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Banester Special user 669 Posts |
I was wondering since a lot of people have suggested using a camcorder to practice which I think is a great idea, but I had some questions.
Do you stop after each performance to look at what you did and how to correct it or do you film several of them and then go back and view? Examples would be a zomnie routine, 3 card monte, circle square, scotch and soda. It seems you would be fumbling around with the camcorder a lot for the quick and simple tricks while a 15-20min rountine I'm sure you would view after you were done. Next question, on tricks were there is a key move would you stop at that point to review it or continue on with the rest of the routine even if it is just filler (talking, a little comedy, etc). If you make a mistake do you stop at that point to see what happened or do you continue on and maybe get some experience with recovery? Thanks and hope to get some replies.
The art of a magician is to create wonder.
If we live with a sense of wonder, our lives become filled with joy -Doug Henning- |
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gaddy Inner circle Agent of Chaos 3526 Posts |
Tape a few performances and then review them to discover trends and affectations that will only become apparent after viewing multiple different performances. What good is a camcorder if you just fast-forward over some more subtle mishandlings (that we all have to some extent)just to review "the move" in question.
You'll come up with a practice routine that works best for you over time. A camcorder is one of the best ways to practice. G
*due to the editorial policies here, words on this site attributed to me cannot necessarily be held to be my own.*
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Jaz Inner circle NJ, U.S. 6111 Posts |
A combination of routines makes up an act.
Critique each routine as an individual piece when constructing the act. One you are satisfied with the routines you want to use in the act then critique your entire act. |
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LeeDillingham Loyal user Las Vegas 263 Posts |
I agree with Jaz. I would also suggest using an old school full size VHS camcorder. You can easily record and re-record on these tapes. The tapes pop and out and go right in a VCR. You can buy these cheap on eBay.
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Father Photius Grammar Host El Paso, TX (Formerly Amarillo) 17161 Posts |
Several performances works best. Then sit there with a pad and pencil and make notes. Watch numerous times. You will be surprised what you see on a 2nd or 3rd viewing you didn't catch on the first one. Look for flashes, awkward moves, bad timing, etc. There is a sort of "blink" effect that seems to harrass those who solely watch in the mirror. That is a tendency to blink at the time of important moves, or at times when you might flash, etc. I don't know why, but many report this happening. It has happened to me more than once, and is often a bit difficult to stop doing it. But you can't blink from the VCR camera. One note on VCR cameras, the angle is not the same angle the audience will see. The camera is two dimensional. As such it offers much narrower viewing angles than your eyes provide. Video from several angles to be sure you aren't flashing to some part of the audience and not covering your angles.
"Now here's the man with the 25 cent hands, that two bit magician..."
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sadamspmp New user Sunny Tampa, Florida 34 Posts |
I'm sure many know this but most digital cameras these days have a feature to take short movies. I have a Kodak camera and use it to record my tricks. No tapes needed and I can watch them immediatley on my computer, on my computer, or my TV. I found using this to be less of a hassle than messing with a camcorder.
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Brad Burt Inner circle 2675 Posts |
Here is another tip. Camcorders are GREAT for looking at and finding problems with your magic, but they are NOT REAL!!! They don't for instance give you ANY sense of the numberous angles that can be found in most close-up performances for instance.
Do this. YOU play always to the audience (non exsistent) in front of you, but select at least 6 angles to place the camera at. Go from High to Low and from side to side getting in both left and right sides and straight ahead. Do 6 performances and then watch the tape to see them one after the other watching for where you may be flashing, etc. Best,
Brad Burt
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Jaz Inner circle NJ, U.S. 6111 Posts |
All this talk about making videos of youself makes me wonder how the old greats ever got so good before there were video cameras.
I'm sure that the end results came from trials before live audiences but how did they practice prior to that? |
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Manny New user 57 Posts |
It's a God sent tool for magicians.
1) You can see any mistake you make,such as flashing hesitating before or after a move and many other hideous things you might be doing. 2) Tape a series of performances, and you get an idea of your progress also what works for you and what doesn't. 3) You can use it to make a promo tape. |
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Matt Malinas Inner circle Transylvania 1367 Posts |
Take notes while watching your footage .it helps a lot.
about the old greats, I guess they used several mirrors placed at different angles.or maybe they had someone watching them and criticizing.i guess these were the only options they had back then -Matt
The masters make the rules, for the wise men and the fools
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Brad Burt Inner circle 2675 Posts |
I recommend using a camcorder like I recommend using mirrors. Sparingly. It's a great tool for 'check up' work. The problem with both mirrors and recording is that it gives you an artificial sense of what is going on.
My best recommendation is to practice about 90% with objects set up around you at differing levels and angles. Relate to the objects as if they are real humans, etc. This will give you a much better idea internally of WHAT the performing angles truly are. Remember to put some items at the level a small child would be. This matrix can easily be moved and mutated to give you a constantly changing performing situation. Now days I use my daughter's stuffed animal collection, but ANY objects will do as long as you can RELATE to them as real. This is nothing more than a sort of advanced form of Object Oriented Rehearsal and I highly recommend it. One of the toughest things to do in rehearsal or practice for that matter is to have that sense of where the angles ARE so you can adjust your performance to take them in. The method above WILL train you before you go into public where the price of being unaware that a six year old is standing in front of you and off to the left could become a lot more problematic. Best,
Brad Burt
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Noel M Loyal user San Rafael. CA 208 Posts |
Playing to a camcorder is different from playing to an audience. So from time to time try to have at least one person be your audience as you perform. I don't men the just guy with the cam, but a sit-down spectator.
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pkg Inner circle The City of Ithobaal I son of Hiram I 1356 Posts |
Have a camera setup behind you, have THREE mirrors in front of you (each mirror covering one side, front-left-righ) Have the camera pointed at the THREE mirrors (vision field covering the three), record, routines or the whole act.
found out that using mirrors AND a camera at the same time more "fruitful" then just a cam or just mirrors!
Double posters should be shot!
No really!! |
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mzr9mm New user Bistrita, Romania 93 Posts |
I usually use my webcam to record a few effects while i`m practiceing, after I perorm the routine several times I review it and try to do something about the mistakes.
It is very helpfull to me. -Daniel |
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Banester Special user 669 Posts |
WoW! Thanks for all the wonderful posts! The camcorder with mirrors sounds interesting pkg, but does that get to "busy" while trying to watch the reruns? I have 2 camcorders so the statements in regards to the diffetrent angles will really help, actually never thought about the 2D problem. Thanks again!
The art of a magician is to create wonder.
If we live with a sense of wonder, our lives become filled with joy -Doug Henning- |
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pkg Inner circle The City of Ithobaal I son of Hiram I 1356 Posts |
It does get too "busy", but you gotta keep all your angles "safe" (well at least the angles that the spectator might be able to see)
IT REALLY IS worth the time and pain!
Double posters should be shot!
No really!! |
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Joey Jones New user 37 Posts |
I feel that the camecorder is a great tool. You can record a few routines (20 min) and then review your progress. I would not stop after making a mistake, after all you wouldn't do that in a real show. Hope all works out well!
Joey |
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CasualSoul Special user Edmonton, Canada 542 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-09-13 13:07, pkg wrote: That is a totally awesome idea! Gotta try that.
"Open their mind by performing the impossible"
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Matt Malinas Inner circle Transylvania 1367 Posts |
I need two more mirrors )
but a great idea georgie -Matt
The masters make the rules, for the wise men and the fools
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magicleland Regular user 197 Posts |
I use 5 camcorders and a small broadcast feed station to stream to my hardrive in my room.
zig zag illusion - $3,000
theater rental - $500 geting advice from othe magicians on the cafe - priceless |
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