talkmagic.co.uk

Hey Guys,

I've noticed that working through most of my gigs that in every situation I come across the spectators tend to be addicted to texting on their smartphone (Even after lighting some flash paper). In addition the addicts tend to complain that they didn't get to see any magic which is really starting to get under my skin

Does anyone here have any ideas on how to maintain attention throughout performances like this? (Close up walk around and table magic)

Damn this digital age we live in...

Saav

For a cabaret or stage act there is usually a taped reminder saying that use of mobiles is not permitted.

For walk around, or table magic, you have to remember that their mobile phone is more important [to them] than any magic that is taking place around them.
In a pub setting they will also wander off to the bar or feel the need to go to the toilet just when you are about to deliver a killer reveal.
Sometimes the bar or restaurant staff will cut across you in order to pick up empty glasses or ask if anyone wants to order any drinks.
A million reasons why you will be interrupted or people will be distracted. Did they come to the event specifically to see you ?

I try to avoid any effects which are simply 'watch me, I am perfoming some magic'
Try and choose effects where they do all the work. They become the star rather than you. All eyes are on them. Effects where they gather information from their friends so that the friends are involved and engaged.
Work towards a climax where they have a reason to keep involved. e.g. it is their £20 note you are about to set fire to, their ring that disappears, or even their mobile that is in a bag when you produce a hammer.

Why not embrace technology?
Send them a prediction by SMS which they cannot read until later.
(you can also send the prediction as a business card so they have your number in their phone when they want a magician for a party/wedding !)
If someone is texting, why not involve the person they are texting. ask that person to ask their text friend to name a random playing card?
Look at some magic phone apps.

but yeah, sometimes people are just plain rude, or drunk, and occasionally you meet people who just do not like magic (shock horror)

Another problem is that no one has told them how to behave/react to a close-up magician standing in front of them. How do they know when to be amazed, when to clap, when to be excited, when to listen? It is a completely new experience for most people. They have only seen magicians on TV not a real person in front of them right now.
You have to direct them and give them clues as to how to react. e.g. "if this card is the card you chose and signed then you would go wild... jumping up and down and punching the air. can you do that? Shall we try a practice run. I will turn over this other card over and we can pretend it is your card and ... etc."

Excellent advice there, thank you.

I often work in a restaurant here in Spain and most of the client's are seated outside on the terrace or garden because its too hot inside. This means the light levels are low so a phone\tablet screen stands out more. I am amazed that I often arrive to see a sea of screens glowing in the dark, I can remember talking to the ownerabout it on one occasion, there must have been 50/60 people sitting there in the garden and every one of them was staring at a screen.
It really is sad that a family of 4 will be sitting there glued to the screen, there is no conversation or interaction between them at all. Why bother coming on holiday if that's all you are going to do? May as well stay at home in my opinion.
One thing I do is if a phone rings while I am working is to take it and drop it into a glass of beer, believe me that gets a reaction. Unfortunately this can only be done with an iPhone, you can buy a dummy iPhone for £5 ,well worth it to see them react ! You can see them here http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from= ... e&_sacat=0

I think there is only one way to fight this zombified epidemic of mindless staring into the glow of a screen. And that is to be more interesting than the screen. Dont take it personally. It is done to everyone.

Instead of fighting it learn a lesson. When out with others, remember that moment and put away your own phone/tablet. Just turn it off and be with the people you are with, even if they are on their own devices, be better than them. Acknowledge the waitstaff, the teller at the bank or the checker at the grocery store.

When performing engage your audience, start with the person, (if there is one) that is currently looking up. be entertaining and engaging enought that they don't go back to their precious device. And hope that, that spreads. If they do go back to the zombie stare into the phone. Then perhaps you have to rethink about what you are doing. Perhaps it is a measure of the times. Yes it is an uphill battle which many of us won't survive but its a war I say, a war! A pox on them all.

That went south fast.

I have seen young people out on a date. They just sit there in a pub texting their respective friends and not really talking or interacting with each other. Sad.

My son told me about a date he was on and after the date he walked the girl home. She was a bit drunk admittedly but while they were walking she was texting someone. suddenly he got a text FROM HER saying, 'yes I would like to go on a date with you sometime.'

There's the (allegedly true) story about a restauranteur who was concerned that his takings were declining despite the restaurant being full every night. After some close scrutiny he realised that some years ago customers would arrive at the restaurant, read the menu, order their food from the waiter and tuck in when it was served. Total time taken perhaps an hour at most. These days customers arrive, start checking their phones, texting and updating social media and when the waiter arrives to take the order they need more time to decide because they haven’t actually checked the menu. When food arrives there's the need to take photos and post them on social media or send to friends and this happens with each course. Total time now in excess of 2 hours.

The situation is out of control. I live and work in Majorca and often see families sat in a bar or restaurant staring at a screen as if they were alone ! Why spend money on a holiday if all you are going to do is gaze lovingly at a screen. The worst thing is when I am moaning about it someone will agree with me, but they were the ones doing it the night before !!!!

Thanks for the input everyone, I have incorporated a lot of digital magic, i.e: C2P, Calculator predictions etc, however it still doesn't seem to be enough. The idea of using a dummy iPhone dropped into a beer glass is definitely something that would grab their attention, especially If I were to grab it without their permission

@Thoughtstealer That is probably the most annoying thing ever and I know exactly how that feels!

Not too long ago you could buy a large horseshoe 'magnet' which seemed to magically grab a phone out of the air - usually most useful if a mobile phone rings during an act. Probably not so useful during close-up. I haven't seen these on sale for ages but would be fairly easy to make out of MDF or thick plywood painted to resemble a magnet, a strong spring with release and retaining/releasing catch. plus, of course, an old phone or one of the non working dummy phones used in shop displays.