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njh Regular user Baltimore, MD 143 Posts |
I took a job as a camp counselor at a local synagogue. I was doing magic with cards, coins, pens, and whatever I could get my hands on.
All of my campers think I have a photographic memory because I can dead cut to the four aces, or any card named. Actually, I'm just a scam-artist who's really good at culling, but that's irrelevant. One kid asked me if I was "really magic," if I really do have "powers." And this person was 12 years old, probably close to 13. I really had no clue how to react. After some thought, I said "It's not real magic, but it's what real magic would look like." (I have no clue who's line this is, but I've heard it somewhere.) Obviously, the easy answer would have been "No," but I thought that would've been too blunt. Not in keeping with the "actor playing the part of a magician" stuff that we abide by. I'm still not sure I answered adequately. How would you have handled the question? While I'm waiting for your answers, I'll be coming up with new ways to scam my campers into believing in my amazing memory powers. P.S. Should I post this in a different section?
Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson |
magic4ewe Regular user 179 Posts |
When in the situation I have always just given a mischievously little smile and ask, "What do you think?"
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
I am in the business of making illusions to entertain others. This is what I call magic. Look around you, that's real magic.
Dennis Michael
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Njh -
You might want to read this thread, as it covers a similar topic: Cafe thread titled... An email I got: wh......esponse? It was in the Food for Thought section. - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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Eric Leclerc Inner circle Ottawa Ontario 1185 Posts |
Why would you tell them its not magic?? Adults know its not... But why would you tell a 12 year old kid that its not real magic? WHAT IS REAL MAGIC THEN?? you are a magician... its your job...
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Gideon Sylvan Special user Deerfield, IL 541 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-08-18 12:47, Eric Leclerc wrote: I dissagree, if the kid was 12, he is starting 7th grade. At that age they know it is not real, if he had said it was real either that kid or another would have said yeah right, and challenged him with something imossible.
You know you are a magician when you have boxes full of lecture notes you have never read, but still are excited about going out and buying more.
www.gideonsylvan.com |
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Real magic happens between family and friends. Especially when we help each other.
I believe we are helping people when they watch our programs. This question is also asked of my nearly normal puppets. (Especially my Axtell Chimp, and my puppets used in vent.) I always say, Yes, they are Real Puppets. Harris Deutsch Laughologist
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
Jeff Haas Special user 929 Posts |
I prefer to respect their intelligence. Say something like, of course it's not real, but that I try my best to make it look real. This shows that you're not trying to tell them that the Easter Bunny exists (especially a 12 year old!) and they'll like you better for not talking to them like they're 5.
Also, younger kids appreciate this attitude, too. |
Kent Wong Inner circle Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 2458 Posts |
I think your response was absolutely correct. It showed respect for the person asking the question and yet, gave an honest reply. Whenever I have been asked this question in the past, I respond with something like the following:
"When you go to a movie, you know that the things you see happening on the screen aren't real. But really good actors can make you forget that and you can find yourself crying, laughing or even jumping right out of your seat. Well, when I perform magic, it's the same thing as watching a really good actor." Kent
"Believing is Seeing"
<BR>______________________ <BR> <BR>www.kentwongmagic.com |
Chrystal Inner circle Canada/France 1552 Posts |
Hi,
I really like how you respond Kent. Great job! Donald's suggestion of checking out the previous post in the Food For Thought forum was really good too. There were some good suggestions there as well. For that moment when you were caught off guard being asked that question NJH, you responded well and good for you for doing it in such a way, where it would have been easy to lie and would have been an ego booster to you. You replied honestly and respected him. Chrystal |
Bill Nuvo Inner circle 3094 Posts or 2742 Posts |
Yes it was a great response. And Kent's response is also great. I often use a response similar to Kent's when confronted by a person who say its all fake. After my response they agree and thier confrontational manner is diminished. I often find out that this person has been "suckered" by another magician and he has felt belittled. But that's a different post.
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calexa Inner circle Germany 1635 Posts |
You amazed the kid and he liked it. He had a good time and you created a good mood. Isn´t this "real" magic? So I think you could have answered "Yes"!
Magixx
Optimists have more fun.....
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