Improve my presentation..

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Improve my presentation..

Postby phore » Oct 4th, '07, 14:27



Hi

Can someone point me in the direction of a good product (preferably a DVD), that goes through the points of improving a presentation. Like:

- dealing with hecklers
- confidence
- how to impress the spec (more)
- getting the spec to trust you (like if you let him hold onto a DL)
- body language
- the psychological aspect of magic

It would be great if the product focused on cardmagic.

I'd also be very happy with your own tips, ideas and experiences.
If someone would share some stuff with me on the boards or msn that would be great (I don't mean products).

If there are already threads on this (there probably are I guess), please point me to them, I don't know what to look for..

Thanks!

phore
 

Postby Michael Jay » Oct 4th, '07, 18:46

Regarding hecklers:

http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/sutra96698.php#96698
http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/sutra5492.php#5492
http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/sutra71900.php#71900
http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/sutra37424.php#37424

The search function works a treat. :wink:

Can someone point me in the direction of a good product (preferably a DVD), that goes through the points of improving a presentation.


Bits and pieces. You'll find that advice for presentation is covered on most every DVD that you pick up, but it is given as a matter of course in the overall teaching of whatever it is that the DVD is about. A DVD that covers purely presentational points would probably be one of the most boring and useless DVDs in DVD history.

For such things, I would highly recommend books, which can be outlined, underlined and annotated. Specifically, books on theory are what you are looking for here...Things like "The Books of Wonder" (Minch & Wonder) and "Mastering the Art of Magic" (Burger).

Unfortunately, because DVDs are taking over the industry, books on theory are becoming more rare and the ones that are presently out there are on the endangered species list (meaning that as time goes by, they will go out of print and it will cost you an arm and a leg to purchase them second hand - proof being in the two Brown books which will cost you a small fortune to purchase). It would appear that in the magic industry, anymore, folks aren't interested in performing magic when they can flex their muscles showing the lay audience their cleverness and skill in fooling them.

Who cares about presentation and entertainment when they can show their family and friends just how clever they are? I mean, isn't there a certain amount of pride that is taken by making fools of your audience?

This, naturally, leads us to the heckler:
  • dealing with hecklers
Hecklers are not born, they are created.

First, if someone is heckling you, then it is your own, damn, fault. If you have failed to fool them, then they've noticed something that you've done wrong ("I saw you turn over two cards"). Who can resist telling the moron that is trying to make a fool of you that you caught him in his own game? Using magic as a vehicle to prove your superiority does nothing but beg for hecklers to come forward. And, when they do, in fact, come forward, you have no one to blame but yourself for creating them, in this instance.

Second, someone who is asking for more information or trying to be a part of the scenario that you are creating is NOT a heckler. They are a person who is trying to be a part of something that they find interesting and fun - something that you, yourself, have created. Normally, these people simply suffer from a lack of social graces and don't know when to keep their mouths shut. But, you are the one who thrust your magic upon them (unless, of course, they've paid a price for a ticket just to see you perform) and, again, you cannot blame them for the situation that you've created.

So, if your magic is entertaining and not confrontational, you've already taken the proper steps to quelling any kind of heckling situation that may arise. If, however, you do have that one, boistrous person who cannot stand to be outside of the center of attention, then why not make friends with them, rather than trying to put them down? Make them part of the show, have fun with them and you'll find that they will help you to entertain your audience.

Once you've set up a situation where you have a need to win though, then you've already lost.
  • confidence
This falls directly on your own, broad shoulders. If you practice your magic to the point where you cannot do it wrong, then you should have confidence. Please note the difference between "practicing until you get it right" and "practicing until you cannot get it wrong."

After that, confidence comes with getting in front of an audience. Keep in mind that without your audience you are nothing more than the lonely guy in the mirror. So, once you've got your trick down to a point where you simply cannot do it wrong, then you show it to friends and family, in order to gain your feet.

Then you are prepared to show it "cold" in front of an audience of people that you don't know. The more you do this, the more you get it right and the more confident you become. No DVD can teach you this - it is something that you must do. If you do this, then confidence will come with time.
  • how to impress the spec
Taking what is stated above, impressing your spectators comes as a matter of course. If you perform the trick flawlessly and with confidence, then your spectators will be impressed. The smoother that you are, the more impressed they become.

If, after performing the trick, you maintain a humble demeanor, they will be even more impressed. Conversely, if you have a big head and let them know just how great you are because you could fool them, then they will not be impressed, only begrudging. And, they will dislike you and, more than likely, never really care to see one of your little tricks ever again. Further, they will pick up a bad feeling for magic and magicians and you will have done a grave disservice to all of your magician bretheren.
  • getting the spec to trust you
This is the easiest of all...Don't make fools of them, don't try to show your superiority, just entertain them. If you do that, then they will trust you. Simple as.
  • body language
Body language is specific to what you are trying to do. With a deck of cards, there is little need for body language, except in certain, specific tricks (like card to shoe and so forth).

With coins, however, body language is as important as the sleights themselves.

However, to really study body language it is suggested that you become a student of human nature. Watch people. Learn in real time, rather than taking someone's word for it, whether in a book or on a DVD. You'll learn more from watching people out in the real world than you will from any studying in your home that you can do.

Become a student of human nature. Watch people in their natural environments...Watch them on the bus, in a crowd, in the mall, whilst talking to each other - watch ever facet of human interaction that you can find. This will teach you.
  • the psychological aspect of magic
There are plenty of books on the market that cover psychology. If you are uncomfortable reading, well, get over it. Teach yourself to use books in the same way that you use DVDs. Really, like anything else, it is a matter of practice. The more you read, the more you'll get out of reading.

Also, learn to read between the lines. In books on magic, you'll find so much wisdom that is not specifically stated in the written words that the imagination fails to grasp it all. Little things, like, "It is the boldness of procedure that is so disarming," (Bobo) are pure gold...You just need to learn to find this gold and that is a matter of practice (same as everything else). So, the greatest advice that I can give you is: Learn to read.

It would be great if the product focused on cardmagic.


Magic is magic is magic is magic. Whether cards, coins, silks, doves or any other genre, it is generally all the same. Learn to find useful bits of information from any given aspect of magic and apply it to whatever it is that you're doing.

I hope this was of some help.

Mike.

Michael Jay
 

Postby HenryHoudini » Oct 4th, '07, 19:15

wow! great post, really will make a good point on anyone reading it.

I'll second that and also just make it very clear that every book/DVD has tips on presentation.

Also, if you need help on presentation, I might advise you to perform for a camera and watch yourself. At what point (if any) might the laymen lose interest? Make that a better presentation, or cut out a portion of the routine.

just my 1 cent

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Postby Replicant » Oct 4th, '07, 19:28

I'm not a working magician so can't any advice I'm afraid. But Michael's post seems very useful. I seem to recall there being some good advice from Andy Nyman on this subject; it appears in the interview with him on his DVD, Get Nyman.

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Postby bronz » Oct 4th, '07, 21:41

I can't believe no on has yet mentioned Strong Magic and Designing Miracles, both by Darwin Ortiz and both currently in print. If they don't sort out your performance and choice of material I don't know what will.

The artist who does not rise, descends.
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Postby Beardy » Oct 4th, '07, 21:59

and for performoing, get absolute magic! Cost you a good £75, read it, then sell it on! Very muc worth it!

Love

Chris
xxx

"An amazing mind manipulator" - Uri Geller
"I hope to shake your hand before I die" - Derren Brown
"That was mightily impressive - I have absolutely no clue how you did that" - Tim Minchin
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Postby phore » Oct 5th, '07, 08:05

Thank you Mike!
That was way more than I expected and an awesome post!

It would appear that in the magic industry, anymore, folks aren't interested in performing magic when they can flex their muscles showing the lay audience their cleverness and skill in fooling them.

Who cares about presentation and entertainment when they can show their family and friends just how clever they are? I mean, isn't there a certain amount of pride that is taken by making fools of your audience?

Good point, I am actually very subtle about my magic though. I've presented only very few tricks to friends and family. Partly because of

"practicing until you get it right" and "practicing until you cannot get it wrong."

I do just that.

I like your thoughts on hecklers, and I'll definitely read the threads you mentioned.

If, after performing the trick, you maintain a humble demeanor, they will be even more impressed. Conversely, if you have a big head and let them know just how great you are because you could fool them, then they will not be impressed, only begrudging. And, they will dislike you and, more than likely, never really care to see one of your little tricks ever again. Further, they will pick up a bad feeling for magic and magicians and you will have done a grave disservice to all of your magician bretheren.

That's a very valuable thought, I'll keep that in mind.

As for the books, I'll check if some of them are available where I live. I have no problems with reading, I actually like reading. I just mentioned DVD's because I'm not an easy learner when it comes to card stuff, I need a good and visual explanation. But for theory and such, a good book will do the trick for me too.

Thanks again for your great post Mike.

And thanks to you others who posted your thoughts, they're really appreciated.

phore
 

Postby Part-Timer » Oct 5th, '07, 19:27

Michael Jay wrote:You just need to learn to find this gold...


Talking of which, any chance of getting Mike's post stickied somewhere?

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Postby Magical_Trevor » Oct 5th, '07, 20:15

I just found this when using the search function - I dont know what to say - Mike Jay, you need an award for the advice you give out, its hit the nail 100% on the head, great advice mate

Dan
aka Magic Trev

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Postby bmat » Oct 5th, '07, 20:36

"First, if someone is heckling you, then it is your own, damn, fault".

Now that was a great post. and I especially want to thank you for the one line. I get so tired of hearing people complain about hecklers. My response...then do your job. I advise entertainers that if you are in that unfortunate situation and the heckler is getting more laughs then you then try to use that. At least that way the audience will still get some enterainment. If it is the case of a roudy drunk, let the establishment deal with it.

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Postby Vipen » Oct 6th, '07, 17:08

Michael Jay wins the award for best post I've seen in a long time.
I usually try to give whatever quick suggestions that I can to help someone out. Michael Jay truly took out considerable time to help someone here. Very well done.
The two suggestions I would say are don't have an ego (Michael Jay already talked about this).
And it is important to be yourself and not someone you are not. If you do not have a great sense of humor, don't pretend that you do. If you are not a very serious person, don't try to play a real serious performance. Your audience will see through your acting.

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Postby HenryHoudini » Oct 6th, '07, 21:38

bronz wrote:I can't believe no on has yet mentioned Strong Magic and Designing Miracles, both by Darwin Ortiz and both currently in print. If they don't sort out your performance and choice of material I don't know what will.


I wanted to let someone else recommend it

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Postby Michael Jay » Oct 7th, '07, 16:55

Thank you gentlemen for your very kind comments. And, phore, I'm pleased that the post has helped you...Still, I would implore you to delve into books over DVDs.

Certainly DVDs have their place and they make for excellent auxiliary material to have - I have many of my own. But they cannot take the place of a book for overall information given. The problem with a DVD is that it forces you to see someone else peforming a sleight or technique or routine. You lose the visualisation in your mind of you doing these things...It is a matter of intimacy, I guess.

Regarding books on theory (presentation and such), please, gentlemen, post books that you feel are important to have...The reason that I left such things out of my original post (with the exception of two that I used as examples) is that this all comes down to opinion. So, let's help phore out and give him a list of your favorite books on theory.

Mike.

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