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Scott Xavier Inner circle 3672 Posts |
Before I say this, I know I'm going to get bashed, but ask around, I'm not that bad of a guy...
Here we go, Is escapology really that interesting? Is it a big enough draw? Does the average public enjoy a good escape? I am just wondering what type of escapes work best for you. Comedy, Drama, or in conjunction with another form of magic? It's like art, you are there seeing someone else's talent, I just don't see my average audience paying to see an escape themed show. EXAMPLE: Could escapology be more intriguing for an audience if we mix in a card trick? Escape from the sj, cuffs, and ropes while searching for the missing corner of a card in a tank filled with snakes. This has a little drama, skill, and interest. I just find that watching an escape from chains and such isn't as interesting as if it had a plot as most "magic" tricks do. I also find this in mentalism. If I read your mind, they just see it as a skill or psychic feat. True there's some awe, but not much. When you add the spectator, mix in some patter, take them on an adventure, and remove the ((seen)) skill you are left with that feeling of awe inside of your audience. That's the magic, happening inside them. Just my take. |
Harry Murphy Inner circle Maryland 5444 Posts |
I think that it is difficult to make an escape interesting. Many escapes come off as puzzles or as mildly interesting displays of physical skill. A dangerous escape in and of itself is not all that arresting or interesting. It takes a great deal of presentation skill to really sell the act.
I have seen individuals literally risk life and limb for a ho-hum reaction. I watched an expensive escape on TV this past weekend. I came across it while it was in progress and haven’t a clue who was doing it. It involved the escape artist cuffed to the bars of a steel cage and the cage being dropped from an airplane. He had to escape before the cage hit the earth. He did - Ho-hum. The elements of life/limb threatening danger is getting more and more difficult to sell to the audience. I doubt if anyone (or many) spectators to a dangerous escape truly believe that the EA was ever in any danger. I recently was at a shopping center where an aerial, upside down, strait-jacket escape was performed. The young artist was strapped in, hooked to a trapeze hanging from a crane’s hook, and lifted to about 80 feet into the air. He got out of the jacket within a few minutes. Let me say that there was no evidence of struggle, no twisting or turning about, and clearly no dramatic tension. This guy risked his life and the audience gave a polite applause and walked away. Over half the audience had left the scene before he was lowered to the ground. The feeling was “so what?” All that said, Harry Anderson and his wife did an escape routine years ago that is a classic and was enjoyed by every audience that ever watched it. The dramatic and comedic tension was built by them having a “race” to see who would get free first. Long story short, it kept everyone in the audience’s full attention. I have seen two different street performers whose entire act was one escape. The first guy did a strait-jacket escape (Venice Beach, California) and kept the audience laughing and applauding for the whole thing. He had a quilt on the ground and flopped about dramatically for the escape. He had us convinced that it was impossible to get out of the restraint. He managed to keep the audience and get a good hat (tip) for his efforts. The other guy did a 100-foot rope escape. His act was also funny and very interactive with the audience. Remember that the entire act in both cases was one escape! Both guys managed to make the audience laugh and believe that the escape was difficult. Both got good reactions and good “hat’s” in return for their efforts. I guess my answer is that, like every performing art, escapes can be interesting and exciting. It just seems that so many aren’t.
The artist formally known as Mumblepeas!
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Magicduck Elite user Washington State 484 Posts |
I agree with all that Harry said. Also a few comments.
I have seen a few out of shape "baboons" huff and puff their way out of the SJ in public ... gimmicked SJ for sure. But it sure takes away from the effect for everyone doing it when a person who could not run once around the block can get out of the dreaded strait-jacket. I think the best escapes today for the working performer would be ... notice all are done full view ... the following.
quack |
Gill Russell New user Hampshire, UK 6 Posts |
New on the block here, but this is something I discussed recently, so I'm going to jump right in:
I think escapology like any magic requires a certain element of artificial drama, particularly if performed to a "passing" audience such as on a nominal street corner. A lot of people assume (wrongly) that the escape itself is simply enough to provide this focus. While the overall situation may be dramatic, the individual moments are not, and this is when you will lose an audience. I can appreciate card manipulation and the like, (particularly as I'm not dextrous enough to perform them myself) but my favourite acts to watch are always where the performer tells a story along with the tricks. I would give some serious money for anyone with a copy of Simon Drake's Secret Cabaret from a good few years ago on Channel 4— the entire performance was set in a macabre theatre, each trick performed in the context of the characters within the theatre. And any escape absolutely must be performed in full view. No one wants to watch a curtain...
Bah. Someone stole my sig...
Note: I am FEMALE! - Although I speak fluent "bloke"...*grin* |
DavidEscapes Inner circle I'm Special! 1003 Posts |
Hi all
Gill, I just wanted to welcome another UK escape artist. But I am not happy about you copying my avatar. Seriously, welcome, I hope you have good times here. Also, have I seen you on my travels? I have worked in pretty much every town and city in our little country. And done SJ escapes in a lot of them. Yep, I totally agree with your comment about doing escapes uncovered. But I am totally amazed at the amount of drama doing a suspended escape still creates. Even at a low height. Even with bungee jumping and the like out there people still think you might fall to a grisly death at any moment. Especially if you persuade members of the local St John's Ambulance to stand near the space with a gurney and look worried as I often do. Again, good to have you here. Have fun David Straitjacket
David Victor - The artist formally (and still occasionally) known as David Straitjacket.
My Website Add me on facebook |
Gill Russell New user Hampshire, UK 6 Posts |
Eeep, sorry David, I hadn't meant to do that. It's about the only half decent pic I have of myself. I accede as you were here first. And thanks for the welcome. *grin*
Bah. Someone stole my sig...
Note: I am FEMALE! - Although I speak fluent "bloke"...*grin* |
DavidEscapes Inner circle I'm Special! 1003 Posts |
Gill
I was joking!!! That's why I put all the smilies next to that line. Put your avatar back, I am sure the Café can cope with two pictures of people in straitjackets. Have fun David Straitjacket
David Victor - The artist formally (and still occasionally) known as David Straitjacket.
My Website Add me on facebook |
x-treem Inner circle 1133 Posts |
At least Gill looks (and probably is) sane in her picture unlike the psycho pictured above me. Which really reminds me, I am in serious need of an avatar change myself.
A direct from text adaptation : The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde Starring Mickey Rooney in his final role.
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Gill Russell New user Hampshire, UK 6 Posts |
Hey, I understand smileys, *hrumph* —but I also recognise I'm the new "kid" on the block, so I always back-off sharply if I think I've stepped on someones toes. Avatar replaced.
*Pssst* X-treem: Uh, how can I put this politely. Heck, I'll put it bluntly. I'm a woman. Gill is prounounced "Jill" on this side of the pond.
Bah. Someone stole my sig...
Note: I am FEMALE! - Although I speak fluent "bloke"...*grin* |
x-treem Inner circle 1133 Posts |
WOW the stuff I learn here Jill Gill neat-o. PS I only glanced at your picture before you took it off, so I hope there is no offense.
A direct from text adaptation : The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde Starring Mickey Rooney in his final role.
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Margarette Special user Memphis area 956 Posts |
Wow! Another lady who likes straitjackets!! To coin a phrase from my sons....WAY COOL!!!
Margarette
The only stupid question is the one not asked.
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Dr_Stephen_Midnight Inner circle SW Ohio, USA 1555 Posts |
I think the question steers back to a basic of show biz: Is the person doing whatever he's doing a good entertainer?
If you are a lousy entertainer, it doesn't matter if you escape from a straitjacket, predict headlines, pull rabbits from hats, tell jokes or sing "She Bang." In all cases you will stink on ice. If you're a good entertainer, you can do any of the above and be a sensation. Steve
Dr. Lao: "Do you know what wisdom is?"
Mike: "No." Dr. Lao: "Wise answer." |
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