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zutallor New user 5 Posts |
Hey All
I was just thinking about some tricks that I purchased and looking at some magic websites. A lot of them advertise that there is no sleight of hand and totally self working. So it seems like there is very little skill involved and a layman could do the tricks that I'm doing if they knew where to buy the tricks. I admire people who practice really hard and work on their skills, but some of the most powerful effects seem to be a commercial tricks that anyone can buy. Just wondering what you guys think about this? |
ActuariaLug New user 24 Posts |
Hi zutallor,
Does your name come from French? "Darn ___ (something or other)" Self-working or not, I think one needs to have good patter/misdirection. I also think that sleight-of-hand purists will never die out. There's something powerful about people who can perform magic anywhere, anytime, sans traditional props. |
Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
Zutallor,
Dealers and such have been advertising tricks with "no skill required" for decades! It hasn't particularly hurt magic. You say: "So it seems like there is very little skill involved and a layman could do the tricks that I'm doing if they knew where to buy the tricks." Well, not really. If I know where Horowitz (or Billy Joel or Elton John) buys his pianos, does that mean I should book a concert hall? Hardly! The trick is the least part of the magic; the real magic is in the performer. To carry the piano analogy a little further, you can no more find the magic in the trick than you can find the music by taking a piano apart. Sure, anyone can buy the trick but can anyone really put it across well? A very resounding NO! There's an old song that fits right in here: "It ain't watcha do, it's the way watcha do it!" And that is the REAL secret to a magic performance. |
p.b.jones Inner circle Milford Haven. Pembrokeshire wales U.K. 2642 Posts |
But some of the most powerful effects seem to be a commercial trick that anyone can buy. Just wondering what you guys think about this?
As well as Peter's points, I think that it is fair to consider, why just anyone might want to buy it anyway and how many people are actually looking for magic stores other than those with some interest in magic. I mean I have no interest in fishing so it would be of no interest to me if a store was selling a self working rod that would catch fish like a pro, just dip it in the water, No bait required! Phillip |
David Fletcher Loyal user 238 Posts |
The method never matters, only the effect on the spectator. What the spectator thinks they saw. Or thinks they felt. Or thinks they heard.
Anyone can do magic. Only magicians spend the time. The strongest (and I do mean strong) magic that I perform (not do - perform) takes the least amount of "work". Just the most presentation. Remember - less is more.
You have to give it away to keep it.
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jlareau Loyal user Henrietta NY / Chicago Ill 220 Posts |
There is one point to be made though. I have done some 'knuckle busting' performances only to have my audience beg me to tell them how the 'hot rod' works. It's a little disappointing at times, that I spend so much time learning the 'knuckle busters' and everyone remembers the trick I bought for 10 bucks!
I don't let it phase me though. It also depends on your audience at the time. Each audience will have it's own preference for the types and styles of tricks they'll like. The job of the magician is to figure out what style/type of effect that will most impress the audience and deliver it to them with a great presentation. -jlareau
Jonathan Lareau A.K.A "Jonny Card Trick"
"Imagination is more important than knowledge" - Albert Einstein Feel free to check out my website www.jonlareau.com |
Cheshire Cat Special user Wilmslow, UK 941 Posts |
Zutallor, - I think self working tricks are great. They allow my hands to perform simple tasks and channel the energy to my brain to make these simple tasks ENTERTAINING! Listen to Peter's advice - it's 100% spot on!
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Paul Inner circle A good lecturer at your service! 4409 Posts |
re;
If I know where Horowitz (or Billy Joel or Elton John) buys his pianos, does that mean I should book a concert hall? Hardly! But they don't normally advertise "No Skill required -self working" for pianos.... It does lead people to believe it is easy to become a magician with no real work required. Which of course is not really the case, but probably the general public perception after the exposure shows and many mini David Blaines rushing around. re; "Sure, anyone can buy the trick but can anyone really put it across well? A very resounding NO!" Well, you know that, and I know that, but some of these people performing these tricks don't seem to be aware of it As has been said, real skill comes in the presentation just as much if not more so than in the the mechanics of a trick. But we could do with a lot less dealer hype and straight forward honest descriptions. Of course so many are so used to the hype they wouldn't buy anything NOT hyped. Stop the carousel, I want to get off. Paul. |
Magicrma Regular user Arizona 101 Posts |
If you had a self working trick say a card trick. You present the effect. After you have finished you are asked or would like to do another card effect.
With a self-working gimmicked deck/cards you have a problem. You have to find some way to exchange cards. If you performed the same effect with a regular deck then the option to do another effect or even walk away from the table, leaving the deck, is there. It may seem a small thing but your audience will remember that you had to do something before your next effect or that you just picked up the deck and went on with the magical fun. Having said that, as a performer if I can give the audience the "SAME" visual effect, without jeopardizing the performance, with a self-working trick. I can give myself the option to focus on presentaion, or setup for my next illusion. MagicRMA
"The art of Illusion is at least 95% applied psychology" Henning Nelms (Magic & Showmanship)
<BR> <BR>MagicRMA <BR>Majicrma@msn.com |
mip New user 60 Posts |
I prefer doing tricks where you are clean after the effect. It is OK if everything is gaffed when I start, but when I'm done I want to be clean.
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