talkmagic.co.uk

Made you look!

New guy here attempting to contribute something to the forum right off the bat. There is an issue I don't see talked about but is one of great importance. This subject, once one has a fair understanding of the power it holds is a very important tool that any serious performer should always keep in his mental tool bag. I'm talking, of course about the one human emotion that drives our species forward. The reason some, quite literally, get up in the morning. The reason still others lie awake at night. A monstrous beast who's demands must be met. Human curiosity.

My background as a sales professional has taught me many things that are applicable in all walks of life but none so profound as the concept of generating curiosity to generate business. Think about it. We figured out how to go to the moon just to see what was there. We spend ungodly amounts of money on research, simply because we are curious. There is no doubt, curiosity is a huge driving force for much of what we do. Another interesting point: once we've satisfied our curiosity on something, we seem to stop caring and move on to something else. This key fact is important.

In my experience, talking specifically about sales, I've seen salesmen do a great job of generating rapport, interest and curiosity only to end up answering all their questions so thoroughly that any more talk of the subject became redundant. The sale is killed. What did he do wrong?
He satisfied the prospect's curiosity. The customer felt as though he was well educated in the matter and can now look around at the competition.
Imagine if that customer had been brought along on the edge of his seat the whole way there... The salesman didn't dodge any question, but the craftiness of his words didn't fully satisfy the customer's curiosity. Or if it did, it made him curious about something else. At the end, when it's time to ask for the sale, the customer is left with the feeling that the only way he is going to be able to completely satisfy his curiosity is to get the product. Doesn't it seem likely that the curiosity factor played a huge role?

Now mystery is of course a huge part in our art, and all of the elements of curiosity are there by default. The point isn't to just make them curious, but to keep them curious. Keep them asking "What else?" This need to satisfy their curiosity will keep them coming back for more.
The above of course is just my opinion and seems to work well. I'd like to hear some thoughts on this. Rather you agree or disagree, though I can't imagine you disagreeing. Often the simplest concept is the most profound. Also I'd like to hear suggestions on how to keep our spectators curious.

I think sometimes, we magicians, talk to much. By this I mean we say what is going to happen for example ACR routine "if i put the card here, and I snap my fingers, the card jumps on top. Now look..." *magician snaps fingers, turns top card over, chosen card is on top*
This in my opinion is killing their curiosity because you told them what's going to happen... you just have to prove to them it did happen. This still makes them curious but for a wrong reason. They don't think "I'm going to keep watching to see what he's going to do now", they're more likely to think "I'm going to keep watching to see if he didn't eff up"

I've seen a streetperformer saturday doing 20 minute shows without saying one word. He also did some ACR moves and never mentioned that the card will rise back to the top. After his first ACR 'reveal' people got the idea and didn't need words to follow the rest of it.

I think working with predictions is a good way to keep them curious.

Subliminal Sorcerer wrote:Another interesting point: once we've satisfied our curiosity on something, we seem to stop caring and move on to something else. This key fact is important.

<snip>

At the end, when it's time to ask for the sale, the customer is left with the feeling that the only way he is going to be able to completely satisfy his curiosity is to get the product. Doesn't it seem likely that the curiosity factor played a huge role?

I'd argue this is a large part of why magicians have a CUPS list. Your reasoning applies just as well to sales pitch so cleverly used by magic shops. These guys know exactly how to pique curiosity and keep us guessing until we hand over the money. Then, the groan when the magician realises he or she has bought a new effect based on a variation of a very old method. I often wonder just how many completely new secrets we are really buying as opposed to new ways of using the old ones.

They don't think "I'm going to keep watching to see what he's going to do now", they're more likely to think "I'm going to keep watching to see if he didn't eff up"

This is an exellent point. And once it's confirmed that he didn't eff up, they are amused, and move on. When was the last time you heard anyone floored by your ACR if you perform it like that?

How about this? As the magician puts the card in the middle of the deck, he says "You know, it's the oddest thing. For the life of me I can't figure it out. But when I snap my fingers... let's see if I can get it this time." The magician snaps his fingers and then proceeds to turn over the card (WITHOUT A WORD), obviously unsure if it worked THAT time, and pleased when it again has.

This is of course just an example for the first part of the ACR, and from this point forward curiousity needs to be worked up again, but the point is clear.

You drew the spectator in, the only thing the spectator knew is that when you snap your fingers, SOMETHING happens and it puzzles you.

"Something puzzling? What's that? Well now I have to find out. C'mon, don't leave me haning... Ok I guess I have to watch to find out."

Obviously there's more to drawing a spectator's interest and MUCH has been written about it, but I never see anyone talk specifically about curiousity. Why do you think that is?

Groovebird wrote:I think sometimes, we magicians, talk to much. By this I mean we say what is going to happen for example ACR routine "if i put the card here, and I snap my fingers, the card jumps on top. Now look..." *magician snaps fingers, turns top card over, chosen card is on top*
This in my opinion is killing their curiosity because you told them what's going to happen... you just have to prove to them it did happen. This still makes them curious but for a wrong reason. They don't think "I'm going to keep watching to see what he's going to do now", they're more likely to think "I'm going to keep watching to see if he didn't eff up"

I've seen a streetperformer saturday doing 20 minute shows without saying one word. He also did some ACR moves and never mentioned that the card will rise back to the top. After his first ACR 'reveal' people got the idea and didn't need words to follow the rest of it.

I think working with predictions is a good way to keep them curious.

The above all comes down to performing style. Yes many times your scenario plays out. But with a good performer it does not. A good performer will be able to keep the audience engaged and interested even when the outcome is known. Done correctly magic is the journey and the result not just the result. Just about everyone knows the Titanic sank yet the movie was still a blockbuster sell out (although I personally hated it) we all knew the end result of Pearl Harbour, again a huge successfull movie (again I didn't like it) it was about the story not just the end. A magic effect does not have to be a murder mystery with the end always hidden, it has to be engaging, magical and entertaining.

As for curiosity? I have to think about that for awhile before I answer.

i hated the band...