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JNeal Inner circle I used to have 999 posts, now I have 1617 Posts |
RE: Alan Wheeler's specific problem-
Sometimes in effects with multiple applause points, the performer needs to decide how to build the climax. there are many options, here are just two: 1. 'Reduce' the impact of the first climax, so that the next one (or in this case- the final one) is stronger. 2. Suppress the audience's need to applaud (with a gesture, a remark or a look) and allow them only to release a modicum of energy...such as a gasp. In a practical way, the first 'punch' could be reduced by (for example) marking where the spectator wants the knot to be untied...with a hanky. Now when the knot is untied at that point, the untying could be done in such a way as to incorporate the hanky...so that the audience finds the involvement of the scarf to be significant. Then you offer to slide the knot to any other point...""And I'll do it without the scarf, just to show you I can do this under test conditions" You see my point? We have subtly reduced the first punch or climax so that the second one seems bigger or more amazing. A second way would be to use your eye control to imply that you cannot break concentration with the knot...or the trick 'won't work'. this allows you to (at the moment of untying) make a gesture ...(again, not looking at the audience) as if any sound from them..would ruin the effect. As you finally untie the knot, you might 'act' as if it were as fragile a moment as bursting a soap bubble. Permit the audience just a brief moment of your gaze and continue to retie and slide the knot...In other words, suppress the audience's desire to applaud and allow them only to release it in applause at the end.. Henning Nelms goes into great detail about this in his lecture notes; 'Applause and how to get it", as well as a briefer chapter in his book on Showmanship. Reducing the first (or several climaxes) in this method is what separates a great performer from a merely good one...Richiardi and the broomstick come to mind... Regards- JNeal
visit me @ JNealShow.com
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Whit Haydn V.I.P. 5449 Posts |
Excellent posts, guys. Really good stuff. It is important to remember this is part of the craft. It is all technique and can be learned by anyone. To not study this stuff is to be an inferior craftsman. There really is no excuse but laziness to not study applause management.
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JNeal Inner circle I used to have 999 posts, now I have 1617 Posts |
I find it rather odd that in these fora we find many columns devoted to tricks, old and new...but there isn't one devoted exclusively to staging or applause technique. In the eyes of many professionals... stage technique and showmanship are equally (f not more ) important than the tricks one does.
Regards- JNeal
visit me @ JNealShow.com
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msmaster Special user 522 Posts |
When it comes specifically to bows and applause cues on stage, certainly a treatise could be written by Marvyn Roy.
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Donal Chayce Inner circle 1770 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-04-30 17:22, JNeal wrote: Terrific idea! Perhaps we can convince the proprietors of this Café to add a new room to their establishment? :thumbsup: |
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Ray Pierce Inner circle Los Angeles, CA 2607 Posts |
You could do no better than to follow any of the applause techniques in JNeal's act as he has honed them over decades of work. Specifically the techniques he described as it was this specific skill that made his 2 ring routine have the impact it does.
Ray Pierce
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tommy Eternal Order Devil's Island 16544 Posts |
We're all prone to flattery and all of that, we like to be applauded, apart from that, I don't know why we need it.
If there is a single truth about Magic, it is that nothing on earth so efficiently evades it.
Tommy |
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slyhand Inner circle Good ole Virginia 1908 Posts |
We need it to know if the show works or not.
Just as a comedian needs to hear laughter to know that the audience finds his/her material funny. I think we can all tell if an audiences applause is genuine or not.
I am getting so tired of slitting the throats of people who say that I am a violent psychopath.
Alec |
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JNeal Inner circle I used to have 999 posts, now I have 1617 Posts |
Strangely enough, I would argue that as much as a performer needs to hear the applause for various reasons...that audience needs to give it to complete their own sense of enjoyment or satisfaction.
It is part of the (tension and) release that is required in both the performing and procreative act(s).
visit me @ JNealShow.com
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Brad Burt Inner circle 2675 Posts |
JNeal beat me to the punch! Bravo!!! That's it exactly. Most folks, performers included, tend to think of 'applause' as something 'for' the performer. I agree/disagree. I have for years considered it much more something for the audience than the performer. I've been on both sides and when a performer or performance pleases me I WANT to applaud. Consider that even if you get one, two or a few more spectators on stage to 'help' you out in the end a very small percentage of folks get to interact with you in any intimate manner. What if you don't use spectator assistants at all? How do we pull them in and let them participate in what is going on?
The most obvious answer is applause, yelling bravo, etc. If you act is exciting it will provoke an emotional response. Even the most positive of response will cause the release of adrenalin, etc. Folks get excited they get twitchy, lose focus on what's going on. You 'could' have them stand up and jump up and down, but long ago someone came up with the concept of applause in all it's many forms. Lot's of applause = lots of memory of your act and vice versa. Best,
Brad Burt
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Ray Pierce Inner circle Los Angeles, CA 2607 Posts |
I would also argue that as much as it is a building block of the relationship between the performer and the audience, it is a very valuable indicator to the buyer that he did a good job in selecting you. Each show that gets a standing ovation, the buyers are as thrilled as I am. It is an indicator of the satisfaction index of that audience at that time and a valuable tool in selling your show.
Ray Pierce
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tommy Eternal Order Devil's Island 16544 Posts |
I think those are fine answers, thank you.
If there is a single truth about Magic, it is that nothing on earth so efficiently evades it.
Tommy |
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