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afillius Regular user 199 Posts |
I have "performed" for a few friends and family but so far really haven't performed. My problem is that I tend to be a little introverted around new people and I am having trouble finding a way to start. My typical situation is that I may be at a party with other people in my industry. I know these people but only in passing so most of my conversations are pretty much small talk. Does anyone have any ideas of ways to start performing.
My guess is that I just have to do it, but I thought maybe some of you might have some ideas on ways to get me going.
www.stsgroupinc.com
pro audio/video/lighting Great magic is about creating great images - Jay Sankey |
MagikDavid Loyal user Cincinnati, OH 297 Posts |
Afillius,
Being introverted can be a disadvantage when performing for a crowd. You should project to an audience that you are confident and in control. More importantly though, they are looking to be entertained and have a good time. If you take on the persona that "we're all here to have a good time"... you and they won't be as tense. Confidence and control really come with performing experience. It also depends on how well you've mastered the effects. Try not to perform any effect, until you've practiced enough to insure success. If strangers make you uneasy, you might try starting your performance with some close friends. You can even prepare them ahead of time by letting them know that you'd like them as your 'base' audience for moral support. As you perform for 'your' group, you'll be less tense and gain confidence. Gradually, as strangers join in to see what's going on, try to maintain the performance flow and confidence level you've established with your friends. You could also welcome strangers into your 'group' directly with some comedy lines. I.E., If a girl approaches, you could point to her and say, "Quick! Think of a number between one and ten! Okay? What's the number you were thinking of?" She says, "Four." You say, "Wrong... the correct number is seven... now take off your clothes." Although this may not be your style (and you may get slapped in the face)... it is an ice-breaker which can help loosen up the crowd. Hopefully, these ideas will be food-for-thought. Good luck. Dave
One good thing about being wrong...
Is the pleasure it brings to others. |
pradell Special user Alaska 560 Posts |
Performing in an old folks home is a great place to start! They are a very forgiving audience, and appreciative. And if you perform some free shows you'll be invited back and you really can't go wrong. Many elderly people have minds that work and bodies that don't so do not feel that you are not winning them over if you don't get lots of laughs or other reactions. You are being appreciated. If you share the stage with other entertainers (they don't have to be magicians) this can take some of the stage fright away. You could team up with another magician and help with some tricks at first to get you more comfortable appearing on stage in front of an audience. As your comfort level increases do more and experiment with your persona. Over time you'll spread your wings. Hey, if you never take that first step you'll never walk...give it a go!
:thehat: |
MagikDavid Loyal user Cincinnati, OH 297 Posts |
Pradell,
I'm pleased to hear that you had a good experience performing for old folks. My last experience for that group wasn't as good. The nursing staff and admin people enjoyed the show tremendously. Half the other people were either asleep, unconcious (or possibly dead.) Until that time, I'd never had trouble connecting with the audience. So, I was puzzled when they were so unresponsive. I had been performing stage magic (mostly for kids) for groups as large as 600... and always got tremendous audience response. There were some funny moments, though. At one point in my show, I asked, "Could I please borrow a dollar bill from someone in the audience?" A little old man in the back yelled, "Sonny, if we had any money, we wouldn't be in this dump!" About halfway through my show, a lady shouted, "Did you bring a guitar? We wanna sing some songs!" One redeeming moment happened as I was packing up to leave. This sweet little lady in a wheelchair came up to me and said, "That was a great show young man... I enjoyed it tremendously." Although I received a framed community award for that show, they would have to drag me kicking and screaming before I'd do it again. Maybe I just caught them at a bad time or something... but my confidence level took a big hit that day. Dave
One good thing about being wrong...
Is the pleasure it brings to others. |
solrak29 Special user NY Metro 936 Posts |
I'm kind of in the same situation and somewhat the same person. You have to
break out of this shell. I don't know how imbeded your shyness is, but you have break out of it in order to perform well. Here is how I am progressing: I started with my closest and personal friend, my wife. I still get nervous, or anxious performing around her. Then I progressed to my kids, who are teenagers and a very tough crowd. Then I progressed to other family members, who I get extremely nervous for. At this point, I have found a semi-pro magician who I meet with once of month and force myself to perform for him. One evening, I performed a very simple variation of the 21 card trick to a friend at work, that I know very well ( the trick that is), and the reaction was pleasantly surprising. So bottom line is, master your skills, get your act together (can be taken in more than one way), and set your goals. I would say start taking baby steps to get out of this corner. For example, when in an elevator with another person that you don't know. Step up and say hello. Talk about the weather or something...just to get feel for talking to strangers and getting use to it. PM me and we can work through this together.
To Find Me On The Pitch, Follow me :On Twitter
Checkout my pseudo blog : The Sidewalk Performers Forum "I intend to live forever, or die trying" - Groucho Marx |
gaafman Loyal user 248 Posts |
Yep some great tips in the above posts. I think it's very important just to have your techniques etc with confident. So you don't have to focus on that, and you can just focus on audience reactions, presentation etcetera.
And a second thing. It's not to bad if you make a mistake, especially with strangers you probably won't ever meet them anyway, so why be nervous. And by the way, a bit of error isn't wrong. It only shows you're human, and people have more empathy for you then. |
jimhlou Inner circle 3698 Posts |
Affilius:
If you find yourself at a party or get together, have a relative or good friend say "Hey Affilius, can you show us some magic?" Set this up before you go to the party. This way you can perform with a "lead-in" and not try to find some way to just start showing tricks. Jim |
Brad Burt Inner circle 2675 Posts |
Afillius:
Your question is really an excellent one and reflects the state of affairs for a lot of folks that are 'into' magic, but do 'not' know really how to step into performing more. I think I can help you here. For 20 years I ran and taught at four magic schools in Southern California and managed four magic shops including my own for over 16 years. I tell you this because it is the kind of situation in which you deal almost weekly with folks like yourself and the question poped up over and over. Here is the advice I have given for years and it worked probably 95% of the time. You have to think of moving into performing magic if you are having trouble as if you are dealing with a phobia. Think in terms of desensitization. You want to move from the most secure and most sure magic presentation you can and ratchet up the difficulty, etc. in increments. This is a smart way to go as it insures that you will be as successful as possible. So...what you want to do #1- is sign up for my FREE Mini Magic Course on how to do your magic better...I blush to suggest, but that 24 lesson course deals with many issues that you will encounter. Next, you HAVE to look at your magic and try and place your tricks, etc. into an ascending list of Sure Thing to I Am Gonna Blow This. Pick your BEST Sure Thing and make sure that it IS in fact a sure thing no matter how nervous you might be. I will give you an example from my own product line: The Wonderland Dollor by Nick Brown. I use it simply because I am REALLY familiar with it, but there are a ton of other items that you could use: Scotch and Soda; Hopping Half; etc. Although I would put Wonderland Dollar at the absolute apex of you can't blow it items. Whatever you select it HAS to be as bomb proof as possible! The reason is obvious. You want to get INTO the groove of performing and find out it's not as terrible and scary a thing as you might think. Note: Remember...even if you blow a trick NOTHING bad will happen. The mid East will still be in crisis and they can't blame you. Cancer will still be around. If you succeed in a magic routine cancer won't disappear. The reverse is also true. Don't sweat it. If you really do blow it just shrug it off. O.k., comfortable with that first item? Done it for everyone and their brother? Feeling good about yourself? Great! Now, take the next one on your list and do that. And, so on until you reach that place in which you have reached the level of your skill. What do you need to learn now to go the next step in enhancing what you can do? What 'don't' you know in other words? That's it. Start slow and move forward with a PLAN. All best,
Brad Burt
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Corey Harris Inner circle Kansas City, MO 1229 Posts |
Affilius, I have myself just recently gotten back into performing after about a 10 year break from it. It is tough. I am a very shy guy by nature. I have had a few things that have helped. First, I work at a magic shop, So I am always performing with my demos. THat breaks your shyness real quick. I was also volenteered to work a 4th of july show last month. So I had to be out there. The biggest help though has been my friends in the magic community. They have all had very encouraging words for me, and this has helped the most.
Note to Brad. On a Chop Cup dvd you teach the drop vanish of a ball and said to let you know if you got it down quickly. I got it down in about an hour where it looks flawless. Yay for me. Granted, I know that was filmed forever ago, But I was happy. It is a beautiful vanish. THanks Brad |
Brad Burt Inner circle 2675 Posts |
Corey:
Congrats! It took me like a year to figure out what it was supposed to look like from an old Sachs book. Most don't get it wired that fast so that great that you nailed it so quick. It IS a great vanish. Natural looking and has a killer retention of vision component. And, yes, you are correct working in a magic shop can help separate you from performing flutters pretty quick. Best,
Brad Burt
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Corey Harris Inner circle Kansas City, MO 1229 Posts |
Well, you are a great teacher Brad!
Back to topic...lol... Something else. If you have a local club, Join it. Become friends with its members and watch some of them perform in public settings. It can be very educational. Last month I watched Jason Dean entertain a group of people after Our club meeting at applebees. It was great. Seeing the way he handled him self and the spectators was a huge thing for me, I don't normally get to see these guys in their element. |
afillius Regular user 199 Posts |
Thank you all for your advice and encourangement. Brad, I will definately sign up for you free course.
Tonight I performed for the biggest group to date. It was me, my wife, another couple, and 3 other people at a small dinner party. I have a gimmicked coin and wizard pk ring that I can use for some pk effects. My wife was a huge help in getting me started. I had set my pk ring on the table and I had my "special item" on my leg under the table. She said "let me see your ring" and when she went to grab it it moved across the table. Everyone freaked out, it was great. They all wanted to grab it but it kept moving. I then performed sinful for the 1st time in public...man I was so nervous I was shaking. It went over okay but not great. I know I need to work on my presentation, but my wife said my moves were flawless. Later in the night we played cards so I did "Do and I do" and that went over very well. They even made me perform it a second time for one person that didn't get to see it. I am pretty impressed with my audience management and misdirection because I was able to start with a non setup deck the second time but managed to setup the effect while they were burning my hands. Then after dinner I took out my gimmicked coin and using my pk, started making it filp over and move on the table top. At one point one of the guys asked to see my ring and he figured out it would move the quarter (bad audience management on my part), and everyone thought they figured out how I was doing it. I immediately gave the ring to someone to hold.....concentrated really hard ont he quarter and made it move again. One girl flipped out and thought I had ESP, everytime someone said "How did you do that?" She just shouted "he's doing it with his eyes!" Finally they said "well if you are doing it with your mind, then move something else!" Luckily I was wearing loops and my wife said "move a dollar bill" I took out a bill and animated it, then made it float between my hands. I ended clean and everyone wanted to examine the bill. They then spent the next 10 minutes trying to float it between their hands. I just sat back and smirked. Then they asked me to use something else, so I went to the kitchen drawer and took out a fork and made it animate across the table. It was such a rush. I definately learned which effects I can do with complete confidence and which ones I still need to work on a bit. I see some of these people almost once a week for dinner and the good thing is that I still have some more stuff I can show them some other time.
www.stsgroupinc.com
pro audio/video/lighting Great magic is about creating great images - Jay Sankey |
MagikDavid Loyal user Cincinnati, OH 297 Posts |
Afillius,
Sounds like you're on the right track. One thing you might consider, is to not 'overload' your audience with magic. An old magician friend of mine once told me, "Always leave your audience wanting to see more." In other words... quit while their interest level is high. This gives them something to look forward to the next time. It also keeps their interest in magic alive. Keep up the good work! Dave
One good thing about being wrong...
Is the pleasure it brings to others. |
MagikDavid Loyal user Cincinnati, OH 297 Posts |
Just to elaborate a bit more on my last post... years ago, when I would go bar-hopping with my magician mentor, Rajah... he would eventually get a crowd of people gathered around to watch him perform. Just when I thought he was doing great he'd say, "Well Dave, let's get outta here." On the way to the next bar, I'd ask why he did it that way, and he said, "I like to leave on a high note. If I keep performing until they start leaving the group one at a time, eventually, it looks like I'm losing their interest (even though they might be leaving for other reasons.) This way, they're all still there as a group all fired up, to comment about the performance they just saw." When I thought about it, it made a lot of sense. Just wanted to share a little food-for-thought.
Dave
One good thing about being wrong...
Is the pleasure it brings to others. |
Brad Burt Inner circle 2675 Posts |
Good stuff. Mostly it IS trying to find a comfort zone that you can move forward from, pushing the envelope a bit at a time so that you don't become discouraged. You do sound as if you are on the right track.
Mostly, if you are not having fun doing magic then something is wrong. I guess someone REALLY pathalogical could 'think' they were doing 'real' magic and proceed with grim face from there, but that's hopefully not the norm..... ;-) Magic, except maybe Bizarreist stuff, is supposed to be fun. Yep, you can do routines that evoke horror, pathos, etc., but mostly don't you like the comedy magician's more? Aren't they the bench mark usually put forward when 'entertaining' with magic makes the conversation. Checks posts on the Café and you will find this almost always the case. Have fun with it. Try to perform your mysteries in a manner that the watcher has fun for having watched. Best,
Brad Burt
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scooter magic New user Fredricksburg, VA 73 Posts |
In the party or get together areas most people are cething up or starting small talk. Small talk is most of the time my way in. I'll get out a deck of cards and just passing the deck from one hand to the other and that might get peoples atention. another way is to start talking and at a good break ask what do you do for a living, they would answer sometimes ending in the same question you would then say if they ask or not if your not a full timer you would say I do such and such but I have a real passion for MAGIC most of the time that sparkes a persons interrest and they will ask to see a trick and it will go from there more people seeing asking for another and so on and so forth.
Ashley
Ashley Taggert
moving up in the world of magic |
jayhoward New user 59 Posts |
Hi Burt,
Thanks very much, some of the tips you passed along are very helpful. Have just signed up for your mini-course. Look forward to receiving it. Jay |
One Man Elite user Frederick, MD 491 Posts |
My 2 cents.....if your town has any kind of improv theatre class take it. Studying improv is a great way to allow yourself to open up and gain confidence in performing situations. My second tip you have already seemd to find the answer for. When breaking the ice with an audience I have always found it works great to hit 'em hard with something they were not expecting. When I approach a table I often ask if anyone has eye drops because my contacts are bothering me. I then proceed to produce from my eye a large glass disk. I would clean the disk and then "replace" it in my eye. Then my other contact, a huge glass disk "falls" out of my other eye. This almost never fails to amaze....especially because you don't tell them you are going to do some magic so they are unsuspecting. By the time you are done they should be more than ready to see some more.
Try to work up 2-3 ice breakers like this and you will find getting into your set will be much easier. Kevin |
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