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jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
I agree. But no one has answered the question.... What escapes are generally viewed as being more skillful as opposed to the audience not caring about the method and assuming there is a trick - and just caring about the entertainment?
So let me put it this way... What elements do YOU add to YOUR escapes that make them look harder?
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
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AntonDreaming Special user Gloucester by the sea 622 Posts |
To make them look harder huh? Id say duck tape...lots of it...
BTW at this point in my life Im not interested in using SJs, cuffs, irons, padlocks and the like...just somthing ive gravitated away from... Anyway I'm a firm beliver that most stunts simply need to "look" good. Like getting out of 10 pairs of handcuffs of various makes may actualy be more difficult than most things but it might not look as good as 1 set some rope and a roll of ducktape, or maybe the tape all by itself. This theory may translate to juggling better than EA but I find it true for most everything even card tricks. You mentioned the invisible deck and triumph. I had the pleasure of performing for a few "wealthy" buisness people. One man whom I know only through reputation, was not interested in most of what I did after the show I was asked to stick around and do some more and I agreed to do three card tricks. One was a prediction the other a signed card to impossible location, I finished with my version of triumph (very basic) and the man who was until now unimpressed looked up at me and said "that last one was incredible... you're remarkable... wanna go to vegas" I had won him over with that trick. I could tell he thought the other tricks I did were coin operated but he bought into the real skill of the triumph. There is no way the invisable deck would have done it for him. He later hired me. This gets back to my original statement not everyone will love everything about your show. Let me answer your question with a question...Whats your show like? What other things do you do? What are you "going for" with your show. Anton |
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Steve_Mollett Inner circle Eh, so I've made 3006 Posts |
>"What escapes are generally viewed as being more skillful as opposed to the audience not caring about the method and assuming there is a trick - and just caring about the entertainment?
So let me put it this way... What elements do YOU add to YOUR escapes that make them look harder?" Again, I don't think it's a matter of WHAT effects as it is HOW you present them, and there's not reason not to combine implications of endurance/courage with cleverness. An escapist can readily perform a few fast, easy escapes as 'skillful warmups,' such as the Kellar tie or the Siberian Chain. In this case, the performer is just 'warming up' and 'playing with the restraints.' When he gets to the REAL CHALLENGES (?), his attitude should change to one of dead seriousness (with a mild hint of concern/doubt). This is analogous to Burling Hull's suggestion that a magician can cut up as much as he likes when performing 'tricks,' but should switch to a more serious, elegant mindset when presenting stage illusions. As to making an escape look 'harder'...well a physical 'battle' usually makes a visual escape look PHYSICALLY harder. Setting up the presentation and buildup to 'sell' the restraint as real, solid and virtually impossible to overcome makes the escape look 'harder' on the intellectual level, which hearkens back to something Sidney Radner told me years ago: a good escape relies on setting up the atmosphere of 'challenge.' If the escape looks like just another 'choreographed illusion,' it will not convince. To convince, the situation must look as real as possible, and be staged to make it look as if the performer really is 'on the spot' with the odds of success against him. This requires good acting and convincing presentation. That's my take, and what has worked for me.
Author of: GARROTE ESCAPES
The absurd is the essential concept and the first truth. - Albert Camus |
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BAH1313 Elite user Ohio 445 Posts |
Oh boy...
are we trying to figure out whether to grimace or smile during the escapes now? and whether to use gimmicky lookin stuff or serious lookin stuff? Good grief. How about some rope? Has anybody thought that with a piece of rope one pretty much has to rely upon their personality for entertainment rather than the equipment? (You don't need to answer this, I know the answer.) Anton struck upon it, and he's right. Kondini is dead on too. He's a worker and anything he says is gold. For those of you that still think the show is in the apparatus, that is typical "magician behavior and thinking" and I hope for your sake that you stop this immediately. It will only hurt your shows in the long run. Look at your own personality, really look at it. Then do what you would do. It's the simplest, yet hardest thing for a performer to do. The best shows have a mix appropriate to the person performing and to the crowd. I sometimes do an excercise just for fun. I escape from a extremely dangerous, life threatening, never before seen "NOTHING". Yep, that's right I actually have my audience put me in it and then tie me or lock me up amd then I go through the paces of actually escaping from the "NOTHING" and it gets HUGE responses, laughter and even cheering. I'm up, I'm down, I'm all over the place telling jokes, and writhing about. I have a great time with this, and so doesn't the audience. I stumbled upon this once because I was doing a street show and told all the specs that I would be doing daring escape at the end yada, yada, yada... then realized I left my *** jacket and chains in the car (blocks away). Well, I had the tip working (200-300 ppl.) and wasnt going to give it up, so I brought out the "NOTHING" from my bag and did the whole bit with volunteers and all. They played along and I played it even bigger. The bigger I played it, the better they liked it. They don't give a **** about the props, it YOU they are watching. It was a huge hat, and a great show. Now from time to time, in front of new guys,(especially the whiney ones), or on a dare/bet, or because I want to prove I can I will do my escape from a "NOTHING" show. It always gets a huge reaction, and I always win my bets and make my point. It's not the props. Best, Bobby PS For those fellas out there,that still don't get it, I have "NOTHINGS" for sale. Just paypal me $500.00 bucks and I get one to you right away! This thing kills! You gotta have it!
I am truly blessed to have a job where people are laughing all the time and everyone believes in magic....Come to think of it, I'm blessed to even have a job.
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jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
Do they come in extra large?
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
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Joe Marotta Special user Can You Believe I Have 944 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-12-31 08:32, BAH1313 wrote: Bobby, that sounds like it would just kill! I'm smiling just thinking about it. Any chance you could post a short clip of your performance and the audience reaction? Hmmm. You've got me thinking. Not long ago there were air guitar contests.... how about... oh you're already ahead of me on this one... can you just picture this contest? Air Escape Contests! Contestants are judged on creativity and their ability to entertain. I think it might be a funny contest to hold at the next EA Convention. Happy New Year to All! |
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Stuart Burrell Veteran user England 385 Posts |
I don't know Joe, with the way my luck has been going of late, I might just get stuck.
Happy New Year |
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jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
Joe can try to set another worlds record with how many invisible nothings he can escape in one hour. I'll bet it's a lot.
My only intention in this entire thread is to see if you all believe what you do is difficult and how you relay that to the audience. (Back to editing. Ill be here all night if anyone wants to call, Happy new year.)
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
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BAH1313 Elite user Ohio 445 Posts |
Yep, I'm even working on an illusion where they specs "tie me up" and then I lay down to be hoisted in the air by the "invisible crane"...
At which point, I begin to levitate upside down while I do my escape. This is gona kill'em. PS I've already got it in the works, so no taking this one fellas.
I am truly blessed to have a job where people are laughing all the time and everyone believes in magic....Come to think of it, I'm blessed to even have a job.
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jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
I hope you are paid in real money and not invisible money.
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
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Steve_Mollett Inner circle Eh, so I've made 3006 Posts |
As I said, it's not the effects as much as how you present them.
If you're doing comedy with imaginary restraints, you're doing comedy. If the audience laughs, you've won.
Author of: GARROTE ESCAPES
The absurd is the essential concept and the first truth. - Albert Camus |
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BAH1313 Elite user Ohio 445 Posts |
Then again, if you're trying to do real escapes and the audience is imaginary, are you laughing or is the penguin?
I am truly blessed to have a job where people are laughing all the time and everyone believes in magic....Come to think of it, I'm blessed to even have a job.
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AntonDreaming Special user Gloucester by the sea 622 Posts |
I still have issue with the fact that most (not all) people feel that a performance or escape can only be played for drama or comedy but never both at the same time. We can laugh in the face of danger, as well.
Anton |
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Steve_Mollett Inner circle Eh, so I've made 3006 Posts |
Quote:
"Then again, if you're trying to do real escapes and the audience is imaginary, are you laughing or is the penguin?" Oh, I understand...no, I don't...
Author of: GARROTE ESCAPES
The absurd is the essential concept and the first truth. - Albert Camus |
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Steve_Mollett Inner circle Eh, so I've made 3006 Posts |
Quote:
"I still have issue with the fact that most (not all) people feel that a performance or escape can only be played for drama or comedy but never both at the same time. We can laugh in the face of danger, as well." I agree. At the same time, you have to be careful that the "do as thou wilt" approach doesn't kill the effect. There is no "right and wrong" in art; only "good and bad," which is to be judged by audience reaction.
Author of: GARROTE ESCAPES
The absurd is the essential concept and the first truth. - Albert Camus |
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