|
|
The Donster Inner circle 4817 Posts |
Clowns usually know how to do this; where does one learn how, and do so safely? Don.
|
Knil Gnissim New user 21 Posts |
Hmmm, only really learning from someone with experience is safe.
There are a few books to give you some hints though - there is one by Jack Wiley, the name of which I can't recall at the moment, and you should look at Circus Techniques by Hovey Burgess (published by and available from http://www.dube.com) knil |
The Donster Inner circle 4817 Posts |
Knil, thank you. I know someone who knows someone who is a Clown but I'm not sure if he knows how to Tumble or Fall correctly.
|
James Peters Veteran user Romford, UK 385 Posts |
Don,
A good place to learn how to tumble/fall safely is a martial arts class. It's normally one of the first things you learn in Aikido/JuJutsu. James. |
Jack Masters New user Melbourne, Australia 10 Posts |
As a former pro wrestler I have taken massive tumbles and falls, some over 6 feet in the air onto concrete, barbed wire & thumbtacks.
The best way to learn this is gymnastics for tumbling & sommersaults. As far as breakfalling goes I would suggest Judo or something equivalent. Learn to breakfall properly or you will get many concussions like I did. Thank God I gave it all up for magic, much easier on the body & more rewarding. Hope this helps. |
knockknocktheclown New user 29 Posts |
I agree, a martial arts class would be great. To use from there, you just make it look how you want to; silly, goofy or whatever.
I notice when I got into clowning those couple years of martial classes came in handy. You may also check your area for classes on self defense or public recreational centers. They have martial art classes cheap sometimes (YMCA maybe?). Could be just enough to get what you need and not spend a whole lot of money. God bless you --- Eric |
The Donster Inner circle 4817 Posts |
I would like to learn to somersault forwards and backwards for a strait jacket routine. I'll look into all of the above mentioned. Don.
|
James Peters Veteran user Romford, UK 385 Posts |
Don,
I use a front roll from a run in one of my straitjacket escapes. It took me 6 months of practice to learn how to do it without my straitjacket on (not using my arms). Be careful. You're liable to break your collarbone/shoulder/neck or seriously damage your back if you get it wrong. Get professional instruction - don't go it alone. James. |
The Donster Inner circle 4817 Posts |
James, I was thinking of also falling backwards, and I am seeking professional help, or trying to seek a clown in the town here. Maybe he can help guide me to the right person in town. I also know wrestling has a lot of fake flips in it as well. Don.
|
James Peters Veteran user Romford, UK 385 Posts |
Don,
Backwards isn't anywhere near as dangerous, as long as you tuck your chin, curl your back, and bend your legs (at the knee!) to go down. You can probably get away with learning how to fall backwards without help. It's the forwards stuff that's dangerous. Just use a matress to start start with! James. |
The Donster Inner circle 4817 Posts |
James, I prefer to get help, or at least have someone with me in case something does go wrong. Don.
|
Danny Diamond Inner circle Connecticut 1400 Posts |
I just wanted to cast another vote for martial arts as a great way to learn to fall. In my jujitsu class, I probably take an average of 50-100 falls a night through a variety of throws and I have found the ability to take a fall is something that can help you in a lot of areas. It has saved me in basketball, where I have had my legs knocked out from under me as I jumped, but I was able to relax and land on my side and back on the hardwood floor and then get right up and keep playing basketball.
But not all martial arts are created equal. Certain types do not offer as many throws which means you don't learn as much about falling, nor do you take any real good falls. Jujitsu and judo are great for learning to fall because there are many throws and takedowns involved, as well as ground techniques. P.S. Jack Masters, where and when did you wrestle professionally?
You don't drown by falling in the water;
you drown by staying there. - Edwin Louis Cole |
Jack Masters New user Melbourne, Australia 10 Posts |
I wrestled in Australia as "Cobra" and "Extremo Loco" for four years, meaning wrestling as an "entertainment form" like you see on television in the U.S. The action isn't real but a lot of the pain is very real but I guess you have to bump in a ring to fully appreciate what I'm saying. I am retired from it now, too much of a risk messing up my hands for magic.
|
Danny Diamond Inner circle Connecticut 1400 Posts |
I do appreciate what you are saying. I have taken bumps in the ring. I am very familiar with the entertainment wrestling, I work for WWE, World Wrestling Entertainment (formerly WWF).
You don't drown by falling in the water;
you drown by staying there. - Edwin Louis Cole |
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Physical comedy IMHO must be done safely.
Here is one of my source books that I use regularly. A class by professionals is also recommended. Last year I got quite a workout and inspiration from attending a workshop by the creative team of the Kapootz Klowns. If you can't have in-person training, here is the book I mentioned above: The Physical Comedy Handbook, Davis Rider Robinson, Bowdoin College Heinemann/0-325-00114-6/1999/160 pp/paperback. Although there are numerous books that examine physical comedy from a historic or aesthetic perspective, few provide guidance in how to do it. So where can actors and teachers go for instruction? To The Physical Comedy Handbook. The Physical Comedy Handbook is a one-of-a-kind resource for actors, teachers and directors interested in physical comedy, from slapstick pratfalls to the theater of the absurd. Davis Robinson believes the basic physical skills of comedy can be taught to anyone. His 20 years of practical experience—including workshops with Jacques LeCoq, Tony Montanaro, Bill Irwin, Avner Eisenberg, Mark Morris and Ronlin Foreman—have taught him so. Robinson shares what he learned in this book, providing a thorough explanation of a range of techniques for developing comic timing, writing original material and working with scripts. The book includes numerous hands-on exercises designed to help anyone, regardless of experience, develop their sense of play. Acting students will learn how to sharpen their physical skills. Teachers will learn how to structure and guide their students’ work. Actors will explore a range of comic styles. Directors will discover a number of tools for bringing comedy to life. Again, be careful! As I approach 50 in November, I use the following line after an extended bit of "physical comedy." That was a lot easier 20 years ago. It gets a laugh because it is true. In the last three months I have lost about 12 pounds and got into the best shape I have been in for 10 years. I can now fit into my straitjacket again—yeaaaaaaa. I had to remove the routine because, although I can get out of it, I could not be put into it. Enjoy and do it safely. Harris
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Clowning around » » Learning to Tumble/Somersault/Fall (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.02 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 < |