Ostrich Syndrome In Magic

[Toby]

It is well known that ostriches dig their head in the sand when they don't want for somebody to see them. They are thinking "If I don't see them, they won't see me either." And vice versa "If I can see something, others will see it too"...

There is this fear when you do snap change, tenkai palm, lateral palm, injog, crimp, etc... Basically, there is this fear that if I (magician) can see something from my perspective, that the audience see it too (although they don't)...

How to overcome this fear? Or just share your thoughts and comments...

 

[aJohnson]

I had the same problem when palming, you just have to do it. Once you do it a few times infront of people and don't get caught, it becomes natural and the fear goes away (Not completely of course, it's always there a lil)

 

[tally-ho]

You just have to get comfortable knowing that fact that they cannot see what you see. When I have a coin palmed or am doing a switch of some sort, I feel that I'm going to get caught. When I'm not, I realize that I was worrying about nothing. Or get caught once, see what it feels like and realize it's not the end of the world.

 

[Jv]

You can only learn from experience.

You must get comfortable with any sleight or application in magic and you must make sure that if the spectator doesn't see or notice any thing funny or fishing then you may be doing the right stuff.

If I'm palming or something I naturally use presentation and misdirection to make sure that I'm the only one that knows what's going on between me and the sleight happening.

 

[Toby]

You can only learn from experience.

You must get comfortable with any sleight or application in magic and you must make sure that if the spectator doesn't see or notice any thing funny or fishing then you may be doing the right stuff.

If I'm palming or something I naturally use presentation and misdirection to make sure that I'm the only one that knows what's going on between me and the sleight happening.

Yeah, I know that, but I'm not talking about classic palm (both with cards and coins) because you don't even see it palmed. I'm talking about tenkai palm, lateral palm (in Lennart Greens invisible deal), snap change, and that kind of stuff, that are really really visible from your point of view...

 

[CaseyC]

Again, it's really all in the experience.

You just have to 'fa get ah bout it' and stay relaxed and natural.

This applies to almost any sleight at all. If you're doing a pass and you tense up, your audience will suspect something happened, even if they don't see a thing.

This whole idea ties in very closely with tension and when/when not to use it.

As Aaron Fisher said in a recent conversation I had:

From my perspective, tension isn't so much a quality as it is a sliding scale, from loosey goosey, to super tight. Depending on where we want to focus attention at any time, we apply more or less focus, and the audiences attention ebbs, flows and shifts accordingly........ Tension isn't always a bad thing

 

[Jv]

I think I should have used a better example.

Now to overcome this fear depends on what sleight you're using. Some sleights may be noticed by certain spectators while others don't.

You just have to see which sleights you have problems or flashes in that the spectator may notice or see from their perspective.

I would suggest going out and perform and see what happens...If you have faith in yourself and the magic you're performing and having a good time you won't have a problem with any thing or you won't even realized that you could pull off any bold move in front of your spectators.

 

[Glenn West]

Practice until you do not have to think about it.

This is the main problem here. You still are thinking about it, which puts your attention on it, and WILL lead to your audience's attention going to it as well.

If you can do it with out thinking about it, you will not notice it, and neither will your audience.

 

[liam-k]

Hmmm i used to like making videos of my magic but i always used to flash. This put me off of using complicated moves infront of spectators.

Now i realise that, misdirection is so easy and it can cover up any palm or move.

Obviously you cant use misdirection in a video so now ive decided to perform for spectators and show them something good rather than trying to come up with something "Amazing" to show other magicians.

My best advice is to practice your palms untill you can do them pretty quick, it doesnt matter if theyre not brilliant and you flash slightly because if you can misdirect your audience then you can get away with anything.

Just make sure somethings always happening, dont have a sudden pause where nothings going on because this brings attention to you and this can be bad because you will feel under pressure.

Just practice what you are going to say and how your going to misdirect the spectator when you do certain sleights.

(IM ON FIRE TODAY I KEEP WRITING ESSAYS WHATS WRONG WITH ME LOL)

 

[nexusmagic]

The thing that helped me was

1. Practice with close family. They are the most honest.
2. Practice on video tape.
3. Confidence building exercises.
4. Just doing it.

 

[Toby]

Maybe I wasn't clear enough before...
I'm not talking about palming, and I'm not talking about flashing, and I'm not talking about misdirection...

Forget all the other examples and let's just focus on snap change. You can't misdirect your audience because they need to see what you are doing. And after the change you are left in a position. And there is that fear that because you see a card, they will also see it, although they don't...

Is it more clear now?

 

[nexusmagic]

In a snap change I feel that there are 2 moments of misdirection, the snap and then the shock of the card changing into another card. It may be a brief moment but you should be able to clean up with the initial shock.

 

[Toby]

Ok, I give up. No body really understands what I'm saying...
Maybe because English is not my native language, but I think I explained the situation really well, but still no one understands it...

 

[tally-ho]

Ok, I give up. No body really understands what I'm saying...
Maybe because English is not my native language, but I think I explained the situation really well, but still no one understands it...

Let me try and get this straight. You are nervous performing because you are worried that they can see what you can see. You believe that a trick with an obvious method will be easily solved by them, Am I right?

EDIT: whoa crazy amount of ones in my post count.

 

[Sinful07]

He's saying:

After he performs the snap change, he ends dirty.

He's nervous because he knows he doesnt end clean- therefore he thinks that his audience also thinks that he isnt.

Lack of confidence.

 

[Justin.Morris]

It is well known that ostriches dig their head in the sand when they don't want for somebody to see them. They are thinking "If I don't see them, they won't see me either." And vice versa "If I can see something, others will see it too"...

There is this fear when you do snap change, tenkai palm, lateral palm, injog, crimp, etc... Basically, there is this fear that if I (magician) can see something from my perspective, that the audience see it too (although they don't)...

How to overcome this fear? Or just share your thoughts and comments...

Well, to start, (just because someone has to say it) the ostrich thing is a myth. The don't actually do that at all.

As far as what you are saying, I believe that it is a matter of practicing in front of a mirror and a friend. As far as the snap change goes (which I use all the time), it is simply a matter of learning the mechanics so well that they occur the same way every time=>thus the card is in the same position every time. Then I determined the point on my hand that must be pointed towards their eyes in order to keep the card hidden. I point that part of my hand toward their eyes (if there are two or more people, I point it in the middle/left of the group) and I keep it that way until the clean up. I hope that helps!

j

 

[MagicShadow9]

If you can, perform whatever thing you need to a little child (like 5-8 years old). They are usually the most honest and will point out everything they see. If you can get it by them, you can usually get it past anyone.

 

[Toby]

Let me try and get this straight. You are nervous performing because you are worried that they can see what you can see. You believe that a trick with an obvious method will be easily solved by them, Am I right?

EDIT: whoa crazy amount of ones in my post count.

It is not me, that is nervous. I just wanted to start the discussion
And it's not nervousness at all, it is that thing "I can see the whole card, how the hell they can't see nothing? It's just not possible..." That kind of thing...

He's saying:

After he performs the snap change, he ends dirty.

He's nervous because he knows he doesnt end clean- therefore he thinks that his audience also thinks that he isnt.

Lack of confidence.

Again, it's not lack of confidence, it is just that "how the hell they don't see it, when I see everything. They must see it, but they are just playing nice". It is really hard to describe what I'm trying to say lol

Well, to start, (just because someone has to say it) the ostrich thing is a myth. The don't actually do that at all.

j

Yeah, I know. I didn't say that it is the fact, I said that it is well known

If you can, perform whatever thing you need to a little child (like 5-8 years old). They are usually the most honest and will point out everything they see. If you can get it by them, you can usually get it past anyone.

Hahaha, I will try that. Thanx

 

[Glenn West]

It is not me, that is nervous. I just wanted to start the discussion
And it's not nervousness at all, it is that thing "I can see the whole card, how the hell they can't see nothing? It's just not possible..." That kind of thing...

Again, it's not lack of confidence, it is just that "how the hell they don't see it, when I see everything. They must see it, but they are just playing nice". It is really hard to describe what I'm trying to say lol

Yeah, I know. I didn't say that it is the fact, I said that it is well known

Hahaha, I will try that. Thanx

Um, what you described is EXACTLY a lack of confidence.
"how the hell they don't see it, when I see everything. They must see it, but they are just playing nice"

This is not being confident that they can not see it. Not believing it can be true, and they must be being nice means exactly that you are not confident in the position you are in with the card.

You have no confidence that it cannot be seen.

This is exactly what you are saying.

Work on it in a mirror, this will show you where they cannot see it. You will see it is possible, no matter how much you can see the card.

Also, perhaps try a different snap change, where you are left with the card more hidden, like the Buck Twin's Click change. You will be more confident that they cannot see the card.