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Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Hi Danny!
MOST of my work was in schools. For many groups in rural USA, I was the FIRST live performer that they had seen--ever! They had seen TV of course, but, they didn't applaud for an act on TV. --And, there are less and less variety acts on TV these days. Often, I would need to "teach" them how to respond (social skills were one of the values derived from Lyceum programs.) Sometimes a gentle cueing was all that was needed. I learned to do the cueing subtly! with a gesture, and/or a subtle line. School administrators would comment, favorably, on my handling of group dynamics. The program's "three Ts" (Tempo, timing, and time) were equally important. (Schools, as has been mentioned, operate on a strict schedule!) I invited students to participate on two occasions in the program. Using different kids for every trick or routine tends to cause the show to stop, each time, and, as a result, every trick is an "opening trick"! MTV has helped to create short attention spans. I did about a dozen routines in 45 minutes, which helped maintain interest and attention. If I had a different kid up for each routine, that would make about 12-15 minutes of lost program time! I talked about applause, how to get it, and how to acknowledge it, in my book. I even explained the difference between "styling" and, "bowing". --because many beginning performers don't even know what styling is. No question! Extremely casual situations like table hopping, and, strolling, are different than a seated audience in an auditorium, theater, or a grand stand at a fair. I would be willing to bet that many of the readers in the Café don't know the difference between an auditorium and a theater.
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Dick exactly. As we were talking table hoping I limited the answer. ALL theater audiences have to be taught it is ok to applaud.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
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MeetMagicMike Inner circle Gainesville Fl 3501 Posts |
Is there really any conflict here? I think people are just talking past each other. Applause is the norm for larger crowds as in a play but not expected in more intimate settings. Does any one disagree?
I'm not aware of close up performers expecting applause from just a few people. Is this an issue? There are in-between situations such as a large group in a restaurant. When I perform for a large table I do tricks that play larger and I'm not surprised to get a round of applause. Is any one on this thread suggesting that is a problem? Where exactly is the disagreement? |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
I disagree.
But again doing 3 tricks before the salad probably no applause. Sit down for 7 to 10 minutes after the meal and 90% of the time you will get them.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
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MeetMagicMike Inner circle Gainesville Fl 3501 Posts |
I see you're point but I still don't think it's much of a disagreement. If you present a more formal "show" applause is more likely even for a small group. It's not strictly related to the size but larger groups tend to be more of a "show" and smaller groups can often be more of a conversational performance.
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Absolutely. I was just trying to be clear.
I also think expecting applause in the wrong environment leads to silly lines. I think it is at the heart of the problem.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
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Marc Woods Regular user The Netherlands 147 Posts |
Why ask applause for yourself? I try to make most of my magic "with" my audience not "for" my audience!
If someone helped me, I want to make that person the star at that moment, so applause is needed to show that person our appreciation, which means that I will applaud as well! Working close-up I definately seek for applause, cause that's what gives my client a GREAT feeling! Balance is the right word here I guess, don't over-use and don't under-use!
MiNDHACKER / goochelaar
https://www.marcwoods.nl |
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Brainbu$ter Veteran user Indianapolis, IN 326 Posts |
1. The only reason I would want applause in a restaurant is to inform the GM that his money is well-spent.
However, applause is not needed, because after most of the effects performed, people are naturally either laughing or yelling, "How do you do/know that!?" or "WTF!!" or "How did you get my watch!" The reactions are already loud--why would I want applause instead?. 2. Though I have seen, for example, Derren Brown, finish a card trick with, "...turn that card over and freak out," have you ever seen say, David Blaine, Criss Angel, or Derren Brown showcase a effect on a televised special where their close-up audience applauded? No. This is because (IMO) the spectators/participants are too astonished, too spellbound or too overcome with laughter/screaming or some other more-natural release--a release which is equally audible as applause and arguably more meaningful. Bear in mind that any one of the above performers KNOWS that he could easily prep his audience, "If you like what I'm about to show you, feel free to applaud at the end." But those magicians don't prep their audience to applaud, even prior to filming. Invariably the natural reaction is more priceless. I can think of a maybe one scenario/category-of-effect where applause would be ideal--multiple moments of astonishment: have 8 people peek at/select a card, discover the 8 cards in an entertaining way. But I'm not really sure of even this one. I just find that people often applaud after the last one instead of "freaking out." Maybe they're more "impressed" than "flabbergasted." Come to think of it, maybe I need to be sure the last reveal is surprising, since after revealing 7 cards, they expect the ending. |
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KC Cameron Inner circle Raleigh, North Carolina 1944 Posts |
I nearly always get an applause or some form of verbal reaction. This cements your value with the restaurant staff AND other tables will request you when they hear it. Once one table responds verbally or in applause, the rest will too. I don't use applause lines and think they are tacky, but that is me. I do occasionally prime the pump with body language.
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