Magic Performance - Live

[Jacob L]

Me and Jok3r (Michael) head out to the mall to do some magic for people. We did get rejected a few times, but hey, they are the ones who missed out

Anyway, here is stuff we already noticed:
First two performances were not that great.
Michael: Shake change was good, but the sandwhich effect was on the fly, so it was a bit shaky.
Jacob:Too many questions about the spectators card, I should've stopped at asking what color, or no questions at all. Also, I shouldve done a better production where the spectator holds the deck; it gets them more involved.

Feel free to contribute comments or critiques, we can handle some constructive criticism (constructive, as in no bashing, we are all friends here )

Adventure Awaits
Your boy,
Fez

 

[jok3r]

This was a freaken blast, didn't go exactly how i wanted to.
But we learned alot, and we learned we suck at filming ba haha.

 

[Jacob L]

Yeah for real, but hey, we got out there at least. We will get better at that lol.

Anyone else? We are open to pretty much any comments.

 

[r.zhang]

The reactions were... lackluster. I think you guys could've slowed down and interacted more with them. With that larger group, you only interacted with the 2 that you did tricks for. It would've been nice if you went up to the middle of the group and performed where everyone could see. Also, you guys did all card effects, which is fine, but were quick sandwich effects that seemed more like card tricks than actual magic. These are just my opinions though. Good luck and have better luck next time.

 

[Jacob L]

Thank you for taking the time to watch it.
Yeah we realized that about the reactions, it might have been the camera, because we got better reactions off camera for the same effects.

For the group, again after we left I was like "oh dang, I should've done something for the other people!" I guess it was nerves with first performing while walking around.

Thanks for your inputs, the next video will be better, believe that.

Your boy,
Fez

 

[r.zhang]

I would advise not to approach them with a camera. It's an akward thing and people would think it's weird. It only works if you have a huge camera crew. Approach them, say wassup, ask to show them somethings, and ask if they mind if you film.

 

[MillionaireMike]

HAHA at least you had fun! They reactions weren't that great but hey you'll get better the more you go out. I was lucky enough to get a great reaction for my first "OMG That is creepy, I am going to have nightmares over that!" lol You guys were "acting the goat" a little though as you were together and it was all done quite fast but that doesn't matter, like I said before youll get used to it.

 

[Kontents]

Slow down during performing.

I saw some very ugly double lifts.

When you work with an Invisilbe deck... make it more of an astonishing thing. I felt that your patter and laughter made the trick more of a joke and so the reaction was very dull.

Malls suck.. I went and performed at a mall and the reactions were about the same.
Other then that you guys looked like you had alot of fun and gained some experience so props!.

 

[Robert//Livingston]

Awesome video, the girls in the beginning just didn't seem into it lol.. I've run into people like that and the best thing was just to finish with my trick and let them go.

For Jacob, is that a variation of the hindu force your using? It's a little angle-y and I could definitely tell what you were doing. That might be just me though, I think going top-wise with it just gives them a chance to see what your doing.

I had fun watching

 

[SHANE BLACK]

Props for actually going out to perform a few suggestion for you guys,...slow down let the magic happen it's not the camera you guys are rushing way too fast. Second, this is the biggest problem with card tricks is you playing with the deck too much, too much riffling, moves not needed, cuts other things, this is distracting to your audience and takes away from the magic.

Remember if you look like a card shark you get card shark reactions "that was good but he's really good with sleight of hand" otherwise looked good some impromtu stuff in there was good.

Shane

 

[Kontents]

Second, this is the biggest problem with card tricks is you playing with the deck too much, too much riffling, moves not needed, cuts other things, this is distracting to your audience and takes away from the magic.

I call this making noise. Great tip to really think about. Most times when performing if you feel nervous you react and start handling the deck while talking. It takes so much mystery away from your presentation. I suggest dropping the deck from view and just make eye contact to gain that connection with the spectator.

Great tip Shane

 

[chrystal baller]

i agree with Shane but I posted on the vimeo page. If you want to talk more about what i ment just pm me here.

 

[Jacob L]

I would advise not to approach them with a camera. It's an akward thing and people would think it's weird. It only works if you have a huge camera crew. Approach them, say wassup, ask to show them somethings, and ask if they mind if you film.

Ok, see we were debating on if we should start out with the camera or not. We will do that next time, thanks for the tip.

Awesome video, the girls in the beginning just didn't seem into it lol.. I've run into people like that and the best thing was just to finish with my trick and let them go.

Yeah they were like....uhhh.... lol.

For Jacob, is that a variation of the hindu force your using? It's a little angle-y and I could definitely tell what you were doing. That might be just me though, I think going top-wise with it just gives them a chance to see what your doing.

I had fun watching

Well I don't thinks its a variation, I guess the angle of it made it seem like that. I have a different bottom force now so I'll use that more now, its pretty much angle proof.
Thanks, glad you liked it

Slow down during performing.

I saw some very ugly double lifts.

When you work with an Invisilbe deck... make it more of an astonishing thing. I felt that your patter and laughter made the trick more of a joke and so the reaction was very dull.

Malls suck.. I went and performed at a mall and the reactions were about the same.
Other then that you guys looked like you had alot of fun and gained some experience so props!.

1.Yeah we noticed we went fast after we watched them, it might have been nerves a bit, oh well, live and learn.
2. Our bad....?
3. Yeah I know what your saying, but the girls didnt seem to be in an "astonishing" mood. They didnt seem to take understanding to it so I felt rushed to just get it over with.
4. Malls: yeah it wasnt the best place, but we couldnt think of anywhere else to go really (the movie theatre was dead also.)
5. Thanks man, we did and we learned a lot which will go into our next time out. Thanks for the tips.

Props for actually going out to perform a few suggestion for you guys,...slow down let the magic happen it's not the camera you guys are rushing way too fast. Second, this is the biggest problem with card tricks is you playing with the deck too much, too much riffling, moves not needed, cuts other things, this is distracting to your audience and takes away from the magic.

Remember if you look like a card shark you get card shark reactions "that was good but he's really good with sleight of hand" otherwise looked good some impromtu stuff in there was good.

Shane

Again, like I said for kontents, the rushing was most likely the nerves (but then again, we could just talk fast naturally)

Ok, nice advice. That will be on our "work on" list.
Thanks to everyone for the advice and comments!

Your boy,
Fez

 

[Sir FansAlot]

I liked the material. You guys should slow it down a little even though the reaction are good. Totally personal preference here but the quick flourishes and stuff, put them on the back burner and do these effects without quick beats/tempos and everything will seem more fair to them. Some of the most pronounced motions are just moving your hands fast. It gives them an out when they go home and think about it. The same routines done slower I think would KILL.

Peace.

 

[Kontents]

1.Yeah we noticed we went fast after we watched them, it might have been nerves a bit, oh well, live and learn.
2. Our bad....?
3. Yeah I know what your saying, but the girls didnt seem to be in an "astonishing" mood. They didnt seem to take understanding to it so I felt rushed to just get it over with.
4. Malls: yeah it wasnt the best place, but we couldnt think of anywhere else to go really (the movie theatre was dead also.)
5. Thanks man, we did and we learned a lot which will go into our next time out. Thanks for the tips.

Yup! one of the greatest sleight of hand moves and you guys butcher it, but don't take offense or anything it usually happens during live performances (nervousness). This just means you should really practice the flow of your double lifts when performing.

 

[Jacob L]

I liked the material. You guys should slow it down a little even though the reaction are good. Totally personal preference here but the quick flourishes and stuff, put them on the back burner and do these effects without quick beats/tempos and everything will seem more fair to them. Some of the most pronounced motions are just moving your hands fast. It gives them an out when they go home and think about it. The same routines done slower I think would KILL.

Peace.

Yeah I see what you are saying, it goes along with some of the other advice. And really ( I know I keep falling back on this, its really the only reason I can think of) is just the nerves of performing first time. Thanks for your input.

Yup! one of the greatest sleight of hand moves and you guys butcher it, but don't take offense or anything it usually happens during live performances (nervousness). This just means you should really practice the flow of your double lifts when performing.

Ok, I dont feel too good about that, but ...(see above). Our sleights are a lot better than this, which of course you can possibly find hard to believe from the video (which is fine.), but I agree with you.
However, if you saw us when we just started out, this is a lot better (we were shaking so much the card could barely get turned over. ) I know thats not a valid excuse, but we will work on that.

Your boy,
Fez

 

[jok3r]

Yeah I see what you are saying, it goes along with some of the other advice. And really ( I know I keep falling back on this, its really the only reason I can think of) is just the nerves of performing first time. Thanks for your input.



Ok, I dont feel too good about that, but ...(see above). Our sleights are a lot better than this, which of course you can possibly find hard to believe from the video (which is fine.), but I agree with you.
However, if you saw us when we just started out, this is a lot better (we were shaking so much the card could barely get turned over. ) I know thats not a valid excuse, but we will work on that.

Your boy,
Fez

so the doubles are supposed to look good to a magician? and not the spectator
considering no one said anything about them, why would we change it?

Everything else is pretty good advice, thanks guys.

We perform live all the time, i think the camera kinda messed us up.

I don't think i fiddle with the deck that much, and we didn't flourish in any of the effects? or am i wrong

And yes the first thing i told jacob after i watched it was, WE NEED TO SLOW DOWN.

Its one of those things where your telling yourself to slow down, and as soon as you start performing you completely forget

 

[jok3r]

Slow down during performing.

I saw some very ugly double lifts.

When you work with an Invisilbe deck... make it more of an astonishing thing. I felt that your patter and laughter made the trick more of a joke and so the reaction was very dull.

Malls suck.. I went and performed at a mall and the reactions were about the same.
Other then that you guys looked like you had alot of fun and gained some experience so props!.

The sad part is there's no where else for us to go besides the movies, which i feel would be about the same.

Its just so dang cold!

 

[scarecrow1]

I think you guys did quite well, considering this is your first time with a camera. It's quite a feat in itself to go out and perform for random people, and most people don't even do that, so props on that.

I would say it's mostly because of nerves that you guys hurried, and didn't get as good reactions. I've seen some of Jacob's stuff before, and he's put some stuff up on the forums, and he's better than this, so it's mostly nerves. I can relate as whenever I perform, I tend to rush. I haven't seen any of Michael's material, but I'm sure it's good from the little bit I saw in the video.

Overall, it was pretty dang good. Keep it up!

 

[Jacob L]

so the doubles are supposed to look good to a magician? and not the spectator
considering no one said anything about them, why would we change it?

Everything else is pretty good advice, thanks guys.

We perform live all the time, i think the camera kinda messed us up.

I don't think i fiddle with the deck that much, and we didn't flourish in any of the effects? or am i wrong

Im not saying change it, but our doubles are better than that, we both know that. Now your one handed break was good, but we can always improve. We dont need to completley revamp it, just get it to how it is when we practice (for me at least, didnt mean to make you feel like I dragged you into this too.)

I think all we did was cut and riffle, the only flourishing was in the first part of the vid, and that was supposed to happen. I cant flourish to save my life, so I wouldnt do it anyway.

And yes the first thing i told jacob after i watched it was, WE NEED TO SLOW DOWN.

Its one of those things where your telling yourself to slow down, and as soon as you start performing you completely forget

Yeah same, I know I talk fast naturally, its not like I just didnt want to slow down. Its the first time, there are gonna be some rough spots, but we did fine and we can only get better.

Your boy,
Fez