Hello,

After about a year and a half of card manipulation I did my first "paying gig" for a family friend's daughters 16th birthday party. Although there were several minor mistakes I thought it went well, all things considered. I did a McBride-style production routine and a flourishes routine... the magic seemed to get stronger reactions than the XCM, but that could have to do with my presentation. Please let me know what you think, I really appreciate the constructive criticism from experienced performers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQLl6Rzgi2Q

Well done

I did a card candle and bird act for 5 years and
I think you just need to slow done and let the magic moment sink in

I know that the nerves can get the better if you whne doing this
type of magic.

Keep going I like to see more

Good luck !

Do your steals on the move. When you move, do so with purpose, don't just shift your weight or shuffle out of nervousness. Cheat out to the audience.

Dang! Good job man!

Nice venue! You even had a live music accompaniment! Good audience reactions too! Your practice shows. The suggestions above come from performing in front of a live audience.

When you drop a card or three in your various flourishes or juggling bits don’t sweat it. Don’t react as if it was a mistake. Smile like you meant to do it to prove that the cards are not stuck or wired together. Cascading them into the container at the end would be a nice ending for your routine.

Biggest thing I can offer is to start looking at your audience more. Make contact with them. Look at different people, smile (you do smile). If you have to look at your cards (and I do understand that you do have to look at the cards from time to time), look at your audience after each flourish, trick, stunt, and/or bit. That will help you make contact with them.

You are doing well, in a difficult venue. However, the two meter venue (backyard, living room, etc.) is where you are probably going to get the most work.

Two points that are most important to me. The first is that you actually got up and performed and the second is that you looked like you were having a good time! Keep it up man!

I agree with all said above. Good job, dude! Also, if you want to get more reactions throughout the "XCM" make sure and give that same little head nod and mini bow you were doing during the manipulation act after each major flourish. If it fits your personality you can even make a little comment like "see? I told you it'd look cool". This just gives your audience applause cues, although I don't think it was entirely necessary. You can also just combine the two doing the flourishes first then putting the cards away and suddenly they keep coming back. Just a few ideas.

Eddie

Excellent advices have been given above. I just like to compliment you for being able to do your best there. The audience are responsive and that speaks a great message. Of course there is always room for improvement - which you will as you progress in the art of magic. Keep up the good work.

Thank you very much everyone for the suggestions, this website is the greatest! I will definnitely incorporate many of these and I'll keep you guys posted on my next show I really appreciate the help.

I know I look forward to seeing your next shot at the big time

All the best

Hi Kregg, what do you mean "cheat out to the audeince"? I like the idea of stealing on the move but I don't understand the last sentence? thanks.

Let's say you are using your right hand to make a steal - turn your body to the right and take one or two steps to the right (towards the receptacle or table) - that few seconds of natural body movements are strong misdirection factors to make the steal.

Thank you James I will definitely block that into my next routine. I just rewatched the McBride DVDs and picked up some good tips I'd missed the last time around too.

It simply means to play to the audience, open your body out 3/4. Imagine yourself standing in the middle of a large doorway which is an imaginary axis (like a swiss cross) with one line dividing the audience. Try to keep your hand on or forward of the threshold line . Even though your hand is on that line, your face can be slightly turned toward the audience and the audience will still think that you are looking at your hand. This will feel unnatural, but, who's there to watch the show, you or your audience?