Hi everyone,
Close up magic is a fascinating thing and interests me a lot more than all the other types of magic. I have to try an decide what is the best type of magic for me to go into. Stage magic, Kids magic. It is all very interesting but close up always wins hands down for me. What is your favourite type of magic and favourite trick within this type

Close-up for sure. Favorite trick...hummm there are too many favorites...

Even though I'm a mentalist I love Close-Up Magic. And I happen to like cards, there are many amazing effects out there! In fact my two latest booklets deal with card effects.

:firedevil:

I have loved close up since sitting as a young preadolescent boy watching Magic Ranch on Saturdays. What I tend to make the most money at, however is what was once called platform. Schools, birthday parties, block parties, etc.

I also have a high respect for illusions and those who perform them. Assuming they perform them well.

Mentalism, I am warming up to, but only slightly above room temperature for the time being. Give me time.

Close up magic is probably my favorite. Its more affordable than stage props and it packs just as much of a bang. Impromptu's are the best.

I love close up, its the whole in your face thing that gets me interested. Well my favorite trick? Well most people keep telling me to do ambitious. But my fav has to be the Micro 5 vanishes/changes. Cept I messed up my TV for 6 hrs and killed a credit card.

Impromptu magic is great and the best thing about Close-up is the fact that it happens right under their noses.

Socrates

My favourite is close-up, for one main reason. For many spectators, even for those who previously thought they knew how an effect was performed, tell everyone, "No way! I was right there! There's no WAY he used one of those fake thumbs (or trick cards, or weird coins, or whatever). When it's right in front of their eyes, they think (ha ha) that they can see everything, and that nothing can slip by them.

If performing "impromptu" and close-up then Crazy Man's handcuffs takes some beating. I guess its because the bands are just normal every day objects that people find the effect so amazing

I am in love with all types of Magic, however the type that seems to love me back is Close-up. Even though I would like to break out into Kids and Stage someday. I don't think I will ever stop performing and loving close-up.

-Amelia

For me close up is what Al Schnieder calls virtual magic, you know magic is divided into roughly three catagories there's stage magic where you act to suspend disbelieve, the kids magic where you have comedy magic and close up which comes close to real magic.

Close-Up hands down is my preferred type of magic. I love it becuase spectators are can touch, feel, and become more engaged in the what is happening. That makes the Magic all the more real and moving for them.

O'keito

I am surprsed at the number of responses similar to being "in your face" and "no chance to think it's not magic".

For me it is the intimacy of close-up that has the appeal. Getting close to your audience and inviting them in. Magic isn't just a spectator sport but to be experienced.

To me this is the essence of doing close-up. Otherwise you're just another clever person showing off. (That statement is more harsh than I want it to be but I can't come up with a more precise way to state it).

I agree Frankft, you're not being harsh at all. What you said is what I was trying to get at, but you put it into better words, and I couldn't find the words. The intimacy is what has me hooked.

O'keito

Close-up lets the spectators become a part or your magic. I just love seeing the reaction of the spectators. It's the best part. The ambitious card is my favorite close-up effect.

:bluebikes:

Very well said Frank!

Close up is my favorite; especially when you can have something "happen" in a spectators hand, i.e. Scotch & Soda

Chris S.

Closeup and close up mentalism. It involves the spectators, who become PARTICIPANTS in the experience and pushes their "Gosh-Wow!" buttons to the max.

Favorites? A properly done equivoque can kill, sponges in the spectator's hand is usually something they will remember even in the nursing home. Anything where the magic happens to THEM and cements it in their minds.

Lee Darrow, C.Ht.

I like close-up for all the reasons stated above, but for me it's just the most magical.

Close-up is all I do (for the most part) ... magic is a pure hobby for me ... no cash on the side or formal presentations ... my rush is being able to work some magic into normal everyday life ... and pull it off without getting caught! Doing magic for friends and family can be a challenge in itself.