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magicadam New user London, Uk 25 Posts |
Hey
I don’t quite understand escapology. I had the idea that the magician can escape because: a) they are trick locks? b) he is clever and a lock picker? I just don’t understand! Anyone help me? Adz |
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Magicduck Elite user Washington State 484 Posts |
My original post had problems... most of it missing. Here is a retake:
The King of Escapes was Houdini. The concept then, and it has not changed much, is the escape artist is challenging the odds and other people's attempts to restrain him or her. It is basically just "human drama." As to what people think. That can be a number of things: he is supernatural, his wrists shrink, he uses fake apparatus, he or she is very clever... you name it. also, escapes can use some pretty interesting apparatus that people are not used to seeing... straitjackets, cuffs, all this adds to the interest. quack |
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Prophet Regular user Caledonia, NY 184 Posts |
the suspense is killing me the what????
Yours In Magic
Mike If you are new to Magic check out my article http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewtopic.php?topic=462185&forum=41 Duct Tape is like the Force. It has a dark and a light side and holds the universe together. |
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Margarette Special user Memphis area 956 Posts |
Escapology can be anything from testing the limits of physical endurance to just proving it can be done. First, you have to realize that escapology is not really magic. Yes, there are magicians that have escapes worked into their shows, but these are magicians, not escape artists.
Take someone like Dean Gunnarson. One instance, he was doing an escape from a submerged crate. Something went wrong, and he almost died... testing the limits of physical endurance, in my opinion. Then, there is someone like Michael Griffin who has survived a public hanging... to show it could be done. Escapes require a certain... for lack of a better word... passion, and dedication. And while most magicians do have passion and dedication, how many are willing to risk their lives everytime they do a show? That is basically what the escape artist does. There is a potential for injury even with the simplest escape. Now, another reason I think escapology intrigues people is, forgive me if I sound morbid here, but, the desire to see someone either hurt himself/herself or possibly be killed. Before anyone says "That’s terrible"... how many slow down at a traffic accident to see an injured/dead body? Also, why are slasher movies so popular, when the only plot they have is to see how many bodies can be killed in an hour and a half? Anyway, just my thoughts. I may have more later, but this is what I’ve come up with at 1:30 a.m. Margarette
The only stupid question is the one not asked.
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Michael Peterson Inner circle is where I'm trapped, because of my 4071 Posts |
Perfectly put! I have many people shudder at the sight of a straight jacket. Once it's on, you can see the doubt in their eyes.
I think they almost want to see you fail when put into any kind of restraint. After all, you aren't supposed to be able to get out of straight jackets, handcuffs, thumbcuffs or rope. I think the whole drama of the real or supposed struggle sucks them in. I twist & turn & sweat & grunt, my hair whipping around like a madman (and that's just when I'm showing the jacket & explaining what it's made of). While as Margerette said, escapes aren't magic, but they are pure entertainment. _________________ Thanx, Ichazod There's a fine line between genius and insanity. I have erased this line. Ichazod@hotmail.com |
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Paul Inner circle A good lecturer at your service! 4409 Posts |
I did find Magicadam's post quite funny. And I only found it by accident, strayed into this section thinking it was about bondage
It was a joke right? Since anyone who has heard anything about escapology has heard of Houdini, who challeged people to bring their own manacles, shackles, handcuffs, locks whatever as part of his show to negate the idea of: a) they are trick locks. And was strip searched before jail escapes to negate the idea of b) he is clever and a lock picker? So obviously escapology is about neither a or b, and the perception may have been somewhat more magical in his day. Conan Doyle (Sherlock Holmes author) genuinely believed Houdini could pass through walls! However, if someone does an escape act simply escaping from their own handcuffs or straight jacket, then intelligent people simply think they are tricked. Same with most of the dangerous stunts, which really appeal to our worse side, do they think the performer is dumb enough to put his life at risk? No, I think most studio or stage based items are dismissed as tricks. Some of the more dangerous larger outside stunts? Yep. I think they credit the performer with enough stupidity to do it. In some cases the performers are stupid enough to do it. Anyone know a top escapologist that has never had an accident? |
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magicadam New user London, Uk 25 Posts |
Of course I have heard of Houdidni! It was a simple question, just asking what the idea of escapology was. Thank you to all who replied.
Adz |
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Saydean Loyal user Omaha,Nebraska 206 Posts |
I started my magic with escapes, at the tender age of 16, I was doing an underwater mailbag escape, but I was bound with Tire chains and handcuffs, I soon graduated to underwater escapes while bound in a packing crate. For some reason they never had the impact that a simple coin or card trick could produce.
I think the public always assumes that escapes are the zenith of trickery no matter how adept at lock picking you are. Large scale escapes like Lance Burton on T.V., are great theatrics and create the drama television shows demand, but will fall flat in a live show. Audiences today want instant gratifacation and will not wait for 15 minutes while someone escapes from a sealed packing crate or similar illusion such as Houdini performed in his heyday. If your going to do escapes nowadays, they have to be FAST and DEATH DEFYING. I know a ton of working magicians and illusionists but I know of NO working escape artists, except Dixie Dooley who does "Houdini Revisited" in Vegas. I love escapes but it's just hard to make a living doing them. Saydean |
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Margarette Special user Memphis area 956 Posts |
Working escape artists.... well, I know that Michael Griffin and Dean Gunnarson stay quite busy. Although a lot of what they do is publicity stunts, not shows like Dixie Dooley.
Michael's most recent stunt was with a casket company which involved him being sealed in one of their products. Well, Michael is still with us, so suffice it to say, the escape was a success. I also know that Steve Santini has put out a new book. Norm Bigelow, who had to retire for health reasons, some of which he attributes to doing the Doors of Death quite often, is working with his daughter, Sarah, to get her up to speed on escapes, including the Doors of Death. I also know that Ian McColl, who is NOT an escape artist, but a master locksmith, has been quite busy in making escape items. So, someone out there must be buying his products. The fact that the escape artists do not have the shows like magicians does not mean they are not out there and working hard at their craft. Working as an escape artist usually means stuff like publicity stunts.... that's where 90% of my escape work comes from. And, the publicity stunts are just a one time deal... it's done, and it's over. So there is no long standing publicity like Dixie Dooley. So, just because we don't have long standing shows does not mean we are not out there.... and some of us (I wish I was in this category) are making a good living with escapes. Margarette
The only stupid question is the one not asked.
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Saydean Loyal user Omaha,Nebraska 206 Posts |
Please don't think that My respect for someone like you that works hard on their escapes is not there. I would like to do a few in our show but, in the past we did not have great response when we did them. I tried putting on 8 pairs of cuffs (not gimmicked) and escaped from them in less than 10 seconds.
I picked each and every one, no keys. But the audience just assumed I had the keys or that they were trick cuffs. Some of the escapes I see today are in conjunction with "Death" type illusions and don't rely on real escapology. When I see things like Xanadu collars or Houdini shackles it's a dis-service to people who really do work to escape. The magicians who do Publicity stunt type magic are usally not working all the time. I checked with my agent and she said she's never had an escape act except Dixie Dooley before, in fact not a one has ever sent her a tape or inquired about work, she is in Las Vegas and books all major casinos. If you have an escape act and think it's good, send me an e-mail and I will hook you up with her. It's not that she won't represent them, there just dosen't seem to be a lot of them around. Best wishes, Saydean |
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Tony Chapparo Special user Albuquerque, NM 704 Posts |
In my opinion it is all about presentation.
An escape act that does not go over well can usually be traced back to an uninspired performance and presentation. I look at escapes the same way I look at my magic routines, a great magic effect can be spoiled by a ho-hum routine or lack of drama, comedy, danger, mystery... I truly believe that a well thought out, entertaining presentation will override the audiences need to figure out how you did it because they just had a great time watching it unfold.
Tony Chapparo
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Roslyn Inner circle UK 3405 Posts |
So, I found this old post... Over 10-years old now, and I think the question still stands.
What is escapology? I don't think there is a definitive answer. But a decade on, and with everyone involved in this original post no longer part of "the group", I'd like to know everyone's thoughts. Has the art evolved in the past decade? Have we as artists evolved? I'm thinking not a lot has changed. In the same time frame juggling and circus has grown immensely. I fear that Escapology is stuck in the past.... Way, way back in the past!
The Magic Cafe account of The Conwy Jester, Erwyd le Fol formerly known as Roslyn Walker.
My home online Join me on Facebook Follow me on twitter |
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Darkart New user Glasgow 98 Posts |
Wow time warp indeed mate.
Il answer it best I can, I think you personaly you and others here on the MC do a lot to keep it alive and that's what I stand for. I don't often post or answer topics here or else where as I often as enjoy seeing what others feel and when I feel I can add I will. Looking from your reply Escapology to me is making the Impossible Possible, and to do that takes more than just escaping. It takes making and keeping it real....and for me in a nut shell keeping it alive, I cant tollerate those who expose or are out for self gain, those are easily seen in my view, they can think they can do "Escapology" but its an Art and it takes dedication and being able to ensure that art remains exciting and and makes others WANT to see it performed. I don't make a living out it but I feel I contribute enough to feel my view and opinion matters, I do perform my own shows, and I feel I ve always something more to learn from others experience and advice because I respect and listen to those who been there bought the book and t-shirt so to speak Andy
Impossible is just another level of difficulty
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Sparrowhwk Regular user 177 Posts |
Ros,
Your comparison with juggling and circus really hit home with me (you know why). It is a very good point and I am afraid you are right - Escape Artistry has moved only a little in the past decade. Your comparison also rings very true because Circus has such a long history and tradition - it would be so easy for it to remain static. But with the help of the European sensibilities and financial aid from the Quebec government, Circus has taken some huge leaps in recent years. The same is true of juggling, but I suspect there is a "YouTube factor" there too. Over the past months, I have spent many a night wrestling with the feeling that every idea I come up with is lame, and just the same as other escapes. It is so hard to break out of the mold and come up with something fresh. I can imagine the circus boss thinking the same thing - and yet somehow it happened. So there must be a way to be innovative in this field, perhaps it's better NOT to read too much about the way things have always been done - and try to start from scratch. I don't know, so far I just seem to end up against a brick wall of "ho-hum", but perhaps if we keep searching, we can find a way to refresh this art. |
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jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
Escapology: The struggle of man, overcoming the odds. It's classic Greek Drama " Man against Machine" Theatrically speaking, the type of restraint is not as important as the suspense of the situation. The self-imposed drama of the struggle may be heightened by incorporating a penalty for failure. The audience becomes engrossed with the procedure (or perceived procedure) and vicariously experiences the state of being trapped to a state of freedom.
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
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Sparrowhwk Regular user 177 Posts |
Can Escapology exist as entertainment without the "Penalty for Failure" element? - Discuss
Ok, I know Harley can do it ...I've seen it with my own eyes, but what about the rest of us mere mortals? |
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Harley Newman Inner circle 5117 Posts |
Sure. In the show you saw, I did four escapes, more than usual. Only one had the penalty. The other three did not suffer for it.
“You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus” -Mark Twain
www.bladewalker.com |
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jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
The act of escaping is the drama of Man Against Machine. I perform a Jacket escape often each month. There is no penalty - there is a challenge. The aggressors believe they tied me in a way I could not escape. The drama is, I CAN get out and be free even though I am enslaved. There is no penalty for escape but an almost spiritual experience to become free. It's a theme. Many movies are based on the oppressed becoming free. Many nations wouldn't exist if the oppressed did not become free. It's a theme that regular people relate to.
The least harmful penalty is: You don't get out and everyone goes home disgusted or asks for their money back. (The worst penalty of all)
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
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magicbymccauley Special user 830 Posts |
Combine 2 parts stuntman/daredevil/sideshow performer with 2 parts Magician, 1 Part restraint enthusiast and 1 part Illusionist.
Mix well, heat under a fire of study and practice, include a dark sense of humor and a chaser of rebelliousness. Bake until you don't give a &^%&. And there you have one Escape Artist.
"Tricks are about objects, Magic is about life."
-Max Maven |
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Steve_Mollett Inner circle Eh, so I've made 3006 Posts |
[groan]
Author of: GARROTE ESCAPES
The absurd is the essential concept and the first truth. - Albert Camus |
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