A couple days ago I went and saw some bands I like. One of them puts on a great show by being energetic and just in the moment. Watching them made me very aware of something I already knew but became inspired to write about here...
Stage Presence: Sometimes you're just born with it.
It's not something you can buy or apply. It can be learned to a point but some people just naturally exude that special something that makes them more interesting than everyone else once they are on some elevated platform.
No amount of sleight of hand, costuming, or money can get it for you. You either have it or you don't. It's a natural talent, plain and simple. It's a mix of confidence, control, ego, and insanity.
You need to WANT to be up there. You HAVE to be into it. You MUST believe it. No amount of words I throw at you will help explain it. You just have to get it...
Get it?
PS: I have another article in the recent Vanish Magazine. Read it yah poozers.
Showing posts with label moment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label moment. Show all posts
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Friday, December 25, 2009
Out of it...
I'm up early so my holiday present to all of you is the gift of knowledge. Sure it's cheap, but I made it myself.
I have met a few magicians in my life who actually don't care if they flash while performing. They do nothing to fix it nor do they change anything. At that point, they are just there for themselves and the self-gratification it gives them. Let me tell you why it's bad to flash people.
Not only does it show a lack of skill and proper practice on your part in their mind, but it pulls the audience right out of the moment. It's kinda like watching House of 1000 Corpses. Yer into, yer into it, WHAM!! music video sequence.... wtf?
When someone watches you they are focusing on you. They are (hopefully) with you all the way in your little world for those precious few minutes. However, the moment they get a glimpse of something they shouldn't their focus is broken and they are pulled right out of the moment and come hurtling back to reality. This is bad.
This is why having a manipulation act can be a treacherous mistress. If you mess up for magicians, we are more forgiving (sometimes) than a non-magi audience might be. We already know it's BS and skill. They don't. The same holds true for you close-up guys too. Those of you who rely too much on sleight of hand to accomplish your feats because you are so very proud of them and "Dammit I practiced this for 3 months straight to get it down most of the time so I am gonna do it and no one is gonna stop me". The problem is the same. You screw up and flash something, you are not only hurting yourself and the people watching, you are boning ALL of magic (to a degree).
So consider this when structuring your routines both on stage and off. You'll know if you're doing it right because you won't see anyone leaning over to whisper in their friend/spouse's ear and point at your "empty" left hand.
It's like grabbing someone by the shirt in the middle of a card trick and then licking their nose suddenly...
no one wants that do they?
Bizzaro.
I have met a few magicians in my life who actually don't care if they flash while performing. They do nothing to fix it nor do they change anything. At that point, they are just there for themselves and the self-gratification it gives them. Let me tell you why it's bad to flash people.
Not only does it show a lack of skill and proper practice on your part in their mind, but it pulls the audience right out of the moment. It's kinda like watching House of 1000 Corpses. Yer into, yer into it, WHAM!! music video sequence.... wtf?
When someone watches you they are focusing on you. They are (hopefully) with you all the way in your little world for those precious few minutes. However, the moment they get a glimpse of something they shouldn't their focus is broken and they are pulled right out of the moment and come hurtling back to reality. This is bad.
This is why having a manipulation act can be a treacherous mistress. If you mess up for magicians, we are more forgiving (sometimes) than a non-magi audience might be. We already know it's BS and skill. They don't. The same holds true for you close-up guys too. Those of you who rely too much on sleight of hand to accomplish your feats because you are so very proud of them and "Dammit I practiced this for 3 months straight to get it down most of the time so I am gonna do it and no one is gonna stop me". The problem is the same. You screw up and flash something, you are not only hurting yourself and the people watching, you are boning ALL of magic (to a degree).
So consider this when structuring your routines both on stage and off. You'll know if you're doing it right because you won't see anyone leaning over to whisper in their friend/spouse's ear and point at your "empty" left hand.
It's like grabbing someone by the shirt in the middle of a card trick and then licking their nose suddenly...
no one wants that do they?
Bizzaro.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Coming to terms...
Today we shall discuss two ideas and terms I feel are very important to creating the right presentation and effect. The other day I talked about my penchant for using food items to create magic. Last night I tried out one of my new creations at our weekly variety show. (Imagine healed and sealed with a small snack size of bag of Cheetos) A few things came from the live performance and the hour I spent before the show restructuring the routine. I am going to go over these two helpful ideas with you now. Grab yer ankles and get ready.
At Play - This term refers to making a prop or getting the props you need together and just.. playing. No matter how absurd an idea MIGHT be, you should at least follow thru with it. Make a prototype if need be. You never know what you are capable of until you get something in your hands. A lot of people have great ideas but never follow through with them. Don't be a lazy ass!! Whip it out and play with it!! (ummm...) Even if the initial idea you had doesn't work, something MUCH better might present itself. I prefer serendipity to luck any day.
In the Moment - When you are onstage or performing an effect for the first time, there are some aspects of a trick or presentation that you could NEVER have thought of in mere mirror practice. You have to be in the moment in front of a real people because that is when your secret subconscious performing reflexes will kick in. There is an energy that is present when performing for a mass of watchers. Don't be afraid to say or do something right out of the gate. Have a vague idea of what you want to say and do, but do not be afraid to deviate from the flight plan. Hijack that damn plane and head straight for the Pentag.. er.. Disney Land!! Mind you, the best time to have no fear in performance is a place where there is no pressure to be good or when yer doing it for free. Got new material? Find an open mic night or create your own somewhere. Opportunities abound!!
So there are two thoughts that might help you get out there and make magic your bitch. Mind you they require you to stop looking at the internet and actually motivate yer lazy ass. Bo not afraid. Run headlong at that cliff...
you might just be able to fly.
Bizzaro.
At Play - This term refers to making a prop or getting the props you need together and just.. playing. No matter how absurd an idea MIGHT be, you should at least follow thru with it. Make a prototype if need be. You never know what you are capable of until you get something in your hands. A lot of people have great ideas but never follow through with them. Don't be a lazy ass!! Whip it out and play with it!! (ummm...) Even if the initial idea you had doesn't work, something MUCH better might present itself. I prefer serendipity to luck any day.
In the Moment - When you are onstage or performing an effect for the first time, there are some aspects of a trick or presentation that you could NEVER have thought of in mere mirror practice. You have to be in the moment in front of a real people because that is when your secret subconscious performing reflexes will kick in. There is an energy that is present when performing for a mass of watchers. Don't be afraid to say or do something right out of the gate. Have a vague idea of what you want to say and do, but do not be afraid to deviate from the flight plan. Hijack that damn plane and head straight for the Pentag.. er.. Disney Land!! Mind you, the best time to have no fear in performance is a place where there is no pressure to be good or when yer doing it for free. Got new material? Find an open mic night or create your own somewhere. Opportunities abound!!
So there are two thoughts that might help you get out there and make magic your bitch. Mind you they require you to stop looking at the internet and actually motivate yer lazy ass. Bo not afraid. Run headlong at that cliff...
you might just be able to fly.
Bizzaro.
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