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I am new here and am only 14, but this does not mean I dont love magic. I really do love magic but am puzzled at a couple of things.

1. Why, when I do an effect that I believe is absolutely stunning, dont I get the reactions other people do? I have seen some of the reactions David Blaine receives and have read about reactions from others, but I take the time and effort (+ the damage of a decreasing bank account) to learn the tricks that others get such rave reactions from. I try to add my own ideas to it... no screaming. I try it exactly how it says in the book/ on the video/ how David Blaine does it... no screaming. Is it my poor presentation or is it just youth stereotyping? Could everyone feel that a trick done by a kid is always childish? I am really puzzled at this because over the past few years I have worked really hard developing my presentation and sleights. I am actually able to do one or two card manipulations ( modest arent I? ).

2. What should I do? Carry on with my magic, or stick to education and get a job on the acedemic side?

3. Is there any books/ DVD's / tricks that any one experienced could recommend for a beginner/intermediate (I can't really asess myself!)

4. Why the hell isnt there any good magic clubs I can join in the North West?

Please help!!!

I'm not sure about the age limits, but the "order of the magic" in manchester is very good, as is Bolton Magic society.

Are you anywhere near these areas?

I'm just wondering who you are doing your magic to? It is often the case that those that know us best are the hardest to please. If you haven't already done it, then I suggest trying on people that you don't know, or at least don't know well.

Plus you aren't going to get people screaming at you in England, that is a very American reaction! A stunned silence is probably better though, and it doesn't hurt as much!

well, it looks like you may be trying too hard, or maybe you are doing effects that are just not entertaining.
Not all magic is unfortunately. A great deal of what Blaine does for instance relies on his personality to sell the effect. Also you must remember that people do act differently when a television crew are standing there. The man on the street will do almost anything to get their 15 mins of fame. Well, they will in the u.s.a.
it might be helpful if you let us know what magic you are doing. Some effects just are not suitable for people of your age.
Its more to do with the patter, and the attitude that the trick is delivered in.
so, give us a bit more information if you can, maybe taking one effect at a time, and we will see what we can do to sort your problem out

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Dale

If you want an instant reaction try the electric shock pen. But on a serous note if your not getting a reaction, try and review your performance, picture, watching yourself (yes i know it sounds weird) doing an effect on someone, be subjective about what your performancei s like. Then picture yourself in the spectators boots,and be subjective about what they're thinking about the trick. This can reveal alot of flawes and alot of good points.

There's some good advice there, Deejum, and I can only echo what's been said. Check what you're doing - is it entertaining to others as well as to you? Are you just copying (albeit extremely well) routines and tricks done by others? Are you going too fast? Are you going too slow? If you can get into a magic club, or even visit one once in a while, you'll certainly get impartial advice and probably some solid constructive criticism to help you along.

The only point not mentioned so far is your question 2. Whatever you do, don't expect to make a living at doing magic. If you can do this you're very lucky indeed but many 'professional' magicians either have other sources of income or have a working partner or parent who are supporting them. On this basis, carry on with academic studies and check out a few normal jobs whilst doing magic in your spare' time. If nothing else, you will at least be in contact with the sort of folks who make up your audience and you'll be surprised how much better it is to interact with folks when you have a good idea of where they're coming from.

You've started off here in the right way by asking for suggestions rather than expecting miraculous answers and I reckon that means you're already on the right track - may I wish you most sincerely the very best of fortune in your magic career!

mandrake mandrake mandrake.

Whatever you do, don't expect to make a living at doing magic.

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your absolutely right dont under estimate the power fo education, school's and coledges are the perfect breeding ground to hone your skill's and get the needed bussiness sense.

you need a good job to afford the magic gearin the first place and you need the social interaction and psycology courses from education to use them effectively.

you can make enough to live on just but its better if its a paying hobbie or side bussines though, so get schooled in life and education, use your magic to pull crowds and girls / boys.
remember that a kid you impress when your young could well be intstrumental in your first big break.

Hi

Just to add my thoughts to the advice mentioned already.

1)
I have a couple of friends who almost never react to anything I do; I've never really given this serious thought before now as it doesn’t really bother me... I never single them out to show them any magic but they always watch along with everyone else...

But I have noticed where as I get reactions from other people they just look at me as if I some dirt on their shoes, I don't get any feedback from them... they display no positive or negative body language... they just stand there like dummies and then walk away, or start talking to someone.

So what's the point I'm trying to make, well I think they are just trying to be 'cool'.... they don't want to admit to 'not understanding' how the magic works, so they try to act like they know exactly what's going on, by giving no reaction, they think people standing around them will subconsciously notice this and assume they know how it's all done.

My advice, let them!

Make sure you practice, concentrate on your performance, I personally only perform magic which I also like, something as simple as the ‘disappearing card case’ (check out the reviews section) will get you that reaction and you will also see that it is easy to put your own individual slant on the presentation. Also something like this benefits from not being done by one of the “TV” magicians and so the people you show it to will have not either seen it professionally performed or ‘exposed’.

2) enjoy magic as a hobby, until you have the qualifications to give you a choice of careers!

3) Spend some time searching/ reading through the reviews section, there is great advice on books/ dvds etc for beginners and those with a little more skill.


Cheers

Vats

Deejum
I too am only 14 but i seem to get brilliant reactions. Maybee its just because im just super cute!! Seriously the reason i get my reactions is all beause of the routines i use. My routines have jokes, audience participation and me making a fool of myself. Dont worry about not getting the same reaction as Blaine........remember that his audiences are american!!!!

First of all I just want to say thanks to everybody. I was stunned at how many replies I have received. I do live in Bolton and have recently (after posting this topic) enquired about age limits. They have replied and have said that usually they do not take members under 16 but they have said they will discuss it in their next meeting and may contact me further, which I was chuffed about.

I appreciate all of the advice you have given me and will try to take it all in. I would be grateful if you could rate some of the tricks I do to tell me whether they suit a fourteen year old or not. I have been trying out as many as possible to see which get the best reactions and have found it hard to pick out my best ones but here are just a couple I get the best reactions from (in order)
Out of this World - this is one trick that defies what I have said about not getting a reaction. People really do love this one.
Ambitious Card Trick - This ones still in the practice stage but I'm hoping to get a couple with this.
Ace Shake - Thats the Two card monte sort of thing that some people do. Personally this is one of my favourites but not so many good reactions.
Disappearing Card Case - It seems I must have hit a gold mine with this one since so many of you recommended it. I agree that there are many variations for it but I tend to fit it in to my ambitious card trick (right thing to do???)
Coin Squeeze - I really love this one, ingenious. Reactions tend to vary on the people I do it to.

If you could please tell me if I should or should not do any of these tricks I would be very grateful

I do tend to show my tricks to people I know but usually this sharpens up my skills since they are getting a little used to the techniques and my misdirection. I am also just a little cautious about doing it to people I have just met in case of if I make a mistake, I,know everyone says not to worry if you do but is there any other advice???

One last thing, which style of tricks do you reckon would suit a fourteen year old? Card tricks? Coin tricks? Varied?

Thanks again for ALL those replies

P.S. Is it good to not really care what other people think about certain tricks and just keep on doing them just because you want to? And is it good if you wouldn't care if everybody in the world suddenly hated magic more than anything except you and that you wouild still do it?

okey dokey, tricks that will get good reaction's for your age.

close up tricks:-
scotch and soda.
haunted key.
wizard / stripper deck.
svengali deck.

palour / stage:-
linking rings.
change bag.
stamp / colouring book.

basic stuff but will give you a good grounding, the two card packs will allow you to perform miricals wile you prctice your slights.
scotch and soda and its english expensive conterpart coin unique, will give you good coin tricks.
and of cause my favorate the haunted key with practise this little gem will get you bookings like it has done or me.

There's not much I can add to the great advice you've already got here Deejum.
But take comfort in the fact that I have the same problem from time to time with flat reactions to astonishing things and I'm sure most others on here have at one time or another.
I must admit that most times I can track a weak effect back to a dodgy presentation idea or failing to let the spectators know when and how the magic is happening. Or just choosing the wrong spec to help me, or any one of a number of things. It's hard to pin down really.
I'm glad you get good reactions with OOTW - it's probably my favourite card effect, it totally defies understanding from a spec's point of view.
Maybe if you look at the strong points in your presentation of that effect - the bits that draw the specs in and prime them to react well - you could apply those lessons to other effects in your repetiore.
My only other advice is to think about getting Magic and Showmanship by Henning Nelms. It's utterly brilliant, not too full of effects (althought there are several) but more to do with the acting, scripting and presentation that can turn 'tricks' into 'miracles'. If you're not an experienced performer then it can be a great help. (It certainly was for me)
Oh and one other thing - from the very wise mind of master mentalist Bob Cassidy - "Stay Connected". Listen to your audience, watch their reactions, learn to tap into what they're feeling.
That way you won't get to the end of an effect and realise it's fallen flat. You'll realise in mid-flow and be able to build them back up and draw them back in before it happens.
Hope that helps,
Mathew.