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Just a post to find out what people's opinions are on the matter of methods.

From your point of view, do you prefer effects that have complex methods over simple ones, or the other way around? Of course this is a little bit of a strange question given that there are so many effects out there and some may need to be complex where as others are nothing more than a simple force. So to put this another way, when you come up with an effect of your own or learn one from another source, do you try to make it so complex it would baffle anyone that isn't yourself, or do you try to refine it down to it's simplest form, still without it being obvious, but still just as strong as the complex solution. There are effects out there that this could be describing, because there are normally several solutions to a method. Like I've said, I'm just interested in hearing other peoples views. This isn't exactly a debate as everyone will have their performance styles.

Personally, I like to simplify me effects, I feel that with less complexity it makes it easier to work on giving a nice performance, also I find that if it's renined down, you may not need so many slights and manouvers, making it far less un-natural. Of course I do love to try and think up complex effects, and also try to work out other peoples, but when I go out to perform at events and other gigs, I will always go back to my more streamlined methods if I can help it.

So please, What are peoples preferances? Again, I'm not looking to debate, rather learn what other people's styles are out of curiousity.

I'd go for simply but not too simple. I think if it's too complex, it won't baffle people but instead confuse them. And not in a good way. And if it's too simple it won't get the desired effect.

I think it's very similar to any type of story telling. It's important to keep the audience asking questions but you have to give them something to go on to keep them interested.

Simples

I think it really depends on the trick, presentation, and performer. With all of your questions, I think you'd really get a lot out of Darwin Ortiz's "Strong Magic" and "Designing Miracles". I've read the latter 3 times, yet I always find something new and interesting when I skim through it.

Depends on who you are trying to entertain? Older gruff magicians who have the "Seen it all" attitude. Then I'd say maybe complex might work.

But for the most part if you are entertaining regular folk, then just go for the more direct and simple methods.

What really baffles folk is stuff that is simple and visual and they don't often see. Whether the method is easy or hard is irrelevant.

It's not really the method that's important but the performance. I like to keep things as simple as possible while making the presentation as entertaining as possible.

I can't imagine why any performer would prefer a complicated method to a simple one. Simple means you can concentrate on performance.

The only important thing is the end result and the effect that result has on the spectator. If you're concerned with the journey it took to get there, and how clever you were to plan and / or negotiate that journey, you're putting your ego before the spectator's enjoyment of the magic.

They don't care whether it was a self-worker or a knuckle-breaking catalogue of sleights, because they didn't see anything anyway, right?

Lady of Mystery wrote:It's not really the method that's important but the performance.

Truer word never spoken... or typed as the case may be!

K.I.S.S ! for corporate and restaurant work. You are not entering FISM you are an entertainer.

Always simplify. The less complexity, the fewer things can go unexpectedly wrong.

surely you can make things and simple or as complex as you like.
To the average layperson, making a card vanish (for example); whether done with the simplest method or the most complex series of sleights/palms/whatever; to them the end product is essentially the same, the card vanished.... end of.
No point in over complicating things for the sake of it (maybe this is just sour grapes on my part, because I'm only a novice and therefore have no choice in the matter as I can ONLY do the simple methods at the moment )

Method means nothing, only the effect.
Therefore the way I see it is one should always use the simplest way of achieving the effect. Anything that complicates the method and adds nothing to the effect is nothing more than magic masturbation

"Simple and early" is my motto - Ideally all the moves/sleights are done way before the effect actually happens from the audience's point of view. Do the dirty, it's all set up and from there on in you're all about the performance.

Of all the effects in my regular repertoire only a few don't follow this rule.

I always look for the best method for the best effect/response. Doesn't matter if it complex or requires a gimmick. The audience response is what counts. And after 37 years I can tell you, the best responses almost always come from effects with the simplest methods. And that is because the performer gets to concentrate on presentation.

The only exception is if you are either a magic dealer or lecturer. Because then you are dealing with magicians, and usually arm chair magicians, (which there is nothing wrong with). But those are the ones that buy the most and perform the least, those are the ones that want the latest knuckle busting stuff. Those are the ones that keep the industry moving.