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davidpaul$ Inner circle Georgetown, South Carolina 3086 Posts |
Hey Doug,
What are your thoughts on putting an act together, stand-up and or a close-up show. It's obvious that an opener-middle and closer are essential to keep the audience's attention and a flow. Some performers talk about having your routines relate to each other, while others say it's OK to have an eclectic mix that are not necessarily related. Do you sit down and go over the effects then place them in a sequence you feel will work ? What's your process? Just wondering what you feel are essential ingredients to a "GOOD", "ENTERTAING" performance. Thanks again Doug for your time!
Guilt will betray you before technique betrays you!
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doug brewer V.I.P. 1142 Posts |
I DO, in fact, write my entire act out and try to have a small theme throughout each set (not necessarily the entire act). So, if I look at my one-hour act right now as it's written up, I have a "Theme Title", then under that I have bulleted each trick or effect. Then another Theme Title, and bulleted effects, etc.
Here's what I have: OPENER CLOSE-UP *Coins *In-betweener(an appertif quick/visual effect between coins & cards) *Cards SYMPATHY *Effect 1 *Effect 2 *Effect 3 SEANCE *Scary/Ghost Effect 1 *Scary/Ghost Effect 2 *etc. BORROWED BILL *Effect 1 *etc CLOSER *Effect 1 *etc. note: I actually name the effect/trick on my sheet, I've just titled it "effect 1" for teaching purposes The Opener and Closer should (traditionally) be productions, as a production is stronger than a vanish. I have moved effects around within sets, and moved sets around each other. I've added effects and removed effects, then placed them back in. For awhile I had an intermission, but now I have chosen to do without one because I felt like I had to fight to get the energy going again. This is a one hour show format, but I format my strolling and 20 minute close-up shows similarly: Opener, Coins, Cards, Closer. For strolling, I don't necessarily do a production but start with coins, as money gets people's interest. You can also do more of an eye candy routine to open with, but after that you need to get people involved. Ironically, my Castle Act I'm doing this week in late Parlour does not have a single coin or card effect in the 20 minute set - it just worked out that way, and you simply don't have a lot of time in the showrooms anymore. One thing I have come to feel is important is to layer minor effects around your primary effects. An example of this would be, when you borrow a bill, take the bill and pop your pen through it (pen thru anything) do the fake tear, then immediately hand it back to be signed. Then move into your primary signed bill effect. Stuff like this keeps the magic happening and layers impossibility around impossibility. I realize this may not be everyone's cup of tea and they may want a more slower paced "chatty" presentation, but I truly believe this "adds value" to the magical experience of your audience. |
Atom3339 Inner circle Spokane, WA 3242 Posts |
^ Doug, This was very valuable to me!
TH
Occupy Your Dream |
Curtis Kam V.I.P. same as you, plus 3 and enough to make 3498 Posts |
"Ironically, my Castle Act I'm doing this week in late Parlour does not have a single coin or card effect in the 20 minute set - it just worked out that way, and you simply don't have a lot of time in the showrooms anymore. "
Are you really doing the balloon doggie act? Or the all-thimble act?
Is THAT a PALMS OF STEEL 5 Banner I see? YARRRRGH! Please visit The Magic Bakery
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doug brewer V.I.P. 1142 Posts |
LOL. I'm not embarrassed to say I own a bunch of Mogar's thimbles (but they aren't in the act yet).
No, Opener, a rope joke, cups&balls, bill routine, walnuts, Reed routine, hat&die closer . . . I'm out of time (no time for coins), good night folks! |
doug brewer V.I.P. 1142 Posts |
That's bob read actually
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