Style

[Steerpike]

I don't do tricks that I don't personally like. (I'm a hobbyist after all.) But thanks to the number of great tricks out there that doesn't deter my ability to blow spec's minds off at all.

This doesn't really tell me anything.

I'm just a better version of myself. If my name was Clark Kent, Superman would be my magic character. (Yeah, yeah, it's a cliché, rip-off example but it's still, true.)

This tells me even less.

I go with the saying nothing method.

Also tells me very little.

Josh, you're going to have to be a lot more elaborate if you want any critiques.

 

[Shakutau]

Shakutau

I'm Chinese too! I thought you were Japanese from your username.

Ok. Organic gaffs the kind you can just leave in a deck if. Sounds similar to me.

If you're creating your own stuff then that's good. Cuz you tend to create the stuff that follows your own style.

Haha I was looking for a confucious reference to use in my performances. Thanks for reminding me.

I never said i was making my own stuff, theres too much good stuff already out there. But its good to know.

How much does your performance change from group to group? Do you have your own stock lines?

What do you mean "stock lines"? You talkin bout patter? Or the theme of the effect? For most effects i will try and think up some variants to use in different situations, i dont always go by the same performance, but there is no real difference, just a slight change to patter and presentation to fit the audience group.

Do you do any gambling or hustling effects?

Nope.

What's the difference between Dr. Daley's Ace Trick and 2CM?

I did some research and found i was talkin bout the wrong trick, its supposed to be Dr Daley's Last Trick. 2CM is a monte effect, Dr Daley's Last trick is a transposition with two pairs of cards.

Do you try to frame the way they appreciate it. Like what Steerpike said for me: skill and deception over mystery?. Cuz it doesn't look like you try to frame it at all.

Well, you're right, i dont guide them in anyway. This is because most people i perform to already have a bad notion of what magic is, either they think its childplay, some fantasy talk, or a game. What i perform, i rarely explain, which may change their notion into something new. I dont frame the way i want spectators to see magic because im afraid that it wont work at times. I dont know, maybe this is my flaw.

You prefer skill and deception over mystery.

When you do triumph do you use the classic story? or a show of skill in stacking cards? or my presentation about fung shui? chaos from order?

Triumph routines have so much creative potential in terms of presentation. I give a variety of patter: sometimes i use Jay Sankey's "Back in Time", sometimes i perform Sloppy Shuffle, sometimes i offer a story of me one time trying to teach a gullable spectator a trick where it went wrong, recently i made up a patter regarding dreams which i can use with this effect.

Peasants? Do you see yourself as superior to others?

Not at all, i class people people Samurai and others Peasents as an analogy. Samurai's are Peasants. But no ordinary Peasants. Samurai's are like minded people.

If you want to show people the simple beauty of life try some organic magic. You say you already create stuff. Try creating some stuff using everyday objects. Youtube Rocco Silano.

Man i dont create stuff, theres too many Grandmasters out there already with secret scrolls. But i have been looking into Paul Harris stuff.

Good, one hip hop ninja hustler is enough!!

How would you present this character? Is this who you really want to be?

Interesting I actually any negative stereotypes to my advantage. Just throw them off and laugh. First I have them pick a card and I just do the Amazing Jonathan gag about it jumping to the top and transforming into the ____. Then I lead into the rest of the routine. While I'm doing this, I am getting deeper and crazier at the same time.

Could you explain this more? Would be good to see you perform live as a reference.

 

[aznofspades]

Ok. Sorry I thought you said something about creating.
My mistake.

Stock lines- lines you always say for like dramatic effect, laugh
the ones unique to you

Ok.

Interesting idea. Dreams.

Sorry, I forgot. Haven't studied samurai's since 7th grade.

My bad on the creativity thing. Just take what you already do and change it a little bit to fit your style. This happens naturally if you keep an openmind. And eventually it'll be your own.

The hip hop ninja hustler:

Look at my user name.

It's who I am. From listening to rap, and hanging out with black people a lot, I've become kinda gangsterish. But I'm aware of it and how silly it can seem, and I joke about it sometimes, cuz I'm secure with who I am. I spit raps randomly (don't prejudge, they're actually pretty good)

The ninja comes from my Asian side. I personally think that a modern day ninja would be really good at sleight of hand, misdirection, pickpocketing, hustling etc. So that helps the jump from the ninja to

The hustler comes from how I like games. Chess, cards, yahtzee all that stuff. And how I like to play to win. Without seeming like a jerk, of course.

I act randomly, I say what's on my mind, and it's funny. My best friend has A.D.D. and it rubbed off on me.

I have my set patter but I'm not scared to go off on a tangent. And if the joke doesn't hit, I can just always go back to the kinda set patter.

If you want to critique mine go ahead?

The Amazing Jonathan reference:

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

He doesn't do real magic tricks, he uses them as a comedic tool. Really funny just watch.

I do the initial gag about it rising to the top.

But when I do the gag it's sorta to "disarm" the audience. When they laugh, we become friends. It puts them off guard, and we're all just there having a good time.

I also use it as a setup for when I actually make the card rise to the top.

 

[Shakutau]

You should get yourself recorded performing some magic live for people you dont know.

 

[aznofspades]

"people you dont know"

I firmly believe what is said in this thread

http://forums.ellusionist.com/showthread.php?t=82194&highlight=stranger

But instead of arguing semantics.

I have no camera. And I don't really want my stuff recorded. I do my thing for the spectator's, not for you guys. I show it to them, they talk about it, using their own form of unsolicited hype. A little bit of video evidence certainly wouldn't stop the hype, but it might change the process.

Anyway I don't do it.

Anymore questions?

 

[The Tumbleweed]

I am so sorry. You know I love you. I've got you committed to memory now, Bumblebee.

That'll do, I'll just add you to my list of people who love me:

Mummy
Girlfriend
toyrobot

Yay, I'm up to 3 now, my life has accomplished something

 

[Steerpike]

Well, you're right, i dont guide them in anyway. This is because most people i perform to already have a bad notion of what magic is, either they think its childplay, some fantasy talk, or a game. What i perform, i rarely explain, which may change their notion into something new. I dont frame the way i want spectators to see magic because im afraid that it wont work at times. I dont know, maybe this is my flaw.

I would say that's a flaw, yes. For a performance to be effective, you have to communicate something. If you make no attempt to influence people, then they will simply project their negative preconceptions of magic and magicians onto you. Because you make no attempt to assert yourself as a personality rather than an occupation, you actually make things harder on yourself.

 

[Randy]

If they think it's childs play I suggest that you instead of first showing them a card trick or a coin trick. That you show them something out in left field. Think about it. If you really could do magic, what would it look like? Personally I'd first show them something like Paul Harris's Leaf or whatever. That way they end up believing you are capable of just about anything and don't look at your magic as kiddie stuff.

 

[Shakutau]

I see. Thanks both for your replies. Steerpike, Randy, would it possible to tell me how you would present magic to your audience? What is your goal, how do you influence them? Why do you influence them?

 

[aznofspades]

Start out with one person/small group that's really enthusiastic about the magic and open. Let the crowd build from there. Cuz the other people will see the reactions and think it's "cool"

Seem enthusiastic about it too.

And I influence them by learning their names, smiling, joking around, and just being myself.

All toward the end goal of them feeling like we're all best friends. And maybe a better perception of magic.

 

[Shakutau]

"Seem enthusiastic about it too."

Reminds me of Lee when i watched the Witness DVD Preview. I see you too like to take the light hearted approach.

One question, would a light hearted performer ever be fit to do mentalist type card effects?

 

[Steerpike]

Steerpike I google Count Victor Lustig and the story was very funny. I also listened to the story about Sky Thompson (the inspiratiion for Guys and Dolls)

Any more suggestions or questions?

Sky Masterson was based on Titanic Thompson. I think you got the names a little crossed.

The Yellow Kid Weil is another name to look into. Very clever and inventive con artist.

I see. Thanks both for your replies. Steerpike, Randy, would it possible to tell me how you would present magic to your audience? What is your goal, how do you influence them? Why do you influence them?

See this post.

 

[aznofspades]

I remember the Titanic Thompson from David Blaine's book.

I just heard about Sky on "The Idol of Miss Sarah Brown" (it was an old radio podcast

Thanks.

I can pull off mentalist card tricks (invisible deck, stigmata, a gag psycho force)

I put all the emphasis on the spectator, not on me.

And if you saw my quote from Gerry Mccambridge earlier:

So my show is very light-hearted and very fun and, you know. With mentalism it tends to be a real long set up to get to one amazing punch. And I decided years ago that that set up had to be changed. It has to be entertaining. So I made, you know, the whole set up process foe me is laugh, laugh, laugh. Amazing.
Gerry McCambridge (http://itricks.com/news/?p=2959)

(this is an extended version of the quote)