|
|
rcad Loyal user St-Eustache 211 Posts |
Hi all,
Last november, I started a thread about the final evaluation of my magic course ( http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......1&30 ). I was worried I would not being able to find a way to link the 3 effects we had to choose from the course into an act. I also participated in a discussion about impersonating the Devil, found the idea interesting and promised myself to work on it eventually( http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......forum=14 ). Combine the two and you get the act I finally came up with for my final evaluation. Thanks to the inspiration and support I got from the Café, my act was a big success! I still don't have enough perspective on it since: 1. It happened only a few nights ago 2. I haven't seen the video 3. The teacher hasn't critizise it yet But before I left, another student congradulated me on my act and I was a bit surprised. I had been so nervous and was so much "on stage" when I performed that I had no idea how it went except that I was satisfied. As the days go by, I remember the performance more and more. Anyways, when the teacher saw me doubt about the strenght of my performance, he turned and silently told me that I came out very, very strongly and that I would realize it when I would see myself on tape. It was the first time I truly applied my writing skills to magic and managed to create something very different. The effects blended into the "story" that was happening on stage. I found a way to escape from the seemingly unavoidable "For my next trick..." line. I worked hard as hell on this and I'm happy the results were good. In the process, I mastered the Down's palm (and coin production), the French Drop and (almost) the coin roll. I had practiced those moves so many, many times... If there are any newbies reading this, trust me! If you truly *mastered* your sleights, however nervous you are in performance, they will perform themselves without you even thinking about it! My coin roll which I practiced on and off for about 40 hours now is not totally mastered but at one point, I realized I had done it in performance without thinking about it, exactly when I was supposed to do it... Yes! Talk about *real* magic! The magic of the performance energy! If I were to personaly thank everyone here that helped me grow into the art of magic, find ideas, find props, question my views and helped make this all possible, the list would be too long and I would run the risk of forgeting a few. But if you are reading this, you will recongnize yourselves. Know that you have my deepest gratitude! As you can see, I am still on a *high* from this. The next day when I woke up, I still felt like smilling. I wanted to share this happiness with you guys! I have grown so much as a magic performer and student over the last year, thanks to all of you! Anyways, I'll stop here but would be happy to share what I did in my act if anybody is interested. I just don't want this post to sound too much like a self-ovation *chukkles*. Cheers! Richard
"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious." Albert Einstein
|
Caleb Strange Special user Manchester UK 676 Posts |
Richard,
Nothing wrong with a bit of self-ovation ! Besides, it's very clear from your post that you are taking (and learning) so much more from your performance than 'Gee that went well!' When you said that this was the 'first time (you) truly applied (your) writing skills to magic' how did your approach change? Really glad that things went well for you, Caleb Strange.
-- QCiC --
|
rcad Loyal user St-Eustache 211 Posts |
Thanks Caleb!
I am a writer by profession. I published short stories and articles but my academic training was mostly about scriptwriting. When I started to do magic, my approach was to present different tricks with a humorous note. I took notes between performances and created jokes related to my tricks. Then I started experimenting with my presentations by turning ordinary tricks in more personal ones and even into "in your hands effects". For example, I turned the "Invisible Deck" into a "in your hands effects" and I had great success with it. My scripts were more like notes to myself. I knew where I was going but nothing more precise. And it remained a collection of magic tricks, however linked they seemed to be. I chose tricks I liked, tried to balance different kind of effects and props and found funny or interesting lines or stories for each one. But I always had wanted to create a character with a story for which I would try to find effects that fitted. It was the exact opposite of what I had been doing with magic so far and yet, I knew, given my writing background, that I could pull it off. So I settled on the idea of impersonating a demon collecting souls. I had to do 3 effects but could add a few ones not included in the course if I wanted. It was thus easy to divide this short presentaion into 3 acts. I also transformed classic tricks into tricks that served my purpose. The whole presentation is a "trap" for the volunteer to sign an enveloppe which then turns out to be a contract... The contract is never made into a valid one because the volunteer of course refuses to drive a nail into his palm and let some blood drip besides his signature. The contract vanishes into a burst of flames... I used "artistic" methods I have used many times as a writer. For example, the presentation begins with my character lighting a candle and ends with a burst of flames. Many of my lines were "recited" but I was flexible enough to adapt them to the situations and the volunteer while performing so it still sounded natural in a theatrical way if that makes any sense... There were keywords that I included here and there that weren't noticed at the begining but started to make sense as I went. For example, when I asked for a volunteer, I had produced an ancient roman coin and offered the chance to win it to anyone who would have the *courage* of playing my little game. I then asked: "Anybody tempted?" This translation may not work as well in English but it sounded very natural. Why a roman coin? Because I ask the volunteer to drive a nail into his palm like... like the adversary who I am not allowed to pronounce the name... Etc. The point was to make it all seem to blend into one big effect: my character. Sort of like a demon playing the role of a magician... There is still much work to be done since I plan to turn this short act into a full 30-40 minutes one. I had many ideas but not the time to include them. Hours and hours of fun ahead! I'm in love with magic! Richard
"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious." Albert Einstein
|
enriqueenriquez Inner circle New York 1287 Posts |
Richard,
What a pleasure to read your post! Congratulations, both for going so well in your evaluation and for your incredible idea. The act sounds amazing. The entire thing should be great I’m sure you have there material to put toghether a beautiful act that audiences will love. Please keep us posted about the evolution of this wonderful idea. All the best! |
Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24314 Posts |
Congratulations!!!!! You DID it!
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
rcad Loyal user St-Eustache 211 Posts |
Thank you!
I'm still so happy about the experience that I have trouble concentrating on my day job, hehe! I brought my *magic journal* at work and wrote down ideas as they came... It only took me a couple of minutes off my work time but made my day! Ahhh... To think I had abandoned magic for 25 years... Richard
"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious." Albert Einstein
|
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The spooky, the mysterious...the bizarre! » » The devil, the evaluation and the Café... My thanks! (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 < |