talkmagic.co.uk

So my Son's teacher has heard about the children's magic stuff, heard some of the Mum's talking and wants me to do a Christmas show at the school. Of course I will I say, she starts asking me about other magic and I say I do a bit, so she says she wants to see something, so Tuesday I tell her to focus on a card...she starts thinking and I have the balls to say "a Queen? Really?!" ....she looks at me, looks away and says "ok, I have something now"...I tell her to focus on on and she promises not to change her mind

My Son was sick Wednesday and she doesn't work Thursday...so anyways, take my Son to school this morning loaded with ID, she pulls me to one side and asks me if I have remembered the cards, I ask her for her card, "I can't tell you", well you don't know what I'm going to do yet, "....ok, the three of clubs", so I pull the deck out and show her there is one card upside down, she starts going "no way no way" - take the card I say, she literally explodes and calls over the helper and they start asking me about physic abilities, and how I did it

So she says she wants to see something when I pick my Son up, so I think a nice Travelling deck routine will go down a treat, unfortunately for me, the helper sees me entering the school and demands to see a trick, so I ask her to pick a card, she focuses on it, and I deduct the colour, suit then finally the card, then I show her the deck, then vanish it all bar her card! She is astonished and asks "where have the cards gone"

So on picking my Son up, she DEMANDS to see something, so calling other her two colleagues she prepares them to be amazed! No pressure then, so thinking on my feet I tell them that they can do a trick, I get two of them to pick cards and the third deals the cards whilst the other two say stop, the look on the faces when their upside down cards were next to their counterparts (3d/3h, 6s/6c) was something special!

One has offered to be my assistant, and she's pretty

When you haven't performed for a while its easy to forget how great the reactions can be, well worth it!

I really enjoy hearing about your performances Alfred, sounds like you're doing really well. I wish I had the confidence to perform in front of as many people as you do.

Nice one. You're quite the hit!

cc100 wrote:I really enjoy hearing about your performances Alfred, sounds like you're doing really well. I wish I had the confidence to perform in front of as many people as you do.

Glad you enjoy them, I worry sometimes they are slightly self-indulgent but as long as someone is enjoying them! I might even put a report up of my Children's show today
Do you perform for anyone CC? Its quite addictive for me thats the problem!

When I get a decent ACR down, even going shopping will be a 4 hour ordeal!

Tomo wrote:Nice one. You're quite the hit!

It would appear a big smile, some confidence and charm make up for my not so great (as yet) sleight of hand

I've only really performed for my family so far. I get quite nervous when performing, so I'm a bit hesitant about performing for strangers in case I mess up. I've got a magic audition next month though, so I'm trying to get a lot of practise in so I can hopefully put on a confident performance in front of 20 or so people. It will be a great achievement if I can do it. Fingers crossed!

It's great that you enjoy performing - after all, it's what it's all about. I enjoy hearing about your performances as I'm quite new to magic, and it's inspiring to hear about other people's successes. Keep up the good work!

cc100

I've only really performed for my family so far.

My experience has always been that performing for my family or close friends is far and away the most nerve-racking experience.

Performing for complete strangers is so much more fun and rewarding. Probably because they don't have expectations, preconceptions, and (usually) are happy to accept that if you say you're a magician you are a magician. You can tell the sort of people who will be responsive and supportive I think.

That's an interesting point, maybe with family members it's more difficult because they know you so well and know when you're making stuff up and things. I think that another thing is that if you're performing for the same people most of the time you have to keep trying to do new tricks. I suppose that's not a particularly good thing as it's better to just have a handful that you can do well.

Something I'd say to people who are starting out about performing to close friends and family is that of course they will know if you're just making a story up to present your effect even if it does compliment the effect well. Another though which people don't seem to mention is that because they know you and know how you act, on some subconscious level they will be able to pick up on your deceptive body language easier than a stranger would simply because where they've spent a lot of time with you unknowingly they will have learnt your habbits and patters. I'm not saying you won't be able to fool them but if you do ever perform bits for friends and family then maybe people should take this into consideration. I rarely perform anything to my fiancée, partly because she's still in the mindset that magic is for kids despite it bringing in our money but also because she just knows me too well and so I really have to be aware of how I perform. This isn't a problem with strangers when I work, but with her it can be.

Just something to ponder.

hds02115 wrote:...she's still in the mindset that magic is for kids despite it bringing in our money...

I hear you bro!

hds02115 wrote:Something I'd say to people who are starting out about performing to close friends and family is that of course they will know if you're just making a story up to present your effect even if it does compliment the effect well. Another though which people don't seem to mention is that because they know you and know how you act, on some subconscious level they will be able to pick up on your deceptive body language easier than a stranger would simply because where they've spent a lot of time with you unknowingly they will have learnt your habbits and patters. I'm not saying you won't be able to fool them but if you do ever perform bits for friends and family then maybe people should take this into consideration. I rarely perform anything to my fiancée, partly because she's still in the mindset that magic is for kids despite it bringing in our money but also because she just knows me too well and so I really have to be aware of how I perform. This isn't a problem with strangers when I work, but with her it can be.

Just something to ponder.

Fantastic post - some really valid points here. I rarely perform any magic (except the bedroom ) for the Mrs now for the reasons mentioned above!

TheStoner wrote:

hds02115 wrote:...she's still in the mindset that magic is for kids despite it bringing in our money...

I hear you bro!

Tell me about it. I'd be interested in hearing if other people have this situation. I mean I work hard and earn the same as her with her regular job and yet my career seems like something to be laughed at. Well ok, a little bit of an exaggeration but still, it is leaning in that direction. It's ok though, I'm happy in a way that she's not bragging about her partner being a magician otherwise anytime I meet friends of hers I'll be put under pressure to "Show us a trick".