talkmagic.co.uk

Let's not be so quick to toss out the baby with the bath water. The now infamous "shnick", and near cousin, the "flick" can be invaluable tools.

I agree that doing any unnecessary move is not good in magic. Sometimes a "shnick" is the PERFECT move, if it is orchestrated and an integral part of the trick. If used appropriately, it can draw attention.

It can be used as a "proof", but NOT to prove you are not doing a DL, which should be done well enough as to not arouse suspicion to begin with. Of course there are exceptions: there are circumstances that might need a bit of extra proof.

Movements that are nervous, habitual and not part of, what should be, a highly choreographed effect, should be eliminated. Movements and sounds that serve a definite purpose, and are a serious underpinning of an effect, should be used.

The movements in magic should be just like a ballet - every move planned, every gesture and expression planned and practiced, and anything that is not part of the ballet should be eliminated. Even in a more "casual" impromptu or "ad lib" situation, there are certain required movements, gestures, statements, etc., that must be made, and unnecessary or non-contributory moves should be eliminated.

Regarding flourishes: The use of flourishes is completely dependent on the impression you would like to make. For example, if you want to give the impression that you are highly skilled with a deck of cards, flourishes are helpful. If you want to give the impression that your effects are not the result of manipulation, but instead pure magic, flourishes are a bust. There is nothing wrong with either approach. A magician should be aware, however, of these things and make conscious choices.

So, I would say that the idea that a shnick is never good, is wrong. I would like to hear some more conversation regarding the circumstances under which a shnick can be the perfect thing.

I do salute the Queen of Clubs for her coinage of the word "shnick". I hope it doesn't give her nightmares!

Ive just realised I shnick when I do 6 card repeat. Only on the last card though.

Like i said before, you can add emphasis to a certain card if it is shnicked and instead of a fuzzy memory of the card, the fact that the card made a noise gives the spectator a more distinctive memory of that card.

It's a very subtle thing, a bit like the pre-tilt action of ramming a card into the wrong part of the deck. You make the decision whether to do this subtlety or not depending on: the spectators (i'll do it for most skeptics), the performing situation and many other factors (you can't really do it more than once or twice).
Just like you can't "forget" that the box should actually be to your right as you get your break, things like that should seem off the cuff and natural.

Perhaps the same mentality with a shnick?