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El_Lamo Special user Canada 589 Posts |
Hi I started learning a few effects a few years (12) ago. Then I started putting a few of them together. This past year, I started going to some magic shops (Browser's Den) is great. And I became a bit more serious about doing it as a hobby.
Usually, I just entertain friends and kids at my wife's daycare. I have really been enjoying it. There was a huge concert in Toronto with the Rolling Stones. Over 400,000 people were there. I went with friends. To pass the time, I took a deck of cards. I strolled around and had great fun. I kept to three or four short pieces, but everyone I approached was interested (except for one lady). I always looked around at the different groups and sized them up. I looked for people having fun or sitting & people watching. I would go up, show them my cards and say, "Hi, Can I entertain you for a few minutes? Don't worry, I won't take off any clothes." I would wait for them to say Yes and then I would thank them. I tried to choose stuff that involved more than one person. After doing two or three, I would thank them and head on to others. The results were great. Once or twice, I flopped. But I was able to recover well, usually by complimenting them on their keen eyesight or I wondered if they had psychic abilities, etc. Teenagers were great. At one grouping, a couple of teen guys started to joke at my expense, and I just smiled and carried on, but I made a point of changing my patter a little. Usually in the patter, I would talk about how neat it was to practice with others and chitchat about the concert. This time, I made a point of saying that you meet all kinds of interesting people, but that sometimes you had to be careful who you approached, because sometimes teenage guys got nervous and wanted to look good in front of their girlfriends. That's why I looked for people having fun like them. I smiled and finished the piece. I did one more for them as I was leaving, the fellow made a point of thanking me and shaking my hand. All in all, it was great fun and great practice. When I approached one group, the guys there said "Hey... You're that magic guy... come here." Apparently people in the audience were telling others about enjoying my short bit with them. Keep up the great work. Everyone's comments here are great. This is a fabulous resource!
Life is a system of circumstance presented coincidently in an illusory way.
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invalidity Regular user 170 Posts |
Thanks for sharing your story, el_lamo. I like your opening line.... sure beats 'Would you like to see something?'
I must say that your story has given me the motivation to go out and just.... do it, basically. |
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Reis O'Brien Inner circle Seattle, WA 2467 Posts |
Thanks to all for their insightful posts!
On the topic of generalization, I admit that it is definitely dangerous business to immediately put people into a catagory. But I wasn't implying that. I was just thinking that some mild generalization could help one predict what they might be up against or how they may need to alter their patter or whatnot. Agreed, not all teens are bad. 80% of they groups I worked with that night were teens, who were great audiences. I was just pointing out a couple of bad apples, and my tendancy to dwell on that. I am slowly learning to keep control of the situations, but I'm sure that no matter how many precautions you take, you will inevitably find yourself in the swamp. I guess the lesson is to roll with the punches. Already, I'm beginning to get a reputation in my area as "the magic guy". Two nights ago I found myself in an impromtu performace for a rather large group of college kids at my local Barnes & Noble. Even some of the staff were watching. And it is true that as one gets better at his/her craft, the audience senses this and begins to observe the performance with a degree of respect. And in many ways that's the beauty of magic. Two paradigms, performer and audience, showing mutual respect for eachother in the search for trancendant entertainment. My original first night was now almost a month ago, and already I am seeing past the fumbles and worries of the novice that I am. Despite the occasional heckler, I still find myself quite thankful that I've stumbled on to this craft and with every day that passes, the hecklers get smaller and my love for the art gets stronger. I guess that when it comes to being a magician, all the skill in the world would be of little use unless it is directly balanced by your confidence with that skill. And my confidence grows daily. So... back to original concept of this post. Success or disaster? After hearing from you all with such greatly appreciated votes of confidence and with a little time to have thought through my meager experiences, I'm calling it a success. Thanks again everyone. |
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paraguppie Elite user Forsyth Montana! 411 Posts |
Great thread!
I have been working in restaurants for a couple of years now. I am surprised that I don't get hecklers more often. I hardly ever do anymore, not sure why, because I screw things up just like everyone else does once in a while. I find when I do get a heckle, I make it into a challenge. "Okay, tough crowd, time for some tough magic". I then break out my big guns. For me this routine is a business card trick by Michael Close with a pothole that moves around the card. I have never had anyone be able to really figure it out and it leaves them with jaws dropped. I usually make this my last trick for that table and find a happier place to be. Even if they don't think it's a great trick (which most everyone I perform for does) I leave knowing that I burned him. I also make sure not to be a jerk, no matter how bad I want to be. Nobody comes to a resturant to get insulted. I have a ton of snappy comebacks and a very sharp tounge, but I don't use them. Hope this helps. Keith
Check me out at www.magickeith.com
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Caruthias New user Ottawa, Ontario 67 Posts |
I think it has a lot to do with how they view you. When I first started magic in high school, everyone was grabbing at cards, and trying to figure stuff out. Now when I whip out a deck of cards, it's rare for someone to try and figure it out or even get snottie. But when they do, other people watching just tell them to shut up because they want to see some magic.
I guess what I'm saying is they didn't see you as a professional (not your fault) and so they(he) wasn't looking to be entertained, he was looking to entertain. He's a jealous jerkoff. You get those sometimes. Sometimes you try and deal with them, and sometimes you're not in the mood. In that situation, I would have said, "clearly," and walked off. Although I deal with some tough cookies, (because sometimes they just haven't been taught proper manners, and are really trying to enjoy the magic) I've stopped trying to put up with total bs like that. Although the others may have giggled, they were probably enjoying the magic, and would have got mad at *him* if he caused you to stop you show. Don't get down, 15-2 is darn good for a first performance with strangers. When I first performed to strangers, I wasn't as prepared as you seem to be. I luckily didn't meet any total jerks like you did, but if I had, my confidence would have been shattered. You're handling this better than I would have. |
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ed rhodes Inner circle Rhode Island 2885 Posts |
Quote:
On 2003-08-05 11:32, Firedice27 wrote: I would call anyway just to find out what he wanted. If he offers you something, say "Thanks, but I don't think I'm quite ready to do this stuff on demand."
"...and if you're too afraid of goin' astray, you won't go anywhere." - Granny Weatherwax
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Reis O'Brien Inner circle Seattle, WA 2467 Posts |
Wow! I can't believe that first performance of mine was only two months ago! I feel like I've learned so much since then. I've done a few performances (fairs and whatnot, and one quick routine at a SAM meeting, now THAT made me nervous!) and I really feel as though I've grown a little.
You guys were right. The hecklers aren't as common as I thought. I've only had one other jerk and he shut up after I did the Web on him and he screamed like a little girl in front of his friends. Don't know if I handled that right, but at least he walked away laughing right along. But everyday, my confidence grows and in time, I'm sure the specs will see this. Thanks again to all you for your votes of confidence! This Forum has been an overwhelming source for me. |
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ed rhodes Inner circle Rhode Island 2885 Posts |
Quote:
On 2003-10-19 22:39, Firedice27 wrote: My God, you actually found a legitimate use for that trick. (I've always HATED the idea of scaring a spectator for no good reason.) Hey! where's the Coke smiley?
"...and if you're too afraid of goin' astray, you won't go anywhere." - Granny Weatherwax
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Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
You should have called.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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Mark Rough Inner circle Ivy, Virginia 2110 Posts |
You know, and I'm being serious here, I don't know whether doing the Web to that guy was the right thing or not but isn't it satisfying to make a jerk scream like a little girl.
Mark
What would Wavy do?
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Reis O'Brien Inner circle Seattle, WA 2467 Posts |
Well, if the Web isn't ideal for hecklers what is? Calling him names? At least I kept it magical and like I said, he walked away laughing along with his friends. Mission accomplished.
And yes, sometimes I think I should have called. But I stand by my decision... maybe next year. |
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Jason Fleming Veteran user Marooned, Hawaii 374 Posts |
I, for one, am glad you did The Web.
I'm smiling right now, just picturing it. |
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