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Mikael Eriksson Inner circle None of your business 1064 Posts |
There is one type of people who it's impossible to perform magic to, and that´s the people who think they know (mostly), or actually know (seldom) how a trick works.
I have met a few. Some people also seem to be able to find out through clever thinking how some tricks are done. It does not matter what you perform for such a person, he or she always has an explanation. If you would read their mind for real, they would say it was luck, and they would not think it was anything special about what you did. In my opinion they are one of the biggest threats to a show, because sometimes the others believe they are correct in their "exposings." Now to the question: What do you do when this happens? Or doesn´t it happen to anyone else but me? How do you treat these persons? It´s not a big problem, but I´m curious. Mikael |
Burt Yaroch Inner circle Dallas,TX 1097 Posts |
Whispered musings are typically not a problem and they are seldom even brought to your attention. If you have someone who is
"debunking" you out loud he is probably just looking for some attention. So I give it to them. Bring them up and do one of those effects where the magic happens right in their hands. If you think he actually knows how you are doing some effects pull out one of your "magician foolers" and lay that on him.
Yakworld.
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
This is why I love kid magic so much, they all think they know how it is done and I use it to my advantage. Expect it to happen, plan on it to happen, and be prepared for a "comeback" when it does happen.
Doug Henning was a pro at this. While performing standard tricks, the magicians would say, "Oh here's that Zombie again!", and bang, from nowhere out pops a live eagle from the insides of the zombie. Stuns the pros because he planned on it. The ending is sweeter and most rewarding when success happens and it is unexpected. It makes you look even better. The point, plan on the problems, and they will minimize. So you'll take a few shots in the beginning, make a notebook on the responses that were troublesome and the things that were absolute knock-outs. Then expect them. Plan on how to deal with them. Soon you'll find you have sufficient knowlege and skill to address these issues. As for treating them, treat them with utmost respect. Leave the heckling to Don Rickles. Nothing will kill your show more then embarrassing the guest of those who hired you. If I get a person who, deep down inside I want to smack, I say something, "A lot of times people think they know how a trick is done, and sometimes they are right. I found out a long time ago, that when I watch a magic show, I watch it for pure pleasure and enjoy watching others get the same pleasure." And leave it at that. I rarely have to do that because my shows are on stage a lot and the hecklers are the kids and it is expected. Without it my show would be a flop! Experience is a good teacher! I hope this answers your question. Generally, to help, you need a respected mentor to give you pointers. A good magic club helps.
Dennis Michael
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Matt Graves Special user Huntsville, Alabama (USA) 504 Posts |
Eugene Burger wrote a great article on hecklers in his booklet "Growing In The Art Of Magic". In fact, he even said he tried to eliminate the word "heckler" from his vocabulary. He advised a good-natured remark something like, "Shhh . . .don't tell anyone; sell it to them later; after I'm finished." Of course I can't do justice to all the things he said about it, but the gist of it was that a "heckler" was just someone who was behaving in a way the performer did not want, and they do not all fit into the same category. He also said that a very well planned routine that ran smoothly would be the best protection against interruptions. Those were things that really helped me; if you want to read more of Mr. Burger's thoughts on magic, he has a good many essays on his site: http://www.magicbeard.com/
The article "Five Secrets" on there is especially thought-provoking . . . |
MagicJared Regular user 120 Posts |
With the right trick its fun to hand whatever the trick is over to the heckler and say "well then you give it a try; I could use a break" and see how many people can actually do it, especially if you switch a gimmick for a real one. hehe.
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Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
Master Burger has it right. You simply can't compete with the "I Know" gremlin. The best defense is to draw them into your "inner circle"...acknowledge them as one of the "keepers of the secret". Give them the recognition they crave and you'll have an ally rather than a combatant.
Of course, this doesn't always work. For the really tough cases, I carry a 20,000 volt stun gun built into my hand buzzer. "Oh, he's passed out, poor dear. Can't handle his root beer. Anyone smell smoke?" Skip
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
bishthemagish Inner circle 6013 Posts |
Quote:
On 2002-03-06 12:38, Michael Eriksson wrote: People that do this are looking for attention. And the way NOT to handle this is to insult them or "Out Heckle the Heckler". I found that by finding a way to let THEM GET attention is the way to get them on your side. I have found that doing a routine like showing doing a blank fan with one card exposed and have then look at it then doing the classic force on his girl friend and have the guy read HER mind was a good way to get past these kinds of problems. Of course you pressure fan the deck first and show all the cards before you blank fan force the one on the person that is needing the attention. The point is - now he is in on it and part of the act and gets the attention he needs. I have done this in restaurants many times and instead of out heckling the heckler - I got a tip!
Glenn Bishop Cardician
Producer of the DVD Punch Deal Pro Publisher of Glenn Bishop's Ace Cutting And Block Transfer Triumphs |
Slim Price Inner circle 1935 - 2006 1326 Posts |
I loved doing kid shows because the kids are honest, (No polite applause) and love catching you at something. This makes them really ripe for sucker effects <G>
A real trouble maker can be dealt with easily, make him a "helper," bring him up on stage, give him a piece of rope or other prop to hold, and you are in control. I first learned this by reading an anecdote about a plumber who would let a kid hold a wrench while the plumber did his job... Slim
sanscan@tds.net
"I will never bitter be, as long as I can laugh at me!" "The people who were dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music" |
oagwood Veteran user Pleasant Hill, CA 392 Posts |
Kids are no sweat as Slim was saying, its the adults that I have the problem with.
Here is how I handle adults (generally this is in table hopping or other close up format). "thank you for your time." and then I walk away. there are plenty of people who want to be entertained and I simply don't have time for the challenge scenario, I don't get anything out of it, and I don't think they enjoy it much either. oliver |
Neale Bacon Inner circle Burnaby BC Canada 1775 Posts |
With children, I have come to realize this is mearly a sign or recognition, much like when your favorite episode of a TV show comes on.
They aren't saying "I don't want to see it" they are mearly saying "I know this one, I have seen it before, it's a good one" I usually say, "Great buy I'll bet most people haven't and AS YOU KNOW the first rule of magic is to keep a secret, so you and I will just keep the secret OK?" This gets the child on my side because I have acknowledged what he said and I have "recognized" him as a fellow magician. It usually handles it.
Neale Bacon and his Crazy Critters
Burnaby BC Canada's Favourite Family Ventriloquist www.baconandfriends.com |
dan84 Loyal user 251 Posts |
Good point with the magician foolers, knock em dead with John Ramseys cards across.
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Jonathan Townsend Eternal Order Ossining, NY 27297 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-07-14 10:04, dan84 wrote: Are you referring to John Ramsay's routine from The Ramsay Legend? If so, most knowledgeable magicians got familiar with that routine quite some time ago. An impressive routine none the less given memorization and miscalling required. Back in the 1930s, the routine as written was ahead of its time. Today even the premise of cards flying up the sleeve and into a pocked is pretty lame, and might make a good parody ad for the latest holdout. (hint) Fooling magicians... ah why bother? If you can entertain an audience with something that speaks to you and make it look magical, likely the material will also work for an audience of magicians.
...to all the coins I've dropped here
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dan84 Loyal user 251 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-07-14 10:41, Jonathan Townsend wrote: Indeed magicians are familiar with it but not the wiseguy in the pub who has been getting david blaine rip offs from the internet and THINKS he is a magician. It is a top routine |
Jonathan Townsend Eternal Order Ossining, NY 27297 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-07-14 13:57, dan84 wrote:...Indeed magicians are familiar with it but not the wiseguy in the pub who has been getting david blaine rip offs from the internet and THINKS he is a magician. It is a top routine Agreed His routines were WAY ahead of their time and work well for laymen. ( gotta soft pedal those magician/Downs feints though )
...to all the coins I've dropped here
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Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
My favorite responses for the "I know how you did that" challenge:
"Oh yeah? Me, too!" "No kidding? You'll have to explain it to me then, 'cause I have NO idea!" (Adult) "I'll bet you say that to all your tricks!" (Adult) "****! Now I have to kill you. GUIDO!!" "Cool! Next trick...close your eyes,!" "You eat Cap'n Crunch, too?" "You've been talking to my dad again, haven't you?" "Did you peek? DON'T PEEK!" "Do NOT!" (Do SO!) "Do NOT!" (Do SO!) "You're such a kid!" "I know you are, but what am I?" (If ya can't beat 'em...confuse 'em!) :o) Skip
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
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