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Jaxon Inner circle Kalamazoo, Mi. 2537 Posts |
I know that's a kind of silly title for this post but what I'm about to talk about makes me think of Clark Kent becoming the super hero. It took me a few moments to decide if I should post this here or in the food for thought section of the Café. I decided to put it here because some of you who are fairly new to magic might find something to think about from it.
My girlfriend pointed something out to me about a video we watched of me performing. I have plenty of videos of me doing a show but this was a home video of me at a party. I wasn't booked to be there but I did do some magic and we got it on tape. Now, I know that there's a difference between my everyday personality and my performing personality. I'm always me but when I perform I kind of feel this shift in myself. A boost of energy. I'm sure anyone who performs knows what I'm talking about. It's kind of like my body and mind says, "It's show time." Anyway, you can see me just hanging around and talking with people. Then they got the moment on video when someone asked if I'd mind doing a little magic. I knew my body might move a little differently when I'm performing but this video shows just how much of a difference there is. My posture changed big time the moment they asked if I would perform. I don't slouch over when I'm not performing or anything but right at that moment you can actually see me turn into "The entertainer." I stood up straighter. I walked differently. Even my face seemed to change. I can't put my finger on all the differences you see but you could show me pictures of just my face and I'd be able to tell you if I was performing when that picture was taken. I could always feel this shift. When people who have known me for a long time see me perform in front of a group for the first time they've said it was like a switch going off. They said it's still me but it's a very different me. I'm not shy when I'm not performing but I can definitely do, say and think of things when I'm performing that I couldn't in every day life. Like I said. I think there is a lesson to be learned here. How you move, how you look and how you present yourself has a huge effect on your spectators. In order for this change to take place I believe the key thing that brings it about is self confidence. The only way to have that confidence is to master what you are doing the best you can and obtain the experience to know what you are doing. I know I jumped around a little on this post but the difference I saw in this video is still amazing to me. Ron Jaxon |
unilogo Veteran user Las Vegas , NV 359 Posts |
Definetly agree and to add to that we must realize THAT shift shouldn't stray COMPLETELY from who we are. Atleast you got it right.
I say that because it tends to get REALLY fishy if we act like someone else.Well, only with the family and friends atleast.You know those HUGE changes we see magicians do, going from serious to comical in an instant........opposite, etc...radically. Be yourself, by yourself, you CAN'T be somebody else. Atleast to the people that know you or you plan to know. Which is basically everyone! So there too there is something to think about. Great post as always...hehe... |
Corey Harris Inner circle Kansas City, MO 1229 Posts |
I go through this kind of charactor change. Being a wrestler I often portray some one completly different. If I didn't I couldn't do any thing. I know that's sad, but its true. I am horribly shy, so I take on a charactor to be able to perform. With my magic I am still pretty shy, But I am working on it. I cant use the same persona in magic as I do in wrestling because then people would hate me.
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Kent Wong Inner circle Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 2458 Posts |
Ron,
This is almost exactly what Ken Weber talks about in Maximum Entertainment. He observes that when many magicians perform, they become larger versions of themselves. He even uses the analagy of Clark Kent turning into Superman. With tremendous power and confidence, Superman the magician takes control and commands every element of the performing situation. This element of confidence and control is then extended to the magician's routine, how he picks volunteers, and even the patter he uses. I've known for a long time that my personality shifts into a different gear when I am performing. My wife can see it happen from across a crowded room. That's when she rolls her eyes and say, "Oh no, he's at it again!" Kent
"Believing is Seeing"
<BR>______________________ <BR> <BR>www.kentwongmagic.com |
Jaxon Inner circle Kalamazoo, Mi. 2537 Posts |
I had no idea someone else has already made that analogy about superman. Great minds I guess.. Just kidding. Sometimes I get lucky.
If you ever get some video footage of yourself the moment you make the transition you might want to watch it closely. Amazing how different you can look and move just by altering your state of mind. Ron Jaxon |
magicalaurie Inner circle Ontario, Canada 2962 Posts |
[quote]On 2005-07-07 15:12, magicman845 wrote:
"With tremendous power and confidence, Superman the magician takes control and commands every element of the performing situation. This element of confidence and control is then extended to the magician's routine, how he picks volunteers, and even the patter he uses. I've known for a long time that my personality shifts into a different gear when I am performing. " I can relate very well to this topic as well. You were right the first time, Ron- great minds We are performers. And when we perform we are in our element. We are ourselves, but enhanced, controlled, focused. Learning focus and control help our stage presence greatly. We must bring an intensity. Experienced performers are able to switch into "showtime" mode automatically without thinking much about it, but family or friends who are seeing us perform for the first time may be surprised by the transition. There are a lot of aspects of performing such as this one which are not often considered by people who are not performers. Performance is the result of training and skill. And it is during moments such as the one you've described above, Ron, where that becomes evident and is acknowledged. |
mormonyoyoman Inner circle I dug 5,000 postholes, but I have only 2440 Posts |
Were you perhaps talking about this story? -- http://www.comics.org/graphics/covers/97......0382.jpg
*jeep! --Chet
#ShareGoodness #ldsconf
--Grandpa Chet |
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