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MxJoKeR Regular user Nowhere, Oklahoma 173 Posts |
I just finished up a show that was more or less what I would call a living room/ or parlor room show. It was for a little over a dozen people in a close-up setting. This show went great but later I was thinking of the differences you face when doing this kind of show. It is just a step above one on one close-up and just below stand-up. I felt a few times that my audience didn't know whether to clap or just say "wow, that was outstanding", because I was right there talking to them so why not. I like this kind of feedback better than applause in this setting but some of the people I talk to (magicians) feel acward about it. They think that they don't put enouge applause cues in their routine. I want to hear what you all feel about this kind of thing. I think that if you build the kind of rapport needed to really get in touch with an audience that they sould feel quite comfortable voicing their appreciation instead of clapping. I do think it's fine and quite normal for some clapping at the end of the show (and this show had that too). But remember that I'm talking about parlor room or living room setting only, if you want to address another setting also in this topic please make it clear so we don't get confused...looking forward to your posts
Do or Do-Not, There is no try--Yoda
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eddieloughran Special user 942 Posts |
I've done quite a few of this type of show.
You are right, the audience don't know exactly how to react and I found it strange at first. My first effect has a strong cue built in and they always clap. Other effects also have obvious request,( linking rings or cups and balls ) but some effects can never really have that punch. Finding a card can be a fairly weak climax. Ask for a clap for assistants. This always helps. But sometimes they will just sit with their mouths open. Is that bad ? Being so close, as you say, tends to change the tone of an act. We can't expect them to clap every couple of minutes really. Multi stage effects like a coin matrix puzzle them to.- Do they clap for each coin ? I don't think its a bad thing if they show appreciation in a different way for different effects, as long as they have a good time. Its not like a comedian where if they don't laugh at a joke its considered a faliure. Its occured to me to - that not being alone, nor part of a croud will act to restrict spontinuity. Hope this helps Eddie |
Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
You could say something like, "I'm live... NOT on TV... y'know a lot of people don't know how to react to live performers...they've never seen one. So, if you see something you like, you hold your hands out in front of you and whack them together..."
(I use this as an opening chat when I mc).
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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twistedace Inner circle philadelphia 3772 Posts |
That's a great line Pete. I also like the one line that Copperfield is using in his show that he does after the put your two hands out in front of you and twist until your thumbs point straight up bit. He says "go like this" and puts both hands out in front of him, then says "go like this" and spreads his fingers wide, then says "go like this" amd starts clapping. The people started laughing so hard and clapping that I decided to try it out and it worked great.
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Tom James Regular user Cincinnati, Ohio 139 Posts |
I always joke and say it is okay to clap yell shout and even through money as long as it is paper money coins hurt it all builds up my ego. They always get a good laugh and I never have to wonder if they are sitting there borried.
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MxJoKeR Regular user Nowhere, Oklahoma 173 Posts |
I like you guys's lines for encouraging clapping but when I do these shows I almost don't want them to clap I'd rather get different reactions and more "real" rapport. So it may be a matter of what you want as a performer. I hope I'm making sense.
Do or Do-Not, There is no try--Yoda
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kasper777 Regular user 144 Posts |
No clapping "you guys are great. last week I was performing and the audiance was so rude, they continued to laugh and clapp, it kept distracting me. but you, you are great, just sit there and let me go through my routine.
via gazzo "they say a performer is as good as his audiance, and right now, I suck" hehe |
Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
There's nothing wrong with real applause. It's almost as good as a real standing ovation.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
MxJoKeR Regular user Nowhere, Oklahoma 173 Posts |
I agree that real natural applause is great but in this setting I feel that it's a forced kind of applause (and no it's not just me and my show I've asked). That is with MOST people, some people, mostly older individuals have no problem just bursting into applause for anything (even just my introduction) it's all about what the audience is comfortable with and if I let them be comfortable then I have to adapt to them not them to I. If I'm able to adapt and feel ok with a different kind of apprieciation other than applause I work better. Some younger crowds don't like to just applaude like crazy for me because they see me as more of a peer than usual (as I'm basically as old or younger than these kids brothers) so for that to work I have to be able to accept that different relationship. This is just one personal example but everybody who does these shows enough will run into something like this at one point.
Do or Do-Not, There is no try--Yoda
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Tspall Regular user Lumberton, NC 147 Posts |
The rapport you have with your audience will tell you a lot. You may get a light clap, but can tell that they really had fun. It's just that clapping might be the reaction *they* thought they should do. Some people will go "Oh wow!", or something similar. Just because it's no clapping doesn't mean they didn't like it either. It's going to depend on the group, the size, their personalities. But, if you have a good rapport with them, you'll be able to tell if they are really enjoying themselves. That's what counts.
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MxJoKeR Regular user Nowhere, Oklahoma 173 Posts |
I agree 100%.
Do or Do-Not, There is no try--Yoda
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muzicman Special user LaCenter, Wa 989 Posts |
I think clapping is important to keep the energy level up. I would not encourage clapping after every slight for a living room show, let them oooh and ahhh
at those. But the grand finale of each effect should cue for an applause. It's part of the audiences participation in the show. Everyone wants to be part of something successful. It's a great release for the audience and adds to the performance. Using music helps because it breaks the silence of such an intimate setting in such confined spaces. The right lighting and just the right volume of music can add to the experience. Let them clap...just give them something to clap about. |
Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
"I know how you feel; the first time I saw this I was too amazed to applaud, too!"
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MxJoKeR Regular user Nowhere, Oklahoma 173 Posts |
Muzicman: I see what your getting at and I like it... Are there any types of music or specific artists that you would suggest as "mood" music?
Do or Do-Not, There is no try--Yoda
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PROFED Loyal user Chicago,Illinois 229 Posts |
If I know I am connecting with the audience.--Large, round eyes, open mouths, occaisonal gasps or wows, I don't work about a lack of clapping. Aplause cues after major effects should be sufficient.
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Clifford the Red Inner circle LA, California 1941 Posts |
I think it may be difficult for an audience in that setting to know when they aren't interrupting you. So yes, cues are very important. A stooge clapping may help
"The universe is full of magical things, waiting for our wits to grow sharper." Eden Philpotts
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MagicbyCarlo Inner circle has squandered his time making 1062 Posts |
Applause is important in certain situations. However, it is not always the most organic response depending on the venue or performance situation. There are cues that you can give your audience to let them know it's okay to applaud, but in situations like a living room show the gasps and “How did you do that?” may be enough. It also depends on the audience, from paying audiences I like to solicit the applause; it allows me to judge how well an effect went. It also shows the person that hired you that their guests are entertained. As long as the response is positive and palpable, I think it’s all good. Sometimes people don’t know how to respond to live entertainment, I have been to places where a band played a song and at the end there were greeted by non-response, although their music was good they didn’t know how to connect with the crowd and solicit applause. You'll noticd that once one person starts applauding it becomes a contagious response. As long as your audience shows you that you are accomplishing your goal of entertaining them and wowing them I supose it doesn't really matter. On the other hand, you may just be fooling them and not really entertaining, fooling does not equal entertaining. I have seen some nearly non amazing tricks get great audience reaction in the hands of a skilled entertainer. That's something to think about.
Carlo DeBlasio
<BR>Entertainment specialist <BR>and all around fun guy! |
amagish New user Dan Turcotte 57 Posts |
You can always snap people out of shock by using assistants and saying, "Let's give ____ round of applause for being such a good assistant. Or something like that. Once they know it's ok to applaude you will get more of it...
All the best, Dan Turcotte YouDoMagic.com July 25, 2004 - 6:28 PM EST |
rickmagic1 Inner circle MIddle Tennessee area 1544 Posts |
I agree with Dan. Get them used to applauding the first time and they'll continue doing it on their own.
I did a wedding reception in the living room of a guy's home once. Over 80 people cramped on couches, the floor, other rooms. When I finished the first routine, the audience just sat there. I looked at them and said, "I know that it's kinda strange in this setting, but for my fragile ego, if you like what you've seen and want to applaud, please feel free." They laughed, they applauded, it went over great. Irv Weiner had a great way of getting them started. He would be performing split fans and card manipulations talking about Houdini. He would mention that "whenever Houdini did this he would get a tremendous amount of applause" and the audience would begin clapping. My opinion is that applause is like a dry well. You have to prime the pump to get it flowing. Rick
Richard Green
The Modern Conjurer Coming soon: Victorian Secrets: An Evening With The Spirits! |
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