|
|
Go to page [Previous] 1~2 | ||||||||||
mralincoln Loyal user If I wasn't so busy, I'd have more than 220 Posts |
Just wanted to let the Café members know I,too, had the opportunity to attend the lecture this past Saturday evening with Jonathan Pendragon in Branson, Missouri.
Our local IBM Ring chapter (Ring 325) invited him—and we had a great turn out at the brick and mortar magic shop (It’s Magic owned by Yak Williams) there in Branson. What a great evening it was. Jonathan gave us almost three full hours of lecture time, providing insights, motivation, and high energy showmanship as he discussed some of his favorite stage effects. He was thoughtful, professional, and genuine, and he was open to all questions—and held nothing back. He lectured over four particular effects—giving details regarding the process of development, preparation, as well as the staging and theatrics of the performance. He mentioned that the effects he discussed with us were effects he actually performs—not merely lecture material that he uses while saving the “good stuff” for his own performances. I left with a renewed respect for his professional skills, his knowledge of the history of the art of magic, his intellectual depth, as well as his philosophy of the craft of magic. I also left with his four-part DVD series which have proven to be more than worth the special $75 price I paid!!! If you have the opportunity to see Jonathan in performance—or in a lecture-setting—don’t miss him! You will miss some great stories, amazing entertainment, but, more importantly, a chance to be inspired to be the best performer you can be! Christopher Beck, Ph.D. Pastor/Professor/Gospel Magician |
|||||||||
Chezaday Inner circle Naperville, IL 1673 Posts |
Wow, I just spent some quality time with Jonathan last night on his lecture tour. His passion for magic is still there and if he's anywhere near your area .. step away from the computer and go!
The material covered is on general magic, of course he can't travel with any of the big props. Pack your lunch because there is a lot to cover, many stories going back to the very beginning of his career. There is a ton of useful information for everyone in magic. If you're on the fence about this one .. jump over and don't miss a legend in magic! Steve |
|||||||||
Scott Wells Inner circle Houston, TX 1025 Posts |
Jonathan Pendragon delivered a long-overdue lecture on stage craft to our Houston group. He arrived following a string of unsolicited testimonials praising his lecture that he had given in other cities along his tour. Certainly I concur with those groups that his was indeed one of the best lectures out of the 100+ we have seen since I have been booking lectures over the past eight years. I would definitely put him in the top five.
He first addressed his personal issues that have been in the recent news then moved on to how magic was moved first forward by Houdin then a century later by Henning. Both individuals broke tradition and had magicians thinking and dressing in a new (some might say “revolutionary”) way. Jonathan discussed the importance of music and how the right music can not only enhance the piece but make it memorable and magical. He talked about choosing the music (usually movie scores) and letting the music move through you. The tricks he taught included a cigarette paper tear, the bird cage vanish and the Sands of Egypt. While all are classics and their methods well known, Jonathan’s thoughts and touches on them showed how we should think about every trick we do and how we can (and should) bring in outside influences as he has done from his varied interests (i.e. archery, stunt work, theatre, etc.). In other words, there may be something from our other interests, passions or vocations that could assist us as to method or form of some existing trick. For example, the use of a bow string being used as a “pull” for the bird cage vanish and why that is the perfect apparatus for this effect. Jonathan performed some of his “set” pieces directly from his performing repertoire as an example of his use of choreography, music and misdirection. It was nothing short of brilliant. Although he gave us permission (and instructions) for performing some of these effects, he also talked about the importance of keeping some parts of the effects he demonstrated as proprietary. His description for each of his tricks, both platform and stage illusions, showed his intense thinking and careful attention to every detail that makes each effect perfect. He also shared such entertaining stories with celebrities and politicians that have only been experienced by Jonathan. And he tells the stories in such a way that it isn’t braggadocios but very candid and self-effacing. In this same vein, it is appropriate to say here something that has been said by anyone and everyone who has every met Jonathan Pendragon…he is what he appears to be. He has no shield or agenda nor does he “cop an attitude” thinking that he is better than anyone. He is humble, genuine, approachable and willing to chat with anyone for as long as you want to learn. He answers all questions and backs up everything with justifiable reasons for why he created this or why he moves that way. He explained how his Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (O.C.D.) has been turned into a New Age Mentalism act. His purpose in talking about that was to encourage each of us to delve into what makes us tick, what passions we have and what we can bring from outside influences to our own magic an move our art forward. That brought us full circle that wrapped up the lecture as if the whole thing was a theatrical play with a satisfying ending. Wow! What a lecture.
"A magician who isn't working is only fooling himself." - Scott Wells, M.I.M.C. with Gold Star
The Magic Word podcast: http://themagicwordpodcast.com Listen to convention coverage, interviews with magicians, pictures, videos and more. Magic Inspirations website for all things Banachek: www.magicinspirations.net |
|||||||||
leantransform New user Stuart, FL 4 Posts |
You have all inspired me...I will go see him next weekend at Daytona Magic Convention in Florida. Michael Ammar teach in, Mark Wilson teach in and Jonathon Pendragon at the convention...wow..I hope I can absorb it all!
Roger Chen
|
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » So Happy together... » » Jonathon Pendragon Lecture 2010 (0 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page [Previous] 1~2 |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.03 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |