REVIEW

Part of what makes for a well-crafted show is having components that are informed by each other. So taking regular stock of overarching artistic choices/goals is important to try and keep it all in mind. Here’s a brief recap to consolidate what has been (initially) decided as of now:

  • Goals
    1. Create an Immersive-feeling, theatrical show
    2. Make that show financially sustainable
    3. Capture the process and develop promotion
  • Theme: Heist (Art heist?)
  • Slant: An art heist feels like magic because they both take clever thinking, detailed planning, meticulous practice; just to hide it all from public view. (This needs to be better – too vague and impersonal)
  • Material: I started a running list of possible material/effects in a past post. I’m not putting much work into developing those at the moment, but when part of the Theme/Slant/Goals makes me think of an effect or a presentation, I’ll jot it down.

Longform breakdown: I see this show has being set in an interesting venue that feels mysterious, borderline sketchy, but well “set.” Parlor in size/presentation, the show would max out at approximately 50ish people (think through the finances of that) and would use heavily interactive pieces. The majority will be original card tricks which set up the premise of pulling off the perfect heist. The show is over when we’ve set the plan, established the skills/team, and pulled of the heist. It should probably have a twist ending!

Personal notes: This whole thing appeals to me because of the excitement of the heist. That feeling has broad appeal and attracts both the logical types (who want to be actively thinking or figuring things out) as well as those who lean more towards passive storytelling. My (personal) in-road could be about the jobs we have and how we define ourselves by them. We often ask someone’s name and then immediately “what do you do?” As though our job is a perfect reflection of us. I think about what I might do if I weren’t a magician and the only other jobs I’ve considered are librarian or art thief (maybe find similar job qualities or skills for all of these). This show could be more about looking at – not what we do – but what we wish we could do / want to do / would never do (etc.) as a better reflection of who we are. Who do we want to be? What do we WISH we could do?

Ending: We should pull off the perfect heist but then I sort of need to “put it away” and get back to why being a magician is better. Safer job? Little risk? Then the twist could be that I’ve pulled of a secondary/bigger heist on the audience themselves.

Takeaway: I’d like people to mostly enjoy the time at the show, but also take a look at themselves and what they wish they were doing with their lives. Not to make them question what they’re doing now, but maybe what could enrich their lives.

RANDOM THOUGHTS

  • This came up earlier, but to clarify the “heist” concept, I think an art heist is more specific.
    • The cards become representations of the art pieces.
      • That, in turn, informs which pieces make sense to be card magic (those related to the Heist and required skills) vs. those which make sense as other forms of magic (i.e. team building). Card magic is like training for the heist.
  • Next up should probably be the introduction of a “FRAME” that can fit with the reviewed elements at the top of the post. Most likely with be a literal “Art Heist Movie” frame, but these elements could shift a bit as the show becomes more about me, the audience, work/jobs, who we are, what we want to be, et.