After putting a lot more thought into this subject I have finally decided that it is now the right time to release my thoughts into the world. I hope this starts some debate but if it doesn't, well, at least I have added some knowledge to the world. Anyway, let's get right into it...
So, When you are watching a film, what is it that makes you jump? Or what makes you cry or feel bad? Or What makes you laugh? Or even just feel happy?
The answer lies within the confines of your mind. Many people don't realize why they feel bad for Brad Pitt when he has a reverse aging disease or why they jump when Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees jump out from behing a corner and stab that half naked girl, who was just fornicating with her boyfriend who's now gutted and hanging from a ceiling. But, there is a simple answer to all of these strange occurances, you feel for the character. You have developed a relationship with that character and are connected with him/her.
Here is what I mean. If you have a very dear friend that you have known your entire life, and then you go to Six Flags and he falls off of "The Bizzaro". You would feel sad, right? Well, think of this. Say you have met someone only briefly but you guys have hit it off really well, and then that accident happens to them. You would still be sad, correct?
Here is a really strange example, and this is serious so don't just start making it into a joke... What if George W. Bush was still president? And then he had a fatal heart attack in office, welll the country would be confused for one thing, without him, having to resort to the Vice President. But on top of that, you would feel bad for his daughters, wife, and friends, wouldn't you?
Well, when you watch a movie, you are briefly introduced to a character. Then, throughout the movie, you are shown their characteristics. (Ie: Bravery, Strength, Fear, Pain, etc). These characteristics are subconciously packaged up by your brain. It is what makes the character believeable. Some characters are not believeable though, look back at the old Superman, with Christopher Reeve's. Doesn't add up. He has no problem flying around the Earth 40 million times and reversing time, and has no problem going into the Earths core? No...That's bull. There is the reason I liked the newer Superman Movie. That Superman actually had challenges trying to stuff. Look at his face when he is trying t stop the plane from crashing. He is actually TRYING. He isn't just doing it. It is taking all of his effort. This makes you relate to the character.
Same things with books. If you have ever read the series of books entitled, "Cirque Du Freak" then you will understand how describing a person will help you feel suspense. That's why so many people read all 7 Harry Potter books, myself included. (Or Twilight if you prefer). Those books made you want to just keep reading, you had to know what happened to Harry, or Ron, Or Darren Shan, Or Harkat Mulds, Or Bella. How does this relate to magic??? Here it is...
When performing, there needs to be something interesting happening. Sure!!! A card can hop to the top when you snap, but let's face it, that really doesn't have too much excitement added to it. The people need to relate to the trick. How could you make someone relate to a physical movement? It's simple. YOUR PATTER!!!
Patter, should be enticing like a book. You should draw the listener in and then surprise them using the actual trick as a visual aid. You should start off with a brief introduction to your effect, playing it up. You know? Talk about VooDoo or something like that. Then the body of your trick should consist of your sotoryline that should somehow pertain to what is going on. For example: Why is the card coming to the top each time, or why is the coin dissapearing?
The climax of the trick should also be so astonishing that you need no words to explain it, although, if you so choose, you could use words to close the trick. My point is just that the ending should speak for itself.
So in the end it comes down to certain key points that I'd like to reiterate...here....
1: Keep Your Magic And Patter Like Books And Films.
2: Entice the audiance.
3: Draw them in.
4: Make ythem stick around.
5: Always leave them wanting more.
6: Don't redo a trick (Sequels are never as good as the first one.)
7: Use Patter
8: Script Routines.
9: Make The Audiance feel what you feel. (Like ET.)
10: Don't make it about the magic or you. Make it about exciting the audiance...
So, When you are watching a film, what is it that makes you jump? Or what makes you cry or feel bad? Or What makes you laugh? Or even just feel happy?
The answer lies within the confines of your mind. Many people don't realize why they feel bad for Brad Pitt when he has a reverse aging disease or why they jump when Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees jump out from behing a corner and stab that half naked girl, who was just fornicating with her boyfriend who's now gutted and hanging from a ceiling. But, there is a simple answer to all of these strange occurances, you feel for the character. You have developed a relationship with that character and are connected with him/her.
Here is what I mean. If you have a very dear friend that you have known your entire life, and then you go to Six Flags and he falls off of "The Bizzaro". You would feel sad, right? Well, think of this. Say you have met someone only briefly but you guys have hit it off really well, and then that accident happens to them. You would still be sad, correct?
Here is a really strange example, and this is serious so don't just start making it into a joke... What if George W. Bush was still president? And then he had a fatal heart attack in office, welll the country would be confused for one thing, without him, having to resort to the Vice President. But on top of that, you would feel bad for his daughters, wife, and friends, wouldn't you?
Well, when you watch a movie, you are briefly introduced to a character. Then, throughout the movie, you are shown their characteristics. (Ie: Bravery, Strength, Fear, Pain, etc). These characteristics are subconciously packaged up by your brain. It is what makes the character believeable. Some characters are not believeable though, look back at the old Superman, with Christopher Reeve's. Doesn't add up. He has no problem flying around the Earth 40 million times and reversing time, and has no problem going into the Earths core? No...That's bull. There is the reason I liked the newer Superman Movie. That Superman actually had challenges trying to stuff. Look at his face when he is trying t stop the plane from crashing. He is actually TRYING. He isn't just doing it. It is taking all of his effort. This makes you relate to the character.
Same things with books. If you have ever read the series of books entitled, "Cirque Du Freak" then you will understand how describing a person will help you feel suspense. That's why so many people read all 7 Harry Potter books, myself included. (Or Twilight if you prefer). Those books made you want to just keep reading, you had to know what happened to Harry, or Ron, Or Darren Shan, Or Harkat Mulds, Or Bella. How does this relate to magic??? Here it is...
When performing, there needs to be something interesting happening. Sure!!! A card can hop to the top when you snap, but let's face it, that really doesn't have too much excitement added to it. The people need to relate to the trick. How could you make someone relate to a physical movement? It's simple. YOUR PATTER!!!
Patter, should be enticing like a book. You should draw the listener in and then surprise them using the actual trick as a visual aid. You should start off with a brief introduction to your effect, playing it up. You know? Talk about VooDoo or something like that. Then the body of your trick should consist of your sotoryline that should somehow pertain to what is going on. For example: Why is the card coming to the top each time, or why is the coin dissapearing?
The climax of the trick should also be so astonishing that you need no words to explain it, although, if you so choose, you could use words to close the trick. My point is just that the ending should speak for itself.
So in the end it comes down to certain key points that I'd like to reiterate...here....
1: Keep Your Magic And Patter Like Books And Films.
2: Entice the audiance.
3: Draw them in.
4: Make ythem stick around.
5: Always leave them wanting more.
6: Don't redo a trick (Sequels are never as good as the first one.)
7: Use Patter
8: Script Routines.
9: Make The Audiance feel what you feel. (Like ET.)
10: Don't make it about the magic or you. Make it about exciting the audiance...
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