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KC Cameron Inner circle Raleigh, North Carolina 1944 Posts |
I have several characters I use in magic. I use them to separate different shows & age groups. More importantly, I get bored too easily with one character. All of them are very different than my competition. I was talking with my wife, and she thinks I may lose "Branding" by playing more than one character. The issue is I don't want my adult clients to think they are getting a "kiddies’" magician (due to the common mis-perception that it takes more skill to entertain adults). Since each character is rather "niche" I do not want to lose parties because they want another type of character. I get a lot of parties because of "Captain Kid" but some, especially older kids, would rather have a "straight magician". Also, I love Bizarre magic, and Sideshow type entertaining, and would like to separate those from my other shows.
Any thoughts? |
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
I am one person with many characters in almost every show.
I come neutral and add and subtract: hats vest voices musical instruments jackets puppets props My wife and others used to call me the magic guy..now they are not sure... Terms used "actor", comedian, entertainer, renaissance man, doctor of laughology, not even close to normal, nearly normal. I agree branding is important. Without saying a word, I love(watch out for your ego)going onstage and hearing a reaction from many folks based on past performances. This is without any costume or special music. That comes soon after... Harris
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
KC Cameron Inner circle Raleigh, North Carolina 1944 Posts |
Hmmm, this is your act, and people expect several characters in it, as opposed to having several characters having different acts.
I see similarities, but differences too. I don't want my adult persona and my kid's persona, or my bizarre *& geek persona's to be tied together. |
Father Photius Grammar Host El Paso, TX (Formerly Amarillo) 17161 Posts |
Worked pretty well for "Lumpy Hamilton" aka, Mr. Green Jeans, Mr. Bainter the painter, etc. etc. etc. Go for it, I've done multiple characters in the same show, me as straight magician, me as a drunk magician, and a groucho like character, always went over great.
"Now here's the man with the 25 cent hands, that two bit magician..."
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KC Cameron Inner circle Raleigh, North Carolina 1944 Posts |
Several characters in one show is different than several characters, each with his own show. I am sorry I have not been clear on that.
"Lumpy Hamilton" aka, Mr. Green Jeans, Mr. Bainter" - I am sorry, but growing up in rural Alaska with no TV has left me a bit behind. I recognize these names, but that is about it. Did he have several shows with a different character in each, or did he play several characters in one show? |
Louis LaLaurie New user New York, NY 79 Posts |
Have they heard Vaudeville in Alaska? No tv there? Mr. Harris is talking about variety of talent ....you have talent in show? Captain Kangaroo is home of Green Jeans? We watch here in France when kid, very silly!
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NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
Quote:
You'll certainly get a reaction going on with no costume! A Nude magician...what a gimmick! |
Patriot Regular user 112 Posts |
Captain, I don't see a problem with it if you personally can handle the steady state of flux. I had several characters with individual shows at one time (Clown, Wizard, Magician, Comedian, Mascot) but it became such a hassle regarding booking, wardrobe & makeup changes, prop management & show prep for the different shows. I often found myself automatically stepping out of one character and into another at a very inappropriate moment. I felt that my shows never really reached a level of polished "perfection." It's almost as though they were always in a state of transition because I had to refocus my show time & rehearsal objectives to fit each character. Frankly, I couldn't do it...so I now have one primary character who is my sole focus.
That's not to say it won't work for you...I just decided to focus my effort on one primary market and that focus has paid off far better than the multiple market approaches ever did. |
Regan Inner circle U.S.A. 5726 Posts |
I also have multiple characters. I am a clown sometimes and my magician character changes somewhat according to the audience. For example, I act more silly with the very young kids than I do at adult shows.
I also do Cat In The Hat, and I have 2 different Halloween characters I developed from my days in the haunted house. I still use them at Halloween, each having a very distinctive and different voice, look, and attitude. Also, each puppet has to be different so if you vent you have to play many different characters. I also sing professionally, and even with that I find myself being different at times. Again, according to the setting and the audience. Actors have to develop and play many different characters, and I think it is kind of like that for us. Remember that old saying about a magician being an actor playing the part of a magician? Regan
Mister Mystery
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KC Cameron Inner circle Raleigh, North Carolina 1944 Posts |
Louis,
Yes they have TV in most of Alaska - now. My parents still can't get TV - or cable – or phone. They have to drive about 6 miles to get to the nearest cell tower. I am sad to say I am probably much older than you, and TV was not prevalent in much of Alaska when I was growing up, except in the larger population centers. Please understand, Alaska is nearly twice as large as France (in sq kilometers), yet Alaska's population is about 1/20 the size of France; or to put it this way, France has 105 inhabitants per square kilometer, while Alaska has about .75 inhabitants per kilometer. The weather in some areas of Alaska can be, hmmmm, somewhat harsher than France as well. Alaska's largest "city" has about 260,000 people. The next largest city has about 31,000 . . . the 10th largest city has a bit over 4,000 people. There is a bit of a difference between the two. The differences are getting smaller due to Satellite TV (unheard of when I was growing up) and other technology, but even then the great distances with the small population and extreme weather will cause problems that are unheard of in France. Mr. Harris is talking about various characters in one show, I understand that. I am talking about various characters, each with their own show. Patriot, Yes, I keep my costumes fairly simple, to make life easier, and I no longer use make-up, so that is not an issue. I have found making lists and boxes for each show helps immensely with prop management. Many of my characters have similarities, and are just exaggerations of sides of my personality. Still, yes, this is still a problem. I try to have one prop used in multiple shows so I can operate it well, as well as keeping down the expense. As for being "polished" - none of my characters are polished (as a character). Captain Kid is a loud, "Drill Sergeant" like Pirate that tries to hide how much he cares for the kids. My "Kacy" kid's character is a bit a bumbling magician, My "Kacy" adult (close-up) character is more polished, but still makes a lot of "mistakes" that some how work out, while on stage he is more comedic. My "Dr. Blood" type character I'm developing will be a bit crazed and frenetic, and my bizarre character is just me, not understanding how things work, having "experiments". None of these are close to a "Copperfield" type presentation, and all allow leeway for problems that can occur. Let me give you an example, I am developing a linking "hula" ring routine, and since none that I know exist that uses a "Key" ring, I have had to experiment with a variety of ideas. As "Captain Kid" I did it for a birthday party Sunday, and my handling of the "gimmick" failed (the gimmick wore out) and the hoop popped open. If I was doing a beautiful magic show where each second is accounted for, I may have panicked. Instead, I looked dumbfounded and held it up for all to see - and the kids started laughing. Of course, as "Captain Kid" I ordered them to stop laughing, which only increased the laughter. This mistake was turned around to a positive because the character is far from polished. I grew up in the theater (in Alaska *L*) and learned to think on my feet, and to plan for the unexpected. While I do not claim to be a "Great" magician, I have a 100% money-back guarantee (on my web site) that the kids (as a group) will NOT be happy at my show, they will be THRILLED. So far, I’ve kept all the loot! My concern is do too many characters "water down" my "branding" or does it increase its range? Regan, Do you think you find the public confused when you play different "magical" characters at different times for different audences? Does this help business or hurt it? My primary motive for multiple characters is I get bored easily, and I like change - nothing to do with business. |
Patriot Regular user 112 Posts |
Personally...and this is just my opinion...I think marketing multiple characters waters down the brand. Your brand is who you are...but who exactly are you if you market yourself as five or six...or even three or four...different characters?
Regional Ronald McDonald's are restricted by a very severe contract not to reveal their true identity or to make it known that they perform in any other identity. The guys and gals within the various team mascot costumes are forbidden to reveal their identities or to step out of character in any way in public. In each case, to do so would weaken the brand. To openly announce to the world that Captain Kidd is also available as Kacy LaMonte, Magician, weakens Capt. Kidd's brand. He suddenly becomes "less real." What happens when Nephew Jacob discovers that Uncle Kerry is the one who's played Santa at the family parties all these years? When I was ten years old in Northern Ohio, I had the opportunity to meet two of my favorite TV kidshow hosts. The two were visiting a neighbor and she invited me over to meet them...I RAN. I was stunned into silence when I met them...not out of awe, but because neither one looked like their TV characters. I was expecting Barnaby and the Captain. I still admired them, but I never looked at them quite the same way after that. From a more practical perspective, you need to devote valuable marketing real estate to each character you represent. To do this properly means individual websites, domain names, email addresses, printed ads, flyers, business cards...that gets expensive. When I maintained several characters, I marketed myself under my real name. Turned out that people weren't looking for "Me" but for the character they wanted. Even with my business card in their hand, they'd say, "Who's this? Where's YOUR card?" They're not likely to remember Ace of Magic whereas they will certainly remember Captain Kidd. So, unless you openly and visibly include every character under each piece of Ace of Magic marketing, they'll likely look right past you in their search for the Captain. My two cents...and again, the beauty of our chosen career is that we are all unique and individually gifted. What fails for me might work wonders for you. Best of luck, Cap. |
Regan Inner circle U.S.A. 5726 Posts |
Captain, I really don't think it confuses my audience or hurts my business. I have no data to support anything, but I think it might actually help on the business end. They realize I am versitile and many times inquire about "other" things I do.
I think the audience, even kids at a fairly young age realize that I am a performer. Again, I go back to the acting comparison...even when young kids see an actor playing different parts I don't think it confuses them. Some roles may be totally opposite (good, evil, etc.) but most realize it's just someone playing a role. Now I do worry a little about my Halloween characters. However, most people that see me as Regore or Regormortis realize it's just a character. Sometimes they get to see some samples of my magic too, which spreads the word about other things I do. Many times people that have seen me do one thing will mention the other to me. Lot's of times people will come up to me after a show and say something like: "I saw your magic show at _______, I didn't realize you were a clown too." Or: "Hey, aren't you the same guy that came to the school as Cat In The Hat". Or, maybe: "I saw you singing at the restaurant the other night. I didn't realize you were a magician." Those are not actual qoutes, but examples. I can't tell you how often it happens, but it happens often. I feel it causes people to talk about me more because many are surprised when they first find out. It also gives me an opportunity to let them know about all the things I do. I have never had anyone say anything negative to me about being a different character. I guess a lot does depend on the type of character you are. For example, I can see where Max Maven probably would not want to switch characters, but for me it seems to work out fine. Regan
Mister Mystery
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
NJJ...Funny aside to my writing. (Have you read Amelia Bedilia? She also takes things literally at times. a funny bit in writing and performance.)
I was an actor prior to adding the magic. This summer has been busy with Laughology Programs. For the past month I have also been in rehearsal for Smoke on the Mountain. I haven't done any specific tracking but I have been booked because I had the add on skill of say a juggler, ventriloquist or improvisational comedian. Whose line is it anyway has been popular for many years in the midwest.(USA) Back in the 80's I did several seasons with an improvistation troupe. Stepping out of tradition is not always accepted. My role models have been Carol Burnett, Dick Van Dyke and others that were first known for comedy and then went on to do drama. My role for the next few weeks is as a "prodigal son character" who at first is not accepted back into his family. Some are having trouble with "Harry P" in his recent role on Broadway? This nearly normal guy is not. Thanks for the food for thought. We can draw on our past as well as our present from the media, books, plays, music as well as our own families and life. Harris
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
KC Cameron Inner circle Raleigh, North Carolina 1944 Posts |
First, I seemed to forget about Fairbanks that has about 82,000
Harris, "Stepping out of tradition is not always accepted." - No kidding! I am not a 'classically trained actor" and I my CK character is loud, so I must be a terrible at entertaining children! *G* Patriot, I think everything you brought up was right on, but I am not sure I can stick to one character . . . I am interested in too many things. I am in process of making websites for each character - what an expensive pain. I plan to have one site link them all together, and my card will reflect that "hub" site and each character will be presented as a different magician. This will help, but I still think I could take a knock on branding. On the other hand, I know I get more business with different websites and characters - does this increase offset the problems you mention? For now, I think so. Maybe I will settle down with just one in the future. Regan – I love the Regormortis name! That is great. Hopefully I can develop like you have. I do have young children really think I am a pirate, and lots are “just not sure”. All the time I have kids ask me “Are you really a Pirate?” Also, I live in the buckle of the Bible Belt, and I have met some people who thought I was in league with the devil because I did magic. I know some would have issue’s if they knew I did bizarre magic. BTW Your Max Maven comment had me laughing – thanks. Posted: Jul 17, 2007 7:19pm BTW I have been looking for a good name for my "Dr. Blood" character. I have come up with "Dr. B. Laude" (with permission from Silly Billy) and A.B. Normal (Harris??). but I am looking for something more like Regan's "Regomortis". I seem to have a bit of a block here, so any suggestions would be appreciated. |
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
How about
Mort Y Cian or Dirk Oscar Appleton...you can just call me D.O.A. Captain Scarry..my brother writes those silly books.... Vlad the Entertainer Vlad the Scartainer LOL...A.B. Normal I believe was used in Young Frankenstein.. "We have been using Nearly Normal since the 70's. Other folks including restaurants have been noted using the same name. As far as I know (I am the only magician/comedian/ventriloquist...using the Nearly Normal... Polite folks have asked and been told it would water down the brand...Don't see Dr. B...Laude as close to Doctor of Laughology... Branding is important...makes sense and very ethical that you checked with "Doctor Blood"! New puppet 1000 Set of Junk Morgans..$50 Ethics and entertainment ..Priceless... Harris
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
Anand Rao New user 14 Posts |
I think having different characters is a good way to stand out from the other magicians in your area.
I only have one character at the moment. But I am interested in hearing some of the other characters you all do: pirate, drill sergeant, explorer, Dr. Blood! What other ideas are there? Also, don't you feel it is just copying another person's idea unless you come up with an original idea for character. e.g. I know you said you had permission from Silly Billy but isn't copying Dr. Blood character too unoriginal? Would it be better to change it to maybe a scary grave digger or something. You know, you could still scare the kids, but then it would be your idea? I hope I don't offend. I am struggling with this myself (jungle explorer) because my character is similar to another magician and I know he wasn't happy about me doing it. It's just I can't think of another character as good! |
KC Cameron Inner circle Raleigh, North Carolina 1944 Posts |
Anand,
I have no plans to copy "Dr. Blood". Does his character inspire me? Yes. It is just his is the only character similar to the one I am putting together (ie "Kid Gore"). Just as two pirates can be said to be similar. I don't plan on using "Dr. B. Laude" even with DK's permission, nor would I use A.B. Normal without running it by Harris. Interesting note, Before "Dr. Blood" DK was "Dr. B. Laude". While I like the name, and DK has given me permission to use it, I would rather be a bit more different, if for no other reason than to keep the dogs at bay accusing me of stealing. BTW Harris, Young Frankenstein used "Abby Normal" not A.B. Normal. |
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Thanks Mr. er Captain Kid...My brain doesn't always pull out movie trivia in an accurate form....
Paging Dr. Memory...(oops another memory from Firesign Theatre this time... or was it??? Harris
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
KC Cameron Inner circle Raleigh, North Carolina 1944 Posts |
What about Thad S. Gross? Anyone?
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
I laughed out loud when I read it.
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
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