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adrianbent Loyal user 210 Posts |
Hi folks,
I've been into magic for a couple of years now and have built up a sizeable repertoire of beginner-to-"soft intermediate" gimmicks as well as skills. Enough to fool a lay audience. When I first started, I worked hard and started to show some tricks to family and friends, who were supportive, and impressed with my new skill. I have since stopped performing so often for them because I've locked myself away so to speak for a while to learn some half descent sleight-of-hand and practice, practice, practice. I will soon have an oppurtunity to perform some tricks for people at country fairs, kids parties and such, non-professionally. I'm about to go out into the big world and perform for real people. ... Ok, my question is: Does anyone recommend if there is any way I can prepare myself for what to expect my first few times out? Will people be harsh? Will I be frustrated and feel embarassed? Is it acceptable to walk up to someone and kindly say, "I wonder if you could help me out... I'm learning a new hobby for fun, and I'm trying to perfect a few magic tricks and I've never really done them for a stranger before... would you be interested in seeing a card trick?" If there were a source of reading or advice you could give to someone before heading out the door, what would it be? (other than "break a leg!") |
jason0389 New user 77 Posts |
You've got to start sometime or another. It is natural to feel scared, embarressed, worried, etc... Just go out there and have fun. Also make sure you have the trick that you are performing down.
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Mike Walton Special user Chicago 984 Posts |
Adrianbent, Congratulations on your new foray into the performing world!
Here's a couple of thoughts I wish I knew when I started. Teenagers can be the harshest critics, (especially those that are roaming in packs) to such a degree that you may want to avoid performing for them at the very beginning. However, performing for younger kids, especially ages 3 to 9, will make your day as they look where you want them to look, will laugh and will love your magic. When starting it's occasions like those performances that will make you realize that you truly have a valuable gift that you're offering the public. Always credit the spectator with doing the magic, as it takes the heat off of their perception of you tricking them. Spectators get bitter and close up when they feel like they've been tricked. Leave on a highnote. The goal isn't entertainment, but astonishment. Once you reach it with your audience member(s), then it's time to move on. Only do 2-3 tricks per mini-performance if you're doing walk-around. Get the spectator involved. They don't just want to watch, they want to do the magic and they will believe it more and really swallow the hook when it happens in their hands or when they're engaged in such a manner. Have confidence and always smile, but in a natural way. Your confidence and poise builds their trust and helps them open up to your magic. I'll make fun of myself to further put them at ease and get some real laughs, not the stifled ones from bad lines. Have a relaxed yet confident line to introduce yourself which builds credibility and their trust. PM me if you're still looking for a quick but credible introduction. Avoid corny lines. They cause a deadly skin disease. If someone isn't interested in doing magic with you, then just move on and don't feel bad about it. You're guaranteed to stub your toes with aspects of your handling, presentation, etc, but that's how you get better and you will get so much better as you perform more and more. As time goes on, you'll find what works and what doesn't and some of both will surprise you. If you mess up a trick/handling/whatever and it's in your head, then open up the next mini-performance with a self-worker. There are some astounding self-working tricks that I save for the toughest crowds especially if I know they're going to be grabby. PM me if you want some ideas. If you're doing cards, wear a coat and have at least 3 decks ready with one ready set for a self-working trick as a back-up. At first I used this back-up every now and then, but now I notice I don't use it except for a rare occasion when the conditions are just right but I like having it there none the less. Ham it up, as you're a magician for goodness sakes and they wouldn't expect anything less. Hamming it up doesn't mean to be corny. It means to slightly and naturally exaggerate your reactions and facial expressions like any good actor. It helps sell the effect and build their reaction. Enjoy performing. Enjoy what you're doing. That's the most important part as once you can start enjoying the performances, then you will truly relax, have poise, and confidence plus you will start taking a couple of risks with new patter and impromptu magic based on their reaction and that's when magic really works. |
magicmonkeyphoto Regular user 151 Posts |
Mike has a lot of good points.
Definately don't tell people, "I wonder if you could help me out... I'm learning a new hobby for fun, and I'm trying to perfect a few magic tricks and I've never really done them for a stranger before... would you be interested in seeing a card trick?" People will be less likely to respect the work that you have put into magic if they think you are just starting out. I am not saying to come across like an expert card guy, just don't let them know anything about your experience. Let the magic speak for itself. The line, "Would you like to see something interesting?" is good enough to get thier attention. Or, "Would you like to see some magic?" If you do magic to enough people, you will come across some people that will be harsh. You could do an effect perfectly, and they will still be nasty to you. So, the best you can do, is remind your self of all the people that loved what you have done, and move along to someone else. BY ALL MEANS DON'T KEEP PERFORMING FOR A HECKLER! And remember that if you don't treat the audience like fools and that you have just fooled them, they will like you and the magic much more. It is such a great feeling when you do well, and the audience responds positively, so just keep going, and doing magic for more people. Performing for real people is the best practice (once you know what you are doing well enough to perform infront of people). Lincoln
http://www.lincolnworld.com/products -- For high end mentalist utility devices, ideas, and props for professionals and serious hobbyists. You can follow me on Instagram @Lincolnworldmagic and on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LincolnWorldWatchers
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Reis O'Brien Inner circle Seattle, WA 2467 Posts |
This is some seriously solid advice that's being given in the above posts!
The only thing I'd like to add is that there is no need nor room for embarassment. If you stumble a bit, or even totally blow a trick, so what. Laugh it off. Get the specs to see the humor in it and the "human" in you and all will be well. My first time out was both awesome and morifying. But when it was all said and done, I was proud of myself for stepping up to the plate and swinging. That, alone, boosted my confidence in myself. And the more confidence you have the better a performer you will be. Good luck, Adrian! We believe in ya! |
Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
Sure, you'll probably be embarrassed and frustrated; so what? Everybody was; and I mean literally everybody in this business!
But it doesn't make any real difference; you're doing magic, not brain surgery; no one's life, liberty, or happiness depends solely on what you're doing -- so enjoy yourself. Yes, you have to start somewhere and it's not unlike jumping in the water to go swimming; better to do it all at once than to try to ease your way in. |
Richard Lucas Special user TX fornow- MemberMagicCastle'65-'88 737 Posts |
Start with the tricks that you are most qualified to perform even if its something as simple as the Magic Snapper, and a couple self working tricks. When you receive some great spectator reaction you will automatically graduate to a higher level. It's a matter of self confidence.
If some kid says "I know how you did that?", or "There's a magnet in there." I cynically respond "Oh really?" then move on. I feel this leavers them questioning themselves, and if it doesn't I've lost absolutely nothing. One other very important tip -- Join the local SAM, or IBM or any other magician's club. You can perform there & ask for some tips to polish up the routine. You might even meet someone to practice with, Oh how I wish that were the case for me, but alas I am doonmed to wander alone. (cue violin music). This will help loosen you up for perfect strangers. I just joined IBM and will attend my 3rd meet today at the annual picnic. I performed the spinning card trick last month and got some kind reaction even though I'm certain they first saw this 15 or more years ago. They are a nice bunch of supportive guys and a few gals. Last week while waiting for my car's annual safety inspection I did a few tricks for some the guys who were not busy. They liked it so much they gave me a $10.00 discount, my first tip and unintended at that. Does this now make me a professional? What I learned from this was that these guys were typical stereotype David Blaine audience, fun loving, carefree average Joe's. The lesson? Take a proactive roll in the choice of your audience, the right spectator makes all the difference in the world for guys like you and me the professional MUST perform for the paying crowd regardless of their temperment. I guess that makes us kinda lucky.
"The only difference between a Card Cheat and a Magician is that the Magician shows off.".......... Jay Ose 1965
Dicklucas |
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