talkmagic.co.uk

I either posted about this before, or just though about posting it, but I'd like some feedback.

It's funny because I've re-read a lot of old posts and notice quite a change in how I am today and how I used to be, and that comes with time and practice and all that good stuff.

One thing I'm stuck on at the moment is the idea of being a 'cards guy'. Maybe it's a lack of performing lately, but I kind of see it as 'silly', my-uncle-knows-a-card-trick kind of way. It's a poor mindset because I do love magic as a hobby and in some cases as a source of income.

Aside from a few tricks (triumph, dr. daleys, ootw to name a few) I feel like I would need gaffs to achieve "magic" as opposed to a "trick". I know that can't be true and I think a lot of it stems from the problem of 'thinking like a magician' because I know having them choose a card and then simply finding it (or a change reveal) be it a force, peek, control etc, can prove pretty powerful in and of itself.

I guess a lot of this comes from the access to magic I have and being overwhelmed with it as opposed to the old days of a single good book or two that you would read cover to cover and then try to elaborate or create on your own.

Blehh that's a short story but I don't imagine I'm the only one who's been through this and maybe some who have come out on the other side will have some input!!

Thanks a lot.

sounds as though its more a character issue... that you see yourself as a generic magician in some ways...

so maybe take some time out, and think about how you present yourself - the "why" behind it all...it doesnt have to be grand, overly complicated, just something that gives you a chance to express yourself via the magic...and something that could be an interesting "in", as well as a saleable property...

define yourself a little more...it doesnt have to be "i have studied under le grande wazooo for all my life and i have an almost occult knack for the pasteboards..."

but something that a) suits who you are naturally b) makes you a little different from the other girls and boys

I've not been in or through to the other side yet, and still have very fresh eyes for the art, but picking up on the end of your post:

"I guess a lot of this comes from the access to magic I have and being overwhelmed with it as opposed to the old days of a single good book or two that you would read cover to cover and then try to elaborate or create on your own."

That should be quite easy to remedy. Select one or two books from your collection, pack all the others up and put them out of reach. Limit yourself only to things you could have learned from those books and then go from there. If you've been overwhelmed by a glut of magic materials - simply cut yourself off from the glut and do it the way you seem to like.

Get the one or two books and let your creative juices flow.

I have no idea if you will get anything out of this, but best of luck anyway.

The choice of what tricks to learn and perform can be a huge one, I agree, there are a hell of a lot of options. My solution is I write all my own patter - I tell the spectators why I am performing a trick. It doesn't have to be the real reason, just a reason for doing what I am doing that fits in well with a funny story, gag, anecdote that I am telling them.

What I find is that once I have got a decent story, joke or monologue to perform the trick to then I tend to perform that trick much more than other tricks that I don't have such a story, because the audience enjoy these tricks more and I feel much easier performing them. People love story telling, it is one of the oldest passtimes of Man. So pick the tricks that you can come up with a good story or funny, entertaining story to go with. A story that fits in with your own life experiences and personality.