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Wayne Whiting Regular user 181 Posts |
This is an area I have always struggled with. I have heard, "Be ourself","Develop your own character","Don't copy others." The problem is, I am not very charismatic, not a comedian, and not all that entertaining. I have no flare for funny lines with people rolling on the floor when they watch my act.
What got me thinking more was watching Michael Finney's 3rd DVD. He says over and over,"I want you to do these tricks, but don't use my lines. They work for me and you need to develop your own lines. If they work for you, then I'm happy for you, but you need to develop your own act. You can use these lines, but people are going to say, 'Oh, that's Michael Finney's act." He is hammering home this idea to be yourself. I have ordered his second DVD which is performance only and for what I am hoping is some encouragment along the line of developing your own charcter. To be honest, to copy someone else's patter and presentation is the easy way out for me. I have used the patter that came with the trick, or was published in the book, or I got from another magician. I can amaze people, make the client glad they hired me, but my phone is not ringing off the hook for more gigs. I think the answer is to just go out and pay the pauper for experience. Sooner or later with enough performances under your belt you will now what works for you and your personality. I think I also need to become comfortable with who I am and that I don't need to be Cellini, Gazzo or Finney to be successful. |
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Royston South Regular user Jersey Channel Islands 137 Posts |
Magic Junkie you will find it because you know it's the way forward.
Look at Tommy Cooper his character is an extension of who he was. David Blaine his character is an extension of who he is, he could never be Tommy and Tommy could never be Blaine that's why they succeeded they know who they were. May be your not supposed to be funny Darren Brown's not really funny but he succeeded when he found who he really was. It comes from within you, you will have something special that know one has and you will be the ONLY person doing that character, like all the famous people around us not one of them is alike, Take a good look. Mario Morris you,ve started something Good luck Royston |
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Dr_Stephen_Midnight Inner circle SW Ohio, USA 1555 Posts |
The worst level of 'clonism' can be found among escape artists, many of whom spend all their time angrily trying to 'top' each other and prove that they are 'the greatest.'
To me, the whole idea of the 'world's greatest' escape artist (or magician) is like trying to pinpoint he world's greatest comedian or rock band; it's a farce. Each performer has (or should have) their own style. I'm hoping we can soon rid ourselves of that old, outdated vaudeville/circus 'world's greatest' hang-up. Steve
Dr. Lao: "Do you know what wisdom is?"
Mike: "No." Dr. Lao: "Wise answer." |
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Mario Morris Inner circle Mario Morris 2044 Posts |
I suggest a book called "Maximum Entertainment" by Ken Weber.
This high-lights six pillers to succses in entertainment. It is a great book, at least I think so. Mario |
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RiffRaff Special user 671 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-04-30 15:52, Magic Junkie wrote: Sounds like you're stealing Mario's persona. Sorry, the Viking in me made me say that. ... There is no reason why your act must be funny. But if you're not entertaining then get off the stage. |
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Mario Morris Inner circle Mario Morris 2044 Posts |
The Viking in you made you say it, OK.
Mario |
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Wayne Whiting Regular user 181 Posts |
Thanks for the book reccommendation Mario. It looks good!
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Magicmaven Inner circle 1235 Posts |
I have only been into magic for about 6 years, so take what I say with a grain of salt.
I don't try to make myself "stand out." I just copy a routine (for me it was Vernon's) and expand on things I liked, and changed things I didn't like, or things that the audience seemed to not like. I would try and do the best, most magical, entertainting magic. If you do stand out-- people will tell you why/how. Standing out is simple: dye your hair red, ware a speedo, and and enourmous shoes-- you WILL stand out. Standing out in a possitive way, that is the trick. I don't think your focus should be on standing out, but rather be on performing good magic. You will stand out for something special within you, and your character, I wouldn't try trying to stand out for something beacuase it will probebly something you are not. That's just what I think...
rmaxgoodwin.com
https://rmaxgoodwin.com/ |
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cstreet_1986 Loyal user 263 Posts |
Unfortunately, we all have to learn from somewhere (unless your the genius who came up with all you're own magic and an entire act that can be classed as yours and yours alone). This means that we all probably share similarities and are probably very much alike. The problem is that we all have to learn from somewhere...
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Mario Morris Inner circle Mario Morris 2044 Posts |
No, no, no, I am getting frustrated with the thread I started and my lack of ability to explain my self.
It may be within, in most cases I don’t think it is even there. You can’t stand before this world and say "look at me it is within". Our aim should be to make people take notice, not because of the clothes you wear or your hair. No it’s because in there eyes you are the best performer they have seen, weather you are doing magic, comedy what ever. You may not be the best magician in the world but if you convince people you are then your job is done. When I leave a venue I know they won’t forget me or my name because I tell them they won’t. I don’t just perform tricks but I create magic in people’s lives. They are left thinking about what I have done long after I have left. When I am on the streets similar aims other than my audience is now visiting my domain. My aim is all ways to leave a lasting positive memory of my self and my show. To leave people in a sense of wonder, I might be doing something as simple as making a hanky disappear. On the other hand if I say. "You about to witness 25 years of my life, watch, to night you will talk about this silk hanky and you will never forget me. My name is Mario Morris." Nine times out of ten they wont forget. Mario |
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Zack Special user 551 Posts |
"You about to witness 25 years of my life, watch, to night you will talk about this silk hanky and you will never forget me. My name is Mario Morris."
NICE!! Very well done, Mario! I'll never forget the busker I saw in Harvard Square when I was twelve years old. He changed the course of my life. His name was Gazzo. |
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Mario Morris Inner circle Mario Morris 2044 Posts |
Never herd of him.
Mario LOL |
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Werner G. Seitz Inner circle 3131 Posts |
There is a lot of truth in some of the above statements re it is the *watchers* impression he gets from a performer/performance.
To many ppl never having se a magician perform, and I give here just one example of a performer, Johnny Paul, was the greatest magician in the world for *them*..and TBH, he to is *one* of the greatest for me. The *why* is onvious for those having seen him perform..he stood out because he not only provided incredible well done and deceptive magic, but also was VERY entertaining, he *got to them*, he intercated with them, he made the specs feel important, those who assistet and those watching got fun out of his remarks to and with the specs.. To this day, whenever I se Johnny Paul perform (on tape), I get in a good mood! Each and every time.. His humour is *getting to you*, his line, no matter how often you have heared them are still funny, because of the interaction with diff. specs reacting a bit differently.. To me too..and I'v eseen a lot great perfomers, Johnny Paul still is the one that stands out... NOT because of fingerflinging sleight of hand (he also used an R&S deck, f.ex.), but because of smooth, expert and entertaining handling of the effects he did a lifetime, he had his repaertoire and it was large, especially the way he could vary his routines..no matter if he was satnding on a stage being assisted by 2 ladies doing his cards across, or he did it behind the bar or sitting at a table, it was eaqully well done, with all the bits of bizz and his personality came through, but mind you, this was built up by thousands of performances under fire.. One can't get a such performer over night...it takes a lifetimne!
Learn a few things well.....this life is not long enough to do everything.....
( Words of wisdom from Albert Goshman ...it paid off for him - it might as well for YOU!!!- My own magic is styled after that motto... ) |
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Wayne Whiting Regular user 181 Posts |
An update is in order. I did a show last night and it was a great success. Got a $25 tip and everyone asked for my card before leaving. What was different? I decided to take Cellini's advice and "make them like me from the start." I also decided to be myself and tell jokes from my own experiences instead of trying to copy someone I thought was funny. Michael Finney is right. It doesn't work.
But I think Mario is right as well. You need to work at making your magic and your character unforgettable. Mario's original intent was to discuss making our own idenity...Something I really needed help with. I have been doing magic for 40 years, trying to be someone else. I have all the moves down and even co-authored a book on card magic (Pasteboard Presentations with Terry LaGerould), but my magic lacked a very important ingredient...entertainment value. When I leave a show I want people to not only say,"Wow, wasn't that amazing?" But also, "Wow, wasn't that fun?" Mario, I hope this helps to get this thread back to your original purpose. |
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Mario Morris Inner circle Mario Morris 2044 Posts |
Magic Junkie
That great It sounds like a great night well done. "Unforgettable character and show" that is what we should have called this thread. Mario |
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Jaz Inner circle NJ, U.S. 6111 Posts |
"Making your own mark with magic!"
Lot's of magicians here seem to be doing the same tricks. ACR, C&B, Red Hot Mama, etc, etc. Will they make a mark or stand out? Who has made a mark on magic? What was that mark? What moved them to the forefront? An original trick, method, character, good publicity? An innovation, a style, good entertainment value? Who stands out today and why? Answer these questions and you may find a limelight. |
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Werner G. Seitz Inner circle 3131 Posts |
Quote: Acually one of them can, IF he does it better then any of his competitors, not in sense of 'technic' but in sense of entertainment..
On 2005-05-02 18:38, Jaz wrote: It is not too good *all* magicians are doing exactly the same routines, but still one of them can be outstanding.. All this reminds me of what the Professor told Albert Goshman once.. *Just do one single routine better then anybody else in the world and you'll get recognized*..we all know he did choose *Spellbound* and we all know he did it so expertly everybody else wanted to se HIM doing it.. I'l never forget *Mike* Gordon Miller doing the Afghan Bands, that was one outstanding piece of entertainment!
Learn a few things well.....this life is not long enough to do everything.....
( Words of wisdom from Albert Goshman ...it paid off for him - it might as well for YOU!!!- My own magic is styled after that motto... ) |
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Mario Morris Inner circle Mario Morris 2044 Posts |
Jaz
I think the questions are good and what this thread is about. If you could go any way in answering the questions you’re self and then add your Idears to this thread, that would be great. Mario |
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chrisrkline Special user Little Rock 965 Posts |
There is a place for all kinds of magicians. I have no real desire to leave a mark on magic, not in the sense that someone like a Vernon or a Marlo might leave. I am 44 and have done magic less than three years. Since I am the sole breadwinner in the family, I will remain a full time teacher. So I do C&B's (Gazzo's,) Rings (Haydn's,) some rope (Pro. Paul's,) and some cards, including Red Hot Mamma. What I want is to do shows for people, make them smile a lot, and even laugh out loud at times, and have them walk away amazed, mystified, and entertained. I want to draw some 30 to 50-person crowds and hold them from start to finish. I don't worry about people in the crowd who might say, "Well, he does the cups OK, but he is just doing Gazzo's routine. He is no Tommy Wonder." In other words, I don't need to impress that type of magician who can't stand seeing the same old stuff over and over.
There is a place for competent performers, even if they are performing the same stuff as others. When I worked on how I perform for ordinary spectators and stopped worrying about learning every trick in the world or inventing my own, things changed. I began to settle on a handful of effects that work and I saw my overall personal enjoyment increase as well as my own skill. But that is leaving a mark, I suppose. There are now real people who know who I am. I have seen several kids and one teenager come by and watch me every time I have been downtown. So who knows with time how good I will get. No one else in Little Rock does this busking thing, so who knows what kind of a mark I might leave after all. Sometimes you don't hit the target until you stop trying to hit it. So although I do others routines, I play to my strengths, which is the natural banter I do with the crowd. I still have enormous room for improvement. I have stopped trying to use others' jokes, because they fall flat. When I just talk, in the context of my script, I become much more entertaining. I am not afraid to modify here and there, but I try to have a reason, and I try them out on the crowds. Right now I trying to add something from the Don Alan chop cup routine to one phase of the Cups. I do not know if it messes up the pace, or is a great addition. I don't know, because I have to get out there next Saturday and see with real people.
Chris
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Mario Morris Inner circle Mario Morris 2044 Posts |
That sounds great, nothing bad with a Gazzo routine that is what I do with slite twist hear and there. As far as leavining my mark that is yet to happen and it wont be on my level of skill but rather comedy magic which takes a diffrent kind of skill.
Mario |
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