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Sean Fields V.I.P. Winnipeg 894 Posts |
Hey guys,
I thought I would start posting some of my random thoughts on magic. Hopefully this will spark some interesting discussion amongst ourselves. So lets start with a fun one. Be Magic. I know that sounds a bit esoteric, a bit zen, but bear with me. If you walk around calling yourself a magician, be prepared to have your bluff called. And if you can't answer the call of duty... I know many of us carry our decks of cards and feel secure that we can bang off a few solid card tricks if called to task. Now as natural as they feel to us, they are still a prop in the eyes of the audience, and what is a magician without his props? I know it sounds harsh, but that is the reality of the situation. Magician: Hey, I am a magician! Spectator: Cool, can you show me a trick? Magician: Sure! <Does a million card tricks> Spectator: Cool. Is that all you do, you know, card tricks? Or do you do real magic? Sucks, I know. But follow me down a different path. What if rather than your deck of cards, you took solice in another gimmick, lets say, a thumb tip? Now by simply changing the prop, you are prepared to do just as many effects, but in a spectators eyes, PROPLESS. You have NOTHING. They are not aware the thumb tip even exists, so you have the ability to frame a simple effect, like a vanish of a cigarette, and make it have a much stronger impact on the spectator. Magician: I am a magician you know! Spectator: Cool, can you show me a trick? Magician: Golly, I don't have anything on me; I wasn't ready to perform... Spectator: That's cool, you don't have your props... Magician: Well, I can try this one thing; lemme see your smoke. Cool, now hold out your shirt... <cigarette vanishes in the specs shirt>. Spectator: !!! <Scream, cry, shout profanity, the results vary everytime.> Same situation, same amount of preparation, far stronger impact on the spectator. Why? Because to them, you were sans props. There was nothing but you, the spectator, and some very direct, situational magic. There were no props to attribute the magic to. There was only YOU. YOU were magic. Not the props. YOU. Be. Magic. |
Y2John Inner circle 1498 Posts |
Excellent post which I enjoyed a lot.
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MarekSokal New user Jasper, AB (Winnipeg, MB [hometown]) 18 Posts |
You know you can do a million different things with a thumb tip. Sean is right though, we should all take a step back and see it from the spectators perspective. What do you think they will remember more? "Some dude did this thing with these cards it was so crazy!" Or "dude I was smoking outside at the club, and some dude took my smoke and burned it into my shirt, it was smoking and everything! THEN I LOOK AND THERE WAS NO HOLE!!!! I seriously have to lay off the ..." You get the picture. That's not to say don't do card magic, but magic comes in many forms. Sean your a modern day madman/genius.
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fooksau Loyal user 299 Posts |
I really like the idea of using hidden props while making it look like you're completely unprepared. Thumb tip is a great example. So, seeing that these sort of (seemingly) impromptu miracles will usually garner a better reaction, why even bother with cards at all unless requested? If you could show them "the best card trick they've ever seen in their life," (and I have no doubt in my mind that you can) which would you rather fall back on given the original question: Cool, can you show me a trick?
How many Magicians does it take to advertise a trick? Three.. One to steal the trick. One to steal HIS trick. And one to write a good review.
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Sean Fields V.I.P. Winnipeg 894 Posts |
Given the original question, 'Cool, can you show me a card trick?'
The answer is yes, and I would proceed to perform something incredibly strong... |
Review King Eternal Order 14446 Posts |
Great thoughts Sean.
David Acer addressed this when he created his incredible effect "Spare Change". Everyone can read about the effect here: http://www.theastonishmentproject.com/sh......_id=6413
"Of all words of tongue and pen,
the saddest are, "It might have been" ..........John Greenleaf Whittier |
Sean Fields V.I.P. Winnipeg 894 Posts |
Spare Change; a classic effect, at least up here in Canada! That was definitely an influential effect on me growing up. I agree with Christopher, Spare Change IS an incredible effect!
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michaangelo Regular user 184 Posts |
Agreed 100% Sean. I have also went to a party with an ITR or a Spider Pen and blown peoples minds. It is also a lot of fun to stump people who have seen your card effects!
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Jaz Inner circle NJ, U.S. 6111 Posts |
This is funny.
I don't know you Sean, read a little about you, and I was going to ask you if impromptu type magic was your primary interest. Now I see that this may be true. For me, and as a hobbyist, spur of the moment magic, whether true or apparent, has always been my main interest. Even in my more formal I kept the props as common as possible. If you have a few moments I'd appreciate it if you take a look at my IMP site (link in my signature) and give me some feed back. It's good to read your views on the magic you do. Best to ya, Jaz |
atucci Veteran user Middleburg, Florida 381 Posts |
Sean - thanks for the post. It got me brainstorming on what I could do when put on the spot.
A year or two ago, Eugene Burger was the Guest of Honor and wrote how he could 'do 30 minutes' with what he carried in his wallet. Of course I think Eugene could be engaging and entertaining with just conversation. But you're spot on with your comments and the reminder that when performing we need to think about the audience's perspective. Jaz - a great reference site and one I've added to my favorites. Thanks.
Tony Tuccillo
Middleburg, Florida |
Sean Fields V.I.P. Winnipeg 894 Posts |
Great reference site Jaz!
The apparently impromptu section is a great collection of SOLID effects. |
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