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mysticalmike Special user Saratoga Springs, NY 509 Posts |
Ok. I was just asked to do a telethon. Well sadly and happy I had to deny the show. For nor do I have the illusion not the help or experience yet. So I am trying to be ready for one next year. Can anyone give me hints about telethons? What kind of thing would you do for one? I mean this all new to me and I surprised they asked me. Well this summer I got about 11 shows so that gets me time to practice plus I might have a few here and there. I hope someone can help me.
Thanks Mike |
Jim Snack Inner circle 1338 Posts |
Hi Mike,
Since there is an on air host, I've found that the best thing to do is a trick with the host. It can be something as simple as a card trick. The main thing is to make the host look like a hero and have a good time. A few things to be careful about, however. First, do not believe them when they tell you that you will have a 3 minute spot. Often these live events run behind schedule and five seconds before the camera is on you, the floor manager will say, "By the way, were running behind. You have only one minute. You're on!" If you prepared a three minute routine, you will be "dancing as fast as you can...on camera!" Been there...done that, and I can tell you, it's no fun. Instead, prepare two shorter tricks, so you can cut one if necessary, or prepare one 20 second trick that you can "talk up" beforehand for a minute or two minutes, to stretch if you do get the full three minutes. Also, be sure to carefully go over the camera shots with the director beforehand. I can guarantee (from experience) that the director will often chose the worst camera shot for creating an illusion, sometimes even exposing something without being aware of it. Even after going over the camera shots with the director, be prepared for him or her to still make a mistake, so if you want to be safe, be angle proof. Avoid routines to music if possible. Often the music isn't picked well at these live events. Finally, think visual; television is a visual medium, so choose tricks that are visual in nature. Alternately, stage a trick especially for television. For, example. I once did the Invisible Card Trick for a telethon appearance. Because most of the action in that trick is the spectator's actions and I wanted to be on camera as much as possible, I worked it out beforehand with the director to do a split screen with me in one half and the spectator in the other half. It made for an interesting visual trick on television. Overall, don't fret too much about it. Local telethons are a great way to get on camera experience with little pressure. After all, it's for charity and nobody expects David Copperfield on a local telethon. |
mysticalmike Special user Saratoga Springs, NY 509 Posts |
Oh I wish I new this before I said no. Thank Jim I appreciate your help.
mike |
Jim Snack Inner circle 1338 Posts |
You're welcome Mike.
I'll give you another example. For another telethon I performed the old trick where you reveal the selected card in ashes rubbed on your arm. I love this trick because it's a visual, so I knew it would show up well on television. I worked out the close-ups beforehand with the director. The trick only takes a minute, but since I had three minutes, I set it up by displaying some simple colorful card fans using a fanning deck. More visual magic that I could cut if I had to. Then I had the host "select" a card and show it to the camera, write it on a piece of paper that was burned. Rubbed the ashes on my arm and took a bow. Simple. Next time, give a call or email for ideas. Jim |
mysticalmike Special user Saratoga Springs, NY 509 Posts |
Thanks again Jim. I was thinking would you say Cardiographic. Would that be a good trick to do on a telethon.
Mike |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
I think Cardiographic is a great effect, as I do it myself. I just do not think you would have that much time to perform it. Do you know what time limit they are willing to give to you?
Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
mysticalmike Special user Saratoga Springs, NY 509 Posts |
I am not sure now. I told them next year I would. I would assume 3 min like Jim aid. I live not to far from Jim. So it takes longer than 3 min for that.
Mike |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
I once sis Impossible Penetration for a Tv spot effect and such. It is visual, can be done with the TV host etc. and can be as long or short as you wish.
Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
mysticalmike Special user Saratoga Springs, NY 509 Posts |
Oh ok.Kyle could you please tell me more about the Impossible Penetration I am interested. Also where do you buy it.
Mike |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Impossible penetration is basically a finger chopper or guillitine. It has a wooden outercase and a wooden blade. However, the wooden blade has a whole in the center of it. You have the helper place their finger inside the chamber. The blade is broght down and closed on count of 3. It appears as of the blade has gone right thru the finger. However. when the outercasing is taken off, the blade did not only melt thru the finger, but their finger is now IN the hole in the blade. It is a great effect that I use quite foten for various shows and walk around situations.
I am sure of you do a search for Impossible Penetration, you will find it on the web. Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
mysticalmike Special user Saratoga Springs, NY 509 Posts |
Oh ok. ok yeah I saw that one and I saw one with a card trick with a bag. that's y I asked.
mike |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
It is a great effect and I have gotten a lot of use out of it. It goes over well. I even have done it on stage at festival shows and it still plays over well with the routine I use for it. It may be something to think about at any rate.
Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
mysticalmike Special user Saratoga Springs, NY 509 Posts |
Yeah I thinking about it. I might just pick one up. It so small yet I works good on stage.
mike |
Jim Snack Inner circle 1338 Posts |
Mike,
Cardiographic might take too long, but the real problem is that it has been done before on television. Copperfield did it on one of his specials. If possible, try to find something no one has seen yet. Whatever you do, remember. television is a very intimate medium. You can do close-up material as long as it is staged properly. Practice at home with your own video camera to get the best shots to suggest to the director. |
mysticalmike Special user Saratoga Springs, NY 509 Posts |
Ok thanks Jim I appreciate it. I will try to figure something out. when I do figure something out I will let you all know.
mike |
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