talkmagic.co.uk

Hey folks,

I am going to be putting together a new showreel later this month (will post the finished video on here when completed) and was looking for any ideas in terms of visual effects that would look good on film?

The reason I am doing a new one is because I am not that happy with my old one (obviously) which I had put together about 6 years ago - it's dated, a little too long, has no clips of me actually performing at events and, generally, I execute some of the sleights/effects pretty poorly! Still, I was just starting out and was eager to get something put together. If you want to take a look at the old reel here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJ22dpHiIyM

Looking forward to any help you guys wish to offer! Thanks, B.

Hi Bill,
Interesting question. Firstly I note that you are a professional close-up magician. Therefore I ask "Who are you aiming your showreel at?" If you are aiming it at the employing public and agents then your existing clip is certainly not up to scratch. (I wont be rude enough to say B***** awful)

Without a doubt some real life performing clips showing people enjoying themselves are the main essential. Never mind clips showing your apparent skills, show folk that you are a wonderful entertainer. Show shots of YOU and what a good looking lad you are. I know very well that it's not easy to get clips of yourself working but so many people have inconspicuous video cameras these day that I feel sure you could recruit a friend for this.

A magician recently came to me with some footage taken at a wedding by the video photographer. There was very little actual magic - just the occasional glimpse of a card, a sponge ball etc., but what it did show was lots of people laughing and really enjoying his work. Actually the sound wasn't up to much being in a very noisy environment but the visuals were great and when I had edited it all he had a very good promo clip of about two and half minutes.

Pity we are miles apart so I can't help in a practical manner but I hope what I say makes sense. Just show folk what a great ENTERTAINER you are. Never mind the sleights!
Mark

Hi Bill,
Further to my reply above. Try approaching a nearby Video club. Here is a link for near you. http://www.eastrencamcorderclub.org/" target="_blank They will nearly all be very keen video makers - mostly amateur but such folk are always keen on a new project. Tell them what you need as I described earlier. Most of the club members will have computer editing facilities so you could sit in during editing and choose the most entertaining shots from footage obtained.

Whilst such clubs wont charge a professional fee it would be appropriate to come to some arrangement over some payment, remembering that costs can be included in your tax returns.

Just a thought. Do people in Glasgow really enjoy themselves? (Just a joke of course).
Mark

Hi Bill,
I posted two replies to your query regarding making a new showreel. Perhaps I'm a little old fashioned to expect just a brief acknowledgement that I had tried to help, even if my suggestions were of no use to you at all. What do other readers think?
Mark.

I'm not going to comment upon this particular case, as there may be a good reason for the lack of response, but generally, it's one of my bugbears when people ask for help or comments and don't acknowledge the responses they get.

Hi Mark (and others)...

Yes, there was a good reason I had not yet responded - a family bereavement, however I will check out the info and links and let you know. Thanks for replying.

My advice just follows what's been said already - if this is for the purpose of getting more work, then just get out there and shoot lots of footage of you actually performing for people - pick up their reactions too (you don't have to go for a 'Street Magic' style of turning the camera on the spectators who scream, whoop and holler - but if you show people what they can expect their guests to experience it will help.

Let me know how you get on - as I'm re-shooting mine over the next few months. I'll share a draft on here for comment and to see if it gives you any ideas.

Cheers,

I agree. I'm redoing mine after getting some more footage last month & was given the advice from my previous one to include a couple of effects , the last promo was pretty much people freaking out which looked good to me but from the point of view of someone wanting to book you they'd want to see some magic. It's a fine balance. Ooh also, make sure you have enough light, my footage is a bit on the dark side. I'm hoping my editing will prevail.

I’m back again with further thoughts on creating a good showreel that I assume is to be placed on the magicians website. I might as well mention that video is my other ‘hat’ (as a semi-pro,) so can talk a little on that aspect.

Now the subject of video is as vast as magic itself and I can only make a couple of brief observations. There are the two aspects of video. The actual picture and – frequently neglected – the sound. A pro team covering someone performing close-up magic to the public at (say) a wedding or banquet function and all the other events we cover will, at the very least, have the cameraman and a sound man with the mic perhaps on a boom pole so that the mic can be placed as near as possible to the speaker. Yes, of course, this is totally impractical in the majority of situations and it goes without saying that the cost of hiring a pro video team will be out of the question for most. Therefore we come down a peg or two and use just one camera operator with the built-in mic on the camera. Most likely an amateur friend.

These days there is a vast array of small camcorders that will give excellent picture quality but sadly do not have the specifications and controls for first class sound recording in difficult circumstances. Here is an example. The camera operator is filming the magician performing on the other side of a large table at a banquet. The other diners will be very close either side of the camera and with the speaker some distance away. The resulting recorded sound will be the laughter and banter from the spectators whilst the performers speech almost drowned out because he is far away. Our ears are selective in what they hear but a mic on camera will record exactly what it hears. This is just a generalisation of course. One way around this problem is for the performer to have a tie clip mic and radio transmitter back to the camera but this is a bit out of the amateurs range generally.

As mentioned earlier, approach a local video club and explain your needs. I’m sure they would be pleased to help and advise. If you do have a friend with a small camcorder then get them to take lots and lots of footage. Each time they see the same routine they will have the general idea of what to expect and film accordingly. You may well get some clips where the audio is quite acceptable. Tell them to film lots of audience reactions. Don’t bother with ultra close-ups of finger flinging but general views of the magician entertaining the onlookers and don’t bother with recording long complete and complex routines.

It has been mentioned in one posting about filming in very low light. Modern cameras can record in low light but far superior results will be obtained in brighter lighting. It's also worth a mention about having a few visual effects rather than complex mental routines that have little to actually see and might not come over well. Visual effects like Rising cards, money that appears, sponge balls that suddenly appear, Chop Cup climax and so on.

It’s important to be present at the editing stage so that you can select the most appropriate sections from all the clips you now have in the can. Hope this is of a little help.

Thanks for your reply Magic Bill. I do understand now. Mark.

Bill--IF you are hoping to be looked at and treated as a professional THEN lash out the money and have the Showreel put together by professionals in that field.
CHECK up on their standards etc. first.
Ask around--do not just go to the first 'company' you come across.

Magicians will spend £50--£100 on the 'latest' or to gain the secret of some trick they cannot fathom---
SPEND THE MONEY ON THE IMPORTANT THINGS---stuff that SELLS--YOU

And as advised, make sure your audiences' reactions are edited into your routines. Not necessarily that audience watching that trick(s) in the Showreel. But perhaps from another filming of your Act.
Get the people you choose to film/edit the Showreel- to choose ALL the visual stuff not just choose the bits where you do a quaduple Faro with triple undercuts etc.

Visual--Wonder--Surprise--Laughter--Amazement--& ENTERTAINMENT ---these are your Watchwords!
Keep the stuff short
As a professional or would be professional then approach what could be a money spinner for you--professionanlly!

Allen Tipton

Bill,
I agree with all that Alan says. However, as I have mentioned, to employ professionals to do your filming then it wont be a case of £50/100 but very much more. Just make some enquiries from video companies and discover for yourself.

Try the video club's also and ask to see samples of their work. There are usually a couple of members who can be very skilled and professional in what they produce.

I think you have received a lot of very good advice from several folk. Please come back to us and let us know what you discover and the route you intend to take. Mark.

Just a thought Bill. If you want to discuss video in a more private manner then I wont mind a PM from you. I will try to check my quoted e-mail box frequently to see if there is anything from you but I wont mind if you don't. Best of luck. Mark.

Bill-- There are 2 good addresses in The Stage

One says 'cost to fit your requirements' or words to that effect.

They will quote

Do you want me to send these to you?

Allen Tipton