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djurmann Inner circle thinks time to practice and stop writing 1481 Posts |
The reason I ask is because I am considering two different portrayals in my Professor's nightmare close act. In one I am angry that the small rope has disappeared, BUT....it is close up! I am large, short haired (not quite shaven) and can come across as pretty scary....a rollercoaster of emotions is perhaps desirable.....but is anger (follwoed by the release of tension) a good thing....especially in close up?
What do you think? Danny |
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funsway Inner circle old things in new ways - new things in old ways 9980 Posts |
Anger might be considered a "natural reaction" in life, but to portray that some good/positive result comes from anger is not wise, methinks. So, how does the routine flow? If you get angry and then the trick works the message is that anger controls magic. Wrong message. I have seen a magician "get mad" at a rope and cut it up, then lament, ask forgiveness, and find it restored. Don't see how this can work with PN unless you do a complete retoration at the end.
If, on the other hand, you were to get angry with yourself and magic was the cause of your mellowing or better nature it might work, but I would rather not portray anger at any time, any place, any situation. Personally, I do not think outwardly demonstrated anger is ever appropriate behavior. "Rage" of course is never appropriate.
"the more one pretends at magic, the more awe and wonder will be found in real life." Arnold Furst
eBooks at https://www.lybrary.com/ken-muller-m-579928.html questions at ken@eversway.com |
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Gerald Deutsch Special user 526 Posts |
I have written quite a bit about “Perverse Magic” which is a form of presentation that sometimes has the performer “angry”.
In my view Perverse Magic can take several forms including: 1 Something happens without performer’s knowledge. 2 Performer says one thing will happen – something else does 3 Performer says he’s going to do something – it happens by itself 4 Performer is caught – he admits it – then he and the audience are surprised. 5 Performer and audience are on different planes 6 Performer explains something that will happen but he doesn’t understand why it happens. Or in the alternative something goes wrong and the performer looks in a book and then does something meaningless and it happens. In Perverse Magic the performer is not saying “Look how great I am” (except the way Carl Ballantine did) but is caught up in what is happening and is surprised, frustrated or angry at what happens – all beyond his control. |
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BarryFernelius Inner circle Still learning, even though I've made 2536 Posts |
If you're angry at the piece of rope or at yourself, maybe it could work. In a close-up performance, I'd dial it back to 'frustrated' or 'annoyed.' Or perhaps, reference a quotation from Mark Twain:
"When angry, count four; when very angry, swear!"
"To achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan and not quite enough time."
-Leonard Bernstein |
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djurmann Inner circle thinks time to practice and stop writing 1481 Posts |
Thanks, following the feedback I have decided to go more towards Gremlins in the Gollum mould.....funnier and more accessible.
Still an interesting question though...what emotions could magicians use to the performance palette? Danny |
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Steve_Mollett Inner circle Eh, so I've made 3006 Posts |
Daffy Duck-style frustration can have an entertaining comic effect, provided it comes off as deliberate acting.
Author of: GARROTE ESCAPES
The absurd is the essential concept and the first truth. - Albert Camus |
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tommy Eternal Order Devil's Island 16532 Posts |
Well sometimes one must show the cards who is in charge.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eVU231hbp4
If there is a single truth about Magic, it is that nothing on earth so efficiently evades it.
Tommy |
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RJE2 Veteran user 383 Posts |
Mock anger can be very funny and entertaining especially as a response to mock frustration if done in a funny way by a funny character.
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lynnef Inner circle 1405 Posts |
'Frustrated'! 'Annoyed'! 'Confused'! All would be better than anger I think in a professor's nightmare routine. But I do like the Daffy Duck suggestion ... anger which is more coupled with frustration, and you know could never do any harm! I saw Alex Ramon do a great professor's nightmare routine where he would get progressively confused and then at the end laugh/smile at finding his confusion solved (ie with pieces in all different sizes ... it all ends just as it began). I worked pretty well overall for a dinner crowd and was the finale for a good sized show! Lynn
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Brad Burt Inner circle 2675 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-03-26 12:14, RJE2 wrote: True or truly portrayed anger is not fun. Unless done in a manner that the audience is 'sure' that it is for effect, etc. it can be very disturbing. On the other hand if folks have come to the type of show in which they expect more emotional latitude...that's a different thing. Ya gotta know your audience and what they expect. Best,
Brad Burt
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Pop Haydn Inner circle Los Angeles 3690 Posts |
I think one can find all kinds of emotions to portray in a magic performance, the more the better.
My Pop character gets believably mad for a second in my ambitious card routine when the spectator innocently squares the deck after the card is returned to the middle: "Did I say 'square the cards?' I don't think I did...You are about the meanest woman I ever met!" The tension is immediately released, "Well it's your turn anyway...tap the deck!" and the chosen card comes to the top. I think "mock" anger and emotions portrayed as "unreal" is not good acting, and is often weak performance. |
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Christian & Katalina Elite user 407 Posts |
The challenge with such emotions during a performance are two-fold for the mystery performer.
One: Is the emotion PROPERLY motivated? Would a person legitimately be irritated by the situation? Two: Is the performer able to realistically convey the emotion? A campy, mock emotion comes off as juvenile and trite. Another reason magic is looked at as a lesser art. Additionally, I agree with Pop's post above.
Milbourne Christopher Award for Mentalism 2011
The Annemann Award for Menatalism 2016 Author of "Protoplasm" Close-up Mentalism |
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RJE2 Veteran user 383 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-03-29 13:04, Pop Haydn wrote: Mock is acting. If it were real, it wouldn't be acting. There are far more than 2 sides to this coin and comedy can certainly employ "unreal" emotions. |
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Pakar Ilusi Inner circle 5777 Posts |
Is Anger ever appropriate in a magic act?
Yes.
"Dreams aren't a matter of Chance but a matter of Choice." -DC-
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Brad Burt Inner circle 2675 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-03-29 13:04, Pop Haydn wrote: What I 'hear' you saying is that the person/spectator assistant above REALLY believes, because of the force of your acting, that you/Pop is REALLY angry with her and that you really do think she is the "meanest woman 'you' ever met"? You at least imply strongly that you are showing/evincing a true emotion if only acted. I can't see how the next line would dissipate the AFFECT of such anger upon the assistant. I CAN see if the assistant did not take it totally seriously in the first place. Then I have no problem. If the anger was a faux anger for 'effect', then it works for me as least as I've used and experienced it in my own performance. But, 'real' anger? The assistant 'really' bought that you thought she was such a 'mean' person? You only have two choices as the assistant: One, you think that the performer is serious in which case if you really are NOT a mean person then you have been insulted. Two, you REALLY are a mean person and the commentary is both right and possibly correct. Given the parameters of the 'insult' resulting from anger portrayed as 'real' I don't see a third alternative. The third alternative only comes about if the acting is really good and effective and MEANT to portray a type of comedic 'faux' anger. Then the assistant can 'see' the joke with the rest of the audience and react negatively to the overt insult or the overt and correct assessment of her character. Best,
Brad Burt
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djurmann Inner circle thinks time to practice and stop writing 1481 Posts |
I have seen the piece Whit is referring to. In my view the lady was a little uncertain but senses Whit may be joking. The stuff I was thinking of could have been genuinely a bit scary.....not because I was angry with a person (it would be the ropes) but because being around big angry people is scary.
Of course vis a vis Whit I am looking at a single performance and from a you tube perspective so I could b eentirely wrong. Danny |
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Christian & Katalina Elite user 407 Posts |
Brad Burt...excellent Post.
Milbourne Christopher Award for Mentalism 2011
The Annemann Award for Menatalism 2016 Author of "Protoplasm" Close-up Mentalism |
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tommy Eternal Order Devil's Island 16532 Posts |
They know its only a game.
However, with children one must be more careful, they are not such sophisticats as adults
If there is a single truth about Magic, it is that nothing on earth so efficiently evades it.
Tommy |
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djurmann Inner circle thinks time to practice and stop writing 1481 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-03-31 10:18, tommy wrote: Hmm that is what I would have said until I saw David Williamson...but it really depends on the personality. David Williamson does fairly terrible things to kids and they and the audience love it. How he gets away with it I have no idea. |
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Brad Burt Inner circle 2675 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-03-31 12:22, djurmann wrote: This goes along with my point above: Dave gets away with it, because virtually NO ONE takes him seriously. He 'acts' crazy, but obviously is not. He's in control of what he's doing even though it might be cringable in some cases. I've seen Dave do crazy things that appear as if they are 'terrible' on one level, but I have never, ever seen him actually 'hurt' anyone.
Brad Burt
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