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danryb Special user 506 Posts |
Hi there,
I specialize in children's shows and perform daily/nightly at many hotels for the the children. On new years eve I was asked to be part of the evening cabaret stage show for the adults. I declined due to lack of experience in this field and also the lack of appropriate props. This is a five-star top quality hotel and, after giving it some thought, I aproached them a few days ago to team up with them in producing a full scale magic stage show for adults. I'm not sure what the budget will be on the production but I imagine around $15,000 dollars for intitial purchasing of illusions/illusionetts/magic and costumes. Maybe another $5,000 or $10,000 for choreography, music, backdrops and stage props. I will be using their stage and storage for the props (no need for transporting), and also their in-house sound and lighting technicians, dancers and stagehands. For me, this is an opportunity to "make a change" in my life and performance. I will not have any expenses, I will just go on stage once or twice a week, go off stage and bill my fee. All other expenses will be picked up by the hotel. I must point out that I am not a manipulator (although I can and have been performing the multiplying balls for years now), but I can act, have good showmanship and a sense of humor and I love being on stage (this is why I was aproached to begin with). I am seeking advice on filling up a one hour and 25 minute show with good solid entertainment - - what advice can you offer me on the subject of tried and tested illusions/illusionettes and where would you suggest purchasing these (if you could please send me some links with your tips) Also, do any of you know of any magic stage show producers who could assist me in setting up a modern, original and professional programme? Thanks in advance for your help, Dani see a clip of my kids show here:- http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2306218153241622707 |
Face Elite user 495 Posts |
You should look around on http://www.magicauctions.com you might find something suitable for yourself there. It`s hard to recommend something exact, because I don't know the theme of your show, you're own ideas etc.
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danryb Special user 506 Posts |
Face, there really wasn't anything there.
Surely you could assist even by suggesting and sparking off an idea for a theme. Anything to go by would help me. I was thinking in the terms of a show that catches a high tech aproach, maybe even have a camera shooting effects onto a screen that could somehow be incorporated into the effect. I have never used dancers or assistants for that matter - maybe you could give me some insight as to some of the advantages of using assistants to help produce a "full" show. Should I just do the normal producing, vanishing, floating or changing of the assistant or myself or could I use an assistant for other things? thanks, Dani |
Kent Wong Inner circle Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 2458 Posts |
As you are likely aware, the quality of a show is not judged solely by the illusions themselves. Instead, much of the entertainment value comes in the transitions and bits of business in between the effects. This is the glue that holds a good show together. This is what will allow you to connect with the audience and it will allow you to inject substantive meaning into each of the illusions. Having said that, talk to the producer and the choreographer. Brainstorm thematic ideas and presentations so you can present the show as a unified whole. Once you have created a vision for the show, source out the illusions you will need. You will find that your shopping becomes much easier once you have focused your attention on your actual needs. I hope that helps.
Kent
"Believing is Seeing"
<BR>______________________ <BR> <BR>www.kentwongmagic.com |
Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
Dani,
I worked shows for Hilton for years. They were always excellent working partners. They had both theater and ballroom facilities. The same shows seldom play well in both places if the theater is over 1000 seats. Also the use of volunteers is very different. Dead air in a theater will kill your show. Things just have to move faster in a theater. Assistants become very important. I also always had live music. Will you? It gives you latitude that is not available with recorded music. Get your props from pros and people who supply pros. There are several outstanding ones that are members here on The Magic Café. I would start by looking over some of the posts in The Workshop here. Not only do most professional prop builders build new props but they are aware of who among the pros has plans to change their show. Professionals use their props and don't run museums. When they no longer need a prop it is available for sale. Sometimes you will need to change colors etc. and need to send them back to the original builder. Therefore, you need to build those contacts. Don't buy everything that is for sale. It's your show! Good Luck! Bob Sanders Magic By Sander |
danryb Special user 506 Posts |
Thank you Bob Sanders,
Much apreciated information there. I have been pm'd by some of the members here as you mentioned. It seems and sounds like I will eventualy find what I'm looking for by hiring the aid of some of these guys. Still, I would apreciate if you could send me the links to who you think could really assist me and my needs - taking into account that I live in Israel and all. I would imagine that having props made for my personal use could be done overseas - thing is, I don't yet know what it is I want. Who would you suggest to help me and where can I find or contact them? Thanks all again, Dani |
Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
Dani,
Have you scripted your show? That is made a summary of where you would like to carry your audience and how to get them there? That will help you choose your effects and props. Bob Sanders Magic By Sander |
danryb Special user 506 Posts |
Hi Bob
I am truethfully still in the proccess of imagination, creativity and research (also a little dreaming). As I mentioned, I have never as of yet designed a script for adults. I know it is a totaly different field (adults and children - stage and illusions compared to parlour and comedy). I do have a lot of years experience working on stages and infront of large crowds of all ages so I am already a few steps ahead. I have made some contacts both through the Café and other sources and hope to start getting my act together very shortly. Also, I must admit, I have written down my basic show and what I would like it to contain as far as effects, comedy, illusions and the various routines that I wish to perform. Although these are still very early stages and anything can still be changed. I haven't gone into detail on the fine lines of a pattered script but I do know that I want to take my audience on a fast paced trip into the magical world of a young boy who wishes to grow up to be big and famous by performing a grande stage show with his name up in lights. The show will basicaly be a very entertaining story of a young boy whom after recieving his first set of magic tricks got swooped away into a world of dreams and illusions until eventualy he became number 1 in this art. I will be performing manipulation, comedy and illusions together with black art, changing scenery, dancers, smoke and other effects that when blended together will assist the audience to wow and laugh and realy be entertained and leave wanting more. This show should have a psychological and emotional effect on the audience for long after the show as it will entail not only the wow factor, the humor and special effects but also an inspiration. So, in answer to your question, a big "YES" for knowing exactly where I intend taking my audience in this show. Thanks for your concirn, and I am still apreciating any pm's from anyone who can offer me any insight, inspiration and even personal services - I am seeking to build contacts with any inventors of magic and anyone who offers top notch quality service or products in the field of illusions and stage work where ever they are in the world. Please feel free to introduce yourselves to me via pm and I will gladly get back to you if your service interests me. Thanks, Dani |
diamond Regular user Serbia & Montenegro 200 Posts |
Try to get in hold of Joannie Spina. She is the best in putting a show together. Joannie is a top professional when it comes to magic, production and choreography. Her background is fantastic when it comes to all of these factors. Being a magician and illusionist and having a family tradition of magic (Joannie is the daughter of famous Tony Spina) is just one of her qualities. She had a complete dance eduction since childhood and was a very talented dancer. She used to be Copperfield's leading assistant for 11 years and she choreographed and participated in many of his signature pieces that we watch over and over nowadays (Disembodied, Origami, Interlude, Brazillian Fountain Levitation, and almost everything on his TV specials). Later on she continued with her own illusion show in Vegas.
Nowadays she produces and choreographs shows of illusionists worldwide like The Majestix, The Spencers, Mark Kalin & Jinger, Marco Tempest, etc. She is also lecturing worldwide on structuring a magic show. She is simply the best when it comes to directing and choreographing the show. Atop of that, she has a very nice character, and she is very communicative and down to earth person. Another person I would recommend when it comes to putting a show together is Jeff McBride. He has been directing and scripting some great and famous magic shows for years. |
Shrubsole Inner circle Kent, England 2455 Posts |
Just a small point: As you are used to doing shows for children, I would also imagine that you are good at telling stories and themes to carry the illusion along.
I don't see you as a "just do a trick" - "Talk a bit" - "Do another trick" one after the other for no reason. Use what I suspect you already have. You can tell a story to an adult audience just as you can to children (Obviously something that adults can emotionally connect with) - Don't re-invent the wheel when there is no need. Use the skill that you obviously must already have: If you can keep children's attention with a story or plot, then you are a better man then me! So, you already have the skills. Next you will have to think if you want individual non-connected stories or an overall theme: Horror, Comedy, Las Vegas glitzy, etc etc etc. Then it's a simple routine of making up a story and patter/music which I'm sure you must have done many times for you children's show. You seem to be panicing (which is understandable) where there is no need to. You have had to pick an trick and work out how you are going to present it before with your children's show so this won't be a lot different. The very best of luck with the show! Chris.
Winner of the Dumbringer Award for total incompetence. (All years)
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danryb Special user 506 Posts |
Thanks diamond for that tip. and thanks Chris for the inspiration.
I am not so much in a panic as I am excited and anxious to "do this". thanks, Dani |
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