|
|
Jordini Inner circle 2765 Posts |
For a long time I toyed with the idea of having an assistant in my magic act, but I never went looking for one, and I never gave it much real thought. However, it appears that I have found myself the perfect lovely assistant. The question now becomes "Where do I go from here?"
I've never looked into magic with assistants, and I don't have much material on the subject. I searched around the Café a bit but didn't find much helpful info. I'm looking for books, videos, anything else that has illusions and routines and ideas for a magician and assistant, both in parlor and stage magic. Any and all helpful input is as always greatly appriciated. Also, if you have any good assistant names, feel free to share them. (Her name is Diana but she was looking for something more exciting I guess). Thanks! -Jordini |
Laszlo Csizmadi Special user From Hell 868 Posts |
Ask Bob Sanders, Ricker, Living Illusion or many other. They working long time with assistant (wife) and they will help you out. They are all nice people.
Best Las |
ssucahyo Inner circle 1954 Posts |
Try with Costum Changes Act...!!!
|
Michael Messing Inner circle Knoxville, TN 1817 Posts |
If you are looking to start performing illusions with your assistant, you'll want to look at your typical performing conditions to consider which illusions are most likely to work. (Do they need to be usable when surrounded? Do they need to be compact for transportation purposes? etc.)
If you're looking to use your assistant with stage magic routines, it just takes some creativity to work her into the show. My assistant helps me with Jumbo Split deck, Needle Through Balloon and several other routines that I still do by myself in my one-man show. For example, here's what she does when I perform the Needle Through Balloon: As I patter about my start in magic, I explain that one of my first tricks used a balloon. My assistant holds up a balloon (not blown up.) After I blow it up, she takes the balloon into the audience for examination. Once she comes back with it, she hands me the balloon and then gets the wand with the needle in it. (That wand is on a suitcase table on her side of the stage - "her table.") After I wave the wand, she holds onto it while I remove the needle. After I complete the routine, she takes the needle and wand offstage. Of course, a big part of the routine is the way she displays the balloon and her acting. She acts anxious when I start to pierce the balloon and she responds to my jokes. (Sometimes shaking her head when they're corny jokes.) Do I need her for this routine? No, but it's amazing how much smoother it is when you have someone to assist you and take part in your routine. (I do this same routine by myself in the majority of my shows. I only work with an assistant about 10 - 15 percent of the time.) You might want to consider purchasing "Assisting the Magician": http://www.dazzlingmagic.com/dvd's_and_books.htm Michael |
Joe Mansfield Loyal user 227 Posts |
If you are unsure what to do with an assistant, chances are she would feel uncomortable as well. This discomfort could would probably extend into your audience, which you do NOT want.
I would suggest, just for starters, that you continue with your show as it is now. But instead of reaching into your suitcase table for your props, have her simply bring them on stage on a tray or perhaps a rolling table. This way she gets accustomed to being onstage and you grow accustomed to performing with someone else on stage. It shouldn't take long to build up a level of comfort that would allow you to work her into your routines. |
ricker Special user Tampa, FL 914 Posts |
In our act, Sydney is my partner, not just an assistant. She even has her own illusion that she does. (Vortex Rings).
Pam Thompson, Johnny's wife, has a good book on being a 'magic partner' out. I read it after Sydney and I had been performing for a while. I don't see anything wrong with her name, Diana. That's a very regal name (i.e. Princess of Wales). Or even calling her "Di", before you do a zig-zag or a 'dangerous' illusion with her. A good starter illusion for you two is either Zig-Zag or metamorposis. She needs to be herself on stage too, not a character. Sydney's off the cuff sarcasm comes across great when I'm doing something serious and something goes wrong. That's the real value of a partner on stage, being there with something goes amis to either help or provide misdirection. |
gsidhe Inner circle Michigan 1725 Posts |
Here is my take on things...
First off, I don't believe in assistants, I believe in partners. Even if they are simply Assisting and moving props, they are partners. Take a look at larger illusions- Zig Zag, Sword Basket...Illusions like that. Who is doing the work? The Magician depends on their assistant to know what to do, to perform and make sure that they are in the right place at the right time. THEY are doing the trick, you are merely presenting it. Or let's say you are doing a mailbag escape...You are doing the trick, but they are the ones who make sure that everything was in place to make it work. Hrmmm...Isn't that what you did in the previous illusion? But you are the magician...? The difference between a magician and assistant on stage is focus. Who is the audience paying the most attention to. This is why I say partner. Now to the actual question. Where to use them. That really depends on the nature of the act itself. Partners can either be unobtrusive and take care of things in the background, or have a deplorable excess of personality. I prefer the latter because it gives me something to play off of and can give the act more personality and direction. Is it better to turn a wand into a silk for no reason, or to turn a wand into a silk because your assistant needs a tissue? (She needs the tissue because she is crying. And of course she is crying because you turned Fluffy, her pet rabbit, into a ball python) My partner is difficult, obstinate and childlike on stage. The audience is impressed by me, and completely in love with her. It really balances out the show. Instead of the show being all about me trying to impress the audience, it becomes something more relatable and therefore more enjoyable. Final advice- Use a partner, assistant, box-jumper...Whatever. But allow them to have personality and use it to your advantage. If she is completely new to performing, take Joe's advice. Get her comfortable on stage, and there is a good chance that it will evolve from there. Gwyd |
Cliff Hopkins New user Pennsylvania 9 Posts |
If your new to using an assistant, maybe consider watching Joania Spina's "Get Your Act Together" with her. It may teach her a few things. Just a thought.
Cliff |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Grand illusion » » I have the lovely assistant....Now what??? (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.03 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 < |