Magical Thoughts on Entertainment. The Plan!
Copyright
I remember starting out I bought all kinds of magic I did not need or use. Why? Because I wanted it. So many magicians do that but if your trying to build an act and money is limited you need to think before you buy. It should depend on if you can and will use that prop on stage in your act. I built much of my act and that saved a lot of money. If you work in wood you have an advantage. If you work in metal you have an advantage. Figure out what skills you have that will help you. If you are good with slights you can use that for manipulating keys and picks in full view. That could be a valuable asset. If you understand illusions that would also be valuable.
Trying to figure out what you will do for an act. It can be difficult to start. Lets take an example between metamorphosis which fits in an magic act and a milk can. If you had your choice which one would you take if it was going to be your only feature act for a while? If you are starting out you need every show you can get and the money for your show. The problem with the milk can is that not every stage will hold one and not every client will want water for one reason or another. If you work with other acts how will you move it to get it out of their way? You will need a rolling platform.
The practical item is the metamorphosis. You can get it in and out of any show and people love it. This is just an example but many starting out will choose the dangerous act even if it will limit the bookings. When you have other acts that you can replace it with then it is not a problem.
In the old days the magical artist was presented as greater than thou and nothing can hold them. It presents the restraints as a mere nothing and the magician supreme. I believe magic should be presented as the supreme and the artist as a warrior taking on a challenge that could defeat him or her. When I say moment of doubt I mean moment not a long winded speech. For example, “I don't know if I am going to escape this cuff but I will do my best” is plenty of words. However words are not even needed if you know or learn how to act. Actually a facial expression or some body language such as slight backing up can do it. It should appear you come out confident but have a flash of a moment of doubt and then right back to confident. Selling the audience is not just about words it is about acting and every gesture we make. I believe you should follow a certain formula about presentation. Do your talking before the act. Don't come back and talk a lot after it is done because that is anti climatic. When your act is over get off the stage.
When you are starting out and the press is covering a stunt do not worry because you don't have a lot of credits. As the saying goes, “no credit no problem.” The press love young people who do these things and most help if you do your job. So the only thing you have to worry about is doing a good job and as a rule the press will do the rest. You are a human interest story in a world full of problems. That is like a breath of fresh air. You are something wholesome and can give people a lift. Remember charities always need help and for some you can be that help. It all comes back and press will do their part. Pick out good causes that you believe in and make those groups aware of you.
It is not easy to make a plan but an old formula that has always worked for me is open with a flash or something quick and close with a feature act. Build up from something small but effective to that final mind blowing act. If you figure out the final you can work everything else around that.
-N. Bigelow
