|
|
Euan4 Regular user Scotland 147 Posts |
Hi, this is my first post but I have been studying mentalism for nearly a year now and I feel I am ready to start developing my first show.
What tips would you give on stuff like staging, hecklers, even just simply walking about on stage and problems you have experienced in your first show? I did try a search and got no results Thank you, Euan
Silence is golden, but duct tape is silver.
|
Zebaztian Special user The Netherlands 655 Posts |
Begin with a small show. You can't run a full show as a beginner. A couple of minutes is enough. Start off with a nail writer, a one-ahead routine and end with a book test.
Don't stand still like a pillar, but walk around somewhat. Don't run like you are hyper activ. Don't imitate a well known mentalist, but go back in your mind to school. Who was your favorite teacher at high school? How did teach? Make a kind of imitation of his act. After a few gigs you will find your own way, your own style. And slowly you go from imitating your teacher to yourself as a mentalist.
My mind reading routines: http://www.basjongenelen.nl/goocheltrucs/. Scroll a bit down to the English routines.
|
magic maniac Special user 516 Posts |
Pick up "Win the Crowd" by Steve Cohen & 'Maximum Entertainment' by Ken Weber (if you already don't own them). Both of these books were invaluable resources for my first performance.
|
tiriri Loyal user Ecuador 247 Posts |
I think that the most important things for any kind of magic, not only mentalism, are confidence and acting skills. You can be the best at doing some effects but if you don't present them well, the show will be terrible, and the other way also, because you can just know simple stuff but if you present it well you can be like a god after the show.
One of my favorite magic quotes is that one by Houdin that says that when actors start doing magic; magicians will loose their jobs. Giovanni. |
Paul.W Veteran user 338 Posts |
I second Maximum Entertainment by Ken Weber
Euan4 Maximum Entertainment is my bible I read it every month to improve everything from my setup, how to build a show, comedy, to your clothe, and your voice. Paul.W From Israel |
entity Inner circle Canada 5060 Posts |
Euan:
You don't say where you plan to have your first performance, so advice would necessarily change depending upon that information, but... Take the three effects that get you the best reactions when you show them to family and friends; Just before you begin your show, remind yourself that the audience is on your side -- they want you to succeed, so feel that shared good will with the audience as you walk on stage; Finally, HAVE FUN. If the audience likes you and sees that you are enjoying the time you are spending with them, they will forgive any small mistakes. Learn from each performance, treat people well, and you'll do fine. - entity
email: tomebaxter@icloud.com
|
WDavis Inner circle 1276 Posts |
One thing to add to the advice already said is RECORD your performance.
You will notice little problems AND improvements that occur during the performance when you watch it again. As you review the taping, see how you could remove the problems you had and figure out why the improvements(including wording)worked better and how to keep them in the performance. isid0re |
eSamuels Inner circle 3085 Posts |
Regardless of which advise (if any) you take in terms of content and process, the most important thing you can do is record your performance.
It doesn't have to be anything fancy - a camcorder using its internal mic will suffice.....but it will provide the only honest record of your performance. One of the biggest mistakes made when starting out (and beyond), is basing your assessment of a performance on the feedback provided by friends and/or strangers in the audience. While this is always important (if it was honest feedback) as it will provide a sense of what they focused on and took away from the show, it can send you off in the completely wrong direction. Record your show(s), and watch them looking for things to improve upon (but don't be too hard on yourself). And when you feel you've reached the point where your performances seem good enough to be beyond your own critique - find someone who knows what they are talking about and have them provide critical feedback (this is perhaps the scariest process of all!). Developing and performing your first show is an exciting and challenging undertaking, but it's where you take that first show, that matters most. e |
David Alexander Special user 623 Posts |
It is much like becoming a skilled writer. When you reach a place where you can criticize your work like it was someone else's then you've reached a level of professionalism. Record your show, but don't be too hard on yourself.
You should know the technical aspects of what you’re doing thoroughly. You shouldn’t have to think about what comes next. You should have blocked your act to the point that everything is always in the same place so that when you reach for it, it’s there. No fumbling or searching around. Once the technical parts are in control you work on your scripting. Know it by heart and then deliver it as though it were extemporaneous. It should sound fresh, as though you just thought of it. Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Figure 10-12 minutes…two or three effects, four at the most. When you don’t have to think about what comes next, either with prop, sleight, or word, you can relax and enjoy doing the performance which will help your audience to enjoy it too. |
Mindpro Eternal Order 10586 Posts |
The questions you ask are not mentalism questions, but rather basic performance questions. You should most likely focus on that before adding in your mentaism. I have seen way too much "mentalsm gone bad" for the simple reason that the performer was too infatuated with the mentalism than worrying about what they should have been - basic performing skills. Ken Weber's book is the best, but it may be a bit too advanced if you are just starting out as a performer, in the sense that you will not completely understand or comprehend much of it if you've never been on stage before. To me Ken's book is about taking your performance and making it better, taking it to the next level, not "how to be a performer".
Do you have any entertaining or performance experience? I wish you the best and understand we all must start somewhere, just don't put the cart before the horse. It's been said that a good performer should be able to be comfortable, perform, hold and entertain an audience by themselves and their skill and personality, without relying on the effects. |
OnTiltSoon Special user Barcelona 543 Posts |
I'm also thinking about puting a small show together after 9 months of reading and studying, but I can't see myself performing it anytime in the next 5 months.
I haven't read 'win the crowd' but maximum entretainment is a GREAT book. Paul Stockman has also released a book called 'mentalism my way' also about building a show, tips and tricks on performing, etc. I found it very good, worth every penny. Best of luck with your project PM me if you want to exchange ideas!
- JoaquÃn Gasa Thomas
|
OnTiltSoon Special user Barcelona 543 Posts |
I also recomend 'taking center stage' I don't know how I forgot!!!
- JoaquÃn Gasa Thomas
|
Scott Burton Inner circle 1131 Posts |
Join the Toastmasters organization. I don't know where you are located but I'm sure there is one wherever you are. They will teach you and give you experience in speaking and stage presence in a supportive environment.
|
eywi New user 48 Posts |
Just be calm and practice and you will be fine, believe in yourself and you will be fine
|
Cristobal Loyal user Malaga (Spain) 288 Posts |
This is my experience:
Before build an entire mentalism show I added mentalism effects to my magic show to begin to feel comfortable with them. Then, as Zebaztian suggests, I develop a 15-20 minute show and perform it first to friends and magicians. After that, using that mini-show as a bone, I develop another bigger one (45-50 minutes). First times I perform this show was on pubs (with a very small stage). When I was going to approach a real stage I asked an magician friend of mine, with deep knowledge and experience in theater (play-acting) for help. He directed me and give me a lot of good advices: feet position, movement in stage, voice exercises (this is VERY important),... My advice: when you practice find a good place, with enough space, use a video recorder, and talk very SLOOOOW and taking VERY careful of the pronunciation (I repeat: only when you practice). Also, you can make diagrams with your movement in stage along your script. It's very important to look to every spectator (creating invisible threads between you and them). Good luck! |
David Alexander Special user 623 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-09-22 15:44, Mindpro wrote: Good thoughts here from someone who knows what he's talking about. |
Euan4 Regular user Scotland 147 Posts |
Thank you for so many wonderful suggestions! I have had previous stage experience, I performed in many school musicals as a lead singer with solos and played gigs in clubs as a lead singer and guitarist so I have stage experience!
I am a confident person due to all the musical's and solo singing I have done, even though it is not related to mentalism it has helped my confidence on stage. Thank you for the excellent advice and I'll definitely purchase the book. Euan
Silence is golden, but duct tape is silver.
|
Dick Christian Inner circle Northern Virginia (Metro DC) 2619 Posts |
Other than seconding the comments of mindpro and David Alexander, I can only add while the experience you have gained as a musician and vocalist will stand you in good stead, performing as a magician and/or mentalist is a whole different ballgame -- in terms not only of YOUR mindset, but that of the AUDIENCE as well.
Dick Christian
|
Euan4 Regular user Scotland 147 Posts |
Yeah I completely understand your angle dick, but the best way to get past that is to get a show together no matter how big or small it is and just to do it and head out with a positive mind set, I know everything won't be amazing and I will make mistakes but its all a learning process.
As for effects, the effects I have written all purely focus on the presentation first and how I would perform it, how I would want the audience to feel and once I am happy that it would leave a punch I go ahead and figure out my method and apply the mentalism. but once again cheers for the positive input and its good to see so many people willing to give input! Already loving this forum
Silence is golden, but duct tape is silver.
|
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Penny for your thoughts » » First show perfomance help (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.03 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |