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afillius Regular user 199 Posts |
I am pretty new to magic in general but am getting pretty good at probably 3-4 tricks so far. I mostly do them for my wife and occasionaly co-workers. Most of my tricks are closeup type tricks like Scotch and Soda, some IT levitations, vanishing a coin (via raven), and some card tricks. I also just ordered Ring Thing.
So my question is...How do you know when you are ready to perform for 'real' spectators? (not just family)
www.stsgroupinc.com
pro audio/video/lighting Great magic is about creating great images - Jay Sankey |
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Matt Malinas Inner circle Transylvania 1367 Posts |
First of all , remember always to practice your effects.
when you will fell 100% comfortable performing it on your own and everything goes as smooth as possible then you'll know you're ready. but since you perform for your wife and coworkers why are you scared of strangers? if you feel comfortable performing for friends then don't worry about the rest. and remember that the best practice is performing -Matt p.s sorry if I am not making sense but I haven't slept in 2 days...
The masters make the rules, for the wise men and the fools
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Reis O'Brien Inner circle Seattle, WA 2467 Posts |
To be honest,family and co-workers can be far tougher to perform for than your average total stranger. This is simply because they already know you and will make you work harder to break away from the mold they have spent years putting you in. A total stranger has no preconceived notions about you and you can present yourself however you wish.
Think of two tricks that you feel are your best and then just take the plunge and try them out on somebody. The people at Starbucks who make your coffee. The bagboy at the grocery store. Your drycleaner. Anyone! Just give it a shot and see how it feels. I guarantee you'll know if you're ready after testing the water a little. Good luck! |
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SMorris Magic New user Manchester, England 51 Posts |
Hi Affilius,
As per Matt and Reis post's, typically the hardest people to perform for are generally the ones you are in close-contact with everyday. They already have an understanding of who you were prior to learning magic and so, typically understand that you weren't gifted with the magical abilities. If you feel that you have managed to convincingly fool close friends/family/co-workers, it is the perfect time to begin performing on strangers. Only by constantly performing your effects can you begin to spot areas that need improvement. Regards, Stephen |
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JackScratch Inner circle 2151 Posts |
Never forget, practice isn't enough. Script, Block, Rehearse, Edit. You want more confidence? Make certain you know every single word you are going to say and precisely where and how you are going to stand and move when you say them. It's not enough to have perfected your effects, you must also perfect your performance. And no, it does not matter if you are just doing Strolling/Street magic, you must still Script, Block, Rehearse, Edit.
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afillius Regular user 199 Posts |
Thank you guys for the advice. I never really thought about "Script, Block, Rehearse, Edit", I am glad you mentioned that. I practice the tricks over and over but I'v never really thought about practicing the other parts of the act (i.e. the script). Most of the time with family and friends I just "wing it" I mean I have a basic patter I will use but other than that it's just kinda loose. I am gonna make myself sit down and come up with a basic script for each trick and work on that.
I'll also try taking the plunge with a couple strangers and let you know how it goes. You guys have been a great help.
www.stsgroupinc.com
pro audio/video/lighting Great magic is about creating great images - Jay Sankey |
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JackScratch Inner circle 2151 Posts |
It's a subject that has been semi neglected in our comunity. I'm trying to fix all that, as are others. There is more in magic that has little or nothing to do with the effects than there is that has something to do with effects. In otherwords, once you have the effects (tricks) you have begun, but you have a long way to go. It is my very strong belief that good magic comes from good writing and performance far more than it comes from clever gimmicks and moves.
For more on the subject, check my signiture. |
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wildarr New user Isle of Palms, SC 80 Posts |
JackScratch wrote:
Quote:
good magic comes from good writing and performance far more than it comes from clever gimmicks and moves Amen!! And the thread in you signature is quite interesting. |
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Gerald Veteran user Arkansas 325 Posts |
JackScratch is exactly right. Prepare all the necessary elements for successful performance. Prepare to perform, not just do tricks.
With performing experience, you will reap the rewards of your detailed preparation. If you keep your eyes, ears and most importantly, your mind open, you'll learn much from your experience performing. If you undergird your performance with systematic, creative, intelligent preparation, your performance has a good chance of being successful. Regards, Gerald |
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JackScratch Inner circle 2151 Posts |
Again Gerald, you have put something I have always believed into far better words than I have been able to.
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molsen Special user Copenhagen 552 Posts |
This is why I keep coming back to the magic Café whenever I have time!
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Gerald Veteran user Arkansas 325 Posts |
Drew,
Thanks, but I think you state the important case very well! Also, your terrific article on scripting and rehearsal should be absorbed and followed by everyone who wants to be the best they can be as an entertainer. Thanks again, Gerald __________________________________ BTW: Molsen, The Magic Café has much to offer. Like most sources of information which have a free exchange of ideas from anyone who cares to express their opinions; you’ll find good advice, you’ll find nonsense. With some experience and study of the classic texts on the art (Maskelyne & Devant, Nelms, Fitskee, etc.), it is not difficult to discern the difference. |
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alex_is_king_of_magic New user 12 Posts |
When you feel you r redy practice about 30 times more then you r redy
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JackScratch Inner circle 2151 Posts |
Didn't you get the memo? We are doing away with the word "practice", and replacing it with the word "Rehearse". That's not to say you shouldn't practice, but it seems that's all most magicians do, and we are winding up with a whole lot of well executed, but painfuly boring magic.
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P.T. Murphy Loyal user 224 Posts |
Afillius:
You are asking great questions. I suggest you pick up a copy of Eugene Burger's Mastering the Art of Magic. It is a compilation of Eugene's early works and he addresses many of the topics discussed here. Also remember that you can rehearse yourself to death! Sometimes you have to get your butt out there in front of people. You must fall flat on your face in order to understand WHY you must rehearse. Practicing and rehearsing without the taste of performance is useless. You must see this excercise...researching, writing, rehearsing, performing, tweaking, rehearsing, writing, performing as ONE big journey. And remember to HAVE FUN!
P.T. Murphy
www.ptmurphy.com |
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afillius Regular user 199 Posts |
Thanks for the advice. I will look into Mastering the Art of Magic right away. Yesterday I began writing out a routine and managed to find transitions between effects that I thought were completely different. Writing it out really helped.
But I do feel that I need to figure out how to start in the middle of the routine. Here's an example. My routine talks about some of the asian countries I have been and how while in Thailand I was taught how to meditate by a very old Buddist Monk (true story). I then go on to explain that by clearing your mind it allows you to open channels of you brain normally unused and when you tap into these areas you can move objects, read minds, etc... The other day I was playing with a bill levitation when someone saw me and was absolutely amazed. In my routine, this trick is in the middle. I didn't really know how to get into a rhythm from that point so I ended up just going from trick to trick with no real flow. But even so, his reactions were great and it was so fun. I will keep working on it and I am sure it will get better.
www.stsgroupinc.com
pro audio/video/lighting Great magic is about creating great images - Jay Sankey |
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P.T. Murphy Loyal user 224 Posts |
Here is a great way to insure that your STAY in the MOMENT...think meditation...remember first and foremost to BREATHE. Look your audience in the eye. What do you see? 9 times out of 10 I bet you see another human being who is eager to enjoy what you have to share. Feel free to speak to that. "Oh Mary, you have a wonderful smile. It reminds me of the smile of my teacher. He was a Buddhist monk..." Really. So few of us pay any attention to the people we are entertaining. We fail to realize that without the audience we are just practicing...rehearsing. I have spent the last 25 years studying as an actor. One of the most important lessons I have learned is that when I am onstage with another actor my attention should be on THEM. NOT on myself. This is a tricky topic when talking with magicians. No pun intended. We have MANY other things to worry about while we are performing. But I have found, if I take a moment or two to RELAX, BREATHE and focus my attention on the people I am performing for...I find moments of pure magic. Of course as a magician I sometimes have to exploit those moments and steal something or direct attention somewhere else...that is another discussion...BUT try at first to just RELAX into your audience. Listen to their rhythm. You may find yours.
P.T. Murphy
www.ptmurphy.com |
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rmoraleta Special user Philippines 767 Posts |
If you feel that people are already having a good time and they seem to be entertained, maybe it's time.
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johnwolfe New user gettysburg, PA 48 Posts |
When you do start performing, after each time, make notes regarding what went well and what didn't. I'm not talking about the trick, but the presentation and bits of business. Each trick can end up being a featured item if you work hard at it. The trick becomes secondary to the presentation. If a funny or clever line occurred during the trick, write it down for future reference. Let each trick become a masterpiece over time.
I have been doing basically the same routine for the last 35 years of the same 8-12 tricks. The presentation and rehearsal, as well noted above, are the real secrets a quality performeance vs. "the guy doing tricks". As an example, I do a chinese fishing pole routine and at one point, I ask to borrow a hair from the head of my volunteer to tie to the poles. At a show this week, without realizing it, I had picked a bald-headed guy as the volunteer. When I asked for the piece of hair, my look of surprise got a great laugh from the audience. You can bet I'll be looking for a bald volunteer for that trick in all future shows. There is somewthin to learn from every opportunity you perform. Write it all down. You would also be surprised how the act of writing the stuff down prompts other ideas from you. |
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Anabelle Special user 951 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-06-23 09:21, JackScratch wrote: I agree with the whole idea but with this part I have a small problem. If you're doing a stage show then (mostly) yes (I still believe in being flexible in your performances), but when performing casually for friends and strangers it simply won't work; being friendly, confident, adaptable and flexible are much more important. But you only really get that way by going out there and performing. Anabelle |
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