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I've created alot of my own routines, but after watching true masters perform, I realize my routines are really dry, missing a creative edge...
this really bothers me becasue I went to school to be creative- as a graphic artist and photographer

Usually, to make my routines, I apply the same technique as I do to make artwork. I sit down, think of a good general theme, and then pick a few tricks I know that fit into the theme, usually the tricks are lined up like this :buildup trick, joke, climax, one last funny trick

This is, no doubt, a surefire rundown of a routine, but it's something spectators have seen before, I think I just need a better way to come up with more creative routines than this way

-Kenneth

Read June's Magic magazine for Paul Harris's ideas on creativity.

Personally, I think it just takes inspiration and time. If you're really creative, you can do what Eric Mead wrote about in "Tangled Web" and simply ask yourself: "What is the desired effect?". In the context of your personality and performance, of course.

Creativity in magic isn't for everyone. If you can perform other people's creations in a unique and dramatic way (DB's pulse stop/glass walk), that's all that matters. Performing creations that are fairly solid while taking notes about reaction/timing/patter etc. should help you get a better idea of what needs to get done.

One last Paul Harris advice (it was given to Eric Mead- one of the best guys around) is to find something that you think has to be done- that no one else is doing, and do it.

I would ditch the formula, by the way. I doubt it will help.


Our favourite Mr. Kras will undoubtedly point you towards Jay Sankey's book "More than Secrets" and his (Sankey's) DVD on creating original material. Maybe Darwin Ortiz's book "Designing Miracles" as well- if he read it. I just wanted to steal the pleasure of doing so... Seriously though, Ortiz's book is excellent.

I try to follow each effect with something different. I will never do two pick a card effects in a row and after say, three card based effects I will switch to something altogether different such as coins, mentalism which means when I go back to cards doing a deck switch for ID or HD is easy.

MLSC - they have the answers.

Creativity is a hard sought after thing. Think about telling stories with the effects you perform. Create a basic story line plot an ending. Maybe not just for individual effects but for your entire routine. I would suggest studying acting and watching perfomance art to understand how these people express themselves wheter its interpertive dance or mimes and clowns. There are inspirations of creativity to be gained from everything surrounding you. Begin to watch people in public there characteristics and even some of the ways people express themselves. Maybe this is thinking to far outside the box but creativity can be about capturing the imaginations of the people your are performing for. I think you should decide the style of the routines you plan on using, are they comdeic or are they mindblowing effects that can speak for themselves. Before you can create anything you should have an idea and a reason for what ever it is you are trying to create. Hope this offers ideas and isn't some convoluted mess.

Some good advice so far, but here's an interesting (I think) subtlety...

Don't worry about 'being creative'. The minute you start thinking about 'being creative' you are actually putting a barrier between yourself and your genuine creativeness. Although it sounds like a tautology, you're either creating or you're not - there is no 'being creative' about it.

I'm reminded of people who say things like "I'm using will power not to eat that chocolate cake". Or " I'm going to use my will power to get the housework done" Clearly, they're talking nonsense. One is either doing housework or not. One is either eating cake or not. There is no 'will power'. It is a (convenient) fiction.

Similarly with 'creativity'. There is no such thing (I know that's not a popular statement!) I write all my own scripts as a performer, and I also write stage works for music theatre (I'm currently working on a commission for The Royal Opera House ) Every day, I sit for about three hours and just write. It took me years to learn to JUST WRITE - not to sit and TRY TO BE CREATIVE! I now understand that one is either writing (creating) or not. And that's it.

Sorry it's a bit zen, but I hope this helps!

Best,

Lee