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JayH Regular user Finland 140 Posts |
Hi!
Situation: Illusionist needs a pause for changing clothes, doing load or just having drink. What the audience sees then? We cannot just show them empty stage!?! There is usually a dancing number between the illusions, but what else we could do there? C'mon! Any ideas? Jay |
Dr. Delusion Special user Eugene, Oregon. 733 Posts |
Hi Jay. I for one, don't really take any breaks during my show. On the rare occasion that I've needed to for one reason or another, I have had one of my assistants take over for a short time. For example one time I needed to go backstage for a short time to change into another outfit for the assistant's revenge. I simply told the audience I needed to get prepared for the next illusion, and one of the Girls had a microphone, and picked out a spectator to come up and check out the revenge. I was only gone for a few moments then came back out and took over.
I hope this helps or gives you an idea to use. Bob. |
semo Loyal user San Jose, CA 300 Posts |
Are you alone? If not, do you have an MC? You could have your MC do a short comic effect to fill up time.
Another idea is to have a large screen video play of a larger illusion that you have performed previously, but may not be able to do on the stage. Maybe one that you needed a camera for, due to angles. Or a video that sets the context for your next illusion. For example, if it's a spirit cabinet, do a video of a ghost chaser, then introduce the illusion. Just some random thoughts.
Scott Emo, co-creator of Fenced In Illusion - There's nothing better than breaking free!
And creator of Sacred - The Child Conjuring Illusion - Because there is nothing more magical than the creation of a child. Find them at: http://www.masterofillusions.ca/ |
JayH Regular user Finland 140 Posts |
I am always with one girl assistant and technician (sound&light). Then sometimes I have two assistants. Then they could dance, but I cannot count on that. That video footage sounds good.
Any more ideas? Jay |
vj022 Regular user 170 Posts |
Why not teach your assistant some tricks? Or as I have routined, have the assistant try to do some tricks (very badly) and then you come out and perform them right as well as your next illusion.
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semo Loyal user San Jose, CA 300 Posts |
Does your assistant have any other talents other than dancing? Like can she hoola hoop, or juggle, or play piano? This could a nice break in the magic action, setting you up to build up to another high point. For that matter, she could do a solo dance number.
VJ mentions her doing a magic effect. One idea could be that she does a trick, but "exposes" it, and you come out and do the same effect, but debunk the exposure when the audience thinks they are on to you?
Scott Emo, co-creator of Fenced In Illusion - There's nothing better than breaking free!
And creator of Sacred - The Child Conjuring Illusion - Because there is nothing more magical than the creation of a child. Find them at: http://www.masterofillusions.ca/ |
JayH Regular user Finland 140 Posts |
Very good ideas! Thanks for sharing them!
My assistant is actually a pianist and we have thought of it BUT the piano is the problem! My trailer is almost now full of illusions, sound&light system etc. Thanks for the ideas and "keep them coming!" Jay p.s First I tried to speak about any magic show and not particularity mine... So any ideas what somebody could do in their shows are welcome! |
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Wow! Besides dance, there are many other entertaining options to afford the magician or other personnel necessary backstage time for costume changes, etc. Shows like Ken Griffin and Roberta traveled with other variety acts, who also doubled as assistants, on and off stage. Study the older acts to find ideas. If you can find any tapes or DVDs of old TV variety shows, like Ed Sullivan, you might find some great ideas. You can likely take these older ideas and update the presentations.
Really unusual acts are not as common as they used to be, at least on television, but you might look at street performers, sideshow acts, and good burlesque shows for possible ideas. This is a good time to think outside the box, and make your show very unique. Of course, random variety "fill" acts are only usable if the insertion of them does not adversely affect any continuity already developed in the main show. It's all in how you script your program. The "renegade" assistant/character plot, as vj022 and semo spoke of, is a premise that has been used successfully by a number of magicians, Blackstone Jr. included. I'm sure with some creative thought, you'll come up with other ideas that allow your current personnel to take the spotlight long enough for you to do what you need to do backstage. The idea of video segments is also good. You can have them directly linked to the next upcoming bit onstage, as lead-ins, or they can be filler clips that can also be at the ready for emergency situations. For one show that I put together with a sideshow guy, I had a series of odd video clips that filled certain gaps. These were designed to almost blindside the audience, as this particular show was already full of strange acts. Some of the videos were campy TV commercials from the 50's and 60's, some were spoof segments that we had filmed ourselves (PSA's, etc.), and a few other ideas. ... or someone could dance. lol!
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
A little variety show:
Dogs doing tricks. A person doing flips or other stunts. Kid singer. Dance contest. Another idea is to pull tickets to give out cheap prizes to those that have the matching numbers (I forgot what that is called). You might want to give a talent contest. During each break a person does his act. At the end of your show all the participants do a short version of their act. Have the audience pick a winner. |
Amazing Binky Loyal user Lancaster,OH 224 Posts |
Axtell's talking bird or chimp.
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Terry Owens Inner circle Ft. Wayne, Indiana 1707 Posts |
What about a roller skating grandma...
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