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obsidian52 Veteran user United States 372 Posts |
I know that there have been many many threads on the issues of whether a "real" magician uses gaffs, I know this isn't the final word on this issue but let me put in my 2 cents (one of them being a shell.
David Copperfield performed Misled on one of his specials, does that make him NOT a magician by using a gaff? Bill Malone uses an Invisible Deck, does that make him NOT a magician. Technically many (if not all) stage illusions are gaffs or gimmicked, does that make all those magicians using those NOT magicians. Sure, sleights are fun, sure sleights are important, but isn't it ALL about presentation and making magic for the spectators fun. I have found that 99.9% of all laymen have never heard of (and in their wildest imagination) have not heard of a shell, a 2 sided coin (or a double backer or any other "card gimmick" as well) So, the final question, and in the final analysis, isn't it all about the spectator and not about us, isn't it about making our performance fun and enjoyable (no matter how we get there (c'mon, some of us still amaze people with toothpick in napkin, and coin (salt shaker) thru table. And yes, even using gaffs, I have heard people murmur, he's doing sleight of hand (as I stand, or sit there smiling) |
Dan Bernier Inner circle Canada 2298 Posts |
Who have you been talking too?(lol) Gaffs, gadgets, props, etc have been around as long as magic has. No one who truly performs magic could honestly say that a real magician doesn't use gaffs.
Actually, wait a minute...a real magician would perform real magic, so there would be no need for gaffs.
"If you're going to walk in the rain, don't complain about getting wet!"
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Dougini Inner circle The Beautiful State Of Maine 7130 Posts |
Sometimes a gaff can create an opportunity to perform. Slip a DB into a deck that's been playing Poker, or some other game, and the astonishment...the cuss words start, people saying, "no way", etc.
It's great to know and use only sleights, but when a gaff is thrown in unawares...hoo boy, now you're a miracle worker! LOL! Doug |
MickeyPainless Inner circle California 6065 Posts |
I think most serious students will usually go through a "purist" phase and I think that can be good in that you become more proficient at sleight of hand! After some time this phase usually passes, you have honed your chops and now you add a bit of gaffus and the "real" magic begins!
The Professor sure made use of and had a lot of fun with a DB! I think I remember him saying on Revelations that he almost always had a DB for every popular card brand stashed on him somewhere! Do whatcha gotta do to get er done! MMc |
abrell Loyal user Remscheid, Germany 284 Posts |
You can be recognized as a purist although using gaffs! In the past I organized some playing cards from the brewery that equipped a pub nearby. So I had my 3 way force deck, a Svengali deck and some stacked decks when everybody suppose me to use the standard deck from the bar...
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Daz Buckley Elite user Australia 469 Posts |
IMHO it is all about the effect. The method is irrelevant.If magicians don't think I am a magician because I do the invisible deck, who cares? I am not trying to impress magicians,I am trying to impress laymen and they think the invisible deck(just an example)is unbelievable.I practice sleights as well but some effects are just better done with gaffs as I can then spend my time on presentation,which is what the spectator sees,not the gimmick.It also means I can do effects with slleights that litttle bit better as,for example I classic palm four coins and release them one at a time underneath the four aces I have produced with ease by using gaffs.Quite frankly, the spectators don't know about the gaffs or the sleights ,nor do they know to look for either.
Moral.........Don't perform to keep magicians happy,perform to keep the public entertained |
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