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ajaxone New user 34 Posts |
What is the worst opener you have ever heard of? I think when it sounds like an infomercial it's so cheesy. I think I hate openers. When people became aware of openers magic became boaring. Was it the trick brain? or some other evil force.
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InstantMagicBen New user 83 Posts |
Starting with a long complicated effect is the worst idea, I feel as though an ambitious card that's long winded isn't a great idea.
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fonda57 Inner circle chicago 3078 Posts |
Or when a spectator has to keep spelling to things. "Ok, think of a number between one and ten, now spell magic, now spell your first name...."
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puggo Inner circle 2022 Posts |
Forgetting to engage with your audience, stock cheesy inappropriate patter, performing magic that is not clear in effect..
In other words, more down to the performer than the effect. |
Jiceh Special user France 742 Posts |
Begin with your best routine : that's not good
The opener aim : You don't want them to say "can you do it again?" Your aim is to give them the wish to see an other trick |
MagicJuggler Inner circle Anchorage, AK 1161 Posts |
Strong, easy to grasp, quick and something that says,"I'm a real magician, not one of those hacks"
Matthew Olsen
I heard from a friend that anecdotal evidence is actually quite reliable. |
bidbid New user 83 Posts |
Think touch turn it's my favorite opener, direct and amazing.
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TheHbomb New user 72 Posts |
I think an opener has to be something a bit quick, but at the same time is strongly fooling and establishes your character at least to a certain extent.
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fonda57 Inner circle chicago 3078 Posts |
I was doing continual sets at a bookstore once and I opened with a Jay Sankey signed card transposition (cant think of the name) and one young woman waited a couple minutes so I could set up for the next set because she wanted to see that one again. Does that make it a good opener or should I have closed with that one? Or does it mean the rest of the set wasnt as good?
Either way, it's a dern good effect and is quick and to the point and looks magical. |
MagicJuggler Inner circle Anchorage, AK 1161 Posts |
That's impossible to answer because we don't know anything about what else you performed. Basically it means that she liked that particular trick and thought it was worth waiting around to see again. Whenever you get reactions like that it's good to take notes, but as far as the rest of the set you have to go by the audience's response, not necessarily who waits around to see it again. Sometimes people have time to wait and sometimes they don't, and sometimes once is enough for someone no matter how strong the trick.
Matthew Olsen
I heard from a friend that anecdotal evidence is actually quite reliable. |
fonda57 Inner circle chicago 3078 Posts |
Good points, magicjuggler. I would say that the rest of it was worthwhile since everyone stayed until the end.
The problem with showing this effect twice to the same person is the set up, pm me for details if you like. |
pepka Inner circle Uh, I'm the one on the right. 5041 Posts |
"Did anyone drop a black knife?" I've stated many times before on here that I don't think the use of fire close up is appropriate. NEVER for an opener. Fire wallet just to get attention from spectators at another table is pretty much an excuse for no personality. All it does is scream "Hey...look at what I bought for $50 at the magic shop!"
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jcrabtree2007 Special user 627 Posts |
Depends what my act is: for kids or adults-
For Kids- I open with the blooming bouquet. Never really paid much attention to this until I saw how David Kaye performed on Reel Magic series. Gets tons of laughs- gets kids involved (i whip out some wands for the kids). fairly quick and to the point. For adults- I have a manipulation act with canes and candles and silks that's pretty good. silent. after this routine- I go into talking. Both are full of lots of magic for the audience. No cheesy patter. No long, drawn out explanation. I'm the magician and I'm here to entertain you. Lets have some fun! |
ShirtlessKirk Loyal user 236 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-08-08 20:58, bidbid wrote: You know I've been doing think touch turn for more than a decade now and it has become one of my go to opener in impromptu situations. It plays much stronger than it reads in print. I have a theory on why it plays so strongly. |
j100taylor Inner circle 1198 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-08-12 14:28, ShirtlessKirk wrote: Its a good trick but I wouldn't pick it as an opener - more of something in the middle of some 4 ace stuff. Would be interested in your thoughts on why you like it as an opener.
Lakewood, Ohio
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ShirtlessKirk Loyal user 236 Posts |
I never thought of it as an opener for the longest time but it has played well for me. It my be because of the multiple effects that happen in a short time that make it play well. Could be the surprising ending? Maybe my script for it makes it play? Not exactly sure why but it plays as strongly as other effects that I do that would normally be classified as openers. Often yes I do produce the aces first before going into the effect but not always.
There was an old Bert Allerton effect who's name I can't recall at the moment (a version of it sometimes appears in books geared towards laymen) where you showed a group of cards over and over again (employing a glide) and you finally revealed one of them as the chosen card. The transformation plays stronger than just showing an incorrect card and immediately changing it because of the constant reinforcement of none of the cards being their card. I think the same thing plays out in Think Touch Turn. The multiple displays of aces along with doing an entirely different effect allow for a very surprising kicker at the end. |
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