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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Mr. Marvel
Welcome to the magic Café. Nicholas is not an American, he is from down under. I must agree with you when you say that if you can keep busy and only use word of mouth advertising you are doing something right. We all do it differently, but at the end of the day if you have to beg for business the problem is your show is ordinary. My friend Tricky Ricky has never done anything other than handing out his business cards, his show consists of simple props done expertly, and he is always changing his show because of repeat business. I want to be like Ricky when I grow up.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
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DanielSteep Inner circle 1409 Posts |
I agree with nick on the run rabbit run.
I use one but in my routine after the bunny disapears and appears on the other side of the stage we transform him into a real one then do a rabbit wringer. So really its all about the routine. Daniel |
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TrickyRicky Inner circle TrickyRicky 1653 Posts |
I use the magic to entertain the children.
Richard Lyn (Tricky Ricky) |
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Andre Hagen Inner circle 1432 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-10-05 06:56, Richard Lyn wrote: Right on Ricky! Think of your tricks as props...like the balls and clubs a juggler uses, or the jokes in a comedian's monologue, or the songs a vocalist sings. The bottom line is entertainment, whatever vehicle is used to accomplish it. This is especially true with children. Andy
Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one - Albert Einstein
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Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
Why must we all perform the exact same way? Attempt to meet the exact same expectations. Must all magicians perform Amazing Magic? Can't some perform silly magic or serious magic or any other type of magic?
And what exactly is Amazing magic anyway? You don't think a change bag is amazing but I get gasps of amazement from the kids when I use it to fix the holes in my handkerchief in my Knots off Silk routine. Others here have stated they use Run Rabbit Run as a part of a larger, more mystifying presentation. Perhaps some can find amazement in a trick where others can't. For myself I freely admit that I am not an "Amazing" magician and that when creating a routine the amazement factor never enters into it. I first look into the story, determine what effect would best be framed by said story and then try to make it as entertaining as possible. To do otherwise generally ends up with a presentation that is little more than a dealers demo or a catalog of disconnected tricks.
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
I feel I have been unfairly harsh on the change which is, after all, a utility device that comes in a variety of styles and is used in many ways. I even used them myself in the past. My reason for using the example was that, in my opinion, a dye tube is a much better way of changing the colour of silk then a change bag. It looks great and is far more magical.
Richard mentions that he uses magic to entertain which is the perfect way to think about it! We can use bad magic to entertain or good magic to entertain. Why use bad magic when there is so much good stuff out there? Here are some suggestions of effects that I feel can be very strong and very entertaining for children. (they can also be performed poorly in an unentertaining way) Rope routines (particularly fibre optics) Thimbles Sucker Die Box Fun House Linking Rings Dove productions Die Tube Zombie Ball |
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Danny Hustle Inner circle Boston, MA USA 2393 Posts |
I agree with a lot of what Nick is saying BUT I also think that the change bag can be incredibly deceptive, it is just that a lot of people who own them do not know how to use them. If all you do is use it to change the color of the silk, as Nick suggests use a dye tube.
The change bag much like the Die Box is abused on a daily basis by people calling themselves entertainers the world over. The Die box can be an AMAZING trick when done properly and not when it is reduced to 10 minutes of the kids shouting in frustration, "No, the OTHER side!". It is one of the most mis-used and abused props in magic. If I see one more guy who owns a Homer Hudson style Die box put the die in the box, close the door, and open the door, for NO apparent reason, just to show the die in the box, I may scream, and no, it will not be, "ON THE OTHER SIDE!" I was watching a video today of a guy who calls himself a children's entertainer and magician was ramping the kids up to the point of breakage with a "sucker" trick. There was NO entertainment, NO magic, and just a guy doing what amounted to a dealer demo with a prop that when misused just makes kid's scream in frustration. This guy will walk off stage and think, "Man, did you hear those kid's scream?! I must be great!" Having no idea that making kid's scream is one of the easiest things in the world to do, it is providing actual entertainment that often proves difficult if not impossible for guys who live in the, "Screaming is great!" world. I know this guy considers himself a professional and he owns some expensive props, and dresses nice, and thinks he has nothing to learn about entertaining kids. Meanwhile the guy doesn't have a CLUE about what is magic and entertainment is and sadly, what isn't. I do not know if it is ignorance, apathy, or both, but most people who entertain children invest NO time in it or they invest all the time learning to do things wrong. In another thread a fellow asked about the breakaway wand and was slammed for it because he asked the question. People implied he was, "stupid" because it should be a self explanatory prop. I'll tell you something, using the breakaway wand CORRECTLY in order to entertain without belittling a child takes a tremendous amount of skill, patience, stagecraft, and audience management. This is another prop that is misused by thousands and it is a bit of gold that when used properly is not only hysterical to children and adults but can actually leave the kid feeling like the star of the show. But hey, just stick it in the kids hand and let it drop, it'll get a chuckle. If you pretend not to see it and then feign surprise in a way that out-Herods, Herod, you might even get another laugh at the expense of the kid but: pray you avoid it. Best, Dan- "MT is one of the reasons we started this board! I’m so sick of posts being deleted without any reason given, and by unknown people at that." - Steve Brooks Sep 7, 2001 8:38pm ©1999-2014 Daniel Denney all rights reserved. |
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Billy Whizz Special user Plymouth, UK 576 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-10-05 22:04, Nicholas J. Johnson wrote: in my opinion, a dye tube is a much better way of changing the colour of silk then a change bag. Nick, do you really think the kids see any difference? It's only YOU that knows how much more skill is involved in using a dye tube. As far as the kids are concerned, a change bag can still be an amazing trick. They put something into the bag, THEY pull something different out. Used with humour this can be both entertaining and magicial. I use a change bag, AND Run Wolf Run, does this mean I can't call myself a 'Magician'? My title is 'Billy Wiz Magician', I entertain kids, I earn a fantastic living, whats wrong with that? Kids talk about different things I do, INCLUDING simple magic tricks, but I wouldn't say there is anything in my show that uses great skill. |
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NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
Skill has nothing to do with my assertion that a dye tube is a much better way of changing the colour of silk then a change bag. The skill level required to perform an effect is irrelevant. For example, the colouring book is a wonderfully simple and amazing piece of magic to perform. It requires little technical skill.
A dye tube is amazing to watch. A silk is stuffed into the hand and it comes out a different colour! Terry Herbert performs it in a most amazing and entertaining way. Of course, like ALL magic, it require a lot of skill to do it entertainingly! Consider this... When we buy a costume we want it to BEST costume we can afford. When we tell a joke, we want the joke to be as funny as it can. When we perform magic...do we suddenly say "Oh, it doesn't have to be strong!" |
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Sordini New user USA 70 Posts |
The post started out as 'quality assurance of your magic' which is fine. And really important in my opinion.
But I believe the persons who posted in response, have chosen to answer their own question: 'entertainment first, magic second' which is important too... However, the original post was what I will refer to as discussing 'quality assurance of your magic' So here are my 2 cents: - Have a show to perform always packed. - Have the next show that your working on better than the last show in every way. Both magic & laughs. That's how I quality control my work. Its a simple system that I'm sure a lot of other people do too. |
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NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
Indeed Sordini - many people have misunderstood the purpose of this post.
When I refer to 'magic' I am referring to the moment in any given routine when something IMPOSSIBLE happens. The breakaway wand is usually not a magic trick as the breaking of wand is not impossible. (although some maybe able to provide a routine that is impossible). The plot may be clever, the jokes may be funny, the prop may be lovely but let's look at the moment when the MAGIC happens and consider it. |
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