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Jaxon Inner circle Kalamazoo, Mi. 2537 Posts |
I've made posts here on the Café about observing various things because they might be useful in your performances. For instance one post I made talked about observing your performing arena to see if there are any objects near by that you can incorporate into a routine. For example a vanished bill appearing inside a salt shaker. In another post I talked about observing natural actions so you can help define your sleight of hand (By making them look like natural actions).
Here I want to talk about another thing to observe. And that's basically everything you possibly can in the place you'll be performing. To do this you'll obviously have to be able to go to the place prior to your performance. I know that's not always possible but when it is you should do it. Here's what I often so when I'm booked to perform somewhere in advance. If I can go there and see the place I try to do it at least a week or two before a show. I first go to the actual spot I'll be performing in. There isn't always going to be a stage for you but what ever spot you'll be doing your show in imagine that place being your stage. Once I'm up there I look around at where the audience will be sitting. If I'm lucky the chairs will already be set up so I can imagine people sitting in them. If they aren't I usually ask them if they can tell me how they will be set up during my show so I can more easily visualize that. From here I look around and see if there's anything that needs to be changed to make the show better and see if they can be altered to your needs. For instance, can I turn that light off? Can I put a light there? Can I make sure no one is sitting in this bad angle? Once I do that I actually go out and sit in the audience and look at the "stage" area. I sit in different places around the room so I can imagine what they people sitting in those seats will witness. Also think about those seats in the back. Sit in some of the seats that are furthest from the stage area and think about what you can do to make the people sitting back there feel like a part of the show. This might take something like something visual enough for them to experience or even simply having a reason to comment to them about something or even just making eye contact with them. It's the old "breaking the third wall" issue. If you can connect with the entire room then you've got it made. While sitting the different palaces in the room also think about the angles and lighting situation for the tricks you'll be performing. Take care of any issues that might arrise. We're not done yet. Once all this is done. Now really look around the room. You never know when something there might make a new act or trick possible. AS a perfect example. Some months ago when I put on a "Magic Night" here in Kalamazoo Michigan (Search for my post on that. It's 5 pages long). When I observed this arena I found many things to use in my act. I'll walk you through what I did when I discovered things about this room. There was a platform stage with a bog backdrop curtain. Behind the curtain I found a door that leads outside the building. There was also a door that leads back into the building behind where the audience will be sitting. So I had a passage that would allow me to vanish from the stage and appear behind the audience. So now I needed to find a way to make use of this. I looked around the room and I found a bar against one of the walls (by bar I mean the bar that a bartender would stand behind). It turns out this bar was not attached to floor so it can be moved around the room. I put this bar up on the stage. I used some safety pins to make an opening in the backdrop behind the bar. I now had a way to secretly exit the stage and head for that door behind the curtain. Another thing I found in this room that I didn't use last time but I will next time I perform there. All around the room there are window shutters. There are no windows behind them. They're just there for decorations. I examined them and they open too (kind of like cupboard doors). They're about 3 feet tall by 2-1/2 feet wide. I'm going to make a couple of jumbo playing cards. So I'm going to put a sign on the front of them that says 'Preditions'. Then open them to reveal their cards. So when you can go and observe a place. Put some real thought into it and use your imagination. You won't believe the things that are possible. This is something that's easy to over look when you watch those magicians on TV. It takes a lot of thought and planning to do those things. Ron Jaxon |
jimhlou Inner circle 3698 Posts |
Thanks Ron
Your posts are one good reason to join the Magic Café. Jim |
Matt Malinas Inner circle Transylvania 1367 Posts |
Great thinking! and you came up with some very nice ideas. I really liked the prediction idea. it's always great to know the place you will performing in. and the advice Ron gave, to find new possibilities in every location you perform is really valuable.
Ron. I always enjoy reading your posts and it's every time that I learn something new. thanks for that -Matt
The masters make the rules, for the wise men and the fools
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Led Heflin New user 55 Posts |
Ron-- After reading several of your very well-thought, extremely helpful posts, I just wish I could see you perform! Such well-considered material is, I bet, most impressive. I hope you're a teacher, because you're clearly good at teaching. Thanks for such good stuff.
Let him borrow and return his handkerchief like a man, and trust to his sleight of hand.
<BR> <BR>--Edwin Sachs <BR> <BR>http://www.myspace.com/ledheflin |
gardini Regular user Cornwall, Ontario, Canada 158 Posts |
Such a great idea, Thank You.
Scott Gardiner |
F-Hmagic New user 56 Posts |
Ron, wonderful post. After reading this, I am going to search out more of your posts and bookmark them!
What?! How'd that get there?!
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Johnny Butterfield Veteran user 378 Posts |
This stuff is golden. I'd buy a book of this stuff tomorrow.
fm
The current economic crisis is due to all the coins I've vanished.
The poster formerly known as Fman111. |
Andy the cardician Inner circle A street named after my dad 3362 Posts |
Thanks Ron - very helpful as always . . .
Cards never lie
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mark1991 Veteran user Boston, Lincolnshire, England 311 Posts |
Hi there,
Great post Jaxon! It has helped me a lot! God bless! Magical Mark Watson (mark1991)
http://magicnewstelevision.com/mn/magicalmark
Magical Mark Watson - Christian magician, juggler, puppeteer, all-round entertainer and lover of Christ! |
Jaxon Inner circle Kalamazoo, Mi. 2537 Posts |
I posted this quite some time ago. I'm just curious. Has anyone done these thigns since reading it and maybe have some stories to share that relate to it? Such as how I described how I used the room to vanish and appear behind the audience or the window shutter prediction I mentioned?
Ron Jaxon |
JamesTong Eternal Order Malaysia 11213 Posts |
Ron, this thread is excellent and very useful for performers wanting to make a difference in their shows and make a good impression in the marketplace.
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Tom Fenton Inner circle Leeds, UK (but I'm Scottish) 1477 Posts |
Ron, do us all a favour.
Write a book!!! Tom
"But there isn't a door"
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JamesTong Eternal Order Malaysia 11213 Posts |
Yes, Ron, I would love to have your publication in my library. Have you thought about having one?
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afillius Regular user 199 Posts |
I actually have a gig at the end of the month and I will definately use your ideas and let you know
www.stsgroupinc.com
pro audio/video/lighting Great magic is about creating great images - Jay Sankey |
Jaxon Inner circle Kalamazoo, Mi. 2537 Posts |
Let us know how it turns out. Don't be afraid to take a chance.
Ron Jaxon |
apple123 Regular user 107 Posts |
Great post Ron. I've learned from reading it many good things that I haven't read in any book.
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