A discussion was going on a magicians site and I posted the following, am thinking to write more here so I thought this wouldn't be a bad way to add
My show is a little different by design, in the first routine I perform a variation of the "Floating Rose" (no dancing paper in mine) which is a very strong effect and usually elicits a good response. It appears in the opening routine along with appearing candles, water to wine, in the news (newspaper water pour). It's all part of a story about my date arriving 45 minutes ..... early and I have to magic the table together. It's performed to string quartet music, the floating, flaming then real rose makes a strong statement (I always hand the rose out to an audience member). It makes a statement about me, the show, the magic and what the audience can expect. It's an odd choice but for me it works
I close the show with my version of "Floating Butterflies" not the strongest effect ever but it is very beautiful and that's how I want the audience to remember the show (it does usually get 2 awws or gasps). Big, amazing, beautiful and colorful (plus if children are in attendance they almost always clean up the butterflies, I've seen people post pic of butterflies they kept). Worst part is I once overheard an audience member after the show saying "I expected him to produce real butterflies" I don't think the magic is that strong and it does give me an idea but .......
As for transitions, I'm always speaking with the audience into the next effect, leading them into it and there is a flow and connection throughout the show. I'm not comedy club funny and know it so I don't do straight up comedy but I can be humorous and that comes through a few times.
I have that problem with ebb and flow, it can't be a constant rise but I never want a piece that isn't strong or good enough to stand on it's own outside of the frame of the show. So the show becomes sort of layered and textured, with maybe softer spots or a change of tempo. Helps keep the mind fresh, both mine and the audience. You can't listen to the same beat (even house or rave music, which I don't understand) without loosing attention.
The only thing I wonder about Brian is if a performer has a few card tricks to group them together in the show. I guess for some it would be ok but I've seen say 3-4 card tricks bunched together in a show and the show started to lose me a little then. It also might have to do with the presentation and the effects that were chosen.
and that's the short of it from Illusions by Vick
Showing posts with label shows. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shows. Show all posts
Friday, December 2, 2011
Sunday, September 4, 2011
WOW, sometimes it all goes right and how to get there
Have been very fortunate lately, don't want to jinx it but the last 3 performances have been great, a lot of fun, wonderful audiences and went really, really well.
In part because of speaking with Denny Hanney of Denny & Lee's Magic Studios about occasional challenges I run into performing. It felt like my performances while good weren't always consistent, some felt like they went great and others were ok. Denny asked me to look for a common thread in the shows that I felt were ok. Turns out there was a common thread, I didn't have total control over everything going on at the venue and the entire situation. Denny told me I have to take control if that is what I think is wrong ... and he as usual is right
Sometimes as a performer due to last minute changes or other factors we are thrust into challenging situations (if you think you can always control everything in every venue, well I wish it were so), for example a few months back at a fairly high profile benefit I was schedule to perform close up for 40 minutes and do a 20 minute stage turn. I was to perform stage after speeches. Well, the speeches ran long and the "DJ" (who offered to run my sound through his system, I'll never do that again) had mic problems during the speeches and when I hit the stage .... no music. I had to start quickly so as not to lose the guests and didn't have time for him to figure it out. After a very frustrating two minutes I ended up doing my set without music. After I finished the DJ (who had the stench of alcohol on his breath) said to me "They didn't even notice you didn't have music" AGGRRR. Never again!
Soooo the last few shows have been great, I took total control over the situation and had great audiences. Two of the shows wrote wonderful testimonials and thank you letters.
Will I be thrust again into challenging situations? Yes without a doubt. Am I better equipped to deal with challenges thrown my way and respond to ensure the best show every time? YES!
I watched a (talented magician) performer yesterday thrown into a tough situation, 30 minute set in an outdoor bar setting (humidity is never a magician's friend). His set had to be pushed back 30 minutes due to unforeseen challenges (nothing to do with him or his show). He had about half the crowd interested (those closest to his stage set up), about half just kept on talking or whatever. It came to me, what would I do to take control....... I think I might try walking to the back of the seating area and do something very visual, quick and amazing. Maybe a fire piece or a sword swallow, something to get their attention and grab them into the show. Will it work? While I hope I never have to find out my best guess is I'll be in a situation like that someday again.
In part because of speaking with Denny Hanney of Denny & Lee's Magic Studios about occasional challenges I run into performing. It felt like my performances while good weren't always consistent, some felt like they went great and others were ok. Denny asked me to look for a common thread in the shows that I felt were ok. Turns out there was a common thread, I didn't have total control over everything going on at the venue and the entire situation. Denny told me I have to take control if that is what I think is wrong ... and he as usual is right
Sometimes as a performer due to last minute changes or other factors we are thrust into challenging situations (if you think you can always control everything in every venue, well I wish it were so), for example a few months back at a fairly high profile benefit I was schedule to perform close up for 40 minutes and do a 20 minute stage turn. I was to perform stage after speeches. Well, the speeches ran long and the "DJ" (who offered to run my sound through his system, I'll never do that again) had mic problems during the speeches and when I hit the stage .... no music. I had to start quickly so as not to lose the guests and didn't have time for him to figure it out. After a very frustrating two minutes I ended up doing my set without music. After I finished the DJ (who had the stench of alcohol on his breath) said to me "They didn't even notice you didn't have music" AGGRRR. Never again!
Soooo the last few shows have been great, I took total control over the situation and had great audiences. Two of the shows wrote wonderful testimonials and thank you letters.
Will I be thrust again into challenging situations? Yes without a doubt. Am I better equipped to deal with challenges thrown my way and respond to ensure the best show every time? YES!
I watched a (talented magician) performer yesterday thrown into a tough situation, 30 minute set in an outdoor bar setting (humidity is never a magician's friend). His set had to be pushed back 30 minutes due to unforeseen challenges (nothing to do with him or his show). He had about half the crowd interested (those closest to his stage set up), about half just kept on talking or whatever. It came to me, what would I do to take control....... I think I might try walking to the back of the seating area and do something very visual, quick and amazing. Maybe a fire piece or a sword swallow, something to get their attention and grab them into the show. Will it work? While I hope I never have to find out my best guess is I'll be in a situation like that someday again.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
A Magician's Creative Thoughts
As a magician and entertainer it is important and critical to the show that the audience is engaged by and very interested in the experience or story I'm sharing as opposed to just looking at the effects that are taking place.
The experience and/or story are there to support the magic but are key element to creating entertainment and not just a "look at me and the tricks I'm doing, aren't I cool" sort of thing.
See More at Illusions by Vick
Monday, December 13, 2010
Season's Greetings & Thank You
Seasons Greetings,
Vick of Illusions by Vick here, sending you my sincere wishes for a most joyous Holiday Season!!!
I also wanted to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for making 2010 the best year ever for Illusions by Vick!
Whether I performed shows for you or you attended performances, took time to inquire about shows, emailed or called to talk about the art of magic, called with questions about your events and performances or stayed in touch, please accept my most heartfelt gratitude .
Without you the Illusions by Vick show would be nothing, I know that every time I step on stage. You are what makes the show, what motivates and inspires me to create that special world we journey to during the Illusions by Vick show. That unique place where magic happens and is alive and well, even in this crazy and sometimes uncertain world we live in.
Every performance, every person I meet and perform for touches me in some way. You are what inspires and encourages me, what allows me to put all the heart, effort and dedication into every show. Meeting you, speaking with you in email, on the telephone and after performances drives me to create and share the most amazing magical experiences, to give you the best entertainment possible. That's where all the imagination springs from, wanting to create amazing experiences. You are the inspiration and the reason, night after night, week after week and year after year. I couldn't do it without you.
Please pardon me getting a little sappy but after 2010 I really wanted to take the time to say thank you, to let you know how much you and your support means to me and the Illusions by Vick show.
Here's to an even better year in 2011
As you know, I'm always here for you, a call or email away.
Please be well.
All My Best Wishes for a Joyous Holiday Season and an even better and prosperous 2011,
Vick
http://www.illusionbyvick.com
p.s. Special thanks to all the clients who booked Illusions by Vick through the Gigmasters Talent Agency,
you made Illusions by Vick Gigmasters Top Rated Magician in the USA!!
Monday, March 8, 2010
Crazy .... or Amazing ... maybe a little of both
An amazing thing....... this past Saturday.
A potential client asked me about producing her daughter for her sweet 16th birthday party, she emailed the previous Saturday. I don't hear back from her so I think she's decided to do something else for entertainment. Out of no where she sends me a deposit ........ on Thursday ..... 2 days before the party.
Had given 3 options for the production. I finally get her on the phone and .... her daughter wants the Metamorphosis production ........ aaaahhhhhaaaa. I explain how challenging it can be and how people spend decades learning to do it well and ......
97% of the guests there are high school friends all done up and ready for a big night out.
This has all the ingredients for a disaster ..... I modify Metamorphosis a bit to make it easier. To her credit the daughter Jillian on the day of her Sweet 16 party spends the time I asked for rehearsal, she is willing to work to make the effect as good as we can in the time given and ........
We pulled it off!!! Pretty damn well, too.
Today .... the mother writes me an unsolicited glowing reference email
They were a great group to meet and work with, I'm really glad everything went well but ....
.... it still was crazy ;-)~
A potential client asked me about producing her daughter for her sweet 16th birthday party, she emailed the previous Saturday. I don't hear back from her so I think she's decided to do something else for entertainment. Out of no where she sends me a deposit ........ on Thursday ..... 2 days before the party.
Had given 3 options for the production. I finally get her on the phone and .... her daughter wants the Metamorphosis production ........ aaaahhhhhaaaa. I explain how challenging it can be and how people spend decades learning to do it well and ......
97% of the guests there are high school friends all done up and ready for a big night out.
This has all the ingredients for a disaster ..... I modify Metamorphosis a bit to make it easier. To her credit the daughter Jillian on the day of her Sweet 16 party spends the time I asked for rehearsal, she is willing to work to make the effect as good as we can in the time given and ........
We pulled it off!!! Pretty damn well, too.
Today .... the mother writes me an unsolicited glowing reference email
They were a great group to meet and work with, I'm really glad everything went well but ....
.... it still was crazy ;-)~
Saturday, August 15, 2009
WOW
Wow, what a difference a great show can make!!!
Haven't blogged lately mostly because there's not much positive to say about magic in general and magicians specifically.
A friend recently said "Magic would be great, if not for magicians" and he's spot on!!
Over 90% of self proclaimed magicians are terrible!! What's worse is they don't realize it, won't consider or seek constructive criticism or read the books and materials that could help them.
Now I've gotten that out of the way, well not really as I could go on but .......
Today at a private show in Virginia I had the pleasure of performing for a great audinece. Great people, well mannered, intelligent, interesting and everything you could ever want in an audinece.
All the newer pieces went over great and were well very received.
Case in point, a very short version of the new closing act
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8EKIKc5vDU
About 80% of the show is original materiel and it's the greatest feeling when the original pieces are the best received. Validates all the work, thought, effort and time put it.
Haven't blogged lately mostly because there's not much positive to say about magic in general and magicians specifically.
A friend recently said "Magic would be great, if not for magicians" and he's spot on!!
Over 90% of self proclaimed magicians are terrible!! What's worse is they don't realize it, won't consider or seek constructive criticism or read the books and materials that could help them.
Now I've gotten that out of the way, well not really as I could go on but .......
Today at a private show in Virginia I had the pleasure of performing for a great audinece. Great people, well mannered, intelligent, interesting and everything you could ever want in an audinece.
All the newer pieces went over great and were well very received.
Case in point, a very short version of the new closing act
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8EKIKc5vDU
About 80% of the show is original materiel and it's the greatest feeling when the original pieces are the best received. Validates all the work, thought, effort and time put it.
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