|
|
Jaxon Inner circle Kalamazoo, Mi. 2537 Posts |
Here's what brought this to mind. On a number of occasions I 've had people (both magicians and non-magicians) tell me they where surprised when they found out I was a comedy magicians instead of a "Serious" magician. This happens when they either see me perform live for the first time or during conversations and I talk about the effects I perform. Everytime this has been discussed they tell me they thought I'd be a "Serious" style magician because of my looks. They say they picture me performing mysterious style of magic because they say I have a mysterious look about me.
Those of you who have seen me perform know that my performing persona is far from serious. If I'm not getting a laugh I don't feel I'm doing my job as an entertinaer. That's just how I've evolved. In the past I tried to perform serious magic but it just doesn't feel right to me. In some ways I feel that the fact that I don't look like a comedy magician makes it even funnier when they find out that I am. Picture someone that looks like they would be very mysterious or even mean. Then picture that same person acting funny or even a bit goofy. Their serious looks make them even funnier. I have a friend name Tony. Let me put it this way. If I where to make a movie and I needed to cast someone as the meanest, rougest and biggest biker dude. Tony would look that part. He's a huge bald guy with a fairly long goatee. He makes those guys I've seen on TV in those tough man contrests look like wimps. I've actually seen people act intimidated by him just by seeing him. And he knows how to use that because he is a bouncer at a bar. But here's the thing. He's one of the nicest people I know and when you make him laugh his face transforms to an almost childish smile. I sometimes call him Spankie (From the little rascals) because that's who he reminds me of when he laughs. The point is that your looks can really effect how you're received and sometimes doing the opposite of what you look like can actually get a better reaction. I'm not really sure what I'm looking for in this post other then to just start a discussion on it because I think it is something we, as entertainers, should consider. So what's your thoughts on this issue and have you ever explored it? Ron Jaxon |
Jaz Inner circle NJ, U.S. 6111 Posts |
A contrast of looks and performance style can work really well.
Doing a magic act about gambling in a totally serious manner may be of interest but not very entertaining. There has to be humor to relax the audience. I've thought about how it would be if someone with the geeky look of Urkel, from the Tv show 'Family Matters', came out and demoed demonstrated skillful gambling routines with a mix of humor. Another idea I looked at was to do something similar to what comic Norm Crosby did. He looked somewhat sophisticated but used malaprops in his routines. For those of you not familiar, a malaprop is defined as the incorrect usage of a word by substituting a similar-sounding word. Here's one I just put together. A bit cheesy and untried: "I'm told that magicians use recession of vision and missed erections in their performances. Instead, I've studied the ancient Egyptian hydraulics carved in the wall of the Vatican by a mummy named Viagra Al-Aram.... it works for me." I also looked at Yogi Berra's use of English that they call 'yogiisms'. My reason for looking at these is that I considered presenting myself as a streetwise guy who tries to sound intelligent but says off the wall things that are funny. Maybe a Slip/Mugs Mahoney type from the old 'Bowery Boys' movies. |
Father Photius Grammar Host El Paso, TX (Formerly Amarillo) 17161 Posts |
I'd agree with Jaz that the contrast can work well. But, based on your avatar, older one, not current one, I sort of presumed before meeting you that you would be more of a "con artist" type magician, a sort of Harry Anderson type. Yet when I met you in person at WMS I would have had no trouble seeing you as a comic magician. In fact seeing you move around and not a still picture, I can very easily see the comic possibility. I don't know if your friends are speaking from only seeing still pictures or from seeing you live. You are a very animated person IRL and that is how I see comic magicians.
"Now here's the man with the 25 cent hands, that two bit magician..."
|
edh Inner circle 4698 Posts |
I don't know if any of you will recall but on the Andy Griffith show was a character known as Gomer Pyle. His character was a kind of goofy type persona(Gawwwww..lly). Then one time they asked Gomer to sing a song. Of course everyone expected something hilarious. He had the most beautiful rich baratone voice. He sang a beautiful ballad, the name of which excapes me. It was amazing the shock that I had when I heard him sing. The contrast between character and voice was perfect.
Magic is a vanishing art.
|
Whit Haydn V.I.P. 5449 Posts |
Crazy Guggenheim did that every week.
|
edh Inner circle 4698 Posts |
Ahhhh... yes Crazy Guggenheim on the Jackie Gleason show. Yes you're right he did do that. That also was startling the first time I saw him do it.
Magic is a vanishing art.
|
Big Daddy Cool Inner circle 1604 Posts |
Contrast is basic theatrical comedic technique.
|
kregg Inner circle 1950 Posts |
Generally, I can't tell from a picture what one looks like. As an actor, if I don't show up looking like the representation in my head shot, that's as good as not going to the audition at all. However, if a casting director asks me to show up with a days growth that's okay.
If you're booking yourself as a character, try to capture the essence of the character with your publicity shots. Jaxon, I never would have guessed by your website photo that you used a comic style. I'd have guessed, a Devilish, 17th century Spaniard, Three Musketeer, or a fast talking character from a Mamet play. Something as simple as twisting your mustache between your thumb and index finger is enough set the picture off. That said, an acting coach once told me, "comedy is a serious business." I've listened to actors read a dead line all day long, but, there's that one person who makes it jump off the page. I don't know how or why ... they're just funny. I once played George Spelvin in The Actor's Nightmare. I decided to give him a proper nature, but, as a rule I over enunciated the words (quotes) that he remembered from plays he'd seen. One of the biggest laughs came from when I added a syllable, along with a diphthong, to the word "coil" (Koy-yull). What made it funny was the fact that George is dead serious. I'm not one of those actor's who lock in line readings, but, when the line is strong I never change what I'm doing. In other words, if it works for you, use it.
POOF!
|
Jaxon Inner circle Kalamazoo, Mi. 2537 Posts |
I have seen contrast in looks completely backfire on someone before. The problem was the guy didn't think about it. He was very over weight, balding hair (complete with comb over) and thick glasses. He reminded me of one of my old high school shop teachers. Now understand when I say that I'm not putting this guy down for his looks. But when he performed the audience was laughing but the performer didn't intend for them to laugh. They where laughing but they where trying to hide their laugh. In other words there where laughing at him and not with or for him.
Why where they laughing? Because the style he was trying to perform looked ridiculous with his looks. He was trying to perform as if he was Copperfield or The Pendragons. He had Peter Gabriel music while he swung the sword around in a very mysterious look on his face (the effect was the sword suspension). It was so odd that I'd be more surprised to see Mr. Rogers in a heavy metal band. Now if he did it to be funny it would be been hilarious. But it was actually hard to watch and wasn't entertaining. You could see that he was picking up the reaction from the audience and it made him uncomfortable. In other words he really expected the mysterious presentation to work but he didn't think about the aspects of his looks. They laughed but they where on the verge of booing him off the stage. I never saw the guy again but I do hope he learned from it. It doesn't mean he can't be mysterious. But there are other ways to do it. The sword waving won't work for him but maybe a different persona will. Just wanted to share that flip side story. Ron Jaxon |
TheGreatGalling Loyal user 245 Posts |
Any judgment before a magician actually performs is for the birds. I never judge a book by its cover and I always wait until a movie is over before I rate it.
|
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Food for thought » » Looks that match (Or don't match) performing style (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.04 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |