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KingStardog Inner circle 2134 Posts |
Hi Harry, I in no way was directing the comments to you or anyone else except for the first two origional posters. I believe your ethics to be of the highest caliber, and a good example to those here.
I am willing to accept "Maybe I should have started the thread a different way." As an an admission of wrongdoing, and apology of sorts. I don't think the other party would admit to wrong. Its time to let it go and move on with the discussion of entertaining. And please don't get me started on Mr Blaine's patter or stage work, or the camera work. People still like him with all of that going on, so maby none of it is very important to the layperson. Per the origional points, I have been in the audience and watched Mr Copperfeild do all of those at $130 a ticket and it didn't lessen my enjoyment one bit. Even knowing most of the effect principles had no detraction with enjoying the show. Probably comes down to personality in his case.
...think not that all wisdom is in your school. You may have studied other paths,but, it is important to remember that no matter who you are or where you come from, there is always more to learn.
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Kondini Inner circle 3609 Posts |
Six performances last weekend ten booked over Maybank next weekend, each performance identical in every way (Even down to the glare at the audience at the same second at each show) Its worked to music and every beat has a mannerism, this is what constant presentation before lay people results in.
So what is entertaining ?? If anyone has the ingredients to this, bottle it and I will be at the front of the Q. Example : In the real world (A month ago now, Easter Holiday shows). Four performances done with six to go, Opened with the sword feature,,,,polite applause (This normaly wows em) Into regurgitation, a slightly better response (This usually get`s the screamers going) And so on. Remember, everything was exactly the same at each and every performance but around one show in fifty goes flat.Why. Did I fail to entertain them, all the other performances at this venue went as per the norm, as we expect each show to be. Conclusion, to analyse entertainment is impossible.To provide a few pointers,maybe (But these are personal to the individual entertainer) We are all different. My view, get out there and work, find out for yourself if it works for you and you get the clap! Keep it in the act, if it fails, chuck it out. Take care, Im off to Elstree to try again. |
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CARNEGIE Loyal user 267 Posts |
If I may join in on this discussion of 'entertaining with escapes.' I've seen this word 'entertain' thrown around a lot by people over the years. And whether it be magic or straight escapes, I've seen multitudes fall short of actually entertaining. Audiences can often be very kind and polite, but that doesn't mean a person is actually entertaining them.
A recent statistic said that an audience will make up their mind about you within the first 6 seconds that you appear before them. Then they spend the rest of the time justifying thier initial impression of you. That should make a performers eyes pop open! It's something we need to be very aware of. Entertaining encompasses everything from your first entrance, your transitions, your exits, your bows, your choice of dress, your movement within your performing area, how you manage volunteers, your choice of music, your VOICE, your appearance, OH and also your choice of performing material. Frankly there is a whole lot more that goes into making an entertaining program. Naturally the presentation of a given trick or routine will also make or break the 'entertainment'. And a little thing called 'likeability' is a key ingrediant. Let's face it, if an audience dislikes you, they will root for you to fail. All the greats have likeability, Copperfield, Henning, Penn and Teller, Blaine and so on. Yes, I understand this is about escape artists, but I'm making a point. You have to be likeable and you have to give your audience a reason to care about you. Often with escape artists, we rush to show how great we are at escaping before establishing this relationship with the audience. This could be the reason that escapes fall flat on TV. The live audience watching the escape is blown away, but the television audience views it as ho-hum. NOT always mind you, but very often. Plus a lot of escapes on TV today are nothing more than illusions with an escape theme and audiences see right through them. Now look at David Blaine. Not an escape artist, but similiar in that he performs dangerous stunts. Who in magic today gets the audiences that he does? And why does he, because people care about the guy. He may be odd and bizzare, but he has touched people and they believe the stuff he does is real. You may or may not like Blaine, but studying the way he does things is educational. I don't know if I've helped the post or not. Just thought I'd bring up a few thoughts. There is a fine book out now that frankly any entertainer should read called "Maximum Entertainment", it's incredible. In addition, there is an actor/dancer/magician named Bob Fitch who presents 'Theater Camps for Magicians'. Check his camp out because you might be shocked at what you can learn. I was shocked and very happy too. Carnegie |
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AJP807 Special user New York City 559 Posts |
Hey Carnegie, very thought provoking post, thank you. Any idea where I might look for that book Maximum Entertainment? And speaking of books, when you get a chance I'd love to here about your new Houdini book.
Best regards, Tony Parisi PS Nice website |
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CARNEGIE Loyal user 267 Posts |
Hey Tony,
Maximum Entertainment is available through a lot of magic dealers and there are even ads in MAGIC Magazine and Genii. You might try Denny and Lee's, which is where I got my copy, http://www.dennymagic.com If anyone is interested in Bob Fitch's Workshops/Camps, you can visit his site at http://www.fitchmagic.com. As far as my book on Houdini, it's still in the works. I was hoping to have it finished this month, but finding the time to write with my busy performing schedule has been tougher than I first expected. As it gets nearer to completion, I will let folks know about it more. I've also got some additional comments on 'entertaining' but I'll save those for later. Carnegie |
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AJP807 Special user New York City 559 Posts |
Thanks for the links Dean, Tony
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Dr_Stephen_Midnight Inner circle SW Ohio, USA 1555 Posts |
I think one self-defeating factor is using too many restraints and elements as "throwaways." This has the effect of not allowing the audience to focus on a specific point.
Monty Python had skits based on this problem (Mr. So-and-So will now play Chopin's Minute Waltz...while escaping from two pairs of handcuffs, 30 feet of padlocked chains and a tied sack!) While combining restraints is okay, too much simply detracts and cheapens the entire performance. The main thrust is to emphasize how REAL the restraint is, and how IMPOSSIBLE it should be to get out at all. A good text on showmanship I would recommend, and which has a chapter on escapology, is "Gold Medal Showmanship" by Burling Hull. Steve Incidentally, where can I order a copy of "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Entertaining With Escapes (but no one would tell you!)"? Steve
Dr. Lao: "Do you know what wisdom is?"
Mike: "No." Dr. Lao: "Wise answer." |
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AJP807 Special user New York City 559 Posts |
Hi Stephen, just click on the link here: http://www.ealib.org/everything.htm
or go to the Escape Artist's Reference Library at: http://www.ealib.org Hope this helps. Tony Parisi |
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MarkTripp Special user Michigan 618 Posts |
Well, it is a matter of taste.
I think William is an ass, but I remember Tiny Tim long before him. People are lauging at him because he is a fool. Entertainment? Well, depends on the defination. I suggest these questions were all answered by Fitzkee in "Showmanship for Magicians". I never got into Friends either... so entertainment is defined by the audience. |
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Michael Lee Regular user 152 Posts |
Hello All
Yes I agree its a matter of taste, but at the very least have a background in Theatre , Drama & be able to" bring something to the table". Michael Lee |
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dave_matkin Inner circle 4522 Posts |
Kondini ......
Can you clarify:- "get out there and work, find out for yourself if it works for you and you get the clap!" Is this really what you mean? If you do a good job of entertaining you get the women …… (or men ….. lets be fair there are plenty of women EAs) ok lets call them groupies …… and then well …… you see where I am going with my poor attempt at humour……… |
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Kondini Inner circle 3609 Posts |
I ment clap with their hands,,,,,,not their *******8
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