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TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
Newbies are always asking for everyone's top 5 tricks. Willing to toss what they already know, looking for a quick fix or a better reaction.
So sad. So misguided. Pros serious about their craft work on the same tricks for years and years. Refining and improving them with every performance. What tricks did you work on for 2,000 hours (thru practice, rehearsal and performances) and realize they are now essentially irreplaceable?
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic
Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate, Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder. |
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Much more than 2000 hours.
A. Coin work with both hands 1 to 1 change such as palm to palm Retrieving 1 to 5 coins from classic with coin roll in between B. Listening to my audiences. C. Seeing things from different spectator angles D. Finding things in a room to add to a routine ending E. Learning from failing F. Combing props - Goblet from Kam, coin box from Latta glue prop from Bizarro G. Using sound for direction H. Building relationships far from the spotlight
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Quote:
On Jul 29, 2017, TheAmbitiousCard wrote: Right! Most of what I do has been "worked on" "refined" and "improved" for 50 YEARS. I wrote a book, and, described, in detail, the tricks and routines that helped me make a living for much of my life.
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Dan Ford Special user Illinois 753 Posts |
Rose petal to egg.
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Gerry Walkowski Inner circle 1450 Posts |
I said it before years in a Magic Café post years ago, and I'll say it again.
George Burns summed it up perfectly when he once said you should always be "sandpapering your act." Magicians should brand that to their foreheads. Effects that I have stuck with throughout the years (I'm not going to name them) and sandpapered around the edges, have in fact become my signature routines. The laughs, the suspense, and timing are all there because I kept refining a good product. You're never going to succeed if you're changing your act as often as you change your underwear. Gerry |
arthur stead Inner circle When I played soccer, I hit 1773 Posts |
When I was doing school shows, library shows and daycare programs, I develop a new themed show every year. This practice led to lots of bookings. However, even though the themes changed, many of the tricks stayed the same in every show. I just adjusted the patter & presentations to fit each new theme.
As regards close-up, I sometimes enjoy fooling around with some ideas found in old books. But the bulk of my “live” close-up show is just a handful of tricks which I’ve been performing and perfecting for over 40 years. |
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Though I have been doing some routines for decades,
they like me are not the same. Could be sandpaper Could be a sledge hammer.
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
Ken Northridge Inner circle Atlantic City, NJ 2392 Posts |
Quote:
On Jul 29, 2017, TheAmbitiousCard wrote: I don’t think asking for everyone’s top 5 tricks is sad and misguided, and I don’t think its reserved for newbies either. My whole act is full of 2,000 hour routines. However, I am always looking for a new routine to get a better reaction, willing to toss my weakest link out for a stronger routine. I’m under no illusion it will be a quick fix. Every new routine is painfully amateurish when first presented, no matter how much rehearsal it gets. Sometimes the hard work pays off and sometimes they end up in the auction pile. I’ll admit sometimes I begin with a canned trick and canned patter. The challenge is to see what I can do to change it and adapt to my personality. Honestly, this search is one of the most enjoyable parts of my job, and is very satisfying when a new routine makes the grade. I’m curious Frank, did the Princess in a Pickle thread inspire this topic? It’s a good example of what I’m talking about. I think the routine has great potential, but I’m now at the point where I’m trying adapt it, improve it, and find my personality in it.
"Love is the real magic." -Doug Henning
www.KenNorthridge.com |
TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
[quote]On Jul 30, 2017, Ken Northridge wrote:
I’m under no illusion it will be a quick fix. Every new routine is painfully amateurish when first presented, no matter how much rehearsal it gets. [quote]Ken that certainly lets me know you're in it for the long haul, and not a quick fix. Quote:
I’m curious Frank, did the Princess in a Pickle thread inspire this topic? It’s a good example of what I’m talking about. I think the routine has great potential, but I’m now at the point where I’m trying adapt it, improve it, and find my personality in it. No, I started the other thread before I saw this one.
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic
Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate, Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder. |
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
This thread has helped me realize a few things.
For the past 2 weeks I have had less gigs (I really don't get all that many, but this summer had a few more than usual each week. I'm doing basic drills with A. Coins B. Cards C. Musical scales on Harmonica and Ukulele D. Re watching old influences on youtube such as old cartoons, politics, history, late night TV and Mummenshanzc ((sic) E. Mixing and matching props found as I unpack in our newly built home. F. I'm also biking more, but haven't appeared on stage yet in cycle shorts.
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
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