talkmagic.co.uk

o....k, so i've finally tracked down a magic society thing.
but they're asking for a 10 minute auditon befor they take me on and i don't think I'm confident enough to 10 minutes.
any tips on what i can do?
think i'll have to actually start doing some patter

I'm really only kinda good with cards, just started on coins.
HELP!!!!!!

(hopefully i could drop the lights and do a couple of minutes of d'lites)

First of all - DON'T PANIC!!!!

Although I'm not a society member, there are plenty here who are and they will have oodles of advice for you. It's unlikely that your Society will expect a slick, snappy and fully professional routine out of you, they probably just want to be assured that you are genuine and not a fly-by-night person seeking secrets. I would imagine that all the members will have gone through the same process so they will know exactly how you feel and should make allowances for it. 10 minutes isn't all that long and a couple of comfortable, well prepared and rehearsed items will more than fill the time. In any event, well done for taking the plunge, most folks here say it's the best thing they've done and their magic has developed tremendously as a result! Let us know how you get on and if there are any aspects where TM can help.

As Mandrake wisely says. Don't Panic.

Most societies are not looking so much to be impressed and bewieldered by magic, but more ensuring that you have a keen interest in magic and are not just a method seeker. To be honest the fact that you have the guts to get up there and actually do it says much about your committment.

Some societies (such as the Magic Circle) will perhaps have slightly stricter entrance standards than others - but I suspect most local societies look more for the commitment to magic aspect rather than the skill side of things.

If Cards and Coins are your thing then do Cards and Coins. If you are a children's magician, then do Children's magic. In short you do what YOU are comfortable with (unless of course otherwise stated by the Society).

The usual time for auditions is 6-10m, and putting together a routine for that length of time can be fun.

If you are doing close-up magic, then make sure you get someone up to help you, if you need them seated, then have a chair ready for them.

Treat the audience like joe public, and not experienced magicians. The person you have up to help will not do anything to try and catch you out and will in all liklihood be the perfect spectator. Believe me. Everyone there will want you to do well.

A Magic Society Audition is without a doubt a daunting experience, especially if you dont have much performing experience, but nevertheless try and have fun with it. They are never as bad as they seemed before you do them...

Yeah, don't panic - that will only work against you. Think long and hard about what effects you want to perform. As banafish said, only perform what you are comfortable performing. Don't just fling together a few effects, think about structure. If you're unsure about this area there are plenty of useful topics here on TM that cover this area. One book that I find very useful is Henning Nelms Magic and Showmanship. A good all-rounder.

Remember that show, Faking It, the magic edition? Remember how simple a lot of the magic Kevin performed was but how brilliant his presentation was and how he wasn't identified as the faker? It's not what you do, it's how you do it. If it goes wrong at one point, improvise. Get them laughing - get them having fun. This is easier the more experience you've had performing but is the mark of an entertainer.

I've always thought that 10 minutes is the perfect length of time - it's long enough to show what you can do but not really long enough to allow the act to drag. Know your act and your magic well. If they get the impression that you like magic and have a genuine interest in it - which you clearly do, given the fact that you're a regular poster here on TM - then they will probably let any small mistakes slide. As banafish said, they're probably more interested in the fact that you have an interest in magic.

Think positive and you should be fine.

How long have you got before the audition?

I've never done anyting like this, so my comments are mierly a suggestion.

If you are likely to be nervous on the night, shakey and a little stiff ... i would try and focus on routines that use the more simple slights ... dont attempt to bust those knuckles on your first evening, do somthing thats simple ... maybe throw in a couple of rubber band routines like "quantum bandits" or somthing like that, very simple and very visual.

Rob

As it happens I have my membership audition next week for the Wessex Magical Association although I've been attending meetings for the past six or seven months. All being well I'll move up from an associate to a full member and to be honest I'm looking forward to the audition.

One point to remeber is that at some time, most of those people in the audience will have gone through the same process so they will know exactly how you feel and will take this into consideration.

It's unusual from what I've heard for a magic club or society to ask anyone to audition straight away and they usually allow you some time to get to know a few people so if this is the case, you shouldn't be quite as nervous.

Just go for it and give it your best shot.

I would like to says thanks for the advice, as it will come in handy for when I am older, or maybe soon

Ace

I know that some magic clubs are quite flexible when it comes to any minimum age if you can show a real interest and some undertstanding. It' always worth speaking to them on this topic. After all, you've got nothing to lose.

Yeh, I had a look at some of the clubs in bananafish's signature and the ones nearest me are either 10+ or 14+ I sent the director of the Glasgow Magic Circle about joining, as it doesn't say anything about joining on the website

Thanks guys

havn't set a date for an audition yet. probably in about a month. gives me time to make sure i can run 10 minutes easily enough. was thinking i could cop out and do a couple of minutes of fans and cuts, and a couple of minutes on the d'lites, that's half the time gone, and I'm sorted.
also, need to see if i can do it in a pub (my usualy environment... and for magic), would make it easier on me.
but cheers for the advice, updates will be posted as time goes on

Re-read the first two paragraphs of bananafish's post. Again. And again.

That's it in a nutshell.

Remember, everyone there is on your side; they want to see you have a perfect show. But, if you don't, it won't matter to them; they are all on your side!

This isn't like a public show so you don't have to worry about "fooling" the audience. As many of the posters here say, the memership only wants to be assured that you have a sincere interest in magic.

Just by posting here shows that you are halfway there already!

it feels a lot different doing it for other magicians though, usually i have no problem using say, a hindu shuffle force on some random, but any magician would see right through it. i feel like it would be easier if i did 10 minutes of magic for a random and they watched me

A few weeks before Christmas I did my audition at my local magic society. The people who were there were great as an audience and the feedback and support was most appreciated.

I did about 20 minutes routine and the fact that I do the stuff a lot helped me no end. The key is to be confident in what you do and stick to it. Don't worry about slips during the performance, deal with it as you would if performing for your usual audienec and remember -they want you to succeed. The audition is your opportunity to show that you are interested in magic so relax (if you can) and remember that every person sitting inf ront of you will have trodden the same path, made slips, done it wrong and benefitted from the advice, friendship and help of others.

I hope you enjoy your ten minutes of fame. I wish more people took the (brave) route you are embarking upon.

Vic

I would start with an effect that I could do in my sleep. Possibly self working. THis lets you concentrate on the important bit, the presentation. And it will help you releax a bit, and get into your routine. I wouldn't include things just to fill in the time.
You may want to have a theme to your routine/character. e.g. gambling scam, mind reader, etc. This will help you decide what effects to choose.

Im looking to join a magic society, just trying to find one thats local, does anyone know if there are any near the Enfield area. Greatly appreciated.