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Bill Blagg III Regular user 169 Posts |
I'm curious to hear opinions about female assistants in illusion shows. There are a variety of performers out there who have one in their act and there are others who don't. I'm curious to know if not having an assistant takes away from the show or if the material and performer are solid enough is an assistant not necessary.
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M Sini Inner circle 1359 Posts |
I think a lot of it depends on what type of show you are doing. For instance, there are some illusions (Assistant's Revenge, Sub-trunk, etc) that require a trained assistant so you have no choice but to use one.
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Bill Blagg III Regular user 169 Posts |
The show without an assistant wouldn't use illusions that require one.
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Jay Mahon Special user 983 Posts |
JC Sum has done very well by making Magic Babe Ning much more than just an assistant she is a partner on stage. I think many successful duos are the same way.
It depends on how you plan on utilizing them... J |
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Bill Blagg III Regular user 169 Posts |
Back to the main question...does not having an assistant take away from the show though?
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Jay Mahon Special user 983 Posts |
Take away?
No it does not take anything away from the show. It can certainly add something to it though. J |
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The Mirror Images Inner circle Michigan/USA 1980 Posts |
Bill,
I thinking having a GOOD assistant adds to the show. But I have seen several that are bad and does take away from a great performance because the assistant now becomes a distraction. Again I really think it comes down to how the show is created and how you use your assistant and how good your assistant is. So as you can see a lot of elements play into this great question of yours. Best,
Steven and Michael, The Mirror Images
The MOST Identical Twin Illusionist http://www.themirrorimages.com Check out our latest new effect - Liquid Steel NEW - MotoBox NEW - MotoMation NEW - Voyager |
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ERIC Inner circle New Jersey 1188 Posts |
Let's see... The Great Tomsoni without Trixey...NOPE doesn't work, but Johnny Thompson doing magic without Pam does (though Pam is the best) Kalen without Jinger...NOPE, Charlotte without Johnathan...We'll see. Kohl without Company would be a whole different act. Get the idea?
The bottom line is, just as Steve and Mike say above, it all depends on so many variables and whether the assistant is more a partner than an assistant. The structure of the act, what effects you do, it all comes into play. Finding and training a good assistant is the difficult part. |
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Sam Sandler Inner circle 2487 Posts |
Would not tradew my assitant for hte world
however I also have a solo show and as pointed out this is not abad thing only a different thing. in my solo show there are more audience interaction and participation type effects then there are in my illusion show. I see it as a good or great assistant can only immprove or highten the show elements!
sam sandler- America's only full-time DEAF Illusionist
http://www.samsandler.com http://www.deafinitelymagic.com |
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cairo Elite user 406 Posts |
Floating Lady, Sawing a Woman, Sub Trunk, Assistants Revenge, Sword Box, etc. With few exceptions, almost every illusion requires assistants. A whole Illusion show without an assistant? I don't think so.
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Lucasw Regular user Canada 194 Posts |
Quote:
A whole Illusion show without an assistant? I don't think so. Yes. David Copperfield. He has on stage assistants but no pretty lady dancing around with him. Didn't hurt his show. No one walks out talking about his assistant, just him. Lucas |
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EsnRedshirt Special user Newark, CA 895 Posts |
Lucasw- Copperfield does use assistants. In fact, his regular assistant used to be Joanie Spina. Never heard of her? Not surprising, because Copperfield doesn't give anyone but himself top billing. (Even his TV shows only had "special guests", he was always the star.)
Copperfield probably wouldn't work as part of a team, but he does use assistants.
Self-proclaimed Jack-of-all-trades and google expert*.
* = Take any advice from this person with a grain of salt. |
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Lucasw Regular user Canada 194 Posts |
EsnRedshirt,
In Copperfield's current show there is on dancing ladies, just stage hands. Yes I understand he use too but I was talking about currently he has no "assistant" and from what I have heard there is no plan to have one again. Lucas |
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Bill Blagg III Regular user 169 Posts |
Does that hurt his show?
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cairo Elite user 406 Posts |
Some would say yes. And the stage hands DC uses, are not mere stage hands. I would call them trained assistants disguised as stage hands. They are not union stage hands supplied by each theater he performs in. They travel with him and not only set up and tear down illusions but in a sort of annonymous way help him perform them.
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Eshla Inner circle 1239 Posts |
In Magic Babe Ning's case it definitely adds something, particularly for the men in the audience
I come from the future to culture you poor sods with fire.
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Laszlo Csizmadi Special user From Hell 868 Posts |
Bill,
Everyone has different style and I think bringing up David Copperfield is not a good example. I think you can do a show with no assistant. Performing alone could hurt the show but not necessarily. It depend what you put in your show how you put together and how long the show. An hour show could be good but I think watching two hours a solo performer is way too long or it has to be very very good. I understand why you want to perform alone. It could be budget or you don't want to take the risk if someone else screw up the show and you don't want to depend on other(s). I'm not sure but I think Timothy Drake has show without assistant. I remember Tim said something years ago about the risk and he likes to take all the responsibility in his shows. You should contact him. He might tell you more about this. Wish you the best if you do your show alone. Las |
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Chezaday Inner circle Naperville, IL 1673 Posts |
It's the "All About Me Show" without an assistant. Yes, it does hurt the show .. in many ways.
Imagine a dentist without his assistant, things go much smoother with another set of hands. The assistant is always there to take care of things on and off stage. My girls, the Chezababes, are some of the best trained girls in the business. They set the show, call the cues and even pack backstage .. during the show. As far as what the audience perceives .. it's a bigger show even with one additional person on stage. Of course I still do solo gigs when the money isn't there but, I bring a girl when ever I can. Speaking of Copperfield, remember his show about 15-20 years ago? I wouldn't even think twice about going to see that show again. All the illusions .. the Origami, the Slicer, the Twister and so on. This was David at his best .. no doubt about it. Now, think about it ... does it hurt the show without a girl?? Steve |
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The Mirror Images Inner circle Michigan/USA 1980 Posts |
Steve,
I don't think it hurts his show at all with out any assistants I think it adds to the show cause you are now watching him do the magic more. What I do think and this is my opinion is he needs a break and he needs to refresh the show. But this is about having assistants or not. It really comes down to how you do it in your show can you afford them, does it add or take away, How will this influenece your audience member with them there, what are they going to wear and will that help or take away from the show. All these questions need to be asked and have a purpose. If most are no then don't have any assistants, if yes then have assistants. Look at Mac King no assistant, Look at Franz Harary - his assistants are more stage hands, Look at Seigfried and Roy - they had an army of assistant to put on the show, Look at Lance Burton he has guy and girl assistants. It really comes down to the nuts and bolts of your show. Best,
Steven and Michael, The Mirror Images
The MOST Identical Twin Illusionist http://www.themirrorimages.com Check out our latest new effect - Liquid Steel NEW - MotoBox NEW - MotoMation NEW - Voyager |
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collective foundry Inner circle 1404 Posts |
[quote]On 2009-11-05 14:19, Chezaday wrote:
It's the "All About Me Show" without an assistant. Yes, it does hurt the show .. in many ways. ... - Hit the nail on the head there . I agree completely.. |
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