|
|
Go to page 1~2 [Next] | ||||||||||
rondasue New user 97 Posts |
What has Blaine accomplished?
As the Blaine box sitting episode comes to a close this Sunday, I have been making a list of what has he accomplished: 1. He has created a very high degree of name recognition, and has done so without wrecking a car, or getting drug, or arrested, or going to rehab. 2. He has created actually name recognition, Blaine, as well as story identification sufficient to prompt others to supply the name, i.e. “that guy in the box” “oh, you must mean Blaine.” 3. He has identified himself as a very unique performer, such that he can be identified as the magician in the box, who was buried alive, frozen in ice, or perched on a pole. 4. He has identified himself as a very unique performer in a mainstream kind of way, that is, not as a sideshow performer who gets occasional press when a sideshow need arises, but as someone mainstream enough to appear in traditional press, or regular TV. 5. I suspect he will emerge as a more thoughtful performer. I have followed him from the outset on the Channel One program. A few weeks ago he began reading what he has been writing in his journal. In my view his entries the last week or so have been less cliché-driven and reflect more serious thought. 6. He has managed to create a profile that defies labels. Is he a magician, a bizarrist, a performer, an artist, all of these, or something else? 7. I also think public opinion has turned. The protests, the taunting and so on have abated, and folks now seem to be supportive, to be in invested in his successful completion of this effort. 8. He makes an encore very difficult but one that people will surely pay attention to. 9. He has created a voice that people will attend to, at least in the short run. If he comes out and is philosophical, and gets involved in a cause or two, in a way tied to his experience, he can become an effective spokesperson, for hunger perhaps. 10. He has enormous potential for taking a next step if he continues to nurture his image. |
|||||||||
Anabelle Special user 951 Posts |
Obviously you like and respect him. Me too. I think his stuff sometimes seems silly and a waste of time and even irritates a few, but when you think about it, there's a purpose behind his stunts and specials, sometimes I get it and sometimes I don't, but he always has me thinking. BTW, is his TV special going to be on American TV too? I haven't heard anything about it.
Anabelle |
|||||||||
Seance Elite user Talking on the other side with 427 Posts |
What he has done is replicate the self-promotion that Harry Houdini used to do. Houndini was a shameless promoter, who made sure his name was prominent in the newspapers and newsreels.
Blaine just twists the premise slightly to make it warped enough to have the media (and us) notice him. There are plenty of escape artists, plenty of magicians, and plenty of entertainers, but David Blaine has used his connections and his creativity very well to keep in touch with the viewers. He has worked hard to accomplish what he has and for that I admire him. |
|||||||||
Close.Up.Dave Inner circle Behind you! 2956 Posts |
Although he has accomplished the above, he has added more fuel to the fire of laymen saying "Hey you remind me of David Blaine!" Which of course I don't I remind me of me and laymen should too. This also creates a demand for effects they saw blaine do which is the last thing I would do for an audience since that's not the reason I put together my act after long hours and constant practice.
|
|||||||||
magic fett New user 45 Posts |
Don't get me wrong I like the guy but lately it's kind of getting annoying. Can we get some magic from you David? Stop tourturing yourself the public is starting not to care.
|
|||||||||
Close.Up.Dave Inner circle Behind you! 2956 Posts |
He says he does it for himself, if he did then why does he get a tv crew to film him?
|
|||||||||
Reis O'Brien Inner circle Seattle, WA 2467 Posts |
Well, one thing he has done is kept all of us typing away about him in internet forums and analyzing his work like Oliver Stone watching the Zapruder Film.
|
|||||||||
Joshua Lozoff Inner circle Chapel Hill, NC 1332 Posts |
Quote:
On 2003-11-13 20:34, dave2lift wrote: Welcome to the world of the arts, which it appears you are fairly new to. I was a professional actor for 13 years, and got compared to famous actors all the time. My agents would even describe me as a cross beteen ... and ... as an effective way to give producers an idea of my type. My father is a musician, and when he is recording an album, he might tell the guitarist, "start off with a little Jeff Beck sound, and and then turn it into a bluegrassy Flatt and Scruggs kind of thing." It's not only a very efficient way to communicate, but it gets the message across quickly. In the visual arts, the same is true. "He has the eye of Monet, with the sensibility of a young DerBrock." To be offended or upset by a spectator's comparison to Blaine is very naive. You will either have to accept and even appreciate the nature of artistic comparisons, or leave the field. |
|||||||||
Pakar Ilusi Inner circle 5777 Posts |
And a couple of million bucks to boot!
That's a good thing you know!
"Dreams aren't a matter of Chance but a matter of Choice." -DC-
|
|||||||||
Dennis Michael. Regular user Denver, CO 103 Posts |
To his credit, Blaine has found a niche, capitalized well, promoted well, and made a good amount of green along the way while creating a voyeuristic experience for easily manipulated television viewing audience.
Forget about what he has accomplished... What has he really Achieved? Does it benefit him to be such an isolationist amongst his fellow magicians? What has he given back to the fraternity? I'm unaware of anything he personally can take credit for producing as an original effect. Take away the television shows, the hype and the hours of editing and what are you left with? What is original in his presentations? There is very little that I can see. I have some respect for him. But I want to know when is he going to lecture to the fraternity and what will he lecture about? I have noticed he has become a bit of a running joke in some magic conversations. Just my thoughts on this.
I'm Back
Dennis Michael Denver Colorado |
|||||||||
Thurston New user Ohio 5 Posts |
He has given the lay public what it needs most!
|
|||||||||
Dennis Michael. Regular user Denver, CO 103 Posts |
Could you be a little more specific?
I'm Back
Dennis Michael Denver Colorado |
|||||||||
Jordan Piper Veteran user British Columbia, Canada 309 Posts |
I think David Blaine revitalized the limp magic industry. Many people, including myself, got into magic after seeing his specials on t.v. Surely what he does is not unique, but he did what others didn't. He took simple tricks that you can buy from the local magic shop and astounded audiences with them on national television. Love him or hate him, you can't deny that he was a boost to magic and that is what he has given to the magic fraternity. Something that all the lectures in the world can't, a new life.
|
|||||||||
Dennis Michael. Regular user Denver, CO 103 Posts |
Quote:
On 2003-12-04 15:44, thekernel wrote: thekernel, I am glad to hear you found an intrest in magic (even from Mr. Blaine.) However, If you've only just gotten into the magic scene I doubt you would know how "limp" or unlimp the industry was? I would recomend that you look beyond your television for inspiration and insight into the world of magic. To give David Blaine as much credit as you have for what has happened to the magic industry is a slap in the face to those who have really contributed. ___________________________________________ Quote:
....Surely what he does is not unique, but he did what others didn't. He took simple tricks that you can buy from the local magic shop and astounded audiences with them on national television. You can look at magic as an art not unlike music. David Blaine has created success for himself the way some so-called "pop music artists" create success for themselves in the popular music industry. With a little talent and help from a staff of producers, editors, and some well choreographed network exposure he has created a consumable "product" (measured in value by the network for its ability to hold an audience's attention between comercials.) As far as the public point of view, if anything has been "boosted" it is the promotion of (dare I say creation of)"pop magic". Sure it seems interesting in the short run but it loses it's luster when the next program comes on. Not much is lasting, inspired, humanly touching or seriously considered art by the viewing audience much less the magic industry. I could name countless others who have added so much more to the world of magic. People like Kevin James and Gaeton Bloom. Inovators who create new material and effects. Another great example is David Ben who is actively working with a grant from the Canadian government to preserve magic history. Pardon me in advance for my temptation of sarcasm, but there are many magicians who chose not to practice the methods provided through the "magic" of television. Televison magic for me will always lack the heart of live interaction. The reality television approach will only be (at best) a voyeuristic experience of watching others watch magic. ____________________________________________ Quote:
I neither love nor hate David Blaine. I would not say he has "boosted" magic. You have not given me any substantial examples of how he has. I think we all tolerate him like we have to tolerate the flavor of the month pop singer on the radio. And as far as giving magic a new life... I just don't see it. I believe that If anything, in the last few years (and stunts) David Blaine has mostly confused the public with his camera point of view, voyeuristic experience. Magic must be experienced first hand. Just because we see someone drive a car on television doesn't mean we know what it feels like to drive a car. It is only through first hand experience that we actually understand or know anything. We cannot pretend to "know" what if feels like to experience magic through the reactions of the people who experience it on television. I believe it was Dai Vernon who said, "confusion is not magic." Reality television is and always will be an oxymoron. I respectfully disagree with most every statement you've made. Dennis
I'm Back
Dennis Michael Denver Colorado |
|||||||||
Schaden Inner circle Purgatory 1253 Posts |
Everything.... I used to hate Blaine but, now I think he is a god. He got rich, famous and he could care less about the haters.
Lee |
|||||||||
Black Magic New user New Orleans, La 87 Posts |
How did he levitate?
|
|||||||||
Jordan Piper Veteran user British Columbia, Canada 309 Posts |
It was magic.
|
|||||||||
A C Spectre New user Connecticut 75 Posts |
I have to agree with Dennis. While the Britneys of the music world are wildly successful right now, until they put out something that even vaguely resembles a "Sgt Pepper" my hard earned will stay in my wallet. As far as David Blaine goes...let me know when he gets invited to perform at the Kennedy Center or somewhere comparable and I might take notice
|
|||||||||
kihei kid Inner circle Dog House 1039 Posts |
Quote:
On 2003-12-06 23:08, pyro_magic wrote: Trust me on this one he is not a God. He who dies with the most fame and fortune does not win… he just dies. And everybody has people who hate them, I don’t care about my haters either, I’m not in the business of pleasing people that don’t like me.
In loving memory of Hughie Thomasson 1952-2007.
You brought something beautiful to this world, you touched my heart, my soul and my life. You will be greatly missed. Until we meet again “my old friend”. |
|||||||||
RandyStewart Inner circle Texas (USA) 1989 Posts |
Well so far he's accomplished all we've seen him do on T.V. and remains a big subject of many posts at the Café - just like this one.
|
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Magic names and the media » » What has Blaine accomplished? (0 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page 1~2 [Next] |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.04 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 < |