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Dr. Faust Regular user Louisville, Kentucky 183 Posts |
I have, so far, only performed magic for willing audiences, friends, family, students, etc. So, rejection has not yet occurred, and reactions have, so far, all been favorable, to say the least. I have, however, lately considered the idea of performing magic in public for total strangers, possibly on the city streets. I was just wondering what some of you veterans have to say about the general reactions from strangers. Maybe there is a better and worse way to approach strangers with magic--some general do's and don'ts. Also, maybe some of you have some general words of wisdom for a greenhorn in the area. I realize that this topic may have been posted and discussed before. However, I have yet to find it.
"I have such sights to show you!"
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NickJegor Elite user Lithuania 466 Posts |
What can I say about the 'Street Magic'.
When you will perform on the street to stranger you will have more expirience in magic, however at this time I don't think that It's good idea to do this because it's cold out side. You must perform magic in bars or restorants! Ony big advice for you. Don't show magic for too long, and if the spectator will grab your hand or will do things what he is not supoust to do, JUST FINISH THE TRICK AND QUIT! I think my post will help you! Happy holidays to you all! |
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daffydoug Eternal Order Look mom! I've got 14077 Posts |
First order of business. Know your material like the "back of your hand" In other words, be able to perform it forwards and bacwards IN YOUR SLEEP!!
You may have guessed. People on the street are not going to generally be as nice, friendly, and accomodating as your friends. In fact, they can be outright rude. They don't know you or your motives, they are busy with their schedule going about their business, etc., They don't know you from an axe murderer, and may show fear! Then again, on the other side of the coin, you might run into some real nice folks. It's a crap shoot! Does that mean you should not do it? By no means! It's just that you should be REALLY good at what you do before you hit the concrete jungle. I also recommend arming your self with some of the hot effects from Gregory wilson's "On The Spot" DVDs. This stuff will play well on the street, and will make you look like a real pro. Battle half won! You know yourself better than anybody else! You must make the final decision! Good luck!
The difficult must become easy, the easy beautiful and the beautiful magical.
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irishguy Special user Ohio 629 Posts |
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I was just wondering what some of you veterans have to say about the general reactions from strangers. Just keep in mind that it is very hard to control angles. People can, and will, walk freely around you. Additionally, they have a tendency to get "grabby", reaching out, intentionally trying to screw with you at times. These are worst case scenarios, but they will happen from time to time. Strangers aren't nearly as patient and nice as friends and family. |
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The Mighty Fool Inner circle I feel like a big-top tent having 2140 Posts |
Here's the 'big secret' to how street-mages approach random strangers:....Theyre NOT all that 'random'!! The general locations and the types of people should be screened carefully....simply walking up to some blindly selected person is a good way to get yourself shot!
1) Choose a good location. DO NOT do this on backstreets, or industrial districts, etc. Yes, I know Blaine did his schtick in those sorts of places, but that was staged. Public parks, shopping malls, shopping streets, tourist canters or areas near libraries & museums are good. with library / museum / park areas....people will have CHILDREN. With the malls, shopping streets, and tourist areas......people will have MONEY. 2)Go for foreigners. Theyre always willing to experience ANY form of 'American culture'. You can tell them by their accents, or sunburned faces, or seeing if theyre wearing brand-new Nikes. 3) Children. Kids are known as "akkys" (achilees' heels) in street-magic parlance. Children are the weak spot of even the grumpiest parent or the stoniest audience. If you can make a child squeal with laughter & delight, the onlookers will view you as an angel. However, do NOT approach the kids initialy....NOT WISE!! Bring the kids into the shtick after youv'e caught a grown-up mark. 4) The approach. Once you've spotted a mark, don't rush in! Observe & listen to them discretely for a miuete or two. (if theyre moving...follow along! Your'e not tied to a pitch!) Listen for them to say something which mabye you could play off of. For example, if your mark comments that he/she needs change for a five, offer to help, and use the VisiBill move to do it. 5) If you really don't feel good going up to people, try getting them to come to you. To do this, you'll have to be noticeable, but NOT by wearing a costume or goofy hat/ whatnot. Just DO something that passersby can't possibly help but stop & notices. Card flourishes, arcs & waterfalls, might work (never tried that angle myself, but I've heard it can work) An ITR routine will certainly stop some people in their tracks, and (if you can afford one) the "impossible hank" is a surefire winner.
Everybody wants to beleive.....we just help them along.
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rmoraleta Special user Philippines 767 Posts |
Not everybody likes Magic. I don't push it. I perform 2-3 tricks for strangers who like Magic. If I sense that a certain group hates it, I go to the next group.
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irishguy Special user Ohio 629 Posts |
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Not everybody likes Magic. I don't push it. I perform 2-3 tricks for strangers who like Magic. If I sense that a certain group hates it, I go to the next group. Well, in my opinion you should keep in moving after 2-3 tricks anyway. If they want to see more, they will let you know. Otherwise, there is a fine line between being amazing and being annoying. |
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NickJegor Elite user Lithuania 466 Posts |
One more thing,
Performing magic to strangers are difficult task. You must show very amazing trick for the opening and very simple for ending. Show couple of tricks and leave, you will be ask to do more -> this is very good, becouse your spectators are very intrest in magic. "You must respect spectators reaction" and don't push on them. |
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BlackShadow Special user London UK 666 Posts |
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On 2004-12-23 14:34, daffydoug wrote: Excellent points Doug. Really know your material well is so important. On the second point, I try to approach people in a normal situation where they are standing, taking an enforced break from their business. Eg Supermarket queue, train/bus etc. This is because I'm not normally playing for tips but just like doing magic for new people. If you want to play in tourist areas then things like queue for fast food/ice cream are good. In this situation I try and make use of a prop which is lying around as litter like a paper ice cream tub or coke can. You can do stuff like external gimm. chop with ice cream tub or repop with can a la David Blaine. Using stuff you "just picked up" makes it seem very magical. |
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irishguy Special user Ohio 629 Posts |
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Using stuff you "just picked up" makes it seem very magical. Indeed. You will get great audience reaction when it looks like you just spontaneously made some magic happen. |
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GeorgeSantos Inner circle San Diego, CA 1106 Posts |
Just approach politely, always accept the word no from some of the people and you'll have a long way to go in successful street and strolling magic.
"David Roth is the greatest coin manipulator in the entire world.."
-Dai Vernon "The Professor" I AM A FILIPINO MAGICIAN |
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dengez Loyal user USA 245 Posts |
Nice post "the mighty fool"
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The Mighty Fool Inner circle I feel like a big-top tent having 2140 Posts |
Aw Shucks!!
Everybody wants to beleive.....we just help them along.
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mcmc Veteran user 310 Posts |
I would avoid doing it in a supermarket queue or in a line waiting for the bus. That's a little invasive and doesn't give the receiving party a chance to move away or walk away from the offer.
In public places, where you're doing some visual effects and drawing people to you, people have the choice to walk away or simply walk on. Also, when doing it in public places for tips, make sure the local cops are generally okay with that - technically you need a license for 'providing a service and getting recompense' (speaking from personal experience! luckily the cop did not actually book me). But, it's thrilling. Realize that most people have never seen a real or decent magician, so if you perform effects that you have down cold, it will really be a treat for them. |
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discjockey Elite user 451 Posts |
I've noticed that getting off to a good start with random people only works if you don't disturb them when they are doing somthing or talking. I guess if you don't really "invade" someone's activity, they will be open to you as a magician if you do the right things.
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NickJegor Elite user Lithuania 466 Posts |
When you perform to stranger, you have a lot of opertunaty to find a job using magic or get payed after that.
I saying this because it happens to me a lot of times. |
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silapmata Regular user 125 Posts |
First before you do magic to a strangers is to know whether he loves to be entertain in magic cos some ppl hate magic.They thought that you want to make them as a fool. I ever come across a stranger who just tear his $50 bill and challenge me to restore it back if I am real a magician after I shown him the bill tearing tricks.
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rmoraleta Special user Philippines 767 Posts |
Sounds familiar...
I changed my approach, which is really working at the moment. I believe Michael Ammar gave the same advice. |
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LordM Loyal user Portugal 232 Posts |
Keep it simple, fast, visual. After perform any of the effects just stay quiet and stare at the stranger. That will double their reactions
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anomali New user sweden 7 Posts |
Hey guys.
When we're out doin street (me and a magician friend) we have a way to scope wich ppl are suitible for approach. If I'm the one that wants to approach them, then I first do a couple of tricks for my friend. He reacts in a kinda noisy way, and we get their attention, after the trick I glans over and catch eyecontact, and then just ask if I can try a trick on them. HArdly ever fails.
keep an open mind, but also an open eye
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