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i was wondering how important you guys thought character creation was in the show process, i firmly believe that magic is 99% how you perform a trick and in a show i feel that having a 6 or 7 tricks performed in a different style each time isn't going to make for a good show, so how do you go about creating a character that works in a show,

i am currently working on a new show for the stage, it is very different to the previous stuff i've done and the style of magic is very different too. i feel that if i performed it in my usual style which is an exageration of myself that the effect that I'm looking for will be lost.

How do you create a believable character how do you go about creating a show around this person his experiences and beliefs and make it entertaining interesting and intruiging for people to watch.

any help appreciated.

well now.....

I am currently working on a new show for the stage, it is very different to the previous stuff i've done and the style of magic is very different too. i feel that if i performed it in my usual style which is an exageration of myself that the effect that I'm looking for will be lost.

To me, it sounds like you have got a bunch of effects together, and your now trying to come up with a suitable character to go with them.
This isnt the right way to go about it.

The best way, is to firstly come up with a character, and sit down woith a note book, and jot down every little thing you can about how that character lives, what his job is, what his friends and family are like, what his interests are.. everything.

then you have a reasonably clear understanding of the character.

you then put him in a situation.

and then work out what kind of things he would interact with in that situation, and how he would deal with it.

you then introduce effects that suit the situation, rather than the character.

Alternatively, you will find it easier to adapt your existing material, to the new character.


Could you explain a little more, on how this is going to take you outside your comfort zone?

I've never really given all that much thought about a character, when I perform, I just perform as me or a slightly exagerated version of me. Admittedly I do change things slightly depending on what I'm doing, normal magic I'll be slightly scatty and very pink and fluffy. If I'm doing more mental type magic, my hippy, new agey side comes through more.

Sit down a look at yourself, figure out all your little personality quirks and see if you can build up your character out of that. You'll find that playing that exagerated version of yourself much easier and believable than playing a totally new persona.

Lady of Mystery wrote:Sit down a look at yourself, figure out all your little personality quirks and see if you can build up your character out of that. You'll find that playing that exagerated version of yourself much easier and believable than playing a totally new persona.

Sorry for hijacking the thread, but I am very much alike Bernard in Black Books (hey I even run a bookshop ) with a pinch of Manny when I'm manic. How would I appeal to an audience if my persona primarily consists of misantrophy?

Raoul wrote:Sorry for hijacking the thread, but I am very much alike Bernard in Black Books (hey I even run a bookshop with a pinch of Manny when I'm manic. How would I appeal to an audience if my persona primarily consists of misantrophy?

I see that you're based in the Netherlands. There's a British comedian named Jack Dee whose entire persona is misanthropic and sarcastic. He bills himself as "the hard man of comedy", and is very funny and wildly popular. I don't know if you've ever seen him, but if not, there are loads of clips on YouTube.

Jerry Sadowitz is both a comedian and magician - he's pretty misanthropic sometimes

@Ted & Robbie

Thanks for the tips I'll look into it. Now back on topic.

though i dont like DC Comics...

take superman as an example...

thinks he's normal
slowly finds out he has special powers
explores them
can then display those powers to others for various reasons

its a story - as dale said, start at the "who", then the "why" and finally the "how"...

This creating a character is the most important thing in magic. Not the tricks, the methods or the sleights. The character. I really mean that. The best advice on the subject is contained in the presentation section of Expert Card Technique. The first few pages of this section will tell you all you need to know about it. Again YOU are the magic. The tricks are just a peg to hang your personality on.

Raoul wrote:

Lady of Mystery wrote:Sit down a look at yourself, figure out all your little personality quirks and see if you can build up your character out of that. You'll find that playing that exagerated version of yourself much easier and believable than playing a totally new persona.

Sorry for hijacking the thread, but I am very much alike Bernard in Black Books (hey I even run a bookshop ) with a pinch of Manny when I'm manic. How would I appeal to an audience if my persona primarily consists of misantrophy?

As you are in the netherlands (great place, was in Amsterdam last week), you MAY be unaware that Manny, or rather the actor that plays him, is a stand up comedian?

Dylan Moran

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss?url ... an&x=0&y=0

Not sure what is available to you, but he's very funny...

And yes, back to point.

As Mr Lewis just said, character is the starting block. The whole basis of the act.

I read this yesterday.

An essay/email Teller wrote to Brian Brushwood.

It's relevant here.

http://shwood.squarespace.com/news/2009 ... areer.html

brilliant essay, and something that will help endlessly in the creation process of this show. i wrote this thread more as a cathartic way of getting my mind working and hopefully to gleam a few gems from your heads thank you for your imput

Wow - great post.

I had the pleasure of meeting Penn & Teller after one of their shows and had to tell Teller how fantastic his Miser's Dream was. I remember that he had a very enigmatic smile on his face as I told him (even more than usual) - not I know why.... EIGHT YEARS to come up with the final routine!!

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant post - thanks so much for linking. It's going in my favourites!!

btw - great mini-lecture by Teller here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5x14AwElOk


Sean

you need to read

derren brown - absolute magic
or
darwin ortiz - strong magic

either will get you going in the right direction.