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Magic Enhancer Inner circle Robert Haas 1805 Posts |
Hello,
As many of you know, I have created The Magic Enhancer CD Volume 1. I am in the process of releasing Magic Enhancer Volume 2, but had some questions for the PERFORMING escape artist. (1) What is the length of time you allow yourself for your escapes? In other words, when you begin a countdown, what do you start the timer at? 3 minutes? 5 minutes? I'm sure it will vary performer to performer, but I would like a general idea. I'm considering putting 2 tracks with the top two most-requested times. (2) As you can tell from the above question, I'm putting some stuff for escape artists on Volume 2. The next question is this... When doing countdowns, how often do you announce the countdown for the audience? For instance, in a 3 minute countdown, you would begin at 3 minutes, then announce 1:30 remaining, then maybe 1 minute remaining, etc? What times do you announce as the countdown begins? I'm trying to create a few tracks for you guys (and gals) on the next CD. What else would you like to see on the CD besides the countdowns? For those who aren't familiar with the CD, please check out the link below. Thanks. Robert Haas http://www.MagicEnhancer.com
Robert Haas
Magic Enhancer Quality magic products for the working professional. www.MagicEnhancer.com |
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Wolflock Inner circle South Africa 2257 Posts |
Mine is normally 5 or 10 minutes. It keeps the audience in anticipation longer and allows for more time in my escape in case anything goes wrong. I used to have a voice announcing every 30 second pass in the song giving the time, but now find that a clock with BIG RED NUMBERS going backwards works better. It is more visual in my opinion.
All my psychology is in my music that I use, though. Although my style of music is not to every Escape Artist's taste, it has a FAST BEAT, a lot of bass, and a bit of hectic pieces like distortion guitar in places. This style of music works like in the movies...gets the audiences hearts pumping faster, creates anxiety, and relates danger to them. I have experimented with different types of music, and even without. The best response I got from my audience (not even telling them about the music, just asking their opinions on the show) was with the style of music I use now. Regards, Wolflock
Wolflock
Pro Magician & Escapologist Member of JMC (Johannesburg Magic Circle) South Africa |
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Magic Enhancer Inner circle Robert Haas 1805 Posts |
Wolflock,
Thank you so much for your help regarding this. I appreciate it. I'd be interested to hear what other "escapees" have to say. Robert Haas http://www.MagicEnhancer.com
Robert Haas
Magic Enhancer Quality magic products for the working professional. www.MagicEnhancer.com |
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Wolflock Inner circle South Africa 2257 Posts |
I am sure they will answer in their own good time. Considering that I am the only EA in South Africa (and therefore many don't even know what an Escape Artist is), I have a bit more time on my hands than most here.
It is only a pleasure. Hope you can make use of anything I placed here. Regards, Wolflock
Wolflock
Pro Magician & Escapologist Member of JMC (Johannesburg Magic Circle) South Africa |
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AntonDreaming Special user Gloucester by the sea 622 Posts |
You may want to look up an individual named Arizona Jones. He does a SJ escape to a soundtrack where a women's voice talks him through the escape and mocks him, and then finally gives the 10 second count down. Very, very, very funny. Worth looking for the guy.
Also, contact my pal David Hall (www.magicofdavidhall.com) and ask about the audio track to his sub trunk illusion. Again, very funny stuff and makes the show piece very fun. Maybe one of these guys would be willing to part with their tracks for royalties or something. They would both be worth every dime to the working performer. Anton |
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Magic Enhancer Inner circle Robert Haas 1805 Posts |
Anton,
Thank so much for the helpful info. I'm not looking for routines, per se. I'm more interested in learning the lengths of time performers like their countdowns to be. For instance, a 20 minute countdown would be too long in most cases. What is the average time a performer allows himself to escape from something? Maybe 3 minutes? 5 minutes? I'll definitely look into the other tracks though, David. Sounds very interesting... Robert Haas http://www.MagicEnhancer.com
Robert Haas
Magic Enhancer Quality magic products for the working professional. www.MagicEnhancer.com |
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Kevin Ridgeway V.I.P. Indianapolis, IN & Phoenix, AZ 1832 Posts |
Robert,
In my opinion, the best solution is to make the track with looped or areas within it that are editable. That way, a performer can make it suit them exactly. This is what we do with most everything we use. Keep us posted, we look forward to seeing what you come up with. Kevin & Kristen
Living Illusions
Ridgeway & Johnson Entertainment Inc Kevin Ridgeway & Kristen Johnson aka Lady Houdini The World's Premier Female Escape Artist www.LadyHoudini.com www.livingillusions.com |
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dave_matkin Inner circle 4522 Posts |
That is a really good idea, Kristen. (Or Kevin, whichever posted - or do you share the keyboard?)
I like the idea of a music track that is easily edited, especially if the "kit to do the editing" were on the CD as well! Now, that would be great! Dave |
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Oge Regular user 154 Posts |
Agree with Wolflock, 'cause I'm using FAST beat music as well for my show... It makes the audience follow the ambiance of the performance..
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Magic Enhancer Inner circle Robert Haas 1805 Posts |
Thanks so much, guys. If there's anything you'd like to see for yourselves (collectively- escape artists) please let me know. Since I don't do escapes, I will rely on what you guys (and gals) tell me.
Thanks! Robert Haas http://www.MagicEnhancer.com
Robert Haas
Magic Enhancer Quality magic products for the working professional. www.MagicEnhancer.com |
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Chad C. Inner circle 1522 Posts |
Hi,
I have performed a straitjacket escape in my library show this summer about 90 times. I do a lot of jokes and things while being strapped in, then I have them time me starting at 2 minutes. They call the time out every 30 seconds, and then at 10 seconds everyone counts down, and I get out with 1 second left every time. At the beginning of my routine, when the person says "Go" I have my assistant hit the play button on my music, and I have the music timed to where it goes along with the escape. I second Wolflock on how important music is to the routine. PM me and I can show you a video clip of the routine. It's for a children's show - but it has been the hit with the adults this summer, as it is the most talked about routine in my show. Hope that helps. Chad |
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ufo Inner circle Phoenix, Arizona 1185 Posts |
Robert,
Thanks for thinking of us "wrappers" on the music issue. It is very important. To answer your questions, I use a 5 minute cut. The criteria is this: 1) Song has to start with its tempo energy, but build in 30-40 second sections in which another part of the music "pushes" the energy higher. For instance...no snare until 40 sec in. After that, a guitar is added, etc. I use these trigger points to know where I am in the timing, myself. Of course, after about 3.5 minutes, the music should be full tilt mondo. 2) I actually have my tech cut the music off when I complete the escape and give the cuing motion of a big swing of the restraints over my head and slap them down on the floor hard! Whack! -Music Cuts- 3) Now here's the tricky part you can help us with... After that whack/cut...I'd like a next track on the CD to swell a resolve chord in similar voicing to the actual song. That's the release of energy and the "ta-da" with the applause cue/gesture. Now, I have the total package of sight and sound. That's what I like, try to use, and would like to see custom-crafted for escapists. Thank you for your time and creative efforts!
"What's your drug?" she asked. "Hope" he said, "The most addicting one of all."
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Starry Loyal user New York 219 Posts |
When I was doing a street straitjacket, after much trial and error I found that what worked best for me was a three minute count down. I'd have a timer announce "one minute", which allowed me a minute of cutting up before I'd really start the escape. Then "two minutes", followed by "two minutes thirty seconds." By then, I was getting desperate. At fifteen seconds, I'd have them all start out loud with 15, 14, 13, etc. The reason I'd start the final countdown at 15 is that most people wouldn't join in right off the bat, and I found that by ten seconds most everyone was counting down.
For what it's worth. Ace
Ace Starry - Author or THE MAGIC LIFE - A NOVEL PHILOSOPHY
http://www.starry.com/ |
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Magic Enhancer Inner circle Robert Haas 1805 Posts |
Gentlemen,
I'd like to thank you for your responses. I will look into some cool uptempo music to play while the countdown begins. If you have any samples you'd like to send me so I can get an idea of the type of music you use, I'd greatly appreciate it. Don't worry, I will not put it on the CD. LOL Chad, my email is MagicEnhancer@aol.com I'd love to see your routine. If anyone else would like to see some tracks, please let me know. Since the CD is diverse, I'm looking to aim 3-4 tracks for the escape artists. If anyone would like, please email me with their ideas and suggestions. I'd definitely like to put something out you all will use. Thanks again, everyone! Robert Haas http://www.MagicEnhancer.com
Robert Haas
Magic Enhancer Quality magic products for the working professional. www.MagicEnhancer.com |
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Chironeuroguy New user 2 Posts |
Robert,
I am really enjoying Magic Enhancer, Vol. 1, and am looking forward to Vol. 2. Thanks! David |
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Magic Enhancer Inner circle Robert Haas 1805 Posts |
David,
Thank you very much for your kind words. I appreciate it. Magic Enhancer, Volume 2, is pretty much done. I have about 3-4 tracks on there for the escape artists (which is one of the last few tracks I'm including). I've been so busy with this, performing, etc., that I have no life anymore. As you may know, we're also coming out with a totally revamped Vanishing Bandanna routine. It kicks ***. The web site has the details. I am getting some custom music made by a professional source for use for escape artists on Magic Enhancer, Volume 2. I'm thinking doing a count down from 3 minutes, a count up from 3 minutes (using the same music bed), and then a count down from 2 minutes using a different music bed. Magic Enhancer, Volume 2, will be released sometime during the winter. Not too sure when. Probably once the Bandanna dies down. Mark from Cannon's has helped me a great deal with this. If anyone else has any other recommendations or requests for escape tracks, now's the time to let me know. Robert Haas http://www.MagicEnhancer.com
Robert Haas
Magic Enhancer Quality magic products for the working professional. www.MagicEnhancer.com |
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The Donster Inner circle 4817 Posts |
What type of music are you using for the escapes on Magic Enhancer, Two, and can we please get a price?
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Magic Enhancer Inner circle Robert Haas 1805 Posts |
The Magic Enhancer, Volume 2, will most likely be a tad more expensive than Volume 1 (which is $35 generic and $65 customized). We want to create a CD with more customization potential, as well as more overall higher-quality tracks. You can expect between a $5-$10 increase in price. However, this is not official yet.
As for the escape piece, we will be using music that gradually increases intensity as time goes on. I have Mark Cannon assisting me on this matter. I'm hoping to put out what you need. Any other things besides countdowns that would be useful for escape artists? Robert Haas http://www.MagicEnhancer.com
Robert Haas
Magic Enhancer Quality magic products for the working professional. www.MagicEnhancer.com |
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alcorm1 New user Lancaster NH 64 Posts |
I love Magic Enhancer and use a lot of the pieces from it in my regular show. I can't wait too get my hands on Vol 2. It's hard to find good music for a SJ escape. I have a couple of pieces I use now, but I am anxious to see what you've put together on Vol 2.
Al |
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Michael J. Douglas Inner circle WV, USA 1645 Posts |
A warning hyping the risk and impossibility would be cool, especially if it could easily transition into the main countdown music. It would also be great if it didn't pinpoint an escape, per se, but rather any dangerous act.
<low monotone or oscillating tone> "Ladies and Gentlemen, what you are about to see is very, v-v-very dangerous. Only through extensive training and practice..."
Michael J.
�Believe then, if you please, that I can do strange things.� --from Shakespeare�s �As You Like It� |
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