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kHRYSTAL New user 1 Post |
Hello guys. I`ve been in magic for I guess 2 years (I wasn`t consistent about it), trying different directions, styles etc. From now on I`ve choosen directions of development, which are close up card magic and street magic. There are plenty of sources, discussions and experience in card magic segment. Yet I have not found much of a quality material about street magic. I`d be glad if you could advise books or dvd sources focusing on stand up card street magic. I am working on fixing and trying to make my current skills and tricks fit the street conditions, which I believe demand my magic to be quick, simple and visual; and also limiting me with moves cause I got no table (I am big fan of table and gambling btw). So, to sum up, hope I made myself clear as possible, sorry if I made some mistakes in my writing, english is not my 1st language. Hope you guys can share your thoughts. some help and advice.
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M. Tesla Regular user Coral Springs, Florida 154 Posts |
Try Mark Wilson's Complete Course In Magic on Amazon for $15...there's a ton of things in it that could be used to do street magic...your main problem would probably be the need to perform surrounded...there's many effects that could be handled that way...
http://www.amazon.com/Mark-Wilsons-Compl......1&sr=8-1
While the amount of water has remained static, the amount of Tequila and Triple Sec available for making Margaritas has expanded enormously. So you see, we have made progress after all. ~Anonymous
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RogerTheShrubber Veteran user 301 Posts |
Quote:
On May 24, 2016, kHRYSTAL wrote: Paul Zenon has what I consider to be a very good book which focuses specifically on street magic: http://www.amazon.com/Street-Magic-Close......86720948 . This book has everything you need to get started - plenty of tricks, patter and performance advice. It's a really fun read, too. |
MazingMandy Special user Has tolerated the trolls here for 676 Posts |
Are you looking to do the 'walk-up-to-someone-do-a-trick' type thing, or a more formal street show akin to busking?
I don't personally get the attraction with 'street' magic. |
New User New user 32 Posts |
I have been doing magic about as long, two years, and I think I understand the draw to street magic.
You "seem" to be able to magic anywhere at anytime with anything. I have found that this isn't as true as some believe. I was searching that way myself for a while when it occurred to me that almost anything can be "street magic". Then I realized that "street magic" is really just an "urban dictionary" term. Just look for great tricks and do them on the street and as they say poof "street magic" |
donny Loyal user Colorado 263 Posts |
I agree with all above, and some perceptive points made here by apparent beginners, I must add.
As far as quality card tricks, why go farther than Big Blind Media's Self working Series? Alakazam has a respectable deal on all three dvds! Next, find some 'quick stunts". I'm sure you already have some favorites. Next, consider some 'impossible objects'. Why? Because it's got a physicality. Any punter that approaches you has an idea what they're 'in for', and be sure to deliver the 'fooling' aspect of magic, but next, provide some 'proof'. How about working-in a Screwed-deck, an omni (various), a gag (to lighten the mood), a destination box (to add drama/suspense), the card/coin trick "Iron Palm", a Card-toon deck for the kiddies. Do stacks and in depth procedures do it for you? Probably not eh? Cancel the fumbly out. How about keeping an Inivi** Deck handy and/or TKO as well for any goofs. Magicians swear by "Inferno", but then don't the same swear by the ACR? Personally, I think ACR is nerd magic. The effect isn't that big and you're forced to DL over and over. Not just that, but it's performed at you crotch in many cases and just 'frames' poorly. Does it play for more than three people? Not so much. "It's a trap", pull back before it's too late. Do you need an imperceptible Pass? Of course not. Would you mow a lawn with an old tyme push-mover when better methods exist? Of course not. Well kHRYSTAL, keep us informed and enjoy the journey!
It's not their senses that mislead, it's their assumptions.
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A. Evans Regular user Florida 105 Posts |
In my opinion if you are looking for tricks you can do on the street I would use any tricks that you have learned previously that are small enough to fit in your pockets are carry with you and have amazing reactions. As for DVD's I would check out http://penguinmagic.com/ they have some great tricks you can learn and DVD's you can purchase.
Good Luck
"It's better to have 3 amazing tricks than 10 good ones"
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javlin5 New user 42 Posts |
Just pick out a few simple tricks and have fun with them!
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CalebRose New user 83 Posts |
Street magic is great. Bar/resturaunt magic is my favorite. I don't of many good books and dvds because I never really invested in specific magic stuff like that. I did what many of the comments above did which is to just use the tricks I did know and performed them on the street. You nailed it in the sense that it should be (relatively) quick, visual and simple. All I have to offer is what tricks I usually perform on the street.
I usually start off with the ACR because it is a great gauge of the type of audience members you are performing for and after the 3rd or 4th phase I know whether or not to tip my hat (metaphorically) and walk away or move on to other tricks. For a real strong opener I would recommend KK If I do move on I usually do a quick card transposition trick and usually end with a bill trick like a bill switch or my new favorite one to perform which is the Melt 2.0. Hope this helps. |
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
I may have been "around" too long, BUT, I really don't see why walking up to a complete stranger, and saying, "Wanna see a card trick?" (or, "I've been working on this trick for a month. Wanna see it?" is apparently so "attractive" to "wannabee performers (adults AND, kids)!
Note: PROFESSIONAL BUSKING is one thing. "Commando performing", is not! If you are seriously interested in performing, why not put together a little act, and, offer it to nursing homes, veterans hospitals, etc. There are plenty of opportunities to get a little experience performing. I did just that in 1945, and, within a few months, I became. to my complete surprise, a part time professional. I had done a freebie for my dad's lodge (ladies night) and as a spin off from that, a program chairman, who had seen my little act, at that lodge, invited me to perform at a men'fs club at his church. They weren't "paid dates", but, in both cases, the program chairman, tipped me $3.00. (in 1945, you could get a nice steak dinner, complete with dessert and coffee for $3.00! I didn't even own a TT, then! All my pros were home made, except for a 6 Card Repeat, and, CLIPPO. With that encouragement, I had the guts to approach the Jr. High School, and ask to book an assembly program. The principal liked to encourage young folks initiative, and, said, "OK". We charged ten cents admission. On a percentage deal, I MADE TWENTY SIX DOLLARS for a 40 minute show. Grown men were working all week for that much money, then! For ten cents, you could get a hamburger, AND, a coke! All through high school, my buddies were getting 50 cents an hour to box groceries. I was getting from $10 to $20 doing a little 30 minute show, at every conceivable sort of event. If I could do that, YOU can too! --If you have any talent, showmanship, and, "chutzpah"!
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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CalebRose New user 83 Posts |
Dick Oslund,
I have done multiple type of performances included restaurant and stage shows. Street magic is a very rewarding experience. I honestly believe it is probably one of the most difficult "stages" to perform. Whenever I get new tricks and I wanna test them out I take them to the street. In my experience if it lands well there it will land well everywhere. |
Doug Trouten Elite user Minnesota 471 Posts |
Dick, you make a good point about the "street magic" craze. I think it's because it's become a theme for TV specials -- folks are doing what they've seen the magician on TV do. Was it David Blaine who started this fad?
It's still magic even if you know how it's done.
Terry Pratchett |
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
From what I understand, the production company "made it happen"!
The tip in those "shows" (note " "!)was, "lumber". Any old carny knows what lumber is. The company had the camera crew, and, all the other people "behind the scenes". It was a "cheap" show to produce. Like all the "reality" shows currently popular, the actors are/were just folks. Just folks, don't command huge talent fees. IMO, anyone with a Svengali deck and/or a f**di** half. could have "starred" in the "epic" ! Oh well, that's show business today.
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Quote:
On Sep 28, 2016, CalebRose wrote: Well, Caleb, it may be "rewarding", but, you can't buy groceries and pay the rent with "rewards". IMO, almost any experienced performer, particularly one who has worked a season in a carny side show, could, if he desired, do well, on the street. but, if he is any good, he could be working INSIDE!!! I have spent a lifetime in the business. I've mainly done school assemblies, but, I've booked, phone promoted and presented evening family shows. Yes, I've worked some restaurants, I've done a bit of busking, I've booked circuses, and was a producing clown, and ringmaster. I've managed a side show (Girl to Gorilla) and, even managed a Racing Pigs Show. Both the Ape show, and the Pig Races were road units playing coast to coast. I've been a "free act" on state and county fairs, too. I played the BOZO show on WGN-TV, many times. I've done a whole bunch of Hospitality Suites, for Trade Shows, and lectured all over the USA and Canada for magic clubs, and regional and national conventions. I've even lectured and performed at (ahem) The Magic Castle, twice. (And as Jay Marshall usta say, "When I can afford it, I'll work it again!" Oh! I've also booked school shows for two major agencies, and, served on the audition committee for new talent, auditioning. BTW, my program was always high in the ratings for school shows (top 3 of a dozen different programs) and I was even the TOP rated program. The agency would send me in to square the beef in a school where a performer had not delivered a quality program. I've also worked behind the counter in three magic shops.In 50 years, I was never at liberty! --I didn't need to ask school assembly bureau manages for work! They called me!
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
P.S.: Bobo and I spent an afternoon in Texarkana, about 30 years ago, and, we both estimated that we had done almost 20,000 school shows. Admittedly, old showmen do exaggerate a little.
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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CalebRose New user 83 Posts |
Dick Oslund,
I am not implying that one should make a career from performing on the street lol Unless your David Blaine of course. But to be able to just hit the streets on a whim and do magic for people is great. I don't need to have an incentive of getting paid to want to perform. I want to perform outside of making money out of it simply because it is what I like to do. Yes there are many better options of getting paid doing magic, that is not what I am discussing. I am simply remarking on how fun it is to approach a stranger cold and perform amazing feats for them. It is different from a stage or a group of people who are expecting to be amazed from magic. On the street no one, not even the performer, knows what will happen. It is an experience the spectator will walk away with and remember for a very long time. |
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Ars gratia artis?
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Aus Special user Australia 996 Posts |
Personally the David Blaine strolling street magic it great and all but not really to my taste, just go to the worker forums for table hopper and restaurant workers and you'll find that both arenas draw the same parallels in many respects. There are many DVDs and one trick wonders that prescribe to this trend. For the more traditional style of street magic (busking) I would leave the gilts and glamour of these marketed products and take the time to take something standard and make it your own.
Royal Road to card Magic has heaps of busking magic in it like the trick "Card under the hat" or "Kangaroo Card" which ether would make for a great transition to your hating lines. "Righting a Wrong" together with the magicians insurance Policy and some creative interaction with the audience could be a great interactive piece no to mention the whole section on platform card magic that's an act in and of itself. With Royal Road and Marks Wilson Complete course you'll have enough stuff for a complete show. Magically Aus |
Viking Erik New user 8 Posts |
If you're in the Los Angeles area, the great Tom Frank is now offering a Street Magic class at the Magic Castle.
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