Lessons Learned From Legerdemain
Introduction
Welcome to “Lessons Learned From Legerdemain!” Hello! My name is Anthony Nguyen and I have been studying magic a little over two years and I picked up on acting in September 2008. “Lessons Learned From Legerdemain” is a series of writings not only about my magic, but about my acting as well. It contains both my failures and my successes. Magic and acting both have one goal; to entertain the audience with a performance getting as close to reality as possible. My purpose for writing “Lessons” is to share my experiences so you can learn from them (like David Stone does in his book Close Up ). The lessons are generalized so they do not only pertain to magicians and actors, but to anyone interested in learning about success. So keep your seat and enjoy the read!
Lesson #1 – Memorization and Rehearsal
Let me tell you a story.
It was the day before the English final exam and I had a ton of work. At about ten o’clock at night, I finished my final draft of my final exam essay and started to work on my Dracula presentation. I wrote up a two-minute monologue for Dracula and started memorizing. I found memorizing the monologue challenging. The words would not stay in my head. It was like there was a mirror in my brain that reflected back words. I got frustrated as I expressed my rage through slamming my hand against my bed mattress and occasionally let out an “ARGGH!” Many times I lost focus because of frustration. I decided to take a break by listening to music and finishing everything that the exam required. I laid down on my bed knowing that I had to memorize the monologue. I opened my eyes and it was six o’clock in the morning!
I rushed to shower and put on my clothes and make-up to play the part of Dracula. Once at school, I walked around memorizing my monologue as onlookers stared and commented on my costume and make-up. The words were not setting up camp in my head.
Watching other students’ projects astounded me. Everyone received applause and everyone’s presentations were very entertaining. Then the spotlight turned to me. I got off my chair and convinced myself “I got this.” I memorized and performed the beginning of the monologue. Then I froze. I could not remember the middle section of the monologue and I could not improvise. I knew my character but I froze. I glanced at the script where I froze and I performed one line. Then I froze again. I looked at my script again. This went on for about 4 lines of the monologue. I remember seeing in a classmate’s face a face that signaled surprised and awe at my loss of words. I knew the ending to the monologue, but had to improvise a bit and dropped one line. Then my classmates gave me applause. It probably was not a congratulations applause but rather a pity applause. I walked backed to my seat with tears in my eyes. I suppressed more tears from coming out because I knew I was mentally strong and I went through the day as if everything was great.
Three days later, I had a performance in my acting school at the Youth Film Academy. I presented my Shakespeare sonnet with pride and dignity. I knew my lines because I took three hours and I gave myself more than a day for memorization. I took another three hours to rehearse my performance. I knew what location I was presenting my sonnet. I knew my props that I needed for the presentation. I knew what costume to wear. I knew whether to move my hands or to keep them still. I knew where I was walking. I knew much more about my sonnet presentation than I did in my Dracula presentation. Steve Cohen (the Millionaires’ Magician) suggests people to do everything with confidence. I was performing my sonnet with confidence. My teacher, Professor Amelia, was very pleased and the class liked my performance. I was completely satisfied (except for losing my place for half a second). It was all about preparation.
Final Thoughts
What a big lesson to be learned from this experience! I found out that it takes me more than one day to memorize lines. With lack of rehearsal, I did not know my blocking. I moved without purpose. I did not know where to look, or if I should move my hands, or keep them still. I did not know anything about my performance! By barely knowing my lines and not even rehearsing once, the performance is a sure disaster. But every failure is an opportunity to learn. Mistakes happen and you need to learn the lesson and make the next day better.
Thank you to my classmates in both classes for being such a wonderful audience. Thank you to my English teacher, Mrs. Alemian, for comforting me after class. And thank you to the successful people who set such a wonderful example.
“Practice your material until it becomes boring. Then practice until it becomes beautiful.” – Bill Palmer (Merlin the Magician)
Thank you for your time and keep your dreams alive!
Written by Anthony Nguyen
Edited by Steve Einhorn
Introduction
Welcome to “Lessons Learned From Legerdemain!” Hello! My name is Anthony Nguyen and I have been studying magic a little over two years and I picked up on acting in September 2008. “Lessons Learned From Legerdemain” is a series of writings not only about my magic, but about my acting as well. It contains both my failures and my successes. Magic and acting both have one goal; to entertain the audience with a performance getting as close to reality as possible. My purpose for writing “Lessons” is to share my experiences so you can learn from them (like David Stone does in his book Close Up ). The lessons are generalized so they do not only pertain to magicians and actors, but to anyone interested in learning about success. So keep your seat and enjoy the read!
Lesson #1 – Memorization and Rehearsal
Let me tell you a story.
It was the day before the English final exam and I had a ton of work. At about ten o’clock at night, I finished my final draft of my final exam essay and started to work on my Dracula presentation. I wrote up a two-minute monologue for Dracula and started memorizing. I found memorizing the monologue challenging. The words would not stay in my head. It was like there was a mirror in my brain that reflected back words. I got frustrated as I expressed my rage through slamming my hand against my bed mattress and occasionally let out an “ARGGH!” Many times I lost focus because of frustration. I decided to take a break by listening to music and finishing everything that the exam required. I laid down on my bed knowing that I had to memorize the monologue. I opened my eyes and it was six o’clock in the morning!
I rushed to shower and put on my clothes and make-up to play the part of Dracula. Once at school, I walked around memorizing my monologue as onlookers stared and commented on my costume and make-up. The words were not setting up camp in my head.
Watching other students’ projects astounded me. Everyone received applause and everyone’s presentations were very entertaining. Then the spotlight turned to me. I got off my chair and convinced myself “I got this.” I memorized and performed the beginning of the monologue. Then I froze. I could not remember the middle section of the monologue and I could not improvise. I knew my character but I froze. I glanced at the script where I froze and I performed one line. Then I froze again. I looked at my script again. This went on for about 4 lines of the monologue. I remember seeing in a classmate’s face a face that signaled surprised and awe at my loss of words. I knew the ending to the monologue, but had to improvise a bit and dropped one line. Then my classmates gave me applause. It probably was not a congratulations applause but rather a pity applause. I walked backed to my seat with tears in my eyes. I suppressed more tears from coming out because I knew I was mentally strong and I went through the day as if everything was great.
Three days later, I had a performance in my acting school at the Youth Film Academy. I presented my Shakespeare sonnet with pride and dignity. I knew my lines because I took three hours and I gave myself more than a day for memorization. I took another three hours to rehearse my performance. I knew what location I was presenting my sonnet. I knew my props that I needed for the presentation. I knew what costume to wear. I knew whether to move my hands or to keep them still. I knew where I was walking. I knew much more about my sonnet presentation than I did in my Dracula presentation. Steve Cohen (the Millionaires’ Magician) suggests people to do everything with confidence. I was performing my sonnet with confidence. My teacher, Professor Amelia, was very pleased and the class liked my performance. I was completely satisfied (except for losing my place for half a second). It was all about preparation.
Final Thoughts
What a big lesson to be learned from this experience! I found out that it takes me more than one day to memorize lines. With lack of rehearsal, I did not know my blocking. I moved without purpose. I did not know where to look, or if I should move my hands, or keep them still. I did not know anything about my performance! By barely knowing my lines and not even rehearsing once, the performance is a sure disaster. But every failure is an opportunity to learn. Mistakes happen and you need to learn the lesson and make the next day better.
Thank you to my classmates in both classes for being such a wonderful audience. Thank you to my English teacher, Mrs. Alemian, for comforting me after class. And thank you to the successful people who set such a wonderful example.
“Practice your material until it becomes boring. Then practice until it becomes beautiful.” – Bill Palmer (Merlin the Magician)
Thank you for your time and keep your dreams alive!
Written by Anthony Nguyen
Edited by Steve Einhorn
