Richard: Thanks so much for the kind words. I do appreciate it.

You are so right about the idea of folks tending to only concentrate on the technical aspects of their magic and not the presentation aspects or the pyschological aspects that can really get the audience to enjoy the magic at a much higher level.

Yopu example I do remember vividly. Now that I think back, I think you are right in that David said what he said to condition the audience that it is ok to respond and that it cues them to respond through out the revelation sequence. It is just done so in a theaterical nature that is often subtle. The audience may not realize at all that they are being directed to appluade and that makes it even more powerful of a tool for any entertainer.

Richard. Do you use any other ways early in your show to condition your audience before the show really even starts? I am curious on your thoughts and methods you use. I have ways in which I use for my festival and theater shows but would love to hear your insight if at all possible.

I find your "spontaneous" line to be wonderful. It really lets the audience know that it is ok to applaude and directs them even to when to applaude. BUT, the beauty of it lies in the fact that you are using it in a theatrical manner. It is a part of the routine and a part of the patter. It does not sound foriegn to you or to your character and the audiences laughs and enjoys it as such non the wiser that you are controlling them.

I think we also must keep in mind that when busking, some people are just tired, beat, may have things on their minds at the moment they are watching you. You can not always take a non-repsonse as a bad thing or a negative attitude towards yourself. In some cases, it may just be because the person just wants to unwind for a minute.

I think the best thing we can do is to NOT break character or allow the non-response to effect the rest of the performance. If you can keep on going, smile and learn to try different methods to interact and direct the audience, then you might be able to start getting a response later in the show.

Kyle

Tom
Every show offers a NEW challange, and you must win EVERY battle. I wish I lived close enough to you to catch your act.
Go for it my friend
Al

Indeed it does offer new challeneges and that is how we can grow as an entertainer. Even through failure we can continue to succeed. After all, failure is and can be a stepping stone to success if you open yourself up to learn from it.

Kyle

Tom,

Of course I remember you. You sell the copper Bertram cups, don't you?

Yes, that was a fun night!

Richard

Kyle,

To answer your question, a very important part of the show is the introduction. If no one has seen you before and knows who you are, this is the ONLY way they will know you at first! A good intro is VITAL and you should spare no pain or money to get the best one you can. I will give you mine here, but PLEASE, do NOT copy this. This is MINE and I am giving it as a demonstration of what works.


For your enjoyment tonight, we have a gentleman who is rapidly becoming known as the “Number One Mentalist in America”!

He has demonstrated his amazing abilities to hundreds of audiences throughout the United States and his international fame has spread from Canada to England, Monte Carlo and China!

Ladies and Gentlemen, watch what you’re thinking and get ready for an incredible display of mental-wizardry.

Please join me in welcoming,


Richard Osterlind!


Now, if you examine the above you will see how much it tells in a very small amount of space. It is just the right length and has that perfect amount of clever humor that denotes the act is going to be fun and intriguing at the same time.

This intro costs us a lot of money! It was written by a top copy writer who knows his stuff. Remember in Tarbell how he talks about his own intro and how much he spent for that? I often thought that was foolish until I found myself in the same spot.

Again, this is MINE. I am posting it here as a learning too. Please use it to help you with your own.

Richard

Richard:

Thanks so much for your reply and the information you shared with me. Do not qorry at all about your intro. It is not mine to take and I will respect that and honor your wishes. Besides it is just not in my nature to take what it not mine. But, I can learn from your example, and that always is refreshing for me to be able to grow my magic.

I use a similar approach as my intro sets it up for people to know who I am, break that wall between me and them and sets them up for an interactive experience. I also do a few routines early in the show that really sets up the fact that it is ok for them to get involved, to clap, to laugh etc. However, I do it in such a way that I am not lecturing to them. It happens in the course of the routining.

Kyle