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Neb Regular user 102 Posts |
Although I could throw in any random material when I perform (which I will do sometimes) I tend to stick to the same routines which I have developed and developed over the years and I know will always totally kill. I don't mind improvising or using material which is less developed but for the most part I do tend to go to the same effects.
I guess this is because people are (usually) seeing me for the first time and I always want to give them my very best stuff. However after years of doing some of the same material I am really coming to a point where I would like to be moving on creatively! I perform mostly close up, and sometimes parlour. I keep things fresh for myself by doing the following things - - Really engaging with the audiences, getting to know them and enjoying the interpersonal interactions and what surprises that might bring me. - Changing the presentations, reframing thought reading as predictions etc. - Taking more risks and being bold. - Experimenting with different mindsets, attitudes etc. - Finding new ways to improve the routines, however subtle. This all works well for me but sometimes lately even when everything is going wonderfully I have found myself thinking and feeling "so bloody bored of this one!" Some of these routines I must have performed around 1500 times in the last year alone so I think I need to move things along for my mental health more than anything! I do introduce new material but I find it takes a while before things get up to the high standard of my usual stuff. Also a lot of it doesn't make it over the long term because it sometimes just isn't as strong as what I usually do. I was wondering for you guys who have been performing professionally for years - how do you keep things fresh and how often do you introduce new material into your professional act? Do you have routines you have been performing constantly for years and years and years, or do you retire some things, and just revisit occasionally? How easy do you find it to create new effects that are either better than, or at least on par with what came before? Thanks! Neb |
JanForster Inner circle Germany ... when not traveling... 4190 Posts |
Not too often, I prefer to change my audience...
Jan Forster
www.janforster.de |
mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
It took me twenty years to get my main routines to the point where I was completely satisfied with them. They all allow a lot of room for improvisation and spontaneous audience interaction so I never get bored with them. Every show is still an adventure, even if I always do basically the same set.
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george1953 Inner circle Mallorca (Spain) 5943 Posts |
I don't really add much new stuff. I do buy anything that interests me and practise it until I'm happy with it. When I am working in the summer it can sometimes 2 shows a night every night so occasionally I will put in one of these, more for my own sake than anything else. It keeps it fresh for me and gives me a little break from doing the same thing every night. On the one hand why change routines that I know work, on the other hand it keeps me from getting stale and becoming almost automatic.
By failing to prepare, we are preparing to fail.
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David Thiel Inner circle Western Canada...where all that oil is 4005 Posts |
I don't change the core of the act much anymore. If something new comes in, it has to be stronger or fulfill a more specific function than something I'm already doing. It's a long process, because one change to the show can change the whole act.
Like George, I still buy new books and props...and sometimes I find something I'm very excited about. When that happens, I'll play around with it, script it...and then work it in my walkabout and parlour shows to see how it plays with real people. Then I rescript it again...and if I'm still MORE in love with it than at least one thing in my show, I'll put it into the middle of smaller stage shows. But that's rare because I truly love everything I do. If after all that if I still believe it is stronger that that one thing I'm looking at replacing, it goes in. So...no. I don't change the core material. Much. David
Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Except bears. Bears will kill you.
My books are here: www.magicpendulums.com www.MidnightMagicAndMentalism.com |
saysold1 Eternal Order Recovering Cafe addict with only 10795 Posts |
It's an interesting subject as I thionk about this too quite often.
It is rare for me as well to add in something new - the issue in some cases is that the "new" thing is at times too close in theme to other routines in the show. For example I bough the coolest Kurosuke balls from Rom here on the Café recently - man would I love to perform kurosuke! Problem is to my mind it is too similar in concept to the version of Sneak Thief that I'm now addicted to, and I usually do a which hand style effect at the #2 spot. So as much I want to do Kurosuke, it never makes the cut I added Doug D's "The Real Thing" as my finale some months and I'm thrilled with it. I don't know about all of you but for a 1 hour show that leaves about 7 spots for routines to fill the time. The reality is that I have far more effects than 7, and even now I still switch certain routines in and out - especially if (like at a parlour show last night) people have seen my show before. I also started using Eric's white box for larger shows and that thing has been a dream - but I've owned it for a few years since it came out and only NOW have I felt good about using it regularly.
Creator of The SvenPad Supreme(R) line of aerospace level quality, made in the USA utility props. https://svenpads.com/
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Neb Regular user 102 Posts |
Thanks guys really appreciate your insights and experiences!
Nice to know I am not alone in performing the same material over long periods of time! |
twistedace Inner circle philadelphia 3772 Posts |
I was curious as to how many routines are currently in your show? I sit at 7 effects in 45 minutes. It's difficult to change these routines out because they are what I feel are the strongest.
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Neb Regular user 102 Posts |
At the moment I only do Close-up and Parlour shows. Parlour its around 6 routines and close up I usually do 2 or perhaps 3.
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saysold1 Eternal Order Recovering Cafe addict with only 10795 Posts |
If you are doing a Q&A or blindfold act (I don't) that in itself could be 15 min+ right?
Creator of The SvenPad Supreme(R) line of aerospace level quality, made in the USA utility props. https://svenpads.com/
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