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Benji Bruce Special user 930 Posts |
I saw a post on here awhile ago about handing hecklers and I figured it is very rare for us to post video when we get "heckled" because it makes us look bad. However, everyone gets heckled.
I remember seeing a video of Eric Mead doing a 3 coin routine and he handed the coins out for examination. One guy said, "This is fake" Eric replied, "bite it" and the guy says, "I'm just kidding" and Eric says, "I'm not"...everyone laughs I thought Eric handled it VERY well So...I made a video on how I handle skeptics/hecklers during a performance (I definitely don't handle it like Eric) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ShI5GVXZwc |
Ray Pierce Inner circle Los Angeles, CA 2607 Posts |
For me, heckling and skepticism are two completely different situations which must be handled in a different fashion. If you do something which seems guilty to the audience they will be unduly skeptical whether or not they say anything out loud or not. When you're in a more formal setting societal constraints will eliminate voicing these concerns. In a casual setting, there is nothing to prevent them from saying what they really feel.
In this case, according to you, you went up to a gentleman and told him you were going to "guess how much money he has in his pocket" then you ask him if he had any cash on him. My honest feeling is that all of this could have been avoided by going back to some of the basic foundational rules found in "Our Magic" One states, "Unless good reason can be shown, never explain precisely what you're about to accomplish" This sets up a challenge in the person's mind and pits you against him. He simply called you on it on him and and was correct to do so. You might as well have said "I'm going to read your mind but first where were you born?" Their response understandably should be, "You tell me magic guy!" If you simply walked up to the man and asked him first if he had any cash on him, there would've been no skepticism or reason to debate your question. After he assured you he had some cash on him then you could have followed up with a question "Is there any way I could know how much cash you have without you telling me?" Which sets up the effect without telling them what you're going to do. Given the fact that you would already tipped the effect, yes you got out of it is best you could but it seems that by correctly following some basic rules of magic you could've avoided the situation altogether.
Ray Pierce
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edh Inner circle 4698 Posts |
Benji, you could just tell them to count all the cash that they have on them. This would eliminate the "you tell me you're the mentalist." You frame it as a statement rather than a question.
Ray's approach is good too.
Magic is a vanishing art.
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themagicguy Loyal user Australia 280 Posts |
You call that heckling!?
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Devious Inner circle 2120 Posts |
In your "Live Video Footage" you make the statement, that you will not get heckled in any corporate setting,
because, "They are paying you the big bucks". That was your strategy? Stay away from anything not related to corporate work and you won't get your feelings hurt? You were hardly in a corporate setting. You were performing table hopping mentalism. There is a difference. A further strategy you offer, is to ignore the participant if they don't tell you what you want to hear, and suggest one move on to a new volunteer. It's a cowardly act. Great lawyers always know what someone is going to answer as to their question. We aren't practicing law out there, but we should be better prepared, as to this. Would you really do that to someone, you just asked assistance from? Talk about alienating your volunteers. In closing, there was roughly 20 seconds of "Live Footage" and minutes, and minutes of talk, talk, talk. Magicians and Mentalists can sometimes talk too much, 9 out of 10 Doctors say so! |
HerbLarry Special user Poof! 731 Posts |
Learn how to manage yourself first?
Yeah that sounds good. Basically. Actually.
You know why don't act naive.
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Close.Up.Dave Inner circle Behind you! 2956 Posts |
Yeah no offense but that guy wasn't heckling you, he was pointing out the flaws in your script. Although you did prevent it from getting out of hand, it shouldn't have gone in that direction to begin with. That doesn't mean he wouldn't have acted that way anyway, but I think it shows that the script made him feel like you were creating a ****ing contest, and not the miracle you intended to share with him.
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Decomposed Eternal Order High Desert 12059 Posts |
Sometimes people will ask you to tell them the answer when you ask a question. This is of course when you are promoting yourself as a mentalist or mindreader or you are introduced as such.
I do not think it is always confrontational. "you tell me, you're the mindreader."
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Benji Bruce Special user 930 Posts |
Devious...
The footage you saw was a corporate strolling gig. I used to do a lot of table hopping but not anymore. TheMagicGuy... That is the most "heckling" I get when I perform. I've heard horror stories from other guys and have never used heckler stopping lines (although some are pretty funny). Some magicians like Harry Anderson can say unbelievable things to their audience and get away with it. I realized that my best bet is to ignore it which cancels the heckling out. I don't put myself into a situation where people can heckle me. |
Close.Up.Dave Inner circle Behind you! 2956 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-11-17 03:11, Benji Bruce wrote: Like I said, I believe your script did just that (or at least started to). The line, "I'm going to guess how much money you have in your pocket," suggests: I know something that you don't! Even the simplest line (and the way you say it) can alienate your audience. |
Ray Pierce Inner circle Los Angeles, CA 2607 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-11-17 03:11, Benji Bruce wrote: That only works in very limited markets. If alcohol is involved, ignoring them only sugests that they need to talk louder to make sure you hear them. It just doesn't work. They need validation, not ignoring. By saying that you "don't put myself into a situation where people can heckle me" simply means that you only work the easy gigs. Most comedy clubs, night clubs or even the Magic Castle have heavy alcohol sales which greatly loosen the inhibitions and thus increase the potential for heckling. I have never met a pro that has worked in most real world situations that reccomends ignoring hecklers. Of all the options that I've seen used, that might just be the least effective. But again, heckling is traditionally different from questioning a weakness in the effect or dialogue.
Ray Pierce
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Close.Up.Dave Inner circle Behind you! 2956 Posts |
Going on what Ray said, the other night I had a drunk and loud fellow at the table (I still don't consider him a heckler). He wanted attention; he was one of those types. I didn't ignore him, I made him feel special because that's what he wanted. I paid attention to him, fed his ego needs, and only then was I able to move on (this requires putting your own ego aside). Ignoring works for some people, and for others you have to pay attention to them to shut them up. Like I said in another thread, you can't give a one post answer to a problem that takes true experience for the individual to figure out.
Dave |
Decomposed Eternal Order High Desert 12059 Posts |
Tazers usually work but they are quickly turning into lawsuits in my neck of the woods.
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Benji Bruce Special user 930 Posts |
In the video I mentioned that the situation you put yourself in has a huge factor on whether or not you get heckled. If you perform in a comedy club, you will probably get heckled. At corporate shows, the boss is there, coworkers, etc...that is why it is extremely rare to get heckled.
I remember one magicians saying, "I don't do shows outside because I don't like to sweat." By not putting himself in the situation, it doesn't happen. |
Devious Inner circle 2120 Posts |
Sorry Benji, as many have stated, you weren't having a heckling issue, it was a scripting issue.
If this scenario has been your only kind of exposure, then you haven't had the full experience. I'm posting the below link. Your suggestions aren't practical for most. Please Heckle Me! |
Close.Up.Dave Inner circle Behind you! 2956 Posts |
Don't worry, he now has an ebook on restaurant magic. Problem solved.
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Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
My advice is to record a performance in an urban night club doing a stand up comedy magic act. A lot of heckling can break out in that atmosphere. Showing a video on how to control heckling in that manner is what I am really interested in.
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Decomposed Eternal Order High Desert 12059 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-11-17 18:33, Devious wrote: Boy that is some great info in that link, thanks. I think it boils down to experience in the long run. If someone has been in the business for years and years, it just is not even thought about much anymore. You react sort of with muscle memory. But one liners are always good to remember and restock.
ClICK HERE for HOW TO MAKE TRANSITION FROM MAGICIAN TO MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER WORLD NEW BOOK!
Click here for NEW PROMO TRAILER! 90 seconds of pure laughs without a standing ovation! Click here for Magicians Austin Mentalist Performance https://www.facebook.com/AustinMagicians https://www.speakermatch.com/profile/gianicano/ Magicians Company Entertainers in Dallas, TX https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8sHW_zVuSc https://about.me/motivationalpublicspeaker |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Yea that was not heckling. It is sort of showing a lack of experience on the part of our newest guru to think it is.
The problem is all in the script. Again inexperience is showing. Blame the audience "I was heckled", again signs of youth. Fun thing about being young is you grow out of it. I am SO glad my growth in magic is not documented on the internet forever.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
longhaired1 Veteran user Salida 316 Posts |
Are you guys just heckling?
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