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Close.Up.Dave Inner circle Behind you! 2956 Posts |
The largest amount of people I've done card magic for was for a little less than 100. But, I've got an opportunity to do a show (not paid) for fellow students at a theater that could have anywhere from 500 to 1000 people attending. As far as I know there will be not be any sort of projectors there. So my question is how large of an audience would people say is the cutoff point for card magic? Or is the question not of audience size but rather the type of effect one plans on doing?
I was considering doing the Invisible Deck, or maybe get a blank deck face deck and doing a card to pocket routine with a signed card so it would be more clear as to which card people should be focusing on. The reason I thought of those is because they are simple to follow and my presentation would work well for a large audience. If they don't work well for a large audience I would just stick to the non-card magic I was planning on doing. |
Jaybs Special user 560 Posts |
Some card effects that may work well for your performance are:
- Tossed out deck - Card stab - Jumbo cards across - Card on forehead These effects don't really require a table and can be adapted to rather large audiences. Hope this helps! |
MickeyPainless Inner circle California 6065 Posts |
This was just discussed within the past month or 2 (as I recall) but I don't remember the topic heading and can't think of how to search for! Anyone else remember that thread?
MMc |
Jaybs Special user 560 Posts |
Also forgot to add another card effect that plays very well for large audiences:
- Bill Abbott's Smart Ass |
KLG Veteran user Hong Kong 348 Posts |
There's a nice one designed for large audience in Best of Friend Vol 3.
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rawdawg Special user Southern California 686 Posts |
You should probably follow Leipzig's lead and include a card effect that plays to a select "committee". Although the other 993 attendee's may not be able to follow the trick, they will be able to enjoy the antics of their fellow spectators up on stage. People are really interested in other people most of all...
Card Routines that I've seen play on the Big Stage. Card to Pocket a la Mac King. Cards across a la Mac King. Card to Forehead a la Michael Finney. Johnny Thompson's Top Change routine. McCombical Prediction Jumbo Edition by Billy McComb. Just off the top of my head...
One time, when I was young, I botched a sleight so bad, Vernon, Marlo & Miller rolled over in their graves. But I didn't see Elmsley, probably because he was behind the others.
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TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-02-02 19:13, Close.Up.Dave wrote: The question is not: "How big an audience can cards work for" The question is: "How big an audience can YOU work for" Obviously certain card tricks play better than others on stage but, when it comes right down to it, it's all about you. Panicking and running around on a wild goose chase for "just the right trick" is not the answer. Be honest with yourself. How entertaining are you? How big an audience can you command? Taking charge, looking confident and smooth. No card trick is gonna save your @ss if you're lacking showmanship and confidence. "Wow that guy was really entertaining for ________ people. I'm impressed. And he did it with a card trick. Cool!" That is your answer. So take a deep breath, a good honest look at your showmanship your command of an audience and tell us.... what's that number?? I will tell you that back when I wondered that same question, the number was probably really small
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic
Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate, Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder. |
MickeyPainless Inner circle California 6065 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-02-02 19:13, Close.Up.Dave wrote: I don't have any suggestions from a performers stand point but I would certainly think these (above) factors might have a HUGE impact on the overall outcome! MMc |
Glenn Godsey Special user 737 Posts |
The biggest TV entertainment event in history was the Beatles' first American appearance in the Ed Sullivan Theater (1964?). The audience was in hysterics.
The Beatles were followed by Fred Kaps performing the Homing Card with five regular poker sized cards. He did it very successfully on stage in a large theater with a TV audience of millions. He got an loud, enthusiastic audience response, although not quite the hysterical audience reaction to the Beatles. Best regards, Glenn Godsey |
David Alexander Special user 623 Posts |
Several years ago I did an amphitheater that sat around 1100. It was an all magic show with other professionals. Everyone else did illusions while I did my regular act which included the Martin Card Rise. I scored quite well.
Afterwards a friend came back stage and said, “I didn’t know you could do small magic for a large audience.” I laughed because it is the performer, his performance and presentation, not the size of the props that matters. Think Jarrow and Leipzig who played the largest vaude houses with small props. For several decades part of my pickpocket act includes Leipzig’s Twenty Card trick performed many times for audiences of 500 or more. |
loyaleagle Special user Montgomery Village, Maryland 567 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-02-02 20:41, rawdawg wrote: You took the words right out of my mouth. When I think about the most memorable large performances I've seen, I almost always remember the volunteers who were kinda wacky and not so much the entertainer. Mentalists often do this kind of thing...examining small object and astounding their volunteers, who not only convey their reaction to the crowd but give authenticity to your effect. But yeah, for audience selection, maybe pick people at the farthest ends of the spectrum: loudest, wackiest, or most attractive. People are used to watching people they admire for one reason or another on TV...why not on your show. Just remember if you pick a hooligan, make sure you have strong enough audience management when he grabs your cards to eat them!
Visit my blog: ScienceIsMagic.com
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Vlad_77 Inner circle The Netherlands 5829 Posts |
Glenn,
The day that shook the world at the Ed Sullivan Theatre in NYC was February 9th, 1964 - I am a Beatles FANATIC. I have a video set that is entirely devoted to The Beatles and Ed Sullivan. In it are the COMPLETE shows when The Beatles performed. It it IS true that the late Master Fred Kaps did receive a good applause, but, on any other night of course as you point out it would have been much better. The Beatles first appearance on Ed Sullivan was up to the time the largest event in television history drawing an audience of close to 80 million people. What is interesting about that historic night is that during the hour of the show, there were NO major crimes reported anywhere in the country. But, I think it says a LOT about what we know about Fred Kaps that he received the enthusiastic applause that he did. All of the other acts received lukewarm applause at BEST. So, Kaps performed following THE biggest act in ALL of entertainment history - truly The Beatles were (and are) a juggernaut) and for him to garner the enthusiasm his act received is a profound testimonial to the artistry of this Master. Perhaps Harry Lorayne could confirm this, but I have heard that he has an interesting connection to The Beatles. I have heard a story more than a few times that he was rescheduled from the bill of a Sullivan show - I THINK it was Miami but I am not sure - because of The Beatles playing an extended turn. Actually, I think that is really cool if it is true. You can see just how BIG Harry Lorayne is to have appeared on Sullivan, Carson, etc. But, how COOL to know that there are connections between our venerable art and "Four Lads Who Shook The World" (That quote is from a monument to them in Liverpool) But, take heart magicians! WE had the first "super act" in the world with Houdini - and both The Beatles and Houdini are household names. As a musician and a magician THAT makes ME VERY happy! "The magical mystery tour is coming to take you away" Vlad |
Harry Lorayne 1926 - 2023 New York City 8558 Posts |
Hi Vlad: No real "connection." I may have told this story here on the Café before. Back then, it was my first time booked on the Ed Sullivan Show. The first time I sent out thousands of post cards - to agents, clients, etc. - I was doing my "act" in those days. I got bumped. I never did that kind of mailing again. So, that was a "lesson."
Anyway, in those days, at that time, I got bumped and I was paid a nice bit of money. The following week - remember, this was a live show - Bob Precht (Sullivan's son-in-law and the producer of the show) - called, saying he was sorry, but had to bump me again. It happened a few times; I didn't care 'cause I got paid each time. Then, he calls me one Saturday, at the hotel where they put me up, with my wife (because I didn't live in NYC at that time, and they wanted me near the studio, so they booked me each time into a top hotel) to say, and I'm going to quote now - "Harry, I'm so sorry, gotta' bump you again, we have a group called the 'bugs' coming in from England - gotta' put them on!" Yes, he referred to them as "THE BUGS." Obviously, he meant the Beatles. So, that's basically the uninteresting story. I finally did get to do the show - a couple of times. The first time - I didn't know that they did an early Sunday afternoon rehearsal - I met 300 or so people in the audience to remember their names, because that's what I was doing on the show - then THEY ALL LEFT, because that was the "rehearsal" audience. A new group of 300 people came in! While all the other acts were having a drink or grabbing a nap - I had to meet and remember another 300 people. No wonder I looked tired on that first appearance! HL. (A year before all this happened, my friend Dick Himber was going to get me on the show. He dragged me to the theater where Sullivan was rehearsing - it's another story, for another time.)
[email]harrylorayne@earthlink.net[/email]
http://www.harrylorayne.com http://www.harryloraynemagic.com |
Vlad_77 Inner circle The Netherlands 5829 Posts |
Mr Lorayne:
Thanks for the cool story! I still think it is cool that I can talk about my two favorite legends - you and "the bugs" - in the same thread Vlad |
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