Get to know Jerret Farmer, an individual with an eclectic employment history and a passion for WordPress.

Jerret has been employed as a Producer, Project Manager, Software Architect, Programmer, 2D/3D Production Artist, Art Director, and Lead Technical Artist. He’s worked for Image Comics: Top Cow, Activision, and FOX studios. He has worked on licensed properties for Marvel, Universal, and Warner Brothers studios.

Currently, Jerret works as the Manager of Digital Innovations at CauseForce, overseeing the creation and maintenance of their main websites and multiple WordPress blogs.

I prefaced our interview by letting Jerrett know of my relative ignorance to the practice and art of ventriloquism.

Well, the good news is that we have that in common. Part of what makes the bit work is that I’m not a ventriloquist. I know how that sounds. You are correct in stating that these presentations tend to be on the dry side and I wanted to do something that really engaged the audience right up front and get them involved with the whole of the presentation.

My first swing at the bat was at WP OC and that worked really well. I only used the puppet at the very first and once I warmed up the audience I got into putting up a site. This time I’ve shaken off a bit of the fear and doubt of trying it and will do a lot more with the act.

Speaking without moving your lips and switching voices on the fly takes a lot of practice and relaxation. I don’t have a lot of time and public speaking is very scary so I think most of the humor comes from how bad I am at it.

What should we know about you that you haven’t included in your brief, third-person, professional biography?

I am in the witness protection program.

Introduce us to your dummy. Name, gender, hobbies, anything we should know that isn’t obvious?

Mike Puppet. He really, really likes Elvis. But that will probably be obvious.

Mike Puppet

How did you get started and involved with ventriloquism?

Once I have started, I’ll let you know.

What made you decide to put together a WordPress related presentation utilizing a dummy?

It was a suggestion from a co-worker. I really wasn’t sure if he was joking, but I thought it was a great way to engage an audience. That and Mr. Puppet insisted.

In a few words, and without giving away the big secret of your presentation, what’s one mistake you and Mike Puppet can help WordPress newcomers avoid?

Always put on security and backup software first. Not even a dummy runs a site without protection.

What security and backup software, if any, would you recommend beginners install before getting started?

I always install iThemes Security Pro and their backup software Backup Buddy. Those are the two first products I install.

Jerret Farmer and Mike Puppet will be at WordCamp Los Angeles in the WordPress by a Dummy.