Screwing Up on Stage

[theSamMojo]

So, I just finished a 15 minute mentalism show and I thought I'd share what happened.

It a was a quick 15 minute set involving the premise of imagination. There were 2 phases, a chair test, and an any card at any number. The chair test ran smoothly, but the ACAAN didn't. My spectator did not count deal out the number of cards correctly. I believe it was my fault as well as I was counting along with him. I take full responsibility and I don't blame the spectator. It was fully my fault.

However, even after screwing up, the crowd still applauded, which was weird for me. ( always thought people don't clap for mistakes.) It wasn't a mocking clap, it was a genuine clap! Really encouraged me. I said "Sorry, things don't always go as planned but thank you so much for watching!" And everybody applauded. It was an uplifting feeling!!

Just a couple of things I learnt which i thought I'd share with all of you :

1. Make sure to write a general script, and don't ad lib too much if you can't. (I kinda made a small mistake on this one.

2. Make sure instructions are clear and precise. ( made a tiny blunder here too)

3. Be calm and don't rush. (it can be kinda nerve wrecking, and sometimes we talk too fast)

4. Have confidence. (Don't be afraid to own the stage. It yours for the time period, use it.)

5. If you screw up, take it like a man, or woman for you girls. (Failing isn't death. Sometimes, we mess up, and its fine. Make sure you are confident, and take full control. Say you are sorry. If it looks like you are having fun, pretty sure the crowd won't condemn you.)

Take a screw up as a lesson. I definitely did.

I don't have much experience on stage so this is what i feel.

I was wondering for those of you who have had a blunder, maybe you could share your stories here? and maybe tell how what you did after you screwed up?
Thanks and have a lovely day ahead!

 

[Luis Vega]

You had a good audience... people that appreciates the magic and the effort applause anyway, because they enjoy the show, and love what you are doing...

Also...I am not sure it was bad that the ACAAN failed... when doing mentalism, is advisable that you have some screw up, in order to not look so "perfect"... so I guess you can see it that way...

Anyway, glad you learned something and share this with us!!

 

[RickEverhart]

I have seen even seasoned veterans make a mistake in their "finale" or closer of a set and they just calmly shake it off, take the applause and walk off. It happens to everyone at some point if you are performing enough. The question that now remains is.... How can you learn and prevent it from happening again? I have messed up every one of my effects at some point during the learning curve during performances, but it is what I did after those moments to make sure it didn't happen again. Thank you for your brutal honesty and humility of sharing your experience. I give you a ton of credit.

 

[Craig Browning]

Grrr..

Semantics being what they are and all. . . 15 minutes is a Act, not a "show". . . card tricks will be seen as card tricks so if you like a card effect that you wish to use in Mentalism then frame it (in this case) as a demonstration in memory work but not some kind of Psychic stunt, it just makes you look cheap. As a general rule of Old School Mentalism we elect to side-step the use of playing cards altogether; substituting them with photos, post cards, business cards, etc.

Why?

Because those items are not directly associated with Magic or Gambling, the two arenas that Playing Cards are linked to, both of which are known for manipulation and cheating. Those Mentalists that use playing cards, at least old school types, won't touch the deck, only have you imagine a deck, or only involve a limited number of cards that they have very little to no contact with. There are some exceptions but this is the general rule.

Please pardon the lecture but hopefully you will learn to understand why it's so important.

Audiences, especially a more mature audience, will applaud you for being a good sport when something goes wrong. Part of their reaction comes from empathy and appreciation while part of it stems from being respectful and courteous. BUT, if you get the reputation of messing up or flashing things regularly . . . let's put it this way, we guys can't get away with big blond hair, a boob job, and showing lots of flesh . . . a tight tush and six pack maybe and working with an all male revue but that's nothing compared to what Bimbo the Great can get away with . . . not that any such acts ever worked Vegas.

If you are "new" to performing I have to say that I give you kudos. You held your ground and you handled the situation like a pro. Hopefully you now realize that you need an "out" when it comes to this particular effect (all the things you do, but let's start here) I'm PM you with some ideas that will cover your butt as things move forward.

In the meantime, just keep up the good work.

 

[Deechristopher]

Just a couple of things I learnt which i thought I'd share with all of you :

1. Make sure to write a general script, and don't ad lib too much if you can't. (I kinda made a small mistake on this one.

2. Make sure instructions are clear and precise. ( made a tiny blunder here too)

3. Be calm and don't rush. (it can be kinda nerve wrecking, and sometimes we talk too fast)

4. Have confidence. (Don't be afraid to own the stage. It yours for the time period, use it.)

5. If you screw up, take it like a man, or woman for you girls. (Failing isn't death. Sometimes, we mess up, and its fine. Make sure you are confident, and take full control. Say you are sorry. If it looks like you are having fun, pretty sure the crowd won't condemn you.)

I think these are great points to take on board - Sometimes things do go wrong, especially when you're trying out new material - I tend to do a little tour of small cabarets when working on new material so that I can practice them with a real audience, but if stuff doesn't go as I'd planned, it's not a huge issue. A lot of magic can be practiced with no one, but a lot of mentalism is difficult without participants.

Another suggestion is to get a few friends or family over, say 10 people and practice your act that way. Then you don't have ANY worries at all if you mess up or not.

As Craig mentions, a lot of people don't like to use playing cards in mentalism, while I understand the position, I'm of the other school of thought - cartamancy and the like has been around for a loooong time and the sitters don't condemn the reader for using 'magic props.' It's a book of 52 symbols that everyone recognises worldwide, it's just down to the framing.

Either way, best of luck with your next show, I'm sure you'll kill it now that you've got that lesson learned!