I.o.u

[Michael Kras]

Here's a short effect I've been working on... a production and vanish of a coin in a flash of fire. I hope you enjoy it and would love to hear your thoughts!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZqmAylUSuY

 

[renome]

You obviously used the camera angles to get rid of a coin, although I guess you can just reach into your pocket for a lighter in case of a live performance.
Other than that, the effect was nice and I really didn't expect that second flash in the end!

 

[RickEverhart]

Michael, I love the fact that you are doing magic and sharing videos, but I'm just going to be blunt and say, "Let's see it for a live audience where we the viewers aren't constricted to the camera shot. I love watching your routines for people in every day real life. This effect and your last video both allowed you to utilize something in front of you to ditch something. The lighter last time...the coin this time. I know you have skills so get out there man and do it.

 

[Michael Kras]

Hi Rick,

The reason I didn't film recent videos for audiences is because they simply exhibit small ideas I'm toying with, not finished material I'm comfortable bringing into a working situation. I post the videos to get community feedback and aid in the development of my ideas. When I have a finished effect I feel like sharing, it will be performed in a less informal manner.

In terms of "ditching the coin", I would typically do it in the pocket. But as we know, the unblinking eye of the camera is unforgiving, so I sometimes make small adjustments to the structure of my work to make it play better for a to-camera performance.

 

[eostresh]

In terms of "ditching the coin", I would typically do it in the pocket. But as we know, the unblinking eye of the camera is unforgiving, so I sometimes make small adjustments to the structure of my work to make it play better for a to-camera performance.

I hear you there, There have been times I wanted to take get feedback on effects that I know from personal experience work in live performance but I have nixed the idea once I tried filming it. There are just certain moves that are perfectly covered in live performance(like going to the pocket to ditch) that just don't fly on film.

Anyways, as for the effect itself. I to was surprised by the second flash as well. So that part I think was good but the rest of the routine seemed to lack something. So I guess I am saying that the double flash is an interesting idea to pursue but it seemed to lack something in this particular routine.

 

[Mat La Vore]

I like the second part of adding in the additional flash to vanish the coin. I'd say that before the first flash though you need at least once convincer of your hands being empty beforehand. Not crazy about the premise of showing a demonstration of what happened "one time your friend wrote you an IOU for 50 cents." No one is going to believe you're doing anything but feeding them BS so you can do a magic trick, so it comes across as pandering. So why not come up with something people will actually believe in and engage in? Also--I know it's for YouTube, and I know you've said it's your natural speaking voice before, but that's no reason not to change it--you sound over-rehearsed. Lots of staccato in your voice. Lots of performer cliche's in your tone and pacing.

Just an idea--the vanish of the coin could also make for a good vanish before the coin appears on someone's shoulder. It would give the feeling the coin just vanished from the magician's fingertips and immediately appeared on someone's shoulder. The appearance of the coin in an impossible location seems a perfect follow up to me for capitalizing on the shock of the coin disappearing in a bright flash. Just a thought where else you may be able to take the idea.

 

[Michael Kras]

Thank you all for the great thoughts and ideas!

Matt, in regards to my voice, I'm really not sure what to do... in this particular video I tried to combat that criticism by filming a totally unscripted performance. I did it off the cuff, but I just have an odd way with words.

 

[Mat La Vore]

Thank you all for the great thoughts and ideas!

Matt, in regards to my voice, I'm really not sure what to do... in this particular video I tried to combat that criticism by filming a totally unscripted performance. I did it off the cuff, but I just have an odd way with words.

I've been there myself, man. One of the first times I watched myself on video performing for real people I was horrified by this incredibly annoying and awkward laugh I used to have when people reacted to the magic. It was just something I had to become conscious of and work to fix just like I would have a sleight. I remember you saying you were an actor. Use that skill when you perform magic. Adapt someone else's way of speaking that you would like to sound like until it becomes your own. Watch some movies or TV shows until you find your prototype voice and work from there. All great actors and characters have very intentional voices. Many even take voice lessons. And with good reason too--how you sound to people is a huge part of how you're communicating; almost as important as what you are saying is how you are saying it. There's no reason not to work on your voice. It will only help. Think of some great performers and think what makes them so charismatic outside of their talent--it's their posture, their voice, their facial expressions, their walk, body language, dress, etc. It's definitely something you can improve upon, and you'll be better off for it. I know working on my own posture, voice, energy levels, etc. has done more for me as a magician than spending that time working on sleights would have.

 

[Michael Kras]

I want to be myself when performing, that's the problem. There's nothing I hate more than people commenting on my voice, because it's one of those things that cannot be changed. It's how I perform and nobody ever has a problem with it. I'm not amping anything up or being dramatic vocally, that is legitimately how I talk.. in fact, this video in particular was me making a genuine effort to sound more slurry and natural because that's apparently what people want to hear. People are probably often thrown off because I don't perform as though I'm in front of a camera, I perform as though I'm in front of an audience. But in any case, that's my voice. Meet me in person and I'll sound exactly the same. It bothers me because, to me, it's like someone saying they don't like my skin colour. It's just something I can't naturally change. I'm an actor as well as a singer, so studying voice is a big part of my life... this is the voice I was born with, and it's not driving anyone away in any situation. I was taught from a young age to speak articulately, and studying vocal technique has also had some influence on the way I speak. But my overall vocal tonality and quality can't be changed.

I get these comments with almost every video I post. I don't think I will post videos anymore in that instance.

 

[Josh Burch]

I like the idea of a napkin IOU. It makes more sense than tissue paper or cigarette paper for sure. I would like the plot to be more incidental. For instance you could say "I've had this IOU in my pocket for ever. It's time I face the fact he'll never pay me back. I'm gonna get rid of this once and for all". Maybe not exactly those words but I think it would have more of an emotional connection with the audience if it was a vengful act when you destroy the napkin.

 

[Michael Kras]

Thanks so much for the great idea! I love the IOU idea, I think it had plenty of potential for a good relateable connection for an audience, and I like your idea. I appreciate your comment!