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peppermeat2000 Elite user 428 Posts |
Many times we hear that our magic must be "visual". I was recently watching a DVD where it was stated by the featured performer that our magic must be visual in order to get the audiences attention. What would be some examples of magic that isn't visual so that I don't bore my audience with non-visual magic?
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erlandish Inner circle Vancouver, Canada 1254 Posts |
Mentalism isn't always visual. What the audience gets to see is the spectators freaking out to having their thoughts pilfered. Visual magic is good for attracting lagging attention spans, attracting attention, entertaining younger audiences, etc. The big problem is that frequently visual magic also betrays the moment where a secret method is being employed, which goes against some performers' philsophy of using as much time misdirection as possible without compromising the effect.
For instance, I pick up a ball, make a whooshing motion, and the ball disappears. It's natural for a spectator to believe that the whooshing motion has something to do with the vanish. Spectators might look at what was near my hand during the whoosh, and so forth, and discover the ditching agent. Now, if I pick up a ball, cleanly remove a hankerchief, cleanly tie up the ball within the hankerchief, snap my fingers, and toss the hankerchief in the air to show the ball has disappeared, I may have a less visual effect, but I have a much more mysterious one that is less likely to betray its inner workings. |
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tommy Eternal Order Devil's Island 16544 Posts |
Perhaps they mean spectacular; Of the nature of a spectacle; impressive or sensational as opposed to humdrum.
If there is a single truth about Magic, it is that nothing on earth so efficiently evades it.
Tommy |
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Jonathan Townsend Eternal Order Ossining, NY 27297 Posts |
The performer gets the audience's attention. The props and flash etc are venue specific.
...to all the coins I've dropped here
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kregg Inner circle 1950 Posts |
It would be better if we knew the name, or in the very least, the genre of the "stated performer" so we could understand what was meant by the word "visual." Sounds like something a manipulator would say.
Does your audience want to see it? All magic is visual ... even mentalism. Only, the visual in mentalism is not usually meant to be glamorous, but, part of the business; which must be done out in the open (visual) without drawing suspicion. Is it strong enough to keep them interested?
POOF!
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BH_Magic New user 20 Posts |
Visual material is nice for getting the attention of somebody, but I do not feel that it is sustainable for a whole set.
Take, for instance, a coin bend; there are handlings out there in which the coin bends in the open and in somebody's closed fist. I would (and do) take the second option every time - where your participant can feel the coin bending in their hand. Now that is something else entirely and far more hard-hitting than a visual bend IMO. So I would say that any material which connects with your audience, in which they play an active role and can feel the magic happen - either physically or in the atmosphere - will keep their interest. If they're getting bored, you're not engaging them - and a lot of magic that is out there can be made engaging if you apply yourself. |
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tommy Eternal Order Devil's Island 16544 Posts |
Your participant can feel the coin bending in their hand... that sounds cool, I have not seen it.
If there is a single truth about Magic, it is that nothing on earth so efficiently evades it.
Tommy |
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enginemagic Special user Bluffton Indiana 597 Posts |
Moving your hands around manipulating a shiny coin(s) is very Visual while out at a fair,or other places can be fun to show some moves.Today I had some kids watching me while looking out of a car parked near where I was doing sleights while I was eating lunch outside at work & when they passed me in their parents car they said "that was really cool"
theres a lot to learn out there,many interesting subjects,and hobbies to enjoy
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peppermeat2000 Elite user 428 Posts |
So...besides mentalism,are their magical effects that we can classify as not being visual or capable of getting an audiences attention? The performer I was referencing was David Stone. In his DVD he performed over 20 effects which from a laymens perception(as well as a magicians) would all be considered as visual and attention grabbing effects...but isn't that what we want all of our magic to be? Why open with a "bang" and then choose effects to follow that fall into what we would consider "non-opener" material? Wouldnt this be short changing our audience? As far a Kreggs question..does the audience want to see it...how are we to get the information from our audience as far as what it is they want to see? And if we find out what it is that they want to see and discover its not in our performance array,then what???Should I assume that just because the audience last week who I performed for was dazzeled by a coin matrix that this weeks crowd will be delighted by the same routine? I know this may sound like a wise-a^% response but it is becoming difficult for me to undersatnd some of the magicians logic that we encounter at lectures,see in DVD's,and hear at magic club gatherings. Anxious to hear the thoughts of the Café members who have some insight on this topic...
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Jonathan Townsend Eternal Order Ossining, NY 27297 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-07-16 21:33, peppermeat2000 wrote: Attention and mental imagery are not objectively "visual" phenomena. Much simpler to discuss performing styles and audience focus.
...to all the coins I've dropped here
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peppermeat2000 Elite user 428 Posts |
Quote:
Attention and mental imagery are not objectively "visual" phenomena. Hmmmm...OK. But don't performance styles and audience focus rely on a visual context? Maybe the term "visual" phenomena is throwing me off a bit...what exactly is the definition of the term? |
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tommy Eternal Order Devil's Island 16544 Posts |
There are none so blind as them that can not see the phenomenal.
If there is a single truth about Magic, it is that nothing on earth so efficiently evades it.
Tommy |
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peppermeat2000 Elite user 428 Posts |
Now I get it...Thanks Tommy!
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kregg Inner circle 1950 Posts |
Like I said, "All magic is visual." But, for any visual effect to trigger the brain and excite it with emotion it must be fresh, exciting and somewhat unexpected. A buddy of mine does a neat thing over the phone where he asks the person on the other end to touch an object on their desk, then, he goes on to name the object.
Were visual stimulation the most important aspect of magic, we could get away with pageantry by displaying the prettiest prop, show pictures of ourself performing magic or do a laser light show for hours untold. Nonetheless, now that you have their attention, visually, how do you keep them interested? With my dog all I have to do is give him a new toy and he's occupied for hours. How does David Stone define visual?
POOF!
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tommy Eternal Order Devil's Island 16544 Posts |
Everything or should I say everythink is visual as we think in pictures not words.
Magic is too invisible and think we need some Houdini spirit to let people know it's there. I mean I can out around the city today and not find any unless I know where to look. I see posters for bands and films and so on but hardly ever see such for magic.
If there is a single truth about Magic, it is that nothing on earth so efficiently evades it.
Tommy |
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kregg Inner circle 1950 Posts |
"Everything or should I say everythink is visual as we think in pictures not words."
That's why pop-up books are so much fun!
POOF!
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Whit Haydn V.I.P. 5449 Posts |
Slydini's "Sweet Salt" is not visual. Tricks that are conceptual rather than visual in nature would be things like "Out of this World" "Pogo Ball" "Slate Writing," etc.
Levitations, penetrations, transformations, transpositions, appearances and disappearances are usually "visual magic." Finding a chosen card is usually not visual. |
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tommy Eternal Order Devil's Island 16544 Posts |
I see.
If there is a single truth about Magic, it is that nothing on earth so efficiently evades it.
Tommy |
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funsway Inner circle old things in new ways - new things in old ways 9982 Posts |
Juan Tamariz spend more than a year doing radio broadcasts of magic effects. Ture, each listener was guided through doing visual things -- the the presentation was not visual.
My wife is very visually impaired, and sees more magic in life than I will ever know. A lot of magic effects take advantage of our imperfect vision like "Inattention of Vision" in which our "look ahead" ability is fooled. I do a coin effect called "Jingle" in which the magic is guided by the clinking of the coins rather than seeing them -- in fact, and 'Click Pass' is non-visual.
"the more one pretends at magic, the more awe and wonder will be found in real life." Arnold Furst
eBooks at https://www.lybrary.com/ken-muller-m-579928.html questions at ken@eversway.com |
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tommy Eternal Order Devil's Island 16544 Posts |
So things that are visual are them things that one does not need to think about too much?
If there is a single truth about Magic, it is that nothing on earth so efficiently evades it.
Tommy |
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