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Dbzkid999 Elite user Canada 407 Posts |
Hey guys,
I was thinking, let's say someone asks "How did you do that?" and like after you give them false explanations. Some people sometimes "bully" for the secret and I needed to think of a false explanation to get out of the mess so I was thinking, what some good false secrets for some tricks? |
Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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Bong780 Regular user Toronto, Canada 172 Posts |
Why do you need to explain it anyways? Tell him you gonna kill him after he know a secret.
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RiffClown Inner circle Yorktown, Virginia (Previously Germany) 1579 Posts |
The best answer to "How did you do that?" is "Very well, thank you." If someone is challenging you for explanations, it's probably because your presentation or patter in some way challenged them and created a confrontational atmosphere. We are entertainers and not "con" men.
With the types of the advice you are asking for I think many (myself included) are concerned with your presentation and practice skills. A sampling of some of your topics include: Revealing False Explanations To People Who Ask For The Secret You messed up on a card trick now what do you do? Figuring Out When People Want to Examine A Gimmicked Item Numerous others have advised you to practice a bit and work on presentation. I have numerous "killer" effects that I have yet to perform because I don't feel comfortable enough with it to present it to an audience. PRACTICE P-R-A-C-T-I-C-E PRACTICE P-R-A-C-T-I-C-E PRACTICE P-R-A-C-T-I-C-E PRACTICE P-R-A-C-T-I-C-E PRACTICE P-R-A-C-T-I-C-E PRACTICE P-R-A-C-T-I-C-E and only then should you consider performing. You REALLY need to practice a trick and become familiar with the workings and the gimmicks BEFORE performing. I perform constantly for my wife and daughter. They know many of my "tells" and offer me very critical advice. My daughter will say, "It's in your other hand" in a heartbeat. Until I can show them a trick they already seen and then ask how it was done, that trick isn't ready. I'm really not trying to be critical, I just want you to realize that once a trick or gimmick is blown or wasted, then the money spent on it is also wasted. A very common saying among chefs is "Start with an onion." In that light I must respond, "Start with a deck of cards." Please take some time learning your art. Michelangelo did not begin with the statue of David until nearly a lifetime or preparation was behind him. I'm not trashing you. In fact, you remind me so much of myself at your age that I feel compelled to share my experiences with you. Please do not take this as criticism but as advice from someone that "HAS" been there. You asked in another forum what is the scariest trick to perform. In you hands I think they are all scary right now, not to your audience but to anyone that respects the art of magic and wishes the secrets of magic to remain secrets. You seem to have just the right amount of knowledge to be very dangerous. Please practice before going further.
Rob "Riff, the Magical Clown" Eubank aka RiffClown
<BR>http://www.riffclown.com <BR>Magic is not the method, but the presentation. |
r4bid Veteran user 386 Posts |
^^ Some of the best advice you can ever get in the field of magic.
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Alan Wheeler Inner circle Posting since 2002 with 2038 Posts |
Rob's advice is great, that we have to hone our handling and presentations before performing. Another thing we can hone, which may come largely from real life performances, is how to relate to an audience.
As has been said before, people generally are disappointed when they learn the method of an effect. This is a big reason for not revealing a secret, even a "false explanation." Jettison the defensive goal of hiding a secret, please, and take the offensive in astonishing and entertaining. When some people say, "How do you do that?!", it is a friendly compliment. It's their way of expressing wonder, and they may not really expect you to tell them anything. If someone really tries to "bully" you into telling a secret, I seriously suggest you find a different audience. I suppose all this advice can come into play only AFTER doing the things Rob mentioned above. We can't start developing our performance and audience skills until we first get our handling and presentations honed. Just some speculations from... alleycat
The views and comments expressed on this post may be mere speculation and are not necessarily the opinions, values, or beliefs of Alan Wheeler.
A BLENDED PATH Christian Reflections on Tarot Word Crimes Technology and Faith........Bad Religion |
MagicAndBlackjack Elite user 442 Posts |
I don't think that you need to give anyone a false explanation if they ask how you did a trick. I usually just say, "I don't know how I did it, it just kind of happened." But also, I don't necessarily think that someone’s presentation is bad just because a spectator asks, "How did you do that?" Many professional magicians that I have seen on TV performing get asked how they did it. This is just human nature for a layperson to ask how it was done, although a lot of people would rather not know because they know that its no fun if they know the secret. But even with that said, judging by dbzkid's previous posts, I do agree he needs to practice more.
TJ |
Maestro Special user 801 Posts |
That is a funny site Payne.
I especially enjoyed reading the Mussolini Lift Lol, this was my favorite "exposer" on the site: It’s talking about mentalism: Quote:
This type of magic is rarely performed these days due to the sheer expense involved in mounting a mentalist show. The preparation of the various book test and locked box predictions is tedious and onerous. But the effects are well worth it. Ever wonder why you are never chosen as a test subject at a mentalist show? Why do all the miracles happen to those around you? It is because every one in the audience is a confederate of the mentalist, except you. |
AutoX New user British Columbia 59 Posts |
Thanks for the advice everyone! THis should help my act
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funnybusiness New user UK 66 Posts |
Actually in my point of view, when people asked, "How did you do that?” it was because they were fascinated by your performance. Audiences will not (at least I don't) show any interest or ask you how, unless your performance wasn’t interesting at all. I think the performer should be worry if his/her audiences don't tend to ask that type of question.
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RiffClown Inner circle Yorktown, Virginia (Previously Germany) 1579 Posts |
Usually I would completely agree but in this case, the history behind the poster of the original question comes heavily into play.
Rob "Riff, the Magical Clown" Eubank aka RiffClown
<BR>http://www.riffclown.com <BR>Magic is not the method, but the presentation. |
Geoff Weber Inner circle Washington DC 1384 Posts |
You can always just change the subject. If they ask how you did that, you can say, "I'll take that as a compliment, thank you!"... or "If you liked that, wait till you see this next one!"
Or you could say, "My intention isn't to create a puzzle, but to help you believe in magic. I think you'll find it more rewarding to try and hold on to that feeling of wonder as long as you can. Any explanation on my part could only spoil that." |
Zeftron New user 50 Posts |
How did I do that? Practice...
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Jonatan B Veteran user Gothenburg, Sweden 342 Posts |
"Magic!"
Jonatan Bank
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oldguy New user 83 Posts |
You only need one word to answer the question, "How did you do that?" "Magic."
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Alan Wheeler Inner circle Posting since 2002 with 2038 Posts |
Of course, one classic type of misdirection, which I don't particularly care for but is called for in the presentation of certain effects, is the false explanation. But in this case it is built in to the performance and not tacked on as improvisation because someone is bullying the magician.
alleycat alleycat
The views and comments expressed on this post may be mere speculation and are not necessarily the opinions, values, or beliefs of Alan Wheeler.
A BLENDED PATH Christian Reflections on Tarot Word Crimes Technology and Faith........Bad Religion |
georgewkaye New user 20 Posts |
"How did you do that?"
"Can you keep a secret?" "Yes!" "So can I!" G. |
ByranNewell New user Huntington Beach, CA 29 Posts |
The answer of "very well, thank you" at times seems like an admonishment to the one asking. Most times, they are very sincere in their astonishment, and genuinely want to know how it's done. I usually let THEIR wonderment become MY wonderment. "How did you do that?" "I have no idea", I reply, in genuine amazement. Obviously they know that you know. However, I feel that sharing in their amazement lets them waddle in their wonderment, if at least for a little while.
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erictan8888 Special user Singapore 517 Posts |
Every time when people ask: "how did you do that?"
I am very glad, and I take that as a compliment. It is because they enjoy and follow the trick that you were doing, and that's what prompted them to ask. I would be worried if they don’t seem to understand what was happening and looked puzzled. Some people look puzzled because they are trying to figure out how you did it. There are also some people who look puzzled because they can’t figure out what you are trying to do. This is the worst reaction a magician can get. So when people ask you how you did it, give them your biggest smile and say "Thank you, its magic!" hee hee, eric
"Fill you life with magic by making magic a part of your life." by eric tan.
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