I've been asked to perform in one week. (April 8, 04 is when I started this thread).
Here's what I have:

1.) Ellusionist videos (PM me about the videos; don't want to get in a conversation about Ellusionist, because this will be another Ellusionist bashing thread).

2.) Banachek Silverware.

3.) Raven (don't want to deal with set up)

4.) Invisible Thread (again set up I don't want to deal with).

5.) Pen-thru dollar.

6.) Coin bite (50 cent piece).

7.) Healed and sealed (not planning to do this because I'll be inside a building).

8.) Banachek's PK pen.

I know I have more items but I can't really think of them right now.

So like I've said, I've been asked to perform in about one week, and I really don't think that's enough time. I pretty much being in a setting that I will go to people or people will come to me, not like a stage show kind of thing.

What's your thoughts on this?

Thank you.

big k

Big K,

My view has always been if I don't feel prepared to do a show I don't book it. A week is a short time to prepare a show. Do you perform on a regular basis?

Seth

That isn't a list of effects; it's a list of props.

Think of what you could do with the PK pen. You could tell a story around it that lasts three or four minutes before you actually start the 'effect'. Also think of some effects that require nothing.

If I only had gimmicked effects, I would say, "No thanks, I'm flattered, but I'm not ready to perform yet."

The performance would be a great opportunity to get experience doing effects for real people. But if you don't already know what effects you are able to perform smoothly, a week is not enough time. I don't feel confident with effects until I have practiced them enough that they are second nature. That way, when you perform for people who come up to you, you will not be worrying about remembering methods; rather, you can concentrate on entertaining the audience. It might be best to turn down the offer if you don't have effects that you know you can execute well.

Where have you been asked to perform?
Is it a paid gig?
Is it practise?
Who is the audience?
How large is the audience?
How comfortable do you feel in front of this audience?
How comfortable are you with your effects?
How comfortable are you with your presentation?
Can you do your routine with the confidence to not expose the workings of the effects?
What are the benefits of saying yes?
What are the disadvantages of saying yes?

* * * * *

In your post, you suggest that some effects will not be suitable. By your tally, you leave Banachek silverware, Banachek pen, 50 cent piece and pen through dollar as possibities for performance.

I'm not sure what you have learned from the videos so I can't comment. Sorry.

The four items above cover a fairly wide cross-section of magic performance. It might be difficult to theme them in a way that gives your character any consistency, though I can see that they all have a "WOW" factor which is probably why they appealed to you for purchase.

* * * * *

If you are just going to show a few things casually, others will remember your performance. Is this the impression that you want to leave?

If you know these effects and have already mastered them, go for it. It sounds to me that these are items that you plan to get started on for this event, though. If that is the case, you will do a great injustice to yourself by taking this gig. To get better help let us know more.

So like I've said, I've been asked to perform in about one week, and I really don't think that's enough time. I pretty much being in a setting that I will go to people or people will come to me, not like a stage show kind of thing.

Sounds like walk-about to me. Stuff the props you just need confidence; some times you have to pretend you're confident. If you have got/there confidence you could convince them your a master with a thumb tip and 101 stunts. My one tip is keep moving (at this stage) and if it is a whole-day tacke breaks, be in control, if you don't think you can then.

"Don't do it, put the Gun down."

Since you have not responded I assume you are practicing?

Seriously... lay out the tricks/props you are most familiar with on a bed.

Pick each one up and work on it.

Less is more... don't try to do too much. If walk around you can get by with three or four items and just move from group to group.

If you don't think you can handle it... DON'T DO IT.

I think I can handle it. I've also tried cancelling it. But they won't let me, so it looks like I'm stuck.

Oh, by the way they're not all gimmicks. I don't know why you thought they were gimmicks. Anyway, I guess I'll practice. I got no other choice. And to be honest with you guys I really don't feel I am ready for this, but I got to do it. I know the effects and I can do them any time, but I'm pretty sure I need to fresh in up on the effects.

Do I perform on a regular bases? Nope, I might do a trick once a day, but it's mainly I don't do any the whole day. (Mainly because I'm nervous, and I don't want to get caught.)

big k

You can always cancel. I don't think you should do this gig. If you do, you will be nervous unpolished and leave a negative impression of magic on your audience. When is the gig? Can you find someone to fill in for you. What area are you in? Maybe someone here will help you out.

Well I have to do it. They won't let me out of it.

*sigh* I hope I do good.



Believe it or not, I didn't book it. The person who booked it has known for quite some time that I do magic. Then suddenly the person has me book this whole year for this show, and then tells me one week before I have to do the show. It made me mad at first. But like I've said this whole time, I'm stuck.

big k

Well, how did it go?

Bob

What I did:

1.) cards tricks.

2.) Banachek silverware:
This was really good. I had a table out, and I had at least 20 people surrounding the whole table. I had to get up from my seat because I had so many people wanting to see. I had one person even screaming after they saw one of the silverware bend.

3.) I did the coin bite.

4.) Pen-through dollar:
I had a lot of request for that trick. Specially when I borrow the bill and then stab it and rip it out and no hole.

5.) Balducci. I did the self levitation once. But since it was exposed on TV, every one knows how it's done. I don't even know why I even bother with this trick.

6.) The pass: I did this one a lot. In fact no one can see it. I actually had people testing me and saying this my deck was a fake deck (Talley Ho deck I was using), and so I hand them the cards to look at, and then I tell them to take out any card and place it in the middle. Boom, then card is on top. I can do it five times on a row and no one will see the move. After I do the trick I tell them that "they do actually do this in Las Vegas and rip people off with this move. Like I can bet you 100 bucks and you WILL LOSe every time."

And that's pretty much what happened. I had a lot of fun.

big k

You just did the pass over and over again. LOL

Rofl, that's what you get from listening to Ellusionist.


Oh well, at least it was a one-time gig.

Ellusionist? How did you know I buy magic from them?

big k

Big K,

Forget it if you're not ready. Give it to a magician that can do our art justice. There will be other shows to come along, and you will be ready by then.

Also, forget Ellusionist!

Big K

We are not psychic, your first post stated you bought Ellusionist videos.

Oh, duh, never mind. LOL

By the way, what's wrong with ellusionist? I find that their videos are well worth the price because of the quality of their videos. I mean they are the ones that got me my first magic video.

quote:

Forget it if you're not ready. Give it to a magician that can do our art justice. There will be other shows to come along, and you will be ready by then.
-----
You see I wasn't ready, but as you can see I did the show anyway.

big k