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GlenD Inner circle LosAngeles, Ca 1293 Posts |
I have an idea for a story line for DM (when I receive it). I am excited about getting mine and spending time working through how best for me to present it etc.
I don't mind sharing the storyline I am beginning to work out but the reason for me posting is this... I am not a "storyteller". I do well with the patter and presentation of effects that I do. A lot of the ones I currently perform, I have worked with and kind of personalized in my own way, like many do. But there's a difference between blabbing on while doing an effect vs. weaving a story utilizing a prop such as DM. I want to pull this off well and capture and keep the attention during the entire routine. I will be researching through the storytelling section but wanted to ask advice in this area too because of the specific effect I want to work with. So, what would be a good source to study for developing and improving a storytelling ability (please don't tell me it is a talent one is born with!). Thanks in advance. GlenD
"A miracle is something that seems impossible but happens anyway" - Griffin
"Any future where you succeed, is one where you tell the truth." - Griffin (Griffin rocks!) |
Doug Higley 1942 - 2022 7152 Posts |
Hi Glen...this is my take only...others will surely differ...alot has to do with your 'timing' as far as the DM goes. It can be a rather brief routine or a longer more drawn out 'story telling' experience. Personally I prefer the short takes alowing the props to create a reaction and then moving it along to a conclusion utilising the interaction between the spec (Guest Curator) and the 'icky' factor of the props.
Clifford Ball, likes the long story approach because that is 'what he does' naturally. (yep...born with it) Personally what I would do is what ever you currently do as far as the dynamic of your performance continue with it at the same pace and certain bits of business will manifest due to the nature of the props themselves. Look at it this way...if you are doing an effect with a rubber ball...it's a rubber ball...what is there to say? A discussion about rubber trees and the extraction method? That would amount to a bit of blah blah blah. On the other hand, a Monkey's Paw, allows for a more intriguing bit of information...as does the Ear etc. Long stories do not have to be told...just a line or two to get a volunteers reaction going. Let the prop itself do the talking for the most part...as you do the effect a few times it will just fall into place for you. The idea is getting a reaction...you already know how to do that I'm sure. The props will aid you in that endeavor. Some folks can facinate with their stories...other folks can bore you to tears...where is the line? You'll know if you pay attention to your audience rather than just subjecting it. Once you have the DM in your hands, you'll know what to do that fits you. Rather than forcing a big story that you were an explorer who witnessed the tribal antics of the hooma gooma Ertopa Tribe with all the details...just treat it as any found object...ask your spec what they think it was used for! Create a rumor: "I hear that it was in the posession of a powerful shaman and has the power to influence others decision making process....Let's try it out!" You can tell a brief bit about each prop of the three...but that's not at all necessary.... "EEEW...an icky nasty Toe...oh and here's an Ear...I understand they are a bit chewy and usually not left in the pot....and the Monkey's Paw...big magic be careful what you wish for with this one!...here hold this..." I think Glen IF you just let the thing unfold in a natural manner you will be able to enhance the story aspect without any effort if that is what you want to do. It can be Dark or it can be Silly...Heavy or Light. You are not a Bizarist, so getting overly dramatic might not suit your style and just be a bogus interlude in an otherwise dynamic performance. It can be 3-5 minutes or it can be 15 minutes. I shoot for the 3 1/2. But that's me. Now I'll let others REALLY answer your question with how to be a story teller. Doug
Higley's Giant Flea Pocket Zibit
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mota Inner circle 1658 Posts |
Tell the story as it relates to your life. My wife works in research, this includes cadaver dissection and labs that do animal research. My story has the ear and big toe coming from a wino. The monkey's paw comes from Stumpy, it's my favorite ashtray.
Your story should relate to your life... The rest of what I do with this is too tasteless to even mention here. I will just add that the methodology is perfect...I have done this effect for laymen and a couple magicians who know the basic method, but didn't recognize it because of how it was done. I do this effect more than any other effect for entertainment. Totally fantastic props, methodology, and psychological effect. |
Clifford the Red Inner circle LA, California 1941 Posts |
Part of developing good storytelling is learning how to write and edit scripting. Eugene has an excellent article on it here - http://www.magicbeard.com/view.php?id=15
I believe that scripting is very important, especially in storytelling magic. You are in fact presenting a theatrical piece and should become an expert in the nuance to make it as powerful as possible. Sometimes that may even involve getting some professional critique of your performance, probably from a director, not a magician! As Doug mentioned, I wrote a "presentation atmosphere" in the style of the original Bizarre publications. It gives a framework of a presentation in a concocted real environment, but that is different from scripting. I try not to make it long, but I also don't want it to be shallow. It should be long enough to support the effect and the props in an entertaining way and answer the inherent questions in people's minds.
"The universe is full of magical things, waiting for our wits to grow sharper." Eden Philpotts
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GlenD Inner circle LosAngeles, Ca 1293 Posts |
Thanks a lot, I appreciate the well written, thought out replies.
Thanks for the link, Clifford. In most of the typical situations where I may incorporate the DM, I agree I will keep it no longer than necessary and not screw things up with too much babble. I think that perhaps less is more where it relates to this effect, as Doug seemed to indicate (he should know, being the creator). But here is the setting for what will probably be my first and second presentations of the effect... Summer camp! Yeah, I work with the high school age students at my church and am using 2/3 of my vaca time for summmer camps (1 with high school and one with jr. high). So I am thinking of gathering my cabin mates one of the evenings and sit around and tell ghost stories or other tales. This will set the mood and I will finish the evening off with what will hopefully be a most memorable experience. I want to go for creepy, really creepy! I already spoke with the Pastor of Student Ministries and told him that I wanted to do some magic, obviously, but that I also had something creepy and non-gospel that I want to share with them. His response... "they're high schoolers, yeah go for it"! So that's why I kind of want to tell a story, maybe nothing too long and drawn out but still a story. I am also ordering rainmaker and intend to piggyback this on at the end of the DM presentation to cap it off. GlenD
"A miracle is something that seems impossible but happens anyway" - Griffin
"Any future where you succeed, is one where you tell the truth." - Griffin (Griffin rocks!) |
Potty the Pirate Inner circle 4632 Posts |
With all the preceding ghost stories, DM should come across as REALLY spooky! You could write a short version of "The Monkey's Paw" (by W.W.Jacobs) to relate when the stories are being told. Then the scene would already be partly set....Or you could tell a story about all the items in the Dark Museum. In any event, to tell the story well, you will want to hush your voice at certain parts, get louder in others, the KNOCKING at the door, for instance. When you repeat words spoken by characters in the story, use appropriate voices (slightly silly voices, or more sinister as you prefer). Vary the pace, make sure you start slowly to draw the audience in. Vary the pitch and dynamic of your voice, and use dramatic pauses. I'm sure you're probably aware of these nuances, but that's what makes a storyteller.
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