|
|
Eric Tyree New user 29 Posts |
Question: Can the person introducing you hurt the level of laghter from the audience. For instance my character is very comedic but I have been introduce like I was a silky smooth sly magic man and I feel that the jokes I usually use did not get the response they typically do.
Eric Tyree
Magician, Juggler and Comedian |
Sealegs Inner circle The UK, Portsmouth 2596 Posts |
Yes is the short answer.
Virtually everything surrounding your performance can have an effect on how the audience reacts to you. So certainly their preconceived perceptions of who you might be, what you might do, and how you might do it can be a factor o how they react to you. If they're expecting one thing and you deliver something different it can take them a period of time to make the mental adjustment. If you find this a recurring problem (and even if you don't) you might want to try to get as much control as you can over your introduction. Giving the MC a short, snappy, one sentence strap line to introduce you by. one that can be easily remembered by the MC, can be a big help both for the MC and for your act. Most MCs will welcome having something specific to say about the acts they are introducing as long as it's short and easy to remember. Other factors in this vein to also think about and over which you might be able to exert some control are; how you are billed, any preshow music, and your preshow lighting. Without wanting to overstate their effects these elements can have an effect on an audiences expectations of what's to come. On a slight but relevant tangent I once worked with a rather un show-business minded MC at a holiday hotel in Greece who, immediately before putting me on to do my comedy magic show, was determined to have a one minute silence to commemorate the 1st year anniversary of the death of Princess Diana . I told them no way.... but it's an extreme example that nicely illustrates how what precedes your performance can possibly have an affect on it.
Neal Austin
"The golden rule is that there are no golden rules." G.B. Shaw |
Eric Tyree New user 29 Posts |
Thank you. A very complete and helpful answer.
Eric Tyree
Magician, Juggler and Comedian |
jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
I agree with everything sealegs said however I would have liked to watch the one minute of silence and SEA what he did.
An intro sets the tone. I have it written in the contract that my CD had the intro on it and all they should say is. "And now for the entertainment". On the other hand, if the MC is a pro, it's part of your job IMO to act in character beforehand so their impression of you will guide them to choosing better words. The last time I let someone introduce me they got flustered and couldn't read three lines off a card I had them repeat back to me 5 minutes earlier, as a warm-up.
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
Sealegs Inner circle The UK, Portsmouth 2596 Posts |
I once mistakenly let a particular MC introduce me however he wanted... he told the audience I had my own TV series starting in a few weeks on one of the major networks.
While this blatant showbiz lie was quite funny for me to hear just before going on stage it came back to me later that night after the show. I was at a hotel in the Med and so was in the company of the guests until the following day and they were asking me all sorts of questions about my up coming show. I didn't want to make the hotel's resident MC look bad so had to play along with the lie with the details I was having to make up becoming more complicated to fit together as I was forced to elaborate on the shows format. So that's another good reason to direct your intro.
Neal Austin
"The golden rule is that there are no golden rules." G.B. Shaw |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Now that’s funny! » » How you are introduced... (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.01 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 < |