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Mayo Loyal user WorymWood 211 Posts |
Bizarre magic is being ripped at the seams from a massive overflow of new magicians, or magicians who have missed the mark. I am not saying all of the bizarrest’s are missing the mark, or are new. I am simply saying that there are more people now that see bizarre magic as just that, “bizarre” which means, ‘markedly unusual in appearance, style, or general character and often involving incongruous or unexpected elements; outrageously or whimsically strange; odd: bizarre clothing; bizarre behavior.’
The people that are in fluxing are seeing themselves as odd or unique in performance style, which truly makes them bizarre. Those that are Bizarre can be divided up. There are those that try to make magic real, and then there are those that try to be themselves. Then you have the people who try to scare, and of course you have the theatrical presentations. So, to quickly clear this up: Bizarre has four parts for this illustration. 1) Those that try to make it real 2) Those that are themselves 3) Those that scare 4) Those that perform theatrical stories To each his own, bizarre is a broad term and as magicians it must be respected. Yes, the market trend is heading towards more a freak-show market and a ghost market, this has been apparent for the past year or so, and just like with the bite out of the quarter, David Blaine did it quite well, and magicians desired to mimic his form. Same will Tommy Wonders cups and balls; his cups and balls are legendary magicians aim to hit either his level or Michael Ammar’s level, and often mimic the style because that style is appealing for our time. Bizarre is becoming appealing to new magicians because of the gross factor. The difficulty of the magic is small, and the gross factor makes them feel as though they presented a great piece of magic because they triggered an emotion to the audience. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Article 1 of many that I had commented on adding back in the summer. It is cool if you want to comment, even disagree if you will. I ask that you do not flame me for my views, becuase I don't have time to argue I would rather be working on expanding the magic community. ~Mayo
"I love the night. It's the only time I feel really alive."
---Helen Chandler in the film "Dracula" (1931) "There he goes. One of God's own prototypes. Some kind of high powered mutant never even considered for mass production. Too weird to l |
SeaDawg Special user The Lunatic Fringe 718 Posts |
Mayo, some interesting points....
There are some to whom bizarre is nothing more than a collection of "sideshow" carnival "freak" type displays. There are others who love to tell great tales, a la Hauntiques, Magictales, Pentalogy etc... There are those who seem to think a bizarre dress and character will suffice as they say "Pick a card...." There are some who combine elements of all of these. But the overall emotional impact of your show very much depends on the congruity of the whole package. Beyond the bizarre books, I do love Ortiz's Strong magic and can hardly wait for Designing Miracles. Knowing what you are and how you market yourself is very important. I wrapped up a nice show today and the event organizer booked me for 2 more shows on the spot. There were many very young kids so I only did a taste of my bizarre... but one of the shows booked is my full bizarre show. It includes, Dark museum, Traps a Mental, The Devils Pasteboards etc. It all works well with my Pirate character.... food for thought...
Crazy people take the psycho-path thru the forest...
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Mayo Loyal user WorymWood 211 Posts |
Oh I highly agree character effects are great, you must know the ins and outs of your character. I am sure my character is still on this form somewhere.
I had a vampire show of all things, and it was going quite well. I just have run into a few minor nicks in the idea that I am still smoothing out. I had one effect in my table show where I present the silly notion that vampires can't see themselves in a mirror, I then pull a black velvet sheet from a full length mirror, and explain that we indeed can see ourselves, but we see what we really are. I then would step in front of the mirror and I would be grotesque and hideous. The image in the mirror matched my movement to a T'. Then as I explained, "However that grotesque image tries to consume us." As I say this the creature crawls out of the mirror. Then there is of course chaos panic and disorder that ends with me throwing the black sheet over the creature and it melting into oblivion. I apologize if that was a bit of a erm.. mess to read, if you would like I can send you the manuscript. It was actually quite a thrilling effect, it triggered. Shock, Fear, Grotesque, sympathy or sorrow, and at the same time joy when it was vanquished. Anyhow I really enjoyed reading your post, it made me think outside of my tunnel vision when I wrote this article, and I thank you for snapping me out of it. My article is more of a rough guide, because like you said, you can take all of those elements and create a phenomenal performance. ~Mayo
"I love the night. It's the only time I feel really alive."
---Helen Chandler in the film "Dracula" (1931) "There he goes. One of God's own prototypes. Some kind of high powered mutant never even considered for mass production. Too weird to l |
The Curator V.I.P. Beware Vampire, I have 3909 Posts |
You'd love the Vampire (Dpt of Cryptozoolgy) section in the Surnateum...
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Mystician Inner circle Wallachia 3485 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-12-16 14:54, Mayo wrote: I remember that discussion, Mayo. So, you found a way to do that effectively ?
Just hanging out with the rest of my fellow dregs.
http:// www . phrets . com Visit http://www.bizarremagic.net |
Mayo Loyal user WorymWood 211 Posts |
Indeed, but I will not delve into details here. That is going to be my ticket in about a year and a half.
Marketing myself right now is proving to be a hastle. I really need to get myself in gear and push ahead with it all. ~Mayo
"I love the night. It's the only time I feel really alive."
---Helen Chandler in the film "Dracula" (1931) "There he goes. One of God's own prototypes. Some kind of high powered mutant never even considered for mass production. Too weird to l |
chmara Inner circle Tucson, AZ 1911 Posts |
I must agree with the idea that many new bizarrists prefer the gross and commercial styles for immediate reaction -- as do most starting magicians. The intricicies of bizarre (to me) go well beyond a single trick -- and require not only routining, props and attitide -- but must include a longer lasting audience reaction beyond the surprise level of immediate (and oft forgotten) flash bang.
That bizarre attitude can be found in many mental effects that go beyond the puzzle of personality -- in those effects that lead the audience to investigate their fears and thoughts well beyond their visceral reaction to viscera hanging out of a cadaver. Some of the best bizarre work leaves the participant wondering how he/she got themselves into that position. (A simple, direct trick this way is Blackhart's Dracula letter with Tarot Cards). How many bizarrists have asked themselves what their audience feels is bizarre, arcane and occult -- as opposed to what their magical brethern promote? What is the overarching "magickal" thought that haunts the statistically greatest number of viewers -- and then tricks like Brother Shadow's "Pick a Sin" and (I am sorry the author's name does not come to mind) "Phobia." At root, in primitive magic, self mutilation relates well to audiences who work close to those implements of pain in their daily lives (hammers, scissors, knives, bruns from walking on fire) because the Jadu or sorcerer shows that they have overcome the pain that the audience fears or individuals have felt as "accident." The viewers wonder how they might acquire that wonderful pain deadening ability (most often shown by using the "power of trance.") The true bizarrist goes to the heart of desire, fear and most importantly all human emotion to evoke a sympathetic resonance -- and possible resolution of dissonance in those emotions with each effect, plot line and presentation. Or at least that is a goal I keep in mind. I wonder how many magicians truly search for the depth of audience connection. I often think back to seeing Andruzzi use the simple (fireworks) growing snakes to demonstrate a myth of Cthulu. It is an intimate picnic setting and a story is told offhand that draws the people participating into interest in what is restricted in the box -- and when the box opens, smoke and snakes make them draw back -- worried about their curiosity level after all........
Gregg (C. H. Mara) Chmara
Commercial Operations, LLC Tucson, AZ C. H. Mara Illusion & Psychic Entertainments |
majik Regular user Albany,Ga. 117 Posts |
Well said Chmara. I too lean towards the things which causes people to examine their beliefs and existence as they know it.I try to reach into the core of their very souls. Simply put this is the magik that existed before the creation of time.
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Bill Ligon Inner circle A sure sign of a misspent youth: 6437 Posts |
Yes! I try to make people think about things they normally do not really consider deeply in ordinary life: Who are we? Where are we going? Where do we come from? What is the meaning of all this in which we find ourselves? What is the meaning of my life? What happens when we die? Will I live again? Do we really die?
Author of THE HOLY ART: Bizarre Magick From Naljorpa's Cave. NOW IN HARDCOVER! VIEW: <BR>www.lulu.com/content/1399405 ORDER: http://stores.lulu.com/naljorpa
<BR>A TASSEL ON THE LUNATIC FRINGE |
majik Regular user Albany,Ga. 117 Posts |
Quote: But I don't have to be nice about it. I can leave them with nightmarers.
On 2006-12-18 18:47, Bill Ligon wrote: |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The spooky, the mysterious...the bizarre! » » Article1 - Bizarrest misunderstanding (0 Likes) |
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