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Thatoldblackmagic New user 67 Posts |
Ok the time has came ,I am begining to put together a full illusion show ,costumes ,props everything is being done by me from the tailoring of my costumes to the construction of the illusions ,started 3 days agon on the asrah illusion and it is looking sweet! ,should have a cast of 8 including my self ,imagine a chorus line and broadway meets magic , I have a few questions
A: who is most likley to book this act? B: What length is appropriate ? C: If you could have any dream illusions, sets or costumes what would they be? D: if you have done anything like this please can you give me some hints and tips ,Thank You! Now I am 17 scraping every penny to do this project ,building / costuming saves so much money (my asrah will cost no more than £250) ,My parents have done acting / costumes for shows for about 60 years combined so they are helping me out ,not financially or labour wise because I want to do this self, paper work and directing wise yes they help. Now I don't want any ageist remarks on this ,yes I am young but I feel that if I spend enough time on my passion of magic and theatre it can come to life as the show ,was thinking about doing the fringe with it? Thank you for reading thus far. Over and out Liam
Scotland's first winner of the Edinburgh International Magic Festival's first place award. ~ Allen Tipton's magic Student. ~ Magic Historian and Collector ~ Built magic for Scotland's top Pantomimes ,Cats ,The Wizard of Oz and a few other shows. ~ As seen on TV theatre and film Aged 17
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Magic Patrick Inner circle Minnesota 1591 Posts |
Liam,
Welcome to the Café. That is a very large endeavor you are taking on and I wish you the very best at chasing and catching your dream. Here are the answers to your questions. A: who is most likley to book this act? This is a question that can have many answers so it really depends on your advertising and your willingness to travel. A friend of mine was performing at an amusement park and then was asked to have a 90 day run at a resort/lodge. After this he went on a tour with the troops. He also has done shows for casinos, churches and old theaters in small towns. He is willing to travel and is not picky at where he performs. B: What length is appropriate ? I would say that most shows should be 90 minutes maybe with a 15 minute intermission (for back of the room sales). I think that DC show is only 90 minutes. My show is only 60 minutes. C: If you could have any dream illusions, sets or costumes what would they be? For costumes there was a bunch for sale on the magicauction.com site at one point. I think enough for 5 different stories/illusions. I would love to have those but my show is very small (3 people). Illusions are a personal preference. I like the classics. I have Modern Art, Konundrum Kube, subtrunk and a deceptive steps/shadow box combo. If I could add one more to my show it would something like a compressed or little by little. D: if you have done anything like this please can you give me some hints and tips ,Thank You! I would ease into it by adding one illusion at a time, perfecting it and then adding another. I hope that this helps. Patrick |
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elliottmagic Regular user 155 Posts |
Hi,
I am 14 years old and I produced a 90 min show for a theatre seating 450. I booked the theatre and did the show. The theatre costs were paid from the profits. The gross income of the show was about $3,000 This was a benefit for a local boy scout troop. I recommend, at our age, (14-21) to do shows for benefits and do it for the experience rather than getting paid. Oh, and Liam, please PM me, have some questions about Asrah construction. I have the table completed, I just am struggling with securing the bag to the table. Thanks Elliott |
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David Nathan Magic New user 82 Posts |
I am not professional with illusions (i am only 13) but I do know a lot about music,
so maybe I can help you with that! just PM me! |
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elliottmagic Regular user 155 Posts |
Yeah!!!!! Young magicians
Wooo!! |
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Thatoldblackmagic New user 67 Posts |
Thanks for the positive response , Elliot a pm has been sent , very well done on the show , I too do. Lot o charity work , So good to hear from our youngsters , Patricl that answer was great! Thank you
Scotland's first winner of the Edinburgh International Magic Festival's first place award. ~ Allen Tipton's magic Student. ~ Magic Historian and Collector ~ Built magic for Scotland's top Pantomimes ,Cats ,The Wizard of Oz and a few other shows. ~ As seen on TV theatre and film Aged 17
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Thatoldblackmagic New user 67 Posts |
The auto correct on my phone was terrible!
Scotland's first winner of the Edinburgh International Magic Festival's first place award. ~ Allen Tipton's magic Student. ~ Magic Historian and Collector ~ Built magic for Scotland's top Pantomimes ,Cats ,The Wizard of Oz and a few other shows. ~ As seen on TV theatre and film Aged 17
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elliottmagic Regular user 155 Posts |
Haha, yeah, autocorrect is a pain,
And you are welcome, PM me if you want some ideas for some simple yet affective illusions. I did an escape illusion that I designed and built with my dad, and a murder inc head dagger. I have some new stuff coming like the Asrah, Hey, could you send me some pics of your Asrah base? I PMed you with details. Thanks Elliott |
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magicbymccauley Special user 830 Posts |
Thatoldblack magic:
don't go with a cast of eight. Have one assistant ONE. Eight people are too hard to manage. Secondly, heres a list of really great and affordable illusions you can do and build for very little money: Andrew Mayne's Spectre cabinet Ashra Spikes thru Cardboard Box, Sword basket, Sword box. Andrew Mayne's Razorwire Cube mini Zag Losander floating table Floating light bulb Metamophosis trunk Also, since price is a concern I would do at least two escapes: Handcuff escape Bag escape Chain escape (siberian chain is great find some bigger chains) Straight Jacket Escape. Escapes have a big stage presence just like illusions but are far cheaper. Last I would suggest you add a few stage magic tricks. People want to see more than just illusion after illusion. They want to see your personality. I would suggest the following: Cut and restored rope (use a LARGE rope). A monte routine with jumbo cards. A mentalism routine with an easel and a BIG whiteboard. Even just a good equivoque or book test is fine. Cardiographic (both a card trick and illusion) Bowling ball production Dancing cane. Half dyed hank Billy McCombs routine is great. Four illusions, two escapes, three stage tricks. Now you have a 30 minute show. DO NOT try and do a full hour show until you have a good 30 minute show.
"Tricks are about objects, Magic is about life."
-Max Maven |
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magicbymccauley Special user 830 Posts |
Okay, heres what I would do after more thought:
IN ORDER: Spectre Cabinet Swords thru (box or basket) Handcuff escape. Ashra Monte Routine Cube Zag Cardiographic Metamorphosis Now THAT is a great program and the whole thing is under $1500. Its 30 minutes, each routine averages 3.5 minutes.
"Tricks are about objects, Magic is about life."
-Max Maven |
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Thatoldblackmagic New user 67 Posts |
Thank you for the vice ,set list etc , however I have produced school shows and have a history of dance so I feel that 1 assistant is against the purpose of what I am trying to do , the show is aimed to be a mix of follies and magic with big production numbers. I really like the set you have put forward , I am currently working on a floating lightbulb routine for th show as an ode to Harry Blackstone and my Asrah illusion too.
Scotland's first winner of the Edinburgh International Magic Festival's first place award. ~ Allen Tipton's magic Student. ~ Magic Historian and Collector ~ Built magic for Scotland's top Pantomimes ,Cats ,The Wizard of Oz and a few other shows. ~ As seen on TV theatre and film Aged 17
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ClintonMagus Inner circle Southwestern Southeast 3997 Posts |
I know that there are some on here who will eventually pooh-pooh this exchange among young magicians, but I admire their excitement, drive, and lack of cynicism.
My only comment - "GO FOR IT!" Sometimes you will soar and sometimes you will fail, but in all of these things you will learn by doing. I wish all of you could get together and pool your resources and energy to produce a combinations show. I would pay to see it! Best of luck!
Things are more like they are today than they've ever been before...
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magicbymccauley Special user 830 Posts |
It depends on what you want to do. If you want to put it on, just like a school play, then one show with perhaps four or five performances would be fine, and you could certainly have 8 or more assistants for that.
The trouble begins when you are trying to book it as an act in other Theaters. Do the other players come with you? What if they can't do that schedule? Are you paying them? Likely not. People are only willing to volunteer for so long. And if you consider that you will have a long career in magic, then it's much more practical to have one assistant as opposed to several. Having an illusion show that needs 8 other people is a logistical nightmare. If you only need one assistant, you can play anywhere in the world on any stage. So if you are doing one show, then 8 assistants is fine. If you want to do a show that you can do over and over in almost any conditions, in any theater for many years, then having only one assistant (or none) is the way to go. Jeff McBride had only one assistant for a long time (his wife). Siegfried and Roy had each other. Having only one assistant is very practical. If you're going to do singing and dancing, make sure the singing is good and the dancing is good, and that it's motivated by the illusion. Otherwise, it's just people dancing around an illusion with no context. A lot of shows have mediocre singing, mediocre dancing, and mediocre illusions. The result is a mediocre show. If you are singing and dancing, I would have the dancing as a prelude, or as a bridge between effects. Having a few smaller effects (throwing cards over the heads of the audience, streamers, silks, wands that shoot things) that the dancers use is always great. I'm just warning you, dancing during an effect can look pretty darn cheezy and lame, especially when it's not motivated. You can really screw up the drama of an effect by dancing during it. For instance if you had quick tap dancing with your levitation, that would be a huge mistake. Tap dancing in a straight jacket, on the other hand, would be both funny and skillful.
"Tricks are about objects, Magic is about life."
-Max Maven |
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Thatoldblackmagic New user 67 Posts |
I under stand completely , The dancing was based on 2 routines , one an asrah at the masquerade and 2 the Dames number from 42nd st (all from a suit case) , I hate cheese in magic! I think magic is an art which has to be lifted back to its former glory , I would like to do a week or so with some dance students at our local theatre and possibly the magic Fest too , What I do want to know is is people use the theatres own tabs and scenery or provide their own? Thanks
Scotland's first winner of the Edinburgh International Magic Festival's first place award. ~ Allen Tipton's magic Student. ~ Magic Historian and Collector ~ Built magic for Scotland's top Pantomimes ,Cats ,The Wizard of Oz and a few other shows. ~ As seen on TV theatre and film Aged 17
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
I agree with this so much that I am reposting it so it does not get overlooked!
Quote: On 2013-01-07 15:27, ClintonMagus wrote:
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
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Mike Maturen Inner circle Michigan's Beautiful Sunrise Side 2726 Posts |
...and let me re-post as well! These kids are GREAT!
Quote: On 2013-01-07 19:24, Michael Baker wrote:
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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freefallillusion1 Elite user Cincinnati, OH 446 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-01-07 12:50, magicbymccauley wrote: Just some advice from experience here- First off, I am totally in agreement that you should go for it. But, while that's a potentially great set in the hands of the right performer, these are pieces that should be learned and added slowly, as in one-at-a-time. Concentrate on the cardiographic, and over many shows, get comfortable with it and make it look really good. Then, do the same for the other pieces. Remember, crawl before you can walk, and there are no shortcuts to that. I assure you that if you've never done any of these pieces live, and you try to add them all at once, you WILL fall flat (or at best, look awkward and uneasy on stage). This is simply too much too fast. As for the stated $1500- I do not see how this is possible. Let's assume that you have top notch constuction abilities and are not going to skimp and end up with illusions that look terrible. If that's the case, your asrah, if built correctly, will cost you well more than $1500 (the cases alone will be several hundred). Then after building the prop, you have to light it correctly, and it's a routine that calls for multiple assistants- and all of this costs money. The same could be said for the cost of the cube zag- that is, if you had permission to build a cube zag. This is an illusion which is not public domain and you do not have permission to build it (yeah, I know there's no patent, but it's about ethics and respecting the creator who should get his royalties). So, let's say you want to build a similar type of effect. I can tell you from many years of building my props that you just can't end up with a decent looking (and well built) prop for that little money. For example, if you're going to use the correct type of casters on your props, you'd be amazed at what you'll pay for a good set of wheels. Finishing will cost a lot, and so on... and again, if you put this kind of money into a prop, it's ridiculous not to have a travel case for it. Traveling will beat the snot out of your props. You don't want to learn this the hard way. So, again, I agree that you should go for it in every way possible. But I also think the smartest thing you can do is to ask lots of questions and learn from as many working pros as you can- this will give you a huge advantage, and most of the time it's free. I'd suggest looking up several of Taylor Reed's posts, as he has said quite a bit here and it's pure gold. Good luck! Phil |
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David Charvet Special user www.charvetmagic.com 501 Posts |
Pick your market FIRST. Then build the show to fit the market/audience.
Get a copy of "Illusion Show Know How" by Ken and Roberta Griffin (available as a download from Abbotts Magic) and also "Illusion Show Business" by Stan Kramien (available from Lybrary.com.) While some of the information is dated, most of it is still relevant today and will save you many hours and much money through trial-and-error. And in the wise words of Stan Kramien, remember: "One more illusion will NOT make you a star." |
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Thatoldblackmagic New user 67 Posts |
Wow thank you guys , funny you mention castors just spent a small fortune on a set for my asrah , by crates do you mean home built pine crates or ata road cases , I was going to build them out of pine with foam lining , is this suggested? I know Blackstone SRmand Orson Wells used them. Do you supply your own lights or does the venue , same with tabs etc and mic's , leads etc?
Scotland's first winner of the Edinburgh International Magic Festival's first place award. ~ Allen Tipton's magic Student. ~ Magic Historian and Collector ~ Built magic for Scotland's top Pantomimes ,Cats ,The Wizard of Oz and a few other shows. ~ As seen on TV theatre and film Aged 17
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David Charvet Special user www.charvetmagic.com 501 Posts |
If you and your crew are handling the crates in your own truck, wood will suffice. Actually, Dante and Blackstone had many crates that were simply 1" x 4" pine frames covered with canvas. Not quite an ATA case(!) But they did the job. If you are shipping by common carrier or having a transport/shipping company handle your props, ATA cases are just about mandatory. Even then, you may still find one occasionally punched with a hole from a forklift. But again, in most cases, unless you are a serious touring pro, a wooden crate will be just fine.
Re: lights. Depending upon the venue, you may be able to use the house grid and fill in with a few "specials" that you carry yourself. The easier you can make the rigging, lighting and staging (backdrops, etc.) you will save yourself a ton of time and money - especially when it comes to paying union stage crews overtime in big theaters to deal with everything. You can get great lighting from carrying a couple of "trees" with your own lights and control board. That way you'll have the same lighting wherever you go and won't have to worry about whether the theater has the right lighting available. (You should also carry your own follow-spotlight and operator.) |
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