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Jaxon Inner circle Kalamazoo, Mi. 2537 Posts |
Consider the fallow two descriptions of someone talking about a Magician they say the night before. Consider them as the third person (In other words you didn't see the magician the night before. One of your friends did and this is what they told you).
"We where out and this guy was there. He did these card tricks and tricks with coins. Man, he was awesome!" "We went out last night and this guy put 4 coins in my hand. I mean I saw 4 in my hand. Then all of the sudden one of them disappeared and appeared in his hand. I knew I had four and he didn't even touch them." Now, as the third person who this event is being described to. Which of the above seems more interesting? I'm sure you'll agree that the second one was. They could very well be describing the same event. Here's what would cause such a difference. Now I just described one of my coin routines. Now if I did this routine and it "Blew them away" then I fallowed it with some other tricks such as card tricks. They'll remember that the magician they saw did "Some" amazing things. But their memory wouldn't be as focused on what they experienced. If I did the coin routine described above and just stopped there when they where most "impressed" and "absorbed" into the experience. Then their memory of that experience is much stronger. Let's look at this in a casual setting. The same applies for a professional gig such as strolling a restaurant but let's just assume you're out with some friends and you do some casual magic for some people you just meet. Somehow the subject that you're a magician comes up. So you perform a trick for them and they are "Blown away" by it. When this happens it is very easy to want to perform more for them. I mean their reactions can be addicting to us and we want more of it. But trust me when I say that this is the moment you should stop performing for them. Now that doesn't mean you can't perform any more for them at all. But you should stop right then when they are reacting the strongest. This very well might be the only trick you should perform for them if their reaction is really strong. But usually if you just take a step back and wait a while. They'll ask if you can show them more magic. I hope you can see how powerful it is when they "Ask you" rather then you approaching them to do it. A hard pill to swallow is the fact that not everyone you perform for will like to see magic. At least not always at the moment you want to show it to them. In fact many of the people you perform for are just being nice to be honest. I know that's not easy to hear but it's true. No matter how well you do, if they're not in the mood for it you're not going to get much enjoyment out of them. Even if they act like they do. So knowing that. When someone after seeing you do something that "Blows them away" and you just stop there. Then they ask you if you'll show them something else. That's really saying something. It's saying that they do indeed want more. Now, on a money issue. This is also when most tips will come your way. When they ask you to come perform for them. (I'll save my philosophy on tips for another discussion but I accept them. I just don't aim for them). So, know when to end and that's usually when you're on top. After that you can only go down hill. And don't be discouraged if you feel you've got a trick that they'll like even better. That really don't matter because they are already blown away. You never know what will have that effect on them. I've had people blown away at the stupidest site gags and the same people didn't react at all to my "Stronger" material. You just never know what'll click and what won't. But when you find it. That's the best time to stop and take a break. Ron Jaxon |
ralphs007 Inner circle 1087 Posts |
Hi
I just experienced what your talking about several weeks ago. I'm a Carpenter and it was the last day of the job. I did my mismade bill for another Carpenter. He was so blown away that I never showed him my floating bill. I wanted to quit while I was on top. He really believed that I could twist a bill inside out. I had a lot more effect to show him but I was disciplined enough to quit while I was ahead. Plus I wanted to savor his response to my mismade bill effect. Thanks for the info! P.S Mismade bill is one amazing effect!
"You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him".
James D. Miles |
rsylvester Loyal user Trying to learn to BP a duck in 269 Posts |
The classic: "Always leave them wanting more." Even after one effect. Good advice and good to remember for those who find astonishment addicting.
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P.Synenberg New user Abingdon, Va 58 Posts |
I always have spongeballs and Greed by Daniel Garcia everywhere I go. The point in my sponge routine where I put one sponge in the spec's hand, and make mine disappear and they open theirs and they are both in their hand. They're normally pretty impressed but if they're not, Greed definately does the trick normally it leaves them standing there with their mouth agape and I thank them for their time, smile and walk away. Most of the time they will come behind me and say something like "Woah! Do that again!" Greed is a great effect, and if you perform it just as Garcia does, you will end clean every time!
-P.J. Synenberg
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sleightlysilas New user 29 Posts |
In the performance setting I work in, getting paid by the hour doing walk around or table hopping, I get employed by the quality of the engagement I have with the guests. In that sense, I have a set couple of routines which I believe efficiently manage the reactions of my audience. Priming them with somethin quick and visual, into something with audience participation (multiple card selection or coins here and there, sponge balls watch steals, anything that involves them) and then to a strong uppercut finish that leaves them looking for Jesus. 10 minutes with them, then onto the next group.
It may sound like a very corporate sellout thing to say, but. I'm more concerned for my impact on the event organizers or the management. I'd like them to see me engaging guests for a good period of time, and that everybody is laughing and having a good time. They wouldn't like it if I stuck around for just one trick, even if I flew. It gets me more gigs when I play close attention to clients. On a personal level, I aim to make sure I am remembered, rather than the tricks being remembered. Something like "Silas was a stand up guy, he was hilarious and the magic was great." if they have a party, they're gonna be looking for Silas, not "that guy who made the card jump" Magic nowadays has pretty much become a commodity, in a sense that your average coins across is probably just as spectacular as the next epic movie, probably not even as amazing as the perfect Italian dinner. What sets us apart is that human aspect and the YOU factor, which I make an effort to really define and improve for myself.
Sleightly Silas
Magician|Hypnotist|Visionaire www.SleightlySilas.com "...a little bit of magic, with a lot of something else..." |
Bandon New user 55 Posts |
There have actually been some effects I've experienced that I simply can't do early on, because they end so strong and the way they end(I think) feels to the spectator as if it's the conclusion to the routine, so I can sense that they feel it's over. Or maybe I can just sense that they want it to be over
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KungFuMagic Regular user 167 Posts |
I really hate when I have a string of card effects that look like they should work together in a strolling routine, but they are all too strong by themselves and could be closers. I've had to find gradually stronger/more impressive tricks to start slow and end big(ger). Just in a three-effect routine, it is important to stage the effects effectively.
Nick Sasso
part-time Samurai conjurer |
Bugatti New user Germany 58 Posts |
I also find it extremely important to leave people in astonishment. Therefore I personally always begin with one of those effects which are impressive, but nothing more than that (and what is even more important for me - extremely easy, as I am always nervous at the beginning...). The closer in contrast has to be absolutely mind-boggling and has to leave them in curiosity, willing to see more - and I find it the hardest part not to give in and to leave them like that.
However, in my situation (not a professional and mainly active in front of a maximum of 40 to 50 people, mostly at events like a wedding or birthday party)there shouldn' t be too many effects alltogether anyway... 30 minutes performing time is about the maximum I do, although I love doing more - but once again, it is not only about me having fun, but more about my guests seeing a rather professional act. |
jnrussell Loyal user Michigan 207 Posts |
Good points all!
I do want to engage people for more than just 1 trick, but I also want something specific to linger. Could the last one in a series be the showstopper? Seems like whatever you do (close-up, stand-up, stage), the last trick might very well be the one that is remembered: good, bad, or indifferent. |
Ekuth Inner circle Floating above my 1538 Posts |
Excellent post, Ron and great advice.
Making them come to you is the key. It's like prohibition; (sorry, been watching the Ken Burns series on PBS so it's on the brain...) If everyone can have it, no one wants it as much. The minute you tell someone they *can't* have it, they want it.
"All you need is in Fitzkee."
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briancharles1002 New user SC 51 Posts |
This a great reminder for us. Thanks Ron. I work hard to figure out my usual crowd and what might give them the big wow moment and then set up a few effects to lead them to the last one and hopefully that it is what they remember with it being last and with a big impact on them. It works most of the time.
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