummies, such as our friend Slappy used in this guide, available at online retailers and auction sites, made by the Goldberger company. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/081/267/medium800/hacks_slappy.jpg?1569024799) ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/081/264/medium800/hacks_lester.jpg?1569024742) ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/081/265/medium800/hacks_danny.jpg?1569024743) These basic dummies have a soft body and a fixed head position. They use a string pull from the neck to articulate the jaw, which is on a rubber band return. You can also upgrade to a modified Goldberger dummy, which has a rigid hollow body and a stick for controlling head motion, as well as a finger pull for the jaw. Then, there are higher quality dummies made for all levels from amateur to professional. Check out [Throw Things](https://www.throwthings.com/gallery2.asp?search=101), and [Braylu](http://www.braylu.com/ventriloquist-figures/), which is the company that made my upgraded Slappy. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/081/268/medium800/hacks_upgradeslappy.jpg?1569025143) ## Parts ### Adafruit MONSTER M4SK - DIY Electronic Eyes Mask [Adafruit MONSTER M4SK - DIY Electronic Eyes Mask](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4343) **Peep dis!** Have you always wanted to have another pair of eyes on the back of your head? Or outfit your costume with big beautiful orbs? The MONSTER M4SK [is like the Hallowing](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3900) but _twice_ as good, with two gorgeous... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4343) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4343/guides) ![MONSTER M4SK DIY Electronic Face mask. Two Screens Display Eyes that blink and dart up and down.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/product-videos/640x480/4343-00.jpg) ### Lithium Ion Polymer Battery with Short Cable - 3.7V 420mAh [Lithium Ion Polymer Battery with Short Cable - 3.7V 420mAh](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4236) Lithium-ion polymer (also known as 'lipo' or 'lipoly') batteries are thin, light, and powerful. The output ranges from 4.2V when completely charged to 3.7V. This battery has a capacity of 420mAh for a total of about 1.55 Wh. If you need a larger (or smaller!) battery, In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4236) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4236/guides) ![Lithium Ion Polymer Battery 3.7v 420mAh with JST 2-PH connector and short cable](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/4236-04.jpg) ## Optional Depending on the dummy you use, and how you choose to incorporate the M4SK eyes, you may also want the following: ### JST SH 9-Pin Cable - 100mm long [JST SH 9-Pin Cable - 100mm long](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4350) This 9-pin cable is just about 100mm / 4" long and fitted with JST-SH female connectors on both ends. Compared with chunkier JST-PH these are 1mm pitch instead of 2mm, but still have a nice latching feel and are easy to insert and remove. We got these especially for... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4350) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4350/guides) ![JST SH 9-Pin jumper Cable](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/4350-01.jpg) ### Convex Plastic Lens with Edge [Convex Plastic Lens with Edge](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3917) The eyes have it! Add this little lens to make a big expression with our Spooky Eyes demo for microcontrollers or Raspberry Pi. These are plastic lenses, with brilliant clarity and a nice convexity (is that a word?) They've even got a lip-edge so you can mount them easily with a 38mm... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3917) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3917/guides) ![Angled shot of small, circular convex lens.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/3917-00.jpg) ### Clear Acrylics and Hardware Kit for Monster M4sk [Clear Acrylics and Hardware Kit for Monster M4sk](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4330) Here is the perfect kit for mounting [convex lenses](https://www.adafruit.com/?q=convex%20lens%20edge) (glass _or_ plastic) to your [Monster M4sk](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4343)! These acrylics has been laser-cut specifically for lenses... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4330) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4330/guides) ![Assembled Monster M4SK with lenses installed and eyes moving around](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/product-videos/640x480/4330-02.jpg) ## Tools & Materials Some additional tools and materials may be required depending on the style of build: - Hobby knife - Hot melt glue gun and glue - Zip ties - Black card stock - Black marker - Pencil - Velcro strips - [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/living-ventriloquist-dummy-with-monster-m4sk-eyes/adding-eyes-to-your-dummy.md) ## Featured Products ### Adafruit MONSTER M4SK - DIY Electronic Eyes Mask [Adafruit MONSTER M4SK - DIY Electronic Eyes Mask](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4343) **Peep dis!** Have you always wanted to have another pair of eyes on the back of your head? Or outfit your costume with big beautiful orbs? The MONSTER M4SK [is like the Hallowing](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3900) but _twice_ as good, with two gorgeous... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4343) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4343/guides) ### Convex Plastic Lens with Edge [Convex Plastic Lens with Edge](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3917) The eyes have it! Add this little lens to make a big expression with our Spooky Eyes demo for microcontrollers or Raspberry Pi. These are plastic lenses, with brilliant clarity and a nice convexity (is that a word?) They've even got a lip-edge so you can mount them easily with a 38mm... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3917) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3917/guides) ### Clear Acrylics and Hardware Kit for Monster M4sk [Clear Acrylics and Hardware Kit for Monster M4sk](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4330) Here is the perfect kit for mounting [convex lenses](https://www.adafruit.com/?q=convex%20lens%20edge) (glass _or_ plastic) to your [Monster M4sk](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4343)! These acrylics has been laser-cut specifically for lenses... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4330) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4330/guides) ### Lithium Ion Polymer Battery with Short Cable - 3.7V 420mAh [Lithium Ion Polymer Battery with Short Cable - 3.7V 420mAh](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4236) Lithium-ion polymer (also known as 'lipo' or 'lipoly') batteries are thin, light, and powerful. The output ranges from 4.2V when completely charged to 3.7V. This battery has a capacity of 420mAh for a total of about 1.55 Wh. If you need a larger (or smaller!) battery, In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4236) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4236/guides) ## Related Guides - [Adafruit MONSTER M4SK](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-monster-m4sk-eyes.md) - [Spruce Up a Costume with MONSTER M4SK Eyes and Voice](https://learn.adafruit.com/spruce-up-a-costume-with-monster-m4sk-eyes-and-voice.md) - [MONSTER M4SK Toon Hat](https://learn.adafruit.com/monster-mask-augmented-eyes-toon-hat.md) - [Cappy Monster M4sk with Animated Eyes](https://learn.adafruit.com/cappy-monster-m4sk.md) - [Velociraptor Voice and Eye Upgrade with MONSTER M4SK](https://learn.adafruit.com/hand-puppet-voice-and-eye-upgrade-with-monster-m4sk.md) - [Fish Head MONSTER M4SK Eyes](https://learn.adafruit.com/wide-set-monster-m4sk-creature-eyes.md) - [Monster Mask Case](https://learn.adafruit.com/monster-mask-case.md) - [Meat Skull Centerpiece](https://learn.adafruit.com/meat-skull-centerpiece.md) - [Add MONSTER M4SK to your Costume Mask](https://learn.adafruit.com/add-monster-m4sk-to-your-costume-mask.md) - [Boglin MONSTER M4SK Mod](https://learn.adafruit.com/boglin-monster-m4sk-mod.md) - [EYE SHOOTOUT: Contrasting Open Source and Big Retail Electronics](https://learn.adafruit.com/eye-shootout-contrasting-open-source-and-big-retail-electronics.md) - [Program CircuitPython USB Devices with iPhone & iPad](https://learn.adafruit.com/use-circuitpython-devices-with-iphone-ipad.md) - [Goose Game M4SK Controller](https://learn.adafruit.com/goose-game-m4sk-controller.md) - [Animatronic Fizzgig MonsterM4sk Puppet](https://learn.adafruit.com/animatronic-fizzgig-monsterm4sk-puppet.md) - [3D Printed Action Figure Selfie](https://learn.adafruit.com/3d-printed-action-figure-selfie.md)