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Sean Fields V.I.P. Winnipeg 894 Posts |
I mentioned my 2 Cardinal Rules of Magic in another thread, but they are so important to me, I felt they deserved their own discussion.
I know, Cardinal Rules, sounds heavy, but don't worry it isn't that bad. Let it be said that these are not the cardinal rules to ALL magic, just to MY magic. RULE #1 Singularity of Effect: He took my quarter and bent it. He took my ring, it vanished, and appeared on his necklace. He took my $5, and turned it inside out, and back again. He took my necklace, cut it into his neck, and back out again. See the pattern? The spectator can describe what happens in one sentence. This is singularity of effect. If you look closely, you will see in all but the first example there are MULTIPLE effects occuring. How the hell is this singularity of effect? Whats going on here Fields? The idea is that I treat each effect as a miracle. We see this stuff everyday; they don't. So why muddle that moment of astonishment with another effect, let alone an illogical one, as is so often the case? He goes in the box, and she goes on top, and in a flash, they change places. And now she is wearing a different outfit. My card kept coming to the top. Then it was in his wallet. WTF!?!? That doesn't make sense! That is exactly what they are thinking, and they are right. Keep it simple, and keep it single. RULE #2 - Clarity of Effect: This is an easy one to understand, but a difficult one to put into practice. The shortest distance between any 2 points is a straight line. I try to find the most laser direct method to acheive any desired effect, as any extraneous actions or movements detract from the impossibility of the effect. Think about it: He took my quarter, and bent it. Not: He took my quarter, put it in his other hand, squeezed it, picked it up, did it again, and when he was done, it was bent. It was cool. I guess. That is exactly what they think. The less that occurs in your routine, the stronger the illusion will be. So there ya have it. MY Cardinal Rules for Magic. Discuss if you wish! |
Review King Eternal Order 14446 Posts |
I guess it depends on the performer? It's a good theory for someone that is a beginner so that they concentrate on just making an effect clear.
Ever see Whit Haydn perform his ambitious card routine? It could be: he had me pick a card and sign the face. He kept putting the card in the middle of the deck and it kept coming back to the top. He then took out his wallet and in his wallet was an envelope and in the envelope was my signed card. And Whit kills with this.
"Of all words of tongue and pen,
the saddest are, "It might have been" ..........John Greenleaf Whittier |
Sean Fields V.I.P. Winnipeg 894 Posts |
I appreciate your feedback Christopher.
I have seen Whit perform his ACR, and you are right, he does kill with it. Remember, these are not THE rules to ALL magic, just to MY magic. The 'rules' as they are, are extremely simple in idea, but incredibly profound in practice. The rules do not exist to 'make an effect clear'; they exist to turn a trick into MAGIC, in the eyes of civilians. I was only using the CTW climax as an example, but since I seem to have hit a nerve, lets press on. I never said it was bad magic, just ILLOGICAL. Surprising, sure, but illogical nonetheless. Thousands of magicians use CTW as a climax to their ACR, and thousands of magicians can't be wrong, can they? I just prefer my magic to follow a different beat. If that makes me 'a beginner' Christopher, then I gladly wear the badge. |
Review King Eternal Order 14446 Posts |
Sean thanks for the extra info. It's great to have a worker share his thoughts!
I think most everything I do is illogical. One of my favorte coin routines is: The coin appears, it vanishes and ends up in my pocket, it vanishes again and becomes a jumbo coin. None of that makes sense, but I have always gotten great reactions ( gasps, etc. ). I feel like a beginer in magic. I'm always learning, re-thinking, etc. If any folks would like to see Whit's Ambitious/Card to wallet routine, it's here: http://www.whithaydn.com/video_clips.htm
"Of all words of tongue and pen,
the saddest are, "It might have been" ..........John Greenleaf Whittier |
wsduncan Inner circle Seattle, WA 3619 Posts |
Sean,
Glad to see you are grounded in the classics. Rule #1 - Nate Leipzig Rule #2 - Dai Vernon Not sure what you mean by "most laser direct method to acheive any desired effect". Wouldn't you agree that many times the most direct way to achive an effect is also the most obvious way? Darwin write about this at length in Designing Miracles. I like to think of Carl Balantine floating the Barbie doll and then cutting the string and asking the audience "how else?" |
Donny Orbit Special user 944 Posts |
I agree with Sean. I think a lot of times as performers, we tend to do effects that we enjoy doing. It is always fun to do a new multifaceted routine that we have practiced 3 weeks on, even though it won't get as great of a reaction as an Invisible deck. We entertain ourselves as well as our audience. But TRUE MAGIC, in the eyes of our audiences, that is what makes a trick into a miracle. No cards, no coins, no rubberbands, just the moment of unadultered amazement. We aren't our props, we are the vessel for wonder.
I think that is where the clarity and singularity of effect come into play. XX |
Sean Fields V.I.P. Winnipeg 894 Posts |
Bingo! You hit the nail on the head XX!
Christopher, I know the feeling. I am constantly studying, reading and re-reading. No matter how old I get, or where my career takes me, I will always be a student of the art. |
Yiannis Veteran user Chicago USA 349 Posts |
Effects don't have to be "logical" to be "magical". Further more, what effects in magic can be classified as logical?
What is logical about bending a coin or turning a note inside out or vanishing a ring and having it appear on the necklace? Unless they are presented inside a certain theme, they are pretty "illogical". Magic as a theatre, has certain structure and a certain premise which makes any effect "logical". |
Sean Fields V.I.P. Winnipeg 894 Posts |
I know magic by its very nature is an illogical art. Why do we do what we do?
Being aware of this is what helped me become aware of my cardinal rules. |
michaangelo Regular user 184 Posts |
Sean,
Thanks for the great thoughts. One of my frustrations with some magicians is their knuckle busting fourishes that completely hide the real magic. I also think that simplicity forces the magician to be more focused and practiced. As I have tried to simplify my performances, I have found myself practicing more and more. Thanks! Michael |
Yiannis Veteran user Chicago USA 349 Posts |
"Why do we do what we do?"
Exactly! The answer to this determines the style we present the art of magic. Nice thoughts, Sean. |
closeupcardician Special user Justin Teeman Moore, OK 602 Posts |
Great Thoughts Sean. I'm glad to see you doing what's most natural for YOU.
"Magic as art cannot live without love. Love of some kind. There are novels without love, other arts without love. But there can be no magic without love." - Rodney Reyes
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Sean Fields V.I.P. Winnipeg 894 Posts |
And that is all I can do.
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