talkmagic.co.uk

Hello!

As mention previously, I will be competing in Junior Close Up at the CAM 2007 Convention this June. I am looking for advice and tips on how to win or gi ve it my all in competition. My act is an 8 minute comedy card act. I have tested this routine on audiences. One audience was made up completely of magicians, and the magic and comedy tested VERY well with them. However, I do not know what to expect from other competitors. I know cards are not a popular choice for competing, but the act uses jumbo decks, envelopes and such. All of the magic is off-the-wall and very comedic. Most of the act is made up of my own creations, including a comedy mentalism bit with a very surprising climax, a sucker routine with a jumbo deck ending with a jumbo version of a selected card attached to my back, and a special card control technique I have created. The routine ends with my variation of Oz Pearlman's Mambo #5 cards to pocket routine.

Please reply with any advice for competition, which will be GREATLY valued!

Regards,

Michael Kras

I think for Junior Close Up, comedy is the most important factor. Obviously your routine should be flawless and you should have practiced everything untill you bleed (not literally) but comedy is a massive part.

Everything should be well timed and get spectators involved wherever possible. Make eye contact, look and feel confident, have your jokes down to the tee. If you have memorised everything until you find youself just doing it without thinking about it too much, you will have absolutely no problem.

Go here and watch the video for a good idea:

http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic17810.php - he won the competition by the way.

Thank you for your advice. The comedy is down pat ad everything else is going smoothly, so according to yourself, I will be fine.

Thank You!

Michael Kras

Great! Let us know how you do. And also try to get someone to video it, it would be very interesting to see you perform

For sure! If I can get a copy of the performance video, I will post it here. I have my fingers crossed. I will also let you know how the competition goes.

Michael Kras

Can't really give you any advice, but thought I'd wish you good luck.

Thank you for your wishes! I am normally a calm charasmatic performer but I fear the anxiety and stress that may start up when it comes time for the Convention and competition. Anyone have any thips on how to overcome this?

Thank you!

Michael Kras

If you start feeling the nerves too much just sit down in a quiet corner by yourself for a while and compose yourself. Maybe listen to some music if that helps and then go out there and do your best. You'll be fine

LeftEye wrote:Go here and watch the video for a good idea:

http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic17810.php - he won the competition by the way.

Speaking of James, where's he been lately? It seems like he hasn't been on the forum in ages. Does anyone know what he's up to?

Thank you everyone!

UUUUHHHH... convention getting closer and closer... deep breathes.... coffee, smile..... inhale... exhale... inhale... inhale... inhale... inhale... one HUGE exhale.

Great! Now that I have composed myself, I think I am ready! I will try to upload a video if possible when competition is over. I will also keep you updated, as some have requested.

Regards,

Michael Kras

We can hardly wait.

Sarcasm?

Michael Kras wrote:Sarcasm?

Get used to it. It's a form of humour.

I am sorry. But things like sarcasm can be drastically misinterpreted in forums or anywhere in type on the internet. Therefore, it is impossible to get totally used to. Same thing happens in reverse. I apologize if I ever ask peope to explain something they have told me, because I am bad at interpreting emotions displayed on forums.

I think it's great to see a lad with some enthusiasm for magic. Makes a lovely change to the usual 'I wanna do magic to freak out me mates' and 'tell me how to do....' that we usually get.

Best of luck with the competition