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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
Hi Guys-
The Marx Brothers are an excellent example. Unlike any of the comedy teams of their time, they were completely unpredictable. They didn't even follow the scripts in their movies or stage players and probably drove many of their directors nuts. It's that element of not doing what is expected. They never did, and if you are new to their work I envy you. Oh, and Bamba- you are right- you really can't appreciate any theatrical art properly unless you experience it live. But I think that the immediacy of live performance is even more important in our type of work where audience members should actually feel that they are PART of the performance and may actually be next in line to have their mind read. (That is one of the main tension elements in a mentalist show and is why effects that involve the entire audience, such as question answering- where no one knows whose question will be answered next- and psychological effects involving the entire audience- make for a much stronger performance than one in which all of the effects are strictly one on one, in a participatory sense, with individual spectators. Thanks to Yaniv, I will now go and watch my tape of Duck Soup, which is just as relevant to today's world political situation as it was in the 1930's . Best- Bob Cassidy |
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saglaser Loyal user Champaign, IL 248 Posts |
Ahh, the joy of discovering the Marx Brothers. I'm envious, too! In my case, though, I think I may pull out Horsefeathers for another viewing.
(But since I already wrote my favorite on a slip of paper, tore it up and burned it, most of you already knew what it was) ;-) |
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Mr Amazing Special user 617 Posts |
Just a remotely related note: I recommend the film "Man on the Moon" starring Jim Carrey as the stand-up comedian Andy Kauffman. Definitely a performer on the edge (Kauffman that is... well, I guess Carrey also for that matter)!
/Matias |
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
Here is a motto that I like:
"If you are not living on the edge, you're taking up too much room." Kaufmann, I think, was actually completely OVER the edge. I loved the guy and his work. He was just as surprising as an excellent magic act, no one knew what he would do next. (although, the film kind of gave the idea that, for all of his apparent insanity and spontanaeity, much of his work was carefully calculated-- his use of stooges should be studied by every performer!) Best- Bob |
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Bruno New user 62 Posts |
I recently saw Uri Geller in London at one of his " Motivational' talks and what struck me most was that he has made a 30 yr career out of just three effects. Spoons, Duplicate drawing and 'Think of a colour' The show was sold out and he did nothing new. The specs sat there clutching spoons and keys waiting for something to happen. I looked around and realised that the audience wanted to believe Uri had genuine powers and because they believe him he has no need to change, update or modify anything he does. The lesson is clear I think.
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A l a i n B e ll o n Veteran user 302 Posts |
Oh and don't forget his ability for starting non-working watches, plus all his random attributions (like the stopping of the moving platform at the Olympics and his searches for underground Oil or water).
-Alain Bellon |
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Jonathan Inner circle Oklahoma 1223 Posts |
Amazing, The marx Bros. are my all-time fav. comedy team (if you can call them that), Jim Carrey is my all-time fav. comedian with Andy Kauffman second and Robin Williams probably third. I LOVED man on the moon but I agree it did kind of misrepresent him a little bit.
They are ALL geniuses, with andy being the most revolutionary! Marx bros. still crack me up and I have almost all their movies. I still envy a complete collection and stay up all night during marx bros. marathons on television. The WB animated series, Animaniacs, tried to convert the marx bros. style into animation. It worked, as many many people who are too young to know and understand the marx bros. (minus zeppo, the boring one) because avid fans of the "warner bros. and their sister dot". I do pattern much of my performance style after Andy kauffman! He was the ultimate magic/mentalism if you want to call it that because he fooled SO MANY PEOPLE!!! He became a living satire actually BECOMING the people he was making fun of and people believed it! And at the end he was fooled by pychic surgery because of his desperate need for something to work. I wonder if that was real??? David Blaine's stuff is somewhat similar to Andy kauffman in my mind, somethings he has done reminds me of it. And speaking of Blaine, his vertigo stunt along with his other two are good examples of what you mean by "live" in reference to dangerous stunts. Allowing others to come and see him in person during his "feats of endurance" is Houdini like and very brilliant. But I think this thread can be summed up in the immortal words of groucho. appalled woman: "Well I NEVER!" Groucho: "You should, it's fun..." Jonathan Grant |
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A l a i n B e ll o n Veteran user 302 Posts |
This is starting to sound like discussions common in the world of sports...
Who was best, Ruth or Bonds? Jordan or Bryant? Maradonna or Rivaldo? Borg or Sampras? Older figures will always have an advantage. The advantage of the legend; the enhanced memory created in our minds. For an even more analogous field, look at music. By the standards of people from the Rolling Stones era, much of current music probably seems unpalatable and cheap. Yet looking through the history of music we can see a constant evolutionary trend. Same with other forms of art. But certainly there is really no point in the comparison. Innovation and evolution in a field is not about comparison of personal greatness. Things evolve independently of the opinions of the observers. -Alain Bellon |
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A l a i n B e ll o n Veteran user 302 Posts |
Evolving downwards... would that be to "involve" or to "subvolve"? (to roll inwards or to roll under)
On a serious note, making a judgement on such a subjective matter as "being boring performers" comes back to the ever futile discussion of taste. Then again, most magicians/mentalists that have any theatrical education think Stanislavsky is THE ONLY performance theory. I don't need to say more. Being blunt is fine. -Alain Bellon |
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Philemon Vanderbeck Inner circle Seattle, WA 4694 Posts |
Quote:
On 2002-05-21 17:48, Alain Bellon wrote: Devolve.
Professor Philemon Vanderbeck
That Creepy Magician "I use my sixth sense to create the illusion of possessing the other five." |
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Jonathan Inner circle Oklahoma 1223 Posts |
Revolve?
Jonathan Grant |
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A l a i n B e ll o n Veteran user 302 Posts |
Philemon, I am aware that what he meant would be expressed correctly by "devolve". He said "evolving downwards", which conjured up a funny image in my mind.
It was just meant as a joke. I guess I was not succesful (perhaps not as funny for native english speakers). Good thing I stay in mentalism and do not attempt a career in comedy. -Alain Bellon |
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Darmoe Special user Ohio 741 Posts |
Well... I feel like I just completed War & Peace in wadding through all this...
Some excellent points BTW. Now I've been in magic for over 35 years as a "pro"... admittedly I work mainly as a designer & conceptionalist and more recently, as a writer. My "full time" work in mentalism, though it spans some two decades, gains more influence from the Shut Eye world vs. the magic fraternity... the only Mentalists I've ever seen work live are Kreskin, Glenn & Francis (Falkenstien & Willard), the Maven and some odd young lad that came to the castle every Gong Show night with some really bad material... in short, what I know and what I do I have pulled together on my own based on my observations of the layperson's pov, general trends, and a hint of my own warped and twisted way of thinking (once a macabrest always a sicko, long winded storyteller... ) Anyhow the style and mode of "commercial" MAGIC as a whole, is changing... big expensive boxes and scantly clad misdirection is being replaced (you'll get a kick out of this) BY REAL TALENT vs. poor little rich kids that can afford to four wall... Where, in the 70s and 80s the audiences didn't want involved, advents of the mid and late 90s have lent to us a public that wants direct interaction. Too, we have seen a resurgence in the public's "need" to believe or, have confirmation of things surreal, mystical, etc. In other words, magic is graduating away from the hype of being a trick or illusion and (via the public's demand)becoming a tool to the storyteller and a medium via which the mystical is made tangible. There will always be room for the Kreskin style of delivery as well as the Carnival Side Show Barker/Game Show host styled performers. However, we are witnessing a blending effect in which "tricks" are being melded with mental miracles and the beauty of theatrical psychology... as performers, we are being asked by the public, to deliver a shamanic experience that is both, entertaining as well as enlightening. Too, if it gives us a little hint of a thrill or chill or makes us scream a bit, that's cool too... just don't tell us it's a trick... It will be interesting to see how this art evolves over the next decade or so.
"I firmly believe that of all the Arts and Crafts of Mentalism, there is nothing more satisfying than one who is a first-class Reader. It is the ultimate in Mentalism..." - Tony Corinda * 13 Steps To Mentalism
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J.Buddy New user 53 Posts |
A New Wave or was it inevitable?
Six years have passed by, and it appears as though Darmoe made a very good observation/ prediction for how a new wave of mentalism would dance around itself into what is now modern day practices. Any other thoughts? J.B.
Rediscovering the magician inside.
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Steve_Mollett Inner circle Eh, so I've made 3006 Posts |
I think with all forms of magic, pre-recorded programs and the rumors of editing and video effects has damaged believability.
Maybe a few LIVE TV specials like back in the early-mid 1970s...?
Author of: GARROTE ESCAPES
The absurd is the essential concept and the first truth. - Albert Camus |
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magicboymagic New user 24 Posts |
Its time for z generation to take over and make this more cool
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-08-06 16:52, magicboymagic wrote: God help us! |
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magicboymagic New user 24 Posts |
We all are a spoke in the wheel , the wheel keeps on moving and the spoke has to be replaced when its time is over , the law of life
moreover, tv gigs prefer mentalist or magician who can pull in the young crowd .. criss angel is the best example that comes to my mind .. hot, appealing & great presentation on television .. made magicians all over the world be perceived as more cool |
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SimonG-97 Special user 508 Posts |
What on earth are you on about?
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Lior Inner circle 1961 Posts |
Nothing. It is a psot about nothing.
And way people are reDing it? Because it's on the Café. Well, not yet. Geroge and NBC's CEO
The Lior Touch
https://1amagic.com/ PEA Dave Lederman Award 2009 PEA Dunninger Award 2001 Life Time Achivmeant IUPA 2016 |
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