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MagicJuggler Inner circle Anchorage, AK 1161 Posts |
I thought it would be a good idea to discuss our individual approaches to constructing a routine. How do you decide which move goes where? How do you put together the flow of the routine? How do you start? How do you finish? I would also welcome discussion of how people develop the concepts that underlie their act. Themes, costuming, staging, expressing character, and transitions. I would love to hear everyone's ideas on the subject.
I personaly have developed routines in a variety of ways. I have certain mini-sequences that I like the flow of, kind of like small peices of a routine. I try to make the routine flow together, creating a build of more impressive moves as I go, finishing with a good trick that ideally has a built in applause point. I am primarily a contact juggler, though I also do a lot of semi-advanced three ball juggling integrated with bounce juggling. In some of my routines I start with a general concept or image, and try to utilize moves that fit within that concept. I have several "dream" routines that I've been developing for several years, one of which is almost to fruition, though it's going to take a couple more months of intense practice before it's smooth enough to use in an act. I also like to combine two things together that normally aren't asscociated with one another, and try to make them fit. When inventing individual moves, I'll take an existing idea and expand it in some way to a point where it becomes something new. Anyway, I'd really like to hear anyone's input on their own creative process that they use to develop moves or routines.
Matthew Olsen
I heard from a friend that anecdotal evidence is actually quite reliable. |
Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Welcome to catch this if you can.
The juggling that I do in my show consists of a bowling ball juggling routine, a audience partisipation club juggling routine, the 9 cigar box trick, and a torch juggling routine that I do for outside jobs. The rest is parlor and closeup magic. I have never met a juggler from Alaska before. How big is Anchorage? How much work is there?
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
MagicJuggler Inner circle Anchorage, AK 1161 Posts |
Anchorage has a population of about 300,000, and is the biggest town in all of Alaska. Work here is a little inconsistant as far as performing goes. The most buisiness is usually during the holidays and during tourist season. The tourist season usually lasts from the end of may to the end of august. Busking is difficult as there are few places in town where there is a descent amount of foot traffic. It's difficult to sell your services to any of the tourism companies, simply because the primary draw to Alaska is the wildlife and scenery. Right now I'm not performing as much as I used to, just the occasional private party, and corporate event. I had to take a break for a while due to a shoulder injury, and am slowly working to get back into the swing of things.
I've had some success with restaraunts, and a number of corporations hire entertainers for their annual picnics/holiday parties. Private parties can be had most often, but for most of the performers in town buisness is a little touch and go. Anchorage is not exactly the entertainment capital of anywhere. People here appreciate a good show, but variety entertainment isn't always first on their list. Anchorage is kind of the hub for all of Alaska. If you want to go anywhere else, there is a lot of driving or flying involved, and Alaska is HUGE.
Matthew Olsen
I heard from a friend that anecdotal evidence is actually quite reliable. |
mtb New user South Africa 61 Posts |
In terms of routining, I tend to have particular things that I want to do and then improvise to get to each of them. But then I am a hobbyist, not doing this for a living.
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mika New user USA & Germany 100 Posts |
I find this a very interesting topic and I was thinking of writing back on this topic a while ago. And trust me I could probably write a lot on this...
Nevertheless, it seems to be that there are people, who work just like me they have a concept for the comedy monologue and then they add the juggling or magic.... ,,, and then there are appearantly people who invent jokes fitting the juggling or magic tricks...I and most of my fellow perfromers couldn't work like this... I even use concepts for my visual acts... like the moves I do with clubs or hula-hoop come somewhere from taking modern and oriental dance classes. I started my first ideas for my club routine with mini sequences after taking dance classes in Berlin and in austria in 19 94. So for 5 years I just worked on the technique for clubs and performed with diabolo ( and got a degree) and then between 2000 and 2001 after taking more dance classes I completed the "picture" of my club routine. A visual routine is a picture to me nothing more nothing less. So I liked it when you said:" I personaly have developed routines in a variety of ways. I have certain mini-sequences that I like the flow of, kind of like small peices of a routine. I try to make the routine flow together, creating a build of more impressive moves as I go, finishing with a good trick that ideally has a built in applause point. " It took me years to find out of "WHO I AM" to know my personality and have PRESENCE when I do comedy or when I perform visual acts. Getting rid rid of inconsistencies and getting the timing right takes years but resulted in more confidence. I am a "solo" performers and I am very self-taught and I have heard from people that my stuff is original, but the last touch in this originality came not from "GENIUS" it came from working with a director. If you want to go anywhere you owe it to yourself to get a director. |
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