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Jaxon Inner circle Kalamazoo, Mi. 2537 Posts |
I'm sure you all know that some audiences are better to perform for then others. I don't just mean self enjoyment. I mean some audiences are just more up to enjoying a show then others. I'm one that believes that a good performer can give a good show. A good performer in front of a good audience can give a Great show.
As a performer we have to learn to adjust ourselves to fit the mood of the audience and at times adjust there mood so they can best enjoy what we do. If they are to excited we sometimes have to calm them down. If they are a dead audience we have to try and wake them up. This takes years to learn to do and even then we can only do so much. Some audiences are just better then others. In my experiences there seems to be some similarities in the atmosphere of a good audience. Many things can effect them prior to your performance. Things like where the audience is sitting. The schedule of the event. Other activities that are going on. Even the decorations used at the party. I don't know of any writing on this subject. Maybe it's out there but I haven't seen anything yet. So I figured we could share some of our thoughts and experiences here in hopes to help other performers. I'm hoping we can share some things that could help an audience get into the mood for a show. Let me share a few of my thoughts to get things started. Not to far away This is especially true for kids shows and acts that depend on a lot of interaction with the spectators. Don't seat your spectators to far away from you. I did a show where the kids where sitting along the walls around the room and I stood in the middle while I performed. When I asked for a volunteer to assist me not one hand went up. I finally had the kids come closer and sit on the floor about 5 feel in front of me and all the kids started raising there hands to help me before I even asked. So with kids have them sit close enough to feel a part of it all but far enough away where they don't try and take over (Grabbing props and so forth). Have an introduction If you're doing a parlor type show. It doesn't matter if it's in a living room or on a small stage. Have someone introduce you. A kind of subconscious shift goes on during an introduction. It kind of takes them away from the socializing around the living room to "It's show time." Propper lighting You don't always have control of this but before a show consider it. If you think the lighting in the room would be better if it was a little dimmer or brighter. See if it's possible to adjust it. This really can effect the mood of an audience. Guest of Honor If there is a guest of honor such as a birthday, anniversary or what ever. And they are the reason you are booked to be there. Make sure you let your audience know this and do something special for the guest of honor. The people are there for that guest of honor too so if you make them happy then everyone will be happy about it too. Fit the location This is a big one in my opinion. I've actually turned down shows because of this. Let me explain. You should know what kind of venue you are good or not good in. I'll tell you about me as an example. I've done shows in churches and they went okay but there where probably the worse shows I've ever done. My show just didn't fit the atmosphere. This has nothing to do with my religious belief. It has to do with my show. If you're a gospel magician and they want you to perform in a kind of upbeat night club then you should consider weather you show would go over well in that venue. These are only examples and everyone will have to decide for themselves. But do think about weather or not your show will be good for that atmosphere whenever you can. If you're "Out of place" then it probably won't be very entertaining to the people there. Could you picture Mr. Rogers at a Heavy Metal concert? Anyway. That's just a few of my thoughts on this. I'd love to read some of yours. Ron Jaxon |
Frank Tougas Inner circle Minneapolis, MN 1712 Posts |
Smoke, wind and good hair...no wait, that's Copperfield's show atmosphere. I find that at least when working with kids some pre-show work does wonders for creating a good mood. Getting the kids "trained"n on how to watch and have fun at a show without being overly disruptive.
As far as anything written, I remember somewhere in my studies that music can raise the tone of people. If a crowd appears to be at a low level of energy, playing music just a tone above where they are will raise them then you progressively get more and more upscale music and soon things are humming. This is pretty much the pattern of start slow and build that many things are predicated upon. I would imagine one could do the same with magic, although there the formula is open flashy, build in the middle and hit 'em hard for a finish. My art background would suggest that color schemes and coordinated colors can create a mood and atmosphere and I know from my background as a psychologist, can have a profound affect on mood. As does the toone and positioning of the magician. We pretty much get what we put our attention on, put it on fun and entertainment and you've gone a long way in creating it. I will also be interested in others opinions on this. Frank Tougas
Frank Tougas The Twin Cities Most "Kid Experienced" Children's Performer :"Creating Positive Memories...One Smile at a Time"
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Alan Wheeler Inner circle Posting since 2002 with 2038 Posts |
Here are a few things to stir up the thinking a little:
1. Operas and musicals use an "overture" to set the atmosphere. I'm not sure what the magical counterpart would be. 2. Comedians and concert bands often have warm up acts to get the audience going. I think some children's performers also typically "warm up" the kids. 3. Asian performers sometimes give gifts to audience members, volunteers, or assistants in order to give a good feeling or atmosphere; audience members sometimes bring flowers to the performer (especially singers) while the act is in progress. There is a very warm feeling produced between the performer and the audience, I think sometimes in subtle ways. alan wheeler
The views and comments expressed on this post may be mere speculation and are not necessarily the opinions, values, or beliefs of Alan Wheeler.
A BLENDED PATH Christian Reflections on Tarot Word Crimes Technology and Faith........Bad Religion |
saxmangeoff Veteran user Moscow, ID, USA 353 Posts |
Blue Man Group in Las Vegas has amusing messages scrolling on LED signs.
Many attractions at Disney parks have pre-shows that help set the mood, and make the wait for the "main attraction" less tedious. My conclusion: pre-shows work. Geoff
"You must practice your material until it becomes boring, then practice it until it becomes beautiful." -- Bill Palmer
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daffydoug Eternal Order Look mom! I've got 14077 Posts |
So then, what do we do for our own pre-shows, or how do we fit them in? Are they included as part of the agreed time that the performer's performance will last? or are they extra at no extra charge?
The difficult must become easy, the easy beautiful and the beautiful magical.
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