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espmagic Special user 978 Posts |
In chatting with a few pros in my area, we all seem to agree that "magic" has been
re-defined by the public's perception (to that at the lower rungs of the entertainment ladder). And the consensus is that the "mystery" and "amazement" of our art is lacking; we seem to have shifted into the "how-can-I-fool-you-really-quickly" type of material. So...how do you suggest instilling emotional content without instilling (or implying) belief? Why should they care about us bending forks? And, *should* they believe it is real? |
Banachek V.I.P. Houston 1086 Posts |
I think the answer lies in making them care about you and not so much what you are doing. The latter will follow eaiser if you can do the former.
Of course this does not mean to bore them with long stories about yourself, but do it in your passion for what you are doing. Treat it like a stupid "how can I fool you and make you look stupid" effect and they will not like you. But treat your audiences with respect and they will tend to like you and as a result like what you do. At least we hope they like what we do and not feel sorry for us because they like us :-0
In thoughts and Friendship
Banachek Campus Performer of the Year two years in a row Year 2000 Campus Novelty Act PEA Creativity Award Recipient http://www.banachek.com |
Scott Xavier Inner circle 3672 Posts |
O.K. maybe someone will back me up. The magic does not lie in the trick. It is the presentation, the performer, and the enjoyment caused by all of the above.
Take any old trick, and add some CHARACTER to it. I use a crazy psychic type mentality to my acts, not too far of a stretch for me, and I get some jaws dropping. |
HuronLow Special user 689 Posts |
I think even if you bust on a spec all night long and have fun, everyone still has fun.=)
The T&R Project.
A revolutionary take on the Torn & Restored card. Available now at www.HuronLow.com |
Banachek V.I.P. Houston 1086 Posts |
Zodiac, I agree 100 percent have said so all through this forum. I back you up.
Huron, It depends on how you do and whom you do it to. If you are using that kind of humor, then you need to be very good at spotting who can take the ribbing and who can't some will act like they enjoy it so they don't look like a spoilsport. I can tell you there was a time I would have been horrified to have been the center of attention of such behavior and would have really dwelled on it and probably would have scarred me some. That was when I was very shy. Now it would not bother be, at least not much. Also, if you pick the wrong spectator, others may feel sorry for his predicament and once again many may laugh because they know it is what is expected of them, and if they laugh they do not stand out and you may not pick on them. Don Rickles is an exception, he picks on everyone, color or creed. He holds nothing back. However I once saw a boxer almost punch him out in a live show. That was not so funny and a very uneasy situation. If you are gonna do that kind of humor, it is best in my opinion you do a lot of it and pick on lots of people so everyone knows it is not personal. Then again, in my opinion it is better to stay away from it. I would rather make fun of myself if possible. And make everyone else feel comfortable as is possible. Just my 2 cents
In thoughts and Friendship
Banachek Campus Performer of the Year two years in a row Year 2000 Campus Novelty Act PEA Creativity Award Recipient http://www.banachek.com |
peacelove New user Northern California 6 Posts |
Re: Ribbing and Rickles
Don Rickles *does* pick on everyone, and rather brutally, too! But he does so in the context of playing a CHARACTER, namely, "Don Rickles," the cranky guy who hates everyone. The reason he's funny is because no one mistakes his *performance* with what the "real" Don Rickles thinks or believes. I remember when Andrew Dice Clay first broke big. He was absolutely hysterical, playing the role of a boorish, racist, sexist pig. At some point, as he got hugely famous, he began to slip into something else -- an actual boorish, racist, sexist pig! He seemed to believe his own persona! MAJOR mistake; Dice became unpleasant, and the mainstream quite properly turned violently against him. Sooo...if you want to tease or "pick on" a spectator, make sure you're doing it in the role of a jerk magician. Don't follow the common pattern of actually BEING a jerk magician! Best to treat everyone with courtesy and love. PeaceLove, Jonathan
"Do you like card tricks?"
"No, I hate card tricks," I answered. "Well, I'll just show you this one." He showed me three. W. Somerset Maugham, "Mr. Know-All" |
Banachek V.I.P. Houston 1086 Posts |
Absolutly Johathon, as said, it is a thin line one walks and an easy one to cross over by accident. You are right again when you state taht it has to be a character you play, and one that is very obviously a character.
In thoughts and Friendship
Banachek Campus Performer of the Year two years in a row Year 2000 Campus Novelty Act PEA Creativity Award Recipient http://www.banachek.com |
saglaser Loyal user Champaign, IL 248 Posts |
Also, Rickles gets away with a lot of things nobody else can not only because of talent and years of honing his skill, but also because of his genes.
No matter what he says, he *looks" non-threatening, and he plays that up. His eyes bug out. His face gets red. He cultivates coming across like something closer to a cartoon character than a bully. He *looks* funny. A pro wrestler turned stand-up comic could never pull that off, even if he had every bit as much talent and skill as Rickles. As a magic equivalent, Albert Goshman could never be Channing Pollock. And Pollock could never be Goshman. A Mentalism equivalent? Umm, how about Gerry and Max Mavin trying to trade acts? |
Banachek V.I.P. Houston 1086 Posts |
I got a big chuckle out of that last line.
Thank you
In thoughts and Friendship
Banachek Campus Performer of the Year two years in a row Year 2000 Campus Novelty Act PEA Creativity Award Recipient http://www.banachek.com |
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