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mmreed Inner circle Harrisburg, PA 1432 Posts |
I am having a hard time developing a routine vs. "just showing tricks".
I have a hard time generating my patter, and even performing with a personality. I know many people say "be yourself", etc... Well, (don't laugh) my normal self is very bland, boring, and I really do not associate with people much (part of my career as a technology person). So, when it comes to performing, I find myself getting stuck "showing tricks" instead of performing with a personality. Any ideas?
Mark Reed
Wedding and Event Entertainment |
Father Photius Grammar Host El Paso, TX (Formerly Amarillo) 17161 Posts |
It takes time to develop a stage persona. Start with the tricks and the patter that comes with them. After you get to know the trick well, you can start to play with it. Think in terms of what you would like to say to your audience, what sort of message you want to communicate to them, and then think of how you could express that with a given trick. Your new patter will come from that. The more magic principles you know the better you will be able to become creative with the trick and find new ways of presenting it or enhancing it. Try to tell a story with the trick. Entertaining is about communication, and you need to try to communicate something. Most of us have a persona that is a bit of an exaggeration of our own personality. This is something that more or less naturally evolves over time.
"Now here's the man with the 25 cent hands, that two bit magician..."
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Michael J. Douglas Inner circle WV, USA 1645 Posts |
Mark,
Perform the effects with the presentation with which you learned them. Eventually, you will learn what works for you. Do you have a good sense of humor? Sometimes bland and boring personalities can be very, very funny.
Michael J.
�Believe then, if you please, that I can do strange things.� --from Shakespeare�s �As You Like It� |
mmreed Inner circle Harrisburg, PA 1432 Posts |
Thanks for the great advice!
Mark Reed
Wedding and Event Entertainment |
erlandish Inner circle Vancouver, Canada 1254 Posts |
I'd recommend taking a good look at the sort of magician that you feel best represents what you want to be, and try to emulate them.
Do you want to present magic as a real phenomenon? Do you like manipulation? Do you like using symbols that are related to real world magick? Do you like trickery? Do you like making the spectator the focus of the performance? Do you want to be looked upon as some sort of Superhuman? Do you prefer showcasing mental powers? Do you like magic that has kicker endings? Do you want everybody laughing? Do you want everybody to be totally convinced that they've seen something impossible? Do you like telling stories? Do you want to come across as somebody who's incredibly skilled with cards? Not every magician answers these sorts of questions the same way. These choices can help you shape the sort of persona that would fit you best -- the biases inherent in them can help you focus your character. |
BrianMillerMagic Inner circle CT 2050 Posts |
If you are seeking to create original presentations, or at least tailor your current ones to be more entertaining, then first try to apply your personal and professional passions to your magic. Technology is your career? Sit down and try to find ways to incorporate what you know from your job into presentations for magic. It may not seem like an entertaining thing to you, but as long as you're being authentic and speaking about things that you know, you'll have more confidence and, in turn, the audience will pick up on the enthusiasm. Experiment long enough and eventually you will develop a natural performing persona. My thoughts.
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Jaz Inner circle NJ, U.S. 6111 Posts |
Erlandish brings up important questions.
What is your goal? Michael J. Douglas mentions that, "Sometimes bland and boring personalities can be very, very funny." One of my favorite comics is Steven Wright. Great info from all the above. |
Ed_Millis Inner circle Yuma, AZ 2292 Posts |
Take a look at what gets you excited and why. I edit reports all day long. Yes, I like to write - but give me a chance to build a database and I'm giddy!
I like to watch a good card or coin performer, and was amazed at watching a lady keep a room full of 5-year-olds enthralled with only one balloon! But learning to do more than force a card and keep on top of the deck or palm a coin doesn't grab me. And a room full of kids is definitely not me!! What's your favorite entertainment? Where do you see yourself in it? What character? What are you doing, saying, involved in, accomplishing? How do you look at some of the more basic tricks and routines? Do you see mystery and amazement? Or do you have to put in a joke? Are you amazed or even befuddled that you did anything magical? These are questions I'm asking myself. Ed |
mmreed Inner circle Harrisburg, PA 1432 Posts |
All very good points and very helpful to me. Thank you.
Mark Reed
Wedding and Event Entertainment |
mrunge Inner circle Charleston, SC 3716 Posts |
The main thing is to take your time and let things develop naturally.
Don't rush the process and you'll soon start to see how you comfortably act, and you can then start to develop your "character" there. It will be natural, and you'll have more fun with it. Don't try to become something you're not. Good luck. Mark. |
molsen Special user Copenhagen 552 Posts |
You may find that your repertoire is inconsistent. Take the top 4-5 tricks you enjoy performing and ask what kind of magician they portray, why it makes you feel good to perform them. Then look for more tricks that fit with them, and routining will be a lot easier. With a flowing routine (string of tricks), you have a skeleton to build a character around. This is how I did/do it, it works well. Personally, I don't feel the need to build a very elaborate performer character. I am only slightly different from my usual self, just enough for people to recognize I am performing, so they can relax and enjoy.
Hope this helps. Michael |
pradell Special user Alaska 560 Posts |
The advice to "be yourself" can be construed in many ways. Importantly, from the point of view of the audience, you should be viewed as being comfortable in your own skin. Instead of asking, "Who am I," you can ask, "Will the audience feel that I am being myself," i.e. being genuine and true to the character that is being portrayed? A magician is only an actor playing the part of a magician. So when you are finding yourself in magic, endeavor to learn to be comfortable in whatever character you choose to adapt to your performances. If you feel uncomfortable when you perform, your audiences will share your discomfort.
What do you do in life that you truly enjoy? If you can incorporate some of these feelings in your presentation, and communicate your confidence, the audience will relate to your enjoyment, and they too will share your enthusiasm. So start with what you know. If you love baseball, for example, do some magic relating to baseball. :magicrabbit: |
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