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JimMaloney Inner circle 1184 Posts |
Quote:
On 2002-10-08 19:27, serling307 wrote: Good question. But first, what do we mean when we say an effect has meaning. I'll offer this quote from the Forward to Peter Samelson's "Theatrical Close-up" (my absolute favorite book on magic) as my definition: I don't just mean writing a little choreography for it with a tacked on story. I mean finding out how the piece will help you share with an audience something you think is important about life. Being important doesn't mean serious or heavy. Humor is one of the most important thins about being human. Laughter is a miracle. I just believe we only go through this life once. Make everything you do count. Sharing something important about life...hmm...let me see if I can find some examples. Of course, what's important is different to different people, so I can only answer the question for myself -- you have to find your own answers. 1. David Copperfield's Flying -- Who hasn't, at some point in their life, wanted to fly? Here we get to witness a man fulfilling a life long dream of his. That's pretty important. 2. Peter Samelson's version of the Snowstorm -- here, Peter shares with us one of his most cherised memories. It strikes a chord with me because I've had the same feelings: wanting to be inside a snowglobe and have it snow all around me. 3. Eugene Burger's Cosmic Thread -- The creation and destruction of the universe. What could be more important? 4. Juan Tamariz performing the Koornwinder Kar -- As the quote said above, laughter is a miracle. This routine is absolutely hilarious, and brings back some childhood memories of playing with toys & stuff. 5. Rene Lavand's "I Can't Do It Any Slower..." -- Pure impossibility. Everything seems completely above board and yet, somehow, the cards seperate. It's absolutely mind-boggling. Well, that's just a bit of my own personal experience. -Jim
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
It still exists, Terry Evanswood does an excellent show in Pigon Forge, TN, where he gets the emotional connection you are referring to.
I've not come across any magic books on the topic, however, in theater, actors are taught to bring this emotion out. Directors use a variety of theater effects to bring it about, music, sound lighting, background, the set-up, etc. Magic can be diveded into two types, two styles what I call Copperfield Style and Henning style. Henning loved to stun the audience in making a twist to a magic effect, and Copperfield likes to weave emotional stories, drawing in the audience. (This is what you are referring to as sappy) Well, I like them both but Copperfield style is harder to pull off and needs a lot of input to make the connection with the audience. TV connection is a lot different than a live audience connection. People go to see Copperfield expecting that emotion connection. That's a lot of "sappy" people for Copperfield to get 32 Million a year! Don't give up look for a emotional impact routine, then design the magic around it. Copperfield wanted to do the DeKota Chair, but couldn't justify a chair above the stage level. (This is hinting you know how the chair works.) Now, the story line he came up with is finding treasures in an old attic including a lovely lady produced from a painting, to which he disappeared in the chair. The story line was developed around an illusion, is another method to connect with the audience. Finding meaning in what is visualized. Meaning that "hits home in everyone's heart" is a challange, but worth it. Don't give up. Your dream is a good one, the disappearance of the Statue of Liberty, was not a powerful effect, hence switching of channels.
Dennis Michael
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peng New user Malaysia 81 Posts |
I'd say presentation is very important, if not the most important, in magical act.
Stephen, there's nothing wrong with just tearing up a card and restoring it to "share the magic" with the audience. The question is: will the audience perceive it that way? Or would they just start working in their minds to solve that puzzle? My favorite example is Copperfield's Snow. If performed without his presentation, it's just a endless stream of garbage shooting out from the magician's hand -- which is still amazing, but lack that emotional connection. And I've read about Kenton Knepper's student, changing a simple card switch into a hypnotism plus memory erasal act. Since we've been talking about Torn & Restore, one major problem I have is that the second a magician tears something, the audience knows it will be restored later. If I were to tear a newspaper, I'd rather say something like "it frustrates me to see news of murders, deception, ..." Then when restoring, "but I believe there's always hope..." Nobody, in his right mind, would believe a magician can really do magic. A good trick creates amazement -- again, nothing wrong with that. It is fun, but not enough for me. A good presentation brings things to an even higher level, when different emotions are evoked. I am a poet (in Chinese). When I write, it's not about showing off how well I could play with words. What I write must touch the readers' hearts. I intend to do the same with my magic. And presentation is my key. I have a personal script of a simple trick to share. I have simplified it so to make reading easier. MAKE A WISH Chiew Ruoh Peng EFFECT A selected card ends up in the spectator’s hand when he thinks he is holding an indifferent card. (astonishing, but... check out this presentation...) SCRIPT “Do you have any dreams? Any wishes? Like you want to travel around the world. Like you want to become a star, and enjoy all the wealth and glamour.” “Why don’t we do a simple fortune telling with cards to see how close you are to your dreams?” “First take a card. This will be your own wish card. We put it back among so many other wishes.” “You must find your wish card. Try to insert this card (show an indifferent card) into somewhere as close to your wish as you can. Like so…” Slowly cut the deck at the position the spectator marks. “Some says dreams are in the sky. Look up and you shall see....” Smile and lift the upper packet, showing the bottom card. The spectator would most probably shake his head and be disappointed. “Don’t worry. Sometimes, you’re so lucky that what you want is right under your feet. Look down and you may reach it...” Turn over a few cards on the bottom packet. Act slightly startled when it's still not his card. Pause. Smile and say, “It's also said that your dream lies in your hand. With your own hands, you can achieve anything imaginable.” “May all your dreams and wishes, come true!” Thank you! Chiew Ruoh Peng http://www.mypatter.com
Peng
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Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
Now we're starting to get closer to the heart of the matter:
We MUST make the audience care! Otherwise, we are doing puzzles -- we may be doing them well, but we are still just doing puzzles. Geoff Weber says: "Showing them (the audience members) something that they don't know how to do is one thing... putting it into a meaningful context, is a magic all of its own." Couldn't have said it better! |
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Matt Graves Special user Huntsville, Alabama (USA) 504 Posts |
Thanks for the replies, especially to JimMaloney. I love Rene' Lavand's routine and Juan Tamariz's too. I've always wanted to see Eugene Burger's Cosmic Thread. I can't imagine how he could weave Hindu mythology into such a simple-looking trick! I really think it was a shame that Eugene Burger was never on any of the World's Greatest Magic specials. The only performances of his I've seen are little clips from the internet - "Thought Sender" and a double card reversal from his Magical Voyages set. He seems to have a really "hypnotic" style. He's one of the best magicians I've ever seen, but I never see him on any of the TV magic specials. His books are really good, too. I've never seen the snowstorm, but David Copperfield's "Flying" is definitely good on presentation. "Snow" is another one. "Portal" is pretty strong, too; a guy going to Hawaii to meet up with his long-lost Dad. I saw it in person and I was on the verge of tears when the kid and his Dad hugged each other. Not to mention the sight of seeing someone warp from the stage to a beach in Hawaii is JUST A LITTLE BIT UNSETTLING!
Peng, I thought your idea for the torn and restored newspaper was awesome; I can't believe i never thought of that before. One effect I have thought of a kind of nifty presentation for is the "Oil and Water" card trick. Instead of talking about oil and water, why not talk about those bottles of Italian dressing that you have to shake up to mix and then when you leave it alone they separate? Most non-magicians have some experience with salad dressing . . . |
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JimMaloney Inner circle 1184 Posts |
Quote:
On 2002-10-09 08:13, serling307 wrote: Let me strongly encourage you to pick up a copy of the PBS special "The Art of Magic." This was what first turned me on to the idea of magic as an art and making magic meaningful. You'll be able to see performances from Eugene Burger (you'll get to see Card Warp and Cosmic Thread), Peter Samelson (Snowstorm), Jeff McBride, Max Maven, Hiawatha, Jamy Ian Swiss, and many others. Here's the URL Also, let me also suggest that you pick up Eugene Burger's "Magical Voyages" video set. If you can't afford the whole set, at least pick up the third one. There (on the third volume), you'll see a different presentation for the Gypsy Thread, as well as his excellent presentation for Card Warp (though I prefer his performance of this on The Art of Magic). Also, you'll get some good discussion on making your magic meaningful and personal. -Jim
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peng New user Malaysia 81 Posts |
Serling, since you and somebody mentioned Oil and Water, I might as well add:- I hate the idea of oil-based ink and water-based ink. Who buys that?
I'd rather use Jacks and Queens. The stories go like "In the 60s, men and women are more shy. You try to mix them... they separate..." "In 70s... 2000... before you knew it, they are..." Now, I don't know about Americans in the 60s. In Asian countries, people are more conservative back then.
Peng
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Matt Graves Special user Huntsville, Alabama (USA) 504 Posts |
JimMaloney, the link didn't work. If there was any way I could see that special, I would. Maybe they'll re-run it. I've wanted the Magical Voyages for a long time, but they are waaaay out of range of what I can afford right now. We'll see . . .
Hey, on the Art of Magic, does it have Max Maven doing regular magic tricks or is it mentalism? (That's all I've ever seen him do.) |
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JimMaloney Inner circle 1184 Posts |
Quote:
On 2002-10-10 14:25, serling307 wrote: I've fixed the link now -- it should work. As far as the Burger video/DVD's go, like I said, at least pick up the third volume, if you can. Max only does mentalism on the PBS special. I don't believe he performs any of his card tricks & regular magic for the public -- he only does that for magicians. (At least, from what I can tell.) Hope this helps, Jim
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