True Life: My Friend Shares a Tale of Magic - Or Lack Thereof

[sky_lark]

1. How do you think you could change someone's attitude now that "they have seen the same tricks a thousand times"?

2. How do you judge when a good time to show people a trick is? Is it when they are eating and having a good time with their friends? or do you wait for a moment when the table is finishing up or having a bit of a quiet moment?

3. Would you ever consider trying to do something different? Or would you rather stick to the classics and take the eye rolling?

1. I think adding in a bit of humor, audience participation, and variety would do the trick. Hah. See what I did there?

2. I'm thinking they're most likely to turn you down when they're having a conversation. Right as the conversation is slowing down would be a great time.

3. While I'd love to do different tricks, I'm a card person, and can't run away from that. I've been trying to, so I guess I'm just waiting for the right moment/phase to come along.

 

[Tarvi]

The way to go about it, is to actively set out to find the tricks people know best, and then add a violent twist to them, so that they're lulled into a false sense of security with regards what is going to happen next.

An yes, as stated before, always add lashings of humour

-Dave

 

[Steerpike]

The way to go about it, is to actively set out to find the tricks people know best, and then add a violent twist to them, so that they're lulled into a false sense of security with regards what is going to happen next.

Thank you, M. Night Shyamalan. Any other reason you felt the need to bump an old thread?

 

[romeo sierra]

Here are some questions to the forum go-ers here.

1. How do you think you could change someone's attitude now that "they have seen the same tricks a thousand times"?

2. How do you judge when a good time to show people a trick is? Is it when they are eating and having a good time with their friends? or do you wait for a moment when the table is finishing up or having a bit of a quiet moment?

3. Would you ever consider trying to do something different? Or would you rather stick to the classics and take the eye rolling?

1. Depending on the setting, I try to make my material feel as spontaneous and natural as possible. For instance, in everyday settings like the one your friend was describing, the magic I do would need to feel like an actual, natural part of the situation. I hate the contemporary (awkward) approach of intoducing magic into an otherwise routine environment by showing off with excessive flourishes or a blatant misuse of flashpaper, etc. Although there are venues for such approaches-- in a setting like this, it's merely a cheap way to make people see you and it often feels uncomfortable and contrived. By making the magic feel natural, it actually attracts people more to what you have to offer without you necessarily pressing your motives on to them. For instance... I used to wait tables. When I would bring people's coffee out at the end of a meal, I would set the tray down and animate the spoons in the cups to stir the coffee before serving them. It was a subtle moment that got SO many doubletakes and quiet conversation as I served other tables. Some customers would ask me back to do something else; others would write notes with a gratuitous tip, and others would just smile at me before leaving. Whatever the case, I left a solid impression on anyone who saw the effect.

Anyone and everyone has seen some sort of PK animation done. Everyone has seen loops. It's been done for decades... but I think the subtlety of the example above creates a nice emotional hook for people to appreciate on a different level.

2. When I worked tables as a walkaround magician, I found the best time to do the hit-n-run was just after people placed their orders. There was often a lull in conversation and it just felt appropriate to make my introduction. In a matter of seconds, I would produce some sort of gift/keepsake for a lady and leave a business card on the table. If people wanted to see more, I'd give them a brief little routine... If not, I would just walk on to the next table leaving the keepsake and business card behind. When doing magic professionally, the more you get your information out the better.

But again-- in more casual settings like the one you offered, I would have more fun taking advantage of people's interaction with one another. Again, I would just make use of the surroundings and make the magic I do feel relevant and logical. For instance, if I was the guy 'hired' to perform at the pizzeria, I would do magic for everyone as I was just setting the table. "Hi, guys-- I'm Romeo and I'll be taking care of you tonight. The specials are pepperoni/pineapple..." As I would say all this, I would be splitting the silverware over and over again to accomodate everyone at the table. I would make some glasses float for a few seconds as I poured the waters via an Airborne suspension. And finally produce a pen from behind someone's ear to actually take orders.

By being so natural and making the magic fit the timing and atmosphere, I think people would be more inclined to be receptive and entertained. The magic is done for an actual reason other than showing off.

Regardless-- doing magic while people are eating = HORRIBLE move.

3. I'm a strong advocate of doing things differently and taking chances on new material. But with that said, I really feel inclined to correct you-- the classics don't get eyerolling. Bad performances of classics do. As long as the time-honored classic are made relevant and contemporary, there's no reason they can't be successful in modern times. People like David Blaine and Derren Brown breathe new life into old stuff all the time. A lot of what they do can be dated back to the 30s and before. Hell-- even before Christ! ...Tearing the head off a chicken?!

So yes-- I love taking chances and doing new stuff, but I love classic material as well. Quality is quality regardless of how old it is.

RS.