Cheap Advice
One of the strangest things I’ve heard, and frighteningly enough heard with such frequency, is that magicians tend to be, well… socially awkward. This is even more disturbing because, well… it’s often true. We use magic as a lever, a way to have something “over” someone else, sometimes a shield, sometimes just a way to [...]
Continue reading about Books Magicians Should Read: The Golden Rule of Schmoozing
One of the lessons I’ve learned in my time performing at Renaissance Faires is “It’s more fun to be scum.” Okay, everyone loves the flash and fancy clothing of the nobles, the pomp and ceremony of the Court, and the brilliance and daring of the knights and soldiers… but let’s face it, when it’s 90 [...]
Continue reading about Books Rennies Should Read: The Elizabethan Underworld
I’ve talked about the necessity of having a sign if you’re a stage act – it identifies you as, yes, an actual show, and gives your show an air of “legitimacy” (oh look he’s someone who’s performing and not some random weirdo who walked out onto the stage). I’d like to talk about another form [...]
Mike Caveney – magician, author, collector, and all around nifty guy, has said more than once, “Consistancy is the key to good magic.” I agree with that, but I also believe that good magic evolves with the number of times you perform it. Case in point – One of the centerpieces of my current show [...]
Whenever possible, get on site early. I’ve said this before, but this time for a diffferent reason – in this case, it will give you a chance to get at least a passing acquaintance with the vendors. Why do that? For one thing, it helps to establish you as a participant rather than a “playtron” [...]
Continue reading about Getting There Early II – It’s OK, I work here.
A stage show at Faire has to contend with a lot of distractions during the show – especially if your stage is right in the middle of everything. The biggest interruptions tend to be from parades. Ah, parades. When some group or other moves en masse from one part of Faire to another – sometimes [...]
I’m sure that everyone out there has, at one time or another, sent away for some amazing thing only to say to themselves, once the box arrives and it’s been opened… Oh, is that all? Buyer’s Remorse happens to everyone, but I suspect it happens to magicians more often than any other subculture. At least [...]
Some additional thoughts from 18 years of flailing about at Faire on “Gigging”. Learn Names (or at least nicknames) Knowing the character names of the people you’re improvising with will make gigging with them a heck of a lot easier. It also means you’re more likely to pick up on their character traits for more [...]
Some more cheap advice, in short bursts Always Take Credit – if it’s cool, maybe you did have a hand in it The Answer is “Yes And” – The key to improvisation Master Your Domain – Control or at least understand your environment Treat ‘Em Like People – your audience like to be talked to [...]
Here’s something I’ve started doing which can be used by Rennies and Magicans alike – an exercise in creativity. Pick your favorite prop – yes it can be a magic prop or it can be something you tote around with you at Faire… honestly it can be anything you like to fidget with. Now, find [...]
