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gomerel Elite user 458 Posts |
It is standard for magicians, at least male ones, to choose a woman volunteer, preferably young, cute and giggly. Do women magicians follow this practice or pick men?
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Mary Mowder Inner circle Sacramento / Elk Grove, CA 3662 Posts |
I pick someone who is mentally engaged and open.
I try to choose someone who would be pleased to be made the center of attention. I won't pick someone wearing really tight clothes, have a bad case of hat hair or an obvious pimple and such because if someone takes a photo those pics go all over the world these days. Sometimes I will choose someone who is not alpha to draw them into inclusion (but not if they seem VERY shy) as long as they seem to enjoy Magic. We have a lot of power in the group dynamic with our volunteer choice. I like to leave the group in a positive state. When I was younger choosing a lone guy could sometimes give a wrong impression that I might be available (even when Tom was right in the room and obviously with me) so that had to be taken into account. The focus and fun of a Magic performance can give the wrong impression of sexual interest and I'll bet many male Magicians have the same "problem?". I've seen my share of Women making a pass at Tom while he is performing. LOL -Mary Mowder |
gomerel Elite user 458 Posts |
Thanks, Mary. You always have great advice!
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Jacene New user 50 Posts |
Performing mentalism, everything I do requires audience participation. At first I was very nervous that the women wouldn't like if I called their spouse, assuming (similar to what Mary stated) that I was "looking for a man" and I also would worry that if I only called on women the men wouldnt have a good time and think I only use women. Anyway, I no longer worry about it! I generally mingle with the audience before the stage show and get an idea of who will be my BEST "volunteers"! I look for those who will enhance my show, male or female. I do a few table hopping routines and the women are at ease when they realize I'm married with kids. If I do call their husband up everyone's already had fun with the table hopping , gotten to know a bit about me and all goes well!
Just my 2 cents!!! Jacene |
MazingMandy Special user Has tolerated the trolls here for 676 Posts |
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On Feb 14, 2016, gomerel wrote: This seems to be mainly because lots of male magicians are a bit of a lech |
Mindpro Eternal Order 10604 Posts |
I think the thing that is being overlooked here is women are easier and more compliant to work with. Guys can possibly be more challenging or willing to "mess with you", "test you" and often won't follow directions correctly. I think there are many good and valid reasons that performers, male or female, would tend to prefer to pick women. Regardless if man or women performer, I would limit my use of guys to things they can't mess up.
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Mary Mowder Inner circle Sacramento / Elk Grove, CA 3662 Posts |
I think men are more challenging to men.
One of the things that surprised me when first going to Magic Clubs and conventions was the level of men's vying to see where they fell in the pecking order at first meeting. Not everyone in the group will be in contention but the top third of the group really want to know where they stand. This is not only true of Magic groups. Any new meeting of men can start with this. (This is just how it looks to me.) A a woman, I get a pass on all that so men or women are both in the pool to draw from, I just need to see if they are the right individual. Some women have a need to be the center of attention or seem to be looking to cause trouble too. If I come off as needing to be the center of attention it will bring out the worst in these types, male or female. Most of the real problem types are flying their colors pretty clearly in their every word and their body language. You know how a problem drunk makes it apparent very quickly, other types can be spotted with training Sometimes after I introduce myself as a Magician I'll just ask the group, "OK. who's trouble?" Every eye and most fingers will point to the same person. (This usually gets a big laugh from everyone). I will make them my friend in a fun way. I'm not there to do battle with the Alpha. The Alpha's good grace has great power to make my interaction a success. -Mary Mowder |
danaruns Special user The City of Angels 808 Posts |
I'm no hoary veteran with decades of experience, but I usually choose women first. I will go to a man after that, but most of my initial volunteers are women. I find that I can establish more of a conspiratorial connection with the audience right at the beginning of the show, that way, and avoid the risk of beginning with a volunteer who fashions themselves "the adversary" or "the spoiler," which sometimes you get with men who think they have something to prove (especially if there is alcohol involved). Once a woman has set the tone of volunteering, I'll bring in a guy.
I mostly do close-up, and I'll open with a card trick that requires two volunteers. I will usually choose one woman and one man. I'll do the first part of the routine with the woman. Then I'll do the second part with the man, once he has seen how it is supposed to go and he is "trained." The men tend to be more compliant once a woman has shown them the way. I guess that sounds sexist and condescending. Sorry. Another reason I start with women is that I want the women in the audience on my side. It might just be an insecurity of mine, and not anything real, but I feel the need to connect with the women right from the start, so they don't come to think of me as adversarial when I'm constantly choosing their husbands or boyfriends (though at my age that's not really a concern anymore ). I do not choose my female volunteers according to whether they are "young, cute and giggly." Gah! No! I tend to choose those who look like they are smart and fun. I don't want giggly. I don't care about cute (though I admit that sometimes there are women who are there to be looked at, and I may choose them just for that purpose). And I pick 'em both young and old. In fact, I love having older women volunteers, and the audiences like them too. Nothing better IMHO than having grandma helping me out. It's instantly endearing. That's my take from someone who is still working out the kinks of it all. Of course, most mornings I have trouble finding my car keys, so that should tell you how much weight to give what I have to say.
"Dana Douglas is the greatest magician alive. Plus, I'm drunk." -- Foster Brooks
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Mary Mowder Inner circle Sacramento / Elk Grove, CA 3662 Posts |
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On May 25, 2016, danaruns wrote: I've never thought of myself as hoary, I've never been convicted anyway. LOL -Mary |
danaruns Special user The City of Angels 808 Posts |
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On May 25, 2016, Mary Mowder wrote: I think that's a whole different act.
"Dana Douglas is the greatest magician alive. Plus, I'm drunk." -- Foster Brooks
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