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JamesTong Eternal Order Malaysia 11213 Posts |
What do you think are the do's and don'ts a stage manipulator should be aware of?
Let's see what we can discuss on this topic - which I believe would opens out doors for everyone here. |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Hi James. Great topic for discussion and one I would like to chime in on. Thanks for bringing it up here.
1) Do work the cards in - One of the biggest mistakes many beginners make is that the cards they are using and not worked in properly. The cards need to be worked in to make them more pliable to the hands for the many moves you will be making and performing. I even work in manipulators cards like that of Norm Nielson. even these cards can and should be worked in before use. I use a McBride technique for working in cards that is listed on his card videos. It is a simple process of using a table edge to wear down the wax coating on most Bee and Bicycle brands of cards. It works really well. You may want to check this process out for yourself for further details. 2) Do Finger Exercises - This may sound crazy but many people forget to do this. Like any part of your body, your fingers are not used to the many moves that we card manipulators put our hands through. The hands have to get use to the new movements and this means training the muscles to act the way we want them to. This means learning and performing finger exercises several times each week and especially before a performance. it gets the fingers used to the moves and gets them limbered up and ready to go. 3) Do Warm Ups - Too many manipulators go and do a show totally "cold". By this I mean that they do not warm up properly as they should. You really should take your cards, billiard balls etc out before a performance and run through all the moves you will be required to make. This warms you up, warms your hands up and gets the objects comfortable to your hands. If you warm up in this process, you will find your performances will tend to run much smoother. 4) Practice with Video NOT a Mirror - This also may seem odd but many manipulators rely to much on the mirror. This is bad practice for 2 reasons. 1) The mirror is opposite of what the audience really is seeing. It is not a true representation of what the audience sees. 2) The manipulator gets too comfortable relying on seeing his/her own reflection in the mirror. Once they are on stage performing, and do not have the mirror, it tends to throw them way off because they want to see that reflection again. The best way to practice is to set up a video camera in your practice area. Videos do not lie and they show exactly what the audience is seeing. It is also good because you do not rely on seeing a reflection that may distract you in a real performance. 5) Keep Your Hands Warm - Manipulation is almost impossible to do well when your fingers are cold. When your hands are cold, your motor skills slow down and your reaction time does as well. It almost feels like your doing manipulation in slow motion. Always keep your hands and fingers warm before every performance you do. Wear gloves if you're going outside or bring a small hair dryer with you to warm them up before you go on. It makes a HUGE difference. 6) Keep Your hands Tacky - There are oils and solutions sold and made just for this purpose and some of them work quite well. You will have to experiment on which work best for you. This may sound a bit gross, but if you do not have any oil or solution for your hands, you can always use saliva. It sounds disgusting, but if your in a tight bind, saliva can add the tack to your hands that will help you along. 7) Do NOT fall in love with yourself - Simply stated we as manipulators love the techniques and moves we learn. This thrills us as manipulators. It drives us to learn more moves. But the moves are only the tools you use to create an enteraining experience. A good craftsman knows juct which tools to use to create a work of art. Just because you know 100 ways to vanish a card does not mean the audience wants to see all 100 ways. 8) do NOT forget your audience - I have a saying that goes like this... "A magician without an audience is just a lonely person standing on a stage all by himself!" Your audience is why you are there and the audience is what makes the magician. Do not forget about them. 9) DO be creative - Force yourself not to copy, mimic or "borrow" from other manipulators you see. be influenced by them and enjoy what they do, but then go your own path to create something unique and original to yourself. Too many manipulators do not push their own creativity as much as they should. 10) DO realize there is more to a manipulation act than SKILL alone - This simply means that there is way more a manipulator can add to an act then coming out and showing only skill. You can give audiences more by adding elements of music, theme, character, pacing, movement or even emotional repsonse. These are things any manipulator can add to add "layers" to the magic that is being created. 11) Do NOT race - Too many magicians race their acts to much and this causes the audience to become confused and unfocused. Pace the routine out and give the audience time to absorb and take in the segments you are showing to them. 12) DO let them applaud you - This sounds silly but I see so many manipulators these days never giving the audience enough time to appluad and enjoy what they see. They are too much into the act and have not allowed audience reaction time in th act. Add pauses in the act at certain times to allow the audience to respond. When the act is over, do not be in such a hurry to race off stage. Take the bow and absorb the applause you worked hard at getting. I hope some of these tips are of help to you. I look forward to your comments and hearing other tips that may work for you. Just my 2 cents worth. Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
Just put it in easy words, "Listen to Kyle great comments."
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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Thanks Mike. I appreciate that. These are all just things I have learned myself over the years that I try to make sure I follow everytime out.
Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
You are most welcome.
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ufo Inner circle Phoenix, Arizona 1185 Posts |
HOw about...watch 'dem angles and only use moves you have truly mastered.
"What's your drug?" she asked. "Hope" he said, "The most addicting one of all."
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chias Regular user 144 Posts |
Kyle, that was very beneficial. I've bookmarked your post.
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JamesTong Eternal Order Malaysia 11213 Posts |
As usual, Kyle, great contribution. Thanks.
Let us discuss this one step further. How about the dos and don'ts of a stage manipulator from the working level such as working area, set-up area, handling audience, organising those props, etc. I believe there are lots to discuss here. |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Thanks Chias for your very kind words. It is most appreciated. I hope it is of help to you and others.
Thanks James. I am a bit confused on your second question though. Can you explain fiurther what dos and don't's you want to discuss here? Not sure I am understanding your definition of "working level" and I want to make sure my answer and repsonse is in line of what you were thinking. Are you referring to things you need to do when you at actually at a gig?
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
JamesTong Eternal Order Malaysia 11213 Posts |
Kyle, my apology - I think the question was not clearly define.
What I meant is ... when a new stage manipulator goes to his gig - what should he or she be aware of when he/she reaches the performance venue. What are the anticipated challenges he/she would face (from the time of arrival to setting up to performing to packing up to leaving the venue. area of anticipation of any problems or challenges in - the performance area (stage or dance floor, etc), organizing props in set-up area (if any or if the room is crowded with other performers), sound and lightings anticipated problems, handling rude audience, etc. We are talking about a normal stage manipulation act with music accompaniment here. Thanks again. |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Thanks for the clarification James as it is most helpful. Let me ry and give you some of my ideas and thoughts on the subject. My pleasure to do so.
1) Give yourself plenty of time - Simply stated you do not ever want to get to a place with "just" enough time to set up. There will ALWAYS be unexpected problems or issues you may have not thought of. For the manipulator, rushing is a huge obstacle and problem you want to try and avoid. by rushing you tend to 1) get more nervous and 2) not set up properly. Allow yourself enough time to get to the event so you can set up and relax and have extra time for unexpected items that come up from time to time. 2) do NOT just start setting up - Too many times a manipulative act will just arrive and start setting up where he or she finds a place. This is a bad practice. Make sure to always be a professional and greet and meet the client and the stage techs first before anything else. They are the ones who you are working for and with and you need them to be on your side. Show them the respect up front and they will thank you for it. 3) Be watchful for where you set up - First I always ask where would be a good spot for me to set up and I work with the people to choose a spot. They know the show and other acts better then I do and may have an idea as to what will work out best for them. I can then work with them on this location for set up. Also be cautious when setting up hat you are not setting up in a high traffic area or next to doors and windows that may cause wind issues. 4) Take time to Strike the stage - This means to take the time out to go out on the stage (when proper to do so) and go over the best spot for your tables and for yourself. Check every aspect of your act and movement in the act. You should be cecking for lighting areas to make sure you are lit well (go over this with the tech crew) and also make sure you have friends or someone who can check your angles for you from the far extremes (front and back) of the audience area. This will help you to know where best to mark the stage and what you can and can not do in the performance that day. 5) DO make a tech sheet ahead of time - If you are working with any stage type crew whether a theater or a smaller venue or even a festival, make sure you have a tech sheet for your act. tech sheets can include placement of your equipment, all music and cues for it as well as lighting cues. This should be on a sheet that is easy to read and follow. This way you are already for the tech crew to be able to assist you better. 6) DO make back ups of your music - Always carry a back up of your music and pack it in 2 different spots. This will help in the event you misplace one. It also helps in the event a tech crew misplaces your music or if they forget to give it back to you after your show. It is just a good practice. 7) DO find out where you are in the show - If you are performing your own show and you are the only act, then just simply verify the start time. If you are part of a show where you may be sharing the stage with others, find out who is before you and after you so you know when to finish your last set ups for yout "get ready". Knowing who follows you can help you to be curteous of their needs as well. 8) Do carry extra props as needed - It is always a good practice to carry extra sets of cards or silks or items that yu use in your act. In the event something goes wrong or gets damaged or lost, it is nice to know you have back ups ready. 9) DO be aware of how warm or cold it is - simply take into consideration how warm or cold it is where you are performing. If your hands are cold, it will be much harder to do any slieghts that may be needed in the show. Keep the hands warm with some gloves if need be. 10) DO check the stage flooring - Not all stages are built right and if you are doing a small venue or a festival, then you may also run into stages that ares sectioned together. Walk through the stage area and check to see if there are uneven areas or areas you need to be aware of when you are moving about. Try and mark these areas with tape so that you can be aware of them when setting up a table or walking on stage. I hope these 10 ideas are of help to others. Just my 2 cents worth. Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
JamesTong Eternal Order Malaysia 11213 Posts |
Those are great, Kyle. Thanks. And I believe many at the Café are enlightened by your wisdom and vast experience.
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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Thanks so much James. My pleasure. I am always willing to help and asisst others. I hope others may gain some information from the ideas shared here.
Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
JamesTong Eternal Order Malaysia 11213 Posts |
Kyle, those are precious information. I believe many that are on their way to performing their first few shows will benefit from your post here.
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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Thanks again James. A lot of these are just things I learned the hard way through the act of doing or forgetting to do the first time. I always tried to write down things or mistakes so that I do not make them twice. Thanks again.
Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
JamesTong Eternal Order Malaysia 11213 Posts |
Kyle, we certainly appreciate you sharing those precious info. They are valuable because they are from real life experiences of yours. Thanks again.
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