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I have been thinking of planning my first event in approx 3-4weeks time.

Mainly for friends/family but in a public place (bar) with invites handed out to people that I have performed close up to.

Would gratefully receive tips advice from anyone that has done this before.

No (cheesy) tricks with hats, wands etc, but more stimulating material.

For the core of the performance I was thinking of some mentalism and heartstopper+glass walk. I quite like Derren Brown styles of stage shows, serious/informative rather than jokey.

Any advice welcomed.

I am not going to suggest effects for you because I have no idea what your performing style is except that you like Darren Brown. However you did mention that you wanted stimulating material. That, unfortunatly has nothing to do with the material, rather what you do with it.

How many people, approximately, are you planning on?

you are cutting it a bit fine arent you? any public show, should take from start to finish, at least 6 months. and this time doesnt include the construction of the programe.

can you actually do the stuff youv'e mentioned?

event = an organised gathering featuring multiple acts/artistes

performance = a singular person event

[/pedant]

You're best bet is to stick to effects that you're comfortable performing. Sit down, make a list of the tricks that you're happy to perform at the moment, draw up a rough programme outline and try to fit your tricks into that.

4 weeks isn't really long enough to come up with a new routine let alone a whole show. I usually spend about 3 months on a 8-10 minute routine before I'll even think about performing it. I guess it all depends on what material you've got at the moment.

I understand that it is highly ambitous to attempt this, particularly considering how new I a am to the whole thing.

I am very dedicated though and haven't been able to think about much else since seeing magic for the first time in April.

I will have a sit down and consider whether the timeframe I have given myself is realistic.

It will be a free performance with optional charity donations.

Not sure on numbers, but anywhere between 20-50people.

Glass walk is something which I will try at home and seek professional advice if needed (if anyone has any advice on this PM me pls). I have a routine in mind for this.

I want to make it as interactive for the audience as possible and will have them participate as much as possible.

Ideas so far:

Heart Stop + Glass Walk (i)
Houdini Mailbag escape
Superhuman push (i)
Needle Thru Arm (i)
Soul Mate Card Prediction
Card/Object levitation (i)
Ash prediction (i)
Needles/string in stomach

(i) = interactive

Would welcome advice and fillers.

At the moment most of my stuff is more suited to close up, although I have done prediction stuff on small groups. I can't see why the above can't be learnt and polished within the given timeframe though.

i would say in all honesty..dont do it..
especially the glass walk...
especially without the aid of a pro/specialist...

dont forget, what you see derren do, he has a team behind him...

do what is you, not what derren does/is...

what do you think all your effects say about you?
as i read it, its kinda like a mimicry of a fakir...

but hey, just my thoughts..in all honesty...good luck..

From a newbie to a newbie.

Please think carefully about this.
Ive been studying for 6 months now and i am quite clear i am in no way suitable to be let upon the public, of any sort. Im into mentalism and i cant get hurt doing these, yours you can !

As a friend said enthusiasm is not a bad thing, but to realise that it is what it is, a desire not an ability.

I have been almost non-stop studying in these 6 months and have a relativly good grasp of the basics, but performing it is another matter.

As for Mr Brown. As a shameful fan, i can assure you his advice would be to not do it in this short frame of time. Yes the tricks can be brouhgt and performed, but you wont create "magic". One of the first lessons form DB. have you read pure effect? or anyting by anyone?

F x

I assume by 'danger' you are talking about the glasswalking part?

It is something I am going to be looking into. As far as I can tell at the moment people are able to attend 'seminars' and are walking on glass within after an hour. Yes, there are experts to hand there, but they don't have issues with injuries anyhow, so it must be in the preparation and technique as far as I can tell.

Heart Stop + Glass Walk (i)
Houdini Mailbag escape

not wanting to burst your bubble or stiffle the fresh enthusiasm of a newbie mage wanting to enter magic with a bang...... but.
for the last 2 you will definatly need to do a risk assesment for the venue and carry your own public liability.

contact your local council regards doing some street performing to get the needed audience control and to hone your magic skills.

BE know for your magical skills not for being a stunt man, save this for when your career is waneing and you need an ego boost.

bob07977 wrote:I assume by 'danger' you are talking about the glasswalking part?

It is something I am going to be looking into. As far as I can tell at the moment people are able to attend 'seminars' and are walking on glass within after an hour. Yes, there are experts to hand there, but they don't have issues with injuries anyhow, so it must be in the preparation and technique as far as I can tell.

That's true.

Just like being a concert pianist is in the preparation and technique!

You do realise that it would take Derren more than 3-4 weeks, with technical assistance, advisors and direction, to put on a show, don't you? And he knows what he is doing.

There's an old saying: don't try to run before you can walk (over broken glass). Seriously, it's commendable that you are so enthusiastic, but be realistic, which you say you want to be.

Of the effects you have listed, which do you already know?

Which do you know to public performance standard?

bob07977 wrote:Ideas so far:

Heart Stop + Glass Walk (i)
Houdini Mailbag escape
Superhuman push (i)
Needle Thru Arm (i)
Soul Mate Card Prediction
Card/Object levitation (i)
Ash prediction (i)
Needles/string in stomach

(i) = interactive

Would welcome advice and fillers.

Fillers?! Fillers?! Good grief man, you've got a 2 hour show there! Why not calm things down? Pick 3 effects you know you can do, weave a plot-line between them, and make a nice, relaxed 15-20 minute show? Then if you want, you can mingle with the audience afterwards doing a bit of close-up.

Just a thought.

bob07977 wrote:Heart Stop + Glass Walk (i)
Houdini Mailbag escape
Superhuman push (i)
Needle Thru Arm (i)
Soul Mate Card Prediction
Card/Object levitation (i)
Ash prediction (i)
Needles/string in stomach

(i) = interactive

I think the Glass walk and Mailbag escape are a bit off in a bar type of environment (not to mention "risky"). Do you have a stage for this? How far are the audience?

I know you want this to be a big bang but my concern is your safety. To be honest, the needles/string in stomach is quite a main event already. The tendency of having that many tricks in about two hours is very tiring (for you and your audience) keep something in reserve. 3 to 4 tricks/effects would do. Don't try to push it too hard, take it slowly as you progress.

Thanks guys. Some good stuff there to take onboard.

I will limit the amount of 'mains' I include.

Am hopeful that I have found a venue. Looking at limiting it to 50 people and ticketing it @£5 for charity. Will be mainly friends + invites.

Audience will be v close and no stage.