|
|
Alan Wheeler Inner circle Posting since 2002 with 2038 Posts |
I have been thinking about the possibility of a double persona ever since Tommy started a topic titled something like "You May Have More Than One Persona." The idea is that the personas are not unrelated characters but two sides of the same character. The most obvious example would be Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. In a similar vein, in Dr. Detroit, Dan Aykroyd played "a timid college professor [by day], conned into posing as a flamboyant pimp [by night]."
One last familiar example would be Indiana Jones, a college professor during the school year and the wild adventurer we all know and love during the holidays. Particularly in the case of Professor Jones, the two alter egos each inform and balance the other. Posted: Jun 5, 2011 8:35pm ---------------------------------------- I think there is plenty of commercial appeal here. Supreheroes have secret identities of such stock types as mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent or rich playboy Bruce Wayne. Characters with an unknown dark side include Dracula and the Wolf Man. Characters with surprise identities include Darth Vadar and the Wizard of Oz.
The views and comments expressed on this post may be mere speculation and are not necessarily the opinions, values, or beliefs of Alan Wheeler.
A BLENDED PATH Christian Reflections on Tarot Word Crimes Technology and Faith........Bad Religion |
Whit Haydn V.I.P. 5449 Posts |
It is a hard thing to establish in a short show. Probably need to be more than the typical 30 min to 45 min show.
|
Uli Weigel Inner circle Berlin, Germany 1478 Posts |
Back in the fifties and sixties, the german magician, mentalist and storyteller Punx had four (!) distinct personas in his feature-length act, the fourth persona being "himself".
|
ViolinKing Veteran user a loyal user has no more than 307 Posts |
I have noticed people taking on another persona when they answer the phone, then switch back when the phone call ends.
|
Whit Haydn V.I.P. 5449 Posts |
I used to be like that when I talked to my mom on the phone. My wife laughed cause I would immediately go into a South Virginia accent. Now that I am a Southerner fulltime again, I am the same on and off the phone.
Posted: Jun 7, 2011 2:57am ------------------------------------- I always felt that "going into a character" visibly in front of the audience in anyway, or out of character is overly theatrical, and reduces the believability of the magic. If they "know" the magic character is only playing a role, then why should they experience any "conviction" that the character might actually have some magic? The only convincing magic character is the magician himself. |
The Burnaby Kid Inner circle St. John's, Canada 3158 Posts |
Some well-done one-man shows in traditional theater are capable of establishing multiple characters. The key, I think, would be understanding the need to provide suspension of disbelief (in the character, not the magic) and then making sure that the magic itself holds up.
I never got to see John Carney do Mr. Mysto, though...
JACK, the Jolly Almanac of Card Knavery, a free card magic resource for beginners.
|
Alan Wheeler Inner circle Posting since 2002 with 2038 Posts |
Maybe just a split personality...watching some clips of Mark Lewis recently made me realize that I might need to develop some personality.
The views and comments expressed on this post may be mere speculation and are not necessarily the opinions, values, or beliefs of Alan Wheeler.
A BLENDED PATH Christian Reflections on Tarot Word Crimes Technology and Faith........Bad Religion |
Donal Chayce Inner circle 1770 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-06-07 19:20, Alan Wheeler wrote: You might want to be a bit more specific in your efforts. |
Mr. Mystoffelees Inner circle I haven't changed anyone's opinion in 3623 Posts |
I would be happy just to have an interesting accent. It is harder that one thinks to make that believable and consistent...
Also known, when doing rope magic, as "Cordini"
|
DWRackley Inner circle Chattanooga, TN 1909 Posts |
Red Skelton used to change personas every 5 minutes. Of course, they were all established characters: Freddie the Freeloader, Clem Kadiddlehopper, Sheriff Deadeye. It was part of his act that these characters would emerge, do their thing and then give way to the next personality.
On the other hand, I’ve often thought that John Wayne had only one character, and it didn’t really matter if you dressed it as a cowboy, an airline pilot or a SeaBee. It was still the same persona. I think if you can get the audience to follow you (a whole ‘nuther part of stage craft) you can pretty well do whatever you want (within limits – don’t break that little thin line!) I do a couple different things, each with its own personality, but I don’t mix them in the same show. Now that Mentalism has entered the picture, it’s about as close to “the real me” as any so far. Another thought about the Southern accent (being from among God’s favored people!)... There are several “dialects” of Southern. It may take a practiced ear, but a Texas drawl is far removed from a Tennessee drawl. Louisiana isn’t even the same language. I’m working on a Mississippi gentleman right now, and it’s driving me nuts! Most people won’t really care, but at the very least, keep it consistent!
...what if I could read your mind?
Chattanooga's Premier Mentalist Donatelli and Company at ChattanoogaPerformers.com also on FaceBook |
Donal Chayce Inner circle 1770 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-06-09 13:06, DWRackley wrote: Yes, but the audience didn't for one minute think that Freddie, Clem, Deadeye, the Mean Widdle Kid, etc. were real people. The audience always saw Red behind the character. To the audience, only "Red" was real, and the fact is that "Red" was nearly as much of a persona as any of his other characters. |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Food for thought » » Double Personas (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.04 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |