|
|
howiedidit New user 11 Posts |
I am putting together a manipulation act as an opener. I am shooting for a total of 4 to 5 minutes with cards and billiards. Does this seem to be about the right length?
|
mtpascoe Inner circle 1932 Posts |
Seems kind of long for an opener. Are you going to talk the rest of the way? Are you adding illusions? If not, then start with one; the balls or the cards, then end your show with the other.
|
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-12-12 20:51, howiedidit wrote: 1st of all, have you timed your routines? Any routine needs to be the same each time, you perform it. This is not something you make up as you go in front of a audience. After you have chosen your moves and effects and put them in an order you like, then time them after a week of performing them in the same order each time. This is because, the more you do an act, the shorter it will become, because you do not have to think what to do next. Then you insert the points you pause for the effect you have just performed, this gives a chance for the audience to absorb what they have just witnessed, and weigh if it is worth applauding at that point. All this depends what style of act you are performing. You have not given enough information for us to give correct advice. I use to open with 7 minutes of cards and dove productions. Then started my talk stand-up act. I already had a great climax routine, so there was no need for me to spit the manipulations up. |
mtpascoe Inner circle 1932 Posts |
Yeah, true it depends on the length of your act or show. Jeff McBride shortened my umbrella act to about a couple of minutes, but the entire act was about twenty minutes, so I guess he wanted me to get to the talking as soon as possible.
|
Suren Veteran user Armenia 314 Posts |
Seems a little bit long for me, though you already got some great advises. My act is 3.30 minutes and it is a very "slow" act. But it is not an opener. I think it gets better reactions when you preform manipulations only by themselves. But I don't have that much of experience so I can't tell you more.
|
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-12-14 09:23, Suren wrote: 3.30 minutes, that is a very short act. Here in America there is no place for such a short act. When a magician is hired for a private performance, most of the time it is for a complete show of 35 minutes to an hour. Competition contests at magic conventions are usually 8 minutes in length. If you are asked to perform on a stage show at a convention, 20 minutes is usually expected. |
TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
I think he means his routine wmhegbli, not his act.
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic
Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate, Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder. |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-12-14 18:51, Frank Starsini wrote: Sorry, but he said, "MY Act" in his post. Quote:
On 2011-12-14 09:23, Suren wrote: |
Nak New user 68 Posts |
Forgiving all semantics, 3:30 sounds like an appropriate length for an opening piece in a solo show. 4-5 minutes can work too...all depends on your style/venue. For a solo show, I wouldn't go much longer though in most cases.
If opening with manip, just remember that lay audiences don't always appreciate sleight of hand the same way magicians do...it's all about grabbing their attention, developing the vibe that fits you and making your audience enjoy themselves (though there are ways to make it work, in general a lay audience wouldn't want to see a single ball vanish in 5 different ways...they shouldn't be aware of the different sleights!) One thing I've seen people do with acts (magicians and jugglers are very often guilty) is reaching the ending then fading the music out. Ending with your music gives your act a much more professional feel and gives the audience a sense of completion (applaud...now!). It also means you have to know your act in and out...if something goes wrong, you have to fill time or cut material. From my experience, I also know that I got very into strange billiards moves at one point...I loved the routine, but it feel flat because it became too confusing to watch. So, learn from my mistakes and keep it simple for the audience...they will appreciate straight-forward, skilled sleight of hand. Best of luck! |
Suren Veteran user Armenia 314 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-12-14 09:23, Suren wrote: Well I mis-typed that, sorry I meant routine. And my maximum length was 3.30 it is for TV Show. |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Finger/stage manipulation » » Manipulation act length (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 < |