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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
I usually deflect the question with responses that are sly but delivered VERY tongue-in-cheek:
1) (...with a big eye roll) "Oh, now you're asking ALL the wrong questions." 2) (...in strictest confidence) "They won't tell me. They just told me to go out and don't hurt myself." 3) (This is directed at a third person, as an aside) "He (she) wants me to turn entertainment into education!" ~michael
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
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debaser Special user Boulder 557 Posts |
I say things along the lines of "telling you wont make either one of us very happy" and I sympathize with their desire to know. But I just hold a feeling of "that is not what its about"
I think it is important to empathize with that desire to know "we all have it." It is that very desire that makes magic work the way it does. Matt |
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jwebyra Regular user New Jersey 140 Posts |
How about just tell them the name of the book or the name of the trick and where they can purchase the items. Why should you take the time and money to purchase the item and learn it be expected to give the secret away for free. If people really expect you just to tell them because they asked. However I see that magicians give away the secrets in the performace by their presation of the effect/illusion. For example the Twister Illusion every magician always twists the assistants head with the doors open and it exposes the illusion. Just watch it.
Thank you for reading my 2% of $1.00. |
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Eight Spades Elite user Ohio (northwest) 482 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-04-23 11:45, jwebyra wrote: Most of us don't want to reduce what we're doing to a matter of purchasing tricks. I stress most, because some are simply just performing what the purchase with no addition of their own personality.
"Tricks are only the crude residue from which the lifeblood of magic has been drained." -S.H. Sharpe
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DrNorth Veteran user North Starr Entertainment, Harrisburg PA 364 Posts |
Quote:
2) (...in strictest confidence) "They won't tell me. They just told me to go out and don't hurt myself." Oh My G*D!! That is the best answer yet!! I wet myself laughing!! I want to thank you all and I hope others got some ideas as well. The one theme I like and forgot is that usually asking "how did you do that" Is a way that people are saying WOW, and so, some humilt and a I am glad you liked that" may be teh right answer if as others said just silence witha gentle smile. "For it shows things that were, and things that are, and things that yet may be. But which it that he sees, even the wisest cannot always tell" ~Galadriel "A heretic is a man who sees with his own eyes." |
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Bill Hallahan Inner circle New Hampshire 3222 Posts |
Michael Baker wrote:
Quote:
2) (...in strictest confidence) "They won't tell me. They just told me to go out and don't hurt myself." :lol: I agree, that is simply brilliant!
Humans make life so interesting. Do you know that in a universe so full of wonders, they have managed to create boredom. Quite astonishing.
- The character of ‘Death’ in the movie "Hogswatch" |
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BlackShadow Special user London UK 666 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-03-29 23:04, cloneman wrote: That's the best answer |
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Professor Piper Special user Somewhere, out there... 770 Posts |
Michael Baker wrote:
Quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) (...in strictest confidence) "They won't tell me. They just told me to go out and don't hurt myself." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is priceless! :applause: Quote:
He looked large enough to swallow a Doberman whole. So I told him exactly how I did it... in German. This made me p#ss myself. Prof. Piper :juggle:
"Nemo has been found! He was on an Admiral's Platter at Red Lobster!"
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johnnymystic Inner circle North Adams Ma. 1576 Posts |
Gawd, I love this place, just when I think I thought I knew whatever it was I needed to know...
I always learn something new! which I did while reading this thread, thanks to all for posting!:) I wouldn' know really where to begin, or how to teach, or even give good advice as to the how's and why's of learning magic technique, or theory...I'm prone to giving what would be called bad andvice, for example, when some certain kind of people feel thay may want to give me a hard time while performing, somehow, they learn right quick they really don't wanna mess with me... eventually and I'm not really sure when or how it really happens, the folks that wanna be jerks end of havin' a good time and enjoying themselves...I believe it's from my commanding personallity, which comes from a youthful time of kicking BUTT in bad situations and other things I won't mention due to the fact there was never any solid leads in the legal cases... I also studied drama and a certain form of martial arts...deception has always been my forte' and I've always found it to be a great enjoyment while doing these types of things! Har!!! In my old age, as it is now, I've learned to temper my powers and use them only for the forces of good...which means the checks go to the wife...NOT the magic shop!;) As to how to stop people from asking how or why ,or to do it again...be as polite as possible, appeal to their vanity not yours and overall try and have a good time performing...all should workout well the more you try....the more you learn. johnny
I drink cheap tequila and vomit
<BR>I cannot eat hot wings...acid reflux <BR>I never inhale <BR>I can put a field dress on a deer |
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thefifth Regular user 105 Posts |
These are all good responses to minor instances of the two questions posed. If however I get a real heckler, I break charachter/act/routine and very bluntly remind the person it is a magic act and if they have a problem they can leave. Everyone knows that magicians don't reveal their secrets, anyone who pushes the subject is being inconsiderate. I try to treat hecklers and troublemakers with the same response that any other entertainer would. We magicians can sometimes bend over backwards to show off our tricks. I think you automatically earn more respect if you act like what your doing is that respectful. No other performing are puts up with the **** we do. Why should we?
[email]info@williampenix.com[/email]
www.williampenix.com |
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
How did you do that?
Response: Did you enjoy it? [Yes] Then if I tell you how it is done, the next time you see it you will lose that enjoyment and it will ruin the wonder and thrill of seeing it again. A long time ago, I stopped want to know how it was done and just sit back and enjoy seeing it done over end over. How to say "No" Ask a question? ie. "Give me all you money!" Why do you need it? ie. "Can I see it?" It's very expensive and fragile, the last time I let some one see it it broke, you don't want to see me cry do you?
Dennis Michael
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