|
|
Go to page 1~2 [Next] | ||||||||||
mysticalmike Special user Saratoga Springs, NY 509 Posts |
Today I was at family fun day. I saw a magician. I thought "cool, he has all this good stuff out. I do not want to say he was terrible or that I could do much better so I'm not going to criticize. Maybe it is me but he started out with a balloon twisting which was good but I am not sure that's how I would want to see a show start out. Next he did a circus cage live stock trick which I like'd. Then he did anther balloon tying. He just couldn't keep an audience interested. It's just the way he presented himself. I think it is a big thing for a magician to keep a crowd. I was watching Cellini and one of the things he stressed was how to keep a crowd interested.
Mike |
|||||||||
Isaiah Veteran user 376 Posts |
Yeah I think that you need to remember everyone is at different levels and magicians acts are continously changing and tweeking the act to make it perfect. I do that all the time. I realize that something doesn't work and the only time I notice it is at a show....duh....thats your test run. So when judging remember we have all been there before.
|
|||||||||
Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
Ya know...I'm no Criss Angel or David Blaine...and yet I have teens who tell me I'm better than either of these two...because I entertain them one on one and take the time to talk to them as equals. My magic and humor appeals to them. On the other hand, I have magical peers who think that my style is hokey and less than professional because I focus more on the humor than the flicking fingers. To each their own...I like who I am and what I do and I respect, if not admire, all those who exceed my skills and desires. I'm no better than anyone else...just different and content. Try it.
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
|||||||||
chris mcbrien Inner circle Chicago 1235 Posts |
This thread really hit on something that may even make some scared to post about.
It's dangerous to compare yourself to other performers. I really stay away from that, it's really negative and doesn't produce positive results. In fact, it's almost a poison. Compare yourself to yourself. Are you achieving what you know you really can be? How was your last performance compared to that fantasy performer you want to be in your head? Don't fool yourself, look at it and accept all of it as reality, because the audience sees the harshest of realities in your performance. Skip is on the dollar here, you've got to be happy with yourself first. Best, Chris |
|||||||||
boppies2 Elite user Arizona 422 Posts |
Right on Skip.
I am what I am! Max |
|||||||||
Neil_Brown Regular user England 150 Posts |
Quote:
My magic and humor appeals to them. On the other hand, I have magical peers who think that my style is hokey and less than professional because I focus more on the humor than the flicking fingers. The difference between "real world" magic and "magicians' magic", I guess. I've often found that, at conventions, the discussion is often about the "newest thing", rather than what works best in practice. Similarly, a lot of club nights seem to focus on tricks and more tricks, rather than how to turn a trick into an entertaining routine- of course, this is not always the case, and there are some excellent lecturers out there on the circuit. I received an email asking for acts at a circus convention, recently, and I was tempted to offer to help. However, I didn't, purely for the reason that, whilst people on the street seem to enjoy what I do, it's not technically that difficult, and I've no qualms about "cheating" if it heightens the effect, which displeases a lot of jugglers... If it had been a public show, to which jugglers were invited, then, fine- however, I do not pretend to be a jugglers' juggler, and wouldn't expect to do well in front of that sort of audience. Roving off topic a bit here, I guess... sorry! |
|||||||||
mysticalmike Special user Saratoga Springs, NY 509 Posts |
Please understand I will say this over and over again.I am not trying to tear this guy down. I take this as a learning leason. I don't go see magician show to tear anyone down. I go to see them to learn from them. me this is the best way for me to learn. I was just telling you about the show. can I use this for a learning leason yes. did I say he was bad no. I understand that people have different styles. his presentation was good. he just couldn;t keep the audience.
|
|||||||||
Neil_Brown Regular user England 150 Posts |
Quote:
Please understand I will say this over and over again.I am not trying to tear this guy down. I take this as a learning leason. I don't go see magician show to tear anyone down. I go to see them to learn from them. me this is the best way for me to learn. I was just telling you about the show. can I use this for a learning leason yes. did I say he was bad no. I understand that people have different styles. his presentation was good. he just couldn;t keep the audience. I don't think anyone's trying to make it sound as if you were "tearing down" the magician- everyone has to start someone, and I know that I still have days when I can't seem to hold a crowd, even though the material has worked elsewhere / before. I'm like you - I watch / listen to a lot of comedy; not so I can criticise the comedian, or steal his lines, but so that I can learn for myself from his way of doing things, and from the reactions he gets. Not every joke has to crack everyone up- you just have to make sure that the audience leaves feeling entertained- same with magic, I guess. |
|||||||||
rossmacrae Inner circle Arlington, Virginia 2475 Posts |
(In no particular order)
1 - True or not, you would never be able to communicate even the mildest of suggestions to him - not because he is stupid, but because (from the positions each of you is in) no performer would be very likely to be receptive to even the best suggestions. ("I was in the audience tonight, Mister Houdini, and wouldn't that vanish have gone over better if...") 2 - Skip said "I have magical peers who think that my style is hokey and less than professional because I focus more on the humor than the flicking fingers." ... To heck with 'em - how many performers have you seen who can do a perfect [fill in the blank with a difficult sleight] but can't entertain worth a darn? Keep doing what you're doing. 3 - "I go to see them to learn from them." So learn this: he sold his show to the sponsor somehow - learn how to market yourself and let it be YOUR show next time. 4 - I think a lot of my act, but seriously pity the people who paid me for my first shows. |
|||||||||
mysticalmike Special user Saratoga Springs, NY 509 Posts |
The thing is its not his first performence.
|
|||||||||
Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
Tsk, Tsk, Grasshoppah...distant is the path to enlightenment for one so enshrouded within the shade of judgement. Only when one is comfortable within his own shadow can one begin to appreciate the unique brilliance of others. You have much to learn.
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
|||||||||
mjeayres New user UK 94 Posts |
How many magicians does it take to change a light bulb?
|
|||||||||
Neil_Brown Regular user England 150 Posts |
Quote:
How many magicians does it take to change a light bulb? It depends on what they are changing it into... (With apologies for the grammar) |
|||||||||
rossmacrae Inner circle Arlington, Virginia 2475 Posts |
You can't abandon judgement, it's just a question of what to do with it and how to integrate it into your own career.
I saw a clip today of legendary comic performer George Carl (famous from Vegas and the Crazy Horse among others) - an absolute legend, and I'd never seen his act but only heard about it - Johnny Carson called his act "the funniest twenty minutes in show business". My first impression (and second and third) was that there was about a minute of business with his hat that provoked laughs, but really didn't integrate well with the overall flow of the act. Now, the man is deservedly a legend - should I not have had that judgement? And what could I do with the thought, once I had it? Of course (besides that he's dead) I would never say such a thing to him had I the chance - for one thing, it's just my notion. But if it were MY act what would I do? I used to do some similar comedy bits, I drooled over the forbidden fantasy of stealing the whole act, but if I were doing it and had the chance to "see myself as others see me," I would certainly have cut that hat business (or traded it for about 15 seconds of hat business I used to do). BTW, you should really see him (well, 4 minutes of him) ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jk61cqXt3GA |
|||||||||
nucinud Inner circle New York, New York 1298 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-07-10 16:04, mjeayres wrote: 25, one to turn the bulb and the other 24 to describe their own better handling. Actually you could pick any number.
"We are what we pretend to be" Kurt Vonnegut, jr.
Now U C It Now U Don't Harry Mandel www.mandelmagic.com |
|||||||||
MagicbyCarlo Inner circle has squandered his time making 1062 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-07-10 23:32, nucinud wrote: Heh! Now that's funny. It always easier to put subtle touches on other people's work, I think it's because you are thinking differently. Our own work is often like our children, we look past the flaws because they're ours. I often say "Praise is polite, but criticism is more often sincere." The other night after a show I was approached by a guest of the resort I was playing who happened to be a magician, he told me what he liked, but neglected to tell what he didn't like. I was too tired and too post performance to ask. Oportunity missed.
Carlo DeBlasio
<BR>Entertainment specialist <BR>and all around fun guy! |
|||||||||
rossmacrae Inner circle Arlington, Virginia 2475 Posts |
Quote:
The other night after a show I was approached by a guest of the resort I was playing who happened to be a magician, he told me what he liked, but neglected to tell what he didn't like. I was too tired and too post performance to ask. Oportunity missed. A performer with an honest desire for criticism? Who admits his act may have room for improvement? What the heck are you doing here, buddy? Never darken the forum again! Some of the rest of us might be too unsettled! (I think I need a drink myself...) |
|||||||||
Joseph_Then Special user 747 Posts |
When I watch a magician doing a show, I'll always want to know what are the good points of the show compared to mine and I'll improve my show (without copying) to match his standard.
If it is a bad show, I'll take note of the bad points and make sure that it is a learning point for myself. I thought that should be our attitude when we watch another person's show. When I read mysticalmike's post, I thought he wanted to highlight the important of showmanship. SHOWMANSHIP is a very important concept and many magician may have failed to understand. I think mysticalmike brought out this important point and it should be heeded by all. |
|||||||||
Chance Wolf Inner circle 2425 Posts |
Quote:
4 - I think a lot of my act, but seriously pity the people who paid me for my first shows. HA! That is a brilliant line! I was actually thinking the same thing as I read the above posts but could not express it as simple and funny as you have. Good God, if the Café existed back when I first started and a fellow member had seen my first acts then posted their opinion in the forum... ...I would never go out in public again! Chance
Creator of Wacky Wolf Productions & Fine Collectibles
A DECADE of building Magic and we're just getting started! http://www.wolfsmagic.com |
|||||||||
Neale Bacon Inner circle Burnaby BC Canada 1775 Posts |
The big thing that so many magicians forget is that we are entertainers and magic is our medium of entertainment.
I know many magicians who are technically amazing but as entertaining to watch as paint drying. Like Skip, I guess I would be considered hokey by magicians too because I don't do the finger flinging, but I don't work for magicians, I work for the public.
Neale Bacon and his Crazy Critters
Burnaby BC Canada's Favourite Family Ventriloquist www.baconandfriends.com |
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The little darlings » » Kids show I saw today (0 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page 1~2 [Next] |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.04 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 < |