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Juble Veteran user 363 Posts |
After doing the torturous family and friends circuit for a while I recently plucked up enough courage to venture further from home and perform at a 21st birthday party. Since then I have performed at a number of other similar events.
What I wanted to do was to share with others some of the concepts that I have learnt from this site that I consider have helped me out most in performance. I don’t expect this post to interest the seasoned magicians here but hopefully some newcomers to card magic may find it useful. To put the post into context, my routines were fairly brief and consisted of: Standing: - An in the hands Do as I Do effect (just to get me started) - Bizarre Twist followed by Bizarre Vanish - Card to Pocket At a table: - Design for laughter (from RRTCM) - Triumph (as taught on Ammar’s ETMCM Vol 1) - Galaxy (version of Out of this World) So what have I learned? 1. Attitude and confidence is everything. If you don’t really believe in your magic then why should the spectator? If you don’t believe the spectator will most likely pick up on it and they won’t believe. Although I’ve read this a thousand times I didn’t really appreciate it until I got “out there” and performed. I always start with a simple effect just to get me going and to try and get the nerves out of the way. Nervous hands look seriously dodgy. Try performing the elmsley’s in Twisting the Aces with shaky hands and you’ll see what I mean. If you get nervous try to label your nervousness “excitement” – it has helped me out a little. 2. Focus on a smallish number of tricks and learn them inside out, particularly if you are going to perform for different people regularly. Quite arrogantly, I thought I knew all there was to know about the effects I chose to perform until I actually performed them and was hit by unexpected variables I hadn’t dreamt of. Spectators can be very unpredictable. I for one have been very guilty in the past of being greedy and trying to learn as many tricks as I can. This is in no doubt influenced by the glut of new tricks coming out daily professing to be the next great thing – “amazing climax with no effort” – these don’t exist. Sometimes you just don’t know which way to turn. There has been a number of times when I have been performing an effect similar to the hundreds in my head that I only half know and can’t remember what the heck I’m supposed to do next. A clear sign I needed to slow down! 3. Have a change of pace in your set. By this I mean vary the tricks and sleights used so that the spec’s don’t get too familiar with what you’re doing. It also makes it more interesting for the spec. I’m embarrassed to say that for a long time I didn’t consider this until I performed 3 back to back tricks using the same slight and was burned on the last one – man I was depressed. Still, I won’t do it again though. 4. Try to have an emotional hook in your presentations. Again I have read this a thousand times but it is key. You don’t need to have long winded stories – just enough to keep the spec intrigued. This can take many forms depending on your character such as a challenge or failed magician ruse such as Design for Laughter etc. 5. Concentrate on the Single Point of Failure. By this I mean focus on perfecting whatever misdirection or sleight is crucial to the effect being successful from the spectator’s point of view. This could be a D/L in an ambitious card routine, misdirecting the spectator whilst palming a card for a card to pocket effect, the face up / face down shuffle in Triumph, the elmsley count in twisting the aces and so on. The spectator must really believe the cards are shuffled or that the card is place into the middle of the deck etc. 6. Control of the spectator is just as important as controlling the cards. If you can casually misdirect the spec with either a joke, question or by focusing their attention elsewhere you can get away with almost anything. Being casual is important. 7. Lastly, take your time, don’t rush the spec’s and effects and let the magic breathe. Like I said at the beginning these points all originate from what I have learnt from this site. I am heavily indebted to the people who visit this site and offer advice – so thanks! I still have a long journey to make to get where I would like to be but I’m looking forward to it and learning from my mistakes. It would be interesting to know what concepts other members think have helped them out whether from this site or elsewhere. All the best. Justin |
Bohh Regular user Northeast Ohio 162 Posts |
Thanks Justin.
I'm still starting off and will take this advice to heart. |
seraph127 Special user 587 Posts |
Justin
You've learned a great deal. Your post is a nice summary of many of the major points in the performance of magic. I think this would make a nice "sticky" in the "New to Magic?" section.
There are many tricks, and many effects, but rarely a Grand Effect. There are many entertainers, but few real magicians. Many technicians, but few artists who use their art to explore their vision. - Derren Brown, Absolute Magic
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chichi711 Inner circle 5810 Posts |
I would agree with seraph. Very good post Justin.
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Dirko Loyal user Michigan 287 Posts |
Great post. I hope many newbies learn from this!
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Paul Inner circle A good lecturer at your service! 4409 Posts |
It's good you've picked things up that have been useful Juble. And its nice to see someone aknowledging the fact. I agree with Seraph127 though, the post (which is a good one) may be better in the beginner section, rather than getting lost here.
Paul. |
wsduncan Inner circle Seattle, WA 3619 Posts |
Mr. Brooks? Are you listening?
Clearly here is a young magican who has been helped and wishes to help others. Nice post Juble, congratulations. |
joeKing Special user United States 979 Posts |
Very nice post....just to add to add to the thread I decided to post up an essay I wrote awhile ago for another forum that had the same idea:
Being in magic for a little more than I year I thought I would share the most useful things that I have learned...I hope they help you as much as they've helped me. A magician should spend 10 times more practicing than performing…I think it was Larry Jennings that once said he had more fun practicing an effect than performing it. During a practice session for me, I go through a couple of my routines (3-5 tricks) a bunch of times. Usually ones that I feel less confident with, or if I haven't performed it for a while. I almost always find a move or sleight that I feel really rusty with. For example: Last night I was feeling really crappy with my Top Change. So I performed it around 100 times slowly (while watching the Simpsons ) and then when I went through routines that used it, I found a huge improvement. I did the same with the TeBe (AKA Bertram) change a couple days ago. Something that took me a very long time to understand is that Speed and Quality come with patience. A riffle pass, for another example, is needed to be done at a very quick rate...fast enough so that the eye can't see it. That doesn't mean that you should practice this at a performance speed, rather you should go through the move EXTREMELY slowly...And through time the speed will come, because it becomes apart of your "muscle memory" so to speak. I also never practice sitting down, I never perform sitting down so why do practice like that...I also NEVER practice in silence; I talk during my whole practice session…Saying all the bad jokes and weird patter to the mirror. It makes me look crazy, but if you practice in your head and go perform you'll find that you WILL have awkward silent moments. Performing moves while talking effects your breath and can cause hesitation. Simple tips, but something to think about. Magic is a lot different than what it was 20+ years ago...Not that I would honestly know, but new books and DVD’s are coming out faster than ever(look at Sankey); they are supposedly full of new and exciting material. Reviews come from everyone saying that it's a "must have" book/DVD and everyone buys it. Everyone’s looking for the book that gives you the “Holy Grail”, they only come to realize that it wasn’t what they were looking for and it goes on the shelf along with the 100s of other magic books. This is something that I am definitely guilty of. At times I can buy 5 books at a time and never find time to read through all of them. You can spend all your time searching for the latest and greatest effect put out by so-and-so…Think about this though, before the material was published the performed likely spent a huge amount of time practicing the fundamentals and his presentational skills. Just because you buy their product and learn the secret doesn’t make you a better performer, nor will it compensate for your lack of discipline and lack of practice it will only depress you. Learn to study and practice…the real “Holy Grail” in magic (or mentalism) is to practice your ass off and not worry about what NEW effect Sankey (or anyone) else is buying. A mentor of mine once told me that a single book should keep you busy for more than 6 months. Most of my tips are definitely not original ideas, I feel that they were the most important and the ones I could of used earlier on in my magic “career.” If you want a more on this topic, check out the following: Maximum Entertainment by Ken Weber I only just got this book (like a few days ago) and I can tell you that his book will challenge you to examine yourself and your performances. It will inspire you to make changes. And I know that is scary. We as magicians desperately want to think that we are charming, amazing, entertaining and all that good stuff. There are a few, and they are rare, but for the most part we are ignorant and we need a does of reality. I hate that, and avoid it at all costs. Well Ken's book will give you what you need in a pleasant form. Trust me. Carneycopia by John Carney The book starts out with an essay on the theory of magic and misdirection. Probably the most inspiring essay I have ever read in magic. The book doesn’t focus on just improving your presentation and misdirection there are a lot of well rounded effects in this book. The book helped me improve my ability in creating an effect that worked. (if that makes sense ) Strong Magic by Darwin Ortiz If you know anything about improving your presentation, you probably heard of this book. Some call this the best book in all magic. It is out of print and highly sought after…Copies go for $100+ on ebay almost every week. The book is mainly a comprehensive analysis of various presentational techniques and strategies to make your magic stronger. I haven’t read through it all (I borrowed it from a friend), but from what I read it is a very good book. Absolute Magic AND Pure Effect by Derren Brown I never read either of them, but the go along with this genre. From the review I have read, it is an absolute love or an absolute hate book. Most will agree that “Strong Magic” or “Maximum Entertainment” is a better buy. Beyond Secrets by Jay Sankey Sankey’s take on this area of magic…He talks about a lot of things in this book, and some of the essays are very good, but a majority of them aren’t worth your time (he tends to repeat himself at times). I found the book to be a disappointment, but many will disagree with me. Leading With Your Head by Gary Kurtz I don’t know too much about this one, but I do know it's all on misdirection and how magic can be performed more convincingly. From the little material I’ve seen of Gary Kurtz, I can confidently say that this book is definitely worth a look. Kurtz also puts his take on the AC on this, supposedly one of the best versions ever. I’m not saying go out and buy all these books to become a better performer, rather research them a bit and buy one of them and see what you think. I have bought a few and they have made a huge difference for me.
~joeKing
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notfredkaps New user 5 Posts |
I also found out about Oz from this site and how great his DVDs are. He's a young Michael Ammar.
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Juble Veteran user 363 Posts |
Thanks guys - I shall post this on the new to magic board.
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Peakey New user Australia 50 Posts |
Great advice Justin!! Good article!!!
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mcmc Veteran user 310 Posts |
I'm sorry, but that's so bogus LOL! Oz is the next Michael Ammar? I'm sorry, but I've stopped viewing the videos on Penguin's site b/c Oz's poorly practiced, poorly presented videos tips the majority of the effects. An unscrupulous magician would have a field day there.
It's really stunning to me that anyone would say 'Oz' and 'Ammar' in the same sentence. Hopefully it was a brain fart due to youth (or youth in magicy ears) that will dissipate with more knowledge and experience. |
etawil New user New York 64 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-12-14 19:13, mcmc wrote: Oh come on now, "mcmc," we had a nice "warm fuzzy" going on this thread, and you had to go negative on us What a great initial post by Justin; definitely makes me feel like posting more. --Ezra. |
Tysmagic Regular user Tennessee 171 Posts |
Really like what you said Justin. I am somewhat new to magic , a little over a year and a half (I count that half untill it is maybe 3 years), and I think that this will help everbody a lot. I learned most of what you said preforming during the summer with a friend of mine, Micheal Keating. (For those who know him keep your comments to yourself, I believe I know what might be said.) I did like that warm fuzzy feeling though. Hope I didn't sound to egotistic or rude in this post. Merry New Years to All and Happy Christmas
TAOBMAETS 666 or 999 Steamboat
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Steinbock New user Maine 76 Posts |
Justin, great opening post on this board. Judging from what you wrote, you and I are at roughly the same place along the legerdemain path. Very wise insights that I'm taking to heart.
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sbays Inner circle Burbank, CA 1065 Posts |
[quote]On 2004-12-14 19:13, mcmc wrote:
I'm sorry, but that's so bogus LOL! Oz is the next Michael Ammar? I'm sorry, but I've stopped viewing the videos on Penguin's site b/c Oz's poorly practiced, poorly presented videos tips the majority of the effects. An unscrupulous magician would have a field day there. ------------------------------------ Totally unfair dude. Oz is a GREAT performer. Something I think you are missing here is, Oz is there to Demo new tricks as they come in. That's LOTS of stuff! I am certain he does not use ALL of these in his personal performances. I am sure he gets the basic gist of the trick down, films it, and moves on. Hardly enough time to become totally comfortable with it, much less perfect it to his own style. Anyone who says Oz isn't good, well ... your NUTS!!!!! j/k Seriously though, cut him some slack!!
"Opportunity may only knock once, but temptation leans on the doorbell."
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Marco S. Inner circle 1017 Posts |
Good post, Justin.
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mcmc Veteran user 310 Posts |
On reviewing his two card magic trailers, I stand by my point even more. It's kind of gross to see Penguin market him, and his dvd's, as the "most anticipated dvd of the year". puh-leese. Sure, his finger-flicking ability is better than most amateurs, but that's just the extent - finger flicking. too much of it, too, sometimes. it makes for some 'look I'm great at this' action, and not much actual magic, the mystique, the wonder.
in fact, though I find it ironic to say this, david blaine has his act much more together than this guy - at least he doesn't flick his cards like a nervous wreck fifty times during a move. when blaine does it, it looks like magic. when oz does it, it's like 'man, this guy's a superb acrobat with cards! bravo!' reminds me of de'vo. I'm not saying he isn't good with cards, looks like he has good skill. I'm just saying that does not make one a magician, and certainly doesn't make him new york's greatest magician, or whatever. |
Roger Kelly Inner circle Kent, England 3332 Posts |
I've learned probably more on the Café than I have in the six DVD's and thirty-odd books I've purchased over the past twelve months. Another BIG thank you to "Brooks and Co" (not forgetting, of course, loads of correspondents!)
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Vraagaard Inner circle Copenhagen, Denmark 1479 Posts |
Thanks Justin, How often do we forget. Sometime when a trick doesn't seem to work, I've realised that if I refocus, change the patter and start believing that magic is happening then it starts getting reactions. If I remember to love my audience and have fun during performance then its even better.
I used to dislike my "hopping halves" because in my mind it was too gimmicked and to cheating like. But when I started changing my mindset and the patter with less word and introducing a magical snap gesture and "believing" it happened then the spectators started to actually like it a lot. Now it's nice to have a simple trick that requires less concentration - it's kind of a magical breather for me to pull out in between the more complex routines. |
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