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lynnef Inner circle 1407 Posts |
I'm posting this in the workers forum because I think it happens most with card workers. also, this is also not about 'pesky teens', whom you can play along with. I recently watched a Daryl video where the spectator deliberately tried to mess him up (ie REALLY digging the card into the fan). Daryl laughed it off (while deliberately taking the card out and mixing it up, saying "hey, I'm a workin' man here"). Is this a matter of reading the audience right or what? The audience must assume the magician is controlling the cards ( I'm guessing they don't necessarily assume the card is top or bottom, etc); and in this assumption, go along with the performance. Just kind of wondering what you workers think of this. Recover with patter, another trick, a combination...? Lynn
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lynnef Inner circle 1407 Posts |
What surprised me was that Daryl was performing before a control audience (L and L)! People were there to see him. I also don't think the spec was actually hostile. I put this in the workers forum, because a lot of card magic is much more up close, instead of out on the street (ie attracting a crowd). I often ask if a small group or even a single person would like to see a card trick first; and when I get a solid "yes', usually no problem at all. I really agree heavyspirit (and welcome to the Café) about the "blessing in disguise". In music, we have a saying "just play through"; and I think this must also apply to magic. Daryl recovered very nicely... in fact, it was helpful to watch his patter and timing, which was the misdirection he used to time the displacing of the selected card. Lynn
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Mary Mowder Inner circle Sacramento / Elk Grove, CA 3662 Posts |
Sometimes a bad spectator will get the audience on your side.
I've had someone lie about the card chosen (the reaction to his naming his card told me that). I could see the guy was top dog and no one could correct him (I did have others look at the card). I just laughed it off and said well you can't win 'em all, I thought you chose the 4 of Spades (as I turned it over). There was a gasp but no admission that it was correct from anyone. I smiled and moved on, life is short and there are others who will enjoy Magic. Later in the gig, three people who were there told me that I was correct. If I do make a real mistake, I stay and recover but in this case I just decided to move on. I could have stayed and tried to make the guy look foolish but what would be gained? I'm there to entertain. I probably should have read my spectator better before choosing. Daryl could have asked that that be cut but chose not to. I'm sure he thought that was informative. Daryl was not confrontational at all so I'm thinking the guy thought he was being funny. Not everyone who does things we don't want or expect is a jerk, some just read the situation differently. By the way, which DVD was it, I'd like to watch it again. -Mary Mowder |
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Mary Mowder Inner circle Sacramento / Elk Grove, CA 3662 Posts |
I don't think Women run into any more of this type than Men do (but I have no way of knowing).
It is rare that this happens but it used to happen more. I have to think my experience was more the issue. Most Spectators are nice and want to have a good time. -Mary Mowder |
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warren Inner circle uk 4166 Posts |
When I'm in a proper working situation performing I can't say this has happened to me although I'm sure it must have, which leads me to believe it happens rarely to me.
The most likely reason being that I never open with a card effect and usually my first effect is more of a watch this type of effect such as JJ'S coin coalition which does two important things, fist it establishes my credibility ie it shows that I'm competent and shows my personality and secondly it allows me to observe my audience so that I have a very good idea who I will choose for effects that involve the spectators more. If I'm performing for people at work then I mainly do card effects because lets face it you can do lots of different effects with those 52 pieces of cardboard, this situation is quite different to a working situation and I find people can be more awkward for want of a better word ie they might ask to shuffle the cards etc . Personally lets say I find the persons actual selected card for example the two of clubs and the spectator says that's not my card I simply ask what card they chose, lets assume they say it was the king of hearts then I just say wow look at that not only did I find your card the king of hearts but I even managed to change it into the two of clubs which always gets a laugh especially as I always get more than one person to look at the card so everyone knows that I did indeed find the card. |
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davidpaul$ Inner circle Georgetown, South Carolina 3094 Posts |
Also..... If I run into "that" person that wants to be a " wize guy or gal" I say in a comedic way ;
" I see we have a heckler at the table" Is he or she like this at home?" This I think and through my experience, calls them out without being confrontational. It elicits a laugh and conformity. Imo
Guilt will betray you before technique betrays you!
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danaruns Special user The City of Angels 808 Posts |
I would guess this happens less often to women than to men, but it does happen.
While I've never had anyone become a serious problem (like when a volunteer destroyed a friend's expensive props while he was performing at the Magic Castle), it has bothered me the few times someone went beyond heckling and really tried to disrupt my performance. No one has ever ruined my show, and a couple times it was bad enough that I've had to walk the volunteer back to their seat, choose another one and continue on without further problems, but it still bothers me. I wish I could just shrug it off. But after such a show, I'm both annoyed with the disrupter and gripped with the feeling that it was my own failure that both caused me to choose the wrong person and prevented me from shutting it down effectively. I should be better than that. Actually, I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often, since I'm pretty playful and challenging with my audiences. I usually like it when they challenge me, as I get to play off them and It just makes the ultimate effect stronger. (Something Pop Haydn taught me.) But the few times someone has actually tried to ruin my show, I blame myself, and kick myself afterward. I know I shouldn't. But I do. And it bothers me.
"Dana Douglas is the greatest magician alive. Plus, I'm drunk." -- Foster Brooks
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Mary Mowder Inner circle Sacramento / Elk Grove, CA 3662 Posts |
Dana,
While perhaps you shouldn't blame yourself, there is less harm in that than in just assuming they are jerks. By taking responsibility you are really questioning what you could have done better. If we just assume they are jerks we might be deluding ourselves (which is a for more common mistake). I applaud you. -Mary Mowder |
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deanr201 New user 67 Posts |
I've had this a few times but I think a lot of it comes down to how you deal with the initial situation. Usually for me, as others have said I try to use it to my advantage and win the rest of group over and then the bad spec seems to fade into the background.
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Jaybs Special user 560 Posts |
These videos have been posted on the Café before, but I'd like to reference them in this thread since I believe it provides a good example of how professionals have dealt with these situations. From the television clips I've seen, David Letterman can be a somewhat difficult person to perform for due to his playful personality. Both clips are worth watching in full, but I've marked the times for both clips for those who want to skip ahead to the parts where it shows the playful banter between Mr. Letterman and the performer.
Ricky Jay (starts at 10:30 mark): http://particleproductions.com/blog/rick......an-show/ Jason Randal (starts at 4:40 mark): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy9X_uwnsdc&t=126s |
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hypnoman1 New user 76 Posts |
Overall it happens to us all! It is not gendered specific! Have a good "out" and keep moving on. Remember you are in control of your performance don't ever give that up!
For those who believe, no explanation is necessary; for those who do not believe, no explanation will suffice.
Joseph Dunninger |
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fonda57 Inner circle chicago 3080 Posts |
If you come across in performance like you think , even subconciously, that your audience is a bunch of stupid people than they will mess with you.
Suzanne performed near here a year or so ago and she had a loud guy in the audience. she brought him up on stage to be part of a trick. Worked out well. My experience has been that it's guys who heckle, not women. Women like to enjoy the magic. As we all know, women are more mature. |
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prg Regular user 168 Posts |
I know this is kind of obvious, but it isn't really "rude" or evidence of being a "heckler" simply because the spectator puts the card back in the deck in a location you weren't hoping for.
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lynnef Inner circle 1407 Posts |
Quote:
On Jun 6, 2018, prg wrote: Yes, this is quite true. My original post was about a guy who really didn't think he was being rude or inappropriate. He was not a heckler, he just didn't want to "follow the rules". Another example would be a spectator who would look at a card he shouldn't be looking at... perhaps with curiosity being the only motive. I don't believe the magician's response should be revenge at all. My favorite type magicians are those who find the magic happening to them and are engaged in it with the audience. Lynn |
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kShepher Elite user Washington, DC 470 Posts |
This is a great thread from experienced people.
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Pop Haydn Inner circle Los Angeles 3691 Posts |
To become a great performer, you must be prepared to deal with the spectator assistant who fights with you, contesting every procedure. One must design a routine to be ready for the combative spectator. Actually, conflict increases the stakes emotionally, and makes an effect play much stronger by making the story more interesting. Protagonist tries to show a card trick, Antagonist wants to contest every procedure: conflict! Protagonist finds card anyway: Resolution! Every magic trick is a little play. We should look for the places where an intelligent, well informed person might want to object to a procedure and make sure you can handle what they throw at you–make sure you have strategies and outs so that no matter what they do you are okay. When you are prepared, you can relax and enjoy the exchange, and intensify the emotional conflict. Let them see you sweat. Let them see you tread water. Let them see you a little ticked off. Let them watch how you handle conflict. Let them share in your victory, without making your assistant look bad. A good actor does this by going through the play of the routine one step at a time, playing the part and honestly reacting to what is happening. Such conflict is your friend and can greatly enlarge your audience reactions. It is not about having the skill to think and respond on the spot; it is about planning and preparing for everything in advance. What gives magicians the seeming ability to go with the flow and respond with unflappable aplomb to anything that happens really comes more from experience and pre-planning. |
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Steven Keyl Inner circle Washington, D.C. 2630 Posts |
Great lesson, Pop! And a great example of a non-cooperative spectator. Yet another great performance.
Steven Keyl - The Human Whisperer!
B2B Magazine Test! Best impromptu progressive Ace Assembly ever! "If you ever find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause, and reflect." --Mark Twain |
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JBSmith1978 Veteran user NY 389 Posts |
I think most of my effects are heckler proof these days. The flow of the method just doesn’t allow for it.
For simple things like misremembering or purposely misrepresenting there are safeguards one can and I do use. From time to time **** hits the fan, yet it will always be you who’s performing. It’s always you who is the shaper of perception. |
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MeetMagicMike Inner circle Gainesville Fl 3504 Posts |
I was going to comment but instead I'll just suggest you read Doc's post and watch his video again.
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lynnef Inner circle 1407 Posts |
Thanks Pop, the video was very instructive.. worth studying! Lynn
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