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Darkness Inner circle 1626 Posts |
Quote:
On Mar 18, 2015, Mr Timothy Gray wrote: Ya you may be right.... I'll take the heat for this one thanks buddy.
THE SUPERNATURAL ILLUSIONIST & EFFECTS CREATOR WWW.MRDARKNESS.COM
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David Parr V.I.P. 898 Posts |
Nice work, Paul!
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Sicnatius Veteran user Connecticut 396 Posts |
Sure you can do complete propless shows that can be entertaining and great.
I see the props as the spice.You can cook a good meal without spices, but they can elevate it from good to outstanding. If you ever did a classic seance you know how much the right room with the right table lifts up the whole experience. On the use of mechanical props I want to say, that they are not necessary but useful. When I do my seance show I carry my electronical spirit Bell with me. Having it with me doesn't mean I will fire it by any means. If the whole show runs that good, people feel somethings in the room, they localize cold spots a.s.o. I will just leave it on the table because I learned that another "proof" of ghost existence can kill the believe of the audience. If the audience is not responding well to the suggestive methods the bell gives me a real out. |
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gothicmagic Inner circle Ubiquitous 1374 Posts |
Those that went to the ECSS talked about where the Bizarre and Seance arts are and are going, did we have props to be examined indeed, but we also had an unheard of 3 lectures that talked about performance, acting, character & persona. As entertainers, storytellers weavers of mystery everything we interact with during our show is a prop (be it a table or etc..) it is our job to take the experience away from the land of puzzles and let them feel something unique has happened. In that setting a tarot card has the same power as a tattered circus ticket, it is the teller of the tale that breathes life. Many of us can buy the paint it is up to us to put it to canvas.
Vlad ^0^
One of The Founding Fathers of The East Coast Spirit Sessions & Co Producer of Bizarre hauntings ECSS I,II,III,IV,V,VI Order of the Hexidic |
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MatCult Inner circle 1518 Posts |
Quote:
On Mar 18, 2015, MatCult wrote: Mr Gray, I'd be keen to hear/read your thoughts on some of the responses I've made to your questions. It's all very well "stirring up mud" - but it hurts the mud's feelings when it takes the time to type answers that are simply ignored.
"Disbelief in magic can force a poor soul into believing in government and business."
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Brynmore14 Inner circle The Séance Chamber 1815 Posts |
I am sure Timothy will he back with responses when he can.
In the meantime, I am off to watch my new Robert Lloyd Parry DVD of him performing as M.R. James in his retelling of The Ash Tree. This will no doubt be a masterclass in characterisation, story telling, costume, lighting, set dressing and use of props. I found out about this guy through the M R James podcast, A podcast to the curious. |
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Intrepid Inner circle Silver Spring, MD 1178 Posts |
Quote:
On Mar 18, 2015, Paul Prater wrote: Excellent Paul.
Bob
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Darkness Inner circle 1626 Posts |
Yes Vlad paint and canvas may be a correct analogy, unfortunately, lots of people like to draw and some even think they are really good at it (hence the bad performances).
Talent is not a given, and even if you have it, will take much practice to get the candle to paint the light, to cast that ghostly hue just right, to rivet you to your seat so you may appreciate the canvas. Wow, does that mean a candle is a prop? It could be! I’m sure Mr. Gray will respond. I have a feeling he has left us with a gift for us to open, not so much for him to tell us what’s in it before we open it. He may be a very crafty man indeed…. I like this Mr. Gray… I would also love to see his performance, I’m sure he is very talented. There is a lesson in here people the one he openly talked about we just have to see the light first.
THE SUPERNATURAL ILLUSIONIST & EFFECTS CREATOR WWW.MRDARKNESS.COM
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Eddie Garland Inner circle Hells Kitchen, New York City 4207 Posts |
I had the pleasure of dining with Mr. Gray just last week and I can assure you he is a passionate seeking soul.
I think he sparked a valuable conversation and provoked an interesting debate. Mr. Gray is a representative of the future generation of Bizarre performance and he is filled with questions that may be challenging. |
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gothicmagic Inner circle Ubiquitous 1374 Posts |
I may see the world differently than some as I got into Magic through Haunted Attractions, I was first a SPFX makeup artist and also built the effects into the rooms, then begin acting in the Haunt, I was then introduced to magic (which led to my involvement in Mystery School) so to me as an actor , yes a candle is a prop as is the Table it sits upon. I think we all find the path in Bizarre that suits us and our skill level, among magicians I never bought into the worry of magicians guilt (doing something you may be caught at) or the hierarchical attitude that you "couldn't consider yourself a magician" if you didn't perform x,y or z (cups and balls being on trick often referred to) as I never had a desire "to perform" the cups and balls
it was also foreign when some magi go off on using a gaff (as it wasn't pure sleight of hand) so? Was the audience entertained,did it accomplish what you wanted it to? was it memorable or feel magical? those seem more important to me than can it be handed out for inspection. Darkness part of the issues of bad performances may stem from the "clubs" where shows are not discussed and worked on (or critqued) in house, they sometimes rush right out before sufficient flight time and bring it before the public, some clubs actually run through and rehearse their shows The Countess Bathory effect Rick mentioned I am always tweaking (and I've been doing it for over 20 yrs), The Death Card effect I also did at ECSS I designed as a close-up effect (once again for over 20 yrs) and finally about 91/2 yrs ago found a suitable way to do it on stage (without losing impact and emphasis)
Vlad ^0^
One of The Founding Fathers of The East Coast Spirit Sessions & Co Producer of Bizarre hauntings ECSS I,II,III,IV,V,VI Order of the Hexidic |
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RCP Inner circle Two Minnie's in The Hell's Half Acre, The Republic of Texas 2183 Posts |
It's been a very good thread and we need more like them. Thanks
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reese Inner circle of Hell 1332 Posts |
On Mar 17, 2015, Mr Timothy Gray wrote:
Quote: It is an idea of mine to do an ideal performance of Bizarre magic in a dark room with the slight shaking of the walls. I live in earthquake country. I fantasize about a slight tremor happening while in the dark of a performance. (I'll use anything, a small intake of breath, eyes looking upwards, a stiffening of the spine) We're in this together, you & I dear audience... And I fantasize about Great Nature helping out in the form of a slight earthquake tremor. It would certainly wake up the theatrical moment in a performance! The audience & I sharing a single vibrant moment. That would please me very much.
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Mr Timothy Gray Veteran user Rue d'Auseil 364 Posts |
Quote:
On Mar 19, 2015, reese wrote: Your thinking here is wonderful. You're seeking to go beyond the artificial into the phenomenal. You're seeking to create a moment, as opposed to an effect. It's unrepeatable. Magic.
Yr. Obdt. Svt.,
Mr Timothy Gray Specializing in the Occult Arts of Fortune Telling, Magic & Mediumship; Est. 1986 |
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Wizard of Oz Inner circle Most people wish I didn't have 5150 Posts |
Mr Timothy Gray, I love your tumblr posts. One could spend hours perusing the imagery. What a feast for the eyes!!!
Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.
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Mr Timothy Gray Veteran user Rue d'Auseil 364 Posts |
Thank you!
Yr. Obdt. Svt.,
Mr Timothy Gray Specializing in the Occult Arts of Fortune Telling, Magic & Mediumship; Est. 1986 |
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Terrible Wizard Inner circle 1973 Posts |
Yes, they are a fantastic collection!!!
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Mr Timothy Gray Veteran user Rue d'Auseil 364 Posts |
Thank you doubly!
Yr. Obdt. Svt.,
Mr Timothy Gray Specializing in the Occult Arts of Fortune Telling, Magic & Mediumship; Est. 1986 |
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innermind Regular user suburban Detroit 154 Posts |
This thread brought to mind a couple motion picture story telling scenes centered around a prop.
First is the 1979 comedy film Meatballs; Bill Murray is telling a spooky story around a campfire: Next is Christopher Walken's watch scene from the 1994 film, Pulp Fiction: enjoy, David
"Everything is funny as long as it is happening to somebody else." -Will Rogers
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NoT a DuCk! New user All the cool people have 19 Posts |
"Often when we guess at other’s motives, we reveal only our own." Queen of the Reef
Posted: Mar 21, 2015 06:04 am Just so you know I mean that constructively.... I can't think of any commercial environment where I like everything on the shelf. ....but I love the hunt. Focus on why YOU are here and you will find what you seek. Focus on why others are here and you will find yourself playing so many games you can quote them. |
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MrPoponi New user Brazil 93 Posts |
I will summarize my thoughts.
All the power is in the performer. Props are necessary because people like to see symbologies. That's why it justifies the use of oracles in cold reading, for example, and, in fact, the true artist would not need any "prop" to perform. |
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The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The spooky, the mysterious...the bizarre! » » Props are not performance (121 Likes) | ||||||||||
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