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Gary T. Veteran user 375 Posts |
In my experience I find that people in general, including myself, are idiots and annoy me greatly, I don't know why I do what I do, or why I enjoy it so much, because people in general annoy me to no ends. you learn to live with it.
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patrick flanagan Inner circle lisle, illinois 1045 Posts |
I do think it is exactly what was mentioned earlier. Their low expectations are due to the magicians they have seen before...and, also, the popular ones recently in the mainstream. David Blaine and Chris Angel may or may not be phenomenal depending on one's opinion. But, what is a fairly universal opinion of them is that they are "weird" or "strange" or "odd". that is the "charachter" they play in their shows. That is what the public sees.....weird, strange, odd. Combine that with the relative who performs 3 terrible card tricks at every family function, and you can see why they would be surprised at your talent and ability to entertain them.
One thing I truly enjoy is when I approach a table, and they RELUCTANTLY allow me to perform. You can see it in their eyes and body language that they don't expect this to go well. Half way through my first routine I can see their posture change. By the end of my set, they are truly engaged and have had a very fun time. As I depart, I may mention with a smile..."Now aren't you glad you said YES?". It's funny but the look they give me back is ALWAYS the same. It's that look when someone or something completely exceeds one's expectations. Hard to explain but you know it when you see it. Pepka....just take it as a compliment that they view you miles ahead of the herd!!! patrick |
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Christopher Lyle Inner circle Dallas, Texas 5698 Posts |
I normally say "the best way to enjoy my show is to set your expectations really low!"
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius For a Good Time...CLICK HERE! |
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Alan Munro Inner circle Kentwood, Michigan, USA 5952 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-12-13 16:20, David Ranalli wrote: It was on his Greater Magic video (VHS) and I assume it's on the DVD version. Quote:
On 2012-12-14 11:49, Gary T. wrote: People really aren't too different from one another and the notion of being separate from humanity is really just an illusion. Let's face it, life is so much easier when there are others around us, who we can rely on for help. For all we know, all forms of life may be a part of a single organism. Our perspective is rather limited. As I get older, I seem to take more delight in other people, regardless of their faults. No one approaches perfection and "perfection", as many define it, is a recipe for disaster. |
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imgic Inner circle Moved back to Midwest to see 1337 Posts |
I'm too much of a noob to have this happen to me magically.
But it has happened to me in my day job as I facilitate improvement events. Folks coming up and telling me it was a great event, they couldn't have done it without me, etc. There have been times that I've said (in my head) no kidding you moron: it was a simple fix that my 8 year old daughter could have figured it out... So similar to what you've experienced. To me it's been a sign of burn out. You're good at what you do, you've been doing it for some time, and now others annoy you. IMHO you need to take some time off. Or, challenge yourself...try new routines. Try busking. Try a stage show. Mix things up. You need to see your work in a different light to re-engerize you and let you see why you started doing this in the first place. Just my 2 cents...
"Imagination is more important than knowledge."
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kenedho Regular user 192 Posts |
I'm jealous. I never got much compliments.. My audience and the props got the most.
I feel that when I complimented an audience e.g. following an ambitious card routine I'd say "this card is normally rebellious but it seems to really like you", they would feel "this magician is really humble". And they then tend not to compliment on me much. But it's the style of my magic, might not apply to you. Kened |
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Siraldi Regular user Johnson City, Tennessee 102 Posts |
I went through this mind-set a while back. Something I would suggest to anyone here is the site artofmanliness.com. They use "the magician" as an archetype of "manliness". I'm slowly learning what others think of us. We are (in their eyes) the best people... in a sense. stereotypically; we have many ideas going for us... people see us as master manipulators; persons with a goal; hard workers (everyone has an idea of how much practice we put into this); masters of the mind; masters of technology; gentlemen; from con artists and houdini they imagine us as "good guys" because with our powers we have every possibility of doing evil... but instead we entertain. This is just a thought. And everyone knows a "trick" their family or friend taught them... and they are amazed that we did the same thing... but much better... in their eyes. It's just a mind-set. But just remember that they see us as the best... and we fooled them. If they admit not catching you... in a sense that is the best compliment from them.
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howlinhobbit New user Seattle, WA 53 Posts |
It's interesting to note all the the comments here, pro or con, regarding "lowered expectations."
I started busking about 30 years ago and when I did it was with a (nearly*) final variation on my magic act. I'd been doing magic for about 17 or 18 years by then and I ended up by adopting a medieval mountebank character. all was fine but then a variety of factors led me to switch to music for my busking. I played guitar (and harmonica on a neck rack) for a while but then another variety of reasons led me to transition to ukulele. I'm still doing that uke thing, and have been for 5 or so years. (be patient with me... my point is coming soon.) one of the best things about ukulele is the audience's lowered expectations. the thing about lowered expectations is that's it's so bloody easy to exceed them. speaking strictly as a Ukulele Ace, I can assure you that simply being better than weird old Uncle Harold who plinks out a few excruciating tunes every Thanksgiving and Christmas will stun the average audience. and if you are even better than that... well then, the praise can be effusive. when you get such effusive praise, remember that it's offered in all sincerity. bow in your most genteel fashion and give them your #1 smile. they mean it. and you should too. *I say "nearly" final because, lo!, I've been re-bitten by the magic bug. wish me luck. I'm equal parts excited and scared spitless. |
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Countage Veteran user Charlotte 361 Posts |
When people compliment me. I reply with, "Oh you probably say that to all the magic guys". It usually gets either a laugh, "no I would not just say that", or "you are the only magic guy I have ever met",.
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CraogMcKee New user BC, Canada 9 Posts |
I know the feeling well - I work restaurants, and simple crap like my sponge balls routine *kill* the adults as much as the kids, and my thought process is akin to "Really? You were fooled by *that*? What would happen if I actually did something that pushed my abilities?"
Here's the truth, people aren't impressed by your tricks. They are impressed by *you*. When they say "Wow - that was an amazing trick!" They are meaning "You are a great performer, with skill and great personality that was able to get me to forget about my bills using a few red balls! Impressive!" Watch any juggler at a fair, and realize that they are using one-tenth of their skill, and ask why. It is simply because the crowds delight in the entertainment of four balls being tossed about in a seemingly impossible way, when a competent 7 ball cascade is more than possible. You are a great entertainer, and take the compliments from that angle. This is coming from a skinny guy with a bad sense of style. Fat, skinny, whatever. We create levity in an age of gross disparity between rich and poor - that is where out value is. |
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jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
Pepka, could be worse...
What about the hosts/sponsors that were out of the room the entire time yet they tell you how wonderful you were! I usually ask them (sheepishly) "What trick did you like best?" Their mouth shuts tightly. "Was it the fifty dollar trick or where the red card turned inside out?" They usually answer "both". -------- A few years ago I just entered a home and the first person I came across was the owner. I said "How do you like me so far?" Without a second to think he said "Don't worry we loved you and we're going to have you back next year". No wonder he runs a multimillion dollar company I was tempted to leave since the check was already cashed, but I stayed anyway.
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
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EVILDAN Inner circle 1279 Posts |
How do you want to crowds to react?
It seems that you're tired of hearing the same remarks over and over. From the spectator's point of view, maybe it's their first time having a magician entertain them one and one at a table. You're a magician, you're supposed to be able to fool them. They are acknowledging that you did your job. If you're expecting a variety of compliments, then try turning this situation on it's head. Do you do something different EVERYTIME to go to a different customer? Are you doing original routines that no one else does? If not, then maybe the customers are tired of seeing the same material over and over in which case you should be happy they don't say things like, "Yeah, I've seen better card tricks at The Ground Round on Sunday nights."
by EVILDAN....
"The Coin Board Book" - moves and routines with the coin panel board. - http://www.lybrary.com/the-coin-board-book-p-827955.html "SLASHER - A Horror Whodunnit" - a bizarre close-up routine based on Bob Neale's "Sole Survivor." PM me for more info. "Zombie Town" - a packet effect about how a small town turned into zombies. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nzJhcoJtyOM |
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Robertology New user Michigan 55 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-12-13 02:22, pepka wrote: From this short video here (toward the end), Mac King says that he used to want to lower their expectations (to be able to take them from A to B let's say) but then realized that if he started them higher than A, he could take them higher than B. But I imagine that's still part of his intention with his costume. You don't want to start them at B and have very little higher to go.
- Robert
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jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
I have an idea.
Do something (it doesn't have to be this exactly) do something like "Out of this world" or a Simpatico type effect (could be with ESP cards). Then, when everything jives, you lavish the volunteer with praise and everyone wins. Note: Jive is a term used by hipsters in the 70s and 80s. You had to be there or be square.
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
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pepka Inner circle Uh, I'm the one on the right. 5041 Posts |
A lot of people are misunderstanding me. It's probably my fault. I'm not really annoyed with the compliments, it's that they seem SHOCKED that I'm good. There's one thing to be shocked that your signed card has vanished from between your hands and is now inside a sealed envelope. It's another to be shocked that the guy you hired for hundreds of dollars, showed up dressed like a businessman, conducted himself like a complete professional, and really wowed you and your guests.
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jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
Are you asking if your advertising reflects your image correctly?
I looked at your site. Possibly a photo of you wearing a suit, on every page, may help delever the impression you deserve. Then it would be cohesive to take that theme and apply it to business cards and attach a photo onto every Email you send. If the sponsor is sending-out invitations via Email, you can supply them with a breif description with that photo , in a jpeg or PDF format so the photo and description are delivered together (hopefully). I'm only tossing out a few ideas here. I have a banner on a stand that's set in the hallway as people enter the room. It has a picture that serves the same purpose as a "coming attraction" poster at a movie house. People see your face and its easier, if strolling, to approach people. And again, possibly I'm going down the wrong path so just excuse me if I don't know what I'm proposing.
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
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TheMag1cian Inner circle Ottawa, Ontario 1274 Posts |
So you're not so much annoyed with them because of the compliment as you are their preconception of you or the "judging a book by its cover" phenomena. This is where I differ. I don't mind being the underdog at all. Why? Because I blow them away even more. What everyone here is saying is completely true. It's the magician title that has a bad wrap, not your clothing or body mass. If you walk in and you see their faces portraying a "That's the magician? What the hell .. we want our money back"? Use it to your advantage. Their lowered expectations actually help you out whereas if they had very high expectations and you have a satisfactory show this isn't as desirable. My philosophy --> Ill take any compliments I can get and theres no such thing as a "bad" compliment. Refrain from studying/analyzing them because paranoia/anxiety will kick in and you may end up perceiving the compliment incorrectly anyways. Only my $0.02.
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