|
|
Jason Michaels New user Nashville, TN 18 Posts |
Smile!
That’s right, show me those pearly whites. Think about this for a minute. Do you smile enough when you perform magic? Well, do you? I’ve recently realized that a smile is one of the most powerful things in the world. A smile is infectious. Whenever I see someone else smile and laugh, it puts me in a better mindset. It makes me smile too. In fact, a smile (and many times laughter) is one of the most common reactions to a great magic trick. There is usually a brief moment of amazement that is immediately followed by a huge smile and laughter. And this is a natural reaction. It happens over and over again. The more you go out there and perform magic for others, the more smiles you see as a direct result to the magic you are sharing. So, if the natural reaction to a great magic trick is for your audience to smile and laugh, shouldn’t you and I be smiling too? One of the reasons I say that a smile is one of the most powerful things in the world is because I’ve seen the reactions to my smile when I perform. I love magic. I really do. I love to perform it for others and I am blessed to be able to do it. In fact, it’s that feeling of being blessed that makes me smile. And when I smile, it’s a very real smile. When I take the stage, my smile comes from deep within and I believe that it shines out there for everyone to see. It lets my audience know that I’m here to have fun with them. It lets them know that I am thrilled to be there with them. It lets them know that I am a friendly, happy person. And when I smile, my audience smiles back at me. I believe that a smile relaxes my audience. It puts them at ease. It sends the message that this experience is supposed to be enjoyable. The experience is supposed to make them smile and laugh too. And it’s okay to be a serious magical performer and smile. You can have more than one emotion in a magic show or in a set of magic. You can have something that is very serious and dramatic which is immediately followed by something that makes your audience smile and laugh. Why else would we be told to smile for a picture? Take a look at a picture of someone very serious, and then take a look at a picture of someone with a big smile. Which one makes you feel more at ease? Which person do you feel more trusting towards? Which one seems to be having more fun? It’s the smiling picture. Here’s a little exercise for you. The next time you walk into a busy room, walk in with a huge smile on your face. I think you’ll find that the people in the room will be way more receptive to you and to your magic if you have that smile. People aren’t as open to others when they seem to be very serious. Serious people have a certain intensity that isn’t warm and inviting. So, the next time you go out there and ‘wow’ someone with your magic, try a smile on for size and see how much better it goes. Until next time…Make An Impact!
www.cardsharktheshow.com
A live, interactive sleight of hand show. View my TEDx Nashville Talk "Hook, Line, & Sinker: The Anatomy of a Scam" http://youtu.be/Z6BXeIjnaYE |
ralphs007 Inner circle 1087 Posts |
Hi
Thanks!
"You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him".
James D. Miles |
Yellowcustard Inner circle New Zealand 1334 Posts |
I love this post. the smile is a powerful thing. A few thing I have noticed and have worked on. First up if you can notice a reaction is given when you do a effect like they smile at the end. If you copy them this will feel relaxed and they will react more. The second is lead the way cue the audience. when I do crazy man handcuffs my patter says I will demonstrate something. Just before I separate the bands I smile and say “this is a demonstration of solid through solid” as I separate the bands. And smile again. This is a real cue for them to smile and react.
our face expressions and body language is a powerful tool we need to think about it more. I feel bad adding to a great post but just wanted to drum it home more with some real life examples. Thank you. KEEP SMILING!
Enjoy your magic,
and let others enjoy it as well! |
Brad Burt Inner circle 2675 Posts |
It's a very interesting thing. When I had my actual brick and motar shop open I had dozens and dozens of magician's publicity photos on the walls. Mostly friends from 40 years in the biz, etc.
It never ceased to amaze me...really.....that the no matter how big the name, etc. that ones that appealed to me putting myself in the place of a possible "buyer" of talent if you will, were always the ones with a smile. Always. The dark, mysterious, brooding, serious look just didn't do it. My internal emotional reaction was to trust the 'smiler'. Not all prejudice is bad...... Best,
Brad Burt
|
punxtron12 New user 27 Posts |
I smile all the time, I also have a stonner/surfer type voice I can't get rid of(wish I could). I don't even smoke cannabis or surf.
Well I do notice people focus on you more when you smile and when your jolly. There are less judgmental thoughts about what your trying to show them and it seems they actually experience the effect more. A serious face and cocky attitudes,I think,have a hard time getting there spectators to focus on the magic. I'm still learning a lot about magic , but smiling and sharing a smile is a tool is something I never forget...or lose. |
djurmann Inner circle thinks time to practice and stop writing 1481 Posts |
;o) |
jakubr Veteran user 326 Posts |
Thanks for this post! I would agree - smile can make a big difference. And being able to use it naturally can change your performance a lot, and make your spectators enjoy the show even more, and change attitude from 'how does he do that' to just enjoying it.
Although, I think, it will also depend on the character. Sometimes smile might not be appropriate, it all depends, how do you want to affect your spectators through your performance. |
Leland Inner circle St Louis 1180 Posts |
So true, a smile can take you anywhere!
Life of Magic!
|
ThinkThurston New user 66 Posts |
Great post, thank you for writing. I agree that smiling is an asset to any performance, and to life in general. They are contagious!
|
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » New to magic? » » Do you smile enough? (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.03 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |