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mysto59 Loyal user Bethalto, Illinois 264 Posts |
I've been performing magic in one form or another for about 30 years now. I don't perform professionally, I'm just a guy who has always enjoyed doing a "trick or two" once in awhile. Well, here recently that seems to be changing.
About a year ago I started getting into magic on a fairly regular basis. Mostly for friends when we are sitting around the grill, or at family gatherings and occasionally I'll do a few tricks for the guys at work. Nothing really too "serious", just a trick or two here and there for fun. Well, as time went on I guess I started to gain a "reputation" for doing magic because now almost everywhere I go someone always seems to ask me to do a trick for them. One trick leads to another and before you know it I end up doing a 5 or 10 minute routine. I'll give an example... My parents invited my wife and I to a birthday party for the lady that delivers their mail. The ladies boyfriend somehow knew I did magic and asked if I could do a special trick just for his girlfriends birthday and I agreed. I figured what the heck, I'll a quick trick for her and that will be that. I had my sponge balls with me so I decided to do something with those. Well, when the time came to do the trick her boyfriend yelled out to everyone that I was going to do a magic show for his girlfriend! There were about 30 or 40 people at this party and every one of them surrounded the table I was sitting at. I've never performed in front of more than 2 or 3 people in my life but here I was surrounded by a whole crowd of folks. I was very nervous to say the least. The lady sat in the chair next to me and everyone else crowded around the table to watch. I started a corny dialog with the sponge balls, saying that they were "very close" and they didn't like to be separated, etc., etc. etc. I then did the "this one goes in my hand and the other one goes in yours" bit. I told the lady that I was going to "check up" on the ball in my hand. I opened my hand and it was gone. I acted puzzled and was looking around for the "lost ball". I asked her if she still had hers and when she opened her hand and two balls fell out she let out a scream that you could have heard for a mile away. Everyone around me was freaking out too. I have never seen a reaction like this from a simple sponge ball routine. It was amazing. Well, after that I had the whole place patting me on the back and wanting to see more. I sat there for at least 15 minutes doing just about every trick I had on me and every one went over great. The whole place loved it. I now know the importance of having a well planned routine. I have never been that nervous doing magic for people but I came through it with flying colors. It was a very satisfying experience for me knowing that all those people enjoyed what I had showed them. I guess word travels fast because ever since then almost everywhere I go someone wants to see a "trick". I can't help but to wonder how the "word" got out so fast and so quick but it sure did. Oh, one last thing, after the little birthday "show" my parents told me that they were so proud of me for what I did and that they enjoyed the "show" just as much as everyone else. My mom and dad has watched me play around my whole life doing tricks but had never really seen me perform in front of anyone until then. I guess I have my first impromptu "show" under my belt now. It was very nerve racking but I did it. I can't leave home without having a few "tricks" on me because almost every where I go someone has heard of the "show" did and wants to see a trick. It's a really neat feeling. Sorry for the "long winded" story but I wanted to share it with everyone...
It's not the size of the wand that matters, it's the "magic" in it...
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Jaz Inner circle NJ, U.S. 6111 Posts |
Very cool mysto.
I've also had this happen to me at a picnic a while ago. I had with me a rising card gimmick, a couple of elastic bands and some pocket change. I was a bit shaken by the request, I asked for a deck of cards, which had Budweiser backs, and went on. Looking thru the deck for jokers I managed to cull the four aces, false shuffled and produced the Aces ala Paul Harris. Skinner's 'Sentimental Aces' followed. After some conversation I did a coins thru the table. This allowed me to pocket a card when getting the change and I followed with Carlysle's 'Homing Card' and then McBride's 'Kundalini Rising'. Some of the people there also did some card tricks which were actually quite good. The kids wanted something too. Elastic band magic did the trick as did some jazzing with stuff they brought me to do magic with. It was a good day! |
The Old Man Regular user 137 Posts |
Mysto59's experience is kinding of where I think I'm going to wind up. I'm a 55 year old hobbyist who is trying to do a little more than just a quick trick for someone. I'd love to know what other things you did at the party.
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mysto59 Loyal user Bethalto, Illinois 264 Posts |
Jaz, after my "performance" I too had children coming up to me wanting to see more. Actually they were more interested in the sponge balls then anything else. I had been practicing my sponge balls for about 3 weeks so I did have a few extra "tricks" to show them. They all loved it.
The Old Man, I'm 49, just celebrated my birthday last saturday. I had some "tricks" on me that I was going to show my parents in private later that evening. I never intended to do a real "show" for everyone. I just sort of "winged it". I did the bite out quarter, floating dollar, hot rod, silk vanish with a TT, Pen thru bill and extreme burn. Since I wasn't expecting to do a "real" show I really didn't have any "order" to the tricks but they still went over well. The one thing that did seem to work in my favor was I did a LOT of joking around with the crowd (it helped calm me down) and I also acted just as amazed as they did when I actually did a trick. Of course they ALL were asking me how I did the tricks and I responded with things like "wow, I didn't know that would happen" or " I think that mirror on the wall bounced the lite off of your shoulder and onto the dollar" etc. etc. etc. Silly stuff like that. As silly as it sounds it worked like a charm and everyone seemed to be entertained. I've always been some what of a "jokster" so using the comedy approach worked quite well for me. It fit my personality perfectly. I am now working on an actual routine to show people just in case this happens to me again. I'll be better prepared next time. I had better be, I've already had people tell me they expect me to show them some more magic the next time I see them.
It's not the size of the wand that matters, it's the "magic" in it...
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Jaz Inner circle NJ, U.S. 6111 Posts |
Thanks mysto.
In impromptu situations where I'm invited as a guest I don't usually bring anything like cards or sponges. If I do bring anything it will be common looking gaffs or be unseen. I don't even bring half dollars. The time I mentioned above I had anticipated someone asking for some magic. What I did for the kids was more about gags than magic. One thing I do is to pretend to remove my eyeball, put it in my mouth, wash it and replace it. Another is to pretend to follow a flying bug. I clap my hands as if killing the bug then pretend to pick it off my hand and eat it. One kid brought me a small ball. I pretended to push the ball thru the top of my head and have it come out of my mouth. What I did was, as My hand passed my mouth I popped the ball in and continued to the top of my head for the push thru. "Do it again, do it again!" I felt like the Pied Piper. I also changed a penny that I placed in thier hand into a dime. This all happened while sitting on a couch with the kids all around me. Great fun! I used to bring those little glass balls they put in aquariums.I would transform, produce them from odd places or use them for 'Two in the hand one in the pocket'. They were used as givaways. |
KillerQ New user 20 Posts |
Haha...
Story of my life. I would always show a few people something - then the crowd grows. Sometimes I wanted to say "Ok, only a few at a time!" Thanks, Matt! |
KillerQ New user 20 Posts |
Mysto,
Getting a routine down is a good idea. However, you may find it more 'applicable' to nail down some different types of patter for the tricks you like to perform - that way you can link together whichever tricks you want at whatever time, and it will be a bit more 'universal' that way. Does that make sense? For example, I have different patter for different rubber band tricks depending on where I am - house, office, street, etc... Thanks, Matt! |
MagicbyCarlo Inner circle has squandered his time making 1062 Posts |
Since making the shift from magic to mentalism I find myself always prepared to do things that are not only amazing for people but also that they have a strong emotional connection to. Recently I was at the pool and someone had heard a story about a book test that I had done for a friend. They handed me their paperback and asked if I could do it with their book. So I had them pick a page, read a word on the page that they could make an emotional connection to. I did a brief reading and revealed the word. Everyone was slacked jawed. Those are great momments and I don't have to carry a thing with me any more. Even without a pen, paper, book or anything, a quick reading will solicit more awe than many of the knuckle busters I used to do. Usually one effect goes a long way. Since I do this stuff for work, I rarely feel the need to do more in social situations.
Carlo DeBlasio
<BR>Entertainment specialist <BR>and all around fun guy! |
mysto59 Loyal user Bethalto, Illinois 264 Posts |
Matt, I know exactly what you mean! I don't really have a "set" patter for the tricks I do, but I do have a "general" idea of what I'm going to say for each trick. I just sort of "wing it" depending on the situation and who's around.
I do tend to use quite a bit of humor in my patter which seems to work really well for me. I'm doing what you suggested and altering my patter for each trick a bit so I can lead into another trick more smoothly depending on the situation I'm in. I can do each trick pretty good by themselves, now I'm learning to "tie it all together" so to speak just in case I have to do more than one trick. So far I'm doing pretty good.
It's not the size of the wand that matters, it's the "magic" in it...
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Phil J. Elite user 467 Posts |
Same here. I would say 50% of my routine is adlib and 50% rehearsed. I try to capitalise on any funny comments or situations that may arise. If there are none forthcoming I have enough material to carry me through.
You were born original... Don't die a copy
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KillerQ New user 20 Posts |
Mysto...
Glad to see I could help! Keep it up, Matt! |
Glen Regular user 121 Posts |
A great performance is like a drug. Once experienced you want it over and over again. I never leave home without stuff in my pockets and other stuff in the car just in case. When my wife makes a comment I just say " You never know when you'll have an opportunity to make someone smile"
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mysto59 Loyal user Bethalto, Illinois 264 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-10-06 14:47, Glen wrote: Anytime my wife and I go somewhere SHE is the one insisting I bring along a few tricks "just in case". She enjoys watching peoples reactions as much as I do.
It's not the size of the wand that matters, it's the "magic" in it...
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