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MagicBrent Inner circle 2574 Posts |
Forgive me if this is this question is all over this section. I'm not used to posting here. I wanted to find out from you all about the presentation of Gospel magic. How do you present it in a way that glorifies God and not about the magic or your special ability? For instance, if you share a scripture while doing a trick, don't people focus more on the trick than what you said? Maybe it's because as a magician and Christian, I focus on the magic and I know how to use illustrations for impact, but I want to be sure the audience doesn't leave with trying to figure out the trick without the message, you know? Is it more about your tone and emphasis on wording and strategic pause for impact? Thanks for your thoughts...oh, and if you can think of any book ideas on presentation of specifically gospel magic, please share. Thanks.
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Christian Illusionist Special user Ohio (currently located in Missouri) 503 Posts |
There are many different styles. Some prefer to make a message for each individual effect, while others prefer to perform their show with the last effect having the message. Others may have a totally different approach.
In any case, Steve Varro once told me to develop my message first, then find an effect that would compliment that message, not to find messages that would compliment an effect. There's a difference. Hope that helps.
We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams.
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Bryan Gilles Inner circle Northern California 1732 Posts |
That is excellent advice!
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MagicBrent Inner circle 2574 Posts |
Thanks, C.I. I agree about doing the message first. I was doing it backwards by simply brainstorming messages around what props and tricks I have.
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Rickfcm Veteran user lower Michigan 382 Posts |
Since I only use magic in Sunday school, I use the tricks to illustrate the message I am presenting.
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
When I first got into magic it was about me.
Someone kindly told me that my "Eyes" were to close together. (that is what I heard) Then I came to hear that it was my "I's". It was all about me. E.G.O., I have come to learn can stand for Edging God Out. It is about God our Father and Jesus these days. When I first went to church it was about trying to make me feel better. It is now about praise and worship. That applies to my magic with a message as well. Thanks for the food for thought. This spot on the Café has been very helpful to this nearly normal guy. You are all appreciated by, Harris
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
MagicBrent Inner circle 2574 Posts |
Thanks Harris...I forgot all about the EGO acronymn.
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Ray Ouellette Regular user Ottawa, Canada 114 Posts |
Some good advice here. The problem that I find with a different message with each effect is that it is hard for the audience to follow and they will only remember the best effect or the last thing that you did.
I would highly recommend Duane Laflin's three DVD series called The Art Of Gospel Magic. It really was an eye-opener for me. He details how to put a show together around a single theme, how to create excitement, pace changes, audience involvment. A really excellent set of DVDs that will benefit any Gospel worker. You can find them at http://www.lockfamilymagic.com
"Love and magic have a great deal in common. They enrich the soul, delight the heart. And they both take practice"
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Clifford the Red Inner circle LA, California 1941 Posts |
I prefer the approach of illustrating a story or concept with an effect, not trying to stuff an unrelated or barely connected story onto an effect. I don't use hardly any commercial props, most are handmade for the routines, or selected from real items or antiques that fit the purpose.
The story provides the emotional connection in the effect, the magical occurance, without context, becomes mere eye candy. But placed solidly within a story, the whole story becomes the effect and the audience becomes more emotionally involved, which makes the whole thing more satisfying and meaningful to them. They become entranced with the story and magical things happen during the telling. It becomes more theater and less about "magical powers", and the audience applauds the theatrical experience and emotions it evoked, not your ability to trick them. For the context as Gospel Magic, I think that creates a less egocentric environment than a magician performing tricks with loose patter. And remember less is more. Stuffing a dozen tricks into a show may be less effective than simply three "acts" or significant stories. Ultimately you want to connect with your audience and entertain them. You don't compensate for a shallow performance with volume.
"The universe is full of magical things, waiting for our wits to grow sharper." Eden Philpotts
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Ken Sibley New user 71 Posts |
I started learning magic at 9 yrs old. As an Adult I became a professional magician. In my early 20's I accepted Christ as my Saviour and also received the call to preach. I set the tricks aside, thinking I couldn't use them in church, and started Bible College (Seminary). I learned to build the message from the text (Open, Intro, 3 points, Close), then add Illustrations (Verbal). I later found out that I could use Visual Illustration (Magic Trick/Effects) instead of just Verbal Illustrations. Just as any verbal Illustration, it can't out-weigh the message. I've used this for over 20 years now and it is very effective in getting the message across. Also, you don't have to force the effect. If the effect you WANT to use dosen't fit, DON'T use it this time. If you let God lead you, you'll find a place for that favorite effect.
Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Involve me and I understand!
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Clifford the Red Inner circle LA, California 1941 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-04-09 23:43, Ken Sibley wrote: Just so long as it's not a MAK magic painted box, those really ARE evil
"The universe is full of magical things, waiting for our wits to grow sharper." Eden Philpotts
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marD Loyal user 274 Posts |
I agree that you should have your message first and then find effects that compliment it. I made sure that the effect fit the message so that those watching the effect would have a visual reminder of what I was saying. This way, when they go home and forget about the message, they will remember the effect, which will remind them of the message.
I have done two different commercial effects in sermons that I've done, both with God given results. One was Sinful by Wayne Houchin and the other was Torn by Daniel Garcia. Both of these complimented the message that I was giving wonderfully....If anyone would be interested in the patter that I used just PM me... Mike
At Ease Tees - Christian apparel and other items!
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marD Loyal user 274 Posts |
I agree that you should have your message first and then find effects that compliment it. I made sure that the effect fit the message so that those watching the effect would have a visual reminder of what I was saying. This way, when they go home and forget about the message, they will remember the effect, which will remind them of the message.
I have done two different commercial effects in sermons that I've done, both with God given results. One was Sinful by Wayne Houchin and the other was Torn by Daniel Garcia. Both of these complimented the message that I was giving wonderfully....If anyone would be interested in the patter that I used just PM me... Mike
At Ease Tees - Christian apparel and other items!
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