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nedster01 New user 4 Posts |
I'm armed with a few good tricks and I've practiced and performed in front of the same people over and over. How do you know if you're ready for the street? When you are ready how do you approach an individual to perform magic?
Thanks, Tom |
magicman226 Loyal user San Antonio, Texas 234 Posts |
Well first for the semi-fake philosophy:
As long as you feel comfortable, go find somewhere to perform for people. Remember, the people you do it for are probably never going to see you again, so don't worry about messing up. Now for my real ideas: You ought to try practicing for different people first of all. The people you would be doing it for would be seeing the trick most likely the first time. Because of that, you ought to practice for people that are seeing it for the first time. If someone has seen it before, it's a whole different experience to see it again and again, and critiquing is much different. They might understand more of the trick over time. Once you can do it for any group for the first time without messing up (unless you can mess up with cover-up like a joke or something that keeps the audience still alive and entertained) you are ready. You have to make sure you have good patter and performance skills. Performance is everything. It's much different saying "watch this card change" and going "back in the 1800s a group of underground scientists in New Jersey found a way to transform objects in a flash. Through careful movements of an object, such as this card, the appearance will look totally different. Now if you would watch carefully the experiment." I just randomly made that up. Think of stuff like that to go along with your tricks. Don't just go hey, I'm going to put this pen through the bill. If you have a two dollar bill, explain how you are still angry that Jefferson issued an embargo in his second term, and the only way you can feel better is by stabbing his face in with a ball point pen. Then o wait, you know, he did write the declaration of independence and such forth. he wasn't all bad. pull the pen out with no hole. (another randomly made up patter that I in fact might use next time haha) Find a way to make a trick a whole presentation. Don't say I'm going to do a trick. say why you are going to do a trick and make it a whole big thing. Once you can make a trick special, you can do it perfectly 9 out of 10 times, and on that one you can't get, you know how to cover it up and keep the audience excited and not even caring that you messed up, you are ready. To go out, make sure you don't go "hey you! That's right, YOU! Get over here. You need to see this. Yeah, you! GET OVER HERE!" PLEASE DON"T DO THAT. instead, if you are in a crowded area where there's plenty of people, take out your props BEFORE you go up. that way, when you say you want to do some magic, they know you're actually doing magic and your not making some scary references or something. Make sure you be polite, but at the same time, keep to how you are as yourself. Be who you are in person on stage or area in which you perform. I'm a goofy fellow, so when I perform, I perform as a goofy fellow. I don't like seeing people act different on stage in order to "be better." If you are a dork, that's awesome. Be a dork when you perform. Dorky people can be that odd person doing weird things. People are attracted to strange things. If you can eat an apple, people don't give a hoot. It's when you can eat an apple upside down while hanging by a rope tied to your feet and escaping from a straight jacket all at the same time that attracts people. Don't be nervous when you go up to someone. Remember, they probably will never see you again (hence the SEMI-fake philosophy). You could mess up terribly, and your career could still easily skyrocket. When you have your tricks (technicle part) down, you have performance to go with it, and you have enough politeness to at least not scare a person off when you ask them if they want to see magic, GO FOR IT! I hope this could help. I went a little past what you were asking. I want to make sure you can be the best that you can be. Obviously, you seem a little new, so the more tips you can get the better. Michael PS What tricks do you have up your sleeves? |
nedster01 New user 4 Posts |
I'm very new! But, I want to move ahead with magic. I have performed for people at work over and over. Some of them are the worst critics, others just enjoy the show. I tend to perform more new stuff for those who just enjoy the show. As for the others, I'm challenged to refine my skills so they can't figure it out. My friend and I have talked about carrying a video camera. If I walk around on the street in a busy location with a cameraman, people are bound to look. It would with a means of checking my performances and critiquing myself. We have also talked about clothing that stands out. I guess I'll just tinker with it this summer and see how it goes. Thanks for the advice. I can use anything you've got.
Tom |
magicman226 Loyal user San Antonio, Texas 234 Posts |
You don't want to look too strange and scare people off or something. haha
It is a good idea to watch yourself. You are your worst critic. cliché but true. Also, make sure you don't try and act like another magician. don't become gothic or something and talk like criss angel (like other novice magicians). find your own style. if you're funny, do comedy stuff, etc. Good Luck! Michael |
Kipp Sherry Elite user Boise, ID 477 Posts |
Tom,
It looks like your thinking the right way. You've already identified the most important element of street magic - How to get noticed? The camera idea is great. Here are some approaches I use: 1) Use a levitation like "The Thing" from Bill Abbott or "The Floating Table" by Dirk Losander. Just walk into the middle of the group and perform the levitation unannounced. People will stop and stare and you are now noticed. Follow up with your other effects and you have an instant mini street show. 2) I do a shrinking dime effect and I will often use this as an opener when I approach a stranger. I will say something like: "Would you like to see something really cool? I have discovered how to take the copper out of the center of our quarters and dimes!" This question and statement is just odd enough that it catches people off guard as they try to figure out what you are talking about while at the same time they are entrigued by the possibility of what you just said. Most of the time they will envite you to hang around and show them how it's done. There you go, again you have their attention and you can go from there. 3) I have other friends that will use non magical items to draw a crowd, like drums or guitar. Once you are noticed you have an audience and you can switch to magic. The summer months are a good time to do street magic. Look for gatherings of people in a park, a local fair, around a water fountain, or inside the Mall. People do a lot of "hanging out" during the summer and when they are "hanging out" they are a ripe audience for street magic. The main thing for street magic is getting noticed first. Be BOLD, be creative, and make sure it fits your personality! Till we appear again, Kipp Sherry |
rikbrooks Inner circle Olive Branch, Mississippi 1317 Posts |
First of all, if you haven't done it then you're not ready. You will never be ready the first time that you do it. None of us were. You may think you are ready, or almost ready, or suspect you are ready - but you ain't.
The up side is that you can't possibly get ready without just going ahead and working through that first time. Let me assure you that the very best magicians of all time had a hard time with their first 'real' performance. Just take the hit, it doesn't happen many times. You might even feel entirely comfortable in just a few minutes, but that first few minutes, oh I never want to repeat those. If you have enough material and you can perform it well then you are ready. As for getting noticed, I don't know what to say, I get noticed just standing there quietly. Of course I'm a full blown cowboy, 6'4" with a knee length black duster. I don't have to make a peep. My advice to you is to make yourself distinctive. Figure out what is the 'real you' and amplify that. Or buy Gazzo's Krowd Keeper. |
Danny Hustle Inner circle Boston, MA USA 2393 Posts |
Tom,
You might have better luck asking this question in "The Sidewalk Shuffle" section of this forum. Many of the folks there are full time professional street performers and a lot more qualified to answer your question. Best, Dan- "MT is one of the reasons we started this board! I’m so sick of posts being deleted without any reason given, and by unknown people at that." - Steve Brooks Sep 7, 2001 8:38pm ©1999-2014 Daniel Denney all rights reserved. |
ToasterofDoom Special user 671 Posts |
Oh, and don't approach someone and state straight out, "do you have a minute?" or
"Would you like to see some magic?" My friend and I tried it out on a local mall, and everyone thought we were hoodlums and gunna beg for money after the trick. So for other times, I pretended I was hired by the institution and said, "Hi, my name is [my name]. I'm an entertainer, and I have been hired by [the place] to entertain you nice folks. Would you like to see a trick?" <- For some reason formality worked. |
Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
Don't confuse "street magic" as described and practiced by David Blaine with "street magic" as practiced by real street magicians, i.e. buskers. They are not the same.
Put yourself in the audience's place. If you were walking down the street and you saw someone on the edge of the sidewalk playing the guitar, you might stop and listen to him for a while, but if you were walking down the street and some guy with a guitar came up to you and said "Hey, you! Yes! You!!!! You want to hear me play 'Stairway to Heaven?'" you probably wouldn't be nearly as pleased. That's the big thing. You have to realize that by practicing guerilla magic, you are invading people's personal space. That's not polite. In fact, in the strictest sense of the law, it is called "assault." If you try the, "I have been hired by the mall" approach, it may work until someone in mall management catches you. Then you will be tossed out on your posterior. Remember there are people who earn a living doing magic in malls. Don't screw it up for them. These television shows where magicians perform for random spectators are staged, guys. Wake up and smell the coffee!
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
Vengeance New user Toronto, Ontario 11 Posts |
Agreed and disagreed..
I've been doing street magic for some time..and I mostly get noticed on the bus while just screwing around and practicing with cards...in the meantime however, it IS possible to go up to strangers and ask if they're up for something cool. yes I've been told off a few times, but from my last street show most people agreed =) |
rikbrooks Inner circle Olive Branch, Mississippi 1317 Posts |
I remember the first time I tried street magic. I told somebody that I'd never done this before and asked if he minded watching while I make a complete fool of myself.
Which I proceeded to do. I did a Triumph and instead of HIS card being upside down, all the rest were! |
Howard Coberly Loyal user Irvine, California 239 Posts |
Hi, Tom,
I agree with those above who don't agree with walking up to someone and asking if they want to see "something". In Southern California who knows what might follow that line (seriously!) I generally just push past people who do it to me without even waiting to see what they are talking about. I did street magic at the Promenade in Santa Monica, California for two summers several years ago and it was the most fun I've ever had. I didn't even put a bucket out for the first month because I didn't want to scare people away. I have a full time job so I basically wanted to test my routines for real people. I learned very quickly that music helps draw a crowd...here's the real magic. As soon as I turned on my box, people gathered like moths to a flame (usually) Even though I've seen it get some bad publicity on the forum, David Groves's book on street magic proved to be extremely valuable for me. I would highly suggest buying it and even though I havn't read his latest books, I don't think you can go wrong with Gazzo's material on crowd keeping. I am by no means an authority on the subject but the rule the pros seem to follow worked for me: keep it short, keep it simple. The biggest draw at the promenade is a chinese acrobat who used to be with the Peking opera. This guy is great! Once, While we were waiting for our spots, he told me that people don't want to think so don't try to make them. I can pretty much guarantee you that your inhibitions about performing in front of strangers will disappear after the first several hours on the street. Have Fun !!!!
"Our town used to be more fortunate...not a single winter passed without the visit of some star.
There used to be famous actors and singers, while today, God only knows! Nobody visits except magicians and organ-grinders. No esthetic satisfaction." |
Binary New user 89 Posts |
Im in the same boat as you Tom, I am just getting ready to do a street performance.
Im considering just going down to the children's ward of the local hospital one afternoon just to get a bit of croud experience, and mixing that with a bit of juggling, and then doing street magic the day after, when I will hopefully feel more confident. I have exams in the next few weeks though, and then work experience, so it will be a while before I can get to it |
tanselkaya Regular user 139 Posts |
Although I agree with Bill Palmer, I think a "street magician" as David Blaine puts it, should do the opposite. You are not presenting yourself as some average guy who is polite, lonely, and reserved. You are a magician. If you can bend nature's laws, it should be no surprise that you should be a litte eccentric.
I usually practice in the train on my way to Manhattan. Even if I need that extra personal space and move to some corner, people notice a TT Bill Switch or some XCM moves. If they make eye contact from short distance, I'll just start talking to them. If they ask, I tell them I'm a magican. I'm usually more interested in them than they are with me, so it comes very natural for them to ask me for some magic. Great opportunity to meet people and practice. |
Nyte Dragon New user Tampa, Fl 66 Posts |
I've found a few good ways to get people's attention, and none of them involve walking directly up to somebody. My favorite would be simply just being out on the streets with a friend, and showing them something flashy, like a floating card or something that will grab someone's eye. Then people slowly start to trickle in and I can do tricks to other people. I never went up and invaded someone's space, nor did I ask them to approach. I simply showed my firned something, and let those who wanted to take the time and see some tricks come in and watch. Usually I will only do about 3 or 4 tricks for this small group before walking off. No sense in taking up all their time.
As for being ready to do street magic, I agree with Rik Brooks. You're never ready your first time, because it's just that...your first time. Your first time in public with people you don't know...But don't let that get you. If you're really nervouse, start out with something you know by heart and can do it with your eyes closed...An old stand-by or something. It's old to you, but chances are it's new to them, and will amaze them just as much as if you were to do something you're not sure about...Better even because you're less likely to have a mishap. Once you do a few simpler tricks you'll get great reactions and your confidence will build. I've always felt it's better to start small and work up then start up and fall quickly. Anyway, this is just my 2 cents Best Wishes, Draco |
Ethan the emazing Elite user anywhere but here USA 454 Posts |
Just do it!
that's my motto when I do street magic! |
theheartsfailure New user 30 Posts |
Just go out and do it is the best stratigy.. that's what I did anyways
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The magic cracker New user 24 Posts |
Do you know how to perform coin through soda can?
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theheartsfailure New user 30 Posts |
That's one of my favorite tricks magic cracker
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