This is gonna be my longest post so far. :P
Take your time. Hahaha.

Magic Unlimited (Close up):

Okay guys, I'm here to tell you guys my experience at magic unlimited. Oh boy, it was one hell of a fun ride! Even though I didnt win, I still feel good. (Well, I would had felt better if i won but..)

It all started with Edwin's topic of the competition. Initially, before i heard it from Edwin, I kinda thought that i wasnt good enough. I mean, I was pretty darn sure that many professionals or semi pros would be taking part, the big daddies. Then I thought, oh what the hell, i might as well try out for the audition and 'swim with the sharks'

Then it came down to what to do. I didnt want to do something that would involve a spectator cos it is too much of a hussle. And back then, Jumping Geminii was in my practise list. And i thought about Casino in Singapore, so yea, why not a gambling themed routined. So there I have Jumping Geminii+ Gambler vs Magician. Then i got my form, and one looked, originality was pretty high, so i knew i had to modify these effects and change the patter alittle. So yup. It had to be refined alot alot of times. I did this to lay people, they all really liked it. Then while practising one day, i realised that, the other card's back never got seen, so I did a colour changing. (Well, it all when well esp with Gamblers marking cards and all).

Then i recieved news from Daniel! I was in!! Woo hoO! One of the best moments. I seriously had to thank all my friends for the support. So yea! It was awesome. People lending me my suit, people lending me their eyes to judge the effect. Yup.

Then competition day. I wasnt really scared or anything, I looked at the other competitors and said to myself 'geez, they all look so pro' Then it started. Wehn i saw the first few.. I was like trying to psyche myself up and tell myself 'I'm gonna do better than them!' and it works.

Then it came my turn. I was shaking at first, cos i had to do some sneaky sleights. But i did felt that i had engaged the audience and judges alittle. I saw people nodding their head and all. So yea! And some of my lines that i thought of, they laughed along, which was good! Hahaha the feeling is awesome i tell you guys! You all gotta try it! I wasnt shaking anymore.

Then it all ended with appaluses and congrats from other contestants whom are really really nice people! Esp the fatty chef, i dont know his name but, hahaha, fatty chef he shall be!

After thoughts:
Oh well, I felt my patter was good and original just alittle too long. And my effect wasnt all that visual (Like what Jaren said, non visual effects has to be supplemented with strong patter). And like what Jason told me, if its a long story, it'd be an effect you do for friends and not lay people who wants visual stuffs.
I felt this competition was really good experience, i kinda 'discovered myself thru it'.

And to all other contestants, you guys were awesome as well, and people who came doown to support, thanks. (Esp Blackwing 'HEy GOOD ONE brother!!' hahaha i could rem him shouting!)

IF you guys have any comments on my performance or anything, please feel free to pm me or anything.
Oh well, this is really long like i said. Hope you guys enjoyed reading. Other contestants should write about their experiences as well, so i dun look like the only idiot writing my essay on this.

Cheers!

-Alexander

I don't really agree with this, Al. Look at Michael Close's work. Almost all his effects are 'long stories'. It's really how the effect is structured, though length is important as well. And the idea that lay people want to see visual stuff is not true all the time.

I would like to emphasise that this view is subjected to the place and occasion. If you're performing to strangers who've never met you before, a long winded story usually doesn't work. The "lay audience" I mentioned meant lay people who've never seen you perform before. Of course things will be different if you are performing for friends and family who are still "lay" but they've seen you and they know what you are here for.

Hope this helps! Please comment if you disagree... ^_^

Well, perhaps to me, its more like you need to perform something visual first to establish yourself as a good magician and hence gain their attention. So once you established yourself that way, you can go into a story effect.

Good post Alexander! Thanks for sharing. And that's not long...you've seen my ramblings right? :D

The one point that strikes me in Alexander's post is how he developed his material. When you practice for a purpose, you develop ideas that may not come to you when you just practice for the sake of it.

Notice how because he was actively thinking of how to make his material fit, he put together a routine that was unique to HIM and the SITUATION. He added bits that were NOT IN THE ORIGINAL INSTRUCTIONS (colour change).

This is notable because he immediately becomes distinct from a sea of cloned performers out there.

MagicalPam always says you must perform. Practice is never enough. When you have upcoming gigs/events, you are forced to focus on your material and hammer each and every effect out thoroughly. This forces you to improve your style, better your sleights, and overall progress as a magician.

So join competitions. Do charity gigs. If you're ready, do paid gigs. There are 2 dedicated sub-forums to charity gigs and paid gigs. All the leg work is done for you. All you have to do is get up and go for it.

Thanks for sharing Alexander.

- Raoul

Woah Alexander you remembered me! haha! Anyway I like to show support for everyone as it is extremely important for the magician to know that the crowd supports him. Loved your performance Alexander. Hope to see you around...

Great post Alex :)

Anybody has any footage of the competition? We can put it up in our webbie for public viewing.

mayb id try to see if i can get the vid of it and post it up..yupps

Hmmm well, come to think about it, yea! You need to practise for a purpose, only then you will want to continue to refine and modify your routines.

Thanks for bringing that up Raoul

Hey Lukold, if I'm not wrong, all the competitors get a video of the whole performance eh?

sorry i was a little slow in this, can someone enlighten me by telling me whose performance won e close-up? becoz i was at overseas for hol previously. thanks :)

The Champion is... I'm not sure his name. Infact, i only know JAson won 3rd.

Heres the link, you can see it. http://forums.singaporemagiccircle.com/ind...pic=2165&st=150

thanks, anyway i was there to witness ur performance therer tt day, right in front :D i thought it was good job. :g:

Serious? Thanks man! Well i'm not sure which guy was you, which i probably still dont now, but thanks!

Hi Alexander,

Yes... you will be getting the VD from us. We will inform you guys when they are ready.

Anyway regarding your performance... i would like to comment on your performance piece. Honestly i should say that your sleight of hands is godd. I can see that you make a lot of efforts on your routines. The only set back is the patter. Maybe on the competition day.. you are nervous and you are confuse on who is the gambler and who is the magician. The audience/ Judges was also lose with the patter.

To me... a good effect must be as simple as possible... then very clear with the patter and it must be as visual as possible. I agreed with Jason, Lay audience will not be interested with non visual stuff. If you want to do more on patter.. then your voice projection must be good. you can see this from the champion of Close up (Rudy). He is very loud ands clear with his speech.

Anyway i should say that you are doing a wonderful job and i respect you. Good Try....

Hi Wei Ping,

Thanks for your feedback. haha, ya, you are right, I was alittle confused on the gambler and magician.

I had alittle trouble with the mike. I noticed that many of the performers had alittle trouble with the mircophones. So perhaps the next year we could have better audio systems.

Anyway, it was fun taking part.

Alexander,

i know that the mike is really the Pain in the A.. I promise that next year will be better than this year.

Thanks for participating....

Alexander.. ya.. u did a great job .