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George Ledo Magic Café Columnist SF Bay Area 3042 Posts |
About a million years ago, I became interested enough in magic to the point where I wanted to perform for the general public. I was in my early teens then, but even so, I wanted to perform for adults, not for kids. So I started the usual round of party and event gigs.
At the time, I was doing magic "by the book." I would read the book or the instructions, practice what to do, what to say, how to say it, and so on and on, and then do it. As time went on, I tried different tricks, different "acts," different sequences, to find the strongest reaction from the audience. I was performing a fair amount, but nobody was jumping up and down and throwing flowers and money at me. I couldn't figure out why. One day, after a gig, a very nice older lady came up to me and said, in a very nice way, and privately, something to the effect that I was a good-looking kid and looked good up there, and the tricks themselves were fine, but that I had no personality. Now, you gotta understand I'm an Aries. So I thanked her, but when I got home and started thinking about it, those horns wanted to whack her right in the you-know-what. Man, was I ticked off! Who the hell did she think she was? I was doing the tricks by the book, step by step, word by word, joke by joke (if there were any), and so on. I had practiced them: even she said they were well done. Those tricks should have killed. And here she was telling me I had no personality!!!! Geeeeezzzzz!!!!! I kept performing, but the results were pretty much the same: a lukewarm response. Then, one dark day in history, it hit me: those people had not read the same books I had, or the same instructions, and didn't know those tricks were supposed to kill. Man, talk about finding out there's no Santa Claus! That's when I started buying books on showmanship for magicians (there were several out at the time, mostly written by night-club performers) and studying them, and realized they all basically said exactly the same thing. That's when responses started to change. I didn't add comedy, or smoke, or dancers in tights, or projections, or anything else. It was just the way I presented myself and the material. I never did get people to throw flowers and money at me (DRAT!), but that last act I put together (the cards and doves routine) did get very strong responses from the general public as well as at magic gatherings. The tricks themselves were good (I practiced that split fan routine, wearing gloves, until I could do it in my sleep), and the sequence was strong, but it was my "personality" that led to my "presentation" that got the responses. So, yeah, that nice lady was correct even though I had cussed her out something fierce.
That's our departed buddy Burt, aka The Great Burtini, doing his famous Cups and Mice routine
www.georgefledo.net Latest column: "Sorry about the photos in my posts here" |
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Brad Burt Inner circle 2675 Posts |
You got it brother. I freely admit that I hate criticism. Well, I do and I don't. My reaction is virtually always....negative. Then in about 5 minutes after I calm down I ALWAYS considered what I was told. In some cases I decided that "they" were wrong and did nothing. But, in a fairly large number of cases I decided upon careful consideration that they were correct and I ALWAYS made changes consistent with what I learned. It was painful. But, in the end it turned out for the best.
Here's the thing: All serious performers need critical analysis. All serious performers will look for it. But, that doesn't mean it's pleasant. It just means that it's necessary. Best,
Brad Burt
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0pus Inner circle New Jersey 1739 Posts |
Quote:
On May 11, 2016, George Ledo wrote: Never underestimate the value of dancers in tights. |
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Terrible Wizard Inner circle 1973 Posts |
Ouch - that must have been a blow to a teenage ego! But it seems that you responded well and turned her comment into a way to improve your performance and to continue to enjoy the magic. Good for you
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Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
YUP!!! THAT is almost, MY story, too!
Only with me, it was an agent, He had booked me for a "showing date" in Norfolk, VA. I was about 20, and had been trying to be "swayve & deboner! (I wasn't!) My audiences, back home, had always enjoyed my "act", but, like you, no flowers, etc. Doves hadn't 'hit' yet, (1951) but, I did split fans with gloves, the Misers Dream with Downs Palm with both hands, John Booth's multiplying balls routine (in "Marvels of Mystery") ETC ETC. The Kiwanis club members were polite and applauded for the "nice kid with his clever stuff" The agent said, "Nice! --BUT, can't you make 'em laugh?" I said, "I guess so." He came back with, "Make 'em laugh, and, I'll get you lots of work!" I wanted to work! I listened, I did, and, he did. I had 3 years and 9 months to go in the Navy. I did enough gigs on my off duty time, that, I never cashed any more paychecks! They went home to the bank! Remember that "saying": "The show must go on!"??? It was first said by an agent! (No show...no commission!!!)
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Quote:
On May 11, 2016, Terrible Wizard wrote: Perhaps there IS hope for you! That's the best comment that you've made in any of these threads! You MAY qualify eventually, to change your name from "Terrible" to an adjective a bit more complimentary.
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Terrible Wizard Inner circle 1973 Posts |
Ha, ha! Oh, no, I'm very terrible. No hope for me.
Thanks for the compliment, though I reject the idea that this is the best comment I've made on any recent thread. My experiences are quite different from George's, as is the way I would deal with such a comment, and I'm hardly a teenager (more's the pity). But it's nice to recieve compliments regardless. |
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George Ledo Magic Café Columnist SF Bay Area 3042 Posts |
Hey, Dick,
Just for you, and not to derail the thread, here's me at 19 trying to be "swayve and deboner." BTW, Terrible Wizard, it wasn't just a blow to my ego. I was furious. That night, at home, in my room, I probably sounded like a Marine D.I. on steroids.
That's our departed buddy Burt, aka The Great Burtini, doing his famous Cups and Mice routine
www.georgefledo.net Latest column: "Sorry about the photos in my posts here" |
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Terrible Wizard Inner circle 1973 Posts |
Well you were only a kid - it's to be expected. But your ability to reverse the anger and turn it into a positive is a rare talent, especially at a young age. Kudos.
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George Ledo Magic Café Columnist SF Bay Area 3042 Posts |
Thank you.
That's our departed buddy Burt, aka The Great Burtini, doing his famous Cups and Mice routine
www.georgefledo.net Latest column: "Sorry about the photos in my posts here" |
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Ray Pierce Inner circle Los Angeles, CA 2607 Posts |
George, it is a great story and I believe most of us started that way. At least you got good feedback early. I think it took me a lot longer to realize I had no personality!
Ray Pierce
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funsway Inner circle old things in new ways - new things in old ways 9982 Posts |
A story for contrast and refection ...
When I was in mid-fifties and about 45 years past a decision to not make entertainment my career, I was back in my home town at a dinner p Several of those there were mothers of kids I had gone to school with but I had never met. One mentioned, "Ken used to do magic tricks on stage as a kid." Another quipped, "Was he any good?" (laughter) The first mom continued, "I don't remember anything he did, but asked my son later how a 14 year old boy could hold 200 adults in the palm of his hand like that." .... I believe I recall the event she must have attended. I lost about 10 lbs that night from the energy flow and intensity. ( was more skinny then too) Maybe if I had receive more critical evaluation about what I was doing back then my life path would have been different. I got too much "good job" even when I knew I could be technically better. I got little advice about how to deal with being a professional performer, the demands, the highs and the life style. Arnold Furst had told me, "you have the skills, I am not sure you can deal with the fear factor." He was correct. I am not cut out for the life of a performing professional -- magic or other approach. So, part of me does play with magic as a hobby. Then, there are other parts. Better to have any hobby than none -- and glad magic chose me.
"the more one pretends at magic, the more awe and wonder will be found in real life." Arnold Furst
eBooks at https://www.lybrary.com/ken-muller-m-579928.html questions at ken@eversway.com |
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George Ledo Magic Café Columnist SF Bay Area 3042 Posts |
Good story, Ken. Thanks.
I got a lot of "good job" back then too. I guess they figured it was what I wanted to hear...
That's our departed buddy Burt, aka The Great Burtini, doing his famous Cups and Mice routine
www.georgefledo.net Latest column: "Sorry about the photos in my posts here" |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
I think most if not all professionals have that epiphany at some point George.
I was FORTUNATE and I know it. I had mentors. Not to make it a long boring story but I worked with Jay Marshal at Magic Inc for 10 years. A good friend, a brilliant entertainer. Also if asked an outspoken critic! If you think I am not able to sugar coat things you should have met Jay, or Heba Haba Al, or Charlie Schuilen, or Jim Ryan and a host of others. If they took the time to help, you listened it was that simple. So I am about 20 and get a job between sets of a friend of mines band, a gig I NEVER should have taken if I had a dimes worth of sense. Oh it was as horrible as you think, and the material should have covered it. I got back and said to Jay, "They were loud, not paying attention, if they were paying attention they were shouting things, it was a nightmare... What would YOU have done?" Not missing a beat Jay simple said "about 10 minutes". I was confused, but eventually realized the wisdom contained within the sentence. But as performers we grow. We start out as infants, grow into toddlers and amble along and into teenagers and so forth. Learning more about performance as we learn more about life. Few if any start the career where it ends up. This growth is absolutely necessary and fundamental. It is what you never really see from the point of view of being involved only as a hobby. I don't care how many people you know or talk to it must be experienced over and over and over. It is simply different. NOT BAD, simply different. I started magic at 19 with a performance background. I NEVER once did magic as a hobby and to this day I do not own anything that I do not or have not used in my act at one time or another. Sounds like I hate magic, but quite the opposite. I just do not like magic done poorly. Far too much magic (A good bit done by "professionals".) is done quite poorly. It does not have to be that way. This is what drives my passion. This is why I have no time to worry about ones "feelings". It is about what I perceive as the truth. I remember the very first hypnosis show I every did a bazillion years ago. OH WAS IT HORRIBLE. I have no idea what ever caused me to do a second! But that was slightly better, and then the third was better, and so forth. Thousands of shows later I am actually getting ok at it. It is a process. I have no idea what sort of brain damage you need to have to become a performer. It would be fun to find out one day. It is funny you can see this in any performer in any genre. I was talking with Mickey Gilley and we were telling road stories. We do that every so often, and it is odd how it is almost the same thing. The progression from bars and honkeytonks and up. It is interesting how the stories are almost the same! The dedication, the slow beginnings, the false starts, and on and on. It is a sort of shared experience and kinship that runs through almost all performers. Sorry to babble George but I guess "yep" might have worked better LOL!
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
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George Ledo Magic Café Columnist SF Bay Area 3042 Posts |
Actually, Danny, I think it's great to put stories on here. Kinda puts it all into perspective. "Yep" just doesn't cover it.
That's our departed buddy Burt, aka The Great Burtini, doing his famous Cups and Mice routine
www.georgefledo.net Latest column: "Sorry about the photos in my posts here" |
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Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Great post, Danny!
Yes, those 12-15 years that I had a key to the back door at Magic Inc. were wonderful years. They provided marvelous opportunities to cut up jackpots with not only Jasper, but also all the other guys who would drop in for an evening, or afternoon. --People like John Shirley, De Yip Loo, Ben Martin, Jim Ryan, Jack Pyle, Walter Gibson,Dorny, Karrell Fox, Duke Stern, George Johnstone Johnny Thompson (heqq, I KNOW that I'm going to forget someone, but, I'm sure that you can fill in another dozen. Then when the Collectors Weekends "happened", Don Lawton, Al Flosso, Ali Bongo, (again, "et al")would be there. It seemed that every time I was there, we had a mini convention. Jay gave me a "carte blancHe" to use his library! (Bob Lund, in Michigan had done that, too. In both cases, I thought that I had died and gone to heaven! By the time that I met, and got to know Jay, I was already established as a working pro., but, Jay helped me get "more established". I could never repay him, or Frances for THAT! It was somewhat like being "with it" when, as a teen, I worked in a ten in one.
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Ray Pierce Inner circle Los Angeles, CA 2607 Posts |
What amazing stories! Danny, Dick... You guys make me a little jealous for the Chicago scene at Magic inc with those greats! My grandfather LOVED magic, He always took my mom to see Blackstone Sr. when he came through town. He got me a magic set for Christmas when I was 8 years and I worked really hard developing every routine so he went down to the local Magic Shop in Ft. Worth, Tx and got me a Magic Block and Nickles to Dimes. That was my start! I was a total hobbyist but worked hard at it collecting more props and doing local shows around town. Around 12 I started doing more professional theater eventually joining Actor's Equity when I was 14. I was so lucky to be around such great talent and it taught me about performance and how to be a pro. Many summer stock shows later I was working as an actor as well as a singer/dancer even dancing several seasons with the Dallas Met Ballet. I was still doing Magic for fun but my main occupation was on stage for traditional shows as well as working backstage learning lighting, sound, scenic design, costuming, etc.
After doing some theme parks around the country and even performing magic professionally at some of them, I moved to Hollywood for acting and quickly found it to be a saturated market of some greats and a mass of mediocrity. I was about 20 at the time and every day I would venture into Hollywood Magic to see what new toys they had. I always had some ideas on how to pitch it better and at one point the Manager just said, "You want to work here?" I said Yes, and that was it! It was the greatest training ground in the world for me as the greats in magic and show business would come in on a daily basis. I got to meet everyone and spent every day trying to make each effect better. Joined the Magic Castle as soon as I turned 21 (BTW Dick, Don Lawton was my sponsor!) and worked every day in the shop then studied each night at the Castle. Eventually I directed the magic for a show at the Playboy club, then after seeing me on stage, the producer eventually had me join a show in Tahoe, then to Reno. Years later I had done tours through Canada with my own show, was the first American to tour inside Mainland China playing 5,000 to 10,000 seat arenas, played 15,000 seats in Moscow, Main Room in Atlantic city, Corporate shows around the country, etc. I still do a few It's Magic shows from time to time but mainly produce and direct the magic for other shows. I was the magic director for Caesars Magical Empire, Walt Disney Imagineering, Walt Disney Creative Entertainment and a mess of other TV shows and commercials. Even though I still teach and direct a lot of magic I'm also just a hobbyist at heart. I love magic and the feelings it can elicit in an audience and I'm passionate about trying to get the most out of each and every effect!
Ray Pierce
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Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Quote:
On May 11, 2016, Dick Oslund wrote: I 'take back" what I said. I now see that there is no hope. I had had my doubts, but, I now believe that there IS such a thing as INVINCIBLE IGNORANCE.
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Quote:
On May 12, 2016, Dick Oslund wrote: Careful Dick. Pretty soon he will ask you to stop addressing him directly.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
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Terrible Wizard Inner circle 1973 Posts |
Sorry that I've led you to believe such a thing. What post of mine above led you to that conclusion, Dick?
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