I Challenge You...

[William Draven]

This idea started out as a casual conversation with a colleague of mine with regards to our performance character. After giving it some thought I wanted to bring it here for consideration. This is a raw version of some dis-connected thoughts I had resulting from aforementioned conversation. Opinions are welcome. Here's the challenge.

I want you to videotape yourself doing a performance of your standard act. Then, take that videotape and place it on a shelf for three days. After you've done that comes the challenge. I challenge you to recall with precision your act and recount everything that you did as if you were writing a review of your show. Everything you said that was notably funny, every trick you performed, the audiences reactions, etc.

After you've written the review of your act, watch the videotape for the first time and see how accurate you were. I'm willing to bet that some of you will be shocked to see that you've left out some important things or misremembered others.

Now, do the same thing for an act you can search out on Youtube. Watch the act, wait thirty minutes, and write a review doing the same thing you did above. Re watch the act again and compare notes.

I'm willing to bet that you can remember more facts about the Youtube act than you did of your own.

The point I'm drilling down to make here is that I believe it is easier to comment third party on a performance than it is to talk about your own. So therefor is it better to use a stage persona / name instead of your own for purposes of making it easier to describe yourself to others without feeling like you are bragging?

 

[MagicSanj]

The point I'm drilling down to make here is that I believe it is easier to comment third party on a performance than it is to talk about your own.

This is a great point you are making. I will definitely have to try this.

Thank you for the wonderful idea.

Best,

-Sanj

 

[LeeAsher]

Do the same thing for an act you can search out on Youtube.

Use this collection of vintage magic clips. I've saved you some ground work.

Great post Mr. Draven.

Asher
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[William Draven]

Thank you Lee! Those are great clips!

Your complement is also well received.

 

[James Smith]

I might just try this.

 

[Deleted member 2755]

Good thing I scrolled down. This thread about about to get lost with all the other pointless threads. This is a good thing to do Will. Thanks for the idea.

Lee, your site is amazing.

-Doug

 

[Justin.Morris]

Heh, that is why I think having a wife to practice with is a huge advantage. She is brutally honest (sometimes too honest! lol) about my performance/handling/routine and patter/comedy etc.

What I think might work well, she points out is fishy or odd, or pointless, or not funny at all (that one always stings).

It is definitely something important to do > surround yourselves with some honest non-magician friends to practice on.

Good thoughts

j

 

[Likenthrope]

Use this collection of vintage magic clips. I've saved you some ground work.

Great post Mr. Draven.

Asher
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Wow, what a surprise, it's a site presented by leeasherdotcom! Lee, do you ever post a response or start a thread that does not have some sort of shameless self promotion? Jeez, get a clue man and stop trolling the boards for an opportunity to promote!

 

[William Draven]

Wow, what a surprise, it's a site presented by leeasherdotcom! Lee, do you ever post a response or start a thread that does not have some sort of shameless self promotion? Jeez, get a clue man and stop trolling the boards for an opportunity to promote!

Would you mind sending your hate/spam/flame mail to someone via private messages instead of clogging up my threads with this mindless crap? Please? Thank you!

Lets get this back ontopic with valid and intelligent responses.

 

[Sir FansAlot]

Wow, what a surprise, it's a site presented by leeasherdotcom! Lee, do you ever post a response or start a thread that does not have some sort of shameless self promotion? Jeez, get a clue man and stop trolling the boards for an opportunity to promote!

You have obviously failed at the video quiz where you got to video tape yourself as if you are a movie star. And then make it up and look real cool for the magic-community. Too bad, that although it's a "great" idea! You come in second place! I'm in first. Take care.

 

[Sir FansAlot]

Would you mind sending your hate/spam/flame mail to someone via private messages instead of clogging up my threads with this mindless crap? Please? Thank you!

Lets get this back ontopic with valid and intelligent responses.

I thought you said that opinions are welcome. If what you are looking for is an intelligent response then maybe it would serve you better to first post up your video of you going through that which you are asking us to go through. It is only fair that way.

 

[LeeAsher]

Wow, what a surprise, it's a site presented by leeasherdotcom! Lee, do you ever post a response or start a thread that does not have some sort of shameless self promotion? Jeez, get a clue man and stop trolling the boards for an opportunity to promote!

Good morning to you sir...

First, let me first say you are certainly entitled to your opinion.

However, if you take a look up, you'll see the word ARTIST next to my name. You look at your name and it says N00B.

Therefore, you should either listen and learn something that might help improve your self-worth, or you can leave. Here's the door.

Don't let it hit you on your way out.

The decision is yours, but we are certainly done listening to your publicly stated passive aggressive remarks.

Enjoy.

Asher

ps. if you do decided to stay, take a moment to really read Mr. Draven's post. It's filled with great ideas on how to get better at being a magician.

You want to get better at magic don't you Likenthrope?
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[Twozwozer]

Good morning to you sir...

First, let me first say you are certainly entitled to your opinion.

However, if you take a look up, you'll see the word ARTIST next to my name. You look at your name and it says N00B.

Owned by Lee Asher. 'Nuff Said.

 

[aJohnson]

Wow, what a surprise, it's a site presented by leeasherdotcom! Lee, do you ever post a response or start a thread that does not have some sort of shameless self promotion? Jeez, get a clue man and stop trolling the boards for an opportunity to promote!

*Sighs*

You try bashing at him for helping people? If somebody asked where to get good cards and you give them a link to a website you know, that's ok right? If Lee's site offers the help then why shouldn't he be allowed to post it? And his site does offer alot of help.

 

[William Draven]

I thought you said that opinions are welcome. If what you are looking for is an intelligent response then maybe it would serve you better to first post up your video of you going through that which you are asking us to go through. It is only fair that way.

The point isn't to post the videos for everyone else to see. The point is to film yourself for critical review. Practice videos, for personal improvement, should RARELY been seen by the public, let alone the internet. This is why there are so many horrible YouTube videos. People are posting videos that simply shouldn't be posted.

All opinions are welcome. Should they be constructive. Deconstructive opinions should be kept to yourself. Personal flames as what was earlier made should be done in private. I thought that this would be self intuitive. Pardon me for assuming people here were 1. mature and 2. had half a functioning brain cell.

You've missed the point completely. Please re-read the initial post, and pm someone if you have trouble understanding the material presented before you make another comment. You'll go further that way

You have obviously failed at the video quiz where you got to video tape yourself as if you are a movie star. And then make it up and look real cool for the magic-community. Too bad, that although it's a "great" idea! You come in second place! I'm in first. Take care.

What the hell are you trying to say here? You've lost me. Completely. Second place to what? Were you in some kind of competition?
Thank you Mr. Asher for your complements! It makes my day to know that others feel I have something worth sharing here.

 

[William Draven]

--bump-- *cough*wordcount*cough*

 

[Likenthrope]

Good morning to you sir...

First, let me first say you are certainly entitled to your opinion.

However, if you take a look up, you'll see the word ARTIST next to my name. You look at your name and it says N00B.

Therefore, you should either listen and learn something that might help improve your self-worth, or you can leave. Here's the door.

Don't let it hit you on your way out.

The decision is yours, but we are certainly done listening to your publicly stated passive aggressive remarks.

Enjoy.

Asher

ps. if you do decided to stay, take a moment to really read Mr. Draven's post. It's filled with great ideas on how to get better at being a magician.

You want to get better at magic don't you Likenthrope?
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I think I struck a nerve! http://www.Leeasher.com

 

[BlakeVogt]

Loved the first post! And Lee's comments lol. What a great and interesting idea. I've never really thought of having a character with the motivation of being able to recall the performance better and to be able to describe oneself to someone. I have always found that being "myself" during a performance has suited me better than trying to take on a different "character". I don't want to be stubborn and not try this idea because that would be the only way to learn and grow. I also feel like I can describe my magic pretty well with my performance style not having a character. BUT, in order to try out this GREAT idea of yours and grow either from its success or failure (for me). I will try this this coming week and if this thread is still being written on by next Friday, I'll let you know my thoughts. If not, I'll pm you. Thank you for this opportunity. Great thread.
Bro in Magic,
Blake

 

[Twozwozer]

Some of my friends at Uni have noticed my Magic Character and they have brought it up. I think it's because when I get asked to do magic I actually wake up ( cause I always fall asleep in lectures ) and become more lively . I do try to be myself, but I do get influenced by other people out there.

Cheers, Tom

 

[Randomwrath]

Good morning to you sir...

First, let me first say you are certainly entitled to your opinion.

However, if you take a look up, you'll see the word ARTIST next to my name. You look at your name and it says N00B.

Lee, I'm sorry, but I think that was really out of order. Not only did it show a huge lack of respect, but he does actually have a point. Resorting to throwing petty insults and comebacks isn't the way to go. I would be appalled if a member said something like that, and just because you're an artist doesn't mean you should be above everyone else. I still have a lot of respect for your work, but I think this was not a good response.