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Tspall Regular user Lumberton, NC 147 Posts |
I've been working more on developing the bizarre style of my effects. I've read Peter's article on Character Development on BizarreMagick.com (excellent!) It's given me a lot of material to work on. I like the idea of a "character" but a few questions have come up that I don't have the experience to answer. (It's also possible I'm reading too much into this...)
My character idea is a kind of scholar in the mystic arts and mysteries. This would allow me to use a more varied amount of effects, plus it fits my teaching personality from real life. It would also seem to fit my physical looks. I'm in my uppper 30s, wear a close cut goatee, have recently shaved my head (I figure I'll beat Nature to it) and am broad shouldered. My character would be demonstrating various mysteries. The inspiration for this idea came from places such as The Twilight Zone, Tales from the Crypt, and The Talamasca (educated scholars) from the Anne Rice books. I agree with the idea that if you can't be "in character" all the time, then you can adopt a more scaled down version of it. But, is it possible to turn the character "on and off" effectively. I don't plan on having a real outrageous "costume", but dark clothes, etc. Minimal jewelry, usually simple or Celtic. Since I'm a teacher by profession, I've wondered whether I should consider this or can it be quietly integrated. I'm thinking that simple dark clothes would be effective for this type of character. I'd like the emphasis to be on the effects and not the clothes. Since I'm not a professional (paid) magician and do mainly close up style during casual encounters this seems like a good direction. But what kind of outfit(s) would work for something like this? I've also been brushing up on my rune and tarot reading. I'd like to offer this (for entertainment) during the Halloween season. I might be making this character idea more complicated than it needs to be, but I'm not sure. It seems like an idea that would work once I get the details worked out. Thanks for letting me tap into your experiences. |
rtgreen Inner circle Portland, Oregon 1322 Posts |
This may go beyond the level you want to go, but get and read a copy of Laos Egri's Art of Dramatic Writing. It is aimed at playwrites, but it is almost entirely about character development. It's a bit on the academic side, but it is very helpful reading.
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kaytracy Inner circle Central California 1793 Posts |
As to clothes, I have found, if you are concerned about the ability to turn on and off the charachter, it can be helpful to "test drive" the different possible clothes combinations. You may find yourself too concious of some items, and too comfortable with others. You might find that there is a specific item, hat, ring etc. that becomes your "Switch", when you don this item, you now become...HIM! Ideally your "Charachter" or alter Ego, should have a slightly different carriage and stance, just enough to become distinctive. perhaps a slight change in timbre or timing of voice as well. (we have a friend who does Animai Airhead giggle too well when she wants to get a date!)
There is a story about Marilyn Monroe (cannot say if it is true or not) that she was walking down the street in a frumnpy sweater and little makeup. Her companion/visitor wondered aloud at her ability to walk in broad daylight and not get mobbed, Ms. Monroe replied along the lines of "Oh! do you want to see her?" whereupon she "Became" Marilyn with a shift of her sweater and change in posture/gait/ stance, and instantly set upon by fans! Hope this is helpful! Kay
Kay and Tory
www.Bizarremagick.com |
Dr_Stephen_Midnight Inner circle SW Ohio, USA 1555 Posts |
Also, sculpt your character in a way that it is just close enough to your true personality that the shift becomes almost effortless.
You don't want it to be Jekyll and Hyde. You want it to be more like Orson Welles, who could shift from shakespearian actor to mentalist/magician to genial talk-show guest with almost no real change. Clothes should follow this idea. Wear what makes you comfortable, while keeping that subtle air of mystery in mind. When I do street mentalism in Summer, I don't want to wear my stage garb of black jacket, vest, etc. Instead, I wear blousy Filipino shirts with side pockets, or safari shirts. These are cool and have the needed pockets, yet still convey an exotic "Robert L. Ripley travelling through China" feel. Steve
Dr. Lao: "Do you know what wisdom is?"
Mike: "No." Dr. Lao: "Wise answer." |
dpe666 Inner circle 2895 Posts |
Find out who you are as a real person, and expound on that. You say you want people to think that you are well read in the mystic arts. Then, you should be. Don't try to fake it. Learn all you can about it. I am not saying to change religions or anything of that nature. However, you do not want to say something in your act that is not factual when it comes to the dark arts, because someone in the audience may call you on it.
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Black Hart Elite user Scottish Highlands 475 Posts |
I am an actor.
My show is set up. I get showered and changed into my costume, Victorian frock coat suit etc. I become 'The Black Hart'. I do my act, complete with accent and mannerisms. My show is packed away, I get changed. I am ME again. I have researched the area my character comes from (Transylvania - a part of Romania). I have been there and learned some of the language and practiced my accent on real Transylvanians! I even have some Romanian money in my suit pocket. But, is is an ACT, just the same as any character in a soap opera. I get paid for being The Black Hart and entertaining people in my own style. For our Haunted House we found it easier to train actors to be magicians than training magicians to be actors. Find a character you want to be. Invent a background and history and BECOME that character for your act. It is VERY good fun being someone else for a short time. Regards Black...or should I rather say say - Keith Hart
Black Artefacts, manufacturer and dealer of weird, bizarre and psychic magic: www.blackhart.co.uk
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rtgreen Inner circle Portland, Oregon 1322 Posts |
Quote:
For our Haunted House we found it easier to train actors to be magicians than training magicians to be actors. I do a lot of theater consultation and sometimes I am amazed by the inability of some actors to grasp a simple bit of technique. Dpe666 makes an excellent point about building on your own interests. I think a major mistake a lot of actors make is trying to be totally different from themselves. Usually they come off very unbelievable. However, if a person begins their character work by placing themselves in the character's situation and belief system, they can become very believable. |
Moonlit Knight Regular user U.S. 113 Posts |
Tspall, You have been given some great advice. Personally, my thoughts run parallel to that of Dr_Stephen_Midnight and dpe666, as it seems that your goal is not to do paid performances but to perform “during casual encounters” - so it seems you’ll want to easily slip in and out of the role you create. This is not said to discount rtgreen’s suggestion. Books on screenwriting techniques, as well as books on acting, sales, etc.. are all wonderful resources for developing your presentations and connection with your audiences.
Granted, a magnified expression of yourself may be better than creating a new and different character for yourself but, may force you to change the intent of your character. This will allow your character to be truer to who you are and, in this way, easier to grasp by those who know you and might see you perform. In time, if allowed, aspects of a character may creep in and replace or overshadow aspects of the “you” who you currently are. This seems to be a common phenomenon springing from any idea that is seriously entertained. Just be sure you’ll be able to live with yourself and your character, after all, in time the mask becomes the face. So with that, for better or worse, I believe one can be “in character" all the time but this does depend upon how closely the character is based upon the person who plays that role or how seriously they take their part. As far as the possibility of turning a character "on and off" effectively - well, once again, it depends upon the person, the role and how seriously the person may take the part played. I will say, that for me, aspects of my character can be turned off and on at will, while other aspects will remain on 24 hours a day. A tangible item as an on-off switch, as suggested by kaytracy, is a good and workable one I will also note the item need not be seen or known by anyone other than yourself (i.e. a picture in a wallet or the carrying of a particular writing instrument). In my opinion, the choice of clothing, at this point, is not a big thing. It’s better to take the time used in deciding what to wear and use it to get to know yourself (this idea was also touched upon above). The rest will flow naturally from that knowledge. Remember, when it comes to a character that you are creating, you are the determining factor of what is acceptable, workable and possible. How that translates into the real world is another story all together. Best of luck.
"Join the dance... Follow on! With a twist of the world we go."
- Genesis "Dancing With The Moonlit Knight" |
Tspall Regular user Lumberton, NC 147 Posts |
I want to thank everyone for responding to my questions. I've read many of your posts here in this section and have a great respect for your experiences and advice, so I really appreciate your help in this.
I'm a teacher by profession, but I can also say it's a very strong part of my personality. The character I'm thinking of is an offshoot of that trait, so I think I'll be able to relate well to the character. The reference to Orson Wells really helped me to put the idea in perspective. Plus the idea for my character feels "right" to me. Sure, there are details to work out, but I definitely feel like I'm on the right track. I'll still accept any advice anyone has, but I wanted to tell everyone how much I appreciate the help. It's exactly what I needed. I hope to contribute as much to everyone else sometime. |
ptbeast Special user Oregon 831 Posts |
This is a great topic! I agree, with Keith,
I am an actor. I have several characters that I may use when performing, depending on setting. I don't live any of these characters 24 hours a day. On-the-other-hand, unless I am going to perform a specific role, I perform as an exagerated version of my self. I use my real background (sailor, police officer, attorney) and created stories from places I have been, empolying skills that I have gathered, and often desrcibing people I have known. To me, this gives the performance an air or realism, and I don't have trouble keeping my stories straight if people see me multiple times. That is just what works for me. I hope you find what works well for you. Good luck. Dave |
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