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Mike Maturen Inner circle Michigan's Beautiful Sunrise Side 2726 Posts |
Hi All--
I am preparing to organize the effects I want to do for an annual charity show. I am looking for ideas for an opening sequence. I have two 5-7 minutes sets to fill. Last year, I opened with Andrew Mayne's Spectre Cabinet (Shadow Box). I am not necessarily looking for a huge illusion...just something to open with that will blow their socks off and set the mood. My second set will be Silk Magic, finishing with the Silk Fountain...all to music. I am considering throwing in the Mind Reading Orange in the opening set...but trying to figure out a good opener with it, something that makes sense...but not necessarily connected. Now for the Caveat: My budget is EXTREMELY limited. I lost my job a few months ago. I am now back to work, but for about 1/3 the income. Any ideas? I have a fog machine and strobe that perhaps I could incorporate to add to the "bigness" of an effect.
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 |
akschulz New user London, UK via Charlotte, NC 81 Posts |
I feel its tough to beat a shadow-box-type-appearance and if you're trying to do something different than last year I take it you'd prefer to either top the previous illusion or do something along completely different lines. Maybe you could consider using the smoke and strobe to increase the drama of whatever your opening sequence might be...could just be a production sequence. As far as budget illusions, have you something considered like a door-frame appearance?
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Mike Maturen Inner circle Michigan's Beautiful Sunrise Side 2726 Posts |
Thanks AK...yes, I have considered--and may do--the door frame type appearance. I might add the smoke and strobe along with running rope lights to create visual excitement.
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 |
Illucifer Inner circle 1403 Posts |
My opinion, and it is just that - an opinion - is that a bunch of strobes and flashing lights is a terrible distraction from the focus of the magic. Simple is best. And don't fall for the misguided adage that you must open with something fast and flashy to "get their attention", because it's simply not true. It's every bit as good and strong to simply walk onstage and perform a piece that's good, strong magic, but also introduces your personality and onstage persona. Now, let me reiterate, it shouldn't only be about you personality. It must be a good, strong, amazing bit of magic. Another trap magicians fall into is the "there's-no-such-thing-as-a-bad-trick" trap, wherein one believes that there are no bad tricks, only bad performers. Well, it's simply not true. There are very bad tricks that shouldn't be done. Amaze them, fool them. That's what they came for (it does, after all, say magician on your promotional materials), but don't make the mistake of thinking the very first thing has to be quick and flashy to dazzle 'em.
It's all in the reflexes.
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Mike Maturen Inner circle Michigan's Beautiful Sunrise Side 2726 Posts |
Good points, all, Illucifer!
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 |
Matt Adams Special user Harvest, AL 827 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-12-27 15:56, Illucifer wrote: I like it.
Website: www.MattAdamsMinistries.com
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Mike Maturen Inner circle Michigan's Beautiful Sunrise Side 2726 Posts |
Thanks Matt...not sure whether you like MY idea, or illucifer's refutation of it!
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 |
WayneCapps Special user Charleston, SC 769 Posts |
I just did a similar show and wanted to change things up from what I normally do and I wanted to go with something funny and something that I thought would knock their socks off. I went in a completely different direction and kicked it off with Doug Malloy's Lemon Game. I was very worried that it was not "big enough." But, it killed and was very well received, Just my 2 cents.
Wayne Capps
AKA: Howard Blackwell Illusionist/Escape Artist www.BlackwellMagic.com https://www.facebook.com/HowieBWell http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6on5fdJVcQ&feature=youtu.be |
Matt Adams Special user Harvest, AL 827 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-12-27 15:56, Illucifer wrote: That's the part I liked...but I would disagree (though I think he was likely just overstating it to prove his point) that you SHOULDN'T use strobes or flashes, etc. I like it. [/quote]
Website: www.MattAdamsMinistries.com
Instagram: @mattadamsministries Facebook: www.facebook.com/mattadamsministries |
Mike Maturen Inner circle Michigan's Beautiful Sunrise Side 2726 Posts |
Thanks Matt and Wayne!
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 |
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