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karipk New user 29 Posts |
Dear magic friends,
I was thinking of something that heard from Lance Burton...He said in the documentary "Science & Magic" that it is not about the tricks or the technique of the magician.It is not about his(or her) clothes, his hair, his music, his lights etc. Magic is a theatrical art and it is about communication! What do you understand with the word communication? Your thoughts about it?... Let's have an inspirational communication! 8) karipk |
Mike Wild Inner circle NY, PA, TX, MA, FL, NC 1290 Posts |
The way I understand my magic to be is very simialr to verbal communication. I need to establish a role in the interaction. I need to establish a relationship of some kind with the spectators. Common ground must be found wherein the a spectator can relate at some level to what I'm doing, and why I'm doing it. The flow of events must make sense in the context that is created. And finally, a logical (or sometimes illogical ) conclusion must be reached.
My hair, my attire, lighting, etc., help to establish my role, so I wouldn't go so far as to say that it's not about hair or clothes or lights or music. Because all of these things combine to create the climate and tempo of the performance. Best, Mike |
Partizan Inner circle London UK 1682 Posts |
Look at the best acts that perform to music and use no words. All communication is done with visual communication with music to stimulate.
"You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus."
- Mark Twain |
Jonathan Townsend Eternal Order Ossining, NY 27297 Posts |
There are books on communication OUTSIDE of the tiny magicians world of tricks and methods.
Have a look at art, theater and semiotics and .... well lots of places to gain some perspective.
...to all the coins I've dropped here
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Moonlit Knight Regular user U.S. 113 Posts |
Communication can and does occur on many levels, including all senses If you ever participate in people-watching in a shopping mall or park, you’ll eventually realize that a great deal of information can be gathered without hearing a word. Their dress can let you know how much they care about themselves in appearance, or how they play into the trends set forth by the media. The way they interact with others, body language, the way they walk and stand can give insight to their level of self-confidence or physical limitations. Odors, whether it’s body odor or perfume or pet odors can sometimes give insight to the person. If you meet someone, a simple handshake can convey all sorts of information as well. Of course this information may be tainted by your personal perception based upon past information gathered. I’m sure you get the idea.
When it comes to magicians, many believe that if they master the execution of the trick then that's all they need. But, that is simply the tip on an iceberg that extends far below the surface of the water. A magical performer must (and good ones generally do) understand what they, themselves, want the audience to get out of the performance on all levels and then decide how that should be accomplished. This may even entail bending perception and stereotypes to meet the performers objective. So, I would say, it’s not simply about the “tricks or the technique“ nor is it “about his(or her) clothes, his hair, his music, his lights etc.” as it encompasses all of these things, whether the "magician" realizes it or not.
"Join the dance... Follow on! With a twist of the world we go."
- Genesis "Dancing With The Moonlit Knight" |
Steven Steele Chief of Staff 1868 Posts |
I must respectfully disagree with Lance in his assessment. Communication is very dependent on your hair, face, music, lights, etc. There was a study done several years ago (I can never remember by whom) that determined that communication broke down as follows:
7% The words we use 38% The syntax, inflection, etc. of those words (how we say them). 55% Body language and the surrounding environment. Art (Communication) must use everything to convey its true intent and meaning. It would suffer, if it did otherwise.
Coram Deo
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Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
Communication is done in many ways.
Just a couple of examples: You aren't going to communicate the idea of a Merlin-type wizard doing supernatural stuff if you are dressed as a clown! And you aren't going to communicate the idea of a deboinair magician doing elegant magic if you are wearing a food-spotted T-shirt, ripped jeans, and have dirty hands and fingernails. As virtually everyone has said here, magic is about communication and communication is done on many levels. |
Jonathan Townsend Eternal Order Ossining, NY 27297 Posts |
That oft cited study was looking at how people interpret ambiguous statements. It helps to check the sources for citations.
Both Peter and Steven are describing some of the ways people assess the performing character, or persona of a performer by noting cues in their outward appearance (with and without lighting and sound cues) and demeanor. As Peter notes, it helps to present an persona that appears congruent to society's expectations.
...to all the coins I've dropped here
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Mike Robbins Elite user Anchorage, Alaska 447 Posts |
My aim in performing is to communicate through as many different emotions as I can. Look at the great acts and what you'll see is an emotional hook (or hooks).
Mike
The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.
Shakespeare |
Titanas V.I.P. 1995 Posts |
"communication is everything" I agree....now the way to success as far my point of view, is to act not just like you are a magician your self ....but to be someone else at the same time....I believe that our job is a role playing act too.
Product Developer @ Murphys Magic Supplies
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Curtis Kam V.I.P. same as you, plus 3 and enough to make 3498 Posts |
One thing that does not get enough mention is the fact that a magic performance communicates one thing above all others, how the performer feels and thinks about what he calls magic.
If you perform sleight-of-hand miracles, but pass them off as "nothing", or "just tricks" your audience will, too. And who can blame them? That's how you taught them to react. On the other hand, if you treat your "card tricks" with respect, the audience will, too. Watch Rene Levand some time. Or Ricky Jay. No matter whether the presentation is funny, serious, or somewhere in between, the audience will look to you to see how to temper their response. This is not a simple thing. People can tell when you're spoofing something out of respect, and when you're just out of respect. People who perform sucker tricks for kids thinking that this will stop the hecklers are bound to be disappointed. Listen to the audience next time. The kids are having a great time heckling the magician. When it all turns out right in the end, you've just told them that this is how your conversation is supposed to go. You've assigned them the role of hecklers, and they had a ball. Can you blame them if they dive into that role for the next trick? Most times, "bad" audiences are made through miscommunication. It's more than what you wear, and how you speak. It's in what you do, and how you react to it. end of sermon.
Is THAT a PALMS OF STEEL 5 Banner I see? YARRRRGH! Please visit The Magic Bakery
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
On the Café, there is well over 600 posts with the word ethics in it.
There should be some central location to register effects, and some "police powers" to enforce it and ethical dealers should be a member of it. WAM was the closet to it, but that "web site and doors" I believe is closing. Most magicians who are members of SAM and IBM swore an oath on ethics, yet their magazines support dealers who violate that oath of the organization. (As well as the two non-organizional magazines Genii & Magic) How can you and I be held accountantable when the very organization we belong to do not hold the importance of ethics as a major priority? They know who these dealers are and allow them to advertise in their magazine. What is more important here money or ethics?
Dennis Michael
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Jonathan Townsend Eternal Order Ossining, NY 27297 Posts |
I don't know Den, how much are you offering for a reply?
...to all the coins I've dropped here
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Regan Inner circle U.S.A. 5726 Posts |
Good point Den.
Regan
Mister Mystery
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Stuart Hooper Special user Mithrandir 759 Posts |
Mr Dowhy, I respect what you are saying, save one thing. I hold you responsible for your actions, no matter what big fellows are doing the same thing.
Richard Kauffman posted on Genii that magicians had been stealing for hundreds of years...so what was the difference? It's this sort of attitude that causes things to go on. Hold yourself respsonsible for your actions. Don't join the *** orginizations, use your own material. If you steal, at least don't lie to yourself about it. |
trenchant New user 54 Posts |
Back to communication. I've always thought the Latin base of the word offered the most insight, especially with respect to the performance of magic: communicare, which translates "to share." It does not mean "convey information or feeling" or "show people neat stuff that will entertain them." It means to share. I strive for this. I share the wonder with the people I am with. We become co-participants in an experience. My style, as a result, is fairly conversational. The effects I choose involve the audience, both physically and emotionally, and the magic happens, not because of me, but in our presence.
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Jonathan Townsend Eternal Order Ossining, NY 27297 Posts |
Do community and communicate have shared roots? If so, what does this mean of ethos?
...to all the coins I've dropped here
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trenchant New user 54 Posts |
Community and communicate do share the Latin root meaning of "share". Community implies shared/common values and/or location. Ethos was left for the ancient Greeks...
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