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vpatanio Special user 515 Posts |
Does anyone else feel like they're never prepared enough? I mean, I know plenty of effects and I carry items with me (Sponge balls...I have 2, 3 and 4 ball routines, but I carry just 2; TT; PK Ring; and 2 coins; often I carry a pack of cards), but I still feel like if someone asks me to perform something, I panic a little. I often feel weird to whip out the sponge balls because I worry people will say, "Do you always carry those?" And many of my friends and coworkers recognize my wedding band, so I worry they will notice my PK ring if I switch them. I usually perform a card effect and, once in a while, I will vanish something for them; not very exciting. Unless, that is just my view and they really are enjoying themselves. I don't want to ramble on about this, you kinda get the idea.
Any thoughts or advice? -Vinny |
rorythegreat Veteran user Seattle, WA 393 Posts |
I used to have this happen to me all the time. I would be asked to do something, and my mind would blank and I couldn't think of what to do. I started writing all my effects/routines down and referring to them often. That way, it will always be fresh in my mind.
Rory
My card collection
http://www.freewebs.com/rorythegreat/ |
vpatanio Special user 515 Posts |
After my initial post, I put a little more thought into this and realized what I really mean is that I feel unprepared with impromptu material. I guess I just have to learn a few killer impromptu effects with all borrowed props to satisfy myself.
Overall, I realize that this is a normal feeling and will pass with time, practice and experience, but I just wanted to know I wasn't the only one out there with this on my mind. -Vinny |
Father Photius Grammar Host El Paso, TX (Formerly Amarillo) 17161 Posts |
I think it is quite common. I generally carry a few things with me, but I always worry about how over-exposed something might be getting, even though I have more than one routine with each item.
"Now here's the man with the 25 cent hands, that two bit magician..."
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Joker63 New user 48 Posts |
I don't have a PK ring yet and tend to think, if I did get one, I would wear it as a habit to get people used to it - if I intended to use it for impromptu stuff with people I know. It probably wouldn't matter if only using for paid gigs with strangers.
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Eoas New user Australia 40 Posts |
In regards to PK rings, are they worth getting for Aussies? Different coins here. Not PK friendly, if you gather me.
On "off-stage fright" - a little bit is good, helps with the adrenaline and actually makes you perform better. So FEELING underprepared can be a good thing, as long as you are ACTUALLY not underprepared. |
Jaz Inner circle NJ, U.S. 6111 Posts |
Hi Vinny,
Learning impromptu magic is definitely the way to go when doing tricks casually. I suggest that you look around your place of employment and places that you frequent and make a note of possible things you might do magic with. My Impromptu Magic Pages (IMP) might give you some ideas. |
fastmagic New user Idaho 46 Posts |
Vinny,
My man, I feel you! I totally know where you are coming from because I have to deal with this on a daily basis... On a side note, since you already carry a TT, just keep it prepared for a bill switch. That is by far one of the most powerful impromptu effects that you can do. Just keep everything set up in your pocket and you're ready to go. Also, maybe keep a couple of rubber bands around your wrist. You can perform Crazy Man's Handcuffs anytime, anywhere, and some other REALLY cool effects like "Pinnacle" and other ring and rubber band effects. That way, you don't really seem like you're carrying anything around with you. As for panicking, that's just natural because you are put on the spot. What I like to do in that situation is, when someone asks me to do something, I try and put the impression that I'm not very good before I do anything for them... I say, "Ok, well, I'll show you something, but it's not really a trick. It's just something that looks amazing..." That throws them off a little. Also, I say, "This doesn't work every time, so bare with me..." Something like that sort of keeps them from grilling you while it sort of breaks the ice and makes you feel a little better. If you want more information about Crazy Man's Handcuffs or Pinnacle, PM me and we'll talk. _Beau |
vpatanio Special user 515 Posts |
Jaz,
Speaking of looking around my place of employment. I work at an animal hospital and as you could imagine, we have a library of medical references and texts. Last night I was asked to perform some magic, and I happened to have prepared myself with the key knowledge for Theodore Annemann's "Between the Lines" book test. I "randomly" selected a medical reference book and had my manager cut the deck until content. When she located the word, I used the whiteboard for the revelation by writing the letters for the word out of order. (The letters were placed in the appropriate spaces, but I didn't start with the left most letter. They at first thought I incorrectly guessed the word, but as the letters fell into place, they were impressed.) It went over great, but I think it was luck that I was asked to perform and was prepared with this effect. P.S. Thank you for the link, I just added it to my favorites. -Vinny |
Brad Burt Inner circle 2675 Posts |
For a truly magnificent education in top notch Impromptu material, I can highly recommend the three DVDs by Tom Mullica. Just terrific stuff and truly Impromptu. He has even organized the material into short three-trick routines. Just great, great material. Best,
Brad Burt
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vpatanio Special user 515 Posts |
Thanks, Brad.
I'll look into it. -Vinny |
Randwill Inner circle 1914 Posts |
Also, check the book "Lifesavers" by Michael Weber.
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Brad Burt Inner circle 2675 Posts |
Another thing that occurred to me later is this: Many magicians...myself included...will ofter do TOO much magic when asked! The fact is that if you can do say three really nice little routines with 1-2 backups you are going to be right about where you want to be! Leave them wanting more is sometimes a difficult proposition, because if they are really railing on you to continue you will in many cases not want to disappoint. But, that's exactly what you have to do. Do your set of 2-4 tricks and just stop. Take a bow, say thank you, thank you and make it clear that you are finished. Not because you necessarily want to do so, but because it's good theater to do so.
Most of us have had the experience of not seeming to be able to stop once we get going. If you are 'audience aware' to even a mild extent you will also ofter start to see the eyes of those watching glaze over, etc. It's nice to be the 'life of the party', but it generally works better to insert ourselves for a brief moment of time that can be talked about in a positive way for the rest of the time.... ;-) Take care,
Brad Burt
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vpatanio Special user 515 Posts |
Great advice Brad, I will definitely take that into consideration!
Thank you everyone! -Vinny |
The Amazing Noobini Inner circle Oslo, Norway 1658 Posts |
I think it's an interesting paradox that the more unusual stuff you just "happen" to have in your pocket, the higher you are placing the spectator's expectations. You are raising the wall you have to scale in order to impress them. Maybe this subconsciously elevates insecurity about being well enough prepared?
I have that feeling a little because I carry a deck of cards and nobody does that unless they have a devious reason for it. When I carried the cards in a special case, I noticed that the feeling I had of insecurity got a little worse. Coins are better then, but now I use foreign (US) coins so that seems suspicious to people here as well maybe. The animal hospital example shows the exact opposite situation. Nobody was made to have any high expectations as you started, hence any little thing that went right was incredible and impossible to them. If you had done three things like that and screwed up two, I'm sure they would have gone away remembering the one incredible item. I have had some thoughts on stashing things in rooms in advance in plain view. Or using things like a book I know is there for a book test. Have never actually done it tho, nor have I thought of anything specific and very brilliant. Short answer: we think and worry too much. We simply need more experience in different situations.
"Talk about melodrama... and being born in the wrong part of the world." (Raf Robert)
"You, my friend, have a lot to learn." (S. Youell) "Nonsensical Raving of a lunatic mind..." (Larry) |
Brad Burt Inner circle 2675 Posts |
Noobini makes a great point. Here's a possible way around it: Always do magic with borrowed stuff to start. After you have established your bona fides...you can pull something from you pocket that may seem odd, etc. Or, go to your car, etc. to bring back your "magic bag". By borrowing material for your intro you disable the possible dissonance that pulling cards, etc. from your own pockets might cause. Best,
Brad Burt
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