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davidpaul$ Inner circle Georgetown, South Carolina 3094 Posts |
I was performing at a restaurant when a woman asked me to visit her son and his friends. It was his
12th birthday. Typical 12 year old behavior. They didn't care about magic they just wanted to blurt out ( it's up your sleeve, it came from your pocket, you had it hidden in your hand etc.) The birtday boy said, "I saw that movie Night at the Museum and that guy had a fake thumb, that's how you do it." None of which was correct, but if you think exposure doesn't have an impact, well it does. That movie is 13 years old. The boy was 12. Go figure. I was surprised.
Guilt will betray you before technique betrays you!
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MeetMagicMike Inner circle Gainesville Fl 3504 Posts |
It can be frustrating. I choose to assume any bad shows are my fault and not the audiences. The line between mundane and amazing is constantly moving. I don't like YouTube exposure but there's no going back. I do well with 12 year olds. I tend to downplay the idea that I'm going to fool them. They say "I know this one!: and I say "yeah, it's an old one but let's see what happens". That age is very concerned with not looking bad in front of their friends. I can honestly say I am able to win them over. Not saying I never had a bad show but I learn from my audience and I haven't had a bad show in a long time.
Hope this helps. |
davidpaul$ Inner circle Georgetown, South Carolina 3094 Posts |
Thanks Mike...
I was just surprised that the boy remembered that movie and that particular scene and in his mind that's how all magic was done, along with the typical scenarios, up the sleeve etc. The boys were playing off each other, as boys of that age will do. At the end of my time with them thay were entertained and the B-day boy was frustrated he had no clue. Reading your post I'm confident you would have done a much better job and they probably would have been much better behaved. I appreciated you sharing your experiences.
Guilt will betray you before technique betrays you!
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Wravyn Inner circle 3513 Posts |
A dear friend of mine (may he RIP), when someone would say something about knowing how the trick was done would smile at them and say, ‘Shhhh... don’t tell me, I’m still trying to figure this one out.’
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peppermeat2000 Elite user 428 Posts |
Quote:
On Apr 20, 2019, davidpaul$ wrote: I teach elementary and middle school students. I perform magic almost on a daily basis. The behavior mentioned above can happen...but not just with 12 year olds. I have done professional gigs where adults can take on this same attitude. Any magician who decides to log off their computer and actually perform for people outside the confines of their local magic club, or circle of friends and family, will eventually encounter these types of situations. If you are more concerned about the secret of your tricks being acknowledged (be it accurate or otherwise) perhaps you should re-think your motivation for performing magic. |
davidpaul$ Inner circle Georgetown, South Carolina 3094 Posts |
My goal is to entertain, period. You are very correct that behaviors I mentioned are prevalent in all age groups. Some of biggest fans that come in regularly with their parents to see me are these young guys and gals. I LOVE what I do and am motivated by the relationships I've been lucky to develop over the yesrs.
I started restaurant work in 2002 and 2 boys with their parents would come in to see me almost every Sunday. I ran into their mom at a super market recently. I asked about her 2 boys and she told me they are both physicians. They were about 10 and 12 at that time. I also think it is important for children to be taught respect and how to interact appropriately. In my OP these kids were just rude and disrespectful, You'll have that. I've entertained thousands of kids. Again I was surprised that the boy remembered the movie and the scence and the impact it had on him regarding magic. That's all. I appreciate all the comments.
Guilt will betray you before technique betrays you!
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D. Yoder Veteran user 377 Posts |
And I appreciate how you politely keep returning to the point of your post rather than getting offended at put-downs (intentional or not) in our responses.
Several times I have had someone ask me if I just used slight of hand. I have often wondered where they got the term and just what they thought it means. |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Table hoppers & party strollers » » Night at the Museum and a 12 year old. (2 Likes) |
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