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JackScratch Inner circle 2151 Posts |
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On 2006-06-07 12:10, Dannydoyle wrote: You left me out. Actualy, I'm pretty certain I am the one who brought this thread to to script and rehearsal subject. The original question seemed to allude to me that the original poster was just performing random effects. As such I did what I always do and touted the necessaty of scripting and rehearsal. And as usual several people had to chime in with how uber ultra 1337 cool it is to just improv, at which point we all spiraled of into an arguement about improv and what it actualy is and should be, as opposed to an excuse for being grossely underprepared. While many magicians are simply too lazy to prepare, they always have the time and energy to argue about being too lazy to prepare. |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Jack my friend I indeed left you out and appologise. Consider yourself left in! Glad to have you in the club, since you technically started it in thist thread anyhow.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
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Bill Hallahan Inner circle New Hampshire 3222 Posts |
Mitchell.Stafiej wrote:
Quote:
So you're out performing, how do you know when to stop your performance? This is a great question, congratulations for thinking to this level of detail. Several of the finest magicians also have considered this question. Dai Vernon cautioned against performing too long. I don't know who said it, but a common phrase about magic performances is: Quote:
Always leave them wanting more. Ottokar Fishcer wrote in the introduction to Hofsinzer's book, "Card Conjuring": Quote:
I would recommend showing not more than six of Hofzinser's tricks during one evening; one half of this number should be such as require no aid cards.* This was obviously referring to card magic. I wouldn't take that as a rule, but a guideline. Some of Hofsinzer’s routines could last many minutes. If you are just performing card magic, depending on the routine you perform, six tricks could take just a few minutes… or last well over an hour. I believe it was Hofsinzer who wrote (paraphrased) that a magic performance shouldn't be longer than 90 minutes lest the spectator's become overloaded (or something like that - unfortunately I can't find this reference now so I might have this mixed up with something or someone else). Being amazed continuously for a long time can get tiring. Personally, I wouldn't take 90 minutes as a hard limit – I think a bit longer is ok, but I do think that a 4 hour show would be pretty draining for both the audience and the performer! Ultimately, as already pointed out in this topic, this really is an, "it depends" type of question. It depends on the type of event and the type of audience, and especially the age of the audience. Young children don't have a long attention span. Ignoring the intermission, the Pendragon’s magic show was about 90 minutes long, although it seemed to pass by very quickly to me. Other magic shows I’ve attended usually lasted from between an hour and two hours, and most shows for adults were closer to an hour long. A strolling magician might work for three hours, but he or she would keep performing for different small audiences, so the actual 'shows' are usually pretty short. Resteraunt magicians I've known have spent from between 5 minutes to about 30 minutes at my table, depending both on how busy the resteraunt was and how quickly the food arrived. I've seen magic shows for children that went for from 30 minutes to an hour. I can't recall one that went longer than an hour, and that includes both shows at several amusement parks and birthday shows. However, even shows that were clearly for audiences of adults at amusement parks are rarely over an hour - I know of at least one park where a magician was told to shorten his show because they park management wanted people outside spending money, not sitting at a show! I believe the following guidelines will apply to most magic shows.
Finally, take note during your performances as to whether the audience is paying attention. If not, and your show isn’t otherwise flawed, you might be performing for too long. While I have done both strolling magic and stage magic, I am not a full-time professional. With the exception of the quotes, most of this post is my opinion. Also, check out the following topics: Tables/hour -- time of performance Attention Span - A thing of the past? (This is about performing for children). How long can people stand card magic? No more than 5 minutes (Refers to table hopping at a restaurant). Number of mentalist effects presented? (It's not about "time," but it's a similar concept). Feed me (See more) Feed me (Again, this is about how long to spend at a table). Your show is too short!" Good or bad? Leave 'em Wanting More! (The magician who started this topic is serious about audience feedback. Kudos to him!) How many tricks per show? (Again not time, but close). Staff butting in (Read Bill Palmer's response in this topic - again this is about table hopping at a restaurant). Time is on my side How much magic?
Humans make life so interesting. Do you know that in a universe so full of wonders, they have managed to create boredom. Quite astonishing.
- The character of ‘Death’ in the movie "Hogswatch" |
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-06-05 16:03, airship wrote: "Street magic in the modern parlance" as in David Blaine's early work is not the same as busking. There seems to be some confusion about this. Personally, I prefer the term "guerilla magic" for the term David highjacked from those of us who either do busk or have busked. The busker usually performs at a fixed point. He draws a crowd, works it, builds up to a point, pleases them and passes the hat. The guerilla magician sneaks up on the unwary and runs the risk of a boot in his backside. If you are doing "street magic," the time to stop is now, before you get hurt. Not everyone wants to see a card trick, a coin trick, a thing on a string or any of the other stuff "the Bird" peddles on DVD. Learn an act. Script it. Figure out where it is supposed to go. Follow some of the advice you handed out so readily in some of your other threads. Read some of the things others have posted on these subjects. There is a lot of knowledge on this board. If you want to make money working on the street, get Gazzo's books, his videos, etc. And get Cellini's material, too. Start working on visual magic and character development. Regarding length of time -- depends on the venue, and the kind of act. If you do a full evening show, that's one thing. If you are doing one act on a gala show, that's another. In some cases, you do the length of show that is requested. And if you are working outdoors, a 22-25 minute act is about right, especially in hot weather.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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