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yngvem New user 8 Posts |
Hi. I'm new to magic and have just been practicing for myself in about a year now. I started with magic from ellusionist but have now (finnaly?) moved on to other sources. Well enough about me, the thing is that I am just starting to understand the different types of presentation and have become in love with the beautiful tricks, not necessarily the tricks that gives the loudest reaction from the audience, but those who are really beautiful and magical to watch. An example is Shawn Farquar torn and restored thread and amitious card routine (The Shape of my Heart . Now then my two questions is
1. Is this type of presentation harder than the normal "trick presentation", if so should I wait untill I have more experience? 2. Is there any good sources for this kind of magic? |
satellite23 Elite user 424 Posts |
I don't know what other, more experienced magicians are going to say, but here's my take.
Ellusionist isn't bad, goth magic isn't necessarily bad, and some people try to attempt both styles of magic (goth and beautiful) and completely FAIL. I, like many other young magicians, began my amateur career by imitating Criss Angel/David Blaine. I thought their styles were so awesome to watch. Well, I too decided to move onto other types of magic. Trust me, Angel and Blaine are the best at what they do, and they deserve as much fame as they already have. But other people who imitate them are sorely terrible most of the time. On the other hand, people who try to copy Shawn's Shape of my Heart are God-awful as well. No matter what style of magic an illusionist represents, he can either be great or terrible at it. Plain and simple. Stick with what your heart tells you what to do. Human emotions evolve. What you think looks good today might look terrible (in your eyes) by tomorrow. Human emotions really do evolve, just like humans themselves evolve. Stick with what your heart tells you to do. If you want to try dark magic for a day, go ahead. If that doesn't appeal to you, go to comedy magic for a day. And when all is said and done, if you just want to be the cool guy down the street who can do a few crazy things, then by all means go ahead and do that. Just look around this Café. If you want to find specific types of magicians, you can easily look them up on this site and then watch a performance video on YouTube. |
motown Inner circle Atlanta by way of Detroit 6127 Posts |
It's more work on your part, but well worth it. You need to write a strong script based a good presentational hook. Shawn's story is a good example. Then you've got to put the time in to practice the presentation. Along the way refine, refine, refine.
Some suggested reading: -Books by Eugene Burger -Scripting Magic by Pete McCabe Marc DeSousa has an excellent DVD on story telling magic. Even if you don 't use any of the material, you'll learn some valuable lessons.
"If you ever write anything about me after I'm gone, I will come back and haunt you."
– Karl Germain |
scottds80 Special user Victoria, Australia 730 Posts |
Watch a lot of David Copperfield to see how he captivates his audience with emotion. You could spend hours learning from his presentation skills. Not to copy his moves, but learn from his style.
As Motown said above, scripting is important. Take note of how fluid Copperfields wording is. Another presentation beautiful to watch is Penn & Tellers shadows illusion http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3oVm7gU0......a_player
"Great Scott the Magician", Gippsland
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Andy Tauber Regular user Vancouver WA 106 Posts |
Way back, when I was young I went to school and got a degree in Theater Arts, albeit the technical side. However even us technicans had to take an acting class. That class has serverd me well my entire life. For me it gave me the confidence to be in front of others. I have taught college level courses in computer programming, been a flight instructor, and a mentor at work. All in fornt of an audience. One thing I find invaluable when working on a new presentation of any type is to record my reherseal and wach it. I find it really usefuf in practicing a new trick.
Just my .02 worth
Andy Tauber
www.magicalmischief.org Twitter: @AMagicMischief “Children see magic because they look for it.” I used to think I wasn't a morning person, but things never got better after lunch! |
Pseph Choy New user Chicago, IL 28 Posts |
Hi yngvem! I'm also kind of in a similar situation as you and hoping to grow creatively. I've been spending some time watching the same magical effects performed by different magicians, it helps me notice how different artists inject their flavor and personality into their performance.
I've been advised by some magicians to incorporate my own personality and other interests. I'm in medical school, and one of the ways of teaching in the hospital follows the saying "see one, do one, teach one." I used that saying as a theme to perform Kevin James' Floating Rose and I used music from a Japanese video game I used to play... I think my audience liked it. Watching Copperfield is inspiring. Also, check out Derren Brown... his showmanship is brilliant. His interpretation of the signed coin in the ball of yarn in his show "Enigma" made me tear up. |
Siekomagic New user South Africa 76 Posts |
All valuable comments and I agree with all of you. The important part of magic is to tell a story and to make it believable. The best way to do this is to adapt the magic to yourself, your character your persona. If you are not a very funny person don't try and create a funny routine because you saw one that was brilliant and you want the same audience response. If you do this you will most certainly fail. Rather try to adapt your performance drawing from your own life experiences and molding to the person and personality that you are.
Good luck with your magic. I am sure you will find your way, and no doubt your performance style will change over the years Mine has, and is ever changing! Regards Sieko |
mixman Loyal user Northern Colorado 294 Posts |
If you get a chance, try to find some old video of the stage magicians from the 1940s and 50s. I know it's hard to find, but it is worth it. This was a golden age for Magic. People would go out to supper clubs to have dinner and take in a live performance. many of
the Magical performers of that day specialized in manipulation acts without anything being spoken. they had to be part Mime, part Dancer, and part Musician. these other theatrical arts help tremendously to create a visual story that the audience could relate to. It is a little more difficult with close up style magic, but not impossible. Just think of Slydini. Guerrilla style street magic can be very entertaining. But it is not particularly known for its grace and visual beauty. |
Dougini Inner circle The Beautiful State Of Maine 7130 Posts |
If you would like to develop a story, and don't have a clue where to begin, I suggest spending $35:
http://www.leapinglizardsmagic.com/tales_of_enchantment.htm This will give you what you need! Doug |
daffydoug Eternal Order Look mom! I've got 14077 Posts |
When you say "beautiful magic", I personally think of Doug Henning. Since you are new to magic, I suggest you look him up! I bet you will be inspired.
Of course there are many magicians who perform "beautiful magic", but Doug is the first to come to mind for me. To me, what makes magic beautiful is the element of ARTISTRY. If you remain in magic for many years, you'll no doubt be striving for that. In fact, it may take that for you to survive! The artists in magic are the cream that rises to the top. They perform beautiful magic that brings those coveted "oohs" and "aaahs" that are the heart of good magic. If you can create a sense of wonder in your audience, then you will be well on your way!
The difficult must become easy, the easy beautiful and the beautiful magical.
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mixman Loyal user Northern Colorado 294 Posts |
I too would recommend watching the Doug Henning specials as well as David Copperfield and Lance Burton. Notice ho much the music and movement add to the entertainment value.
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daffydoug Eternal Order Look mom! I've got 14077 Posts |
Copperfield is definitely a master of that. And Doug wasn't too shabby, either.
The difficult must become easy, the easy beautiful and the beautiful magical.
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DanielCoyne Special user Western Massachussetts 544 Posts |
I also love beautiful magic, and even though I'm a total goofball on stage, I do a few short segments of silent beautiful magic. Doesn't have to be hard, just elegant.
One example: I do a modified presentation of Martin Lewis's "undivided" with a heart shaped piece of paper (I think Copperfield did something like this too). I use a little piece of classical music that is a little melancholy. Here's Martin's presentation. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9Mb3rF0DDQ It's a short segment near the end of my act, but I love it. Daniel |
Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
Look into the works or Robert Neale and David Parr as well. Get involved in theater. Whether it be school plays or Community Theatre. Enroll in classes for Dance, Mime and Storytelling. Look outside of magic for inspiration.
But most of all discover who your performing character is and decide what it is you wish to communicate with your performances.
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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