Magic's Royal Duke Sammy Cortino » For Illusionists http://sammycortino.com Dare To Dream Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:40:32 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Magic and Superheroes http://sammycortino.com/archives/1295 http://sammycortino.com/archives/1295#comments Wed, 26 May 2010 14:54:58 +0000 admin http://sammycortino.com/?p=1295 superheroes

In recent years, the superhero genre has become extremely popular in movies with the resserection of Iron Man and Spiderman. What was a geeky realm ten years ago is now trendy and somehow inspiring. The times we live in now and the popularity of superheroes are correlated.

With the potentiality of a new movie emerging that will protray Houdini as a superhero, it’s clear that magicians in a way are superheroes: they escape that which confines them and defy reality. Most importantly, they inspire people to do great things. Magic and superheroes are genres in two industries: magic in performing arts and superheroes in movies. The two genres connect to us as an audience in the same way. In each of us, there is this great longing to eascape the everyday, particularly with present world events and economies. These are times where we are required to be strong and we find this inspiration with the superhero, the person who can conquer anything. We also find this in magic, where we forget  everything we thought was absolute and escape into a realm where anything is possible.

Comics that featured the superheoes of today were first printed in the depression, a time where (like today) people were in great need to escape their everyday. Could it be that magic in the next few years will experience a great period of growth to meet the new needs of people today?

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]]> http://sammycortino.com/archives/1295/feed 0 Magic is Theatre…But By How Much? http://sammycortino.com/archives/1269 http://sammycortino.com/archives/1269#comments Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:00:38 +0000 admin http://sammycortino.com/?p=1269 Theatre Wall

Those of you who have had the privilege of working in theatre know there is a process of research and then an application of that research in conjunction with a creative concept to make a play a successful artistic achievement. It has been said magic is very much theatre. How much of it is really theatre? Depending on the performer in any performing arts center, I’d say anywhere from 60%-80%. This varies from performer to performer. You have to realize: performing in a theatre is a form of theatre in itself. Suspension of disbelief is in the center of the experience, along with the “fourth wall”, which means the stage edge acts as a fourth wall between the performers and the audience.

Although it is a performing art, magic relies much more on suspension of disbelief and is not dependent on reproducing real life situations like theatre and this is where the major differences lie between the arts. This, and the fact that magic is presentational in nature as opposed to representational, is why you do not see plots in magic so much. Some illusionists like Doug Henning and David Copperfield have been known to take magic to almost a pure theatrical approach. This approach to theatre truly comes down to aesthetics and it is up to you as an illusionist to determine how much into theatre you wish to delve.

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]]> http://sammycortino.com/archives/1269/feed 0 Creating An Artistic Experience http://sammycortino.com/archives/1202 http://sammycortino.com/archives/1202#comments Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:11:45 +0000 admin http://sammycortino.com/?p=1202 Garden

I have seen performers who truly believe that a magic show is simply that: no artistic features are needed in the program. The results? Just another magic show. Me and other Illusionists viewing the show? Predictable and one-dimensional, although the audience realizes this also whether they are aware of it. The secret behind creating a memorable experience in a magic show (and I’m talking about large, stand alone 75 min+ in theatres) is to cultivate the arts into your repertoire. I’m about to say something that may be hard for some to do: limit your exposure to other Illusionists.

Instead, pursue your interests (while still practicing magic, of course) in other art forms and think of ways to incorporate them into your program. The show will then be an artistic, powerful program. I have a fond love for music. I listen to music several hours a day, watch and go to concerts a lot. I have been able to incorporate music in my shows to augment the feeling I want to be created onstage. The same holds true for dance. I believe adding dance to your program will add a certain level of grace and sophistication to your show. It can be a way to tie loose ends in your sequence and serve as a transition.

In the end, the audience will not walk away from your show thinking about the tricks. They will walk away from the program thinking about the way the tricks were presented to them in ways that move them.

Best magical wishes as you venture into the deepest parts of your imagination to create an unforgettable artistic experience, Sammy

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]]> http://sammycortino.com/archives/1202/feed 0 Smoke 101 http://sammycortino.com/archives/1121 http://sammycortino.com/archives/1121#comments Tue, 06 Oct 2009 02:37:05 +0000 admin http://sammycortino.com/?p=1121 Imagine being able to evoke a mood of mystery as you perform with atmospheric smoke. Synonymous with magic shows, smoke is used in varying ways, each for different purposes.

1. Fog Machines

f100

Like High End’s F-100 “fog generator” pictured above, all fog machines are single unit devices which produce a cloud of smoke that will fill the air. The fluid you use ranges in how long it takes to dissipate and type of scent. The fog, after dissipating, turns into a haze (discussed below) and is ideal for exposing the beams of stage lighting, which gives a show added dimension.

2. Hazers

neutron
Pictured above is British maker LeMaitre’s hazer, called the Neutron. Haze is essentially partially-dissipated fog. The sole function of a hazer is to expose the stage lighting beams. Many times, the device is used in conjunction with a fan, which makes the haze almost unnoticeable to the audience.
3. Dry Ice Machines
coldflow_ts1
Picture above is Rosco’s ColdFlow. Dry ice machines (as the name implies) require dry ice to run, which needs to be used as soon as possible following purchase. High End, however, sells a fluid that allows their F-100 Fog Generators to act as dry ice
machines.
0
In Lance Burton’s levitation sequence, a good deal of dry ice is employed. Note the fog is low lying and does not rise over three feet. Also note the stage lighting in this picture. The lighting beams are exposed through the employment of a hazer.
Smoke is a great addition to any theatrical show. Watch your  fog levels – if you’re not careful the audience will not see you! Some companies will actually use a ducting hose to direct the fog output to the desired area. There are a lot of ways to control fog, be it through the theatre’s lighting system or manually with the supplied control. The possibilities are limited to your imagination and to what extent you wish to enchant your audience.

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]]> http://sammycortino.com/archives/1121/feed 1 I Don’t Breathe Magic http://sammycortino.com/archives/1079 http://sammycortino.com/archives/1079#comments Sat, 26 Sep 2009 17:54:49 +0000 admin http://sammycortino.com/?p=1079
I'm not this obsessed...

I'm not this obsessed...

People are surprised when they notice I don’t breathe magic. After all, as an illusionist, shouldn’t magic be your only interest? Many people picture me wearing magic t-shirts daily, sporting only magic posters, and listening to soundtracks of Las Vegas magic shows.

While magic takes a certain part of my daily life, I do not let magic bear all my creative inspiration. I particularly limit the amount of magic I watch and how much technique I worry about. Why?

After a while, you tend to develop magic cliches that are abound in the magic community. These cliches include outfits, jokes, and routines. Some of the cliches include not being in touch with the audience’s view of the magic you are doing because you worry about the mechanics of the trick too much.

dsc06298

I place more weight on the presentation of the trick, rather than the mechanics. The ultimate staging is something to prioritize as well. To many people’s surprise, I spend more time staging my illusion shows on a technical level than I do actually rehearsing the tricks. I easily spend 100 hours overviewing the technical end of the 90 minute illusion show.

Allowing yourself to explore other arts you find more balance in your presentation. Instead of MAGIC, MAGIC the audience gets more variety. Construct your interests around the type of magic you want to present.

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]]> http://sammycortino.com/archives/1079/feed 0 Sensing Greatness http://sammycortino.com/archives/1073 http://sammycortino.com/archives/1073#comments Thu, 24 Sep 2009 04:06:05 +0000 admin http://sammycortino.com/?p=1073 8-2

If you can feel that something is going to be special, there can be no possibility for the contrary.

This phrase is a truth I have lived for years, but what am I referring to?

As a creative person, as I work, I must never proceed onward unless I can honestly say to myself, “this is amazing.” Otherwise, I am shortchanging my audience by giving them something that is not inspired by life events. Magic is, after all, very much theatre and theatre is inspired by everyday life.

I have developed a knack for predicting how a routine or piece of media will be received by people. My experience has been that however amazing your work is multiply that amazement by two as people may not be familiar with your craft or yourself and that will be the reaction as part of your contemporaries.

In brief, never work unless you have a feeling that the product is going to be special. Your work needs to reach its full potential.

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]]> http://sammycortino.com/archives/1073/feed 0 Making the Performance Understandable http://sammycortino.com/archives/1058 http://sammycortino.com/archives/1058#comments Wed, 16 Sep 2009 21:46:37 +0000 admin http://sammycortino.com/?p=1058 dsc06298

Ever had an experience where you performed a presentation and the audience was completely lost?

All performers have an internal monologue, or internal personas and stories.The use of an internal monologue creates a meaningful performance for yourself as well as an authentic experience for the audience.

Do we reach a point, however, where we get too carried away by our internal monologue and the audience becomes lost? Remember, in theatre the audience only: sees and hears. Anything in the middle is is merely something to be put on the backburner of priorities. Without action and voice there is nothing for the audience to observe. The audience is not comprised of mind readers, after all. So how do we go about creating action onstage that the audience can understand?

Have a core action, or one thing you are doing in a particular moment in time. Think of actions and words that complement the core action and you’re on your way.

Performance is all about moments in time and should be carried to its motivation by core action.


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]]> http://sammycortino.com/archives/1058/feed 0 Let Your Mind Run Wild http://sammycortino.com/archives/1052 http://sammycortino.com/archives/1052#comments Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:47:00 +0000 admin http://sammycortino.com/?p=1052 People ask how I keep the creative juices flowing. By nature, I think in new ways. However, a good reason why I am able to consistently come up with new ideas is because I live a life that fosters creativity.

Steve Jobs and staff, Apple Headquarters

Steve Jobs and staff, Apple Headquarters

Any creative person will tell you there are eclectic elements in their everyday life which allow them to innovate. These eccentricities could range from clothes styles to house decorations. Some innovators prefer to work in minimalist, stark environments. Take the Apple headquarters in California as an example. Other working environments, on the other hand, are full of knick knacks that harbor ideas. An example would be Kirby VanBurch’s Branson home. Some innovators wear the same clothes everyday. This routine activity serves as their platform for creation and eliminates time needed for choosing the day’s wardrobe.

If you looked at this long enough, would you get an idea? I would.

If you looked at this long enough, would you get an idea? I would.

Art and music foster creativity. By watching concerts, I find myself coming away with many ideas for my illusion shows. Again, these seem like quirky things, but they really harbor a creative person’s ideas and development. It is only with inspiration that can truly create something worthwhile and meaningful.

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]]> http://sammycortino.com/archives/1052/feed 0 Magic Beyond Belief with the Laflins http://sammycortino.com/archives/1022 http://sammycortino.com/archives/1022#comments Wed, 05 Aug 2009 00:55:57 +0000 admin http://sammycortino.com/?p=1022 Duane and Mary Laflin

Duane and Mary Laflin

On a recent trip to Pigeon Forge, you may have gone to see Terry Evanswood perform his “Magic Beyond Belief” illusion show and were surprised to see Duane and Mary Laflin onstage.

On a trip a couple weeks ago, I had the privilege of watching Duane and Mary perform Terry’s show. On Sunday, Terry has the day off and the Laflins fill in for him. From fast-paced  illusions, to high tech lighting and sound, large illusions, and his signature silk effects there is no shortage of variety.  The Laflins are onstage following the show for the chance to meet with the audience.

Terry Evanswood in Curtain Call

Terry Evanswood in Curtain Call

Magic Beyond Belief is as close to a Las Vegas illusion show as you can get without going there. It’s a wonderful family show and one of the greatest magic shows playing today.

Magically, Sammy

Official Magic Beyond Belief website: www.pigeonforgemagic.com

Official Duane and Mary Laflin website: www.christianillusionist.com

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]]> http://sammycortino.com/archives/1022/feed 0 What would we have done before computers? http://sammycortino.com/archives/963 http://sammycortino.com/archives/963#comments Fri, 17 Jul 2009 23:06:09 +0000 admin http://sammycortino.com/?p=963

Magic is a do-it-yourself business. I’ve never seen an craft combine so many other arts and elements. In this computer age, we:

  • Have saved thousands on media production
  • Feed our rabbits extra carrots due to the fact we run our office on the computer
  • Learn magic FOR-FREE
  • Connect with the greatest magicians alive
  • May have subconciously copied other performers thanks to YouTube
  • Have created an audience’s expectation of what a magician should be
  • Restored how we know what we know in magic

…and the list goes on. The point is, the advent of the digital revolution has helped the art greatly but at the same time has made everythig more complex as we’ve become more interconnected.

Some food for thought, Sammy

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