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alexhui Inner circle Hong Kong 1956 Posts |
Today I have come up with a new trick, which employs a very difficult method. To be frank, the effect is so impossible that I think 'nearly none' of the 'standard method' can duplicate it. At least it's really a impossible effect for me. And the method is very difficult (in terms of methodology).
So the question comes. In my mind, I suddenly come up with a sentence. 'Sometimes you have to sacrifice simple methods just for creating something REALLY IMPOSSIBLE.' What do you think about this statement? Alex Hui
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Open Traveller Inner circle 1087 Posts |
It's been my experience (and this is only speaking in the most general of terms) that if a method becomes too complex, involved or difficult, the effect suffers. While the effect in the most theoretical sense may seem (in your words) "really impossible," in actual practice it may not be, simply because the method is so heavy that parts of it simply cannot be hidden.
But it's difficult to speak well on this without knowing the effect and method that prompted your question...until then, we can speak only vaguely (and therefore without much accuracy), because your statement is without context. |
Neoglobin Elite user 460 Posts |
I say, if you can do it in the end, go for it.
Magically Yours,
Neoglobin. |
meilechl Special user 657 Posts |
Imho it depends if the fact that you're doing sleights is visible. If the spectator sees you doing something, even if he can't place his finger on it, he'll dismiss the magic with 'He's got quick hands'. Although he might end up admiring your skill and even be reasonably impressed he saw that you didn't do any magic.
On the other hand, if your handling is minimal and natural, although in his heart he knows that you didn't do any real magic his eyes tell him otherwise. |
Mike Wild Inner circle NY, PA, TX, MA, FL, NC 1290 Posts |
Yeah, I'm in agreement with Meilechl on this. As long as your not telegraphing "hey! look here!! Sleight of hand!!!" I'd say you're good to go.
Best, Mike |
Doug Higley 1942 - 2022 7152 Posts |
'Sometimes you have to sacrifice simple methods just for creating something REALLY IMPOSSIBLE.'
regarding the 'statement', which is what you asked about: Some things are harder than others...but does the end justify the means? as to the effect...most magical to me have always had the most simple of explainations. On the other hand, just enjoy what you do.
Higley's Giant Flea Pocket Zibit
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MISTER E New user 46 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-09-03 09:58, alexhui wrote: Sounds like you're putting the final touches on your lecture notes. I find that I sacrifice more than just simple methods when creating something "REALLY IMPOSSIBLE." -E |
Daegs Inner circle USA 4291 Posts |
Make things easy for your audience, not yourself.
Go through whatever knuckle-busting, gimicked or long setup that you need to, in order to create a clean impossible looking effect for spectators. Just make sure that the hard work is worth it. |
Gregg Tobo New user Denver 64 Posts |
Alex,
I agree with your statement on the surface, but to me it brings up the deeper question of: What is your ultimate objective? If my objective is to fool other magicians, I may embrace your philosophy and sacrifice simple methods in the pursuit of a truly impossible effect. If, however, my objective is to entertain the laity creating a truly impossible effect takes a back seat to making sure that everyone is having a good time (making eye contact, smiling, joking, remembering their names, etc.). Under these circumstances simple methods are golden as they allow me to devote my attention to my audience. Plus, I believe lay people are poor judges of degrees of impossibility (after all, to the laity, the Mullica wallet can seem "truly impossible"). Gregg Tobo |
kregg Inner circle 1950 Posts |
Haven't we all been blown away before we learned the secret to a great effect?
Showmanship and presentation are the hardest moves for most magician's to master. Leave the complicated stuff to the amateurs.
POOF!
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alexhui Inner circle Hong Kong 1956 Posts |
Thanks for the great discussion above.
First of all, the sentence I come up above is not my philosophy; this point I have to make clear. This is something poping up in my mind and I want to hear your opinion about it. Having making my situation clear, I'd like to express my two cents here. In magic, we always simplify the routines and methods to make it easy to understand and not to be confused. Like Professor Vernon said, he always persue for a simpler methods. And I truely agree that routine has to be understandable and entertaining. If not, we immediately lose the meaning of performing magic. Reading the comments above, I think all of you have a great sense of magic and understanding the right attitude of performing magic very much. And meilechl's comments are very true that magic has to be magic. We cannot say 'sleight-of-hand' is magic when our sleight is obvious to spectators. So some of you may ask, 'what the h**l your statement pops up in your mind but you don't agree with it??' Actually, I am partial to this statement in only a few circumstance. But I think this reminds us a very important thing. As we all knows, the more understandable and impressive the effect is, the higher chance the effect is memorable. Eventhough a DL can be a miracle to spectators. So why do we have to depend on difficult methods?? I think some of the people will think that 'difficult methods' always related to 'difficult sleight-of-hand'. And difficult sleight-of-hand make the effect clumsy, so it is to be avoided. But here I mean the methodology, not only confined to sleights. For instance, Gilbreath Principle is a very great principle. If you use this to create an effect, it can be very impressive. But how about if we add a CATO principle to it? And how about if we add a marked deck, a system, Faro, card counting technique and gaffs altogether in one routine? it may seem that the effect will be so confusing. But my consideration is that how I can use this to make a simple and understanding effect to my audience; in my own word, a simple 'primary structure'. It is the effect that audiences 'see' All the elements above can only be difficult in my 'secondary structure', which audience never see and perceive. For instance, you do a gambling routine. You employ faro shuffle and false deal. But to the spectator, your effect's structure is 'genuine shuffle' and 'dealing'. Eventhough you may alternate the second deal and bottom deal in your effect, spectators never know. To them, only the primary structure is important, not the secondary structure that you really use. So return to my first post, my effect is very simple in primary structure, but I can say it's difficult for me in secondary structure. Gregg make a very good point: simple method make you can concentrate in the presentation. Yes, I definitely agree. We always have to make the routine entertaining and impressive, so presentation is important. As a magic lover, I always want to my effects really impossible in any circumstances. Say, a deck is shuffled by spectator, and you can immediately deal five perfect hands. Or spectator can deal a Royal Flush eventhough you don't touch the deck. Obviously, we cannot rely on simple method in this case (though some of you may immediately shout out DECK SWITCH!!). So I think by now, I have make clear why we sometims have to consider very difficult methods though the methods are very heavy to us. Cos we have to make the effect really impossible in ANY circumstance' I have no intention to create something just for fooling my magic friends. But my goal of heightening the impossibility and crossing the limitation of magic never change. So I think I will still rely of whatever methods (regardless of difficulty) if I am thinking a new effect. IT's just my stupid two cents and hope you give me some frank comments and thinking. Alex Hui
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For BRUTALLY HONEST consultation for your upcoming projects, PM me. YouTube: Alex Magic Review YouTube: Themis Magic World Instagram: @AlexMagicReview Instagram: @ThemisMagic |
waveman New user 78 Posts |
As long as it:
1) works all the time 2) looks great 3) and gets a great reaction from the audience |
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