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Augustin Petit New user 16 Posts |
Hi everyone!
I am a french magicien doing an internship a company based near London and so I don't have my friends or family to perform tricks... that's why I am thinking about doing some magic in a bar... Actually, I know lots of card tricks but I am feeling ill at ease approchaing people I do not know with a deck of cards, it does not feel natural to me... does anyone knows a book referencing commercial/quick/visual and impressive tricks with day to day objects that would introduce a magician at a table? What are YOUR introducing stuffs?? (I have seen that David Stone suggests in this dvd the fire wallet or rose apparition...) I am wating forward to reading your replies!!! have a good day! Augustin |
tomterm8 Regular user 163 Posts |
Are you planning to do this professionally, or just for practice?
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Paped New user 16 Posts |
Fast , quick and cool?Hmm torch to rose , flash paper , fire wallet , flying rose - fire and cool tricks.They catch people and you can start your show without any FX after this.
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Augustin Petit New user 16 Posts |
I was planning to try it and if it goes well, maybe I could try to get employed in a french restaurant...??!!
Otherwize, I have a few questions for you Tomterm8: What's torch to rose?? and can you give me any name of good amterial to learn flying rose?? Thanks for your replies guys, I do appreciate! If anyone has some more ideas of 10 seconds tricks catching the attention, feel free... |
coolini Regular user australia 176 Posts |
If you want to be the cool guy, go for fire wallets and torch to rose...pple know that you r using props to do magic...but u'll still be cool!!!
you want to establish urself as a magician, start with a sponge balls routine for example that ends up with the production of a deck of cards, and then do card magic... good luck |
Andrew Eng New user 50 Posts |
Anything with fire will be a good intro effect as they are visual and direct. Try with different stuffs and find out which one suits you best.
-Andrew
Thus the whole moon shines in every lake,
For it stands high enough. |
Mary Mowder Inner circle Sacramento / Elk Grove, CA 3659 Posts |
There is always the old "did anyone here loose this red knife or was it a white knife etc... "
Card Flourishes establish a certain skill level quickly. Contact juggling between tables can work if the atmosphere is right (noisy and fun). I would only suggest this if the bar gives you the OK. Bartenders can get touchy if they feel you are cutting in on their tips. Smile. You are (presumably) offering them something fun for free. - Mary Mowder |
tomterm8 Regular user 163 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-06-11 19:19, Augustin Petit wrote: OK, well, I didn't suggest either of the tricks, but torch to rose is a trick where you set fire to a "torch" (basically, an stick), and then turn it into a rose. See http://www.magictrickstore.net/torchtorose/index.html . David Copperfield has a flying rose routine out on the market... which looks good, but it seems to me better for stage. I can't recommend either of these resources, personally, because I've never actually done them myself. I would suggest contacting your local magic shop. My view, though, is this... you should not do fire. This is, in my personal opinion, a stupid thing to do in a building without permission. Bars have a lot of flammable material around, and this makes it quite a dangerous place to do fire with anyway. If I was a bar staff, and I saw you doing fire, I would chuck you out so fast your feet would not touch the floor. The way I would treat this as an amateur is different from a professional approach. I would go into the bar when it was not too busy. Buy a drink, smile and say good day to the bar staff, and leave the him/her a big tip. I would sit at the bar, get out a copy of “magic for dummies” or some other big, flashy book and I would do a few decent card flourishes. I would then open out the book, and do a card trick that involved a lot of piles. And make it look like I got it wrong the first time... open out the book, make a few changes to what I did, and clearly make it obvious it worked. By this point, someone will be curious about what you are doing. If you notice them looking at you, smile and say “good afternoon, I’m not disturbing you am I?”. They will ask you what you are doing, and you’ll explain that you are just learning magic while your waiting for someone else to come. They will probably ask you to show them something. Let them ask. Don’t offer. If no one looks interested, don’t force it down their throat. Once you get someone asking you to see something, others will come too. You are fishing for interest; don’t make it look like you are desperate to show them a trick. That will scare the fishes. Be polite. Don’t get in anyone’s way. Be friendly. Be charming. Don’t try to burn down the bar. Don’t do magic when the bar is very busy. Leave a big tip. don't make it all about the magic, be interested in your audience too. You want to be able to come again, to be known as a friendly chap... someone who will show a trick... if they ask... but not force it down their throat. |
Augustin Petit New user 16 Posts |
Thanks again for all these precious info!! I am going out there to try and make it work !
Cheers! |
Shade28 New user 13 Posts |
I think Tomterm8's suggestions are great. I frequently simply sit at the bar and pull out a deck of cards and start shuffling. 9 times out of ten someone will ask if I know any card tricks. I then start my routine. Although when working in a bar I avoid card tricks where the person has to remember a number, and instead focus on color changes and transpositions.
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Vick Inner circle It's taken me 10+ years to make 1120 Posts |
How many times have we heard this question
PLEASE DON'T approach and force your anything on anyone anywhere at any time If you must perform and can't get hired anywhere perhaps you can do benefit shows for retirement homes or children's hospitals tomterm8 ~ by "David Copperfield has a flying rose routine out on the market" do you mean Kevin James Floating Rose?
Unique, Thought Provoking & Amazing Magical Entertainment Experiences
Illusions By Vick Blog of a real world working magician Magic would be great, if not for magicians |
funsway Inner circle old things in new ways - new things in old ways 9982 Posts |
I fully agree with Vick (as with most of what he posts), but this doesn't mean you cannot perform magic without a specific request if it is general in nature and people can choose to ignore it -- with permission of the controlling agency.
For example, you could perform at the entrance room to a restaurant and then only go to tables that request a 'private showing'. My wife sometimes accepts gigs to play harp at a nice restaurant, art show, reception, etc. I plan to work up some effects to perform as she plays as an artistic interpretation of the music -- but will not then perform individually. At theme gathering like SCA events you can stand in the market place and perform for entertainment -- then accept invitations to come to individual camps, but accepting tips may require getting a vendor's permit. "Permission" is the key -- and very little can be presumed
"the more one pretends at magic, the more awe and wonder will be found in real life." Arnold Furst
eBooks at https://www.lybrary.com/ken-muller-m-579928.html questions at ken@eversway.com |
oOMagiiCOo New user 74 Posts |
I would just start with a simple trick that you feel comfortable with and then build it up from there. The first trick can just be using an everyday object and then, if impressed, you will probably be asked to do another trick-card trick.
Hope this helped, Alex |
dsalley13 Elite user 465 Posts |
I don't understand the "Visual" thing that is asked here so many times. "Visual" in regards to what? All Magic is "Visual" or the Magician would ask all present to put bags over their heads.
I don't get the "Visual" DVD-only generation either. Almost every book of effects I have, have pictures in them. The ones that don't contain either very quick effects or are loaded with theory. Is "Visual" a codeword for the ADHD afflicted or those that get nothing of value from reading and viewing still pictures or drawings? I don't get it. dsalley13 |
funsway Inner circle old things in new ways - new things in old ways 9982 Posts |
For me, 'Visual' refers to effects where the magic moment occurs in full view and synchronous with the action. If you execute a fake-transfer and immediately reveal the vanish it is Visual. If instead you pretend to place the object in a cup and reveal the vanish later (asynchronous) it is not a visual effect. A 3Fly effect is Visual while a Matrix might not be -- it depends on presentation.
The distinction is only important for routining in which you are attempting a balance of Anticipation and Surprise. All Visual effects do not allow the spectator to appreciate and savor the magic (whit's Dilemma). Non-visual effects usually require a good story to bridge the delay. A good CUps and Balls routine combines both visual and non-visual components. or so it seems to me ...
"the more one pretends at magic, the more awe and wonder will be found in real life." Arnold Furst
eBooks at https://www.lybrary.com/ken-muller-m-579928.html questions at ken@eversway.com |
wulfiesmith Inner circle Beverley, UK 1339 Posts |
Augustin ...
for impromptu magic you cannot do better than visit ... http://revision3.com/scamschool enjoy my friend Wulfie |
Augustin Petit New user 16 Posts |
Hi everyone,
Thanks again for putting so much passion in your answers, it's always amazing to see how much magicians here are willing to help; I really enjoyed reading your tips!! I am sorry as I apparently upset "dsalley13" with my request... I meant by visual, just a little introducing thing that particularly draws the attention because it's moving/in fire... BUT anyway thanks a lot everyone, have a good day and good holidays (for those who'll have some)! And no worry!! I promess not to force any magic on anyone...! |
Cyberqat Inner circle You can tell I work on the net from my 2209 Posts |
I like to PK silverware at restaurants It usually gets interested looks and opens conversations.
I have a friend who specializes in thread stuff and likes to anchor to a glass at the bar, hang a crumpled bill, and just "play with" for a minute or two. But at the end of the day, rally, you just need to do it. Say to the guy (or girl) sitting next to you. "Hi. I'm a magician. Can I show you my favorite card trick?" The man whose DVDs have been teaching me hypnotism (and is around here and a wonderful mentor type) talks early on about how to approach strangers and get their ease and confidence quickly. He quotes a formula from a self styled "speed seduction' expert. Its three part and can be done in rapid succession. (1) Compliment. And not "wow what a rack". Have some taste and compliment people on something that says something about who they are, not what they look like. "that's a great blouse print" or "Gee you've got a nice laugh" or whatever. (2) Introduce. In his case its 'I'm <blank> and I'm a hypnotist.' In your case it might be "I'm <blank> and I'm a magician." (3) Ask a question. Again in his case it might be "Have you ever been hypnotized?" In your case it might be "Do you like card tricks?" or "Have you seen any other magicians recently?" or something, but make sure its about *them*.
It is always darkest just before you are eaten by a grue.
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wulfiesmith Inner circle Beverley, UK 1339 Posts |
Augustin ...
you will find it hard to "force" anything on anyone here!! Wulfie |
Cyberqat Inner circle You can tell I work on the net from my 2209 Posts |
So... if we're talking wanting to be a professional, that's something totally different.
You don't just walk into someones establishment and start plying your own trade... that's a good way to get thrown out on your ear. I'm not sure of the ettiquette in France, but if Iw as looking to establish myself as a semi-pro to pro bar/club magician I guess I'd treat it more like looking for any other job. (1) get chatty/friendly with one or more of the bartenders. Once you think there is a bit or rapport (which might take a few visits, or not, depending on the people) mention the fact that your a close-up magician and offer to show your new acquaintance your favorite bar type illusion. (2) If you succeed in impressing him/her, tell hm/her that you'd like to get some real-world resume experience and wondered if maybe the owner would be interested in having you do some free performing. Or, if your ballsier, just skip the bartender and go straight to he manager or owner with the same demo and story. OR a third option, if you actually can tend bar yourself, get night job as bartender and perform for customers during lulls. I worked at a restaurant with a nice lounge in highschool as a bus boy. After I showed the bartenders my coin magic they expressed great regret that I was only 17 (there are drinking laws in this country and kids can't serve alcohol) or THEY would've taught me to bartend. They thought Id make GREAT bartender with my magic. But, I'd treat it as something professional from the outset. Being a bit of an odd customer and showing off a bit to other customers is one thing... being a professional entertainer (even a volunteer one) means you're now a staff member with different responsibilities.
It is always darkest just before you are eaten by a grue.
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