now, i occasionally have trouble remembering certain moves and the order of certain effects when i start learning then...so i thought it might be nice to have a thread (i could well be wrong though) that doesnt offer singular advice, but general learning method advice instead...
here's my thoughts, please share yours too:
notepad - turn each effect into the bare bones to start with, re-write the effect out just in bullet points, as an example:
spec picks card/hermann pass/d-l and misscall card/place top card under spec's hand/reveal
then once you're comfortable with the handling, start thinking about how you are going to 'frame' your effect.
"He who has a strong enough why can bear almost any how. "
This should take into account:
your character
what this effect is ultimately about - does it tell a story? is it an experiment?
and possibly any "ability" you may or may not have - are you good at influencing people? can you read them? do you get "flashes" of images in your mind's eye? this should all fit with your character...
if you have to give a brief story as an example, for example with Stigmata - you could talk about how people have sworn blind that they have been attacked by spirits and been left with markings on their bodies (as a very brief example)
Research - find out as much as you need about the character you play, look at local folklore for ideas for patter and presentations...
Keep a list - of your books and other learning media, and revisit them every couple of months, after you gain more confidence and general performing, you'll find that the effects you initially dismissed, might now have a different feel to them...learn by doing...
i think thats the major ones that have helped me at least...
