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NeoMagic Inner circle I have... 2017 Posts |
Hi Tim... with so many shows and performances behind you, I was wondering whether you still remember the very first one - how did it go and what kind of effects did you perform? Also, what advice can you give to beginners suffering from stage fright or nerves - has anything in particular worked best for you in overcoming such things. Thanks, and welcome to the Magic Café.
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Tim Ellis V.I.P. Melbourne, Australia 1234 Posts |
My very first show was in primary school... grade 4 or 5. Together with a few friends I'd been learning some simple tricks and the teacher suggested we do some for 'Show and Tell' the next morning at school. We got up and did some and, when we saw how much fun everyone was having, we added a few more tricks to our little show. Then we realised something even better. While we were doing tricks, we weren't doing any school work. The show lasted until recess and during the break we all rushed to the school library to learn more tricks. After the break we were back performing for the class... I'm pretty sure the show lasted at least until lunchtime, maybe even a little after lunch too.
As for what those tricks were... I have no idea. The audience probably didn't either, they just knew watching them was better than doing schoolwork! As for nerves, I still suffer from them. My worst case was at FFFF in 2001 when we had to do the opening night lecture. I made the mistake of looking out at the audience as they were taking their seats... Ali Bongo, Jay Marshall, Herb Zarrow etc. I panicked and thought "Who the heck do I think I am that I've got anything to tell these guys about magic?" I mean the first trick I was going to explain used a rough and smooth deck for heaven's sake... I just had to try to remember that no matter how much someone knows about magic, everyone learns something from everyone else, and I just hoped and prayed they'd find something of interest in our lecture. Before that incident, my worst nerves were at FISM in 1991 competing for the very first time. I was on in the afternoon session but got there about 6am after a sleepless night. By 6.10am I was dressed and had the whole act set up: an interactive video thing with a tiny TV and a coin routine. For the next few hours I went through agony, pacing backstage listening to act after act getting great reactions from the crowd. One time I snuck my head out for a peek and saw John Carney catching a rolled up bill with a pair of chopsticks. It made my little act look even more pathetic so I stayed backstage after that. As far as overcoming the nerves... and this will seem like a commercial... I've found MagicSports to be the best thing. Just getting up there on stage in front of friends and failing, over and over again, and celebrating that failure. The more you realise that it's not really the tricks the audience are interested in but you, then the less nervous you become.
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NeoMagic Inner circle I have... 2017 Posts |
Great reply, thanks! Unfortunately, my first school show wasn't so successful - completely messed up the finale! Thankfully the teacher realised what had happened and just started clapping and the rest of the class joined her!
I think you are right about "just getting up there on stage". I occasionally have to speak in public (small audiences usually) and loathe doing it. But having done it a few dozen times over the years it has certainly made it easier. Quote:
On 2006-03-06 19:19, Tim Ellis wrote: Now why didn't I think of that...
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Tim Ellis V.I.P. Melbourne, Australia 1234 Posts |
Gaston, of The Flicking Fingers, shared a great TheatreSports game with me that really helps overcome fear. Get up in front of your friends and try to juggle one more ball than you can manage. When you drop the balls, take a bow and their job is to applaud wildly. Each member of the group should try this a few times and it really takes the sting out of failure.
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The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The March 2006 entrée: Tim Ellis & Sue-Anne Webster » » That very first show... » » TOPIC IS LOCKED (0 Likes) |
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