talkmagic.co.uk

Just wanted to start a thread on this new TV show.

Has anyone watched these clips yet?
What do you think of it based on the clips shown so far?
Do you perform any of the tricks that have appeared (no pun intended) on the show?
If you don't already, then would you now consider performing the tricks having seen them on the show and the reaction that they get - albeit on tv (either your own style, own twist or as performed on the TV)

Just trying to create a healthy discussion on the show is all, and what better place than on a magic forum - I'm certainly not trying to start some sort of love/hate campaign as is what seems to constantly happen with Dynamo and other TV magic

Dan

Personally, I like the idea of the tricks being done on an unsuspecting public - not like a hidden camera show, but gives a much more realistic feel to the magic being performed - as far away from the L&L videos as you can get haha, but the glasses trick alone makes me thing that it is all TV trickery as with Dynamo
For example, if he did the trick the way I think he does (no exposure is intended here), then there is NO WAY he could have handed the glasses to the shop worker and 'fix' them in one clean shot... the cameras cuts give it all away and massively suggest camera trickery (to me anyways, else why cut from person to person?)

Its the same with the barber shop / phone trick - a really nice take on a vanishing object routine, and really modern and up to date with the iphone being used. However, there must be at least 3 cameramen / camera crew in the barbers with him as it is performed 'impromptu' ... Very mixed opinions from me, cant wait to see the show when it airs, but not sure how it will be taken by the lay public and how it might affect gigs ... 'can you put my phone in the mirror?' may be the new phrase of the public when they know I am a magician hahaha

I've seen a total of five different clips so far - four of them single effects, the other a sort of montage of bits and pieces. Of the four effects Ive seen, only one of them can play exactly as shown. The one with the glasses was the first I saw - bad editing aside, I did not like the style of camera work on this clip. It reminded me of those TOWIE style shows. To be honest I wasn't particularly impressed with the editing in the clips I've seen, which I assume will be the general tone for the show.

Its a shame as he does seem a very likeable chap. I just don't think those clips did him any justice as an introduction .....to a magician anyway - the public will probably love him though.


Jim

ive seen the clips, several of them show effects that are tried and tested, like hand thru a shop window for example, and the effect with the trout.. which I well remember from Monkey Magic a number of years ago, primarily because the spectators that watched the trick live, are both good friends of mine. ( I can assure you by the way that they are not in on the effect) . I urge you all, to not judge the show, or the performer on the clips. I say this because Ive bumped into troy, and he has something over at least one high profile performer. He is an incredibly likeable, personable guy. And If this comes across on the screen, I suspect there are some very good times in the future. Not just for him, but for magic in general. Imagine that cool, and naturally likeable!

Just to be clear - the clips I'm talking about are not the ones Dale mentioned, I haven't seen the hand through window or one with a trout.

I agree he seems very likeable (as I mentioned in my post) but his likeability has nothing to do with the point of my post - to a magician, the clips I've seen are not a great introduction. My very first experience of Troy was the sun glasses effect - badly edited and filmed in a style I didn't like. Which if I'm honest, kind of put me off - as I said not a great introduction (as far as a fellow magician in concerned). The general public, whom the show is for, will probably see it as magic, so to this end it will have served its purpose. To this end I suppose it really doesn't matter what we magicians think

I will be looking past the clips I saw and will be watching it on Tuesday - i hope to enjoy it.

And Troy, if you come across this thread I wish you all the best and every success with the show. I'm sure you understand where I'm coming from with my comments (which are from a magicians point of view)


Jim

Sadly many performers and programmes have suffered harsh criticism well before anything has been broadcast. Howsabout we just wait to see the show and then make up our minds? I don't know Troy, never seen him work, and I've deliberately not watched the clips so I can be as impartial as possible when the programme airs. I'm just looking forward to seeing some good quality magic on UK TV!

I hope my post hasn't came across as harsh critisism as that was not my intention. For all I know the show could be exellent on Tuesday, in fact I hope it will be. My comments are based soley on what was my personal introduction to Troys magic.

Jim

This show will be great. Troy has a fantastic persona which has been missing from some people on TV.

Regardless of magicians and what we think. (remember we are about %5 of people who will watch this) the show has been designed with the laymen in mind. It will only help keep magic positive and in the public eye, which will help keep us all busy

Im looking forward to seeing the finished project of this show. I can tell you now it has some very creative people involved.

Upon re-reading my posts in this thread I feel I should clarify this before it starts kicking off like the Dynamo and Blaine discussions.

My comments are not meant as a "slate" on Troy. I've heard (from a reliable source) that he is a talented and skilled magician. My point was that the clips I've seen that were chosen as an introduction don't showcase this at all. Please also bear in mind that my opinion is from a magicians point of view and not how the general public would percieve it. Put it this way - say I was to join this site today and introduced myself as a professional magician. I tell you I've posted an example of my work in the "Visual Curiosities" forum. You have a look to see what I'm all about and it is a heavily edited video of an effect that you all know couldn't possibly play as shown - either a stooge has been used or a large chunk of what you see is missing. What would you say ?

The first I knew of Troy was the sun glasses effect and I didn't like it. I'm certainly not slating him as a person, nor his skill as a magician, I just simply didn't like that particular clip.


Jim

Looks like this type of show will be around for a while.

For magic on T.V's point of view its a step back from David Blaine's first street magic special (minus the levitation), but from the audiences point of view it a step forward.

Happy another one got a show, but the tricks will probably only serve as inspiration for magicians and an increase in the false perception of the limits of magic for the audience.

jim ferguson wrote:Upon re-reading my posts in this thread I feel I should clarify this before it starts kicking off like the Dynamo and Blaine discussions.

My comments are not meant as a "slate" on Troy. I've heard (from a reliable source) that he is a talented and skilled magician. My point was that the clips I've seen that were chosen as an introduction don't showcase this at all. Please also bear in mind that my opinion is from a magicians point of view and not how the general public would percieve it. Put it this way - say I was to join this site today and introduced myself as a professional magician. I tell you I've posted an example of my work in the "Visual Curiosities" forum. You have a look to see what I'm all about and it is a heavily edited video of an effect that you all know couldn't possibly play as shown - either a stooge has been used or a large chunk of what you see is missing. What would you say ?

The first I knew of Troy was the sun glasses effect and I didn't like it. I'm certainly not slating him as a person, nor his skill as a magician, I just simply didn't like that particular clip.


Jim

I got what you mean Jim, Telly will always arise problems for us as magicians. It will also help magic. (lets just hope this and future shows do so in the right way)

We know what can be done live and for TV.

I loved Blaines latest purely as he was using loads of workers material. He has really gained lots of respect from both magicians and laymen.

I have seen the clips. I wish the guy well, but I will not be tuning in. The show seems to be a clone of Dynamo from the promos. Dynamo seems to be a pleasant guy, but I am not interested in what he does. Close-up leaves me cold.

Unfortunately as a magician, what passes for magic on television these days has nothing to do with what I do for a living, or what I would wish to see in my leisure time.

I hope what you say about him is true. My fear is that tv execs have seen the Dynamo stuff & have decided to make a clone. If they feel the pressure of the obsurd effects shown on one channel will they try to up their game further with more dodgy editing/cut aways?

I've only seen the sunglasses one & it's clear to me as a magician & editor what has happened there. I'll be watching of course if only to give me a heads up on what the public will be asking me about & comparing me to. I think all it needs is a programme to come forward & state they're doing it differently by not cutting away & to make a big deal about that fact. In my opinion that would make a bold statement & be a massive unique selling point.

TonyB wrote:I have seen the clips. I wish the guy well, but I will not be tuning in. The show seems to be a clone of Dynamo from the promos. Dynamo seems to be a pleasant guy, but I am not interested in what he does. Close-up leaves me cold.

Unfortunately as a magician, what passes for magic on television these days has nothing to do with what I do for a living, or what I would wish to see in my leisure time.

I'm a close up magician as my main source of magic, but totally agree ... I got bored watching this, and I feel bad, because I'm sure that Troy is a nice guy, and I've seen (via fb) that there are some good magicians working on the show with him (advisors / creators but not actually performing, bit odd in my view, but thats just my thoughts :/)

Either way, wouldnt mind meeting him at a convention or something, or if he ever did a live show or lecture, but the tv show doesnt interest me

If he / the people working on the show do see this - its not meant in a nasty way at all, but TV magic for me is 'The Paul Daniels Show' ... not this 'new' style of street magic with editing

All the best for the show and the team though - its always good to have lay people discussing magic

Dan

Well I watched it and must say I quite enjoyed the show. Some nice effects and Troy was indeed an extremley likeable young chap. The little snippets of his family life were interesting and was a nice way of getting his background across. David Blaines influence was evident and it was no surprise to see he is a big fan. His respect and passion for the craft was also very clear.

I look forward to next weeks instalment.


Jim

Indeed a very pleasant and likeable chap, also very talented. However (you just knew there'd be a 'however' in this didn't you?!) do I really need to know about his family, his background, his hairdresser, and his thoughts on various topics? No, not really. Do I also need all those audience reaction shots where the words are limited to Oh my God' over and over? No, not really. What I'd like is to see is just the magic please. To that end I'm glad I recorded the show and could fast forward through all the padding.