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Autumn Morning Star Grammar Hostess Today, I corrected grammar in 1378 Posts 
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For me, assistants seem to be the toughest part of my big show. Good assistants (and sometimes ANY assistants) are very hard to find. I always worry about assistants not taking the show as seriously as I do. I want them to be able to invest emotionally in the show, but I am not sure how to make that connection. Our shows are a lot of fun, but they are a lot of work. I have even had claustrophobic assistants, where I had to trade places with them in productions!
Do any of you use assistants in your shows? If so, how do you choose them? How do you train them? Where do you find them? Just wondering how everyone else does it.
Wonder is very necessary in life. When we're little kids, we're filled with wonder for the world - it's fascinating and miraculous. A lot of people lose that. They become cynical and jaded, especially in modern day society. Magic renews that wonder.
Doug Henning |
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Bob Sanders 1945 - 2024 Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts
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For the last several years (and we have been married to each other seven of them), Lucy and I have had our own separate shows. We are also the other's assistant and greatest fan. It works for us.
It is only fair to say that we are still learning every day. But together we have nearly a century as professionals in the entertainment business. It's a start! Bob Sanders Magic By Sander PS --- My part is easy. I love Lucy! |
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abrell Loyal user Remscheid, Germany 284 Posts
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As being related to the theatre business, I would suppose not to think of assistants, but of major and minor roles. And all actors/ singers/ dancers/ magicians must be perfectly cast.
For several performances in theatrical plays I needed an "assistant" and always asked for an actor or singer. That was useful for the whole act. Their attitude was professional - they even did help and teach me. As they were used to learn mew roles very fast, they could learn their magic also in short time. And the most important things to learn are not magic tricks: moving on stage, getting in contact with an audience, playing a role, reacting properly to your colleagues playing... Maybe there is an amateur theatre in your neighbourhood? Have a look at the actors! For an illusion act you could also have a look at the next dancing school. There you will meet a lot of sport dancers training for competitions. Their presentation style maybe is a little bit exxagerated. But they can operate most illusions perfect due to their fitness and dancing training. And it will be no problem to cast someone in a special costume size (or illusion size). I know some professional magicians to do exactly this.... |
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Bob Sanders 1945 - 2024 Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts
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Great point Abrell!
I like to refer to it as "sharing the stage with ...". Cast is cast. Bob Sanders Magic By Sander |
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts
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One of the best magicians in the Philadelphia area is "Magic by Helene", and Helene Shadd's lovely assistant is her husband, who jumps in the boxes without a single complaint, what a guy.
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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Autumn Morning Star Grammar Hostess Today, I corrected grammar in 1378 Posts
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Bob, I met Brian and even married him but he refuses to be a box jumper. He teasingly said he would agree to "THE BRIAN SHOW...with autumn" (I think I beat him with a pillow and chased him out of the room.)
Abrell, I never thought of the "actor factor" until recently. During a recent casting of my big show, I ran ads for "American Indian actors". You are right, an "actor" will more likely invest emotionally in a show and take it seriously. Actors are natural hams! They crave being center stage! In my show, I cast with all American Indians and share the stage with 3 "principal actors". Al, a guy box jumper! I am loving it  I use a 6'3" 200 lb guy for my small Cavalry Sword Basket and NO ONE knows how he squishes into that and comes out unscathed!
I have a tip: Use Craigs List for free ads that get answered! http://www.craigslist.com
Wonder is very necessary in life. When we're little kids, we're filled with wonder for the world - it's fascinating and miraculous. A lot of people lose that. They become cynical and jaded, especially in modern day society. Magic renews that wonder.
Doug Henning |
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TheGreatNancini Veteran user Ohio 373 Posts
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My adult son and I have our own separate shows, as well as some we do together. We are assistants to each other and get very positive feedback as a "mother & son" combination!
For those who have seen our various shows, we have had many comment that "my favorite show is your mother & son show"! It works for us, and my husband (his dad)is our back stage crew for both of us, as he does not care for the stage! Nanci |
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scooter magic New user Fredricksburg, VA 73 Posts
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I'm an assistant and a magician in my own right. I, like Nanci, share the stage with my dad. I also have my own show with my own assistant. I live in a small town, where there is on high school, (very uncommon in the surrounding counties) so my assistant is also one of my best friends. The main thing is even if I already have a show and I get a new assistant, everyone has there own personality that comes through on stage, I tap into that. My assistant, Natalie, and I are currently working on a new show. Together we went through a basic show, (an outline of the tricks we wanted to do) and started thinking how we could interact in each part to make our deistically opposite personalities come through in a positive way to the audience. That way, the show becomes personal and they helped make it what it is. That way they will take it more seriously and be more emotionally attached, knowing that they were a co-creator of the show itself.
Ashley
Ashley Taggert
moving up in the world of magic |
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Autumn Morning Star Grammar Hostess Today, I corrected grammar in 1378 Posts
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Thank you, Nanci for sharing your story. I would think a mother/son show would work well. People like to see families on stage. Think of all the successful TV shows...most are onstage "families"! Even though most are not blood-related, they act the part of a family and people enjoy this.
Ashley, I like the idea of letting the assistants brainstorm and make suggestions. That is a great idea to encourage them to interact and find their own stage characters. If an assistant feels like a co-creator surely that makes them feel deep connection with the show. This is one of the things I am most concerned with, having recently cast a new group out west. All my previous assistants have been really great, but I want this group to really have a deep investment/connection with the show. I am going to try several of these suggestions in our upcoming rehearsals and see what happens! Any more ideas or suggestions out there??
Wonder is very necessary in life. When we're little kids, we're filled with wonder for the world - it's fascinating and miraculous. A lot of people lose that. They become cynical and jaded, especially in modern day society. Magic renews that wonder.
Doug Henning |
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Big Daddy Cool Inner circle 1606 Posts
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Autumn,
One of the best ways to infuse that sense of creative equality and ownership (the previous suggestions have been good), is to bring in an outside director to assess and evaluate the show. Someone with expertise, but who can be an unbiased "bad guy" when it comes to fixing problems/making improvements. That way, YOU become an equal because you are subject to the same director's guidance. YOU become part of the cast, instead of just the boss. It goes a long way... |
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The Mighty Fool Inner circle I feel like a big-top tent having 2140 Posts
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WOW!! I can't beleive this thread popped up! I get to be usefull for once! I've BEEN a male assistant for a female magician....a duo actually. Well, mabye stooge is the correct term. At a renfaire where I was competing in the swordpit I was approached by an attractive lady & asked how long I could hold my breath.(Yes,ha-ha...may I continue?) I ended up being the guy in the audience heckling & hooting sexist remarks during their act, and finally they invite me up onstage, I refuse, they challenge my courage as a man, get the audience to 'encourage' me, and I go up. After 3 connected illusions involving hypnosis, a failed escape attempt, a water tank, pickpocketing, losing my watch & my shirt, I shuffle away, cuckoled, hopefully having learned not to harrass female magicians.
At each day, I only participated in one of their 4 shows (all four would have been a bit too suspicious) and at NO TIME did either of them have an inkling that I was a magician myself...they figured me for a musclehead. Once when I asked one of them what other sorts of tricks she knew, she proceeded to do the simplest ring-on-string trick (I acted amazed) and then she warned me not to ask for the secret of that or any trick in the show. I managed not to smile at that. And the act was convincing....a little too convincing once: A guy rushed up onstage to help me!
Everybody wants to beleive.....we just help them along.
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JamesTong Eternal Order Malaysia 11213 Posts
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Quote:
On 2007-07-16 13:33, Big Daddy Cool wrote: Big Daddy Cool, thanks for this great idea. This is very useful when the other team members are also in the entertainment industry. This will certainly help check the team's ego. |
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Sabrina New user Dallas, Texas 99 Posts
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Quote:
On 2007-09-02 10:48, JamesTong wrote: Wonder if Kevin James did this or maybe should have when he was competing on "America's Got Talent." It's a great tip since BBC's "Ramsey's Nightmares" is a show built around Gordon Ramsey doing the exact same thing except for restaurant chefs, staff and owners to better tune their nightly productions. It's certainly addictive to watch their reactions to extremely painful truths he forces them to face before they can benefit. The world is a stage and we are all actors...without enough helpful directing usually. |
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Kris 62 New user colorado 10 Posts
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Hello Boss Lady
I'm glad I found this thread. I see from what I read above that you have been working on this quite awhile. I'm glad a lot of the suggestions that were given above have worked. I'm glad I have a chance to put in the "SWEAT EQUITY" into this project. And on a personal note, THANK YOU for the chance to put all my skills, training and talents to work again. LOVE Kris a.k.a. (you know who) |
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Autumn Morning Star Grammar Hostess Today, I corrected grammar in 1378 Posts
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Quote:
On 2007-09-13 22:19, Kris 62 wrote: Café Members, Kris is an amazing, multi-talented woman who is my stage-manager AND is a total genius as an illusion designer, magician, illustrator, lighting designer, make-up artist, and "onstage backside saver". We have worked together in my big show for many years. Now that I have opened a magic studio in Colorado (after a 10 year hiatus in Tennessee and Germany) we are working together again! I consider myself blessed. Kris, It is my honor to have you working with me again! What a fantastic rehearsal/director's workshop yesterday! Thanks for being a wonderful part of our circle, because I simply could not do it without you
Big Daddy, As always, excellent suggestions. Got the MP3 of your workshop. All I can say is: Magicians, get this guy to help train your assistants/actors! He is good! MightyFool: You are a brave man! I know how hard it is to box jump. That is why I am the magician. What a great perspective you must have on respecting our assistants/actors. James Tong, Thank you for your contributions. I always appreciate your supportive words! Sabrina, It is always hard to hear painful truths but we are so much better for listening and improving. Autumn
Wonder is very necessary in life. When we're little kids, we're filled with wonder for the world - it's fascinating and miraculous. A lot of people lose that. They become cynical and jaded, especially in modern day society. Magic renews that wonder.
Doug Henning |
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Maritess Regular user 165 Posts
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I love using hunky assistants for my show. Lately I've tried using straight guys with no dance background as my assistants, just to hold things, or for me to tie up or vice versa and it goes over even better--as there is more REAL sexual chemistry onstage =)
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Big Daddy Cool Inner circle 1606 Posts
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Maritess,
Real sexual tension - there's a topic that most magicians know nothing about! I would love to read your thoughts about the importance of this. You have been a magician and an assistant (I believe) and can probably speak to both sides. Care to? |
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Autumn Morning Star Grammar Hostess Today, I corrected grammar in 1378 Posts
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Quote:
On 2007-09-15 18:23, Big Daddy Cool wrote: Yes, this would be a great topic to examine! Sexual tension is an essential part of human life. Hollywood, advertising guru's, and anyone who wants to get your attention knows this well. For my show, I use this element of tension in a subtle undercurrent. Although, I had one audience event which surprised me onstage. My male assistant (a hunky young Blackfeet Indian guy) had to take off his coat before entering the sword basket. He was left wearing a tight white teeshirt, suspenders, and military uniform pants. This was a huge casino show and the ladies in the audience went wild. I thought I was going to have to throw them a freaking steak! My assistant spontaneously played this up by slowly looking over his shoulders while stretching his suspenders. I almost needed a big stick to keep the ladies off the stage! So the sexy undercurrent is always there. Please start a new topic on this, Maritess! We would love to examine this one more closely, no pun intended!
Wonder is very necessary in life. When we're little kids, we're filled with wonder for the world - it's fascinating and miraculous. A lot of people lose that. They become cynical and jaded, especially in modern day society. Magic renews that wonder.
Doug Henning |
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Maritess Regular user 165 Posts
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Dude, I have NEVER been an assistant. I've helped out my buddies on magic DVDs, but it was very clear I was never their assistant. UGH.
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Big Daddy Cool Inner circle 1606 Posts
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Sorry, my bad. Forgive me?
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Posted: Jul 14, 2007 10:56 pm 
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