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Mike Maturen![]() Inner circle Michigan's Beautiful Sunrise Side 2726 Posts ![]() |
I am in the process of writing, designing and building my new illusion show. It is called "The Dream", and is basically the story of my evolution in magic, and my childhood dream of being a professional magician.
I will pay tribute to the three magicians who influenced me most in my formative years: Doug Henning, Harry Blackstone, Jr. and David Copperfield. I am wanting to get a few effects that give a real flavor of these three men, without losing my own personality. In short, I want to pay tribute without imitating. Any thoughts on the best ways to do this? Costuming, re-creating an effect? Look forward to the replies.
Mike Maturen
World of Wonder Entertainment The Magic and Mayhem of Mike Maturen 989-335-1661 mikematuren@gmail.com AUTHOR OF "A NEW DAWN--Weekly Wisdom From Everyday Life" member: International Magician's Society |
puppeterry![]() Regular user Sanger, CA 115 Posts ![]() |
Henning--tie-dye with lots of light blue and a long-sleeve knit top.
Blackstone (either)--tailcoat--Jr's were snazzy. Copperfield--White, long-sleeved shirt w/ open collar, black pants.
TV Mc Arthur
The Librician, The Libreller, The Libreteer "They don't get better.....just faster." |
SpellbinderEntertainment![]() Inner circle West Coast 3519 Posts ![]() |
Hi Mike,
I like both your idea and paying homage to your heroes and your past. I do consulting by email and Skype, helping to write or polish/edit magical scripts, suggesting set, costuming, and technical elements, working to make a show theatrically logical with a consistent premise and order, and when needed stage and/or direct the whole production, including movement, persona, theatrics, and a cohesive beginning, middle, climax, and ending. You can get an idea of my theatrical, acting, directing, writing, and magic performance creds from my book "Tales of Enchantment" You could also search out my years of Café threads. My hourly rate is competitively low or we could explore a set fee option. Feel free to PM me or better yet, give me a call, for an initial consultation. Magically, Walt |
thecharlatan![]() New user 95 Posts ![]() |
Bit self indulgent maybe?
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jugglestruck![]() Inner circle Wales 1038 Posts ![]() |
Quote:
On 2012-07-10 14:53, thecharlatan wrote: I think that comes with the territory when you are a magician. |
panlives![]() Inner circle 2087 Posts ![]() |
It strikes me that the three personalities you mentioned had very distinct ways of dressing.
How about a costume quick-change as a magical transition between time periods? Imagine successive quick-changes from coat and tails to psychedelic Tie-Dye to “basic black.”…?
"Is there any point to which you would wish to draw my attention?"
"To the curious incident of the dog in the night-time." "The dog did nothing in the night-time." "That was the curious incident," remarked Sherlock Holmes. |
Motley Mage![]() Special user 572 Posts ![]() |
I would suggest instead an introduction to three phases of your act that deals with the approach each of these masters approached magic. Hemingway was all about wonder in a very childlike way; Blackstone was about mystery and pizzazz; Copperfield is a showman and a master of theatricality. These are the essences of each, and what made each an icon of their era in magic.
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts ![]() |
Quote:
On 2012-09-15 23:54, Motley Mage wrote: Me thinks you're confusing your magic with your profession there, Professor! ![]()
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
Motley Mage![]() Special user 572 Posts ![]() |
Methinks my spellchecker on my phone did me in again! Henning, of course! B-)
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Mike Maturen![]() Inner circle Michigan's Beautiful Sunrise Side 2726 Posts ![]() |
Motley: This was along the lines of what I was thinking. I do have costumes (with the exception of the Tie-Dye) that woyuld work...but I don't want this necessarily want this to be along the lines of a tribute band exactly imitating another band. This is why I like your idea.
My current thinking is that I would start the show with a Shadow Box appearance (which I already do), dressed in my tux (not tails, but oh well). Then do a few effects that would be reminiscent of Blackstone. The second portion of the show would lean more toward children's style magic (a tribute to Henning). Finally, I would finish off with a few theatrical story-telling type pieces (like the snowstorm) that would be befitting of Copperfield. I likely would wear my tux pants, with a white satin renaissance style shirt.
Mike Maturen
World of Wonder Entertainment The Magic and Mayhem of Mike Maturen 989-335-1661 mikematuren@gmail.com AUTHOR OF "A NEW DAWN--Weekly Wisdom From Everyday Life" member: International Magician's Society |
Chris Henderson Special user Indiana -- Anyone w/ no life would have 563 Posts ![]() |
Along those same lines on one of Doug Henning's last TV specials, he did a routine where he compared and contrasted 3 magicians -- Houdini, Chung Ling Soo and himself -- by performing the cut and restored rope. Each time he cut the rope and restored it, he did it in the very different styles and mannerisms of each of those 3 different magicians.
"I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than one closed by belief"
--Gerry Spence |
Jim Sparx![]() Inner circle Far Out, Texas 1144 Posts ![]() |
I rememebr Hennning having that huge head of hippy hair and that great moustache and the shiny red /blue costumes. He was famous for the zig zag and the beautiful smile. The smile was the real magic.
I did not get to see Junior, but I did see his father. Who could forget the dancing handkerchief, floating lightbulb and buzz saw? Tails, elegance. Copperfield -Hair, and that squinty sideways look, with a bunch of good looking chicks.
Et tu, Spartacus?
https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/chispadeelpaso.html |
Jim Sparx![]() Inner circle Far Out, Texas 1144 Posts ![]() |
Thought of this later. A nice way to let the audience remember, or get to know the personalties your are honoring, is to have their pictures on a projection screen.
If you use children or young adults for assistants, you can dress them up in the honorees costumes and have them involved in the production. I can see a young boy with a big wig and moustace, dressed as a young Henning performing trick that Henning would do.
Et tu, Spartacus?
https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/chispadeelpaso.html |
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