talkmagic.co.uk

Klangster1971 wrote:Hey, don't knock that approach.... that's how I started!! And, I'd wager, a fair few of us started that way too.... Buy a few self workers, get burnt a bunch of times as you perform them (badly) in pubs and clubs whilst you're out and about... If you're serious about it, then you'll stick with it, put the self-workers in the bottom drawer and get more involved in the craft.

If you're not serious, then I guess you'll put the self-workers in the bottom drawer and go do something else

I've not seen the show (yet), but I've seen some of D's TV stuff in the past.

I argree with the above sentiments. If he sticks at it, Dynamo could be something of a new wave of UK media-magi. In say, 10 years or so his TV personality and performance style will have matured.

His current approach may not be to my personal taste, but I wish the fella all the best in his future career.

SpareJoker wrote:If he sticks at it, Dynamo could be something of a new wave of UK media-magi. In say, 10 years or so his TV personality and performance style will have matured.

Then why couldn't he wait ten years before putting out this show?
A guy I met at a gig, who has no interest in magic, summed it up as amazing tricks and no personality. Is that really how we want to be perceived?

I always sense an element of bitterness and "I can do that better" whenever there is a Dynamo thread. He's certainly not the best but is obviously doing something right that is raising his profile and getting him on tv.

TonyB wrote:Then why couldn't he wait ten years before putting out this show?

Tony, that deserves a LOL.

Would you do it? Some TV exec says "Hey Tony, fancy having your own magic show on TV?" Would you honestly reply "I'd rather wait a decade until I've perfected my peformance style. You'll be hearing from me in 10 years then when I trust the offer will still remain open for me."

Course not. You'd snatch the contract out of his hand and get to work.

TonyB wrote:Then why couldn't he wait ten years before putting out this show?
A guy I met at a gig, who has no interest in magic, summed it up as amazing tricks and no personality. Is that really how we want to be perceived?

Damn straight. The kid needs to get himself a zany suit and a wacky hat.

Grimshaw, of course I would take the money and put out a show if I got the chance. I just wouldn't expect people to like it.

However they would love my zany suits. That's a guarantee.

Its a shame that everytime Dynamo (or Blaine for that matter) is mentioned most seem to point out the negatives. This 'lack of personality' thats usually spoke about is just their style, it may not be to some peoples taste but surely it is up to them how they perform ?

Dynamo is also a member of this forum, is it any wonder he hasnt posted in about 3 years. If people cant say anything nice then why post at all, especially if its just to bring down a fellow magician and member on a public forum.

jim

There is one major problem with magicians. The stuff magicians dont like laymen love and that is exactly where Dynamo and Blaine get the reputations from.

Effects like the Raven, the bottle twister Dynamo did magicians will just scoff £89.99,£59.50 etc whatever for a one trick pony blah blah blah im not paying that all I need is my sponge balls and paper rabbit to entertain etc. These are the things that look like real magic not a poxy paper rabbits and thats why it hits the laymen and takes them to a place they can't understand because there bottle twisted or there coin disapeard in there hand is something they cant trace back or comperend where as a sponge ball they will think back it wasnt mine, it was wierd looking not something you see everyday and it disapeared in the magicians hand not mine so he must have done something etc.

The personality think doesen't matter you dont need one it's all about the magic you are performing all Dynamo and Blaine have done is perform magic that the spectators can't quite work out whether it's sleight of hand or magic and that is how it should be.

Also for what they are performing they dont need to be techniquelly good so its not a problem.

After all that I myself am a traditionalist and buy books rather than these one tricks that are doing it on the streets but I am striving for something different but on there path of becoming a hip magician they must be doing something right because in the last 10 years Blaine,Brown and Dynamo have become big or got tv shows and 2 of them are in the catorgory we are explaining

Jim, you are right, and I apologise. I did say some nice things about Dynamo earlier in the thread, and I did say I will be tuning in next week.

Close-up is not my thing, and I would like to see a good stage magician getting a break and doing a show based on the old-fashioned idea of complete routines and humour. John Archer could do a great hour.

I wish Dynamo continued success.

Mandrake wrote:It consisted of a card trick and fancy shuffles, bent his little finger into gruesome shapes, they showed two clips from the TV series, phone in bottle and moving tan line - on an innocent bystander... ! Might be on ITV Player later on? Have fun at work (I love saying that - as one who has passed beyond all that sort of thing!)

I V plussed it and if you slow the programme down and put it in slow motion you can see what's going on.


(NB Edited by Mods, even if we spot the method we don't reveal it in public.)

Watched the repeat of this last night. Thoroughly underwhelmed.

Yes, I'm coming from the starting position of not really liking Dynamo (the usual - personality, charisma... etc), but this programme did little to change that. There was some tenuous linking to his past and a lot of styling, but I can't help feeling it's all about his working the high-power celebrity circles and receiving their endorsement. I know he's passionate and sincere... I just can't seem to get myself past that.

Fair play to him (or rather, his management), but he's now become a semi figure-head for the magic community... and what's presented to the public is an edited and compressed demonstration of his "talents". The show was 90% "set-piece" magic - accomplice supported performance pieces for TV and in no way practical or workable. He's very much a "TA-DA!" performer... and I will add a very skilled magician - I just don't appreciate his direct falseness of presentation.

Lastly, I'm allowed this opinion - I don't need to like it just because he's putting some magic in the telly, and I'm certainly not bitter. The public obviously love it, but that's exactly why we have this forum - to debate and talk about our art with a little depth. Would be a pretty boring place if we all just agreed with everything.

TonyB wrote:A guy I met at a gig, who has no interest in magic, summed it up as amazing tricks and no personality. Is that really how we want to be perceived?

That perception hasn't done David Blaine much harm over the years!!!

TonyB wrote:John Archer could do a great hour.

*sigh* we can but wish.... JA would be a great old-style, Saturday night host, wouldn't he, almost like a successor to Paul Daniels 80's shows?

Alas - I fear we'll never see those sorts of shows again

grant_m23 wrote:Watched the repeat of this last night. Thoroughly underwhelmed.

Yes, I'm coming from the starting position of not really liking Dynamo (the usual - personality, charisma... etc), but this programme did little to change that. There was some tenuous linking to his past and a lot of styling, but I can't help feeling it's all about his working the high-power celebrity circles and receiving their endorsement. I know he's passionate and sincere... I just can't seem to get myself past that.

Fair play to him (or rather, his management), but he's now become a semi figure-head for the magic community... and what's presented to the public is an edited and compressed demonstration of his "talents". The show was 90% "set-piece" magic - accomplice supported performance pieces for TV and in no way practical or workable. He's very much a "TA-DA!" performer... and I will add a very skilled magician - I just don't appreciate his direct falseness of presentation.

Lastly, I'm allowed this opinion - I don't need to like it just because he's putting some magic in the telly, and I'm certainly not bitter. The public obviously love it, but that's exactly why we have this forum - to debate and talk about our art with a little depth. Would be a pretty boring place if we all just agreed with everything.

100% agree!

grant_m23 wrote:Lastly, I'm allowed this opinion - I don't need to like it just because he's putting some magic in the telly, and I'm certainly not bitter. The public obviously love it, but that's exactly why we have this forum - to debate and talk about our art with a little depth. Would be a pretty boring place if we all just agreed with everything.

Certainly you're allowed your opinion, and its good to discuss the negatives of a performance aswell as the positives. My point however is that whenever Dynamo is mentioned the negative comments seem to far outway the positive. Im not saying folk shouldnt give their opinion, but I cant help but feel for the guy.
A while ago Derren Brown read a post about one of his shows on a magic forum. To say it was unfavourable would be an understatement. Derren took the post to heart and said it ruined his entire weekend. Likewise, it cant be nice for Dynamo when he comes on here and reads some of the comments. Look at any thread he's mentioned in and you'll see what I mean.

As for ''set piece'' magic and effects using accomplices and just for TV. That may be so, and I agree it can be annoying, but it never did David Copperfield any harm

jim