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Euangelion Special user 688 Posts |
Nothing ever prepares one for their first show. The world and everything you know is suddenly different. Why? Because you suddenly have a whole different set of responsibilites. You are in charge of "the Room." If they aren't laughing, you wonder "Why?" Suddenly all sorts of extraneous thoughts are running through you head sqeezing out even the things you know well. Everything becomes an order of magnitude harder than it was in rehearsal. Maybe two orders.
The number of people whose first show went perfect doesn't exist. The number whose went well is very small. Use the experience as motivation to go back and redouble your efforts. Practice moves and motions and positions until muscle memory, sub-conscious memory will carry you through them. That is the cost of insulation against emotional short-circuiting. Rehearse in full garb, true dress rehearsal so that you know and uunderstand how things like clothing affect performance. Do all this and in the end with some more bumps along the way you will learn to master your emotions and the experience and "be in the moment" in a way that allows to command yourself, the stage, and the room. Then when your are done you will know the joy of breaking a leg.
Bill Esborn
"Lutefisk: the piece of cod that passes all understanding." |
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chrisrkline Special user Little Rock 965 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-09-12 09:49, Jim Wilder wrote: Thank you Jim for your kind manner of pointing this out. I was responding to his original statement that the show went terrible (mentioned three times) and he said he effectively messed everything up. After he clarified his post I was going to post this, but I saw your post first: Mad Duck, Sorry for my first post. I wrote it too quickly. Obviously you had the same problem all of us have when we start. Just keep plugging away and it will get better. Good luck. Jim, two other people basically added comments about not performing until you are at least not terrible. Why am I so arrogant? But it is nice that at least on this forum, nasty comments about someone elses performance ability and personal attacks, is not tolerated. I do appreciate you pointing this out to me, because there was a touch of arrogance in what I wrote. I appologize to MadDuck. But this is why I avoid forums where personal attacks are tolerated. I know, I have been there, done that.
Chris
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Frank Tougas Inner circle Minneapolis, MN 1712 Posts |
"Let he who has not failed several times in early (or current <ahem>) endeavors to perform for the masses cast the first load." If anyone thinks they can it would certainly BE a load.
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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chrisrkline Special user Little Rock 965 Posts |
No one here is saying they never make mistakes. Everyone has said nice things (I guess except me where I simply said practice more) I apologize for my first post, which was based on his first post. I spoke too quickly.
But lets at least wait for someone to actually claim that they never make a mistake before getting into a huff over supposedly arrogant magicians. I make many mistakes.
Chris
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Frank Tougas Inner circle Minneapolis, MN 1712 Posts |
Chris,
It was not meant as any sort of attack on you, I agree there are far too many forums that allow that (This is not one of them). It was meant to be a semi humorous attempt to let Mad Duck know that mistakes are all a part of learning to perform and not be so hard on himself. Your original post, while terse was not inappropriate. It was just all the facts were not yet out there for everyone to consider. 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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chrisrkline Special user Little Rock 965 Posts |
Thank you. Ironically, I agree with everything. If I had waited, I would have said the same thing, since I too dislike people who forget that we have to practice routines, rehearse them in front of a video camera (or at least in front of a mirror or under similar performance conditions) and then, importantly, rehearse in front of spectators. All performers have these problems; that is why many theater groups have early performances that are open to the public, and are cheaper, so as to work out last minute kinks.
Chris
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sethb Inner circle The Jersey Shore 2719 Posts |
I agree with eveything that's been said here, and would also congratulate Mad Duck for his courage to perform as well as his honesty in assessing his peformance (which probably came off better than he thinks).
I would just add two thoughts. When you practice, don't just go throught the motions to make sure you've memorized everything (although you do need to have your sleights, patter and moves down cold so you can concentrate on your audience). A more effective practice session involves working through the tricks with an eye to looking for and solving problems. What's the best way to pick something up? Which hand shold hold this and why? How can I cover my angles more effectively? Suppose I drop this cup (or ball, or card)? You won't ever catch all of the things that can and will go wrong, but you can eliminate about 75% of most major disasters in advance -- not a bad thing! The devil is in the details, as they say. And I would seek some "low-pressure" performing situations until you get some traction. How about some free shows at your local public library, not more than say 15-20 minutes long? Or a few free performances at the local nursing home? Or a visit to your local public elementary school? They will be glad to have you and you will get the experience you need. Good luck and keep at it. The real measure of a pro is not just how well he/she performs tricks, but how well he/she gets out of a jam when it occurs. SETH
"Watch the Professor!!" -- Al Flosso (1895-1976)
"The better you are, the closer they watch" -- Darwin Ortiz, STRONG MAGIC |
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ChristianR Veteran user 356 Posts |
Thank you, I am also re reading the back part of Card College 2. I will practice and perform in a different perspective after reading those posts!
Tarbell!
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Kent Wong Inner circle Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 2458 Posts |
Mad Duck
Congratulations! There's no feeling in the world quite like your first public performance. Even with years of practice, things will sometimes go wrong in a show. That's part of the thrill of watching a live performance. In the logn-run, your ability to cover-up those instances with effective "outs" is what you should eventually focus on. That will come with time and experience. For now, just have fun performing. Your confidence and your presentations skills will increase over time, and everything else will eventually fall into place. Kent
"Believing is Seeing"
<BR>______________________ <BR> <BR>www.kentwongmagic.com |
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sethb Inner circle The Jersey Shore 2719 Posts |
I think that Murphy's Law (Whatevever Possibly Can Go Wrong, Will Go Wrong) especially applies to magicians. The challenge (and the fun) is dealing with it.
SETH
"Watch the Professor!!" -- Al Flosso (1895-1976)
"The better you are, the closer they watch" -- Darwin Ortiz, STRONG MAGIC |
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ChristianR Veteran user 356 Posts |
I wrote my first script now too instead of memorization. Its not very good but I think it will be easier to work on now.
Tarbell!
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Sean Comer New user 48 Posts |
For me, memorization is not going to work. What happens if someone interupts me? I have to remember where I was. Besides, knowing an effect is fine, it's the interaction with the audiencne that is fluid
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Think of your script as a path through the woods. You know where it leads. Your goal is to follow the path to reach that certain destination. It is ok to occasionally step of the path in order to explore something to one side or the other, so long as you are not unreasonably detained, and that you can easily get back to the path.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
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Euangelion Special user 688 Posts |
Michael is right about the value and way of a script.
It is tempting to think one can get by without one, however, if you never script you will never learn where the gaps are in the transitions of a routine that allow you to perform a move in complete opacity. Scripts aren't just about knowing what you are going to say but about how you say it, when you say it , what happens when you say it and then overcovering the high points and low points you can exploit for improving your magic. When you've employed a script with a routine a hundred times, maybe two hundred you will know the places you must keep and the ones where you can go off script without weakening the effect or the entertainment. Memorizing is tough for some people but it is still invaluable. Add a line at a time and build up to it. As a pastor I speak without text or notes every single week. I speak for 20-60 minutes straight on my feet away from the pulpit or in a classroom teaching. It is a skill I've honed. Sometimes with up to three different messages per week, special services, funerals, weddings, etc.. It is a gift I have that many do not. In spite of that I script my magic because it is so important to the timing of the dirty work. Scripts are just that important in magic, guess what they are even important in silent acts. Remember scripts aren't just the words you say. Those are lines, scripts are ever placement, ever move, every thing that happens from the moment you step on stage.
Bill Esborn
"Lutefisk: the piece of cod that passes all understanding." |
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BobSheets V.I.P. 169 Posts |
Mad duck- Good for you. You did do it.
Now you have something to work from. The two pieces that worked could be your start and finish. Put the cups in the middle of the set until it's strong enough to close with. Do the two trick set as much as you can. You might try and practice the cups on children as they will give you immediate and honest feedback. You win with them, you win with everyone. When I am trying to put a new trick in my act I always sandwich it in between two other routines I do all the time. I sometimes announce "this is a new trick. Doesn't mean I haven't practiced it, just that I have'nt gotten to perform it as many times as I like. This will be your only chance to catch me. How many want to see the new trick"? Now their pulling for you. And if it doesn't work out, never appologize, acknowledge it and go to your closer. Example: If you drop a fourth ball go, "oops"(the acknowledgment), french drop, pretend to put it in your pocket and continue. If they see a fourth ball they have no idea where the other three are unless they actually see all them. "Oops, I don't need that one". Practice in front of a video camera. They are very reasonable now. The mirror will give you ticks you might never be able to erase. Go for it. bob. |
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Alan Munro Inner circle Kentwood, Michigan, USA 5952 Posts |
One thing that I would recommend is to do shorter performances. That way, you don't get overly frustrated, because you know that it will be over soon. Offer to perform at nursing homes, retirement communities, low-budget charity events and others who can't afford entertainment, just so you can get experience and gain confidence.
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daffydoug Eternal Order Look mom! I've got 14077 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-09-11 19:54, Mad Duck wrote: Congratulations on taking the plunge! I well remember my first payed performance twenty or thirty years ago. Man I was so nervous my hands were literally shaking! That POOR audience! but I got through it, and moved forward..you will too, my friend!
The difficult must become easy, the easy beautiful and the beautiful magical.
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daffydoug Eternal Order Look mom! I've got 14077 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-09-11 21:53, Mad Duck wrote: You will likely be flooded with offers! Go get 'em, man!
The difficult must become easy, the easy beautiful and the beautiful magical.
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Magic_Ambo1974 New user 4 Posts |
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On 2005-09-11 19:54, Mad Duck wrote: Nice one mate. Wish I had the courage to perform. BTW the duck is the unofficial Paramedic totem animal -> looks unpreturbed as it gracefully sleeks across the water but underneath the water, unobserved there is a flurry of activity as the little legs go 9 to the dozen
That year's Christmas was one they would never forget. The $4,000 in new credit card debt would be a monthly reminder.
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ChristianR Veteran user 356 Posts |
Can't Resist saying this ambo. Practice and polish up your routine and "just do it"
Tarbell!
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