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RideorDie99 New user 80 Posts |
HI all,
I'm thinking of putting together a Canadian Themed Magic Act which Canadian Coins. Would that go over well in the U.S.?
STOP DROP SHUT THEM DOWN AND OPEN UP SHOP
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muzicman Special user LaCenter, Wa 989 Posts |
Any act that has any entertainment value would go over well in the US. The US is comprised of many cultures and they are a pretty easy crowd to please. I would think twice about using Canadian money but only because it will not look "Natural" unless you are performing in a boarder town. Anything that does NOT look natural automatically raises suspicion with any audience, anywhere. To have props themed to Canadian events may confuse people unless they are familiar with the event. Most Americans are knowledgable about Canadian pastimes like hockey and beer...LOL. I think you would do fine as long as what you used was something an American would naturally see or expect. There really isn't much difference between our two cultures so you have a lot to play with. Do you already have some specific ideas that you would care to share?
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Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-04-13 19:43, RideorDie99 wrote: I think it would play about 20% less as well in the US as it would in Canada. Depending on the exchange rate of course
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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damien666 Special user canada 513 Posts |
I don't see any reason why a Canadian themed act wouldn't work in the states - you could even have some fun with the stereotypes ('Hey Hoser with the toque, pass the brewsky, eh - I'll do a looney in the bottle!').
I think it would be a cool idea to do a Canadian themed act - not only for the practical aspect (you being Canadian) - but you could probably get a federal grant because of it. And free money from the government is a good thing (even if it is in Canadian dollars)! Good Luck, Damien |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
It may not be a bad idea, but you will have to realize that many US folks may not understand the customs and and rhe Canadian mannerisms that you are trying to convey in your act. You will need to develop your character and your storyline so that people will clearly understand who you are and what you are presenting and the story you are trying to tell to them. If this is clearly stated in the performance in some way, then you should not have a problem with an act of this sort.
Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
What is a Candian themed Act. I can only think of a Mounty in the traditional red uniform or A dog sleigh, etc.
Using Candian coins does not make it a Candian themed act. |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
See, what WM says is just my point. Some of us in the US have a perceived impression of what a Canadian is that may actually be vastly different then what your concept is for the act you want to do. You may have a cultural barrier to cross if you want this to work and go over as planned.
Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
Eric Leclerc Inner circle Ottawa Ontario 1185 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-05-03 02:55, wmhegbli wrote: Mounty? dog sled??? WOW... I didn't know some Americans still thought like that in the world we live in today. I say do what you want.. Some Canadian magicians only work with US half dollars (which I think is pointless). When we do scotch and soda, we introduce a mexican coin, no one cares, it just gives us patter for the trick. I say do your routine and use the Canadian currency for your patter.. I have to go... My igloo needs more snow......................................please! |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
That is just my point though, Some Americans really are that clueless as to what being a Canadian is all about or anything related to the Canadian culture. They tend to get this perceived impression based upon stories and movies and such. Just something to think about if your doing a Canadian themed act in the US.
Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
BalukMagic Veteran user Toronto, Canada 319 Posts |
Quote:
Mounty? dog sled??? WOW... I didn't know some Americans still thought like that in the world we live in today. Oh yeah, definately. We need to gather all the dogs, and fix up our igloos for the 6 months of darkness during the winter. Be sure if we see and people commiting crimes to tell anyone who rides a horse and wheres a red jacket. definately |
JT Kordesich Regular user Pittsburgh 118 Posts |
Instead of coffee to coins, you could do maple syrup to loonies...it would take a LONG time though
Illusion: Reality in the mind of the audience.
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Ben Proudfoot Loyal user 212 Posts |
Aha. Well at the beginning of my contest act, I talked about how diet Coke and Smarties is a 'typical Nova Scotian Feast'. Now NS (a province of Canada for those of you that think Canada is over seas from Texas) is kind of known as the 'Hick, Have-Not Province' next to Newfoundland. When I said the feast line (IN Ontario while competing at CAM) the house went up in laughter. I think this is because I am from NS and it was sort of self depricating humor...maybe do a Wisconsin themed act.. no I'm kidding. Depends how you play it...If its out and out making fun of Canadians, you wont win.. it'll be more comedy than magic. If you go serioous canadian and the mysteries of Canada it doesn't work either because it makes no sense.. you'll have to find your own happy medium.
Ben Proudfoot |
Jailhouse Jonny New user 81 Posts |
I have done a Canadian themed act in the US. You have to explain quite a bit. You can't assume they know who the PM is. The may not know that Smarties(TM) are like M&Ms (TM). You need to explain what poutine is. One needs to educate and explain.
Also when wearing a Canadian shirt there was a drunk idiot who said you are in America now, why are you wearing that? I explained I am proud of my heritage, perhaps he should take some pride in his, and that we can all get along in the great melting pot, and just walked away. He was too drunk to pursue much more. But there are some prejudices out there even against Canadians, even off the hockey rink. PM if you want more info |
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