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Lithix Regular user Tempe, AZ 168 Posts |
Does anyone know of any websites that discuss the PRESENTATION side of magic? I'm having trouble coming up with my own style and performing miracles instead of just floundering and doing tricks.
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stevehw Veteran user Collinsville, Mississippi 303 Posts |
I don't know from experience, but I have seen lots of posts endorsing a book by Darwin Ortiz, called "Strong Magic".
Maybe some others who have it will comment on it, or any other good books that cover this other side of magic. Steve |
Dark Elite user 406 Posts |
Hmm, I never realized Darwin Ortiz was a "magician". I always thought he was more of a gambling cheat expert...
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eric2104 New user saint-martin (French West Indies) 87 Posts |
Well, D. Ortiz is a magician, and his book "Strong Magic" is absolutely wonderful. I would rate it as a must-read for every performer, especially a close-up performer.
The book is subtitled: "Creative Showmanship for the Close-Up Magician", and it covers exactly that. The book teaches you how to manipulate your audience in order to make your magic memorable. It's full of examples, covering all the regular themes of close-up magic (and not only card magic), and will give you sound advice on topics such as: *How to develop a personal style, *How to handle difficult spectators *How to react to the unexpected *How to use time in performance, and so on... Whatever your technical skill level, your presentational skills can only improve greatly by reading and understanding this great book. Beside Ortiz's book, another interesting source would be the traditional "Magic and Showmanship", by Henning Nelms. This one is older than Ortiz, and a little more difficult to find. If you do close-up mainly, go for Ortiz. Hope that helps. Eric. :kewl:
"All magic is mental"
Tony Shiels. |
dekerivers New user 13 Posts |
You can find "Magic and Shomanship" by Henning Nelms at any Borders bookstore. If they don't have it in stock they can order it. This is a Dover Publication book. Being that it's an older book some of the tricks are pretty outdated ,but they are only examples to point out the various areas of performance and psychology in magic. It's definately worth the read. The book is about 12 bucks.
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Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
Lithix,
You might want to try the e-zine Visions (www.online-visions.com); there are several people writing in it that touch on forming presentational styles. And it's free! |
Gerald Veteran user Arkansas 325 Posts |
Lithix,
You are certainly on the right track and asking the right questions! I agree that the Ortiz and Nelms books are excellent. You might add the Fitzkee “Showmanship for Magicians.” Study these texts, keeping in mind that it is best to use magic as a vehicle to project your unique personality. Unless you are a skilled actor, develop a “performance caricature” of your own personality. You’ll be fine! No one has all the answers. But keep asking the right questions. There are people who know some of the right answers! Best wishes with your adventures! Gerald |
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