talkmagic.co.uk

Any of you who have talked with me before might know already that I do street magic. I just started about a month ago now. I was just wondering if any one out there could give me some advice on (A) how to be able to walk up to just any one(I can walk up to some people, but some times i just can't find the guts) and do a card trick. And (B) some tips on how to deal with the rejection and make it seem like it didn't bother you when the person you just asked if they would like to see a card trick just says "NO" with out a moments hesitation(sp?). All suggestions and tips will be greatly appres appreciated. Also if any one wants to know some more about me look up the topic "good card tricks"

thank you very much
kemo

Kemo wrote: All suggestions and tips will be greatly appres appreciated.

Hmmm! You may not like this but .. rejection is part of performance. It's how you deal with it that counts. My suggestion (for what it is worth) is to seperate magic from performance. You (I assume) know the magic ... now you have to perform and sell yourself. In your position ... and I have been there ... i would get myself off to a theatre that does theatre arts courses. In a gradual way, you will learn to perform to all manner of audience. Then you can apply your skills in handling and understanding and audience to magic if that is your chosen route.

Best wishes.

Kryzal (the strange one)
x

In answer to your first question; DO IT. Just go out there and do it. Introduce yourself as a magician and ask if they wouldn't mind you showing them something. Be courteous and polite and don't force it down their throats. This is something you will have to get over in all sorts of performing environments.

As for rejection, unfortunately all you can do is smile through gritted teeth, thank them for their time and start again with somebody new.

These are the cold hard facts of performing and once you get over this mountain the world will be at your feet. Good luck.

Hi Kemo

I just started about a month ago now.

You didn't make if in this month you have just started performing but have loads of prior experience of magic, or if you've just started magic AND performing it in the past month.

You must learn to die before you can begin to live. If you're sure you do want to live like this, death just means you get to have another go.

Ask any stand-up comic.

Oh, and wrap up warmly. The weather's shocking. And go for it!

Hey Dat

i started magic fours years ago but i took a long break in there and just started back up last spring so i have a small amount of tricks under my belt. and i just started street magic in the second last week of september.

and thank you all for you suggestions. i just wish i could just walk up to anyone but there is always that little doubt in you mind, what if they don't like it? what if they think I'm dumb for doin card tricks? because there are people like that, and no one like to be laughed at or made to feel like an idiot.

kemo

All you can do is ask. Most of the time if you are polite and friendly, even if they turn you down it is not horrible.

Here is how I had to think of it:

People pay money to see magician. It is not traditionally a public commodity. But in street magic you are offering to give a person a free show (no initial financial commitment.) Don't be embarrassed or feel like you are putting them out.

If you are nice about how you ask then even if they don't want to see it then the most you have taken from them is 30 sec. It's just the same as stopping someone and asking the time.

Anyway thinking about it like that helped me get over the initial fear.

ooh, i can`t do that to.. but i do it on peoples that are my age and under (weakest point ) and people i know... on kids it`s very cool to do the levitation... but they don`t realy freak out as much as an adult if i do a good performance

If you need strangers to do things in public, think of the psychology of the situation. If you're minding your own business in a shopping centre, for example, and some random, nervous person comes up to you, you're naturally put on the defensive. What is he after? Is he a nutter? Will he do you harm? How much inconvenience will helping him cause you? Why do you attract them? etc.

But being approached by someone with a camera crew in tow is a different matter... The camera lends the situation an air of authority, and many people will simply do whatever you suggest. So, try taking a friend along to video you. Uniforms work well, too. Few people tell security guards to sod off. Rather, they automatically think they've done something wrong.

Also, performing tricks that are entirely visual such as messing about with a pair of D'Lites until someone approaches YOU is an interesting way to meet people and to identify who wants to be a glittery assistant.

Don't worry if they don't react like you want them too. I bet David Blaine and Derren Brown also get unresponsive people on the street - they just don't choose to include those in their TV shows !

Rather than approach people individually you could set up a table in the street or just stand there and start performing (although just standing there wouldn't work if you just do close up) & that way people will approach you. Once a crowd gathers it will encourage more people to see what's going on. 'A crowd builds a crowd'

Kevin Cann wrote:Don't worry if they don't react like you want them too. I bet David Blaine and Derren Brown also get unresponsive people on the street - they just don't choose to include those in their TV shows !

You've just reminded me of a scene where DB attempts to get people to simply hand over their wallets. He asks an old couple on the seafront and they wonder what he's on about. Personally, I think the production company should put a few more of those clips in. It makes for a more "human" show.

You've just reminded me of a scene where DB attempts to get people to simply hand over their wallets. He asks an old couple on the seafront and they wonder what he's on about. Personally, I think the production company should put a few more of those clips in. It makes for a more "human" show.

Also if you watch Blaine's Balducci levitation at 1 point he has a crowd of gang types watching him but only a couple of them freak out. Some of the others at different angles don't seem to react at all (they're probably wondering what has possessed the others)

hey tomo

Thanks for the suggestions, but if I were to do the tricks in front of a camra I would just be more nervous. Also I often think of the psychology of the situation and that is why I find it hard to do the card trick some times. I'm too worried of what they might think of me.

Ok here are two more questions about street magic and the like. As tomo sad it cold out now, so i don't do much "street" magic I go to malls and stuff like that instead of walking the street. But I was wondering have any of you ever tried doin "street" magic in a bar before? Now our bars might be a bit different atsmophere then what you have in the UK, so it might be hard for some of you to give me good suggestion on that. Also (more or less part two of the question) when you walk up to some one to do a card trick, do you pick some one who is just milling around or have you ever tried walking up to people who are in the middle of a conversation and ask them? because I was wondering if you would think they they think it is rude to interupt thier conversation.

Again thatks for all the help.
kemo

Kemo wrote:hey tomo

our bars might be a bit different atsmophere then what you have in the UK, so it might be hard for some of you to give me good suggestion on that. Also (more or less part two of the question) when you walk up to some one to do a card trick, do you pick some one who is just milling around or have you ever tried walking up to people who are in the middle of a conversation and ask them? because I was wondering if you would think they they think it is rude to interupt thier conversation.

Again thatks for all the help.
kemo

If you do magic in a bar it's no longer 'street magic', it's now close-up or strolling/walkaround magic & different problems come into play. What are you trying to achieve ? Do you just want the experience ? Do you want tips/money ? Do you just want to show off ?

It would be wise if you asked the bar owner/tender for permission first & let him know your reasons. You may have to deal with drunks - can you handle that ? If you want to use tables they may be wet with drink. What will the lighting be like ?

As for interrupting them, unless they specifically come to see a magic show that will always happen, whether you work in restaurants etc. people will primarily be at the venue for another main reason, not magic, so you always have to have an opening line to introduce yourself as a magician and give them the opportunity to say "No thanks".

What i suggest to you mate is that if you wanna do it just do it go out there and rather then saying "can i show you somethibng" approach with more confiedence say "hey i have somthing i wanna show you, something i cant figure out" but make sure you have the prop in your hand ie cards. or say "let me show you something" this normally work

i have done a little street magic in the past, and people have normally been good, i cant remember anyone saying no go away, and if they do dont let that put you down, cause you got to remember that the ones that say yes u have really entertained them

please bear in mind if you do go on the street to perform then speak with local authority in case u need permission and if u are gonna be based in one spot u may need street entertainers licence, thats what is required here

all the best and let us know how it goes

Jags