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Magic_Steve Inner circle Maryland 1476 Posts |
Hey all...quick spongeball routine I did at my brother's birthday party. Nothing too special, just some okay reactions. One thing I noticed afterwards is that rushed through it at parts, but oh well. That's just because I was tired.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHp_jylWkks Feedback and criticism appreciated! Best, Steve |
Dan Paulus Veteran user Utah is isolated from the real world by 343 Posts |
Great reactions Steve. Your own family members can be a tough audience. (Familiarity breeds...let's screw with the magician!)
Good job.
There is no great genius without a mixture of madness. - Aristotle
Aristotle www.danscomedymagic.com |
Magic_Steve Inner circle Maryland 1476 Posts |
Thanks Dan!
Glad you liked it...on another note, would this be a good video to post on my website? I'm not sure, as it's more casual, and not very professional. I'm leaning towards no, but just want to know what others think. Thanks again! Steve |
sickmagic Special user 528 Posts |
Steve good job! Sponge balls is a classic for a reason, also hated by some magicians for a reason. LOL The only thing I would suggest is stand still! Other than that it looked good. And really to be honest it doesn't matter what we think, if your friends and audience love you then all is good for magic!
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Jaz Inner circle NJ, U.S. 6111 Posts |
Hi Steve.
The reactions you got are what we strive for. Good job. Since the routine has some surprises, I don't think using it as a promo would be the best idea. Especially if you want to surprise your clients with the routine. Also, it was done in street clothes and on the tailgate of a truck which just don't say, "I'm a pro." |
Magic_Steve Inner circle Maryland 1476 Posts |
Thanks everyone!
Can you believe that I tried to submit it to Ellusionist, and they couldn't "approve" it because there is a tutorial video in the "Related Video" section, which has nothnig to do with me? Crazy... Thanks again, and yea, I didn't think it was a good idea to put it on my site. I'm planning on getting a video of reactions at Red Robin, then put that on there. Best, Steve |
Father Photius Grammar Host El Paso, TX (Formerly Amarillo) 17161 Posts |
Ur right about rushing it a bit, but overall a very good routine. Not hearing your patter tends to make the viewer watch your hands more, so missing some of the misdirection on the video. Also the video angle showed a couple of flashes, which probably only a magician would have seen, but pretty clear that the angle of your life audience subject the moves were good. Don't worry too much about people's reactions. Different people react differently. As a psychologist I can assure you there are many people who will be totally astounded and will show almost no exterior reaction, and there are many who may give you a huge exterior reaction and think inside "this guy is terrible". One thing I learned in magic long ago, even simple tricks astound some people far more than the the biggest illusions astound magicians. And some people are so astounded they don't react, a form of shock actually. I've watched pros do a routine that so astounded the audience there was hardly even any applause. They all just sort of sat there stunned and in disbelief, it was quite a while before they reacted even with applause, which became a very loud standing ovation.
In some ways we get ahead of our audience. I look at it like some of Groucho Marx's lines back in his early movies like The Coconuts and Animal Crackers. Some of the jokes got a great reaction in the time they were made and in the 70's when there was a revival of them sort of fell flat, but others which the audiences in the day of their origin never got, went totally over their heads, had the 70's audience rolling on the floor. Just do your best, be entertaining, and don't worry if the audience takes a while to catch up.
"Now here's the man with the 25 cent hands, that two bit magician..."
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aiturran Loyal user Santiago, Chile 260 Posts |
It looked great.
Most important was that the person was entertained, totally enjoyed the performance (compare his face at the beginning and the end) Anyway, overall looks OK. And I agree it would be nice to hear your patter, and see if it fits with the trick. But if the spectator loves it, you must be doing something right. Great job! If you want to sell yourself as a magicians, dress elegant, show previews and mostly reactions. But most important, dress nicely and show you're professional in what you do. Antonio |
Justin Style Inner circle 2010 Posts |
Thanks for sharing.
Here are my thoughts. You look like a nice guy and so do the others in the clip. You like to have fun and enjoy having a good time. You obviously have learned some skills. Overall it looked OK, nothing great, though. Here's how I got there. Rule #1: SLOW DOWN. Are you a magician or a fireman? Are the cops chasing you? Are you on your way to the emergency room? Relax and let the effect sink in. You need to give the spectator time to absorb what is happening. Take a breath, no need to sweat. I don't get the impression that you are a magician. There was really nothing-magical happening. All I saw from the very beginning is you holding a sponge ball. How did that happen? Did you just take it out of you pocket, or did you produce it? If you just took it from your pocket, then to me, you are some guy just doing a trick (albeit, rushed and a little sloppy), not a magician performing magic. A real magician would produce it. Take a piece of flash paper, reach behind their ear or rip a piece of napkin and transform it. Do Anything but please don’t just pull it out of your pocket and then tell me you can do magic. You know what I’m saying? You flashed a couple of times. I think half was because you were rushing through the routine and the other half was because you were nervous in front of your F&F. These are only my opinions. I am only trying to help you with some feedback and I hope you are not offended. As far as I am concerned, if I were you I would do the following. 1) Have Fun 2) Relax 3) Slow down 4) Make it magical, produce the balls and vary your vanish and transfers. 5)(although I couldn't hear sound) Talk to the person like a Real Person, just as if you were having a normal conversation. 6) Let them Experience the magic. And let them enjoy the moment! 7) No need to speed from one ball to the next, they don't know how many is coming. Try this: Produce the first ball. Do a vanish or two the most. Let them see that there is One. Produce the second ball, and then start your routine with their help. "Watch, I'll teach you a cool trick" Proceed with your routine. Now you are at the end, the person is holding three red balls. Why not make them vanish one at a time? Or perhaps, doing a two in the hand, one on the pocket to end with no balls left. I think by exploring this you will find that you have a magical presentation that can last up to five minutes or more. Try it and let me know Overall, I give you a B+. Next time I want to see improvement! And NO, I would not use this as a promo, unless you are looking to work backyard barbeques - Not that there is anything wrong with that. Good luck! I hope to see more… Justin |
Danny Diamond Inner circle Connecticut 1400 Posts |
Steve,
As many have already said - rushing the moves is a big problem here. I am guilty of it too. Many times, when I videotape myself performing a new routine, I will notice that I perform the sleight portions of the routine, much too quickly. It is often hard to realize just how fast you are doing these things, until you watch a video of yourself. So, it's good you see this error and recognize it.
You don't drown by falling in the water;
you drown by staying there. - Edwin Louis Cole |
Magic_Steve Inner circle Maryland 1476 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-06-18 12:22, Justin Style wrote: No offense taken. First off, I mentioned I rushed a bit. I normally don't, but he was trying to leave, so I wanted to get a quick routine on camera. When I'm performing in Red Robin, I take it a lot more slow. Secondly, This didn't show my whole routine. It didn't show my opener, the gags, none of that. This was VERY brief. I do normally pluck the spongeball from their sleeve, or cough it up. Sometimes I take a D' Light and grab it from there. Also, I was most definitely not nervous. I was having fun. I'm not sure how you got the impression I was nervous, but that's not the acse. In fact, I love being in front of the camera. I love it when people take pictures and video of me when I'm performing, or when I'm racing (I'm a showoff...sadly, I am. Can't help it. ). Thanks for the feedback, but I assure, this video was more or less just so some people could see the reactions I get, and me performing. If I happen to get a vid of me from Red Robin, then I assure you, things would be a lot different. Thanks! Steve |
Justin Style Inner circle 2010 Posts |
Word.
I couldn't tell about the nerves, I had the sound off. I was just going by the fact that you were speeding. I'm glad you cleared up about the begining, good to know that you have an opening. Like the P said to the H, keep 'em coming... Send me a PM with your address and I will send you some D'LITES... |
Danny Diamond Inner circle Connecticut 1400 Posts |
Steve,
If you get as good of a reaction from your Red Robin spectators, and you perform technically, much better there - then why did you put this video up, and not try to get one from Red Robin to share? It seems a bit pointless to put up a video and ask for feedback and suggestions - and then have excuses (valid or not) for the weaknesses in the video. Get some of that Red Robin footage and show us the BEST of your abilities!
You don't drown by falling in the water;
you drown by staying there. - Edwin Louis Cole |
Justin Style Inner circle 2010 Posts |
Just grab one of your friends, give them the camera and tell them to act like they are NOT with you. This way no one will notice or make a point to you about it.
Buy them a Burger and tell them to hang out for a while. And Keep the camera rolling. |
Magic_Steve Inner circle Maryland 1476 Posts |
I'm going to hopefully get some video from RR soon. I had this though, so I figured, why not? Just a little sample...hopefully I can get some RR video up shortly.
Thanks! Steve P.S. Justin, sending you a PM in a sec. Thanks! |
Dan Paulus Veteran user Utah is isolated from the real world by 343 Posts |
As for posting on your web site, go for it. And replace it when you have a better video. I'm a firm believer in doing what you can with what you got. As you progress you'll get better and better footage to replace your old stuff.
I would edit it though, maybe show a vanish or two, then the appearance in spectator's hand, then close ups on the reactions of the spectators.
There is no great genius without a mixture of madness. - Aristotle
Aristotle www.danscomedymagic.com |
John Heggie Inner circle Huntersville, NC 1805 Posts |
Hi Steve,
The following are my comment based on putting together a promo video for prospective clients. Use your excitement for magic to drive you to make an exciting, fun and concise promo video. Clients want to understand your message in less that 15 seconds and wrap up the sales pitch in less than 2 minutes. Use the following questions will help you direct your demo: 1) Who is the target market for this video? (the answer is not everyone) 2) What do you want your viewer know in 2 minute? 3) How will you dress? (formal, business casual, etc.) 4) Do you have more than three locations to film? 5) Are you willing to film at least 4 hours of raw footage and to find the 2 minutes of killer clips? Remember the companies that will hire you are looking for you to impress their bosses, co-workers and clients by making their event the best event the company has put on in years. Typically clients are not looking for magic tricks they are looking for entertainment. A great demo takes a lot of time and should not be rushed. Have your demo critiqued by as many people as possible before you burn hundreds of copies. I am looking forward to viewing your new demo. Good luck, John |
Magic_Steve Inner circle Maryland 1476 Posts |
Awesome!
Thanks a lot John. I'm definitely looking to get a lot of filming done at once. As well as pics, quotes from customers, etc. But, thanks again for taking the time write all that up. I'm definitely puting that info to use towards the new vid!. Best, Steve |
boboshempy Veteran user Jersey 373 Posts |
Boy, your brother is a great spectator. Reactions like those are why we do what we do. I loved the vid!
Nick |
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