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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Simon it is not as if one art has more merrit than the other. Each are equally horrible to watch butchered.
Read the thread "Has anyone actually studied comedy" in this section. Amongst the arguing, there are some great book sources and online sites.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
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aussiemagic Special user 937 Posts |
Thanks. I'll check it out.
Simon
How to become a professional magician:
Click here |
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Lee Darrow V.I.P. Chicago, IL USA 3588 Posts |
Okay, I'm in.
But I want to know a few things: If we're against hack comedy magicians, why are we doing "vent?" And what the dickens do you FEED a pet peeve? Purina doesn't make anything for the little critters.... and they tend to get really nasty if they're not fed on a regular basis... And yes, the hacks DO hurt the business, no question about it. Especially in the restaurant and bar magic end of this business of ours. because the hacks not only do the overdone material (both comedic and magical) but they also either undercharge or they DON'T charge at all - which makes it tough to keep working for a living wage in that end of the industry! Lee Darrow, C.H.
http://www.leedarrow.com
<BR>"Because NICE Matters!" |
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MindMyst New user Connecticut 32 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-07-16 05:30, aussiemagic wrote: Simon, most of what you're looking for is in this thread. You need original scripting for your tricks, original props, original music ( don't you have a friend or two who plays the sax, or guitar, or base that can lay down some short original tracks for you with the understanding that when you get paid for your act, you will pay them back with cash? ), original jokes can be sent to you, with the understanding that you'll pay for them when you use them... this is what freelancing is all about. Don't give up, buddy. Mindmyst
The Truth Will Set Your Fee
http://mindmyst.blogspot.com/ |
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Whitewolfny Loyal user 216 Posts |
I'm starting to get back into magic after a long absence. I never thought of myself as a comedy magic act. I always thought that I did non-serious magic. To me a dove act, or minipulation in a tux was serious stuff. Pretending to have problems with props to get a laugh then produce or vanish something almost by accident was non-serious magic. I know I don't have the skills to do a 10 minute stand-up routine, so I don't do that. I try to have fun with the audience and go along with what ever comments they make. I just advertise that I do magic for the whole family to enjoy and I think that implies it will be light hearted and maybe some of it funny.
Braxton Mannar
<BR>Just an old dog trying to learn new tricks |
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
"Comedy magicians aren't funny", you must be joking. It is my observation that magicians don't even know what funny is. I started my performing career as a stand up comedian where the manager sits in the back of the room and counts your laughs, so when I had a chance to perform for magicians I figured I would do OK. When I did my audience tested killer material they booed me, no foolen loud boo's from an audience full of adult magicians. In 20 years of full time entertaining this was the only time I was ever booed, so now I save all of my "A" material for well adjusted adults, and wild screaming cub scout banquets, where they act more civilized than childish magicians do.
AND THAT'S THE TRUTH Al Angello
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
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God-glorified Special user 697 Posts |
Al, I'm a comedy magician and I don't even perform for magicians, laymen are always better and I believe we all know that. Your talking about two COMPLETELY groups of people here. One group that desires to be entertained (laymen) and magicians who demand a higher entertainment than the one they provide (the bar is set high)
Just as an observation.....You did a gig for magicians, got booed and blamed it on the crowd instead of learning from the fact that your versatility could improve, unless I know more to the story it sounds like a beginner in his comfort zone got a taste of variety. This is not an accusation, I'm sharing the perceived observation of your statements. "It is my observation that magicians don't even know what funny is."-----this was probably the comment that got me writing, I think you said this as an attention catcher but if you truly feel this way I would enjoy (truthfully and not sarcastically) a conversation of comedy magicians and their fans extending from laymen to magicians. Thanks for reading
Ephes. 2:8-9
For by GRACE are ye saved through faith; and that NOT OF YOURSELVES: it is the gift of God: NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast. |
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
God-glorified
I got it off my chest and I'm ready to move on. I'm a full time professional comedian, juggler, and magician of 20 years I have no day job, and I know I'm funny. Don't you remember asking me for advise last year about open mike in Doylestown. I used to be "juggleral", but I had to change my name when I joined the Café staff. This was a learning experience that I will never forget, and it is "amature magicians just don't get it", and should be avoided at all cost, so I quit the magic club, and I get all the magic I need here at the Café where there are seasoned professionals that I can relate to. HAVE FUN Al Angello PS- All that being said there is some irony to the story, I'm performing at the Colon Mi. magic convention this week I will be doing the same routine that both got me the job, and got me booed. Come to see me in Michigan my friend and judge for yourself.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
GG you miss the point.
Do you ever wonder why convention acts are hardly EVER seen in the real world? I almost spit my Root Beer on the screen when you said magicians want a "higher entertainment". My gosh man your talking about a group of guys who sit arround wondering about the best way to do a 4 ace trick, oil and water and so on. YOU GOT to be kidding about "higher entertainment". Oh and let me tell you GG. MAGICIANS HAVE NO IDEA WHAT FUNNY IS! Work in comedy clubs for 15 years and watch them come pouring through, and they will. Thumb tip, McCombical Deck, Baffling Bra and they are a comedy club magician. Well I am here to tell you they are a problem GG. To "observe" this about Al, well is just flat out wrong. HE GETS IT. He is one of the few, but indeed he does. GG to entertain magicians the bar is not set high. IT IS A DIFFERENT BAR ALL TOGETHER! The entertainment is durived from a different source. Many Many Many magicians that laymen find boring as can be, kill with magicians because of the moves they do. Lets not name names, but it is true. It is when magicians blur these lines and think PEOPLE care about moves, that you run into a catagory of bad entertainment. Now as for funny, again an entirely different skill than magic. Needs to be studied to become good like anything. Most guys buy tricks which say "comedy" on them and think they are automatically funny. NOT THE CASE. Sorry for the rant GG but you made an "observation" about one of the few guys here who has literally "been there done that" which was just WAY off. Hope this clarifies for you.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
When I said I hang out here because of my relationship with seasoned professional I was talking about fulltime entertainers like Danny, and now I'm imbarrased for venting in public. I should have just beaten my wife.
Thanks for listening guys AL PS-I'm actually afraid of my wife who's 4' 11" 90lb. with the tenacity of a Tazmanien Devil
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
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Joey Evans Special user Fort Myers, FL 535 Posts |
I was going to post on this topic, but what's the point. I just wish that people would take the time to learn comedy and study it before labeling themselves comedy magicians. This would do quite a bit of good in their careers and the careers of future comey magicians.
Holding back a rant, Joey
The Visual Comedy and Magic of Joey Evans
http://www.Evansmagic.com/ The Impossible Has Never Been So Funny! |
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God-glorified Special user 697 Posts |
This is to ALL the people reading this topic. ESPECIALLY Dannydoyle and Al.
First of all I want to once again say hello to you Al as I was recently wondering what happened to you and glad to see I can still keep in contact. Also, Danny, thank you for pointing out that what I made was a statement on observation which is all I had to base, and I appreciate the corrections so I am caused to have a different viewpoint. If you havent realized, I know just as little about those here as you know about me. Theres that to say I can not decipher your experience by one comment and so that was simply my observation to it. "and I appreciate the corrections so I am caused to have a different viewpoint." As for me, ever since you fellows have seen me post, it has been something to the extent of comedy clubs or comedy entertainment. I work in an Atlantic City magic theatre right below the Comedy Stop where I host 12 shows a week (good week on average) The parlour style is similar to a comedy club setting except that it is for family audience and less drinking. (It's a great place to try out new material) I have been studying straight stand-up comedy for only a few years in addition and continuously writing material, and trying to incorporate that into my act. After collecting 90 some DVD's and VHS full of comedy from Norm Crosby and Bob Newhart, to scrambling around on ebay until finding a HIGHLY overpriced "Hello Sucker" VHS to Lewis Black, and Christaian comedians of today no one has heard of unless they look just to satisfy the collection. Now I have two different comedy club acts (all original material because it shouldnt be any other way), 30 minutes of straight stand-up material (not mentioning a comedy stage act all of which are original material..............yet I have NEVER been inside a comedy club because I am not old enough to get in, nor old enough to have a drivers license to drive to doylestown for an amateur night. Because of my faith I have chosen not to perform in small town bars "turned" comedy clubs that I have been invited to. I say this NOT to impress anyone because frankly, it won't. I said that to show you that I am studying and with confidence I can say, "I am a magician, and I know what funny is." To consitently here that this is not the case is insultive and that is why I spoke. I don't speak with the experience as greatly as yours, but with 12 shows a week, I speak with some. I hope you understand that I respect, and appreciate ALL the knowledge and wisdom that has been shared to me, by the willing people here. (especially Danny)And you would see that I am someone who is still studying and only speaking so I can learn. Thanks for reading, Roger
Ephes. 2:8-9
For by GRACE are ye saved through faith; and that NOT OF YOURSELVES: it is the gift of God: NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast. |
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Comedy is in the eye of the beholder.
One "rule" comes to mind...."Know your audience(s)." Working does make it click a bit better. This summer I am only averaging 4-7 gigs a week. A while back I decided to stick with my regular gig as a counselor. Of course my job allows me to participate in workshops/inservices... using humor and magic. (Magic, insurance and a 401 K....) Although I am guilty of using stock lines at times, my past work with improv troupes help a lot. Studying the past greats and writing and rewriting and rewriting..is a great combination. Listening to my audiences, and other forms of feedback also helps. The last email I received (a few minutes ago) did not mention magic or comedy. It read, "Your show is enjoyable and filled with positive energy!" Works for me. Has anyone read Tommy Wonder's Books, particularly the section on Magicians as equals/family...? Just two libery half dollars worth from:
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
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NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
I wanted to add my support to the support group but then I realised that the chances are that most of the unfunny comedy magicians don't realise they are not funny. They go about their business doing their unfunny shtick without a clue that they suck.
Which probably means there are probably people who have posted in this thread who think they are funny when they are actually as funny as a dead rat. Then I suddenly realised, I could be that guy! Maybe I'm not as funny as I think I am. Maybe the peels of laughter I remember were in fact polite titters! Oh God! I might suck! So instead offering my support to the newly formed "Performers Againt Lamentable Comedy Magic" I might just go and work on my own act...just in case. |
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Step # 1
I admit I am not funny and my wife is unmanageable...(With apologies to Bill W and Dr. Bob....)
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
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EvanMagic Elite user Manitoba 471 Posts |
I saw this one magician (not saying names) who did a trick that involved a young female college student being forced to blow up a condom for her class to prove, as the magician said, 'she could do it'. There was no point in it, and it ended up being a card trick that ended up in a chicken. The routine would never end and I feel really sorry for the young lady on stage and the respect he showed for her.
For me, not only was it NOT funny, its a matter of the disrespect he gave to the lady. I have no respect for this magician anymore, and in general anyone who is sexist. Evan |
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Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
How difficult is this to figure out? If the audience spends more time laughing than staring blankly...seems to me, you're doing something right. Simple. If the audience spends more time staring blankly consider a real job and leave Neverland behind. It isn't rocket science.
I have been told by comedians that my clean magic schtick isn't funny; that I need to pop a few shock words & phrases in there and lose the props. And yet, the audiences keep coming, my recordings have a fair LPM ratio for a comic with a mere five years experience and the clients keep hiring me. Who do I listen to? The "pro's" or everyone else? As Harris said, "Know thy audience." As for disrespecting audience members...The Amazing Jonathan is notorious for this. He has a major Vegas show venue. I don't. Who am I to judge? Whatever works for you and your persona...if the audience eats it up, keep serving it. Skip
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
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squando Elite user 444 Posts |
I don't know if this is about comedy OR inappropriate marketing...using "comedy magician" to help get a gig. Haven't many of us exagerrated?
Frank
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Not me
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
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Christopher Special user 531 Posts |
Danny,
I agree with everything you have posted. I am amazed at visiting magicians, and a few in town, that have no qualms telling me that they are going to use my material after seeing my show. Christopher |
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