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Levi Bennett Inner circle 1778 Posts |
I'm finally just about done writing my scripts for my gospel show. I'm thinking about not doing a musical opening. I'm just looking for different opinions from you all on how you open your gospel show.
The way I'm leaning now, I'm thinking more of an audience conditioning/chatting while doing magic opening and skipping the music and magic opener. I know both can be done and audience size matters and all that. And I'm certainly not looking for people to do my work for me. I'm just looking for some discussion among us pertaining to personal taste, reasons for choosing your intro and whatnot. These will give me more things to consider. And I appreciate all your comments. Thanks- Theodore
Performing magic unprofessionally since 2008!
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Levi Bennett Inner circle 1778 Posts |
I've done a musical opening for other shows, but I think I'd like to do a brief intro and small amount of audience conditioning by doing some fun things to get them to do what I say and then have them do a real clapping and cheering welcome as I introduce myself from behind the curtain to actually start the show.
What do you like to do?
Performing magic unprofessionally since 2008!
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themagiciansapprentice Inner circle Essex, UK 1381 Posts |
I do an effect to show I'm a funny guy.
Then one to clear up any misunderstanding about what my magic entails. (Look at the work of Duane Laflin.) Then more fun routines involving volunteers and onto the message. Whether you use a musical magic sequence is down to the setting and the audience. Often I miss this out in order to start using volunteers.
Have wand will travel! Performing children's magic in the UK for Winter 2014 and Spring 2015.
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Levi Bennett Inner circle 1778 Posts |
That's a good point about the setting and the audience. I have Anatomy of a Gospel Magic Show by Duane Laflin.
Thanks for the reply. I just wanted some differing opinions to consider. I feel a little bit scared to change my opening so the comments help me think about the possibilities and what has worked for others.
Performing magic unprofessionally since 2008!
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themagiciansapprentice Inner circle Essex, UK 1381 Posts |
Many are using FIVER .. You pay five dollars and some-one records your introductary message. But that isn't me.
And often a well-meaning priest or MC introduce me even though I've asked them just to say my name. No point having the same info given twice.
Have wand will travel! Performing children's magic in the UK for Winter 2014 and Spring 2015.
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Howie Diddot Inner circle San Francisco & Los Angeles California 3288 Posts |
My plan for churches other than the church I attend is to have the leader introduce me and I come out and perform and have the children enjoy the Gospel message in the magic; when it comes to the final message and invitation I turn it back over to the church leader.
My reasoning for this is, there are so many different dominations that have the same main message that Jesus is lord and the way to eternal life. All churches do not preach the same doctrine; some believe in tongues, others believe differently about the woman's place in a church, etc. so leaving details of the final ending of the event to the church leader will not offend anyone after an enjoyable performance. I'm just sharing my opinion on my outlook of closing a show and not a suggestion to change the way you plan to end your show |
Sam Sandler Inner circle 2487 Posts |
I believe any opening for any show should be strong. not necessarily your best bit but should be very strong.
reason being is that it will establish you as a professional or at least knowledgeable in your craft. it helps grab the attention of your audience and create a vibe of "i want to see more" i have been opening up with musical bit with my manipulation routine for over a decade now. while it has taken on many new looks it is still at its heart a multi phase rip roaring fast paced magic explosion that gets the audience excited. however that works for me. I believe it would work for most people. i do think that you need to have some thing strong and visual. it could be some thing like a bowling ball production or flash of fire and produce a cane i would even go as far as saying that the first bit should not even have a gospel content to it. just love your audience and say Hi! then after the open you can tell a little about yourself and use another trick to maybe share a bit about you and what you do. funny is always a winner so maybe incorporate funny into your second bit. good luck and have fun sam
sam sandler- America's only full-time DEAF Illusionist
http://www.samsandler.com http://www.deafinitelymagic.com |
Levi Bennett Inner circle 1778 Posts |
Thanks all!
Performing magic unprofessionally since 2008!
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jamiedoyle Special user Lafayette, IN 619 Posts |
It really depends on the venue. So, I have a variety of ways I intro my show.
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Sam Sandler Inner circle 2487 Posts |
Jamie I think I disagree with that.
so let me ask what venue would cause you to change your opening routine?? i would never change my opening. so its an honest question. why would you change it. thanks
sam sandler- America's only full-time DEAF Illusionist
http://www.samsandler.com http://www.deafinitelymagic.com |
themagiciansapprentice Inner circle Essex, UK 1381 Posts |
Sam do you use the same opening for Gospel Events as the one you used at FCM Conference in 2012 ?? - very dynamic,magical and fun.
Have wand will travel! Performing children's magic in the UK for Winter 2014 and Spring 2015.
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jamiedoyle Special user Lafayette, IN 619 Posts |
Sam and others:
It depends on the venue, crowd size, the reason for the program, the room, who else is involved, my time limit, indoors/outdoors, who is in the crowd, etc. If I'm presenting at a Kids Camp, a Kids Church, A major outreach, a Church's Missions Convention, A Birthday Party (yes, I've done a Gospel Magic show for birthday parties by request of the child and/or parents), Magic Convention, VBS or any of the other crazy places that we all get invited to, then I have to carefully consider ahead of time how I 'm going to open my program. There's a possibility that other things happen before I do my part. There may be singing or a contest... or both. I may walk on after the first fun song and welcome the kids and pray and turn it back over to the Worship leader. Depending on where in the program I am at may determine what I do from the moment I walk on stage. It may be fast and fun... It might be more reflective because I the first time I walk on, I might be giving the main message with several routines. Keep in mind: I know these details ahead of time. Let me tell you my preferences - and some of you may not agree... but it works well for me and I've been successful: If this is going to be for a "churched" group I may open differently than if I'm doing a program as an evangelistic event where I need to assume that the audience may not know or comprehend church lingo. If I perform for a "churched" group: I want to establish myself as a minister who is a really good performer. If it's an "unchurched" group where it's meant to be evangelistic: I want to establish myself as a really good entertainer who is going to also give you a message. Another factor is the message I want the audience to go away with. I may use an opening that conveys that message as a kind of intro - "priming the pump" so to speak, so the audience has been informed as to why they are there. So, I don't have just one standard opening routine. Hey - almost every week< I create a new opening routine to introduce the topic in my own kids church... sometimes it's magic, sometimes it's ventriloquism, sometimes it's an interesting object lessons, sometimes it's a science experiment, sometimes it's a skit with a puppet or character, etc. |
Sam Sandler Inner circle 2487 Posts |
Thanks for taking time to clarify.
while I understand that. I perform my opening routine at every event regardless of churched or out reach or birthday or what ever. of course there are some subtle differences such as not taking the blammo with me to a birthday party or at least not the full size one LOL but I get it and understand where you are coming from thanks sam
sam sandler- America's only full-time DEAF Illusionist
http://www.samsandler.com http://www.deafinitelymagic.com |
jamiedoyle Special user Lafayette, IN 619 Posts |
Sam,
I say: "Do what works for you" What works for you may not for me and what works for me may not work for you. I would say that you are part of an elite group of performers who has figured that out. |
Levi Bennett Inner circle 1778 Posts |
Thanks for taking the time to talk it out guys. This is the kind of discussion I was hoping to see. As a beginner I appreciate it.
Performing magic unprofessionally since 2008!
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Jeffini New user Atlanta 52 Posts |
I almost always do a little warm up routine for the kids with a simple sponge ball routine... I catch there attention and help them focus. Then I tell them I am about to introduce the magician and have them cheer my "intro". Then I proceed with a larger intro routine that sets the pace for the show. I agree that simply talking with the kids helps to build raport. But then I have a strong opening routine as well. Just my way of performing. Obviously this does not work for larger shows, but I like it for most of my small and medium size routines.
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
I open in prayer.
It is not scripted. Love and prayers. Harris
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
GlenD Inner circle LosAngeles, Ca 1293 Posts |
I usually briefly greet the folks and offer some basic lead in related to the first effect. My ministry related programs typically feature entertainment only effects for the first 2/3 or so of the show then will transition to message related effects. I often start off with "Awakening" (Dan Harlans Professor Nightmare routine) or "Precious Metal" (a spoon to fork transformation). Both fairly quick, visual and fun opening effects that work well for me.
Glen
"A miracle is something that seems impossible but happens anyway" - Griffin
"Any future where you succeed, is one where you tell the truth." - Griffin (Griffin rocks!) |
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