Ask Golbez Grandolfo

[Valynne 2,739]

Golbez:

*sips tea...then chokes on it at the mention of the crystal empire*

*cough* *cough**cough* ....*ahem* Pardon me, *ahem*...that can't be right surely? I thought the Crystal Empire was just an old mares tale!

 

*cough*....*ahem* Anyway, to properly learn a new trick would take about.....ooooh, two or three weeks give or take, this includes planning, preparation, building...if necessary, taking health and safety into account, testing...and of course...practising.

However, to truly master a trick would vary depending on the complexity of its execution, some would take a few weeks, while others would take months, if not, years of practise.

As my father would say :

 

"An ametuer practises until he gets it's it right, a master would have practised until he can't get it wrong."

 

Chatterbox, well that's more than expected, *drinks tea*

what was your most complex trick to learn? and how long you take to master?

[Mickey Taker 347]

Golbez:

First off Miss Box, you have to understand I do not consider myself a master at my profession, neither does my father consider himself one either, and he only has a good few years left before he'll likely retire.

Even he made mistakes very late in his career, as I shall explain.

 

The most complicated trick I am currently attempting to learn, is the exact same trick that nearly cost him his life......ended up half-drowned and unconscious before he was admitted to hospital ...oh, is fine now by the way. *sips tea*

Edited October 4, 2013 by Sparx

[Valynne 2,739]

Golbez:

First off Miss Box, you have to understand I do not consider myself a master at my profession, neither does my father consider himself one either, and he only has a good few years left before he'll likely retire.

Even he made mistakes very late in his career, as I shall explain.

 

The most complicated trick I am currently attempting to learn, is the exact same trick that nearly cost him his life......ended up half-drowned and unconscious before he was admitted to hospital ...oh, is fine now by the way. *sips tea*

 

Chatterbox: Wow! that's a tough one!

 

and are you not scared? *drikns tea*

[Mickey Taker 347]

Golbez:

Of course.

It's only natural to be at least a little bit nervous before performing in front of an audience, I would have thought there would have been something wrong if I wasn't.

So, to do a performance where I'm potentially risking my life? Yes, I would be scared, but I would persevere.

[Valynne 2,739]

Golbez:

Of course.

It's only natural to be at least a little bit nervous before performing in front of an audience, I would have thought there would have been something wrong if I wasn't.

So, to do a performance where I'm potentially risking my life? Yes, I would be scared, but I would persevere.

 

Chatterbox: once you do that performance, how often you will continue doing it?

[Mickey Taker 347]

Golbez:

*sips tea*

Well, at the moment, I'm more concerned of getting it right the first time first.

However, it would depend on the occasion, if I was asked to preform somewhere I'd have to take into account how long it would take to set-up before the show, for example, if I had to perform on short notice I wouldn't be possible for me to do my more "larger" tricks as I simply wouldn't have enough time to prepare, instead I would need to rely on my simpler tricks, card tricks, street magic, that sort of thing.

*sips tea*

Another thing I have to take into account is variety, now...you wouldn't read a book from start to finish repeatedly, regardless of how good it was as you simply would get bored of it, it's the same with my tricks, If I were to perform the exact same tricks in sequence at every performance I did I would start to look..."predictable", "cheap"...or even worse they could eventually work out the secrets behind my tricks.

To avoid this I have to learn a large variety of tricks which I can call upon at any given time if the occasion would call for it.

[Valynne 2,739]

Golbez:

*sips tea*

Well, at the moment, I'm more concerned of getting it right the first time first.

However, it would depend on the occasion, if I was asked to preform somewhere I'd have to take into account how long it would take to set-up before the show, for example, if I had to perform on short notice I wouldn't be possible for me to do my more "larger" tricks as I simply wouldn't have enough time to prepare, instead I would need to rely on my simpler tricks, card tricks, street magic, that sort of thing.

*sips tea*

Another thing I have to take into account is variety, now...you wouldn't read a book from start to finish repeatedly, regardless of how good it was as you simply would get bored of it, it's the same with my tricks, If I were to perform the exact same tricks in sequence at every performance I did I would start to look..."predictable", "cheap"...or even worse they could eventually work out the secrets behind my tricks.

To avoid this I have to learn a large variety of tricks which I can call upon at any given time if the occasion would call for it.

 

 

Chatterbox: Hhmmm... very good point! personallly i feel like everypony is gonna get bored if i make them, the very same questions, a touch of variety is the key on keep our Jobs original, fun and fresh!

 

*sips tea*

 

can you tell me how many tricks you do in one night on stage?

[Mickey Taker 347]

Golbez:

If I'm hosting my own show, I would do a minimum of six performances with an interval in the middle, to allow for a quick break and allow the stage hooves to prep the stage for the next major performance at the start of the second half.

*sips tea and sets the cup and saucer to one side*

If I've been hired to perform at an event of some sort however, I'll usually do a maximum of only three tricks , so not to draw too much attention from the event itself.

Which reminds, *scratch's head* I should really start hiring out my services...you don't by chance do advertisements in the Canterlot Times do you?

[Valynne 2,739]

Golbez:

If I'm hosting my own show, I would do a minimum of six performances with an interval in the middle, to allow for a quick break and allow the stage hooves to prep the stage for the next major performance at the start of the second half.

*sips tea and sets the cup and saucer to one side*

If I've been hired to perform at an event of some sort however, I'll usually do a maximum of only three tricks , so not to draw too much attention from the event itself.

Which reminds, *scratch's head* I should really start hiring out my services...you don't by chance do advertisements in the Canterlot Times do you?

 

Chatterbox: Of course Mr. Golbez, we only need a photo of you and the design, and we are gonna make the rest!

 

*finish the tea*

 

If may i ask

 

How is your dream about the future of your work?

[Mickey Taker 347]

Golbez:

It's going to take a lot of effort and I realise they'll quite a few ups and downs I'll have to get past along the way, but I feel confident in my abilities.

I'm not exactly in any rush either, a lot of ponies say that the best part of the journey is the journey itself, rather than the destination.

[Valynne 2,739]

Golbez:

It's going to take a lot of effort and I realise they'll quite a few ups and downs I'll have to get past along the way, but I feel confident in my abilities.

I'm not exactly in any rush either, a lot of ponies say that the best part of the journey is the journey itself, rather than the destination.

 

Chatterbox: no doubt on that Mr. Golbez!

 

what you like to do in your free time? Any activity that calms your mind of so many tricks on stage?

[Mickey Taker 347]

Golbez:

You know, I could have sworn somepony already asked me this some time ago, ah well...

If I want to relax nothing does it better than just sitting back and listening to music, classical preferably, however I'm quite open minded about other genres...if I'm honest, I'm rather curious about this..."unique"...if you can call it that, type of music that I've heard one pony play before.

Now what was her name....Vinyl...something or other.

[Valynne 2,739]

Golbez:

You know, I could have sworn somepony already asked me this some time ago, ah well...

If I want to relax nothing does it better than just sitting back and listening to music, classical preferably, however I'm quite open minded about other genres...if I'm honest, I'm rather curious about this..."unique"...if you can call it that, type of music that I've heard one pony play before.

Now what was her name....Vinyl...something or other.

 

Chatterbox: Well you sure have a good taste Mr. Golbez i must admit! Personally i love to hear Classical music as well specially when i'm working, i like to hear Octavia's music while i'm writing the questions!

 

Well a great Griffon like you requires Great music to be 20%  cooler (they say that phrase in my office, i dunno what does it mean)

 

and of course what else could be better than music that listen it live! don't you think? have you ever been in a concert of any kind of music? if so, what was your favorite?

[Mickey Taker 347]

Golbez:

When I was a cub, my parents took me to see my aunt Elizabeth, my mothers sister.

Like my mother she too liked to perform in front of an audience, unlike my mother however she preferred to sing to them as she was an opera singer.

She has such control over her voice, rumour has it she could shatter glass if she wanted too.

Even today she's still at it back in Los Pegasus, I would highly recommend seeing her.

[Valynne 2,739]

Golbez:

When I was a cub, my parents took me to see my aunt Elizabeth, my mothers sister.

Like my mother she too liked to perform in front of an audience, unlike my mother however she preferred to sing to them as she was an opera singer.

She has such control over her voice, rumour has it she could shatter glass if she wanted too.

Even today she's still at it back in Los Pegasus, I would highly recommend seeing her.

 

Chatterbox: i'll keep that in mind Mr. Golbez, i LOVE opera, the voice is the most beautiful instrument ever played on stage!

 

Now, going back to your job tell me, do you make performances in birthdays or particular events?

[Mickey Taker 347]

Golbez:

Naturally, anypony can hire my services for whatever event they have in mind...just preferably not at the last minute, nothing worse than thinking up a thirty minute long routine in less than five minutes. *frowns some*

[Valynne 2,739]

Golbez:

Naturally, anypony can hire my services for whatever event they have in mind...just preferably not at the last minute, nothing worse than thinking up a thirty minute long routine in less than five minutes. *frowns some*

 

 

Chatterbox: indeed, personally i hate when i have to do a quick selection on questions because the pony i'm interviewing is in a rush! everithing must be perfect in our Jobs even if we are forced to do miracles to make them!

 

Well, going back to your life, it's almost a law that any illucionist must have some "know it all's" in the audience that spoil the best tricks revealing the secret intead of enjoy the show... my next question is this

 

is there anypony who have "spoiled" some trick of yours? if so could you please describe the experience?

(remember if you can't say something of your work because it's secret, i'll respect that)

[Mickey Taker 347]

Golbez:

There were these two ponies that both did rather infuriate me somewhat, a colt that goes by the name "Filthy Rich", I believe and his daughter.

These two were watching me while I was doing a simple street performance, where this little filly decided to call me out, asking me to levitate something, a common unicorn spell, however since I can't very well do that it did put me in a spot of bother.

 

Noticing I couldn't very well do this, this filly then precidid to actually mock me, in front of the whole crowd, calling me a fake, an opertunist...a conjurer of cheap imitations.

Now normally, with little fillies, to make sure they "zip it", I would scare them by going on the old rumour that, as a gryphon I would eat them, or threaten to saw them in half and refuse to put them together, however I couldn't do anything whilst her father stood there.

Really, he just stood there and did nothing, almost smirking at me whilst he let his daughter have at me, and I couldn't do a bloo....a thing about it.

Talked down too by a stuck-up brat of a filly, I never felt so degraded.

*sighs heavily as he sits back in his chair, raising one talon as he pinches the bridge of his beak*

Edited October 14, 2013 by Sparx

[Valynne 2,739]

Golbez:

There were these two ponies that both did rather infuriate me somewhat, a colt that goes by the name "Filthy Rich", I believe and his daughter.

These two were watching me while I was doing a simple street performance, where this little filly decided to call me out, asking me to levitate something, a common unicorn spell, however since I can't very well do that it did put me in a spot of bother.

 

Noticing I couldn't very well do this, this filly then precidid to actually mock me, in front of the whole crowd, calling me a fake, an opertunist...a conjurer of cheap imitations.

Now normally, with little fillies, to make sure they "zip it", I would scare them by going on the old rumour that, as a gryphon I would eat them, or threaten to saw them in half and refuse to put them together, however I couldn't do anything whilst her father stood there.

Really, he just stood there and did nothing, almost smirking at me whilst he let his daughter have at me, and I couldn't do a bloo....a thing about it.

Talked down too by a stuck-up brat of a filly, I never felt so degraded.

*sighs heavily as he sits back in his chair, raising one talon as he pinches the bridge of his beak*

 

Chatternbox: *putting a hoof on his shoulder* it's okay Mr. Golbez, they're fillies, of course they can't see how much damage they can do saying such things

but don't worry i'm sure you are one of the best illucionists on all Equestria, as you told me,

 

"Don't allow yourself to be labelled by others, show some self-respect and the blazes with whatever anybody else says otherwise"

 

aahh... those words really help me with my self esteem, as long as you feel happy and proud with your work, don't pay attention of other ponies do

 

if may i ask... what happen later that day?

 

 

[Mickey Taker 347]

Golbez:

*looks down at Chatterbox and slowly begins to smile at her, unfolding one wing he abruptly envelopes her with it and gives her a quick squeeze before retracting it again*

 

Thank you Miss Box, and your right, I shouldn't really allow myself to feel bad just because of an unimpressed filly or two, besides, what's an individual compared to an entire crowd?

 

Nothing much really happened after that, I still felt bad at the time so I pretty much spent the rest of the day in my room at the local inn I was staying in the time, quietly listening to Vinyl Records.

 

Before you get any ideas I AM fine, I'm not depressed or anything, I swear. *grins sheepishly*

[Valynne 2,739]

Golbez:

*looks down at Chatterbox and slowly begins to smile at her, unfolding one wing he abruptly envelopes her with it and gives her a quick squeeze before retracting it again*

 

Thank you Miss Box, and your right, I shouldn't really allow myself to feel bad just because of an unimpressed filly or two, besides, what's an individual compared to an entire crowd?

 

Nothing much really happened after that, I still felt bad at the time so I pretty much spent the rest of the day in my room at the local inn I was staying in the time, quietly listening to Vinyl Records.

 

Before you get any ideas I AM fine, I'm not depressed or anything, I swear. *grins sheepishly*

 

Chatterbox: *Blushes and breathe deeply*.....i know you are fine. You do have a great talent Mr. Golbez  don't let the others think the opposite,

 

exactly how old were you when you start doing performances on stage?

[Mickey Taker 347]

Golbez:

Well father only let me work along side him when I reached adolescence, but even then he only let me work as a stagehoof and an assistant at the time.

Really though I've been practising ever since I was a cub, showing off little card tricks to visitors on the streets.

.......miss box, are you blushing? *smirks playfully*

[Valynne 2,739]

Golbez:

Well father only let me work along side him when I reached adolescence, but even then he only let me work as a stagehoof and an assistant at the time.

Really though I've been practising ever since I was a cub, showing off little card tricks to visitors on the streets.

.......miss box, are you blushing? *smirks playfully*

 

Chatterbox: who? me? *giggles* well yes, just a Little heh heh!

 

 

what was your first tick on stage with your father?

[Mickey Taker 347]

Golbez:

I asked my mother this once and she told me that I actually first performed with my father when I was a very young cub.

He would do this this simple trick using a glass box by covering it with a piece of cloth and then remove it again swiftly, revealing me inside it.

She also told me that, apparently, I had very bad stage fright at the time and would often whimper and cry when I saw dozens of ponies looking at me.

*Golbez pauses for a moment whilst looking away to one side in deep thought, eventually his cheeks begin to blush*

Now that I think about it......I probably shouldn't have told you that. * ahem*

[Valynne 2,739]

Golbez:

I asked my mother this once and she told me that I actually first performed with my father when I was a very young cub.

He would do this this simple trick using a glass box by covering it with a piece of cloth and then remove it again swiftly, revealing me inside it.

She also told me that, apparently, I had very bad stage fright at the time and would often whimper and cry when I saw dozens of ponies looking at me.

*Golbez pauses for a moment whilst looking away to one side in deep thought, eventually his cheeks begin to blush*

Now that I think about it......I probably shouldn't have told you that. * ahem*

 

 

Chatterbox: d'awwww! you must look so cute when you were in those moments, it's nothing to be ashamed Mr. Golbez! i was scared in my first interviews when i was a filly... *blushes* i was soo nervous that i forgot my questions and make bigger the trouble heh heh

 

And how do you overcome that fear on stage? *giggles*