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veegates Loyal user 208 Posts |
Hi,
I am hoping to hear from as many magicians as possible. Recently, I built a few mechanical effects and posted them here on the forum. The feedback was wonderful and positive. Thanks to all. But along with the positive responses came a few interesting comments that got me thinking. Several people wrote to me and said mechanical effects were dead. They were only appreciated by collectors. Some said the apparatus was undependable, while others simply said they believed modern audiences were too hip to be fooled by mechanicals. I gave this some thought and came up with (my opinion) unless you were performing sleight of hand, mentalism or self working card manipulations, aren't most effects mechanical? At least to some degree. I agree that if a piece interacts with the audience, they know something is up. But if they see someone levitate, doesn't the same hold true? Anyway, I truly wanted to know how many magicians still use mechanical magic in their shows. Or if not, would they? So what do you think? Are mechanical effects a thing of the past? Veegates |
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Mechanical effects are certainly not a thing of the past. Anyone trying to convince you otherwise, hasn't left their mind open long enough to understand much about magic. The easiest way for some to validate their "progressiveness", is to unvalidate the past as obsolescence. The world is physical. The world is mechanical. It is unlikely that will change for some time.
Mechanical magic IS a part of our past, but it is also a part of the present, and certainly a part of our future. Magic is a state of mind. The effect of magic produced by a magician is brought about by any number of tools. Sleight of hand and subterfuge are no greater or less equal to mechanical devices as tools by which the effect of magic is accomplished. The wise magician does not dissuade himself from the use of any appropriate tool in magic, but rather applies them judiciously as needs dictate. To do any less is to live by inadequate measure. Your craftsmanship and artistry are some of the best I have ever seen. I have actually been in too much a state of shock to comment on the forums where you have called attention to your work. The effectiveness of mechanical apparatus is subject to the knowledge of the audience about such things, but also perfectly usable by the wise magician who understands that the magic he creates for his audience involves so much more than the physicality or abstractness of the methods used. Magic does not have to fool to be magical. While there is certainly a measure of truth in that your largest fan base may be collectors, that should not in any way be a deterrent. At least I hope not. Those who preserve the past have a proud position in the world of magic. Not every magician, or magic enthusiast cares to live on the edge of the future... and those who do are not granted supreme dictatorship over the rest. Please take them with a shaker full of salt. From a builder's point of view, I see no shortage of appreciative magicians for mechanical magic, and as a performer, I see no shortage of audiences being entertained by the same. ~michael
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
I can picture mechanical things increasing in the future. Especially with robots. A magician might use robots for assistants in the future. Imagine using robots to set up/take down the props. It would save us a lot of money.
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NFox Inner circle I Do Mentalism Now?! 1101 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-05-30 11:55, Dynamike wrote: I guess that depends on the cost of said robots as well as how much they cost to maintain. Sure some assistants are costly, but have you ever tried replacing a quantum flux ring. You'll probably have to sell off your jet pack and most of your dehydrated food. Seriously though, mechanical magic is here to stay. I tend to remove some of the mechanical aspects of my designs to keep them more simple/less prone to failure, but I do not exclude mechanical components as a rule. -Nick |
collective foundry Inner circle 1404 Posts |
I was at an Illusion Fabrication Shop (EDF) In L.A. a month ago. Mechanical props are not dead. They are very much alive and well.
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greatchach New user Texas 82 Posts |
Mechanical magic is far and away my favorite type of magic even though I tend to perform much more slight of hand. The two main reasons for that are the transportation issue (apparatus takes up a lot more trunk space than coins and a deck or two of cards) and performing more walkaround settings than stage or parlor work, But I love buying mechanical magic as well as building it myself - there's nothing more magical to me than being able to set something in motion and just for a moment be a spectator too. I know "push-button" magic is normally frowned upon, but the inventiveness of some mechanical marvels can create just as much (if not more) a sense of wonder as a slight that's taken years to master. (Not to discount anything that takes practice, of course. I just have an appreciation for both.)
Going along with the subject, I'd love to hear anybody's suggestions for favorite books on mechanical magic. |
EsnRedshirt Special user Newark, CA 895 Posts |
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On 2009-01-15 20:36, newman1066 wrote: Very doubtful, Newman. Give the audience some credit- they do notice that sort of trickery; it will be filed under special effects, not magic. -Erik
Self-proclaimed Jack-of-all-trades and google expert*.
* = Take any advice from this person with a grain of salt. |
TaylorReed Special user Branson, MO 743 Posts |
I think that audiences love movement....
What I mean by that is Illusions that have visual hightech appearances... Windshear ..... has movement a fan blade and lights inside... Levitation....... has movement . the girl goes up and down... Elevator......... The shadow moves into place and is lit. KJ Snow stool....... movement the snow flies up in the air... These are the kinds of thing that the audience enjoy. They sometimes require extention cords or batteries that must be charged all the time, but these type of effects really stimulate the audience. I like to make the Illusion look like they are high tech, but really they are low tech.... A lot of David's stuff is like this.. The 360 interlude platform was done with ropes not motors ..... Head mover done with ropes and trick line .... Death saw pull apart and back with ropes and stage hands.... Looks very high tech, but really very low tech... All the magicians that wanted to copy David on the Interlude platform etc.. would call John and say we want a motorized platform that looks like Davids. It wouldn't even be close to what David used.... It would be about 4 times heavier and electronics don't always work... Usually a guy pulling a rope will do the job if you can afford the extra stage crew and practice alot.... Any how Mechanical magic isn't going anywhere it will always be around in the world of magic..... Taylor
www.taylorreed.com
www.usedmagicillusions.com taylor@taylorreed.com (979)482-0714 See: The Magic and Comedy of Taylor Reed, Live in Branson, Mo |
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