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Tyler Salvador New user Toronto, ON 33 Posts |
Hey guys!
Im trying to develop my persona for my adult magic gigs and I want to get others' thought on wearing a mask. Specifically I'm looking at the long-nose harlequin style mask. I will mostly be doing weddings, banquets, fundraisers and festivals because that's where my connections are at the moment. I want to portray a jovial, storyteller persona. A time-shifted jester if you will. No slapstick or crass humour, but still a lighthearted, funny and magical experience. So, does anyone have any experience wearing masks? Any anecdotes or advice from experience would be great! Pros and cons would be really awesome too! Thanks!
Tyler Salvador - Barnacle Bart the Pirate
www.barnaclebart.com |
magicwatcher2005 Elite user Washington state 446 Posts |
Just take it off before you go into a bank or liquor store.
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Robin4Kids Veteran user Lower Alabama 396 Posts |
I would be concerned that my audience would be expecting me to reveal the secret to every trick I did!!!
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PepeRuizSJ Loyal user Dallas, TX 250 Posts |
I was an actor for a while, and one of the most difficult plays I did was one where people had to wear masks. The problem with wearing a mask is that it makes it a lot more difficult for people to read your emotional feedback. It really removes you from the audience. As actors we had to make up for the loss in facial expressions with increased body language, at which point it was difficult not to feel like cartoons. Those are my two cents. It's a cool idea, but it sacrifices your connection to the audience. You could do it, just be aware of the limitation, and make up for it. I personally value audience connection way too much to sacrifice any little bit of it, but different things work for different people.
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Alan Munro Inner circle Kentwood, Michigan, USA 5952 Posts |
Here's one well know entertainer, who wore a mask of sorts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_d-Q5GOWpA#t=132
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Ekuth Inner circle Floating above my 1538 Posts |
I can speak from direct experience on this one, as I just finished a run at the local Renaissance festival using a character hat wore exactly the type of mask you're talking about.
First, I'll second everything that Pepe said; you really have to be able to use your body and gestures to portray your emotions. In my case, as a challenge to stretch/test my skills, I went entire weekends not speaking at all and doing my sets in mime and gesture. Surprisingly, it went over better than I thought it would- I would say 70% of the audience was able to follow along. Some folks just don't get it no matter how hard you try, though. I would recommend that you have the character down VERY solidly before attempting this- and you will have to adapt your entire set around the mask. Visibility is affected, comfort is a major issue, as is perspiration... do you wear glasses? If you do, you'll have to ditch them or wear contacts. You'll also have to watch your 'reach' issues- how close to your body/face are your arms during certain routines/effects? Will you need to alter that distance? There's a plethora of issues you'll need to address... including eating and drinking. Small children will be afraid to approach you. The teen set will avoid you like the plague. Adults will look at you strangely. Make certain that your look/character is okay with the party/event planners first, especially in the case of the types of events you're talking about... and check your age range too. One thing I can definitely recommend if you do decide to do this is to back the entire inside of the mask with either craft foam or felt for comfort; bare, hard plastic against your face for extended periods is not fun. All that said, if you can get the character solid, the mask opens up a whole realm of possible hooks/lines. I love the character I used for the Faire and I'm working now on transitioning him to another timeframe entirely, and using a different mask. I found the anonymity of being able to wear a mask while performing quite liberating, actually. When the mask went on, I became the character; when it came off, I was able to blend/disappear. Kind of rambling, but my 2c, for what it's worth.
"All you need is in Fitzkee."
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