Tag: backdrop

Mega Illusions…

Over the pandemic I got to know Franz Harary a bit when I helped him out with a project. I’ve always admired what he does with his mega illusions and how he thinks really big. He recently posted a video of his show in Macu, and it’s pretty cool:

It’s crazy how big the show looks as he uses the entire theater. Every trick has a background that’s for it. Before you mention is too flashy or busy, you have to remember that this show is being done in China where their taste may be different that in the USA. I think it’s a great lesson, that using video elements can make things play a lot bigger. Even smaller tricks with a video could play bigger.

-Louie

Themed Shows…

One thing that Disneyland does better than all of the other attractions in California is sticking to their theme. You don’t see “cast members” dressed for frontier land in fantasy land. The do a great job of bringing you into the world that they want you to be in. In a themed magic show, you … Continue reading “Themed Shows…”

One thing that Disneyland does better than all of the other attractions in California is sticking to their theme. You don’t see “cast members” dressed for frontier land in fantasy land. The do a great job of bringing you into the world that they want you to be in.


In a themed magic show, you need to have more than a couple of props that are themed, you need to really jump in an do the whole thing. This is why when I do themed shows for libraries, my shows are more “academic” than a show that is supposed to take you to another place.


For variety performers this is easier to do now than every before. Custom backdrops are cheap, custom decals are cheap, and custom costumes are cheap. All of these are easy to source with the internet, so bringing an audience into your world only adds a $500 or so more to building your show than using generic props.


If you are going to do a theme, I think you really should immerse your audience into that theme. There’s really no excuse to not do that!