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jason ladanye Loyal user 254 Posts |
My newest blog tackles the subject of strong magic. Learn how to make your magic better right here: https://www.cardmagicbyjason.com/what-is-strong-magic/
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Poof-Daddy Inner circle Considering Stopping At Exactly 5313 Posts |
Jason, I do agree with the bulk of your blog post but you have apparently never seen my signed card in ice cube wrapped up in dryer sheets that I produce from a can of Spam that has been dangling on a string the whole time in front of the Spectator (and by the way - it has an instant reset in red or blue back cards).
All kidding aside, I think there is room for "external packet tricks" (as in not just a few cards from the deck in use like "Twins" or "Twisting the Aces"). I think effects like "Color Monte" can be a great example to use during (or dare I say "OPENING" a set consisting of gambling effects). Even John Bannon's "Royal Scam". However, I would never use more than a couple external packet tricks in one show. My reasoning is Color Monte brings not only humor (depending on you presentation and story telling skills) and amazement at the "skillful presentation" you just did. "Royal Scam" shows skill and amazing "kickers" along with the bonus that both "Royal Scam" and "Color Monte" are "Fractal". In my experience, audience management and connecting with the audience by engaging them with well thought out (and practiced) patter. The only exception in my opinion is being able to Ad-Lib. This is something that either throws someone completely off - or - enhances the conversation, lets audience be more involved and can make for more humorous lines than you could ever come up with on your own. This may come off to some as comparing Apples to Oranges but as a professional truck driver for so many years, I always drove "15 to 30 seconds ahead" which basically means I worried less about what was behind my truck, I paid a bit of attention to what was beside me and the bulk of my continuous observation took place ahead of me. I see a car merging onto the interstate about a 1/4 mile ahead, I have to decide fast - Do I get over a lane if it is clear? Do I slow down a bit to give them room to merge quickly? or Do I speed up to let them get in behind me? (The vehicle on the interstate already has the right of way, the ramp has a Yield sign which basically means keep moving if nothing is coming but you must stop and give right of way to already moving traffic at speed. While a "strange sounding comparison" - In magic, I also think ahead (due to it being automatic memory) and I am always prepared to do "something else" if a crucial step gets mixed up by the spectator or even myself. I can tell quickly which audience member would be the best to use (as well as which one would be the worst). Just a couple (of many) examples but remember, thinking ahead is easy - you just have to do it all the time so it becomes second nature.
Cancer Sux - It is time to find a Cure
Don't spend so much time trying not to die that you forget how to live - H's wife to H on CSI Miami (paraphrased). |
Ricardo Delgado Loyal user 230 Posts |
I don't agree with the idea that strong magic needs to be practical. It doesn't need to.
How practical an effect is has much more to do with the performer than with the spectators (and how strong magic hits them). |
fonda57 Inner circle chicago 3078 Posts |
What that requires is experience
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Mb217 Inner circle 9520 Posts |
Quote:
On Jun 23, 2018, jason ladanye wrote: I don't think Dai Vernon mentioned him, but I remember Darwin Ortiz tackling this very topic. Incidentally, an exceptional practitioner and teacher of the art, especially as to card magic. Anyway, read your blog, Jason, enjoyed it, and think you hit the nail on the head as to this topic in the beginning paragraphs. You cite some good examples and give good direction. Of course, when you put anything out for discussion, there will be those that disagree...It's just par for the course of things. Some folks look to make things much more complex than they really have to be, others may over-simplify just as quickly. But your question, I think does have a lot of good examples that meet the criteria you mention. . Yann Fritsch is simply brilliant on a variety of levels, and still someone may not like what he has done, what he has been so greatly recognized and awarded for...such is life. Personally, I have seen many magicians on my journey who have exhibited "Strong Magic." You mention a few, and others are mentioned here, but there are many who are the real deal, and it is made up of the big, small and all of us. Just to name a few I've seen command the floor like a maestro from varying levels large & small, David Roth, Chris Capehart, Mickey Silver, Eric Mead, Vinny Marini, Eric Jones, just to name a few. Some might think one or the other doesn't cut it, but that is only opinion, as these levels of accomplishment are unquestionable IMHO, but your mileage may vary. Each exhibit "Strong Magic" that I have seen, and they are only but a few...Again, there are many wonderful practitioners. Good talk, and hey man, "Keep Thinking," I like it!
*Check out my latest: Gifts From The Old Country: A Mini-Magic Book, MBs Mini-Lecture on Coin Magic, The MB Tanspo PLUS, MB's Morgan, Copper Silver INC, Double Trouble, FlySki, Crimp Change - REDUX!, and other fine magic at gumroad.com/mb217magic
"Believe in YOU, and you will see the greatest magic that ever was." -Mb |
davidpaul$ Inner circle Georgetown, South Carolina 3086 Posts |
Don't you think audiences determine what "strong magic" is to them as opposed to
what other magicians perceive? Also longevity in the business, repeat bookings, inquiries for shows etc. speaks volumes. If your magic, more importantly "YOU" as a performer, the effects you perform, your people skills, venues etc. appeals to your audiences then I think "STRONG" applies.
Guilt will betray you before technique betrays you!
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Churken2 New user 67 Posts |
Jason Ladayne has written a wonderful article.
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RiffRaff Special user 671 Posts |
If you just got here, you missed out on some very practical information.
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Harry Lorayne 1926 - 2023 New York City 8558 Posts |
The Dai Vernon "mention" touched on above is about the top few sentences in Dai's preface to Close-Up Card Magic. I'll type them here because a) it is, of course, flattering and b) seems as if it fits in a discussion of strong magic.
"Upon many occasions, I have watched Harry Lorayne perform with playing cards. He is one of the best. Onlookers are not aware what decision, what quickness of apprehension, what judgment and even knowledge of character, he employs when demonstrating some of his card effects. He never fails to completely mystify and bewilder his audience, but more important - he entertains and pleases them." I blush! (I've forgotten how much I paid him to write this!!)
[email]harrylorayne@earthlink.net[/email]
http://www.harrylorayne.com http://www.harryloraynemagic.com |
warren Inner circle uk 4138 Posts |
Quote:
On Jun 28, 2018, Harry Lorayne wrote: High praise indeed It doesn't get much better than that Harry |
Harry Lorayne 1926 - 2023 New York City 8558 Posts |
True, warren. Particularly for my very first book. I wonder if that Vernon preface helped toward making that book the classic that it seems to have become. I'm sure it did.
[email]harrylorayne@earthlink.net[/email]
http://www.harrylorayne.com http://www.harryloraynemagic.com |
Harry Lorayne 1926 - 2023 New York City 8558 Posts |
Just for the record - when I said "my very first book" - I meant magic book. My really "very first book" was for the public (How To Develop A Super-Power Memory/1956 - C-UCM/1962).
[email]harrylorayne@earthlink.net[/email]
http://www.harrylorayne.com http://www.harryloraynemagic.com |
sirbrad Inner circle PA 2096 Posts |
This is more so "magician thinking" and even more so "magician over-thinking" usually, than what actual laymen think. I also wrote many long essays on this subject years ago. Magic does not need to be "logical" because magic in itself is inherently "illogical" and that is OK. No audience member wonders why money appears in a fruit or other impossible location, nor do they invest any amount of time thinking about it later unless they have an interest in magic maybe. At least not the "why" part, more so the "how in the Hell" did it get there part if anything. In fact that is what pretty much everyone says to me afterwards, "How in the Hell did it get there?!" No one ever asked me in almost 40 years "Why would you make money appear in fruit?" If they did I would say "Why not? It is a lot harder and more magical that is why."
In went in the fruit because it is an impossible location and it is fun and entertaining. That is why it is called "magic" it transcends the impossible and makes it possible. Making money appear in a wallet is kinda boring because that is where money is anyway normally. So what would be the point of making it appear there then if you can make money appear anywhere? I have noticed the reactions are far better with fruit when it comes to making money or cards reappear somewhere. Why? Because that is something the audience never seen before, but they see money in wallets all of the time. However some may still find it amazing as well. A wallet is not as impressive though as they may think that you could have just slipped it in the folds much easier, and they are used to seeing money in a wallet as I said. Just like the ring in walnut, egg, and lemon does not make sense, but it sure is baffling and entertaining. So magic does not need to make sense to be entertaining and amazing. When you get down to it though it is all about personal preference as to what presentation you use. I have used many over almost 40 years now, and I also used to do magic long ago that "made sense," routines that "flowed together," using only "natural objects" etc. However I discovered that it is also not really necessary either. It is "magic" so people expect to see crazy things and things that do not make sense, but are still baffling and entertaining nonetheless. So I do all of those as I see fit. Magic should take you away from the "normalcy" of your life and make it magical and impossible. In fact when I was 6 or 7 years old what attracted me to magic was seeing the glitzy, shiny, sparkly, glamorous looking parlor/stage props that made no sense to me. So that is why I was interested in seeing them and wanted to find out what mysteries that they contained inside. They held my attention a lot easier than a coin, cards, or a piece of rope. Maybe because I was destined to be a magician but I also noticed that my audiences liked the same stuff as well. But I do it all I use "natural objects" and I use "magical looking props" and both work well it is all personal preference and style. There is a reason they work so well and have been around for so long, they work and they are entertaining. How you choose to use them is your choice. But neither is "best" it all depends on the performer and their style. Everything else are just "tools" to help the magician accomplish what he needs to accomplish. Most importantly entertaining the audience, and even better yet baffling them as well and making the "magic" look real and utterly impossible. So when you get down to it neither way is wrong. Do what works for you, do what you like, and do what entertains your audience.
The great trouble with magicians is the fact that they believe when they have bought a certain trick or piece of apparatus, and know the method or procedure, that they are full-fledged mystifiers. -- Harry Houdini
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fonda57 Inner circle chicago 3078 Posts |
Strong Magic. That's a book by Darwin Ortiz.
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