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Decibel33 Loyal user 229 Posts |
This was posted somewhere else in the forums, but I don't think it'll get much feedback there, so I'm re-posting here. Any help much appreciated.
I'm scheduled to do my show for a hospital every two weeks. The purpose of doing this is actually two reasons. First and foremost to bring smiles to people who would otherwise be feeling very down being in the hospital (both patients and family of patients). The second reason is to work on my show. My question is, SHOULD I be doing the same show every two weeks? There will most certainly be different patients every time, but the staff will be seeing the same show. Should I care that they'll possibly catch on to what I'm doing, since they'll know what to expect? On a side note, what if I screw up a trick. Even though there will be new patients to perform the trick for next time, should I try the trick out again, knowing the staff has seen the screw up? Thanks for any advice! |
gulamerian Special user 581 Posts |
The more you do the show the better it will be. Don't worry about the staff.
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jimhlou Inner circle 3698 Posts |
In these situations, I usually do the same show (almost), but take out a couple of tricks and put in a couple of different ones.
Jim |
Decibel33 Loyal user 229 Posts |
Thanks guys! What you mentioned, Jim, is actually what I was thinking. However, my openning and closing will be the same, and it involves the appearing cane. I just wasn't sure how guarded I should be about it. (My first show, I was twirling it and it must have bumped something and it bent for a second. I knew at that moment that the magic was lost. Better luck next time, I guess!)
Thanks again for the great input, guys! Dan |
amazingcarrington Veteran user 307 Posts |
Hello Dan,
First, let me commend you for your priority in doing the shows....bringing smiles to those who may be having a hard time finding much joy at this time. That's probably the best use of this gift we call "magic". I agree with Jim, switching an illusion or 2 every show keeps it fresh for you and allows you the ability to try out new material. It also keeps it fresh even for those who have seen it before. But don't forget, though someone may have seen your show before, there's a good chance they would love to see some of the same illusions simply because they enjoyed them so much....not because they're necessarily trying to figure them out. Kind of like a Beethoven's 5th.....we all know how it goes.....but we still enjoy a good performance of it. All the best and good luck with bringing those smiles to those who need them Carriington |
Oliver Ross Inner circle Europe 1724 Posts |
Decibel33,
I second Carrington's and Jim's statement. I do a magic show every week in a holiday resort and even though they'll have the same client's from year to year or even stayong two weeks it'll be the same show. Year after year I change little on my show. I like the way Jim Pace explained it in his books "Restaurant Workers" and "Real World Magic". Don't forget that you're there for the direct audience and not for the staff. The staff will be too busy to take the time keeping "track" of your performance so I would say, it doesn't matter if they see the same effect. I won't mention the reasons of the why, because Carrington did this very well. One question is still open : Do you perform from room to room or for a whole audience of the hospital ? Good luck ! Oliver. |
funsway Inner circle old things in new ways - new things in old ways 9981 Posts |
Here is where using a variety of sleights to a achieve a desired result can be helpful.. The "staff' wile remember your fist show and be fooled again -- and their reaction will be infectious. You can also change objects. If you did sponge balls the first time, use cotton balls and bed pan the next -- same practiced moves, but a different effect.
"the more one pretends at magic, the more awe and wonder will be found in real life." Arnold Furst
eBooks at https://www.lybrary.com/ken-muller-m-579928.html questions at ken@eversway.com |
Oliver Ross Inner circle Europe 1724 Posts |
That's a great point Funsway !
Things you can change so that it doesn't seem to be the same would be : - presentation (texte, story) - the sleights or methode - the objects you use - the climax of the routine. Concerning your worries about the staff I forgot to mention, that in my case, neither the staff or the director of the resort has seen my show until now and it's been now three years I'm doing the show. The "basic 5" are the same and I only changed two or three effects. Oliver. |
Decibel33 Loyal user 229 Posts |
Thanks again everyone! The staff actually sit and watch the show. Mostly because they're there to help with the patients. The rec therapist also watches every show because I'm working under her, in a sense. And the volunteer co-ordinator said she loves magic, so she'll no doubt make it to as many performances as possible. But I think my opening and closing will be the same everytime. I'll change the middle parts as much as I can. And like I said, I've already screwed up the appearing cane in the openning act, but I'll still do it again because there will be patients that will be seeing it for the first time.
Again, thanks for all the advice! |
funsway Inner circle old things in new ways - new things in old ways 9981 Posts |
When I was helping people decide what to present at Medeival events I created this Bardic Scale. Perhaps the thinking will help you or someone.
BARD RATING Each described effect is rated on a scale of suitability for use at Bardic events. This is purely subjective by me as an attempt to assist performers in selecting suitable effects to add to their repertoire. The rating of 1-4 on for each factor is multiplied against the other items. No effect with a score less than 24 is ever offered. ENTERTAINMENT VALUE 4. high impact for all ages and educational level 3. generally effective for all groups 2. effective only in combination with other effects or story support 1. selected audience requiring lead in or preparation BARDIC VALUE 4. can be performed under all conditions and lighting 3. requires good lighting 2. requires restricted view 1. elaborate staging DIFFICULTY 4. limited practice required; self-operating 3. some dexterity or slight of hand required 2. requires slight of hand or gimmick 1. requires slight of hand, misdirection and positioning ROUTINE VALUE 4. combines easily with other effects 3. requires story line for suitability 2. stand alone effect with limited bardic value 1. Strolling bard value only
"the more one pretends at magic, the more awe and wonder will be found in real life." Arnold Furst
eBooks at https://www.lybrary.com/ken-muller-m-579928.html questions at ken@eversway.com |
Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
Never worry about the audience seeing a routine they have seen before. If you can't do it the same way twice, do you really even have an act anyway?
There are little things you can do too that baffle the audience and don't actually change your act at all. A prime example is MisMade Flag. Normally, you drop the blue silk and produce a mismade flag missing the blue star field. That is fine. Next time drop the red silk and watch them wonder how you are getting out of it this time. No problem, I have mismade extra flags that are just blue stripes or just blue star field. Likewise, I have an extra flag that has only a red star field. The only thing that changes is what the audience thinks it knows. It's just like changing force cards, colors, numbers, etc. To the audience it is a different show. The solution is magic! Good Luck! Bob Sanders Magic By Sander |
ClintonMagus Inner circle Southwestern Southeast 3997 Posts |
Considering the reason you are doing this, I wouldn't worry about whether or not the staff knows what you are doing. You might want to even teach them a few of the routines and get them to assist, in exchange for an informal "secrecy agreement".
I doubt they will teach your show to all of the patients as a condition for admission...
Things are more like they are today than they've ever been before...
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Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
I would suggest having two different acts and rotate them.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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