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A lesson in Observing Your Audience

Steven Dickinson — Sun, 30 May 2010 10:06:00 GMT

I'm wondering what your thoughts are on observing your audience?

This morning I was getting the cat his food. Every step I took he was right there to trip me. He really wanted his food. I got to thinking how is that he knows where I am going to step. It is by observing me. Using all his senses to know where I am at.

I took it to another step and I think he is a great observer. Most of the time I have thought of our smug little feline as one who thinks he runs the castle but what if he just isn't sitting there but is observing and learning how each person in the home acts and reacts.

This can be applied to how we interact and communicate with our audience. To have a great show we need to communicate well with our audience. It is not just they come sit down and you perform your show. This is what I thought when I started performing back in the 1980's.

I have started asking questions to fulfill two on going goals. The first goal is to perform a better magic show and the second is to grow my business.

What are your thoughts on observing your audience?

I was thinking that first of all it is important to not just be on time to your show but to be early. Give yourself time to set up your props and give yourself time to, like my cat, observe the audience. Who do you want to use as helpers? Who don't you want to use?

I would love to hear what you are doing to observe and connect with your audience members.

Have a great Day,

Steven Dickinson

Mr D the Magician

Connecting With Your Audience - Part Two - Through Sight

Steven Dickinson — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:16:00 GMT

One of the first ways you connect with your audience is by what they first see when they walk into the room or auditorium, and, by what they see when you do the actual performance.

Without going into much detail, I would like to ask the question how does your props and magic tricks look? Are they falling apart with chipped painted? Are your silks & cloths pressed and looking snappy?

For the actual performance how does the sense of sight play out in connecting with your audience? If your playing for children, bright colors will always win out over a dull black and white magic show.

How does your costume look? Do you look professional? If you are trying to represent a certain type of character, for example a hobo clown, is anything you are wearing out of place for the part you are acting?

It is important that your costume compliment your show not distract. David Ginn had a great recommendation that if you are using bright color magic tricks than your suit or costume, tables, backdrop should not be so bright that your tricks just blend in and get lost in the surroundings. Rather, it should contrast so your audience knows exactly where to look.

Another area to consider is moving around during your magic show. Your table is not a ball and chain (or is it). Make sure your gestures are grand and big. Do some research and find out what clowns, mimes, actors do to help keep the attention of their audience.

Lastly, remember to make eye contact with each of your audience members to the best of your ability. Even if you are behind bright stage lights you want to give the appearance that you are looking right at them. Each one of them is an honored guest and they are there to watch you.

What are your thoughts in these areas? I would love to hear what you think.

Have a great day,

Steven Dickinson

Source URL:

Connecting With Your Audience - Part One - Introduction

Steven Dickinson — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 20:15:00 GMT

Connecting With Your Audience - Introduction

As performers it is very important to connect with performance. If you don't connect, you will probably be out of business in the near future.

Connecting with your audience in the way that is you. Don't copy someone else...be you! Even if you purchase a routine and use the routine given in the package be sure to make it your own. Tweak it to fit your personality and passion.

In the next few posts on The Thinking Magician I'm going to be chewing on using all five senses to connect with the audience. Please feel free to add your suggestions and comments.

Tomorrow's post will start with number one then go down the list. I've given some basic ideas that I will be looking at in each area to help get your thinking going.

Sight-visual, sets, costumes, move around
Touch-interactive, textural, as they walk into area, those that help you on stage
Smell - scents, spark their imagination of things smelled in the past, facial expressions
Sounds - loud, quiet, creepy, music, sound effects
Taste - taste...our even give the persception of taste as you describe something

Please feel free to leave your comments.

Have a great day,

Steven Dickinson

Zoomalata Magic

You Are Not A Magician

Steven Dickinson — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 17:07:00 GMT

You are an actor not a magician.

I was just listening to a report from Jack Turk on how to improve your birthday party shows. Here is the link if you want to listen to it. It is worth your time.

He was talking about how we are not magicians but we are actors playing the part of a magician. It got me to start thinking about this idea and how we need to improve our skills as actors and not just in magic.

It is very important to perform your magic tricks well but is equally (if not more important) to entertain the children. The kids do not care how many moves it took you make a ball disappear and reappear.

It is all about creating wonder and astonishment, laughter and fun! What are you doing to improve your acting ability? This past year I bought 2 great books to help me improve my acting. One is on method acting and the other is on being a mime.

It is time for me to pick those books up again and work on the excercises in them. If you would like to read them the titles are, "On Method Acting" by Edward Dwight Easty and "The Mime Book" by Claude Kipnis.

"The Mime Book" is a great manual on how the body moves and looks when it does certain actions. It delivers more of the "how to" and "why" you would move a certain way instead of teaching moves that a mime may do.

Before I go here is a cute video with Robert DeNiro and Elmo showing how an actor pretends to be someone he is not.

Have a great day,

Steven Dickinson

Short Method Acting Exercise

Steven Dickinson — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 13:50:00 GMT

Here is a nice video on method acting. It follows along greatly with the book, "On Method Acting" by Edward Dwight Easty.

Remembering 2009

Steven Dickinson — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 14:20:00 GMT

Hey Everybody,

I hope your doing well as we close the first week of 2010. There is only 350 shopping days left until Christmas 2010 but who's counting?

I want to thank all my customers and fellow magicians for helping to make 2009 a successful year for Mr D the Magician and Zoomalata Magic. Once again we surpassed the previous years total in number of shows.

The Christmas season was especially a blast. The calendar was full. Here are some clips from one of my shows:

As you can see we had a lot of fun. Throughout the year I performed for various scouts, summer picnics and lots of birthday parties.

I performed at the Appleton Old Car Show & Swap Meet. What a hoot to perform among all those wonderful old cars.

This year was also a learning experience in regards to marketing Zoomalata Magic. A big thanks to the Magicians at The Magic Cafe and recently I had joined The Magic Mastermind led by Eric Paul, magician and speaker.

Just after Christmas Eric Paul passed away. He will be truly missed. I only knew him a short time but I learned a lot from him. He left a legacy that will be passed on through people and fellow magicians that he touched.

This new year I look forward to continuing to build relationships that were started on The Magic Mastermind. They are a good group of magicians with good business sense. Hopefully, I will be able to pass on my skills as well.

For 2010, Zoomalata Magic is using the theme "Fun for the whole family". I am currently putting together this years library show to go along with the water theme they are having. The title of my show is "Library Surfin' - Read a book Catch a Wave."

More can be learned about the library show at www.MagicAndReading.com

Have a great day,

Steven Dickinson

Mr D the Magician

Zoomalata Magic

Do you Have Writers Block Head?

Steven Dickinson — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:18:00 GMT

What do you do to ward off writers block. Writing copy for your blog and sales letters could get in the way of finishing your tasks. Here is what I am calling a primer on what to do if you have writers block. It is a great article at ProBlogger.net

Click Here to read "Battling Bloggers Block".

Don't forget to leave comments below if you have a trick or action that you do to help battle writers block.

Have a great day,

Steven Dickinson

Mr D the Magician

Zoomalata Magic

Source URL: http://www.problogger.net/battling-bloggers-block/

Protecting Your Family

Steven Dickinson — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 11:04:00 GMT

A couple years ago I learned a very important lesson. I wish I could remember where I read or heard this statement. It was directed towards men & husbands. Here is the thought in my own words,

"Men are not just responsible to protect their wives and family from physical dangers we are to protect their emotions as well."

Throughout the past week I have been thinking about this. Mostly, how am I responding to my family? Am I cutting them down or

building them up? I am showing them love by my actions or just speaking empty words?

How is my family being treated in the environment around them? Are my children watching and listening to media that would harm them?

Protecting their minds and emotions are just as important as protecting their brains and bodies. You might have heard the phrase "garbage in-garbage out", this means if you put junk in your head your going to get junk actions and attitudes out.

If I get easily irritated at situations my kids are going to pick that up and start getting easily irritated instead of being slow to anger they may be on the quick road to anger. If I show disrespect to my wife they easily will show disrespect.

Is my wife being cut down by someone's comments? If so, I need to stand up for her, be her "knight in shining armor". It is out of a deep love for her that I would protect her from those that would harm her mentally and emotionally. She would do it for me for the same reason (and she has).

Have a great day,

Steven Dickinson

Mr D the Magician

Zoomalata Magic

What the Heck Are You Doing It For?

Steven Dickinson — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 12:13:44 GMT

I've been thinking about sharing vs shining.

If I was to sum up the most rewarding magic training for this year I couldn't do it without mentioning two key people. Jeff Stone of Stone Cold Magic (http://stonecoldmagic.com/) and Jay Sankey of Sankey Magic (http://www.sankeymagic.com/).

I had been signed up to receive Jeff Stone's emails but never really went to his web site much to read until he had a contest over the summer. Then I got hooked. Through Jeff I heard about Jay Sankey. I recently just watched an excellent webinar of Jays. While I enjoy learning and practicing their magic tricks it is the extras that they teach throughout their videos and writings that help me to build a stronger program..

Both gentlemen teach that when we perform magic it is not just about the performance. It is about connecting and sharing with your audience. Anyone can show a magic trick but not everyone is connecting. "Remember astonishment over moves," is what Jeff Stone wrote to me in my copy of his book Stone Cold Magic. Your audience is there to have you create a moment that they will never forget. They don't care how many moves it took for you to get there.

Sharing vs shining. I just finished my first time watching through a Jay Sankay DVD and he brought up that we are sharing with the person (or people) in front of us not merely performing. So the question I ask myself is, am I sharing with my audience or just shining. By shining I mean, am I just trying to boost my ego to make me feel better?

I have been a children's magician every since I was 14 years old and astonished the kids in my neighborhood. (http://www.zoomalata.com/images/wonder_of_magic_w4v8.jpg) This link will take you to a picture of a boy who was amazed at my tricks. There was a connection there and I have been trying to duplicate this reaction and others ever since.

The past couple years (especially this year) I have been wanting to diversify by adding in close-up and strolling magic. I never thought that this wanting to astonish kids would be taken to another level. I am learning that in sharing time with my audience members they can have more than just astonishment. Sometimes it's through mouths dropped open with big wows other times it could be just in silence as they think through what just happened.

The idea is treat them as I would want to be treated. Make their day. When we approach a person we don't know what has been going on in their life. We may be the one ray of light they need for that day.

Have a Great Day Everyone,

Steven Dickinson

Mr D the Magician

Zoomalata Magic

Now on Twitter: http://twitter.com/zoomalata

Keeping it logical by Aaron Jones Magic

Steven Dickinson — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 18:58:00 GMT

Here is a good lesson on keeping your magic performance logical. This was passed on to me through From Aaron Jones through Facebook.

Listen!

Drew Thomas Knocks It Out The Park Again!

Steven Dickinson — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 20:08:52 GMT

If your like me you enjoy watching America's Got Talent. In it is Illusionist Drew Thomas. My wife and I just finished watching our DVR version of the Semi-Finals recorded last night and Drew was one of the contestants to perform. In this performance he created lovely tender moments instead of the hard punching, high intensity that he had performed in the past.

Once again, Piers Morgan, one of the judges, complained that Drew did nothing new, that it was dull and boring and that he thought Mr Thomas was going home instead of continuing on in the competition. Of course, American's call-in to vote for their favorite artist so Mr Morgan doesn't have the final word.

Here is what I am thinking. I believe that Piers Morgan has never seen a Las Vegas magic act. What Drew Thomas Magic did in last nights live performance was really good. He had a great story to follow with music in the background that is current. Drew Thomas even produced his daughter at the end of his act. I think Piers doesn't understand magic and illusions which leads to him not liking the magic arts in just about any form.

I am thinking that if Piers Morgan took the time to see some of the current Las Vegas magic acts he would see that illusionists who are currently performing on the big stages are doing acts that are equal to what Drew Thomas did. Would he change what he thinks about Drew Thomas? I'll give Piers the benefit of the doubt.

Have a great day,

Steven Dickinson
Mr D the Magician
Zoomalata Magic

Who Am I Responsible To?

Steven Dickinson — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 15:21:00 GMT

As a magician and business owner, who am I responsible to? The simple answer is everyone I come in contact with.

First I am responsible to giving a quality show at a fair price to those who are hiring me. Next I need to design and perform a magic program that allows the audience to have a great time that is filled with magical moments.

Both of these responsibilities are accomplished by connecting with the audience. If you don't connect with the audience they will not have a good time. Some simple rules to follow in connecting with your audience is to use eye contact. Also, do not talk down to them or make them feel awkward.

A good example of someone trying to use comedy but was not funny was in the current TV show America's Got Talent. Coney Island Chris recently gave a performance that just didn't connect with the audience. I bring this up as a lesson to all of us. You have to connect with your audience. I don't believe that acting silly was the problem. Many performs act silly and have the audiences laughing out loud. A great example of this is Jerry Lewis who does a marvelous job acting silly and connecting with the audience.

The last people I am responsible to is my family. If I have a crappy show people, I won't get the word of mouth and repeat business that is so important to my business. If money is not coming in I can't put food on the table nor clothes on my kid's back.

As you can see the responsibility is great and my commitment to do a quality, honest job is of great importance. Without taking responsibility for all that goes on, no one will be happy.

Where are you at in your business? When was the last time you took a time out to stop and think about where your business is going? Even if your business is just at a hobby level you have a responsibility to be professional in all you do. Do you agree?

Have a great day,

Steven Dickinson
Mr D the Magician
Zoomalata Magic
AppletonMagician.com

"I'm responsible to producing good product for my family" [so i can make sales]. Interview on Reel Magic Jan 08

Wow, What A Great Idea!

Steven Dickinson — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 12:06:48 GMT

If your like me, the moment you get a great idea you start looking for a pen
and paper to right it down. I don't know how many good ideas have been lost
because I didn't write it down. Now, I carry a notebook but in the past I
used to use an audio recorder. Whatever the method it is important to write
your thoughts down with as much detail as possible that will help you to
pick up where you left off.

But, what do you do with this information? It needs to be organized or
you'll never find it through the stacks of papers. Some people do it the
old fashion way and use a card catalog. Others will use different colored
spiral notebooks for different topics. Others like me will use the computer
to house their thoughts and ideas. Whatever method you use be sure to have
a backup.

If you still like to use hard copies you may want to scan in your pages so
you have an electronic backup to reprint. If you are a digital freak you
may want to send copies to your email address or use a service such as
Carbonite which automatically backs up your
data.

The last thought on this running through my brain is to schedule a time that
you will revisit your thoughts. I have a program that emails me when I have
something due or I am supposed to be somewhere so I also have it email to
look at certain ideas and projects when my schedule is not as heavy.

Have a great day everyone and happy writing,

Steven Dickinson
Mr D the Magician
Zoomalata Magic
www.AppletonMagician.com

Use The Library, That's What It Is There For!

Steven Dickinson — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:42:48 GMT

I just finished researching for a new library magic show that I am building
this year. Now, I am ready to put the tricks I found together and start
practicing them. The title of my show is "What You See I Learned From A
Library".

All the tricks in my new library show will be from books and videos that I
borrowed from the library. I went through all the material and pulled magic
tricks that I thought people would like to watch. It will be designed to
encourage reading and making great use of the library. When I was a kid I
used to spend hours at the library.

I just love walking into a library I haven't been in before and discovery
what books they have.When I first started to learn magic in my 'tween years
I would come home with a stack of magic books and learn how to perform new
magic tricks.

But, there is so many more ways to learn things in the library now. Everything from books to videos, CDs, DVDs, CD ROMs, computers, and the internet. And don't forget the friendly help from those who work behind
Information Desk. If you have a school project you need to get direction
on, the help desk is where you want to stop first.

Have a great day,

Steven Dickinson
Mr D the Magician
Zoomalata Magic
www.Zoomalata.com

Who Beat Up Magician

Steven Dickinson — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:00:00 GMT

"Wow, is that magician ok? He looks a little beat up," says the mother who hired the magician. The truth is the magician was never beat up. He only needs a new suit, hair cut and new equipment.

Baking in my head are thoughts on how my equipment looks. Does my table look like it has gone through World War 3 and has survived but have many holes and chipped paint? Are my silks pressed? Is my hair combed or styled and clean? What is the condition of my tricks? Are they breaking down?

We only have one chance to make a great impression with the one who hired us. Children are more forgiving but do adults see us as professionals or amateurish magicians?

It doesn't matter what level of performing you are in, to the audience you are the professional. If you are a beginner you still need to think as a professional. If you only perform 2 shows a year you need to think as a professional. If you perform hundreds of shows a year you need to think as a professional.

Let me give you a real life example. My wife and I were spending some quality time together watching one of those crazy cop shows. Some Clown got pulled over. At the end of the segment they had the Clown/Magician perform one of their magic tricks. It was awful. The magic trick was all beat up and twisted around. It really looked like kids got a hold of the trick and pulled it in all directions.

Take a good look at your props, tables, material, silks, etc. Do they need replacing or a fresh coat of paint? As soon as possible take action to build your show back up to the professional level that you know your audience wants.

Have a great day,

Steven Dickinson
Mr D the Magician
Zoomalata Magic

What Is The Magician Doing Behind The Table

Steven Dickinson — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 06:37:00 GMT

Have you ever thought about your movements "on stage"? Why do you do the things you do? Are you spending too much time behind your equipment that makes your audience think you are up to something? Do they see more of the top of your head than you standing up performing?

I've been asking these questions about my own act lately. Most of the time I'm not up to anything but getting my props or leaving props behind. Recently, I picked up two nice collapsible bins in a nice looking royal blue. One I am using as a dump bin for props and tricks I am finished using.

The other bin I use to house my collection of magic wands. Including the Bigger Wands Set. At least the ones that will fit in it anyways. Now I don't go behind my main table as much. I am "out in the crowd" so I can entertain my audience.

On a side note, I do use the table sometimes to my advantage. Peaking out from behind it, acting goofy and getting laughs. It is all about timing and answering the question for each move during the performance, why am I doing what I am doing? The answer could be to get a reaction out of the audience or just simply pick up your next trick or prop.

What do you use for tables, holders and bins during your show?

Have a great day,

Steven Dickinson
Mr D the Magician
Zoomalata Magic

Zoomalata Blog

"I Love Helen"

Steven Dickinson — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 15:20:00 GMT

I recently just watched the 1962 movie, The Miracle Worker, where we watch Annie Sullivan teach Helen Keller how to communicate. The bulk of the movie was spent with Annie teaching Helen sign language. If your not familiar with this true story, Helen Keller became blind, deaf and unable to speak when she was really young.

Helen was able to copy the gestures that Annie was teaching her but she couldn't communicate or talk with Helen because Helen didn't associate the letters with words. To Helen they were just gestures with the hands.

At one point in the movie Annie says, "It is an egg; it has a name, the name stands for the thing." Finally, towards the end of the movie Helen was able to associate the sign language gestures for water with water. From there she realized Annie had been trying to teach her how to speak.

As I think about this what are we saying during our magic shows. Are we just talking to hear ourselves or do we have meaning to our words. This is where writing a script comes in handy. During the show you can still improvise to the situation but having a script will help to have continuity with our audience. A script also allows you to know what you are communicating to your audience.

Is what your saying make any sense? The only way to know for sure is to write a script and to record a video of your show so you can go back and review what you are saying. Do you over use a word or phrase? Again, check your script and video.

One annoying word that I have to work on for myself at times is the word, "Umm". Not really a good action word is it?

Lastly, for this post, how is your English grammer and sentence structure. I'm not talk about those times in your show when your acting goofy. If you need help in this area check with your public library, they may have someone who could help tutor you.

At the end of The Miracle Worker Helen signs to Annie that she loves her teacher. During the whole process of trying to get her to understand that the words Annie was teaching had meaning, "that the name stands for something," they had quite a fight. Annie told Helen's parents that she didn't have to love Helen only to teach her. By the end of the movie when Helen said she loved Annie, Annie was able to sign, I L-O-V-E Y-O-U.

Helen would never have learned this if she hadn't learned that words have meaning.

Have a great day,

Steven Dickinson
Mr D the Magician
Zoomalata Magic

www.AppletonMagician.com

You Seem To Have Brightened Up The Place - Part 2

Steven Dickinson — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 11:30:00 GMT

In part one I introduced the idea of adding color to your show. In part 2 I would like to talk a little about working with backdrops & set creation and then talk some about music and audio.

Adding Backdrops

Backdrops are not for everyone but it is definitely worth looking at the possibilities. In yesterdays post I mentioned that you could add to your background as your show progresses. I'm not going to go over that again so please refer back to part one.

One simple way you can dress up your background is by using light material, such as a chiffon. In the background you have some type of frame work. Something that is light and backs up easily. The width of the cloth could be any width you want but for illustrations lets say you have 5 pieces of cloth that have a center panel that is 10 foot in width. On each side of this center panel are 2 panels with complimentary colors.

Width could be 4 foot each but the length would be much longer. The panels that are stage left have weights of some kind at the bottoms and cross over to center stage. Depending on how much room is available you could even bring the ends of the panels towards the audience and criss-cross with the panels on the right.

Here is something easy to work with that will have some costs but not as high as other options. Experiment and see what would work well. To add even more color having stage lighting with colored gels coming from behind or in front could add a really nice effect.

Another option is to have a giant photograph blown up that goes in place of a cloth curtain. You could be in Paris, Texas while having a backdrop photo that makes you look like you are performing in Paris, France.

One last option I want to bring up is the use of a projection screen. You can do a lot with this but the equipment could be expensive so you definitely want to work it into your budget. The benefit of this is you could add motion pictures and still shots where ever you want in the show. If you have a show that gives a message like in corporate training and team building this would allow you to use a power point presentation.

Remember this is your show and your reputation. Make it your own, make if fun, and make sure you get help if you need it.

Music

I'm not going to say a lot about using music in your show but it definitely could add some depth to your program. By using various styles of music you could help to set the feeling and tone of your show. If you have a portion that is mysterious play music that gives off those mysterious feelings. If your being comedic than play some fun music that matches the feeling you desire.

To be legit you will want to use royalty free music. This is where you buy the right to use someone's music without having anymore strings attached. With a lot of the popular music you would pay a royalty fee for the right to use that song, everytime you use it. Royalty free music takes that part away.

Some companies will allow you to use their music for a one time fee and there are a few who give them away for free. Be sure to read the small print and follow the procedures they want that would allow you to use their music. Remember you wouldn't want someone stealing your hard earned work...don't steal theirs.

I have found a good free royalty free music site put together by Kevin MacLoed. Visit

http://incompetech.com/m/c/royalty-free/ for more information.

Other options are to have live music. I made up a word in my younger days. It is "mugician". This is a magician and musician all wrapped up into one. Can you sing and play music. Would it work for you to blend the two. This will not work for everyone but it is worth considering.

Taking time to think about the atmosphere of your show will definitely be a hit for you. Just make sure the quality of your magic performance excellent too. I recently saw a magician who had a lovely banner at his show and audio that build excitement before the show. The only problem is the magician's tricks were performed on a much lower scale. Timing was all off, the jokes were out dated and many of the other props were starting to show wear & tear.

That's it for now, go and add some color and spice to your show.

Have a great day,

Steven

Steven Dickinson
Mr D the Magician
Zoomalata Magic
www.Zoomalata.com

You Seem To Have Brightened Up The Place - Part 1

Steven Dickinson — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 10:20:00 GMT

How would you describe your show? Have you taken a good look at it lately? Is it bright and filled with colors or is it kind of dark with hardly any color? How colorful is your show? Is it even important to care about having color in your show? If you haven't done it for a while maybe it is time to (re)evaluate your magic act for its color content.

Having color in your show is especially important if you are working with children. Why, you may ask? Otherwise the show is boring. B-O-R-I-N-G, Boring! I have recently started to add in more color to my kids show and found the results satisfactory. I over heard comments such as, "ooh, that's pretty" and "look at those colorful silks."

Having color in your show adds warmth & beauty, helps to keep the attention of your audience and adds life to your show.

Even if the storyline in your show is dark and mysterious, color can help to add contrast to your show. For example, in the movie The Sixth Sense by M. Night Shyamalan you will find throughout the show items that are red. This was a subtle way of the director/writer telling us something important was going to happen. You can use color in this way too. Add a splash of color at just the right moments would take away the drab of the dark theme.

In the rest of this post I am going to look at what can be used to make a show more colorful. This is more to help spur on your creativity juices to add in your personality to your show. In my mind I am thinking kid shows but adults love color too so have fun and experiment.

Colorful Props

What could you use to colorize your magic show? How about:

Silks
Banners
Fans
Balls

Signs
Animals (live or fake)
Balloons
Boas
Color lights

How to Add Color

Silks are light and pack easily. There are some beautiful silks out there. You could also decorate your performing area as you perform.

What I mean is. You produce a 3 foot by 5 foot flag silk. Instead of putting it away hang it up behind you as a back drop. Make a chain of silks using the diamond cut silks or the colorful rainbow streamers. I believe David Ginn has the 50 foot streamers at a great price.

If you visit Mr. Ginn's web site be sure to see if you can still get his DVD that talks about adding color to your show. It is worth it. He gives some great ideas for posing at the end of a trick. Those 'tada' moments that gets your audience clapping.

Lights could have a great affect on your show's appearance. It not only would add color but lighting and shading as well.

I recommend video taping your shows and watching them. As you watch them keep in mind do the colors (or lack of colors) help or hinder the show? Do they add contrast or take away from it? Is your outfit or costume blending in with your magic tricks and props?

Have fun with this. Mix and match and see what works. Another great idea is to window shop and look at the displays set up by others. You can take away bits and pieces that may work for you.

Hopefully you now see the important roll color has in your magic act. In part 2 of this topic I am going to talk about working with backdrops and audio.

Have a great day,

Steven

---

Steven Dickinson
Mr. D the Magician
Zoomalata Magic
www.Zoomalata.com

Build A Relationship With Your Audience

Steven Dickinson — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 19:40:00 GMT

" In the end you will realize that you are not only performing magic, but you are building a relationship with your audience." Jason Montoya in the article The Magic in Presentation, found in The Stone Cold Magic Magazine.

This is a very good thought to keep in mind. We spend lots of time practicing our magic and presentation but how much time is put towards our interaction with our audience. This is best learned from actually performing for people.

Set up a video camera and keep it on your audience. Then review your footage, How did they react and what did they react too. If you can get a hold of a second camera place it in the back so you can see if the audience is reacting to what you are saying or what you are doing.

Record video as many times as possible. Every audience is different and you will learn what works best for the various types of audiences. What moves people, what makes them laugh & what makes them ooh and aah?

Is there something that never works? A joke that has out lived its life? You know the type of joke that every other magician is saying. How is the timing of your patter, your speech? Is there a time when your audience laughs harder at a joke if you have a longer pause before the punch line or no pause at all?

When you can compare the same trick being performed for more than one audience you can find similarities and differences that will help you tweak your show to be the best.

In the end the goal is to connect with your audience. As you review your video footage where do you find you connect best with your audience? Do they seem to connect with you better when you speak through your tricks or when you are quiet and perform with music in the background?

Finally, the best way to connect with your audience is during your actually show. Listen and watch them as you perform. What are they saying and doing? Take their lead and build off of it.

This post is kind of choppy but it asks some very important questions. Take time to think over them and act. If you have video of your shows already then now is a great time for you to (re)evaluate your show.

Have a great day,

Steven Dickinson
Mr D the Magician
Zoomalata Magic