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Necromancer Inner circle Chicago 3076 Posts |
Hi Mayo --
I think the URL you were intending was http://www.dracinabox.com (no hyphens). If you like that look, great. But really, you don't need anybody else to tell you what a vampire looks like. Develop your own sense of style and you won't look like every other goth on the block (in a box or otherwise). As for effects, I'd suggest going at it from the other direction. What stories and experiences would you like to share with your audience? Once you nail those down, the rewarding search begins for the magical effects that brings them to life for your audience. Best of luck, Neil
Creator of The Xpert (20 PAGES of reviews!), Cut & Color, Hands-Off Multiple ESP (HOME) System, Rider-Waite Readers book, Zoom Pendulum ebook ...
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ptbeast Special user Oregon 831 Posts |
A few thoughts on developing a vampire character...
or, more accurately, some questions to consider as you develop this character. Are you clearly a vampire, or is that simply implied? At heard, are you good or evil? Why are you telling these stories/performing effects? --to dispel myths? --to entice victims? --to ensnare others to become undead? --as a prelude to clan warfare? --because you are egomaniacal? --unbearable guilt? --to share the enlightenment of living an extraordinarily long life? And are your stated reasons your real ones? What are you afraid of? What is your emotional background? --Cold and unfeeling --Filled with guilt and shame, yet unable to control the blood lust? --Haunted by the memories of friends, lovers, and adversaries, that were --alas-- all to mortal? There are, of course, many more questions that need to be answered. It seems to me that it is important to answer these types of questions before developing either effects or costuming. The answers to these questions will help you decide how you should look, how subtle the effects should be, and the type of emotional impact that you want to have on your audience. If you plan to perform as this character on an ongoing basis (as opposed to one show or routine), then you will want to fully develop the personality and backstory. I believe this is critical to pulling this off in a believable way. I think that you are off to a wonderful start. Please keep us advised of your progress. Good luck, Dave |
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
If you are marketing your act toward Goths, don't do this, but if you aren't, here is a bit you can have fun with.
When you see a Goth, address him or her as "Food." It snaps them back to reality. Also, I don't believe a vamp would actually wear silver jewelry. There seems to be an antipathy between silver and vamps -- not as much as there is between silver and werefolk, but there, nevertheless.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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Mayo Loyal user WorymWood 211 Posts |
Am I clearly A vampire? No, but it is implied to a great extent.
Am I Good or Evil? A tad of both, but I am choosing to let them decide after they hear me. I don't want to push myself to be Good, and I don't want to push myself to be Evil I am just going to see how I play out the first few times, as of now though I think I am leaning towards evil. Why did I come out from hiding? 1) Dispel the Hollywood myths that people have become so fond of believing. 2) To share the enlightenment of having a long life, of many adventures. What am I afraid of? Dogs make me uneasy. And gawking humans do not sensually help me relax neither. My emotional background? Fearing of losing those that I have come close to, so I try to separate myself and not get to close fearing there loss, I have lost to many in the past the pain is unbearable. My attitude Superior, Arrogant, Cocky, but yet humbled. If you are in my element I am: Superior, Arrogant, Cocky Take me out of my element: Shy, Humbled, Worrisome, Distracted. (Still working cut me a break) Necromancer, You are right. I am going to try and start that tonight. That seems like it would be easier then buying a trick or learning a slieght and saying, "What kind of story can I put with this?"
"I love the night. It's the only time I feel really alive."
---Helen Chandler in the film "Dracula" (1931) "There he goes. One of God's own prototypes. Some kind of high powered mutant never even considered for mass production. Too weird to l |
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
I have routines that were inspired by a particular props, and I have routines that were inspired by particular stories. So be prepared to take your inspiration from wherever it presents itself.
My imp bottle routine was inspired by the bottle, itself. Actually, so was my Hand of Cleopatra routine. But sometimes plot, prop and character seem to coalesce (how's that for a Racherbaumer word!) around one another.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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lordblasto New user Detroit.Mich. USA 14 Posts |
Make-up so important to this role. Needs to be well done to make truly convincing. Have someone help in this respect. And learn to do yourself. Shockers(tricks) an slow actions an movements during performance is key to persona. Music selection plays big. Were are those halloween recordings when you need them? Last but not least be that vampire...
Magic is. For if magic is of the mind. www.lordblasto.com
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drwilson Inner circle Bar Harbor, ME 2191 Posts |
Mayo,
There is much good advice here. Dave/ptbeast has some good questions for you. Here is another angle. I assume that you have seen all the vampire movies. Sometimes they play them like disco stars (Frank Langella), sometimes like vicious monsters (John Carpenter's Vampires), sometimes like stylish night folk with a slightly retro style (Bram Stoker's Dracula, Interview with a Vampire). So you can pick a style that suits you. But there is a fundamental problem: every magician is told that if you want people to like your act, they have to like you. That is kind of tough if you are hinting that you want to drain their life force. Around Halloween, people might go for this, but what if they just had a death in the family and they are looking for a few laughs. When I first heard this sort of talk I was very resentful. I wanted to be a person of power and mystery, not a clown. So how do you get there? What if you were a real vampire in the current age? What if you also had the goal of getting people to like you? Why would you want to do that? It's simple. You want to be understood. Despite being one of the undead, you have some residual human needs. Having people like you really does give you some of their energy. But, as a vampire, you are always up against these sterotypes. You are looking for understanding and someone does a bad Bela Lugosi accent with "I vant to suck your blood." That's demeaning. You are (or rather were) a human being. Don't people realize that they are being insensitive to life force minorities in their treatment of you? Reach out. Educate. Inform. That's right, life force minorities. It's a term we prefer to the stereotyping labels that an uninformed and insensitive public slaps on us. After all, their life energy, which they seem to think makes them better than you, is something that they only hold onto for a brief period of time (from your perspective). Perhaps they will think differently if they become a life force minority as they pass beyond the veil, condemned to walk the earth for a time to atone for their misdeeds or shake off their attachments. How would they feel, gliding down a moonlight street in October, only to discover a cheaply-printed cardboard depiction of their spectral form hung in the windows to celebrate the season? Would that make them more kindly disposed to the so-called living? I think not! Perhaps they would feel justified in shaking a few chains in someone's attic until they decided to sell the house! It is time for your people to be treated with the respect that they deserve! Yours, Paul |
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
Another possibility that would fit right in with the character is that you haven't undergone that final transition -- you are on the cusp. One of those "two of the three bites" kinds of situation.
On the other hand, when you play towards mortals/humans, you are playing with your food.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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Mayo Loyal user WorymWood 211 Posts |
Okay real bad news. My teeth are separating again. . . you know where it matters my lateral's are separating again. So, I have an orthodontist appointment on the 25 and see where things go, I am not sure what to do lol. Probably get my fangs priced *laughs*
I don't really think a vampire should be running around with braces on his teeth. That would be a hard one to work in. Because I am pulling money out of the air I can't just say, " Oh, well I was broke until hear recently. " I am hoping it will not take to long maybe six months I am hoping for. But here is the good news, I have fought to hard and studied WAY to much to just drop this character! So, We still get to talk about it and wait as my hair grows out to mid back. Louis(brad Pitt) or Armond(Antonio) are my choices. I wanted Lestat's hair but I am not sure how that would look. Everyone I have talked to about it says I am just a bit feminine. So, I will be working out my routines/getting my clothes/dressing the character/ training my mind set. And of course character creation with you guys! Oh, has anyone read the book. "Vampire; The Complete Guide to the World of the Undead" That is a very interesting book that I borrowed from my brothers shelf, while borrowing interview with the vampire from my Mother. I was thinking about making my character around 650years of age( Stories galore come with that age! ) Have me placed in Hungary, Wallachia around 1424-1469 And learn my history on Vlad III Dracula Tepes. So far I think I could make an hour story and keep it entertaining to hear! Granted I have not placed tricks to my unwritten story. But I have been reading and learning a lot since my short break from The Café. A Vampire Did you know... 1) They put "headstones" on graves to make it where the dead could not sit up. 2) You could become a vampire if a creature were to crawl over your body. 3) If the grass dose not grow on your grave. 4) The vampires bite can also be on the left nipple near the heart. 5)If your shadow was stolen ( I.E. your shadow is on the wall and some one rams a nail into your shadow. ) Now those may not all be accurate but I got them from a vampire book, and a few people told me rumors of that, so there must be some truth to the issue to make it stay active for so long. "With out an occasional arousing a legend will fade." Uh, That’s about that. I am trying to figure out now which method I was turned. Or if I was a pure blood. Which this is another odd thing. --------------------------------------------------- My Mother read a few vampire books trying to help me out. And she read something about a mark in each one. And My Mother, My Brother, and Me have the mark, no one else in our family has it. And All three of us have sharp protruding "fangs" ( they actually cut us, my mother several years back had hers filed down for that reason) And my brothers were filed down with out choice by his orthodontist. And all of us break out in red splotches all over our skin if we are out in the sun for a brief length of time. And we are all ghastly pale. And it is like we can't tan, my brother is in the military and has little to no tan. Just thought I would share that with you guys. Tell me what you think of my vampiric family . I am thinking a lot of coincidences. ----------------------------------------------------- My tricks, Going good need supplies though am running out and that’s never good. I scared my Mother half to death with the good ol' card switch, " Here then There ". I think everyone here should know that one. Mom said my patter for the trick and the look and vibes I gave off scared the mess out of her! Also, The coin trick revolution. That one got her, also the way I am presenting them startles her and she forgets that it is just a trick. I am working on a small " Bizarre. Freak " routine at the moment. I am out and about in public leaning on something or just standing. I note some one is looking at me, I reach into my pocket with one hand and gesture towards them with my other to grab there attention, I then flip the coin all around and they start to watch. I take it and then almost instantly the coin has vanished with out a trace! If I see one of them that was watching is freaking out. I walk elegantly over to them while saying, " Your friend looks a bit shaken there, Are you? " After the big macho guy says no. I pull a coin from the air, put the coin on the back of his hand, show my hands front and back wave over the coin and it is gone. I tilt my head down then slowly look up with a grin showing my fangs. Turn and walk off. I hope that was readable lol. Another one I am working on is where I pull a deck of cards tell some one to pick a card they pick and I let them shuffle the deck. While they do that I comment that, "Vampires are said to be one of the fastest creatures on earth!. . . But then again there only myth, I would not worry to much about a vampire." They give me the deck back and I riffle the sides with one hand holding my other hand over the deck about 8" and flick the deck and snatch there card they shuffled in the deck. Only one card disturbed from the deck and it was tossed into my hand! I reveal the card smile with my fangs as they give there reaction. Which if I think they did not remember the story I simply add, " Then again we don't worry about enough in these days." The tricks used are: 1) Revolution 2) Raven 3) Invisible Catch All of which are pretty basic, so I can focus on what counts ANY modifications Please tell! Or What you would like to see done? What to you would prove or make your mind iffy about vampires? The speed tricks where in the blink of an eye or quicker then your eye things change (hint: Vampires being quicker then the eye) blood tricks body manipulation slashing yourself then showing you have healed, you let the spectator pick a card they put it in the deck, you shuffle it around a little bit, then I take it hold it in biddle grip, then squeeze my free hand as the deck starts pouring blood. I cut to the blood and that’s there card. ( hint: Vampires are immortal, Vampires like blood ) Psychic tricks. Not sure what kind of tricks. maybe telekinesis ( hint: Showing the power of a developed mind ) Which one to you would make an impact or which would you like best seen displayed?
"I love the night. It's the only time I feel really alive."
---Helen Chandler in the film "Dracula" (1931) "There he goes. One of God's own prototypes. Some kind of high powered mutant never even considered for mass production. Too weird to l |
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drwilson Inner circle Bar Harbor, ME 2191 Posts |
Mayo,
This sounds really fun! For psychic tricks, remember in Tod Browning's Dracula (with Bela Lugosi) the psychic effects? It is about controlling the victim's mind. He hypnotizes an usher to call Dr. Steward to the telephone. He tells Van Helsing, "Come here." Van Helsing actually takes a step or two, fighting it. Dracula looks at him and says, "Your will is strong, Van Helsing." So get a copy of Corinda and read it with a purpose. Many psychic tricks are set up as one mental effect but can be presented as another. So when you read, think "Could this prediction be presented as psychic control? How about this telepathy effect?" You could tie this to vampire lore. You know that a vampire cannot enter a house unless he is invited in first. Thereafter, he can come and go as he pleases. Perhaps you control the victim's mind to make them select a picture of an open door or window from among several pictures. The basic skills here are verbal control (see Phil Goldstein's book on this), maybe a bit of Kentonism (if you miss you go on with your story), and the rest of the mentalist's arsenal. As for props, go light on the cards, or use antique cards or Tarot; think jewels (as you already have), maybe an old dagger or chalice. Check out a wiccan or goth web site or shop for some cool chalices. Don't overdo it with the ones that have bats and skulls on them, though. Basic cup and ball moves can be used to make things appear, disappear, or change underneath the chalice. This only happens once at the end of the story; you are not a juggler! The chalice is good because we see a reference to communion in the vampire myth, they are renewed by a kind of sacrament, requiring real blood rather than wine that has undergone transubstantiation because they are cursed (excommunicated). Do not make this explicit in your script or you will eventually offend someone. So now that you have some thoughts on props, you should read Magic and Showmanship by Henning Nelms and Fitzke's Trick Brain. Comb the old messages here at the Café. So far it sounds like you are doing great! Yours, Paul |
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-05-08 05:44, 7th_Son wrote: Must be inbreeding.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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Moonlit Knight Regular user U.S. 113 Posts |
Mayo, based upon your response to ptbeast, I would strongly suggest "Vampires Among Us" by Rosemary Ellen Guilley - a lot of great ideas, including chapters on psychic and dream vampires. The publication is claimed to be "the surprising story of real life vampires in the 20th century" and "Vampires: The Occult Truth" by Konstantinos. (note: these are not a "magic" books). I would try to get away from the Anne Rice books. Her works are too popular for anyone not to think you are some sort of "Lestat" clone, especially if her work is a major source of inspiration, which it seems to be. But that's just my opinion. Personally, I would recommend Poppy Z. Brite. As far as "Vampire; The Complete Guide to the World of the Undead" - I’ve got it and have read it. It’s good. I just can’t seem to locate it right now.
You may also want to check out "Book of the ***ed" published by White Wolf. This is for the live action vampire game but may assist you in developing your character (note: this is not to be confused with "The Book of the ***ed" by Charles Fort - two very different subjects). Since I’m suggesting a lot of reading, take a break and watch a few TV shows that I believe are available on video. Try "Dark Shadows" (the original or the short lived remake). "Forever Knight" and "Kindred the Embraced". Never was much of a "Buffy" fan, but who knows? TV relies on character development more so than movies do, so I believe they are a better source of inspiration, especially if you wish to develop a sound history. To find effects - look into the following books (note: most do not have any "tricks" designed for a vampire act but several ideas found can be adapted. I mention them only because of their wealth of information and the fact that they seem to be rarely discussed. I do not intend to discount the new material available, but I believe we must also look to our past and that there’s a ton of stuff not being done.) "The Jinx" 3 book set published by D. Robbins, "The Phoenix" (I have this as a collection of 6 books published by Louis Tannen containing issues 1- 300. There may actually be more in this collection as I also have 2 volumes by Magic Inc. containing issues 301 - 400, not sure how many books are included in the Magic Inc. set.) and "The New Jinx" published by Kaufman and Greenberg (1 book) . You already may be familiar with the "Complete Invocation" and the new release of "The Complete Magick". (side note: back in the mid 90’s there was a rumor of the Andruzzi books being re-released. Any word if this is going to happen or did it and I missed out? B.T.W. A bound set of the "Snake Oil Almanack" would also be a treasure!) To suggest particular tricks at this point would only do a disservice to you and your own creativity, not to mention tread on my personal presentation, more than what I’ve already have, when performing in this style. After looking into even 10% of what I offered within this post, I believe your mental juices will be flowing enough to develop a more powerful character and routine. One suggestion - set a limit as to the amount of "tricks" you do, after all you’re not a "magician" but a "vampire", unless, that is, you want to be a vampire who also happens to be a magician. This will generally not work for many audiences. Fast working "tricks" with a slow methodical and deliberate performance that just seem to happen, (not forced or contrived) is the way to go to make it real. As stated previously, "go light on the cards". Mind control and telekinetic sort of stuff also works well. Try not to make any of it seem tricky though, it will play better. (just my opinion and experience) You’re off to a good start and there are several people on this board from all parts of the globe willing to help. Sometimes though, because knowledge is so easily gotten today, we tend to forget what it is like to hunt and scrounge for the smallest piece of information to spur us forward. Of course, your character being from the 1700’s would know this. Could you imagine what it may be like if you were ripped from your normal, everyday world and thrust within a world where everything and everyone is the same as you remember but you are different - never aging and having a strange thirst for blood? This is assuming your sire did not stick around long enough to explain it all to you. My point - all of your struggles, tears, pain, mental and physical anguish in the time used to develop this character must show through within your performance to be believable and not campy. Understand this identity inside and out. Do not take it or him lightly. Best of luck.
"Join the dance... Follow on! With a twist of the world we go."
- Genesis "Dancing With The Moonlit Knight" |
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Dr_Stephen_Midnight Inner circle SW Ohio, USA 1555 Posts |
By all means get a serious grip on the character.
At the same time, you have to walk that tightwire of not coming on too strong. If people conclude they are dealing with a total loony, you will literally scare them off...and there go your bookings. Steve
Dr. Lao: "Do you know what wisdom is?"
Mike: "No." Dr. Lao: "Wise answer." |
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constantine Regular user Memphi, on the Mighty Muddy 189 Posts |
First there was Gloria Palmer, the beutiful Vampira, who wrote the book on the subject.(Magic Inc.)Then Charles Reynols did it on Midnight Special. Ron Fitzgerald had a cable show out of Chicago and opens for Kid Rock. You will be in good company.http://www.fitzgeraldsrealm.com/
Constatine 49%er
“The way of the transgressor is hard—to quit.” —Jefferson Randolph “Soapy” Smith |
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Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
If you check out the drac in a box URL, you'll see what a vampire that works at Hooter's looks like! LOL!
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DrNorth Veteran user North Starr Entertainment, Harrisburg PA 364 Posts |
Ok, like you really need another source for vampire lore BUT I found this approach to vampirism great because it tries to give it history and make it "real" as in why do they do thus and such.. I am speaking of an RP (role play) book system called Vampire The masquarade. It divides vampires into three sects and 13 clans each with unique set of "powers" that alone can give the fertile imagination a wealth of effects to emulate. A decent levetation, not very improve but good for an act is the Fearson Flier, where one levetates behind a chair or their coat (cloake) in a seemingly horizontal position. it IS NOT angle proof but quite effective. Like Dr Wilson said look at any magical effect that exists and think why would a vampire do this, how would he do it, and what if I went to a flea market and found an old worn box to replace the hockey plastic one the trick came with? (or coin, card, key, stick, bowl, etc. Maybe this is the Okito Doll people speak of, but there is a voodoo doll that stands in the performers hand, very wierd.
Also in some stories, the vampire blends in and look quite human, it's your call. I'd say go subtle on the make up, least you look like a goth that looks like he is wearing make-up. It sounds like your femanine cast is working for the character, and some people have that stereotype in the modern vampire, the femanine eoro-trash look. I'd say that constructing a history is important, although you may not wish to tell it to your audience, it offers a base for the charater to grow in. Rudy Hunter puts it, for readings and many mental effects, people don't care where the old tarot cards came from, just that you have them. BUT having a storey covers you IF someone asks, and gives you a springboard. (A very odd example of this is our own cereal huckster Cap'n Crunch, all I knew was he sold us cereal did you know he has a first name? (Horatio) a mother ( American indian) a Seafaring father and a whole history?> The point is we never see it, but it gives him supposed depth (as far as I care he is a cartoon that sells dried oats) Every ride in Disney World has a story, we may never see it, but it's there. well that is enough of a ramble I think you know what I mean. Sounds like a great angle, now run with it!! Make it yours!! "For it shows things that were, and things that are, and things that yet may be. But which it that he sees, even the wisest cannot always tell" ~Galadriel "A heretic is a man who sees with his own eyes." |
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Jonathan Townsend Eternal Order Ossining, NY 27297 Posts |
Hematologists and interns? Medical chic? Carry extra rubber tubing and antiseptic wipes? Does your GP have to repress a BIG smile when they take your blood? And do they always take an extra vial just incase? Guess what ...
...to all the coins I've dropped here
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NoBunnies New user 2 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-05-07 07:57, Peter Marucci wrote: http://www.fitzgeraldsrealm.com They look like this! |
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kaytracy Inner circle Central California 1793 Posts |
Okay
In case you are still working on your wardrobe, and do not have any local seamstresses nearby, or hom economics/sewing classes (even the theatre classes at local High schools and colleges have classes in sewing) consider a few of the following: Museum replicas http://www.museumreplicas.com Costume Classroom, and their resource Library http://www.costumeclassroom.com Kristi Smart has wonderful coats and other items, not in-expensive, but not too high either http://www.kristismart.com/ If you have smeone to sew for you, and you need great trims and other bits-fastenings, etc, then these folks are very good http://www.realmofregalia.com/ The following folks have patterns and some other fashion accessories as well http://www.alteryears.com/ Although, to pass quietly in this day and age, one could say that a vimpire, much like your local neighborhood mass murderer or homicidal maniac, looks just like everybody else! "He seemed like such a nice quiet boy" (J. Daumr's neighbor) ;} Kay
Kay and Tory
www.Bizarremagick.com |
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Dr_Stephen_Midnight Inner circle SW Ohio, USA 1555 Posts |
Then, of course, Hot Topic is all over the place now. They sell some halfway decent goth garb for the 'vampire' look.
Steve
Dr. Lao: "Do you know what wisdom is?"
Mike: "No." Dr. Lao: "Wise answer." |
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