talkmagic.co.uk

Ok, i know im new to all this, as i have only been doing magic/card flourishing for 2 weeks or so, but here goes.

I wanted to start out with a post i hope will provoke some discussion and help me gain a better understanding of peoples opinions of the different styles of magic on these forums. Basically giving me a chance to get to know what you are all specifically into!

As i have already stated, I have started with, and hope to focus on, Card flourishing (which i know is kinda seperate) and close up/street magic, and, ironically enough i was not influenced by any of the famous magicians/performers, i.e Blaine. (Although since starting i do really like his style, and i know many don't.)

Yes i do have a habit of not getting to the point for a few paragraphs, im afraid you'll have to put up with me because i like to write a lot.

So, i guess my chosen styles are quite generic nowadays, what with the huge marketing boost from types like Blaine that has drawn a tonne of people into this very elusive and interesting culture. However, the reason i have chosen these is because i am not aiming at becoming a magician as a career, but more so as an art i would like to adhere to my way of life. Lately i have become very alienated with my lifestyle, partly because i am on a gap year and partly because i have just shed a whole friendship group that was getting me into more trouble than good. Magic is a release for me and the chance to get to know some new people and learn something that has interested me my whole life.

Coming back from that little tangent, i would like to know what styles you guys, personally, focus on and combine, and also your opinions on combining styles. For instance, as i have noticed, these forums have a huge focus on Mentalism, and do you think that the combination of Mentalism and say traditional stage magic is more prolific than Mentalism and street/close up magic (cards, coins etc.)

Take it into consideration and please do not think i am making this thread so that i can combine styles using what you guys think is best, far from it - i am perfectly happy learning street magic and card flourishing.

Hope this will be informative to both me and other members.

Cheers,
Steve

I'll be the first to say: Whatever works for you is good.

Thanks for the reply Robbie.

Yeah, im going to stick by that, however the idea of this thread was so that i could just see what other people are into, and to learn more about this whole culture, if you will.

This thread is not for me to gain advice about styles, i meant it more to be a thread in which people can discuss why, how and the results of their experiences with combining styles and what they think each style means to magic as a whole, both individually and combined.

Hoped that made it a bit clearer.

Steve

I'm in a similar position to your own, since I also began studying magic and mentalism just a few months ago. I've been practicing a lot, though, and even put up a clunky little show that taught me a lot. You can read about it in this forum.

So far, I'd say I like best the approach of 'scientific' mentalism - combining suggestions and cold reading with popular science lectures, especially about the brain. The science part is rock-solid, and the mentalism tricks make it much more memorable. But I have so much more to learn, and every day I learn or understand something new, so... ask me in a few years :>

Good luck!

Do it, find out, report back. That is all.

Sorry guys i think my original question is still not clear, although dup that was the kind of response i was hoping for so thanks!

I am not using this thread for a personal gain of your opinions on which styles I should use. I am trying to start a thread that will uncover the preferences of everyone else and how you think the combination of styles has altered magic/evolved it and why you think so.

In no way is this for personal gain, other than for me to read what you guys think about the combination of styles within magic as a whole subject.

I think ive made this thread far too confusing.

Cheers,
Steve

psychic...within my own self-defined terms...and some art/drawing thrown in too...its how i express it...

I'm a real mixed up mixture. I do close up and stage with everything from mental type magic to sponge bunnies. I love mentalism and sitting down and thinking up routines but I love the fun that I get from performing the bunnies and more classic magic.

Mainly close-up at pubs/clubs/parties - 90% with cards. With some hypnotism thrown in if the mood is right.

Pretty much given up, but when I do, they see me talk, they see me do something impossible, and afterwards they can inspect me and see it's a genuine me.

I perform as a Victorian magician who's travelled forwards in time sort of by accident. This means that everything I use has to look period, or at least 'timeless'.

In terms of material, I largely do card and coin - but really I'll do anything as long as it's magical and fits the character.

I don't really think it's a good idea to limit yourself to one kind of material - as a professional it helps to be able to adapt. Having said that, I do think it's helpful (especially early on) to choose an area of magic you enjoy to focus on, to give you a good grounding - like a lot of people, I spent my formative years in magic only doing cards.

Serendipity wrote:I perform as a Victorian magician who's travelled forwards in time sort of by accident. This means that everything I use has to look period, or at least 'timeless'.

i'd love it if you act confused and outraged at mobile phones and certain slang words...

@TheStoner Do you find that performing to audiences like that allows you to open up to more styles or restricts you because of the usual expectations those spectators have? I mean obviously like you said you do a lot of card magic and bit of hypnotism, but do you think that satisfies people or do you feel that they look at you as 'just another magician' with a deck of cards?

@Serendipity I think thats pretty darn cool to be honest, performing as a magician within another persona. Do you find that it hinders/restricts your style as a magician, apart from the obvious, props/kit and all?

I dont aim on just sticking to cards, but i find that the most interesting area of magic at the moment, i guess because it is one of the best known areas. Street magic/impromptu magic also interests me, i noticed some really unique and cool ideas by Wayne Houchin on Theory11, one of his tricks, Control, where he stops his pulse (which i know is quite an old trick) was pretty powerful. I really just want to variate and branch out as time goes on, but cards are probably the best way for me to get into it all.

Its good to see people understanding my original post now, this thread is definitely not about me or what styles/areas i should learn/indulge in, but styles that you guys have created for yourselves and how they effect your performance and experiences.

Cheers, and keep the posts coming,
Steve

Mobile phones are nothing - imagine the amount of ankle on display in todays society.

The Victorian thing used to be somewhat restrictive, but once you're comfortable in it, I think it's very freeing. Magic is pretending you have super powers, and everyone plays a character to some extent, I've just given my character a life of his own and displaced him by a hundred years or so, because I enjoy playing the part of a Victorian conjuror.

It helps me get into the zone, as it were, because dressing up and waxing my moustache into a fine curl puts me in the mood for performing, and when I go home and change back into jeans and a jumper, I'm back to my old self again.

It does, of course, affect my style - I can't use certain phrases, or plots, or ideas - there's no point me going on about neurolinguistic programming or microexpressions for example, but I can claim to have other-worldly powers that I learnt from an Indian fakir.

It can be a pain because occasionally you see something and go "that's amazing, but it's too modern to use" (Ring Flight Revolution is a perfect example of this), but it's really nice having a starting point when writing material. I don't need to think "why are these coins disappearing from my hand and appearing in this glass", instead I think "how would my character present this".

I think character is often very overlooked, especially when it comes to mentalism.

I play the role of a prodigous genius (a la mad scientist cliche- minus the white coat) because it's built upon my reputation as a procotious, crazy, outspoken and rebellious geek. Sherlock Holmes and the mentalist from the drama series, the mentalist are big influences on my character- but do ont constitute it entirley
I do primarlity mentalism, combined with close up magic. I aim for something which challenges my audiences beliefs, as I have a great interest in politics and philosophy, and my even bigger interest in psychology brings me naturally to mentalism.
I combine the two by because I try and suggest subtly that hypnotism and influence e.t.c. is part of magic, although the implication is that it is 'deeper' magic. I also like slight of hand demonstrations, even though a lot of them use slight of hand to create the illusion of even better slight of hand. I do not say I am using psychology, I state 'I am recreating psychic powers, with illusion' but I make it quite blatant I am 'obviously' using some non-verbal communication, influence e.t.c.
The overall objective is for something which entertains my audience and leaves them having had a glympse of mystery and someone with mysterious powers not, just some magician.
Big Inlfuences (on character) are: Derren Brown, David Berglas, Dunninger, Sherlock Holmes, Simon Baker, Richard Bandler, Milton Erickson, Paul Ekman, Lao Tzu, Tony Corinda, Anneman, Shamans/ charlatans/ psychics/ Jesus, Noam Chomsky, Jeremy Clarkson, Bill Hicks, George Harrison, Robert Plant, Bruce Lee, Tim Roth, Jack Dee, Kim Peek, Daniel Tammet, Daniel Kish, Carl Sagan and me. It is an unnusual mix, I know, and there are many I've left (I could go on all day) but there are elements of influence that come from all of them.
I have been quite detailed, but still, I feel this was relativley superficial- character and how you present yourself is a massive topic and draws influence from practically all of interests.