So in another thread, dealing with volunteers came up. I think this is an important enough concept that it should have its own thread.
The flow issue can be addressed by having an strong introduction. As the last set of volunteers sits down, you begin your presentation for the next performance piece. When an effect is done, a good line is something like "please give my assistants a round of applause." Then turn to your assistants, make eye contact, shake their hand and say "thank you." They will take that as their cue to sit down. Then begin your next presentation. That serves to focus attention back on you. When you call people up, have something to say while they are approaching the stage. "Can you help me out by coming up here? Yes, wonderful. I need someone who is trustworthy and you look very trustworthy. I'm sure your husband would agree, especially in front of all these nice people."
The fear of volunteering can be addressed by your character. MOST MAGICIANS MAKE THEIR VOLUNTEERS FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE. I had a magician do it to my wife who couldn't read a phone number in a phone book because the gimmick was faded... he called her "Grandma" despite being 45 and having our 12 year old kid with us. She knew how the gimmick worked and seriously thought about screwing him up... but she was nice. Don't get a laugh at the expense of a volunteer. Avoid cliches (no... the clean hand).
Think Tamariz. It is about LOVE. LOVE your volunteers. Smile at them. Shake their hands. Ask their name. Compliment them. Thank them before you even begin the routine. Don't have the audience give them applause for volunteering. It actually makes most volunteers feel more self conscious and more worried about what is going to happen. If they look nervous, tell them "don't worry, you will be fine."
Vary how you refer to the people you call up. They can be assistants, observers, someone who can make some choices, someone of uncompromising character, someone who has always felt that they were magical, someone who has a sense of wonder, etc. Don't ask for a volunteer. You say volunteer and they hear victim.
Also, think about having someone volunteer for several effects if the effects are short.
There also should be texture with the use volunteers. Vary how the volunteers are used and your interaction with them. For some of my routines, the volunteers come to me. For others, I go to them. Some routines are done without volunteers. Each volunteer becomes part of the presentation, not just someone who picks a card. They become a character in the story.
The flow issue can be addressed by having an strong introduction. As the last set of volunteers sits down, you begin your presentation for the next performance piece. When an effect is done, a good line is something like "please give my assistants a round of applause." Then turn to your assistants, make eye contact, shake their hand and say "thank you." They will take that as their cue to sit down. Then begin your next presentation. That serves to focus attention back on you. When you call people up, have something to say while they are approaching the stage. "Can you help me out by coming up here? Yes, wonderful. I need someone who is trustworthy and you look very trustworthy. I'm sure your husband would agree, especially in front of all these nice people."
The fear of volunteering can be addressed by your character. MOST MAGICIANS MAKE THEIR VOLUNTEERS FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE. I had a magician do it to my wife who couldn't read a phone number in a phone book because the gimmick was faded... he called her "Grandma" despite being 45 and having our 12 year old kid with us. She knew how the gimmick worked and seriously thought about screwing him up... but she was nice. Don't get a laugh at the expense of a volunteer. Avoid cliches (no... the clean hand).
Think Tamariz. It is about LOVE. LOVE your volunteers. Smile at them. Shake their hands. Ask their name. Compliment them. Thank them before you even begin the routine. Don't have the audience give them applause for volunteering. It actually makes most volunteers feel more self conscious and more worried about what is going to happen. If they look nervous, tell them "don't worry, you will be fine."
Vary how you refer to the people you call up. They can be assistants, observers, someone who can make some choices, someone of uncompromising character, someone who has always felt that they were magical, someone who has a sense of wonder, etc. Don't ask for a volunteer. You say volunteer and they hear victim.
Also, think about having someone volunteer for several effects if the effects are short.
There also should be texture with the use volunteers. Vary how the volunteers are used and your interaction with them. For some of my routines, the volunteers come to me. For others, I go to them. Some routines are done without volunteers. Each volunteer becomes part of the presentation, not just someone who picks a card. They become a character in the story.
