talkmagic.co.uk

Hey guys,

I've just started magic, and after getting some books and dvds and practicing for a few months, I've started to perform some basic tricks in front of my friends during dinners, lunchtimes etc.

The reactions that I get are like "How'd you do that?" or "Can you do that again?"

Each time I go back home and start thinking how to improve on my presentation to get a better reaction, like "OMG!!! HOW ON EARTH DID YOU DO THAT?!" etc, but each time I go back and perform, I still get those mediocre reactions from my friends, which just leaves me feel bad when I go back home and see what I could do better.

Any pointers/tips from you guys on the presentation, or whatever which would improve my friends' experience in magic each time I perform? Because I really want my friends to experience the magical moments that I feel when other, more experienced magicians perform, and I really want to give that to them, or to whoever I perform in front of.

Thanks!

Dramatize the effects. Make the climax slow and delibrite the enhance anticipation and suspence.

Performing magic for friends and family is generally a thankless task. Your friends will think you're just been a clever so-and-so (hence they'll just shrug their shoulders and say "Yeah. Wow."), whereas family, parents especially, will be delighted at "how clever" you are.

The WOW!!! factor generally only comes from strangers who have no prior agenda with you.

"Prior agenda"? Did I really say that?

I've also found that a nice simple trick can get a large "WOW" reaction from specs. Take for instance the "Soul mates" card trick. It's a very simple trick, but I've done it as a small trick when I have nothing else planned and gotten amazing reactions. I think more complex tricks can sometimes lose the audience. I feel that the simpler the better, the easier it is for the specs to become absolutley amazed.

PS: It would probably be best if you posted an introduction in the "Introductions" forum. Tell us about yourself, the kind of magic you're into, what you hope to achieve by performing magic, and what your skill level is. It really helps us out.

metharan wrote:Any pointers/tips from you guys on the presentation...

Do what they do in the L&L videos and such; bring along a camera crew and pay them to go "OMG!!! HOW DID YOU DO THAT?"

In all serious, TELL THEM that they're about to see the best miracle they've ever seen. TELL THEM that they're about to see something impossible and BELIEVE IT yourself! If you were to place a card inside the pack and it were to magically jump to the top, that would be impossible, wouldn't it? Sell it like it is!

monker59 wrote:PS: It would probably be best if you posted an introduction in the "Introductions" forum.

Introductions police!

Ciao,
Rob

If you're looking for the Blaine style 'oh my god!' type reaction, it's doesn't often happen. You might have someone laughing, look shocked but in my experience, those totally OTT reactions are very rare.

Lady of Mystery wrote: those totally OTT reactions are very rare.

If you can incorporate something personal about the spec into the effect (and yes, i am talking about CR etc), then you'll get the OTT reaction far more often. Doing a "Do as I do" style routine but calling it a psychic connection, and then revealing some personal detail about the spec just before the card revelation turns this trick into a real mind-blower for the average spec.

That was the power of Blaine when he was doing his street magic. Although he was often simply using shop bought gimmicks, he seemed to be staring into the soul of the spec during the routine. A TT and the ability to stare into the spec's soul = OTT.

OTT? CR? TT? All IMHO of course.

Magic wand has got it spot on. When performing from family or friends because of the fact they know you well know that any effect you perform is mearly a result of your hobby in magic and can always rationalise it as 'slieght of hand'.
Yes of course strangers do this too but when added to the fact you are, as a person, a mystery to them this means there is more scope for astonishment.
I tend to find with friends who I try out any new material on that I get reactions similar to what you are describing and I feel this is due to them being regularly shown magic effects and the massive Wow, lets freak out reaction is bound to be quelled.
Also there are so many different emotions you can try to get with your audiences rather than the Blaine reaction (Lets scream and run off). How about a trick with a woman that has a romantic leaning, or one that has a funny twist?

FFS....WTF u on about TMW?

greedoniz wrote: trick with a woman that has a romantic leaning, or one that has a funny twist?

I'm an old married man now with many children. But if I'd known the power of "psychic readings" when I'd been in my 20's...! 'Tis a powerful medicine.

monker59 wrote:
PS: It would probably be best if you posted an introduction in the "Introductions" forum. Tell us about yourself, the kind of magic you're into, what you hope to achieve by performing magic, and what your skill level is. It really helps us out.

I really apologise for another tongue in cheek post - this place brings the worst out in me!!!

But monker as you are so keen on this - could you just point me in the direction of your "introductions" post....

Sorry!

Richard

Hey Richard - welcome to the madhouse mate!

If you're looking for the intro thread, it can be found here:

http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/forum18.php

Cheers!

Rob

yup...not enough can be said about the performing for friends vs strangers.... you'll NEVER get the same type of reactions. Your friends and family know you - there's nothing mysterious about you. They know you can't "see into their soul" or levitate or read their mind, etc... These are the same people who see you sick when you've had too much to drink and are peeing yourself. Nothing magical about that!

jacko wrote:

monker59 wrote:
PS: It would probably be best if you posted an introduction in the "Introductions" forum. Tell us about yourself, the kind of magic you're into, what you hope to achieve by performing magic, and what your skill level is. It really helps us out.

I really apologise for another tongue in cheek post - this place brings the worst out in me!!!

But monker as you are so keen on this - could you just point me in the direction of your "introductions" post....

Sorry!

Richard

If my mind doesn't play any tricks on me, I think monker got the same "suggestion" he just couldn't refuse on his first topic...

On-topic: regarding family, they know I'm doing "weird" stuff with the cards. Just tried a few things on them card magic (the first time with a fatal result), and the reactions were not bad. But not WOW!. Try a TT. I did that and got a WOW! immediately on some vanishes and switches. That builds up your magic aura and your family begins to respect your magic. Try it!

The same thing happened to me when I first started (which wasn't actually that long ago). I started getting good reactions when I became really comfortable performing for people. Before I used to get really nervous which resulted in strange patter, or being really jittery. But now I donut have to worry about being caught so much so I can concentrate more on my performance.