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Covernton Regular user Vancouver 124 Posts |
Hello again all.
I'm in the process of trying to get hired as a walk-around performer for a local haunted attraction (which I believe will be in it's first year of existence here in Van). I'm not neccessarily selling myself as a magician, but I did mention that I had done walk around magic on previous jobs. If I'm hired as a character, which is what I'm hoping, I'd like to carry around a few effects on myself at any given time. I doubt I'll have a table to use and since any character work will likely be of the line-entertainment variety, I doubt I'll have time for anything complicated. Any ideas on what I could perform? The character I'm considering for the job would be a somewhat lovecraftian necromancer, gone mad at the sight of some nameless evil. I'm just brainstorming at the moment so any ideas you could throw my way would help the process. tx! -Covernton |
Scott Xavier Inner circle 3672 Posts |
Needle through arm, fires good try flash paper, card tricks?
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Kenn Capman Regular user Southwestern Michigan 196 Posts |
If you are in the employ of a haunted attraction make sure that their insurance covers pyro effects before you do any fire effects. For most haunted attractions . . . fire BAD!
I have been deeply involved with haunts for several years and can offer a few tips: 1. Your character's scare potential is more important than your desire to integrate magic into the scene. Make sure your magic fits with the theme and with what the Director wants. 2. Explore running an illusion that is part of a larger scene in the haunt. In the past we've done several Pepper's Ghost effects, a few 'severed head' illusions, and a variety of what used to be sideshow illusions. 3. Remember that people are there to be shocked and have some spooky fun. This is not the place to show off your Twisting The Aces or Coins Across routines. (unless you've got some absolutely killer innovative presentations) Just my two cents. http://www.phobiahouse.com
"The thermometer of success is merely the jealousy of the malcontents."
- Salvador Dali - |
ptbeast Special user Oregon 831 Posts |
This is the one place where you can (and should) go "over the top." People come to haunted houses expecting to be scared. Any effects that you do must be scary, disturbing, or at the very least fit the theme of the haunt.
You can do something for shock value, like Jim Pace's the Web, or you can do something more disturbing like Rick Maue's Predetermined. You can even be comedic, if you play it well. We had a zombie type character that would have his eyeball fall out on the floor, drop down on all fours to search for it, find it only to squish it and eat it. It played well, but he had the acting ability to pull it off. Just a few ideas. We are doing some magic as line entertainment outside Theatre Macabre, but since the paid show is a bizarre magic performance, we have to be careful not to give away too much for free. Have a great season and let us know what you decide to do. Dave |
Covernton Regular user Vancouver 124 Posts |
Thanks all for your suggestions.
My intent with the magic is as a follow-up to the scare. And in terms of the performance... I really want it to be seamless... the character should make his appearance and do "somethimng" unexplainable, but not totally irrational. As in "Boo! Heh! You think that's scary! Here! Watch me shuffle this half of the deck face down into that half of the deck..." Something like a quick gross out would be more effective... pulling my intestines out or needle through arm (which, unfortunately tends to make my skin blotchy and red and I doubt I could do more than a couple times in one night). Two pieces I was thinking about last night was a quick chain escape. hands are bound and locked, then the bindings drops off after invoking a spirit from the pit of chains. Without warning the posessed chain makes a lunge at my throat then dreops back into my hand, being banished. That'd be a fairly quick and fun effect, easily reset and highly visual. Another couple considerations are a spirit message effect or a ring-to-finger using a severed, decayed finger and a graverobbing story. tx! -Covernton |
petethecreeper New user N. California 73 Posts |
An interesting take on this could be a Renfield, sort of character. I do something very similar (magic with line actor mixture) at a haunt in Los Gatos, California...only I run with a witch hunter who exposes "cursed items" to the common folk.
-p |
cogliostro New user Tampa 99 Posts |
My haunt's theme is that of a werewolf-hunting, ghost-busting, vampire-staking organization, and if they (the paying guests) survive their intial training (the haunted house) I'll be one of the instructors that they'll work with. Then I proceed to demonstrate some of the skills they'll need to develop or tools they'll work with. Working a line is a great way to develop a character or a routine, because in five minute you have a completely new audience!
In an unrelated but iritating note, as a charity I'm completely dependent upon the good graces of amazingly fickle businesses - "Oh, did we say yes in February? We'll we know its July, but we changed our minds. You can't operate there. Sorry." - So for the first time since 1991, I will not be running a haunted house. Good luck with your character, Rob |
petethecreeper New user N. California 73 Posts |
Man...I know how that must feel. Have you considered contacting Leonard Pickel from Haunted Attraction magazine? He may have some connections for locations...? Just a thought.
Good luck to ye! -P |
Tspall Regular user Lumberton, NC 147 Posts |
Depending on the character and theme of the house, you could get some great work with a haunted key. This works well with children and toung adults. A few card effects using Tarot cards could also add the right atmosphere. Perhaps an old coin that does odd things. A trip to a coin store could help out here. Dress up some quick effects, and weave in the story that the house is using.
There's a man who works the line at Castle Blood in PA (Scrye) that does a great job at working the line with simple effects, but he also preps you by weaving the house story into it. (http://www.castleblood.com) If you're working a line, then you have to keep the effects quick and simple, like in table hopping. You can't hold up the line for the effect. |
handa Inner circle Pittsburgh, PA 1357 Posts |
Thank you for the kind words. Sorry it has taken me so long to notice the post, but I'm a newbie to TMC, and actually found the post while doing a search for something else.
Castle Blood has a proud tradition of affiliation with magic and other allied arts going back to the origin of the characters who eventually became the backstory for the haunted attraction. I'm pleased to be "resident magician" and the most recent addition to a list that includes the consulting talents of Harry Allen, Ron Fitzgerald, John Bundy, and Rick Maue. FYI, I will be doing a presentation for haunters on this very subject in June (2005) at an event in Tell City, Indiana. As it stands, the presentation is going to cover my eight years of experience in designing and performing magic for a haunted attraction, including some things that I learned by doing incorrectly and narrowly avoiding disaster! Chris Handa a.k.a. Scrye |
Slim Price Inner circle 1935 - 2006 1326 Posts |
You can make an excellent "Siberian Chain" from a dog's choke collar.It can be made as heavy as you like, customized to fit just right, and the plating makes the chain run very smooth. (Howie Diddit) Probably the best character for Victorian dark evil I know is Scott Mclelland who operates, performs, and owns Carnival Diablo. His character is Victorian, with a black long coat, which would give loads of cover and pockets. See his website Carnival Diablo.com If you contact him, mention me.
Slim Pice
sanscan@tds.net
"I will never bitter be, as long as I can laugh at me!" "The people who were dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music" |
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