Hello... I am a young performer, I have competed before against all adults, I almost won. I need some true help. I want an act that is unique, never before seen. I want some sort of plot and story behind my act, where I can move around in the audience. Like trying to protect the secrets of magic with a Mission Impossible theme (Yes someone has already done that) Please Help Me!

I have heard a saying that, "In magic, it is so old, that it is new."
As far as effects go, look at what is not being done currently. Or, look at some classics and try to do them in a unique manner. Just stray away from doing a show that emulates another one too closely. Your idea sounds good so far.
Good Luck!

You might want to check out this post, I started a few months ago.

http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......0&45

Enjoy!

Also here is a little post I strted a while back, it contains a creativity method By Kyle Peron further down it. It is very useful for any magician seeking originality

http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......0&22

Thanks Tom. That method is a great way to start the creative juices flowing if you just feel stuck and not sure how to proceed. I use it all the time and am still amazed at how much information can be gathered through the process.

Keep in mind also that creativity can come from other places other then your magic books, tapes and DVDs. We tend to go back to other magic acts for inspiration, but I feel that is the wrong approach.

We really should go away from what has already been done. Take a look at the world around you and mix in your other nonmagic hobbies and likes into an act that reflects them. Your magic becomes much more intersting that way and unique to you.

Tell us a bit more about yourself, your style of magic and what other interests you have. This may also help us to help you.

Kyle

Read the old books on the programs of the old magicians. The classics of magic are that for a reason..they have stood the test of time.

Don't worry about having a great new effect. One of the nicest acts I have ever seen ( an IBM Gold Medal winner) was Jade. It was all standard stuff..box magic if you will for the most part. But the staging and movement made it a great act.

I agree with Kyle..give us some more info and we can better help you.

But never lose sight that the act has to play for real people not just magicians.

I am 12 years old, I like James Bond movies, I want to perform the Linking Rings and one other effects. Any ideas

Find out what interests you and other people.

Politics
Movies
Music
Sports
Clubs
food

just to name a few, and go from there.

example...food

Think about food. Keep this on your mind. write down everything you can think of about food. What taste good? bad? do lemons make you get a sour face? what is food served on? do we use forks and knives to eat? Do we sit at a table or stand to eat? I like iced tea with my food. etc..

Next you should think about your character. Is he goofy? sophisticated? snobby? Are you a chef? a waiter? What does a waiter do? what does a chef do? Is this going to be comical? Serious? Are you a French person with an accent? or Italian? American maybe?


After this think about what you would like to show. Maybe this could be like a cooking show where you teach people to cook the magical way? or maybe this will become a play or skit with magic happening throughout? Your a waiter trying to serve this couple who are sitting at a table, and you some how always seem to goof up the order?


Write down what you want to see happening on the stage.

I see a chef on the stage behind a counter, demonstrating how to cook. He wants to show everyone how to make brownies, but he can't find a pinch of salt. so he reaches his hand into the air to produce a handful of salt and drops it all into the brownie mix.
etc...

when its time to get your effects together, ask questions. Ask people here and other fellow magicians if there is a possible way to produce a handful of salt or whatever your looking for. They can lead you to a book, or video, or even something on the market that can do this effect. If you see an effect on the market that produces a handful of salt, ask the dealers if this would fit into your routine. They will help you out. You can even ask someone that may have purchased this item.

finally, sit down and put everything together. It is a lot easier than you think. you will be getting ideas along this whole process, and ideas will develop constantly. Write it down. Everything. its a lot of work, but you can do it. Listen to these people at the Café, they really helped me out a lot. Do not be afraid to ask questions. Hope this helped a bit.



For Kyle:

Kyle, Sorry I havent gotten back to you in awhile, but my routine is coming along great! Ive come so far! I will let you know more about it soon!

You might consider an effect like the Siberian Chain Escape. It is easy, plays very well, and might somehow fit a James Bond type of theme.

Ray:

Ok, so your looking at a spy themed type of an act? That certainly sounds intersting and has enough elements in it to give you variation and interest.

I am just not sure how to incorporate linking rings into the theme and still have it make sense. This is not to say that it can't be done. Everything can be done if you think and work hard enough at it.

It is just important to keep in mind that if your doing any themed style act, that everything you place into the act should have a reason and purpose and reflect the telling of the theme.

What other magic do you have or that you want to perform in this act?

Kyle