talkmagic.co.uk

Ok, I have been dabbling with magic for a couple of years on and off. But I want to take it further. i.e. outside my bedroom and impressing others instead of myself

The only person I have really shown any of my magic to is my flat mate, but he watches like a hawk, pulls at the cards etc.
I thought if I can “trick” him then I can trick anyone, but I think this has damaged my confidence, as even when I do a good magic he just says “mmm, that was ok”

Any of you guys/gals got any tips on how/who/where is best to start performing. I love magic and it gives me great satisfaction, I would love to share it without making myself look like a complete fool.

Cheers

Perform to anyone and everyone...i know it's wierd when you've been practicing a trick and you go and take it out into the big wide world...theres a sort of fear of getting caught out on how the trick is done....dontworry, you should be fine if someone does see how the trickis done, dont wory we've all being caught out some time or another.. your mate doesnt sound like the ideal spectator, because he's yr mate he'll feel like he is alowed to invade your space and pul the cards..he just wants to see how the trick is done!!!
even if your not confident, pretend to be confident and evetually you will...
it wont take long for your confidence to build up again after you have just impressed a complete stranger and they say,,how,,,eh,, but ,,,that,,,umm??? thats magic!!

Andy

Totally agree with what Andy just said. The more people you show the easier it will get.
I was the same as yourself, I would only show people I know and they would be so used to it that they would almost know what to look for! It took me about 2 years until I started approaching complete strangers in the street. Before that I would take some effects with me when going out, o birthdays (even a funeral, which actually broke the ice adn everyone thanked me after!).
But just practice, practice and practice until you can do it... then just go for it! And its always best to start with some self working effects to gret you going, after that you will be buzzing with confidence and wont want to stop!

Hope this Helps

Chris

Thanks, and from a fellow Geordie!!

Not a propper geordie LOL...I live about 12 mile outside Newcastle!!
place called "Costa Del Consett" ha ha

Well if your in the toon, you must have been in the magic box..If not you must have a look in the shop...any help or tips they will be more than willling to help you and point you in the right direction

Andy

"Costa Del Consett" he he

Thanks guys, yes the Magic Box have always been helpful.

Right! I off doon the toon to do some magic

Not really the original topic, but when you show your flatmate tricks, make them self-workers from now on.

Get yourself a couple of Karl Fulve's books, and annihalate your flatmate with simple but effective card tricks such as Gemini Twins, tangle him up with a few rope tricks then buy simple, gimmicked close-up effects like disappearing cards & case, and he'll be floored.

If there's no sleights or moves to catch, he'll never catch them!

Never trick a trickster...

I have the same problem as you.. I keep practicing and showing a select group of people.. and although I carry cards etc.. when I go out I just can't seem to find the right time to take them out and do some "stuff".

The only time I've performed to people who don't know what I do in my spare time was at my wedding and although I opbviously knew them it was still quite nerve racking to actually do some tricks. However.. I was really surprised by the reactions I got. No one managed to figure out how I did it although many had their own ideas (and some where close I have to say). But I did get a little more confidence as time went on.

I guess you are all right.. We just need to do it.

Slippery

Still new to this forum guys (just a few posts), but can i chip in and say that to get confidence you have to make the first big step........show strangers stuff, but (IMHO) NOT CARD TRICKS!!!!!!!

Card tricks are great in the right scenario (ie the pub where decks of cards are common place etc.) instead try learning (or buying) some coin gimmicks. Everyone uses coins in their everday life so you (Mr Magi) saying to them 'look.....i just got given some change from the post office over there and i think they ripped me off'.....then quickly make one coin dissapear etc. is acceptable!!!! More acceptable than going up to someone in the street and saying "Pick a card" FOCL

I must admit to carrying around favourite coin gizmos in my pockets all the time - for those boring moments in queues in newsagents and post offices etc. to amuse the young shop assistant etc. with.... BTW at the moment I am carrying a 50p 'ultimate coin' and am not afraid to show anyone. (ooooerrrr missus)

REMEMBER most people will be bemused that a stranger did a sleight for them and if you draw them into your little theatre of distraction for a few moments by dressing the sleight up with RELEVANT patter even better.
If they don't like it or think your weird.....SO WHAT..... you will prolly never see them again anyways!!!!! And if they do like you ...BINGO that's what we are all about huh?! But 60 seconds tops per person (and in my opinion that is too long to invade a strangers space for) and move off ...... GO ON TRY IT.......one small step for mankind.....

L8R

spurman - I like it. I think that's great advice. Last night i got a booking from doing just that - started with a bitten coin, then did a coin bend in the specs hand. I happened to have a pretty soggy busines card in my pocket (we were at a theme park and I'd just been on one of the water rides). I gave it to them - last night the kid's mother phoned me and asked me to do a show
There's quite a nice site - which inspired me to start doing magic for strangers - it's called the magic anarchist. Not everything there is applicable, but I like the general idea: http://www.themagicanarchist.com

Thanks for all the advice, appreciated

Hi there,

Good post Vaiman - and I know where you are coming from.

I've been into magic since little, and had a few Paul Daniel sets back in the late 70s - but only recently took it up more seriously.

I've been concentrating on cards and have the Royal Road book and a few dvds and have been getting my skills up to speed (elmsley, double lifts, shuffle control and palms and so on).

I usually just show them my folks, finacee and more recently one or two mates - but I get so nervous! It's ridiculous! I'm not really a shy / nervous person, but when I was performing Twisting the Aces on Saturday to a mate - my hands were so shakey!! - thing is - I actually managed the elmsley counts live in front of someone! - I'm so chuffed! Last time i attempted it, it went really really wrong! But can’t stop getting so nervous. I rush the patter, and often therefore lower the impact of the tricks.

I do think that each time it gets a little easier but I'm still really nervous. I've been invited to a local magic club, after bumping into one of their members in a restaurant he was working at - but I'm too nervous to go yet - thinking my skills aren't up to scratch!

So the point to this reply? - a) I know what you are going through b) just to say that I too believe that it will get easier, it’s just a difficult journey!!

I've been performing for the better part of 20 years. Close up, mostly. I still get nervous when about to perform. That's no help, is it?

I'll tell you this. Jump in with both feet. Find the opportunity, and do your trick. do not heisitate, perform. Don't hold back because you start off nervous. You have practiced hours, maybe weeks or months this trick, and that particular moment is why.

You will be nervous right before you start, but once you get rolling, things tend to iron themselves out.

I told you to find an opportunity--this is difficult, at best. If you are in a pub (I'm an American, but I'll try to Brit up my posts whenever possible) and your mates are tossing back a few pints (see?), or in any similiar, social situation, I have found a foolproof method to get in to doing some magic without pressuring yourself on people (it makes a huge difference in their perception of your magic if you offer up a performance, or if a performance is requested--but that's a whole other post, now isn't it?)--

I use my wife, you cannot use my wife. Instead, use your flat mate (the card tugger). *A great way to deal with someone who tends to be difficult is to throw them in the spotlight with you. Once they are helping you, they are a whole other person* If your flat mate is not present, use another mate to throw in to the conversation something amazing you showed him earlier that day. I have a signal to my wife that lets her know that I am prepared, and that the mood is right, for me to perform. Once she sees the signal, she asks me to show our friends, or whoever is around, what I showed her earlier. It works wonders!

Credit where it is due, this is not my idea. I got it from Rene Levand, one of the greatest thinkers in magic, in his book "Magic from the Soul." Have never performed a single trick from that book, but what I learned from reading that book--it's amust for anyone's library.

I know that this reply ended up being more about a great icebreaker in stead of a method to control your nervousness, but I'll tell you a secret--once people are asking you, and they will end up begging if you use Mr Levand's technique, to perform you will find that your nerves pretty much go out the window. Most of them anyway.

You'll always need a little nervousness to stay sharp. never get bored while doing a trick. If you'r ebored, they'll be bored. Never do that trick again...at least, not in a way that bores you.

Hope that helps someone.

Peace and good times,

B!

a very helpful post Kardtrik... will have to rope mrs mog in to the idea!