Janos
Ten of Clubs
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| 03/17/2008 8:35 AM |
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Well, if you go the bumbling approach, here's an idea. Narrate like you usually do, but throw in a line like and here it is in my pocket. Then find nothing and produce it from somewhere else, and let it be a suprise to everyone, including you. Just an example to play with. Or if you're doing ambitious card, turn the top card and reveal an indifferent one, look upset and change the reveal up a bit, like out of pocket, in their ear, out of your butt, the possibilities are limited only by imagination. I was doing a kid's show and Mizer's Dream and the dog walked by, so I yanked his tail with the bucket under it for multiple clinks and the kids died laughing. Just play around, sometimes the best ideas come from not trying so hard.........
Janos |
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KidAloha
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| 03/18/2008 2:43 AM |
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| I've been playing around with that approach (bumbling idiot) a little. With simple lines like, "I can't believe that actually worked the first time," or muttering, "That's not what I expected," under my breathe; something like that. It seems to work for the guys back behind the wire (they understand english). Outside the wire, I've been resorting to "pantomime style"; really exaggerating my surprise and letting the locals "do the magical move" like waving their hands or finding/holding the card/coin/ball themselves. Again, really showing my "surprise" that the trick even happened. That way the magic doesn't get "lost in translation," and takes the "I just fooled you-ness" out of the presentation and we can all marvel at what just happened. Too bad I'm only now figuring this out, running outta things to show them. haha. |
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Janos
Ten of Clubs
Patter Count:61
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| 03/18/2008 3:28 AM |
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| Well, sometimes more is said in silence than in an entire speech. |
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KidAloha
Patter Count:16
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| 03/18/2008 5:33 AM |
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| oh don't get me wrong, I'm still talking but because because i have to speak through a translator, I've been focusing more on my body language then what I should say. |
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Janos
Ten of Clubs
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| 03/21/2008 6:05 PM |
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| Don't get me wrong either, please. But gestures can convey words, and being in another country, with a translator, it gives you a source for learning their language as well. My son already says hello in 4 languages and he's not 3 yet. Not knocking you, but as you're learning sleights and tricks, I hope you take the time to learn from the people you're performing for. A magician learns from his audience as well. Magicians can learn many things from their audiences. You can learn mood swings in them and gauge what they would like to see, etc..... Magic is an interactive art and universal, if not in speech. I assume the language is Arabic. It shows that you want to connect by learning some of their language. I hope this helps to put things in perspective a bit............. |
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Night
Forum Moderator
Ace of Spades
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| 03/21/2008 6:30 PM |
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One of the hardest shows for me to do was one for a group that over half of them could not hear.
I did my full comedy show and then my hypnosis show. Was hard to get the timing as I wanted for the young lady to sign what I would say.
Please would watch her then me then her then me....
I will not even tell you about the hypno lol
But the show turned out great - got a $300.00 tip! |
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KidAloha
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| 03/21/2008 7:30 PM |
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You're absolutely correct about learning from your audience. Not only is knowing about your audience important for magic, it is could cause a international incident and could be the death of you. For example, I could never touch one of them with my open left hand. A huge sign of disrespect. Certain hand movements are also seen as rude. I've seen riots break out over less. That defeats the reason I'm doing magic here at all. When I'm doing magic in Japan (my home station) there's not much to worry about. However, the Okinawan people are very superstitous. No talk about spirits or ghosts; you just end up having people run away from your show instead of stopping to watch. There are also two different languages spoken there in Okinawa: Japanese and a local dialect called Hogan. Knowing when it is appropriate to use which language (either the formal or informal version of both) is also very important. Once, I used a very informal version of Japanese and it endeared me to the kids but the adults weren't as cool with it. Same thing goes for when I was in Korea, and Germany. You can't just go up to a complete stranger in Germany and ask if they want to see something, you have to let them approach you.
By the way, a translator is not always available (we have a mission to complete) so I have to speak to them, but I am by no means fluent in arabic. He's just my crutch.
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Janos
Ten of Clubs
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| 03/21/2008 7:31 PM |
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| Good call Night. My point exactly. Make sure that the illusion speaks for itself before you utter a word. I've done magic for the deaf as well. I'm no big leaguer, by any means. Nor do I make any money at it right now. I'm in it for the smiles of the kids and the love of the art. I just noddle in public and people get curious. It's resulted in offers for shows which I have in the works. I noodled on the bus and a deaf boy loved what I did and we wrote notes back and forth so he could learn magic and give it a shot for himself. I learned a little sign and could finger spell in sign language fairly well, which helped us "talk", but still it proves my point that intent, and even the pantomime can convey words enough. |
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Night
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Ace of Spades
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| 03/21/2008 8:53 PM |
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| very cool |
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Janos
Ten of Clubs
Patter Count:61
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| 03/22/2008 8:31 AM |
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| BTW Night, I occassionally go to Rossford. So if the situation presents itself, I'd like to hang with you and Velvet............. Maybe trade a few tricks and/or insights........... |
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Night
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Ace of Spades
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| 03/22/2008 9:22 AM |
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| Let me know... if I'm town then anytime for me! Where you from? |
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Janos
Ten of Clubs
Patter Count:61
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| 03/22/2008 9:56 AM |
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| Lansing MI, But go to Rossford occassionally as my wife's twin sister lives there........... |
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Night
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Ace of Spades
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| 03/22/2008 11:12 AM |
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Ahh love Lansing - worked it may times!
Just let me know next time your around! |
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Janos
Ten of Clubs
Patter Count:61
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| 03/24/2008 1:05 PM |
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Still come up this way? The sis-in-law may be moving to Florida soon.
Janos |
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Night
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Ace of Spades
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| 03/24/2008 1:56 PM |
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| I will have to check my next tour. I know I have some after proms in MI but not sure where off hand... |
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