talkmagic.co.uk

Hey everyone

I am interested in developing a new character (not replacing my current.)

I am looking for a kind of eerie, dark, clock-work and gothic feel. I been doing research and am learning dance styles such as robot/dime-stops/isolations for effect.

The Character is going to be silent, move with dime-stops (imagine someone dancing the robot), and the effects would all mostly aim for eerie (as supposed to completely scary..most of the time. )

A near example of what I am aiming towards is:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3tnupueuRo - Dan Sperry's Live floating Table (very Tim-Burton)

My current character, is a more confident version of myself. This is the first `fictional` character I am developing. As such, I am looking for as much advice as possible for the development stage. This could be resources on Magicians, Movie Scenes, Movie Characters, Related Books on Character Development, Costume Design, Dance/movement styles etc.

I know I am looking for allot of advice in one thread, so to break it down a bit, how would you guys reccomend designing and looking for costume? I was thinking something like this, with a bit of pale makeup and (maybe) a hat:

• http://www.ebay.com/itm/Steampunk-Western-Menswear-Dandy-Blk-Faux-Waistcoat-Vest-Button-Up-Top-Shirt-L-/400278346533?pt=US_CSA_WC_Shirts_Tops&hash=item5d3272db25#ht_6191wt_1016

Thanks allot guys!
- DJay.

I can't offer much help other than to let you know that the Bicycle "Tragic Royalty" cards are very Burton-esque in their look.

I think you should be looking for Steam punk, rather than Tim Burton ( Since tim changes his style quite a bit)
Add a bit of Gothic.... and presto! you have what your thinking about.
ebay steam punk, and you will find hundreds of usefull stuff.

You don't want a costume store for a shirt like that mate, you want to check out the goth/industrial shops. Have a butchers around Afflecks Palace in Manchester, I'm sure you'll find at least one shop stocks that

Exactly, last place I want is cheap costume-shop ware.

Actually just got back from afflecks, didn't have much luck though

There is a costume place on tib street somewhere that do stuff for stage productions, not 100% sure where it is though... I would guess you'd be better offgetting something like that custom made, or starting with a standard shirt and customising it yourself. There's some weird stuff in China/Hong Kong on ebay... worth a look.

I beleive there are two costume shops in the arndale, one is called the secret corner and the other bigger shops name slips my mind, although its harder I myself prefer to look in charity shops and the like as sometimes you look at an item and think "BY GOD JUST CHOP THE ARMS OFF THAT AND I HAVE MY STEAMPUNK WAISTCOAT!!!" however I would look on ebay for pocket watches and such other little effects as your unlikely to find such things floating around without a hefty price tag.

I love this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CHS2-TheLees-NW ... 746c4c9220

This could be doctored...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mens-Casual-S ... 7018wt_808

Need to make as clear of an idea though before I can get something custom-made.

ive fallen in love:

• http://www.ebay.com/itm/Steampunk-Western-Menswear-Dandy-Blk-Faux-Waistcoat-Vest-Button-Up-Top-Shirt-L-/400278346533?pt=US_CSA_WC_Shirts_Tops&hash=item5d3272db25#ht_6191wt_1016

The kind of thing in that picture is what I'm going for. - it a bit of a hard fashion-style to define.

Dark-Angel (theDarkangel.co.uk) do a lot of Steam-punk goth clothing, I've bought a beautiful duster coat and a Coach-man's coat as well as various waist-coats from them.

AE Williams do very nice pocket watches and check out Alchemy Gothic for jewellery and a few steam punk pocket watches.

Danny Jay wrote:[*]http://www.ebay.com/itm/Steampunk-Western-Menswear-Dandy-Blk-Faux-Waistcoat-Vest-Button-Up-Top-Shirt-L-/400278346533?pt=US_CSA_WC_Shirts_Tops&hash=item5d3272db25#ht_6191wt_1016[/list]
The kind of thing in that picture is what I'm going for.

What, no pants?

Steampunk and/or gothic are the styles you're interested in, with maybe a bit of "regular" punk (and perhaps cyberpunk?). Steampunk in particular is very in at the moment in the arts and crafts world, so if you fancy making some props, you should be able to get plenty of inspiration. Steampunk outfits are Victorian-inspired, so maybe have a look at places that sell Victorian/Western outfits (there was a great site someone posted about on here a while ago, but I can't recall its name). They should be a good source for things like suitable neckerchiefs/cravats and waistcoats.

Would just like to thank everyone for their advice so far, most of which has been orientated around costume. What would you guys also recommended in as far as showmanship for a silent character? I mean, I'm quite a confident, fast-talking, party-like performer. but now I'm also hoping to portray a darker, slower, more mysterious, eerie, puppet-like, silent character? Are there any good inspirations and/or books for this?

Thanks again!

watch movies. That's where your initial idea came from.
By the way, Loki's original act, was part Beetlejuice, part joker from batman. Phillipart also used the Beetlejuice/batman thing in his act, but with Grand Ilusions.

By the way, Slower isn't the way to go. your audience will get bored waiting for stuff to happen.

When I say slower, I mean slower by my normal standard. My everyday character is mostly pretty fast. It's like if Hans Klok tried to do a `slow` metamorphosis act, he'd just be at moving everyone else's regular pace.