The Magic Café
Username:
Password:
[ Lost Password ]
  [ Forgot Username ]
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Going for the 'Gold' » » Most engaging opening and Magical ending (0 Likes) Printer Friendly Version

SmithMagicMan
View Profile
Regular user
179 Posts

Profile of SmithMagicMan
I want to enter a magical competition at some point, and it requires me to do an 8-12 minute stage show.
I think that two of the best ways to pick up marks (or however) is to have an engaging opening and a magical ending - like a snowstorm or something

I've seen someone do juggling with glow in the dark batons, and a snowstorm to finish, so neither of these are what I desire, but these are the type of things that I mean by engaging opening and magical ending.

Thanks for your help guys, Magic Café is amazing(:

Posted: Oct 25, 2011 4:43pm
Oh, I can play musical instruments at Grade 7 standard (Piano and Trombone), and I actually have a purple plastic trombone, don't know if this would be any good...?

Cheers(:
Futureal
View Profile
Inner circle
1728 Posts

Profile of Futureal
You're not ready to enter a competition if you don't have at least some semblance of an idea of what to do.

Stick to your purple plastic trombone.
SmithMagicMan
View Profile
Regular user
179 Posts

Profile of SmithMagicMan
It's not for another year and a half.
I'm just trying to find an engaging opening and a magical ending to a show...

I have all the effects, ideas, tricks and presentations in the middle, I just require some ideas on openings and endings.
SmithMagicMan
View Profile
Regular user
179 Posts

Profile of SmithMagicMan
Can anyone help?
Cheers,
Stevini
View Profile
New user
29 Posts

Profile of Stevini
How about finding something very visual and stunning, like an unexpected production or vanish. David Stone has some great openers, like the balloon to champagne bottle. Find a stunning effect, then plan some patter, and preferably tie it into your routine. Eugene Burger has some great ideas on routining and has a book outcome making magic meaningful. Another great book is showmanship for magicians. Use your creativity and try it out on friends and family, this will help you tweak it.
Good luck
SmithMagicMan
View Profile
Regular user
179 Posts

Profile of SmithMagicMan
Thanks, I'm glad someone can help(:

That opening sounds good, I've got a vanishing wine bottle in my act, so it'd be good if I could produce that!

What about a magical ending? Anything that would really fry them?

Cheers.
Close.Up.Dave
View Profile
Inner circle
Behind you!
2955 Posts

Profile of Close.Up.Dave
Quote:
On 2011-10-25 17:54, Futureal wrote:
You're not ready to enter a competition if you don't have at least some semblance of an idea of what to do.

Stick to your purple plastic trombone.

This IS the helpful advice. You may not want to see it, but if you don't know what kind of magic you do then you are not ready to enter a competition. Also, doing other people's material does not get you into a competition. Focus on being a good performer with good material, and then think about entering a competition. If you have a year and a half, stick to doing 5 tricks that pack flat and play big. When the competition comes up, evaluate if you feel you are ready or not.
SmithMagicMan
View Profile
Regular user
179 Posts

Profile of SmithMagicMan
Thanks, although it is a little demoralizing, I guess its for the best.

I just want to find an effect that looks like real magic, if I can find this, I'm sure that my true colors will reveal themselves, if you see what I'm saying.

I just want to look and be a great magician.
Close.Up.Dave
View Profile
Inner circle
Behind you!
2955 Posts

Profile of Close.Up.Dave
Quote:
On 2011-11-28 15:46, SmithMagicMan wrote:
Thanks, although it is a little demoralizing, I guess it's for the best.

I just want to find an effect that looks like real magic, if I can find this, I'm sure that my true colors will reveal themselves, if you see what I'm saying.

I just want to look and be a great magician.

It shouldn't demoralize you as much as it should motivate you. In order to be good at magic you must work hard at it. Using a good piece of magic doesn't make you a good magician, it means you can repeat what someone else has done. Don't look outward for good magic, look within yourself. Of course one needs to explore and learn magic from others. But focus on performing 5 of your favorite tricks for as many different audiences as you can. Learn who you are as a performer, and you will learn what type of magic suits you best (original or not).
SmithMagicMan
View Profile
Regular user
179 Posts

Profile of SmithMagicMan
How do you mean learn who I am as a performer?
Close.Up.Dave
View Profile
Inner circle
Behind you!
2955 Posts

Profile of Close.Up.Dave
If you could define who David Copperfield (or any big name performer is) in one sentence, what would it be? Chances are, it would sum up the personality, material, and style of him (or any performer) very well.

Could you do the same for yourself? Magic is not about the tricks, its about who is on stage or coming up to your table in the restaurant. Sylvester the Jester knows who he is as a performer. David Blaine knows who he is as a performer. And yet, the material they do is completely different. That is the power of their own character.

Its not an easy task. I've been doing magic for 10 years and I still don't have it perfected. But the harder you work to understanding it, the better magician you will be. Check out a book called Scripting Magic. It covers very heavily the importance of character and what it exposes about the material you choose and the way you present it.

Posted: Nov 28, 2011 7:58pm
Here's a good article that may shed some light on what I'm trying to express:

http://www.arthurtrace.com/GeniiApril06Trace.pdf
SmithMagicMan
View Profile
Regular user
179 Posts

Profile of SmithMagicMan
Thanks for all the advice guys, but the competition isn't for about a year and a half.

I am still looking for a really really magical closing effect - that's what I'm searching for.

Thanks.
Close.Up.Dave
View Profile
Inner circle
Behind you!
2955 Posts

Profile of Close.Up.Dave
Don't look for it, make it up. It should suit the rest of your act anyway.
SmithMagicMan
View Profile
Regular user
179 Posts

Profile of SmithMagicMan
Was that a mean comment about how my act is all made up or something, or were you generally suggesting that I make my own magical moment..?
Close.Up.Dave
View Profile
Inner circle
Behind you!
2955 Posts

Profile of Close.Up.Dave
No, I mean there is no reason to look outward for material when you say you have part of the act down. The ending should suit the other parts of the act. Make your own magical moment
Bill Hegbli
View Profile
Eternal Order
Fort Wayne, Indiana
22797 Posts

Profile of Bill Hegbli
Do a one man Floating Ball routine for your finale, and not a Zombie ball either.
SmithMagicMan
View Profile
Regular user
179 Posts

Profile of SmithMagicMan
A zombie ball type effect?
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Going for the 'Gold' » » Most engaging opening and Magical ending (0 Likes)
[ Top of Page ]
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved.
This page was created in 0.02 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 <

ROTFL Billions and billions served! ROTFL