talkmagic.co.uk

Just thought I'd ask this here, as opinion seems divided in most places?

When first starting out, should you learn everything you can, and then come up with your character; or should you have an idea of your character, and then learn effects in the style of your character?

I can see and understand arguments for both. What do you think?

Learn what interests you and go from there. Don't build around you character until you've actually developed a character. I'm not sure about magic but I know with comedy there are loads of comedians who took years to develop their character through a series of trials and errors. Base knowledge with lots is a good foundation for anything.

That's my theory, anyway.

Work on your character from the start, and add tricks that suit that character. Work far more on presentation than technique. In fact at the beginning you could use self-workers and work exclusively on presentation and character. After all magic should be a performance, not just an arid demonstration.

...however...your character will also develop and change as you perform (to real people).
Not one where there's any easy answer
Bruce

they should both develop side by side.
Remember that the character, is always an extention of you. To an extent you should already have the bare bones sorted out.
Recognise which elements of your own character suits the magic that you are performing, and see what happens.
Note i say performing, because its nigh on impossible to learn an effect in character, unless you have been performing for many years.

Stephen kindly made this ebook available. It talks a little bit about character and other things which may help you get going.

ftopic39751.php

Imagine yourself beginning to learn drawing and painting. When you start, you need to concentrate on getting the mechanics right. By the time you know how to use perspective, put in shading, mix colours, control your brushwork, etc. you've then had enough experience to start forming a style of your own. Artistic style develops naturally after you've mastered the basic techniques. Some painters keep the same style all their lives, just refining it. Others change their styles, sometimes abruptly, as they mature and change in their lives.

Same with magic. A serious beginner will start by learning the basics -- say, as much as is covered in Mark Wilson's book -- and this will take quite a while if it's studied properly. By the time you've got this foundation securely under your belt, you'll know what suits and doesn't suit you, and what sort of style you naturally feel happy with. This might end up being the style you'll stick to forever (with refinements), or you might find it better to change as you grow older.

Some styles naturally suit younger or older performers, and this should also be taken into account. For instance, it would be hard to take seriously a teenager doing a very deep, dark, philosophical bizarre routine that explores the mysteries of life and death.