I'd just like to get your thoughts on this.
Do you think working off the deck when doing manipulations takes away from effect? Doesn't it look more magical when one steals the cards and begins to produce them?

If not, then what do YOU all think makes card manipulations look "magical"? I do card manipulation and people, well not all people, see it as magic. They appreciate what I do but it seems that they see it more as flourishes. I guess they see me more as a card juggler than a magician producing cards. Any other thoughts? Roy

Roy that is because most manipulators perform card and manipulations as a show os pure technical skill. If performed in a straight forward manner, that really is what it is all about and the audience picks up on this.


This is why a manipulator needs to give the audience soemthing more to grab ahold of. Do not allow the manipulative skill be the only thing they see and can focus on.

Change the manipulations around by themeing them around a storyline or an intersting character. Create impact and interst through the use of transition effects. Use music that creates a mood and goes with the theme. Even use different objects other then the classic ones you studied.

All of these above mentioned ideas can really help to change the act and make it have more entertainment value for your audiences. It gives them soemthing more to watch.

Kyle

Personally, I like to produce the cards via loads and steals. I think it looks more magical when the cards seem to appear from nowhere. This works well when you are not worried about angles. I do feel however, working from the pack is advantageous if you are concerned about the angles in the venue you are working.

Most of all, what makes an act impactful (correct word?) is if its well choreographed and not overly done, or overwrought.

That is a great question there MrBiddle. It is a wonderful topic all in itself. What DOES make an act impactful?

I think there are so many ways to add "impact" into your manipulative routine or act but many do not try and "layer" them into their exsisting routines.

You can add impact into your act through:
- technical skill of the moves
- choreography and dance movement on stage
- music that has mood, tension and emotional impact
- changing the props you use to other props people can associate with
- adding a storyline to the act
- having your act themed
- good use of transitions that break up the flow and pacing of the act
- a good central character and style that the audience can relate to

These are just a few of the many ways I have thought of to add additional impact to any manipulative act. The sad thing is that most manipulators do not get past the very first one I stated.

To them they just do the act as a pure show of skill. This is fine but your not giving your audiences more reason to really be entertained. They can only respond based on this skill and nothing more.

Use some of the ideas mentioned above and add in "impact to your acts.

Kyle

Every time I build a show- I draw a diagram first (well to be perfectly honest I start be drawing pictures that go with a few effects I really want to do-but that's not my point). In this diagram a draw where I want the peaks and valleys of my show to be.

It's a technique that I picked up from creative writing. My basic diagram starts at the top, Razor Blades for example, and then drops all the way to the bottom for the introduction, greeting, thanks and the begining of whatever story fits the show. The diagram then usually has three more peaks, or sequences. Each sequence builds until climax; and then drops down to begin the next sequence.

Ideally, in each stanza/chapter/section/routine there is a connection to the shows theme, and further each one is "better" (audience perspective Not skill) then the one before.

So to actually get to the point, I think it's most important that each production/flourish/steal, is done in a building up towards climax.
And that my 2 shekels!)

White that is also very important as you have stated, but I am also talking about adding things into your act so that your act of manipulation does not just become an act of skill alone.

If an audience looks at your act and the only thing they can take away from it is "wow, good skill.. that looks hard," then I think you are not giving them as much as they can be given.

Wow them with skill and technique but give them more. Let them go on an emotional rollercoaster ride through use of great music or character. Let them relate to what your doing by using every day objects they can relate to. bring them into your actthrough the use of a great theme of storyline. This way you start creating magical theater. The audiences will thank you for your efforts.

Kyle

Okay, now to all manipulators.... Picture this...

A split fan is done, having reloaded your backpalm stock and dropping the other cards into a hat(whatever), do you think the production of the next fan is more magical/impactful etc, if it is done immediately after dropping the few cards into the hat or if there is a pause. I've seen a couple magicians that do it both immediately after and those that pause a bit.... Like Sheridan, who produces the fans immediately.... I've tried both and it seems that a pause is good..... Any thoughts???

If you go rapid fire-you (IMHO) must do it more times. At the end of it all, if you only go twice quickly-you'll lose half the audience having noticed that it's not still the first time.

I think you MUST put in pauses in your manipulative sequences. It gives the audience time to register it in their minds and also time to applaud you as well.

Kyle

Pauses are definitely a must. Jeff says that all magicians could do half of their acts if they only did it slower.

I have seen Sheridan vary the pace and tempo based on the atmosphere, the situation, his artistic preferences of the moment, and his non-verbal communication with his audience. Like so many other things, there is no one right answer.

Aesthetic appeal is, and should be, first and foremost. If the audience doesn't like it, you should not perform it.

Exactly, which is why I say do not come off to your audience as doing manipulation just to amuse yourself or to belittle your audience into thinking your better then they are. Give your audience soemthing more to get excited about. try and win them over with great magic and presentation mixed with your own style and personality.

Kyle

Precisely. Which would you rather have your audience think of you: "I just saw the world's greatest manipulator" or "I just saw the world's greatest manipulator and all he wanted was to make me happy?"

That was a Curtis Kam quote.