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Motley Mage Special user 572 Posts |
I just want to revive any discussion on Ren acts. I am looking to take my work to a local Ren Faire in the next season or two and want advice from the more exerienced folks. My routines are basically centered on cups and balls, ropes, and silks. I know silk work is generally considered more modern, but think it MUST have been (or should have been) a staple in period as well. Thoughts? (Bill Palmer? Master Payne? Anyone?)
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Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
While silk was a popular and muchly sought after material in the renaissance I would steer clear of a lot of silk magic. Remember at a ren faire you will be performing out of doors where there is, if not wind, at least the occasional breeze. Thus you will find that your silks instead of being where you just set them down on your table are now drifting gently to wards the tourney field.
I only use one silk tick in my sets, the half dyed hank. This works because you never let go of the silks so they are always under your control and thus you won't end up chasing them around your stage when a gust of wind comes your way. So if you are going to put silks into your set. Make sure that they are never out of your hands or placed under a heavy object to keep them from getting blown around.
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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maxnew40 Elite user 402 Posts |
There are a few books that you can get your hands on that should give you some guidance. I think the first was written by Bill Palmer (I don't have access to my library here at work)and the other by Master Payne himself I think. I just don't have any titles for you.
-Max |
Motley Mage Special user 572 Posts |
Excellent (as always) advice, Master Payne. I will be sure to keep wind trouble in mind as I work out my silk routine. Max, I have Master Payne's Sometimes the Jokes Are Just for Me on order and have Bill Palmer's RenFaire notes as well--thanks for the suggestions. Any others that you discover (oh, yes, Discoverie is in the mail as well) will be appreciated.
Beyond my own desires, though, I really wanted to just get some more Ren conversations going here . . . |
maxnew40 Elite user 402 Posts |
Motley. I enjoy talking about the ren faire type performing also.
I have never performed at a Ren Faire, I do my stuff at local SCA events but it is very similar. The SCA has smaller crowds and are much more concerned about history (in a competition you are expected to submit a college style research paper). I have seen some magic performances at Ren Faires and they often don't really have much of a historical theme (fun to watch but sort of lacking a ren faire theme). I feel the approach that Payne and Bill Palmer have taken is much more interesting and shows much more dedication to the craft and more concern for the audience. Plase stick around and keep posting, maybe we can get a small group activly discussing this subject. -Max |
Pizpor Elite user 476 Posts |
I've been working at a few Renaissance festivals in my area for the past several years. They are really, really fun. From what I've found, the simpler, the better. The entertainment that does best at these fairs are the acts that truly engage the audience. If you can get a good banter going between you and the audience, the magic tricks don't need to be over-the-top foolers. The audiences seem to enjoy the characters as much as they enjoy whatever the act is. So be 'engaging.'
The first fair I worked at wanted everything to be 'period.' So I was only able to use ropes, cups, balls, silk, etc. - the really simple stuff that could have possibly be found in the Renaissance period. And this was a good way to really re-think what my act was going to be. It took a little experimenting, but I worked out some great routines with the simplest of props, but a ton of audience interaction. In contrast, I know a guy that works at a fair about 3 hours south of me and he uses all the basic behind the magic counter type colorful props. You know, Stratosphere, etc. Not my style. My basic show is 30 minutes and has maybe 3 tricks in it. Actually, 3 routines. I went with the advice; have a beginning, middle, and an end. So start small and finish big. More than anything, be likable. I find that my audience doesn't really care about the magic. They come to see the antics that take place while I'm trying to work my way through a trick. It more about the journey than the destination. I actually learned a lot be studying how Silly Billy drags out a kids trick. There are ideas there that can be adapted to an adult audience. And yes - silks can be a hassle to work with. I learned a lesson trying to do the hanky vanish with a tt in the rain. Lets just say it never reappeared. Funny stuff. |
Motley Mage Special user 572 Posts |
Max, I was in SCA thirty-odd years ago in my early college days (Trimaris) though only for a short time. I had fallen away from performing magic for a time and was actually mostly into chain mail making and chasing a particular lady of the court. Now I am very much interested in reviving my magic and my interest in period accuracy, at least from an appearance standpoint. I love Payne's and Bill Palmer's advice and work.
Pizpor, thanks for joining in. I agree with you fully on the idea of strong routines of just a few effects and great audience rapport. The worst RenFaire magician I've seen did his tricks fairly proficiently, but had zero charisma or feel for when the audience began to drift. I am also reading a lot of the posts in Sidewalk Shuffle re: busking and crowd management, which I believe are very relevant to Ren work as well. |
Pizpor Elite user 476 Posts |
You'll do well hanging out in the busker section. There are so many similarities. I often think that I'm just street performing, but on a schedule. Like busking, a lot goes into drawing and keeping a crowd, especially if there are a lot of other acts on different stages. That will depend on how big the faire is, but the main one that I work can have maybe 20 other acts going at the same time around the grounds. So that make for a lot of competition, but this fair draws around 20,000 people a day, so plenty of patrons to go around.
Between shows I'll often work in the lanes doing some preview magic, audience interaction, and pimping my show. The lanes are nothing but busking. That said, make sure that the management is ok with you working in the lanes for tips. You can often write it into your contract, but from what I've seen, since a lot of them tend to pay on the low end, they really try to support you making as much income as possible. Some of the fairs have a booth set up to sell the performers t-shirts, dvd's, novelty items, etc. Take advantage of that if you have merchandise. |
Motley Mage Special user 572 Posts |
This week I have received both Master Payne's Sometimes the Jokes are Just for Me (available for sale on Lulu.com) and Bill Palmer's notes on RennFaire performance. My thanks to both of these kind gents for passing their knowledge on to those of us just looking to step into the arena. Great stuff. I will post more of a "review" later.
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Lion Dope New user York PA 88 Posts |
I've worked faires for the past 8 years on the East coast (Pennsylvania, Virginia, New Jersey). It's really my favorite performing venue, and also the most challenging. Just to add my 2 cents (or 2 pence)...
-Do a lot of character development ahead of time. -Do some research about the time period -Even if you particular faire is lenient on anachronisms (i.e. modern props), avoid them. Patrons come to a faire/ festival for a fantasy. Approach it as a challenge to stretch yourself creatively. -Prepare yourself for "Less-than-optimal" perofrming conditions: stifling heat; wind; cold; rain; hecklers; drunks; bagpipes playing on an adjacent stage; working completely surrounded; etc. If you can work a faire, you can work anywhere. -All that being said, faires are amazing fun, and by the end of a season your show will be razor- sharp. Good Luck! Mike |
Pizpor Elite user 476 Posts |
Mike - brilliant advice! So accurate.
Less then optimal performing environment is an understatement. But the challenge of it makes you so much better. |
AndyLuka Elite user Milwaukee, Wisconsin 440 Posts |
Where can I buy a copy of the ren faire notes? I made an attempt to PM Mr. Palmer himself, however he does not accept PMs.
Making Magic and Fantasy a reality in a world where our reality can sometimes be rather cruel
Http://www.lukamagic.com -That's Me Http://www.deceptionsmke -My Show |
MagiUlysses Special user Kansas City 504 Posts |
Greetings and Salutations,
I highly recommend Bill Palmer's notes as well as Master Payne's. I would think Mr. Palmer may come wondering through, and if not, I would suggest a google search ... Joe Zeman aka The Mage Ulysses |
Pokie-Poke Special user Bensalem, PA 883 Posts |
The silks/weather Idea just made me smile, but I'm evil.
to second Leon's point, avoid modern props, the spectators will cut you down! worked a fair where they brought in a "pro". He worked in a tux, used a mike, and played things like the makarana! people complained. the person who hired him looked at the persons resume and thought "wow people will love him! " I could sell you his act out of a book. also dress the part, spend the time, and or the cash to look good. just like doing walk around you want to dress just slightly better than the gusts. I love this stuff, if I can help don't hesitate to ask! Posted: Sep 22, 2012 8:42pm Also any SCAdians here that go to Pennsic, any interest in bringing back the conjurer circle?
www.pokie-poke.com
The Adventure cont... |
cirrus Inner circle his minions made 1751 Posts |
I would love to do renaissance faires. I have a wizard-type character. Do you guys stay on one spot or do you travel around the place? My character is suited to do both..., but he is most able to perform when he can set up a spot, where there are children.
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Pizpor Elite user 476 Posts |
Where you perform is kind of one of those 'it depends' kind of answers. At some fairs you may be hired to be one of the street people. These characters are there hired to fill the village with an ambiance. You become part of a living village - something akin to interactive theater. You are typically free to find a spot and do your thing and if the pedestrian traffic is low, pick up and move somewhere else. At other fairs there will be a 'grid.' This is a schedule of performers at specific locations throughout the day. A grid can help move acts around the site and it also helps prevent someone from hogging a real cherry spot under a big shady tree or something. The other most common place to perform is as a scheduled stage act.
Most of the fairs are intended to be a living breathing experience for the people that walk through the gate. Its theater in the sense of trying to recreate a festive village from the renaissance period (yeah, I know it's far for accurate) The entertainment directors love it when you are working the crowd and putting your energy into the experience. Expect long days and rain or shine working conditions. But it's a blast. I've got some photos from my last couple of weekends at minnesota on my Facebook page if you want to check them out. http://www.facebook.com/pizpor |
David Eichler Grammar Host Durham, ME 1780 Posts |
This book is a must if you want to do Ren Fest magic - wonderful acts fully detailed -
http://www.adessoverlag.com/lord.htm Quote:
On 2012-07-23 23:32, MagiUlysses wrote: Joe, Are you, by chance, performing at the Ren Fest in KC? Best, David |
MagiUlysses Special user Kansas City 504 Posts |
Greetings and Salutations,
Yes, I found my way to the lanes of Canturbury this past weekend, and I will be returning to the lanes the final weekend of the festival. I started there many seasons ago -- as a sword-brandishing musketeer. Being a mage is much safer, less strenuous, and I don't usually end up with holes in my shirts! I hope to turn this year's lane act into a stage act next year. We'll see ... Joe Zeman aka The Mage Ulysses |
David Eichler Grammar Host Durham, ME 1780 Posts |
Bummer...we will be going this next Saturday...if you had an act I'd have wanted to take my family to see you...
Do keep us posted if you'll be there next year! Best, David (from Lawrence) |
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