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Magician Shaun Special user Huntington BCH, CA 924 Posts |
So here is some video of my show. This is my rope routine in it's current form and my Cups and Balls. You will notice some "stock" lines or maybe just some I stole from people. I stole the line about me cheating from Jimmy, the solid gold cup line is stock or a Cellini line, but I think in general my show is mine. Let me know your opinion's on my stuff. I appreciate any and all criticism.
http://youtu.be/1cOY8yFe40A |
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Ekuth Inner circle Floating above my 1538 Posts |
First, well done!
Notes: Odd aspect ratio on the camera... I'm guessing whoever was filming turned it sideways. But, no biggie. Okay, performance: The rope routine is good, but you need to tighten it up a bit, especially for kids. It runs a tad too long in the middle and you're losing their attention span. I did like the restoration back to the original rope lengths- good thinking, and good interactivity. You need to work on your crowd control just a bit; get the kids away from the edges and into the center. Less chance of them catching a flash or getting grabby. Trust me, I learned this one the hard way. Remember, kids are used to being told where to go; use it to your advantage. Also get your audience to fill in closer to the edge, you'll lose less folks from the back/edges. On that note, good use of the cups as an anchor. Play that out a little more, but not too much. C&B routine looked pretty good, but your camera person didn't track at some of the more important moments; so I can't really speak to those parts. General advice: SLOW DOWN YOUR PATTER. I know that's a bear and goes against every instinct you have. I'm learning this one the hard way. Quick patter is good to build the edge, but once you've got one established, cut your pacing by about 1/3 to 1/2. This will draw them in. Hand in hand with this: WAIT FOR YOUR JOKE/APPLAUSE CUES. I'm guilty as sin of this myself; so I caught on. Remember, the specs are about 2 to 3 seconds behind you on their thought process; if you go too fast they're just getting the last joke when you're already in the middle of your next one. Literally pause for those 2-3 seconds and see if there's a reaction. If there is, recognize it and move on. If not, raise an eyebrow, make a "woosh" over the head motion... whatever fits your style and THEN move on. Don't forget to use the APPLAUSE POSITION. Feet together, hands out to both sides, slight bow and... pause for 2 seconds. Remember, they're used to watching TV- you have to give them the cues they need to realize there's a 'break' in the action where they should respond. USE SILENCE TO BUILD MYSTERY. The best example I can give you in this clip would be at the transition between the ropes and the C&B. Put the ropes away... slowly. Get the cups out... slowly, mysteriously and silently. Kneel at the edge of the table and stare at them. Arrange them in wierd patterns. Move one 1/2" to the right and then back again. Act like one might bite you if you touch it. This will do two things: Serve as a definate 'break' transition from the ropes into the cups. Without that break, effects tend to blend into each other in the audience's minds. Remember, you're entertaining people with the attention span of goldfish with ADHD (no offence to anyone with this disorder, a very good friend of mine suffers from it). Second, it will build/re-build the mystery. It will activate that "WTF is he doing?" impulse. This draws people in, which draws in people who want to know what the other people are looking at. Things you're doing right instinctually: Interaction. I like that you get them involved and ask their names. Again, here- pause. Repeat the name back, say something inane and PAUSE for a beat. You just focused the audience on THEM and THEM on you. Thank them when they're done. Have the audience give THEM a round of applause. Things I noticed but weren't sure of: The music... was that yours or background from someone else? If yours, try turning down the volume a tad or doing without it. Try it both ways. If it wasn't yours, well, you're scroooowed and you made the best of it; bravo! All in all, well done. You've come a long distance in a short time and you're obviously developing your chops. The single most important piece of advice I can give you: CUM GRANO SALIS. (Take everything with a grain of salt). In short, you're doing GREAT! Take everything I say, anyone else says, you read, you see... and decide for yourself if you think it's valid. Do YOUR thing and you'll only get better. *applause*
"All you need is in Fitzkee."
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Magician Shaun Special user Huntington BCH, CA 924 Posts |
Ekuth,
I appreciate every bit of advice you have given. Some of that feels like it was learned from your trip to the Mystery School. The music was most certainly not mine. It was coming from some artists booth, that was preferable however to setting up next to the music stage... My wife filmed it from my Cell phone so that is the aspect ratio problem. I agree I need to slow down, sometimes. Getting that right is hard. I also have no formal training as far as stage work and applause cues. She panned away when I loaded the final load, but the others seemed to be flash free. It's funny you mention TV and the applause because I have a line in my show during my rope routine that I use all time (I don't think I said it this time). "I know what the problem is, you guys watch too much TV so you forget that I can hear you too!" Since you guys are effectively my mentor (collectively you, Jimmy, Devious, and occasionally Mario make one mentor) I appreciate what you have to say! |
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Ekuth Inner circle Floating above my 1538 Posts |
Anytime, Shaun.
You are correct, there's several pieces of advice in there that I gleaned from Mystery School. If you ever have the opportunity, GO. Jeff, Eugene... all of the staff have an uncanny way of knowing *exactly* what you need to improve your act and they give you all the tools you need; plus the benefit of their years of experience. Priceless stuff. That's one reason I haven't really written yet about the Master Class; it's structured to be tailored to each student- very personalized and each time it's different. As to being a mentor, I'm highly flattered that you would include me with such august company- but really I'm just a guy who says what he thinks and occasionally says something worthwhile. Kimd of like finding a diamond at the bottom of a pile of manure. But thank you for the compliment.
"All you need is in Fitzkee."
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Ray Bertrand Inner circle Ottawa, Ontario 1452 Posts |
Hi Shaun,
I enjoyed your video. I concur with Christopher regarding the pacing. I have learned over the years that I needed to slow down. I have found that by slowing down my routine I can deliver a greater impact to my audience. Ray
Mentalism in Ontario.
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Devious Inner circle 2120 Posts |
"Stepping On Your Applause", is one of the most common
mistakes magicians make, whether you are onstage or on the street. Don't step on the audience's chance to express their pleasure. Make sure that your bow is inspired. Don't be in such a hurry to get on with the show that you ignore the audience. Applause is not a tip. It's your moment to be attentive and let the audience express something to you. It also is serving to coalesce your groups, that bond will also serve as motivation as each member tips in unison. When you take applause, be truly grateful. Stepping on your applause is not only awkward, but its rude. Learn to express that feeling. It takes acting but it comes naturally if you let it. Practice bows in front of a mirror. Make them look real, because once you have the rush of performance, they will be motivated and confident. Let folks enjoy the moment as it were. This is also a great moment to reflect on your audience, as you size up their body language. I use a little wooden device with an electronic soundmaker that mimics the sound of applause as a reminder for me during effects. I let someone from the audience press the actuator when he feels applause is appropriate. It also serves a dual purpose as a hook. The are readily available during halloween at various stores. The silence Ekuth speaks of also works wonders and most buskers DO NOT make use of this technique! Singers use it in live shows with tremendous sucess! Thanks for sharing your performance online. Ekuth has basically said it all. He has come very far as well! |
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Magician Shaun Special user Huntington BCH, CA 924 Posts |
Does everyone notice the guy at the end that comes up and high fives me?
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Nick W Special user 515 Posts |
Tired of kids in your show? tired of kids crowding your edge and heckling you? answer is sooooooooooo easy. take out a cigartte and start smoking.
think I'm kidding don't you? |
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Gary T. Veteran user 375 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-11-05 11:10, Nick W wrote: why on earth would you do that? kids are the road to the parents wallet, entertain the kids and the parents will tip, shoo the kids off and the parents will dissapear as well, and with them goes the money |
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AndyLuka Elite user Milwaukee, Wisconsin 440 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-11-05 11:10, Nick W wrote: I have seen Nick do his Cigarette routine. Though smoking is so taboo, the crowed still loves it. They even laugh when he offers a drag to a small child. But for some reason the kids never accept his offer.
Making Magic and Fantasy a reality in a world where our reality can sometimes be rather cruel
Http://www.lukamagic.com -That's Me Http://www.deceptionsmke -My Show |
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gallagher Inner circle 1168 Posts |
Hello Gr8gorilla,
I really enjoy your Posts, especially your "Diary...". When I read your "money spent so far"-Post, I thought you were real. I appreciate that. I find it also amazing, the folks here; especially Ekuth and Devious took the time; ahh, time, who has time today? They took the time,.. shared their thoughts; ahh, thoughts,... "Timing, Pacing, Working the Applause". Good thoughts, as well. Very rounded. Experience,.. ,....I decided to share mine. Watching your film, I counted the "ahh´s" in relationship too the "ha-ha´s". Magician?,... or,..? Neither, more or less. But,... what? My advise: Drop the patter,... the stolen lines,... ALL the Patter. Go out there, with your three favourite effects. YOUR favourite effects. Set up your table. Put a Hat, out in front. (this will establish your space). Don´t bang up an edge. Look forward, introduce your first Effect,.. perform it. Full concentration on/in the Effect. At the end of the Effect, acknowledge the interest. Introduce your next Effect,.. and go into it. Again, your head, solely into the Effect. Third Effect,...same procedure. In the end,.. thank the interest,... that´s it. Yes, at first, IT will suck,.. YOU will suck. But you will learn to be a Magician. You WILL learn to entertain with Magic. Not a series of meaningless tricks tied together with used jokes. Timing, Pacing,.. the Emotional Importance WILL develope,.. in the Magic.,... or you will die. Night for night,.. you will die. But, what do you want to be? What are you? ,...do you want `to be´? To be something,.. or simply, another? As your Magical prowness increases, your Words will come, as well. YOUR Words. Funny, or not funny; they will be YOUR Words,.. your feelings in the moment. This HONESTY, Emotional Honesty; I believe, is the essence. (Beauty, the honest expression of emotion.) An honest Show. An honest Audience. Life won´t let ´cha down. You´ll have to trust me on that one. thanks for sharing your experiences, thoughts,... thanks for considering mine. gallagher. |
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Nick W Special user 515 Posts |
Because its funny
Quote:
On 2012-11-05 11:54, Gary T. wrote: |
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solrak29 Special user NY Metro 936 Posts |
Great stuff and inputs especially from Gallager...
it's nice to see a vid and get input from some of the workers here...but I would be careful with this bit of advise... Quote:
On 2012-11-04 17:24, Devious wrote: On the stage, yes, but on the street you can lose your audience. I first heard this from Mario, then Danny Hustle gave me tips, and just recently from our very own... Vernon...plus, from experience, I've seen it happen... Here is ref http://www.magicnewstelevision.com/whatsthepoop and quote "It is a biggie, as applause in the wrong place, for the wrong thing, can cause your audience to walk... before showing their appreciation." Also, I agree that children can be God's gift to buskers, but you have to question ( as I do myself) how would it be in a venue with no children?
To Find Me On The Pitch, Follow me :On Twitter
Checkout my pseudo blog : The Sidewalk Performers Forum "I intend to live forever, or die trying" - Groucho Marx |
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Magician Shaun Special user Huntington BCH, CA 924 Posts |
Gallagher,
I really appreciate the advice on my show. I have already taken it, sort of. My show, next year, will be much, much different. This year I made a show out of a few tricks that I loved and that I also knew worked well for getting paid. I know the cups and balls is the Vernon routine, not mine. The ropes are mine totally. I didn't steal the patter lines from anyone. I have some stock one liners but as far as stealing lines goes, the only thing I do that isn't "mine" is the cups and balls. Mrs. Battle was my 8th grade literature teacher and she really tried to make sure I made good grades. I was a bad in her class. I have ADD and an above average I.Q. so I was not the best sit still, do your work, quietly, kind of kid. I use her here honestly only my experience with her is a little later than I let on. I have my own Cups and Balls routine I am working on. It is inspired by Tommy Wonder and Kent Gunn. It is a work in progress. I can't eat and pay bills with a half finished routine though. I hope to add billiard balls to my show next year along with a couple of other effects. I actually will be changing the whole thing around drastically. I am mostly heading into uncharted waters. There is just so much to learn when trying become a Busker. You not only have to have an entertaining art form to share with people but on top of that you must master the art of turning indifferent passerby's into a paying audience. Either one of these tasks on it's own is daunting, together they cause many a performer to crash to burn. I am handling them one piece at a time. Remember, without money, there is no art. |
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tboehnlein Inner circle ohio 1787 Posts |
Stock lines , stock tricks I think you can do either, both or none of the above I think it is all about you, do they like your personality & delivery or not.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOO5nEacdNw |
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AndyLuka Elite user Milwaukee, Wisconsin 440 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-11-06 13:20, tboehnlein wrote: isn't that the truth. However there are some out there that say never use a stock trick or a stock line, be original, this way its more of an art. Just as some of those who fish refuse to use live bait, and will only use a lure, because this way it is more of a sport. There is no right or wrong. Just different views.
Making Magic and Fantasy a reality in a world where our reality can sometimes be rather cruel
Http://www.lukamagic.com -That's Me Http://www.deceptionsmke -My Show |
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Magician Shaun Special user Huntington BCH, CA 924 Posts |
The truth is we are the only ones that know the difference between the stock lines and tricks and original ones. The audience only knows the difference between a good and bad performance.
Oh, that is what you meant. So what do you think of my show? Andy Luka, How you doing? |
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gallagher Inner circle 1168 Posts |
Art,...I don´t think we have to be `Artists´. I think few are. No one constantly.
I look at myself, for what I am,... an Entertainer. The Craft,.. Entertainment. A `hand craft´, for sure. The foundation of the Craft: Technique, Authenticity,.. Motivations. No matter how `well´ the Show walks,.. the Technique;...Authenticity and Motivations can be smelled. Motivations,.. obviously you have!,.. (Just curious; are you writing so much because someone is paying you?!!? "OK guys, no money,.. no more Posts!",.. just curious.) You´re burning inside!,.. to share your thoughts, your experience,.. you want to learn,.. come farther. And WE`RE thankfull you are! Money?!??,.. ha, you´re on fire! Authenticity. It spurs you, as well. (You expressed it, by excusing the origins of some `lines´.) It´s one of those Inner Truths. We all know. I find it great, you don´t supress it,..in yourself. You´re confronting it,... it´s a hard beast. If it´s any help,... we ALL confront it,.. even after years. It gets easier,.. but it´s always there. In a time when maschines do just about everything,.. humans even imitate them(!); an authentic human can be very comforting. ... ... ,... True, "Stock tricks, Stock lines,..",.. combined with a good Actor,.. "Who knows?". AND, the Entertainment WAS achieved. Look how loooong Shakespeare´s been performed,.. appreciated! Word for word. Let´s stay with William,.. Shakespeare. He probably STARTED, by imatating the Greek theater. "Stock Plots". "Stock Build-up." (Goethe and Schiller, most certainly). As they became profiscent, they moved on.,...forward(?). Thomas Gateswood did not. Neither, Elmar Stock, Joseph Dinkel,.. or Peter Tröttel. "Thomas,...,Elmar, Peter??...WHO?".,.... that´s the point. Do you want to come so far? You mustn´t. Your view is `pleasant´. Safe. Comfortable,...predictable. To be, or not to be?,... OK! OK!,. I borrowed that line. But William gave me permission!,.. I swear. We were close. giving it curiously, gallagher. |
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bigcheese New user Sacramento, CA 56 Posts |
Nice video. I especially liked that the kids were so focused on you. Sure, a lot of your chatter probably went over their heads but they have such a peculiar world view anyhow that I don't know that matters so much.
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ed rhodes Inner circle Rhode Island 2885 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-11-07 10:03, gallagher wrote: There was in fact a columnist in one of the big two (Genii / Magic) who stated categorically that magic, in and of itself, is NOT an art. Magic is not an art any more that sculpture or painting are an art. They are crafts and some of the people who use them ascend the craft and are perceived as artists. But picking up the tools of the craft does not make you an artist per se. I know I'm a fairly competent magician, but I am in no way shape or form an artist in magic.
"...and if you're too afraid of goin' astray, you won't go anywhere." - Granny Weatherwax
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