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MDew Regular user Sydney, Australia 125 Posts |
Results from the show:
As always with any first attempt at organising and doing a parlour-setting magic show, there are some good news, and some bad news...it's quite a long read, but please please bear with me. First of all, overall, the show went well. There were some times before and during the performance that I said to myself, "I can't go any further." With so many hiccups along the way, some of which are out of my control, it was just so overwhelming. But, I ploughed on and managed to finish the show. However, because of all the hiccups and disruptions, I didn't get all the reactions and applause that I thought I deserved. Let me explain. Let me explain. This show is supported by USYD Chocolate Society, one of many 100's of clubs and societies on offer in Sydney University Student Union's Clubs and Societies Programme. (I happen to be an executive in that Chocolate Society) This magic show was the second act in a union-supported variety show, Swing Play!, one of many events during O-week (or Orientation Week), the student union's biggest event in the year. So in reality, this magic show was merely a small gear within the entire O-week event. Firstly, the O-week conveners had promised 2 weeks before the event started that I would get a head-set microphone so that I won't have to use a stand for a microphone. Come the night of the performance, and they haven't got one. I had to settle for a microphone on a stand. That proved to be a MAJOR distraction and a big time-waster. The pacing of the entire performance was disrupted. But I had no alternative but to make do. Secondly, was the venue itself. It was at a bar, which had a small stage. There were about 100 people packed into the bar. And it was noisy. When I was organising a table and chair with the person-in-charge, I had to literally shout so that she could hear me. That wasn't the end of my troubles though...because it is a bar setting, and that a lot of people were either tipsy, drunk or smashed by then, most of the people didn't pay attention to my performance. There were really only about 6-7 people that were closest to the stage and a handful of others just a little further back that paid attention. It was a little disappointing but hey, at least I got an audience to perform for. As for the tricks themselves, they generally went well. They were technically sound, so I was generally satisfied about that. The biggest problem was the audience having to hear the patter, because that is what gives meaning to the tricks I do. Coupled with the loud noisy bar environment, it was quite hard to get the message across to the audience verbally, so I had to let the props speak for themselves. It got even worse when I didn't realised for my rope routine that the spectator I invited on stage was partially drunk. To make things worse, sitting on the floor right in front of the table was a heckler with a camera and was burning my hands like a vulture. Every now and then he'd say, "I saw how you did it!", and "Show me the top card!" and even at one time attempted to reach for the cards I had on the table. I managed to stop him in the nick of time. You might ask, if the show is going poorly, then why didn't you stop? Well, when I came on stage, I had all my props in a bag, and had taken them all out before the first trick, as a comic gag. The order went - purse frame, rope, scissors, mini deck of cards, normal sized deck, jumbo cards, even bigger jumbo cards, squishy chicken, and toilet paper roll. So, I had to go through all the tricks I planned to do otherwise the audience might wonder, "What about <this>" or "What about <that>?" Looking back in hindsight, I shouldn't have proceeded with 'Further than That' and skip to Paper Balls to end the show instead. I got really good reactions for Flight of the Paper Balls with a roll of toilet paper. Because it was my last trick and because I drank so deeply into their laughs and all the excitement, I took a little bit too much for the paper ball finale - well, I managed to pull all the paper from the toilet roll and ATTEMPTED to roll the whole *** thing into a ball, but it was just too big, so I wasted a great deal of time cutting down on paper so that the ball could fit inside my two hands. But the reactions was worth all the effort. In fact, I took it one step further by taking off my shoe and vanishing it, and ATTEMPTING to also vanish my coat. But by that time, I think the spectator caught on and I ended the show there - wearing one shoe, without my coat, toilet paper and bits of cotton rope debris littered on the floor and sweat pouring down my face. You'd expect that after all that, I would get a huge round of applause now eh? Hah, this is reality...the only applause I got was from those who managed to stay sober enough to watch the entire show. After the show, walking out of the bar to sit with my fellow executives outside, I felt like a complete clown, an idiot prancing around on stage and barely anyone there to see me at least trip over myself a few times. My friends who filmed the show inside said that it was a great show. There were a couple of people outside who also said it was a good show. But I knew I could have done A LOT better. If I did look like a clown on stage, I perhaps should have extended the comedy a bit further. Perhaps I'm being too hard on myself. But let's just say that although the show could have been better, the show could have been A LOT worse too. So, from this up-and-down experience, what have I learnt? Well... 1. Never perform parlour or stage magic at a noisy and crowded bar. Not many people will be paying attention because they'll be interested in their own conversations and at least half will be drunk too. Close-up is fine though. 2. Learn to ignore hecklers. The heckler that was sitting on the floor near the table was one of the reasons why I had the feeling that I shouldn't go on any further. But I ploughed on, forcing myself to ignore him as much as possible. And it generally worked. 3. Always get a head-set microphone at all costs. A microphone on a stand is a pain in the ass and a major distraction. 4. Need to control your emotions during your performance so you don't get carried away. i.e. be careful when you go overboard with the toilet paper for Paper Balls over Head! 5. It's been said before, and it's worth saying again. Need to know when to cut short your show. When the audience's attention is waxing and waning, you'll need to bite the bullet and head straight to your closing trick. Overall, it was a fantastic experience. With university (same as college in the US) starting, my magical journey will be progressing slower, but I am eager to improve on the show and perform it again when I am much better prepared! If you have managed to finish reading all that, then I tip my hat to you! Cheers, MDew PS - I'll see if I can get some video footage off my friend so you can me on stage in my foolishness...I mean, splendor. |
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mrunge Inner circle Charleston, SC 3716 Posts |
Congratulations MDew!!! You took a chance, went for it and learned from your experience. I say..."Way to go!"
Now...get out there and do it again! Mark. |
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marty.sasaki Inner circle 1117 Posts |
Congrats, it sounds like you made a great effort and learned a bunch of things.
Do a little reading about dealing with hecklers. Some people say to ignore them. Others say to confront them, i.e. take control of the situation. Read it all and then figure out what makes the most sense for you.
Marty Sasaki
Arlington, Massachusetts, USA Standard disclaimer: I'm just a hobbyist who enjoys occasionally mystifying friends and family, so my opinions should be viewed with this in mind. |
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MDew Regular user Sydney, Australia 125 Posts |
Mark and Marty, thank you for your kind words!
Marty, I have read lots of advice on dealing with hecklers, including from Darwin Ortiz (Strong Magic) and from Robert Giobbi (Card College). But yes, you are right - I'm gonna have to take what makes most sense for me, and that realisation will only come with time and experience. |
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marty.sasaki Inner circle 1117 Posts |
It's a different arena, but Eric Evans has some good stuff on hecklers during street magic in "The Secret Art of Magic". The entire book is an interesting read.
Marty Sasaki
Arlington, Massachusetts, USA Standard disclaimer: I'm just a hobbyist who enjoys occasionally mystifying friends and family, so my opinions should be viewed with this in mind. |
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MDew Regular user Sydney, Australia 125 Posts |
Here's a photo of me performing my version of Paul Harris' "Las Vegas Leaper" with a very enthusiastic female spectator!
PS - from memory, the guy with the camera phone at the bottom was the heckler I was talking about. http://x74.xanga.com/64ac57e247433176098282/w134130691.jpg |
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mrunge Inner circle Charleston, SC 3716 Posts |
Well...you definitely know how to pick your assistants! And as for the heckler, just remember, "there's one in every crowd!"
Mark. |
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abc Inner circle South African in Taiwan 1081 Posts |
Well congrats that it went well.
Buy a mic to carry with you or practice to use the alternative. The first time I performed in a pub setting I hated it. Now I love it. You will learn what works where and what doesn't. |
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donrodrigo Special user U.S.A. and Europe 635 Posts |
I second everyone here. Good show MDew. You gave a strong character of yourself.
The actor is more important than the props. I often perform for European and U.S. armed forces,played in a military club.Imagine a drunk Marine????????????????? My best to you friend. This is the place to get help for any of us. |
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nicky New user 67 Posts |
Well done, seems like you learned many valuable lessons.
I think reading performance stories are one of the most interesting sujects on the Café |
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Aus Special user Australia 996 Posts |
Good to hear that you pulled it off. I must say I like Micheal Ammers "Big Time Leaper" a little more then the standard version, a lot more Interaction with the spectator. But like I said, well done.
Magically Aus |
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trickytrav Veteran user 391 Posts |
The fact that you can't wait to do it again shows that you have got the bug.You will learn from this experience and can only improve.Good luck.
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bryanlonden Special user Maryland 583 Posts |
I first performed last year, and oh man was I nervous! Once you have your first performance under your belt, you get so much confidence, it's incredible. Congrats man!
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MDew Regular user Sydney, Australia 125 Posts |
Thanks for all your support, gentlemen! I don't think I'll pull this gig off without all your help!
And now, for your amazement and amusement (...more 90% amusement), I've managed to get footage off my friend and I've uploaded a few videos, with more coming soon. Any feedback, tips and advice on the routines and/or overall performance is more than welcome! |
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Tokyo Williams Regular user NYC 126 Posts |
Quote:
But by that time, I think the spectator caught on and I ended the show there - wearing one shoe, without my coat, toilet paper and bits of cotton rope debris littered on the floor and sweat pouring down my face. Man, if this isn't the most perfect image to capture the way everyone feels at the end of their fist public show, I don't know what is. Congrats on the gig.
I have nothing to say
And I am saying it And that is poetry. -John Cage |
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LVMagicAL Elite user 460 Posts |
Hey MDew: Congratulations on actually doing it. Far too many folks who claim to be magicians spend way too much time thinking, planning, re-thinking, revising plans, thinking some more, changing their minds, planning to do a show, and, well you get the idea....they never get around to actually doing a show. What a shame for them....and what a great move for you. You thought about it, you planned it, you anticipated potential problems, you planned for possible problems, but then you actually did it! And that is the toughest thing to do. Now, like those before me have said, (and like you've already begun to do) it's time to pat yourself on the back for what went right, admit what went wrong, learn how to do a better job next time, and then.....JUST DO IT AGAIN!
The only way to succeed in this game (or anything in life)is to: 1) Plan your actions 2) Take action, 3) Review and evaluate your actions 4) Learn from your successes and mistakes and 5) Start the process all over again. Way to go!!! I get the feeling you're on your way to great success in magical performing!!! |
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MDew Regular user Sydney, Australia 125 Posts |
LVMagicAL, thanks for the encouragment!
At the moment, I haven't really got an audience to perform for...not in the parlour context really...but when the opportunity comes, then this is the show that I'd do. I plan to make this a kind of bread-and-butter routine then I can rely on time and time again. Of course, with constant revision and feedback from performances, I can make it better and better everytime! Once again, thank you to all for your wonderful support! |
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MattSconce Special user 654 Posts |
Wow! What a story. Thanks for sharing! I wish there was a button to vanish hecklers. THAT would be something amazing and helpful too!
Other effects:
http://www.penguinmagic.com/magician/matt-sconce |
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