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casibb3 New user 51 Posts |
JP83: Remember this: Jitters and nerves afflict even the pros. No one is immune.
One technique I have used, and IT WORKS EVERY time....carry a small mirror with you. While offstage, look into it, and say to yourself, "I am very, very good!" Make your entrance. A word here about entrances....depending on which side of the stage you enter from, ALWAYS take the first audience-visible step with the UPSTAGE foot. Reason, you appear very balanced to the audience, and they react favorably. It's knowing these little bits and pieces that make your magic effortless, and leads to your complete control of the situation. Far too many pay no attention to the theatrical dos and don'ts. The magic is secondary to technique. Hope this helps. Frank casibb3 |
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gbradburn New user Raleigh, NC 75 Posts |
I agree with superdave. I used to be active in Toastmasters to improve my communication skills. During my first visit to a local club it was described by a member as a safe environment to fail. That really stuck with me.
I think that's exactly what an aspiring performer needs, a supportive audience that will provide a safe-environment to fail. That way, even if you mess up it's no big deal. Perhaps there is a local magic club in your area you could join.
There are 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand binary, and those who don't.
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MagicMatthews Regular user Sydney, Australia 174 Posts |
Even after being an amateur performer for several years I still ocassionally get nerves, especially if I'm trying out new material. The key is to practice until you can do it virtually in your sleep. But still, the nerves is something I just geet used to.
Don't get even... Get odd!
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Lawrence O Inner circle French Riviera 6811 Posts |
Shift the focus from "fooling" people to communicating with them on "sharing a pure magical experience". Getting off the classic challenge approach releases some of the tension and it makes you a better magician in the spectators' eyes.
Magic is the art of emotionally sharing live impossible situations
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MattSconce Special user 654 Posts |
Getting away from the fooling mentality is hard to do!
Other effects:
http://www.penguinmagic.com/magician/matt-sconce |
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donrodrigo Special user U.S.A. and Europe 635 Posts |
Dear friend,
Even seasoned professionals have it. All normal. Try with family and friends and as said here. Begin with the things you can do and don't rush. As time heals all wounds. |
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illusionist13 New user 78 Posts |
DON has it right! Repetition as well as deep breathing in counts of three! That has worked for me!
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Lawrence O Inner circle French Riviera 6811 Posts |
Get your head busy rehearsing your presentation
Magic is the art of emotionally sharing live impossible situations
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Sammy J. Inner circle Castle Rock, Colorado 1786 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-08-21 11:31, Lawrence O wrote: Lawrence, That is excellent advice! I have been performing for years. I find myself trying to do what you say, but resorting back to trying to fool them (even when knowing that's not the purpose of performing my magic). Your comment about "sharing a pure magical experience", a moment of wonder, is what I want to focus on. Thanks for the advice.
Sammy J. Teague
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Mr. Ree Elite user Sedona AZ 414 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-08-21 11:31, Lawrence O wrote: I agree. I did this by writing a full script for my 35 min. parlor show. Also the mechanics were practiced until there were automatic. The focus then became “the story”. It became more like preparing for theater. It really was much more fun for me as well. The focus did become “sharing a magical experience”. I’m still working on the “pure” part. It has also made “magic puzzles” become something closer to real magic and I had less people coming up afterwards to ask how I did something. There were more comments about “enjoyment”. The waves of sound from the audience are much more dramatic as well.
An idea can turn to dust or magic, depending on the talent that rubs against it.
---- William Bernbach (1911 - 1982) ---- (After 25 years of PCs, everything switched to Macs, June 2008) |
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Zenmagic New user 20 Posts |
I also still have the nerves and "shaking hand" thing even though I've performed for almost 2-3 years now. In fact, a couple of months ago, I was performing a new card trick that I've bought and my hands actually started to shake wildly that my cousin stops me and said "Why is your hand shaking? Is that the part of the trick?"
My suggestion is maybe you can try to focus on your breathing and relax when you perform. Don't put pressure on yourself. I've found that this method makes me feel more composed and calm in my performance and it actually works every time. Best regards, Felix
"Magic is my meditation" -Jeff Mcbride
Discover the secret to hypnotize anyone instantly and at will! |
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Bob Sanders 1945 - 2024 Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
Jay,
I've got 50 years as a professional entertainer. My daughter is a ballet dancer for one of the better companies in the USA and just called me about the same problem. ("Do you know who is in the audience? I'm nervous.") I'll tell you the same as I told her. I always shake while I'm being brave. I don't remember working any other way. Enjoy the thrill! Bob Sanders Magic By Sander |
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Erdnase27 Inner circle 2505 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-09-29 22:21, Zenmagic wrote: My answer to your cousin would be: "ye its part of the trick. Listen one time there was a very nervous magician who tends to screw everything up.. just like me and.... blabbla" and try to get as many agreements and sometimes a laugh. It makes you feel comfortable when the people ypu perform for are at ease. I recommend ; you need a script, but the spectators also make the story, build on it. If that new trick gets you the shakes all the time, build around it and make it work In the worst case: just say.. ey I'm gonna do some magic but I'm nervous. Not only people sympathise with you(he's not cocky), also theyre more at ease and they lower theyre defenses. I remember one time I did a paid gig and altough I have 7 years of experience with children(standing in front of a class, pedagogical science), I don't like to perform for them. So I agreed to a party, I came there and.... IKES 80 children(which is huge for me). After socialising a bit my opening sentence was: Hi I'm Michiel, I'm a MAGICIAN and... IM VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERYYYY Nervous which got a laugh from the kids. after that I said: since I'm very nervous.. I want you to help me and make this a good show. it was one of the best shows in mY LIFE Ofcourse you wouldnt say it that way to adults, butyou get the point |
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Yiannos New user Australia 57 Posts |
I'm not a working magician, but when I'm doing effects for friends and acquaintances I usually get at least a mild case of the shakes. When people inevitably say "what's up with the shaking hands" I usually respond with "don't worry about that, that's just the magic power coursing through my body - now check this out" and just carry on. I'd prefer not to shake at all, but at least that response usually gets a laugh. Hopefully one day I will get over the jitters but until then I find making a joke about them helps calm the nerves a little.
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Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
It is good when a magician feels nervous. That means he is concerned about his performance. The key to help calm the nervous situations is performing more shows. That will help you have more control even though you are still nervous.
At first people could see me being nervous. I had a had time with the words and showmanship. After performing so many shows, everything becoming easy. I knew my act by heart. It is as easy a remebering the alphabet backwards. Never let nervous fool you. You are suppose to control being nervous. Don't let being nervous control you. |
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Dave McFarland Regular user Portland, OR 184 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-10-05 02:53, yiannosferatu wrote: Excellent! I really recommend Steve Cohen's book "Win the Crowd." He's a fantastic magician, but it's not really a magic book. It's about showmanship and he has lots of techniques for dealing with jitters, building confidence and performing --dave |
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Glen Regular user 121 Posts |
My advice is perform as much as you can in front of as many people as you can, family, friends, etc. until there is no longer any nervousness. then start performing infront of real crowds and soon you will feel another emotion....an adrenalin rush that most people will never experience. Then you will want to perform more and more to get that same rush. beware......this is addictive
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