magic show production

This summer I ran the video elements of my library show with iQpro. I still ran the audio with showcues as I was really comfortable with that. If the video didn’t work it was not big deal. If the music didn’t work, that was a bigger deal. The show still would have went fine, but the music adds more to the show than the video does.

I’m now very comfortable using iQpro for the video elements of my show. The nest step is to get confident using it for the audio. This week I’m at a state fair and going to use iQpro for the audio of the show, and run video with it as well. The video won’t show anywhere but my iPad and no one will see it, except me. However this is good practice for using it for both video and audio.

-Louie

Get Your Name Out There

When I was in Nashville recently I saw a ton of bands whose names I can’t remember. One of the bands playing at a bar that I stopped in was this one:

Their name was one the screens behind them. This is something that’s easy for you to do with your show. Put your logo on to a flash drive and keep with with your show gear. Now anytime there’s a TV in your performing area, plug in the flash drive and pull up your logo.

Personally I think having your logo on a screen is more modern than having a sign on our table. It also adds a touch of “production” to your show. This is a super easy way to get them to remember your name!

-Louie

Show Introduction

When I perform at showcases, my agent has me use a preshow video. There’s a great reason for this, usually the MC sucks and the video sets the vibe for what they are about to see! I also use this for shows that have video as an option. It’s simple to keep it on a flash drive and give it to the tech crew where ever you’re performing.

Recently I was at a hockey game and realized that all sports do this.

It really hypes up the crowd. After watching the Seattle Kraken’s introduction production, it really highlighted how important this is. I was trying to imagine watching the game without it and how strange of transition from nothing to the game would be.

Go out and watch a sporting event and see how their preshow sets the mood for the game. There’s a lot that can be learned from sports that can be applied to your show. For example all of the transition music bits, and bits with people in the stands when there isn’t play happening.

Watch a game in person and imagine it without music. It’d be really strange and the energy level would constantly be going down. In my show I fill they gaps between routines with joke or music, which is essentially what happens at arenas, just on much bigger scale.

Go out and see a game and you’ll learn a lot!

-Louie