Michael - I have notes on your diamond/gemstone production routine.

I didn't like it as recorded, but I think it has potential. First of all, I wouldn't start off with the explanation that you do. You say "hearts are made of candy hearts, etc." If I'm a spectator, I'll be thinking at that point - "what a stupid thing to say - that's not true at all." I think it would be equally effective if you said "Imagine if the hearts were made of candy hearts....Imagine if the spades were made of shovels," etc.

Also - the production is rushed. Your movements are just way too fast and jerky. Slow it down!

Thank you to Tim for your kind words of enocuragement and Michael for your great tips on the gemstone production. I agree that the original patter was rather cheesy, and I really like your changes to it.. they really seem to bring the "imagination into reality" concept to great effect! I will try out some new patter and presentation and see how it goes over!

Michael Kent in the house! I keep up with your MySpace blog regularly, so I'm glad you post as often as you do. Your suggested change for the patter in Michael's routine is precisely what I was thinking.

Kras, that's sound advice from Timothy - you're doing so well on your own, you don't really need to seek out the praise of others. What you, and everyone, can always use is constructive criticism, such as what Michael Kent offered to you. I'll say here what I've said so many times before in this section of the forum: it takes a lot of guts to post a video of yourself, especially for real spectators, and that alone ought to be praised. Keep 'em coming!

Michael,

I applaud you for your efforts and I do believe you have something going! My advice is to study and develop "dynamics". You must learn how to use pauses, space, and change in pace and tone. I don't know if you are a music lover...but if you are... let me quote the great BBking.."When we talk to people we can't be screaming all the time... or else they won't listen" This explains why BB king is so great in what he does....He just drop "Bombs" unexpectedly. If Bombs were drop every second... there would not be much of a surprise and the next drop would be expected. Another side effect is that the audience may get tired as well. You must give your audience the time to appreciate a phase...give them time to register what has just happened...(depending on the needs of the routine...sometimes the "wham Bam" is a set up for the next surprise) . The spaces and the pauses give them ample time to appreciate your magic, ample time to applaud you and more importantly make things clear to them. Clarity is also a factor.

Use the space, the pauses and the dynamics... you will see some drastic improvements! Enjoy your youth Mike....It only happens once in your lifetime. I'd be a teenager anytime if I could!

Best to you Mike!

Rannie

No way - someone reads my blog!?

I do! Maybe I should get a life outside of magic.

Don't bother, I hear Ellusionist is releasing a deck soon with a "real life" design on the back.

I can't wait!

We will have more footage filmed this week, and hopefully in the future it will not be just at school.

Michael, I think some of the best advice I have ever heard from people who were successful in the entertainment is to NOT listen to what other people say. Occasionally some one will give some genuine advice but generally people would stomp out your dreams rather than see them happen. I will say that it seems like your desperate for the approval of your peers and at your age on this site where there are people that have put in a lot of time learning magic and also performing magic I don't think you are going to get the kind of props your looking for. I agree with you that teenagers when you are filming street magic generally don't clap.
Shaun
http://www.papercraneproductions.net