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EggMagic New user Lakeland, Fl 44 Posts |
As I am new to this genre, and this forum, forgive me if I ask a question too basic. I have been performing for over 40 years so not new to magic.
Rather than stories based on fairy tale-like themes, or gothic horror, how many of you simply adapt true life stories from your own history, perhaps scripted and embellished for best impact, and weave THOSE into magical presentations? It seems if the meaning is real for you (though certainly it can be real if it is a foairy tale as well) it will be real (real-er?) for the audience. Comments? |
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Jaz Inner circle NJ, U.S. 6111 Posts |
Dai Vernon did this very well in 'Emotional Reaction', 'Triumph', 'Cutting the Aces' and several others.
Whether the tales are true experiences or fiction don't matter as long as they are somewhat believable and entertaining. |
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Lynne Kelly Regular user Australia 113 Posts |
I have just developed a routine which I have been perfoming to a good reception. It tells of my recovery from arachnophobia and transformation into an arachnophile.
It is an oil and water routine with three 'horrors' of spiders cards representing three different aspects of arachnophobia. There are also four cards representing a totally calm me. Despite my attempts to divide and conquer the horrors, they keep regrouping on me (oil and water). I eventually get to know spiders and then the horrors disappear. I do that with an Olram Subtlety finish. I want to work more on it, but I am happy with what I ahve as a starting point. It is very tightly scripted with a strong rhythm, so the rhythms match the oil and water as well as promting me where to twist and turn. |
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Traveler Special user 549 Posts |
I do. My performance character is based on my experiences and my own wishes. Some of the stories I tell are based on real life experiences.
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Jaz Inner circle NJ, U.S. 6111 Posts |
A lot of what you say and do has to do with the character you portray, your age, who you perform for and who you really are.
I'm an older guy who experienced growing up on the streets of a good sized eastern city, have an interesting family history and incorporate these into my routines and performing personnae. Much of my patter is exaggerated truth, some fictional and some about other peoples experiences I've seen or heard of. At least when performing for those who don't know me really well. For those who do know me well, I am more truthful and more a 'trick' guy than a man of the world. For kids I'm more goofy and go for fun. |
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rickmagic1 Inner circle MIddle Tennessee area 1544 Posts |
I've recently begun doing more of this type story-telling after I began studying the magic and styling of Rene Lavand. He is a master at this type of story-telling. I've found that the more personal and 'realistic' a story sounds, the more involved an audience can become!
Rick
Richard Green
The Modern Conjurer Coming soon: Victorian Secrets: An Evening With The Spirits! |
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
I have been using the concept of a life monologue for quite a while.
Much easier to remember and the humor and pathos come naturally. Occassionally my wife will pause and look at me and say..."That's going in the movie or routine". Zen and the art of the monologue from magic's own Sankey is a good read. Other books on that subject are also suggested. The Artist Way by Cameron, Julie(or Julia) is also a good source for exercises and ideas... Enjoy. Harris
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
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DanielGreenWolf Veteran user Waterbury, CT 363 Posts |
"An autobiography is the truest of all books; for while it inevitably consists mainly of extinctions of the truth, shirkings of the truth, partial revealments of the truth, with hardly an instance of plain straight truth, the remorseless truth is there, between the lines, where the author-cat is raking dust upon it which hides from the disinterested spectator neither it nor its smell (though I didn't use that figure)--the result being that the reader knows the author in spite of his wily diligences."
-Mark Twain in a Letter to W. D. Howells, 3/14/1904 I have a strange obssesion with the good Samuel Clemens and often look to his quotes for inspiration. I think the best magic shows are theatrical diaries in which the truth is stretched to its utmost limits of its meaning and, therefore, although spectacular, ends up being very revealing. Those are the shows that interest me and I think many will agree. Do fairies and magic and ancient spirits exist in my theatrical life story? Of course. But they shall always have a true place in my life and therefore, have real meaning. Best of luck in creating your autobiography, Egg. |
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Margarette Special user Memphis area 956 Posts |
I had a magician tell me that if he watched enough of my magic, he could tell me my life's story and probably be fairly accurate. I've got routines involving my childhood (when my brother handcuffed me to the bed when I was 9) to my "final" final in college where I lost my voice before an oral presentation (exam stress...if I didn't pass, I didn't graduate). My life is strange enough without me having to make up stories for routines!
Margarette
The only stupid question is the one not asked.
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docsteve Inner circle 1831 Posts |
That's beautiful Margarette!
I'm always humbled reading posts in hear - it's a forum I tend not to 'speak' in - just 'listen'. Not that's got to be powerful storytelling, right?
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Greeting Margarette...
I think Nigel and I met you at the Workshop north of KC in St. Joseph a few years back. Life is a great source of stories. After buying a lot of 100 sensormatic security tags..I found out that they were active..while walking into a Home Depot Store. Two clerks were amused one was very sewious about me checking my pockets prior to coming in to shop. We ended up going across the street to Lowes to buy the storm door. Had to leave to get the right measurements. This will go into my mechanically challenged routine....along with using too much foam sealer to temporarlily fill a hole made in the siding by squirrels...The yellow ball made me smile till we got the house repaired this summer. I never did get to drawing a smily face on it with a sharpie... Harris
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
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EggMagic New user Lakeland, Fl 44 Posts |
Thanks everyone for your input! I am enjoying learning more about this Genre.
Anyone know anything about Hauntiques and/ or the book MagicTales? |
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Margarette Special user Memphis area 956 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-10-12 12:20, Harris wrote: Yes, Harris, I did meet you and Nigel at The Workshop a few years ago. I was in the same critique room as you. You never did answer my question if Nigel had a girlfriend! Margarette
The only stupid question is the one not asked.
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Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
Many of my magic routines are really just illustrations of story telling with magic props.
My rope routine is over thirty years old but certainly fits a guy from Slapout, Alabama who has dealt with milk cows tied along side the road. I also use it for explaining the perils of management and labor. (As an old university professor who taught marketing, management and finance and entrepreneur it fits!) Some people don't have to spend much time with me to see why Will Rogers is no stranger to me. I was also raised as a cowboy in show business. (Sometimes we can explain the facts right away! --- However you take that...) Bob Sanders Magic By Sander |
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Ah the critique...I got a case of the Noives..and played better and more relaxed in the halls.
Nigel, the puppet that rocks and talks loves to play the field. At 5 & 1/2 (for the last 7 years) his heart has been won and broken many times. My wife says he is part of my "inner child". We did add a girl puppet to our programs. Grace is the 3rd photo in a new slide show on http://www.slide.com/r/SGRWNwGT2T_gPQayq......original The Harpo Character (created for a dance last weekend) led to a new story.. Many people carry on the party with Alcohol. As "non drinkers", my wife and I use Aleve.
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
Many of the stories in Final Curtain are based on actual things that happened to Borodin. In fact, the stories themselves are much more effective, I think, because of that.
Many of my own story presentations are based upon personal experience. Sometimes, the character in the story is actually me under an assumed name. Other times, a story will start as a genuine experience, then move into a realm of fantasy. Be careful, though. Slice of life comedy was all the rage until comics and comedy club owners discovered that by and large, our lives are quite similar. When you have three comics on the same bill who mention the wobbly wheel on the grocery cart and the idiots who feel that a doorway is a place to stand, then you will understand what I mean. I actually heard two comics arguing over which of them owned the rights to the "are you an audience or a jury" line. One said that he did because he was a lawyer. I asked him if his name was Robert Orben. He said it wasn't. I told him Robert Orben had put the line in a comedy book before this lawyer was born. Case closed. So your stories should focus on the odd, the mysterious, and the weird things that happen to you, or nearly happen to you, that don't happen to others every day. Look for ways to put a twist in something that happens to you.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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mindsynced Regular user 155 Posts |
I definately use MY stories in all aspects of my work whether it is Mentalism, Christian Illusion, Speaking, novels, and even preaching. Yep, I know...what a combo.
Keith
Keith Brown
Entertainer, Speaker and Author "Exceeding YOUR Entertaiment Expectations" www.keithbrownentertainment.com "Making Magical Memories~Teaching Biblical Truth" www.keithbrown.org |
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iambest New user 61 Posts |
Usuakky stories from ones own life are the best material, and original too!
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iambest New user 61 Posts |
Usually*
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Solitaire New user Germany 83 Posts |
Welcome, Eggmagic to the boards,
I have adapted a few basic facts of the history of my ancesters to form my stage character. To your question concerning Hauntiques: it is a great and inspiring book, but what I find a bit difficult is the mass of antique props you will need, so you will either spend a lot of time making the props yourself or browsing flea marktes and garage sales, etc. |
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