|
|
Go to page [Previous] 1~2 | ||||||||||
garys New user Hertfordshire, UK 60 Posts |
Quote:
On Mar 25, 2017, Mr. Woolery wrote: Dick when I saw your post I was also going to reply. I agree with Mr. Woolery. I am a big fan of reading answers to questions. Some of the questions on the forum are questions that some would like to ask but don't. Some of the questions are questions that I would have never thought to ask. I have learnt a lot from you and others on this forum. If you look at my post count you can see that I don't post that often. However I visit the Magic café almost everyday. The reason I don't often take part in discussions is because I don't login often. I read the forum on a work PC in the studio during a break. So if I asked a question It's possible that it can take me a week or so to reply when I login at home. (like I am now) Also I was think about this thread a few days ago when I remembered some words of wisdom I was told. I was learning to be a broadcasters. There are a lot of similarities between magic and broadcasting. They both often involve talking and using your hand to do something complicated at the same time. Anyway these are the words my tutor shared. "An Amateur practices to get it right. A professional practices to ensure he doesn't get it wrong" |
|||||||||
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Hello Gary!
First, thank you for your very kind thoughts! Your point is well taken. I had had a "bad morning" when I commented on March 23. Both you and Patrick's comments have reminded me that others are "listening in on this "party line". In the '30s and '40s --even the '50s, the Bell Telephone Company, in many small towns, and, rural areas, only had "party line" service. There could be a half dozen families with the same basic phone number, followed by a "W", "J", "R", etc. Every one with a party line, could listen in on others' conversations! "Area codes "came", many years, later. ("800" numbers, ditto!) I agree with danaruns. Too often, courtesy has been forgotten by too many people! (I'm an "old" Boy Scout! --72 years! --I'm going to stay with the BSA until I "get it right"!) So, I appreciate yours and Patrick's "situation"! I'll make it a point to remind myself that this is a "party line"! I never dreamed, when I was 13, starting to perform, that, someday I would be corresponding with magicians all over the world! (My book is now selling in four continents! --Maybe, next year in #5, Antartica!!!) When I was 16, the local radio announcer, and "dj", and I formed a partnership. He was a comedian. We booked a lot of local dates, together. I learned a lot from him! (Timing, and, "all that stuff"! I hope you and Patrick, et al, will "stay on the line"! Dick
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
|
|||||||||
ToShareIsLove New user 21 Posts |
Quote:
On Mar 14, 2017, danaruns wrote: This is really good advise ! I also find myself turning robotic when I need to do a series of rather complex move for a multi ACAAN trick that I came up with myself that allows multiple people to guess their numbers and it will all be correct. The sleight of hand and techniques have to be so precise and so many at different point [using the same for all the audience would be too revealing], I straight out turn into a robot when performing the routine. It was only until the trick is done and the reveal is about to begin that I return back to my performing self. The audience were just as amazed though, I just hope that someday my tempo will be consistent when performing this ambitious trick. |
|||||||||
Craigers Loyal user 294 Posts |
Practice a few tricks well. Resist the temptation to learn many tricks badly. Stick to simple stuff at the beginning - self workers, easy magic. Resist the temptation to watch the DVD and rush out in front of people with your newly purchased trick.
As a hobbyist I have learnt the hard way after many embarrassing experiences. |
|||||||||
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Good thinking, friend Craigers.
May I offer a few suggestions, however? Stick to simple stuff, ALWAYS! (Illusion is not confusion!) My motto, that has helped me stay booked for over 50 years, is: KIS --MIF! >>>>>("KEEP IT SIMPLE -- MAKE IT FUN!")<<<<< "...your newly purchased trick." One cannot purchase a TRICK! One can purchase a PROP, and/or a SECRET. With a PROP, and/or a SECRET, one can PERFORM a TRICK. A TRICK, like music, only exists while it is being PERFORMED. When you stop dragging the taut catgut over the taught horse hair, the music ceases. If you PERFORM the TRICK well, with a good PRESENTATION, the spectator may be ENTERTAINED. >>>>>(MAGIC IS NOT INHERENTLY ENTERTAINING!!!)<<<<< Here is the basic "rule" for putting a new trick in the show: 1. Learn how it is DONE. 2. Learn how to DO it. 3 Learn how to DO it so that it ENTERTAINS people. That's the "hard one"! >>>>>It's the PRESENTATION, that ENTERTAINS THEM!<<<<< My mentors, when I was beginning, back in the '40s, said, "It aint WHAT you do, it's HOW you do it!"
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
|
|||||||||
danaruns Special user The City of Angels 808 Posts |
Quote:
On Apr 1, 2017, Dick Oslund wrote: All due respect, the common lexicon is that you "buy a magic trick," meaning that you purchase the props and methods. It has been described that way since you were a kid. I'm not sure why you keep tilting at this particular windmill. Everyone gets what you mean, but that's just not the way people talk, including those who are "selling magic tricks." They all talk about buying and selling magic tricks. I suppose you don't like the term "magic shop" or 'magic store." You'd prefer they were "prop shops." But that's not the common lexicon among magicians. Happens the same everywhere. Musicians say they will buy the music, when what they mean is the sheet of paper that has the staff and notes. One word can mean two things. Quote:
Here is the basic "rule" for putting a new trick in the show: Ah, now you gave me an ear worm! Words to live by and perform magic by. I doubt too many folks here remember this one from Sy Oliver and Trummy Young, first recorded by Jimmie Lunceford, but you made me think of it: When I was a kid about half past three, My ma said, "Daughter, come here to me"; Says, "Things may come and things may go, But this is one thing you ought to know!" Oh, 'tain't what you do, it's the way that you do it, 'Tain't what you do, it's the way that you do it, 'Tain't what you do, it's the way that you do it, That's what gets results! 'Tain't what you do, it's the time that you do it, 'Tain't what you do, it's the time that you do it, 'Tain't what you do, it's the time that you do it, That's what gets results! You can try hard, don't mean a thing; Take it easy, breezy, then your jive will swing! Oh, it - 'tain't what you do, it's the place that you do it, 'Tain't what you do, it's the time that you do it, 'Tain't what you do, it's the way that you do it, That's what gets results! You've learned your A B C's You've learned your D F G's, But this is something you don't learn in school; So get your hep boots on, And then you'll carry on, But remember if you try too hard, It don't mean a thing, take it easy! 'Tain't what bring do, it's the way that you bring it, 'Tain't what swing do, it's the way that you swing it, 'Tain't what sing do, it's the way that you sing it, That's what gets results!
"Dana Douglas is the greatest magician alive. Plus, I'm drunk." -- Foster Brooks
|
|||||||||
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
@ Dana...
It's a free country, you may form your own OPINIONS. I've been successful in the business for much longer than you've been alive! I don't happen to agree with you. I do not plan to continue this conversation.
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
|
|||||||||
Aus Special user Australia 996 Posts |
Quote:
On Apr 2, 2017, Dick Oslund wrote: So the answer Dick is to no longer engage in a civil conversation by chucking a tanty? I would expect this sort of behaviour from a 5 year old in supermarket when the child is refused it's demands. This is the exact thing that happened in my Buying Magic (How to Guide) where you gave the same terminology lecture where you then refused to engage because no one acknowledged your post. How do you expect others to be receptive of your knowledge when you can't even show a person the simple virtue of tolerance over such a simple thing as words being used. When they do reply and they have the gumption to question your advice you bash them over the head with your years of experience as if it's a big stick in which invalidates all other opinion. Personally I like the quote from Edward Stieglitz which is "it's not the years in your life that counts, it's the life in your years", in other words it isn't quantity it's quality. In the end life feeds back truth to people in it's own way and time. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. Magically Aus |
|||||||||
danaruns Special user The City of Angels 808 Posts |
Quote:
On Apr 2, 2017, Dick Oslund wrote: My post was intended as a friendly one.
"Dana Douglas is the greatest magician alive. Plus, I'm drunk." -- Foster Brooks
|
|||||||||
coreyw New user Missouri 11 Posts |
I think you're ahead of the curve in a big way.
There are many folks who can do incredibly difficult-to-master magic but are terribly boring to watch for everyone but other magicians who understand how difficult what they are doing is. Understanding how to work with people and audiences is often the hardest part for many, and it sounds like you have a strong start to a skill set that does that with your regular job. I will echo others in that simpler tricks are the way to go, for a start. A general audience would rather see simple tricks by someone they like and connect to rather than a complicated monster of a trick by someone who bores the paint off the walls with their personality. As you progress, add in harder tricks (and as you progress, the hard tricks won't seem so hard anymore anyway!). Play to your strengths. |
|||||||||
Bugini New user Germany 9 Posts |
Wow - "practice at the edges of your skill set, but perform from the middle of it." Having read that phrase (which will go straight into my magic journal which, IMHO, every magician or mentalist should keep - starting as a beginner) I realized it´s good to be back at the café; even if Dana cannot correctly name its origin.
|
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » New to magic? » » Psychology of performance overshadowed by lack of skill (19 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page [Previous] 1~2 |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.05 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 < |