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shane_delon Regular user 114 Posts |
Dave,
You've displayed great creativity in not only being able to come up with some really great effects/methods/sleights/etc...but being able to use your effects, even some of the most basic ones, to be extremely funny and entertaining. With your experience, do you have any words of wisdom for: 1. Building a character 2. Creativity - both with effects and ideas to make them entertaining 3. Stage Presence/charisma/etc. 4. Resonance and other vocal qualities Have you stood in front of a mirror for hours making faces at yourself to come up with your hilarious facial expressions, or did these things just come naturally? Have you taken any theatre, vocal, or acting training? I know you can create a list of 8 or 10 things that people think is funny, (exagerations, etc.). Do you constantly look at your show and think of how you can change it to be funnier? Sometimes I'll throw something out that I don't think is hilarious and it will get a great response, and other times I'll think I've come up with something really funny and it will only get a so-so response. I know that this is a big ball of wax, but any advice that you could give on this subject would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Shane |
David Williamson V.I.P. 190 Posts |
These are great questions Shane. Lets see who's here next week to answer them.
Seriously, I'm not equipped to delve into psychology of performance and so on. As I've stated elsewhere, I'm basically a big sack of self-loathing insecurities and have no authority in these matters. I hate to watch myself on video because I know that if I put a little thought into what I do, I could really have something. I've been running from the reality of my lack of discipline for years, and it's catching up to me. I'm not a very self-reflecting person. So I can't give good advice in these matters. I can tell you this, (and if you ask me next week I will have a different opinion) Listen to your audience, they will be you best instructors. Over time you will pick up what you need to know. Just get in front of as many people as you can. Be willing to change everything based on audience reactions. For some reason I've been compelled to perform from an early age. I was painfully shy as a youngster, but I would hop up on any stage and do what I had to do. My parents were shocked the first few times they saw me do this, so unlike me. I told them very seriously as an 11 year old that I was going to be a professional magician. And they believed me. It is just something I've always done...not thought about too much. Oh boy, I getting depressed. |
David Williamson V.I.P. 190 Posts |
I've never taken an acting clss. But I know that I'm a horrible actor. I've been in a couple of productions and I suck!
I've had the same experiences as you-things I thought would kill got nothing while they might laugh a something totally unexpected. That's when you prick up your ears...listen to what they're telling you. Your self-image doesn't quite match the image they have of you. Time for an adjustment. For years I thought of myself as a super-slick sleight of hand man. The Lance Burton of the close up mat. It didn't work for me. That's who I wanted to be...I was really some big dork. When I let my inner-dork free...then things began to click. I learned that on Oprah as well....let your inner-dork free! I know Pete will take that the wrong way. |
shane_delon Regular user 114 Posts |
Thanks for the response! From listening to people like Chad Long and Stephen Bargatze, they've just let they're character develop based on exagerations of who they are. It sounds like you've sort of done the same. The more I perform the more I start to notice who I am and how I respond to things...which is good because it makes me more comfortable with my audience and I know, for example, that if I mess up an effect at a table I'm going to make a stupid comment about it and everyone will laugh - and I'll likely play on it the rest of the set if I'm able...
I'm really surprised that you don't feel you'd be a good actor, especially in a comedy...as that is sort of what you do.. sd |
saxmangeoff Veteran user Moscow, ID, USA 353 Posts |
Yeah, I think the key is that sort of impartial recognition of what the audience reacts to. I think we all tend to envision ourselves differently than the audiences do. It's hard to recognize, and respond to, the reality of our personna. There are two possible responses. Continue on trying to force our idea of ourselves on the audience, or give up our idea and go with what works with the audience.
In some ways, I suppose it's kind of like hearing your voice on a recording. Your reaction is, wait, that's not what I sound like. Ahh... But it's exactly what you sound like. You just don't usually hear it. Geoff
"You must practice your material until it becomes boring, then practice it until it becomes beautiful." -- Bill Palmer
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David Williamson V.I.P. 190 Posts |
I wanted to say it like that Geoff.
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The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The January 2005 entrée: David Williamson » » Character Building, Stage Presence, Creativity, etc. » » TOPIC IS LOCKED (0 Likes) |
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