Louie – Page 173 – MagicShow.Tips

The Elephant in the Room…

One of my best friends (who is also an amazing performer) always says, “you’ve got to address the elephant in the room”. What he means is if there is something that the whole audience can see or is aware of that’s a distraction, you need to acknowledge it. When I perform at fairs, sometimes the “elephant in the room” is a literal elephant, other times it’s not.

A few weeks ago the backdrop to my stage was a row of porta-potty’s. It’s something that I needed to address, so here’s how I did it:

By addressing it immediately in the show, I got a big laugh. It also shows a bit of my personality, it shows that I’m fun and don’t take myself too seriously.

I talk a little bit about this in my interview with John Abrams on his podcast The Variety Artist that comes out on August 12th. I talk about a stage I performed on where to get onto the stage people from the audience physically had to leave the building and go around back. I also talk about how I addressed this problem. If you don’t listen to the podcast, you should give it a listen!

It’s a Community…

I’m a frequent traveler around the United States and while I travel I try to meet up with local magicians. I usually do a Google search for the city and the word magician then contact whoever turns up. I’ve met some cool people while travelling.

Last week I was in Wyoming and I didn’t find any magicians on the internet. However while I was in a small town coffee shop, there was a business card board, and I glanced at it and saw a magician’s business card! I gave him a call and we met up.

It was a lot of fun jamming with him, swapping stories of legendary mentalist Bob Cassidy and talking shop!

If you’re a travelling act, look up some local magicians and hang out! It’s good for magic!

You Gotta Change…

In the last few weeks Holland America Line has implemented a ban on using balloons on their ships. This isn’t just for decorations, but also for use in shows. Here’s what’s making the rounds on social media: It’s interesting what magicians have to say about it. Most are asking questions about latex products. These magicians … Continue reading “You Gotta Change…”

It’s interesting what magicians have to say about it. Most are asking questions about latex products. These magicians are idiots, clearly this is specifically balloons, and not just latex balloons, but all balloons (so this includes mylar).

I perform on Holland America Line and I use a balloon in my show. I got this notice a few weeks ago, and I’ve dropped the trick that uses the balloon from my show, not just for that line, but all shows.

Why all shows?

Simple, it will keep my show tight. My muscle memory isn’t going to start doing that bit, then I have to back track.

Keeping up with the times is important, whether it’s using preferred pronouns, or not using a balloon. It also forces you to grow as a performer. People who cannot innovate will be left behind, where people who can will rise.

Make it Yours…

One of the new tricks I added to my kid show this summer was the Gypsy Yarn (this is Nick Lewin’s version of the Gypsy Thread). I’m using his method for the set up / handling, and string/yarn. Whenever there’s a trick I want to do, if Nick Lewin has a routine for it, I’ll … Continue reading “Make it Yours…”

In the video I should have paused a bit longer at the end of the trick showing the string restored.

If you are familiar with Nick Lewin’s routine, you’ll see that while I use the foundation of his, the routine is 100% different. I think the only thing the same is we both reference a spit ball. This is a good example of taking an existing routine and making it yours. It takes more than simply filtering someone else’s script through your mouth.

You need to actually put yourself into the routine. In the video above while you don’t learn “facts” about me, you get a peek into my personality with how I interact with the kid.

You’ll also notice there are no standard “kid show” bits. It doesn’t feel like a “kid show” magic routine. Yes it’s silly with the counting bit, but there’s no Look, but don’t see, or sucker magic. It’s a fun original routine for a standard trick…and the trick is good!

You Get What You Give…

Recently I was working at a fair where there were two stages next to each other. One stage was going while the other was doing its act change over. When one stage ends, it sends its audience right next door.
This usually works great…

What ended up happening is that one of the acts on my stage started his act on time, but the act on the other stage was running long. A bit later in the day the act on the other stage asked us to not start until he’s done. That’s fine if he’s done in a reasonable amount of time.

Then as the week went on the act on the other stage started doing preshow bits on the mic while our stage was still active. The courtesy of us not starting until he was finished didn’t extend the other direction to him not starting while we were still going…and we were still within our scheduled times.

This easily could have turned into use blasting music into his show, both me and the other act on my stage were much louder shows. However were are also professionals and know that no one wins when two stage right next to each other try to drown the other out. Once we realized the courtesy wasn’t being given to us, we simply did our scheduled start time, and frequently stepped on the end of his show.

Slow It Down…

One of the things that I’ve been trying to do lately is slow down a lot more. This is something that I’ve struggled with my whole life, however in the last few years I’ve gotten a lot better at slowing down. This is something that makes my show better and I know it, but still struggle with it.

This summer letting things marinade, or waiting for the laugh to start dying off before I keep talking is making noticable differences in my show. It make what I’m doing or saying feel much more real, and in the moment when it’s scripted stuff. Rushing to get to the next punchline makes it feel more scripted.

I’m a big fan of letting the show breathe, and it’s something that physical comedians do all of the time. They let the audience get caught up with them, instead of constantly being ahead of the audience. Once you get too far ahead of them, it’s hard for them to catch up.

Travelling…

Right now we’re at the peak of my busy performing season. Something that seems to throw off a lot of performers is travelling (especially by airplane) with their shows. Today we’ll just talk about travelling by car, which in some ways is more difficult that travelling by airplane.

When I’m packing up my show for a few weeks of shows, and putting it in the trunk of my car I have some decisions to make. The first one is the size of props. I don’t mind taking large props by car, but the prop still needs to justify loading it in and out for several weeks, and I need to be able to move it by myself.

The next thing to consider is the amount of supplies it’s going to take. While doing a mouth coil routine once doesn’t take up a lot of space, however doing three shows a day for three weeks starts to take up some space when you are packing.

Then you’ve got to decide whether to bring things you might need. This could be things like an extra power cable, or even an extra filler trick. Bringing extra material on the road is a good idea because sometimes props break and you can’t immediately get it repaired or replaces.

Personally when travelling by car I tend to overpack, but then I’m never at a venue without the proper connection to plug my mic in!

Add a Little Magic…

When I travel I love visiting junk shops, you can find all sorts of props. Yesterday I found some sandwich skewers that were 50 cents for the pack. I bought them for the sole purpose of bring a smile to the old ladies who ran the shop. Here’s what I did: People who say the … Continue reading “Add a Little Magic…”

People who say the only do magic tricks when they are paid are completely missing the boat when it comes to promoting magic in general. Not forcing magic on people is also important. You notice I do one trick, and she asks me to show another person. I’m not forcing a show on anyone. Just a quick little thing.

Breaking It In…

One of the fun things about performing on the road is when you get to perform with your friends. This week in Wyoming I’m performing with my buddy Matt Baker. Matt does a comedy stunt show and we both co-host the Odd and Offbeat Podcast. Besides hanging out, we both are working on a ton of new material for our shows.

We made a mutual pact to do no “A” material this week. We’re working on building up new material and maybe moving some routines from B to A status. Not having your best material as a crutch to get you through a show. It makes you focus on getting a couple more laughs and selling the trick a little bit harder.

I’ve had a routine that’s been a preshow trick that really had no routine. It now runs about 4 mins and has a lot of laughs. The nice thing is that I’m working with a buddy who is watching my show and giving me ideas, and I’m watching his and giving him ideas, so we both win and create much faster!

Drawing Duplication…

One trick I’ve always liked is the drawing duplication trick. Basically the trick is that someone draws a picture that you don’t see, then you draw a picture and they match. The main problem with a drawing duplication is that if the audience thinks you see the picture, then you’re done. The problem with the method is that you have to see the picture.

I was driving the other day and came up with an idea for doing a drawing duplication. This version would not require me to see the drawing. In fact the drawing would be a prediction, so whether or not I see the drawing doesn’t really matter. I think the trick is stronger if I never see the drawing.

Basically what I’m doing is using a method for the classic magic plot “object in impossible location” to load a prediction. I made quick version last night and showed it to another performer and they liked it. It’s still got a little ways to go, and I’ll write more about it once I do it a couple of times.