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Mirokai New user 56 Posts |
I really like close-up magic, especially coin magic, and I think in this kind of magic you must have a lot of interaction with the spectators, you must be, let say connected with them (at least most than in stage magic routines).
I think this is my biggest barrier in magic. I’m not the kind of person that talk to much, the person that is the main point of a conversation, I’m more a reserved person and chatter is not natural in me. Even if a have a patter for my routine I have troubles to interact with my public, to improvise, to engage them. To resume to make the entire act funny. That’s it! I think I’m boring. SO my question I easy and I think you all deduce it. Any help would be much appreciated Thank in advance
"Tout ce qui nous arrive de bien et de mal ici-bas était écrit là -haut" Diderot
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alexhui Inner circle Hong Kong 1956 Posts |
First of all, if you think you are not the kind of person that is funny, don't pretend to be funny.
Funniness is not the only element which can make your routines entertaining and magical. Serious performer can also make routines look great. Try to look at your performance from spectator's view. Record your performance and review it a few times. This helps to understand your style better. Most importantly, don't even think that not being funny is the biggest barrier to you. If you truely believe this, your body language and overall behaviour will tell your audience that you are lack of confidence to present good magic to them. Being yourself is being true to your unqiue magic. Alex Hui
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Jaxon Inner circle Kalamazoo, Mi. 2537 Posts |
Alexhui Shared some great advise and it just might be your situation. However, if I may give you another option to explore.
The funniest moments happen when the performer is being serious. If you ever watch a funny performer they usually aren't acting funny. The same is true in funny moments on TV or in movies. Let me share an example of a common trick that the more serious you are the funnier it is. This is a great trick for you to give this a try with too. Get an invisible pack (Or brainwave deck). Then present it with some of the classic comedy lines.
Then finish the trick with the gimmicked invisible pack deck. This is just an example but it demonstrates what I mean. The more you act like this is all real and nothing is funny. The funnier it'll be. Because they know it's not a real deck but you seriously act like it is. There are many ways to be funny and not "be funny." Just something to think about. Ron Jaxon |
alexhui Inner circle Hong Kong 1956 Posts |
Jaxon, I always enjoy your posts and your example reminds me something about an occasion which I discuss 'funny' with my comedian friend.
My friend is a comedian which perform alot. He is always funny to watch. But his problem is that he always acts to be funny. There is nothing wrong of being funny, but as a comedian, if the performer shows that he is 'intentionally' telling a joke, 90% of audiences will not laugh. It's the same when you try to tickle yourself, most of the time you will not feel being tickle and want to laugh. Watch most successful comedians, they are often showing 'serious fun'. When they tell a funny joke, most of the time they are serious and don't laugh at their joke before their audience laugh first. I think this phenomenon always works because audience have to recognise the meaning of joke by interpretion if the performer tells it seriously. They didn't recognise the joke at the first place, thus the joke is waited to be understood and discovered. But if the joke is told when the performer is intentionally telling them, audiences will not spend much mental process to interpreting the deeper meaning. Therefore, the joke may fail. And even worst, the audience may think the performer is telling unfunny joke. That's my 2 cents and I think there are others who can be funny by being funny. The above is my observation and my current thinking. Hope this can hlep to illustrate some of the points. Alex Hui
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For BRUTALLY HONEST consultation for your upcoming projects, PM me. YouTube: Alex Magic Review YouTube: Themis Magic World Instagram: @AlexMagicReview Instagram: @ThemisMagic |
magicsarge New user Northamptonshire, Great Britain 79 Posts |
I too have had problems with presentation and patter etc., and much like yourself do not consider myself the least bit funny. As I have taken part in more performances I have found myself becoming a little bit more relaxed, and the real me is starting to show through. Just be yourself, and enjoy what you perform and I think your own style kind of develops.
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zur Special user California 671 Posts |
I think Sankey wrote a book called "Zen and the Art of Comedy"
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Mirokai New user 56 Posts |
Thanks you all I really appreciate your kindness and you efforts.
I will try to follow your advice. I also was meaning funny as entertainer. Lets me explain, what do you talk about in the middle of your patter lets say when your shuffling the cards to make it "funny". Thanks again
"Tout ce qui nous arrive de bien et de mal ici-bas était écrit là -haut" Diderot
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Jaxon Inner circle Kalamazoo, Mi. 2537 Posts |
I see what you mean. Those moments where nothing entertinaing is happening but the action must be done (such as shuffling).
Depending on the routine and your personality. There are things you can do in these moments that are both humorous or otherwise entertaining. For example if you are shuffling you might be able to take that moment to just have a small conversation. "What's your name?", "Where are you from?", "What do you think of the weather?", etc.. Even simple things like thsi will work. Or you can find some of what I call bits of business. Or use one liners (Search Steven Write one liners for some great ones). The important thing is to relax during these moments. Many of these moments can be shortened too. For example instead of shuffling the deck for 30 seconds. Only shuffle for 5 or 10 seconds. Also remember that while you are entertaining. You are seen as an entertainer. The things we say and do are looked upon as part of the show. it's kind of hard to explain but it does make a difference. If you've ever seen a juggler you'll know what I mean. They could say things while they are juggling and get laughs out of it. If they said the same thing while there aren't juggling it won't get the same reaction. Ron Jaxon |
Mirokai New user 56 Posts |
Thanks Ron I really appreciate it.
I always look very carefully to your post and I really appreciate the time you (and all magician here in the café) take too help us, new magician.
"Tout ce qui nous arrive de bien et de mal ici-bas était écrit là -haut" Diderot
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Lee Darrow V.I.P. Chicago, IL USA 3588 Posts |
To take a divergent angle on this matter, if you have trouble being funny, then maybe you shouldn't try to be funny all that much. Some of the funniest moments I have ever experienced have been when someone who I thought was a completely serious person did something (often only one thing) that was completely incongruous and just stood there standing on stage and staring at the audience.
If one is completely comedy-impaired, then perhaps they should go for a more serious presentation of the effects they are trying to present. Take the Invisible Deck as a good example. "Sir, have we met before?" No. "Have we set up anything in advance? No. "Great. Would you simply take a moment and clear your thoughts as much as possible. Now, when I snap my fingers, simply THINK of a single playing card. And, to make it more of a challenge, please do not think of one of the Aces, everybody does that." (trust me, the audience will be slightly surprised at that revelation as about half of them will be thinking of an Ace). "Now, on the table here, I have placed a prediction inside the deck of cards you see here. When I count to three, please yell out your card for everyone to hear, so there's no possibility of anyone mistaking the name of the card you are thinking about." Count to three and let him yell out the card. Reveal the card as per the handling of the trick. You now have an effect that is at least as impressive as the Eddie Fields/Don Alan presentation of the Invisible Deck, even if it doesn't take nearly as long. In fact, if you want to make it run longer, have the volunteer shuffle and cut the deck in their IMAGINATION, then select the card and place it back in the deck, feac up, in their imagination. Then have them toss the deck to you, in their imagination at the count of three. When they do, produce the deck and finish the trick. Solid entertainment does not necessarily have to be funny. Many people miss this idea and think that only people who make them laugh are entertaining. Just my 2% of a dollar's worth. Hope this helps! Lee Darrow, C.H.
http://www.leedarrow.com
<BR>"Because NICE Matters!" |
Jaz Inner circle NJ, U.S. 6111 Posts |
At one time I wrote down some lines that I thought were funny. When I actually said them I realized how stupid I sounded. Got embarassed and bombed.
Be yourself. Especially with people who know you. Make small talk. Look at the ceiling and ask, "Is it raining in here." Say, "My 7 year old niece taught be this." while shuffling. "I tried to teach my dog this trick." "Do you like my shirt?" or.... never mind. heheh. These would probably sound dumb. heheh Good Luck and Happy Holidays, |
Michael Taggert Special user Fredericksburg Virginia 656 Posts |
The importance of recording your presentations cannot be understated. a lot of my funniest lines have come to be a part of the show after careful review of the show on tape. get a pocket recorder and startit before you start your routine. when you get HOME listen to it and listen to the audiences reaction. a lot of makeing people laugh comes from first establishing a comfort with them. Set them at ease and they will be more willing to laugh at your jokes. start with prepared one liners and you will soon start to get the feel for comedy with the audience. If a situation pops up that gives you a laugh remember it. analize what worked at that time and then capitolize on it when you can. I have also found that a joke doesn't work with every one all the time. much of comdey is physical and expression. if you are just not sure play the strait man. comedy is hard work.
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Mirokai New user 56 Posts |
Thanks…again.
I like to have different point of view in a subject this way I can get my on conclusion form all the replies. So the more they come the better.
"Tout ce qui nous arrive de bien et de mal ici-bas était écrit là -haut" Diderot
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eddieloughran Special user 942 Posts |
I'm not a funny person and can't tell jokes, yet the audience like me and laugh.
We are becoming obsessed with the idea that magic itself is not interesting and that we have to dress it up with comedey. Trying to tell jokes in the middle of a routine will kill it dead ! Particully if you are not confident. The important thing is for the audience to like you. that's all !! Smile. Be nice . Get their names and say them. Don't be arrogant and try to make fun of them. Enjoy yourself. Nothing is more fun than the magician getting the trick wromg and finally saving the day. As to being at ease with strangers it takes time. Relax. I wear a brightly coloured waistcoat and bow tie, and walk up carrying some sponge balls, put them on the table, and say would you like to see some magic. Who is going to say "no". Most people are nice; they want to like you. Just go for it and be yourself. Eddie |
thumbslinger Elite user This is a good number: 458 Posts |
There are many, but have a look at Harry Allens "Sleight of Mouth" for loads of one-liners. If you get three or four memorized for specific occasions (they're all 'indexed' under when to use them) you might be surprized at how your own mind will start working along the same lines to provide a little spontaneous humor that 'fits the moment' rather than 'fits the routine.'
When I watch performers at the Magic Castle, most of the magic is great, most of the entertainment is solid and just about all the 'jokes' are the same. I personally understand, really I do, the value of the meaning of "if it's not broke, don't fix it" or an audience differes from night-to-night so staid 'jokes' are new....or similar concepts, but the best entertainers performing magic ...where humor is concerned... are the ones who observe and listen to the moment and can react to something happening for the first time rather than having actual 'patter' memorized and tossed out regardless of the people at hand. Aldo Colombini is an incredible example of this. Sure, he has a huge repository of one-liners and such that are included during particular moves, but he listens and responds to audience members most of time. And yes, sometimes the actual responses are known, but they are USED spontaneously and come off as such. Anyone performing a routine just bam, bam, bam with cutesy lines to cover moves or 'make the boring entertaining' will fall short at one time or another if some spontaneity is left out.
Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed and Tommy Emmanuel are all you need to study to learn to play guitar.
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saxmangeoff Veteran user Moscow, ID, USA 353 Posts |
Something to think about....
Think about funny things you've seen. Movies, TV shows, cartoons, etc. How much of the humor comes from "one liners"? How much comes from lines that are funny in context, and might not even make sense on their own? And how much comes from physical comedy, without any words? Most good humor grows out of situations and characters, rather than out-of-context jokes. To give a magical example, Mac King is hilarious. But he's not rattling off one-liners. Rather, he's a funny character in a series of funny situations.
"You must practice your material until it becomes boring, then practice it until it becomes beautiful." -- Bill Palmer
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Mike Walton Special user Chicago 984 Posts |
Great question.
I don't believe there is only one formula, model, path, etc. to being funny and one's humor must match his/her audience and personal style. Now that I think about it, my humor cocktail of choise is one part charisma, one part relaxed confidence, one part surprise and wit, and one part making fun of myself and I shake like heXX and try to pour it out with the right timing. My ego has to be left at the door. It's a mix that works for me. I'll try to explain, but you'll have a different model. You have to have charisma so the spectator likes you and you have to establish this ASAP for a close-up interaction (which is all I do really.) The confidence is the set-up and helps build the charisma. If you come across as a self-conscious fool, then the foolishness is expected, you lose the charisma, they don't believe in you and won't want to laugh at what you're presenting, and you're not funny. Be confident in a pleasant manner. Then either use wit or at the right moment, jab yourself with humor. People would rather laugh at you then at themselves and it's particularly funny if you're confident doing it. It's something David Letterman has mastered. Use surprise and wit when they naturally come. Although you have to take risks when creating humor, you generally know if something is going to bomb before you say it. Don't say those things...and those one-liner corny cliches are some of the worst things to say. This is what's working for me. It's not canned and I believe I come across as myself, and people like real. |
Chrystal Inner circle Canada/France 1552 Posts |
Hi,
I was hoping Peter Marucci would comment on this post as I remember him discussing personality types in the Linking Rings magazine a few years ago. I seem to remember him suggesting that your persona while performing should only be a notch or two above your own personality. Anything other than that would appear to be un natural and stilted. ( I hope I am quoting him correctly.) While I agree being naturally funny helps puts the audience at ease there is nothing wrong with a performer whom is serious. If jokes told are not natural to your personality they may come across as forced and I suspect would not have the effect you desire. Humor comes in many forms and for every fall guy there is a straight guy. Humor can also be found in many forms as some posters suggested..quick comebacks or adlibs sometimes are much more humorous than a joke. Chrystal |
Jaz Inner circle NJ, U.S. 6111 Posts |
Two of the wittiest (is this a word?) guys I saw perform live were George Shindler and Tom Mullica.
Shindler took ques from the audience and had some great lines and comebacks. So sharp a witty I wondered,"How the heck does this guy come up with these lines?!". Mullica simply had me in stitches. My jaw was aching from grinning so much. It was like a cartoon came to life. I doubt many others, or I, could do that stuff. I'll play it straight and if I see an opportunity to slip in some humor then fine. |
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