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Alan Wheeler Inner circle Posting since 2002 with 2038 Posts |
In art, the word "classic" usually refers to something that, by common agreement, has been recognized as having a superior status. Sometimes we use the word to mean that something is a defining member of a group or class--which is why we call things "modern" classics without feeling contradictory. "Classic" can also mean that something belongs to an established tradition as in "classic rock" music.
So what is classic in magic? Jon Racherbaumer has used the acronym S.A.V.O.R to describe the qualities of a classic effect in magic. S: Simplicity--meaning clear and direct plots and effects A: Ageless--signifying some timeless, unchanging aspect through history V: Visualness--strong, primary effects like productions and penetrations O: Open--meaning that the effects allow for variation and adaptation R: Recurring--allowing for repetition and repeated with cumulative power What makes an effect "classic" in your mind? Is there any classic magic that you feel does not fit everything in Racherbaumer's list of characteristics?
The views and comments expressed on this post may be mere speculation and are not necessarily the opinions, values, or beliefs of Alan Wheeler.
A BLENDED PATH Christian Reflections on Tarot Word Crimes Technology and Faith........Bad Religion |
The Burnaby Kid Inner circle St. John's, Canada 3158 Posts |
Lasting power (similar to 'A'...?). Generally, I want to find out what the classics are, and then try to find out why they work. The answers aren't always the same.
There are some classic effects that I don't think fit Racherbaumer's list -- specifically, R. There are many great single-phase tricks that don't need to be repeated.
JACK, the Jolly Almanac of Card Knavery, a free card magic resource for beginners.
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funsway Inner circle old things in new ways - new things in old ways 9982 Posts |
When I was pervorming in a Medieval setting and doing effects with 'period' objects many refered to the magic as 'classic' -- so "seemingly ancient" might also qualify. For example, doing a C&R with leather thong and a knife might be considered classic by some.
"the more one pretends at magic, the more awe and wonder will be found in real life." Arnold Furst
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tommy Eternal Order Devil's Island 16544 Posts |
Classical are things that conform to sacred science.
If there is a single truth about Magic, it is that nothing on earth so efficiently evades it.
Tommy |
Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Classic rock is an adveritsment gimmick, it is reheated leftovers served up on a new platter, with a garnish.
classic magic is magic that the whole audience has seen before many times. When you get out your linking rings, and the room clears out you have yourself some classic magic. Instead of classic magic I would rather see creative magic, and it may be using a classic theme but in a new way.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
Brad Burt Inner circle 2675 Posts |
Consider why anything is a 'classic.' The simplest explanation is 'staying power'. It's something that remains popular for a long period of time. Classic 'oldies' are classics because folks still 'pay' in one way or another to listen to them. Classic tricks and routines are so because magicians keep learning and doing them BECAUSE they KNOW that folks will respond positively! Trust me, even the dullest performer would stop doing Linking Rings or 'whatever' IF his audiences did not respond in a positive manner.
Tricks like Color Monte and Wild Card made the "packet trick" a viable and popular magic form and inspired an sub industry of card material. Classic is just another work for "popular" or "commercial". I know of magician who has made an incredible amount of money every year for years and years as a semi-pro magician doing ONLY what would be considered 'classics'! Linking Rings, cups and balls, etc. All best,
Brad Burt
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Whit Haydn V.I.P. 5449 Posts |
I depend on classic material. I have made my living on stage basically with the Linking Rings, Cut and Restored Rope, Sucker Silk to Egg, Torn and Restored Newspaper, Bill to Lemon, Egg Bag, etc. My close-up repertoire is similarly long on the "classics" with Ambitious Card, Card to Envelope, Phoenix Aces, Cards to Pocket, Red Hot Mama, Rising Card, Color-Changing Knives, Coins Across, Sponge Balls, etc.
To me a classic is an effect that has proven to be popular with many age groups, performed by many different performers over many years. Ones that remain popular even when familiar to the audience. I always try to find a new way of presenting them, or new methods if possible, in order to make them seem fresh. I always get a kick out of it when I can make them like the Linking Rings "one more time." |
Lawrence O Inner circle French Riviera 6811 Posts |
I'm doing only classics "non nova sed nove"
Classics became classics because they are touching something fundamentally emotional in human beings that is out of any time circumstance. They remained classics however because performers adapted them to the circumstances prevailing in their environment. For the real performer, they offer an additional selfish collateral kick: you fool people with something that most of them know well but you cancel out the solutions they think they know... and you leave them with the Haydn dilemma: a royal delight with less risks to even slightly disappoint any audience. ... much more fun than the latest move (which most often is a distorted flourishy old one).
Magic is the art of emotionally sharing live impossible situations
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Brad Burt Inner circle 2675 Posts |
Have they been performing it for a long time?
Have they been listening to it for a long time? Have they been watching it for a long time? Do they travel long distance to stand and look at it and been doing so for a long time? Do they still use the same recipe after 500 years? You get the idea.... ;-)
Brad Burt
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Andrew Zuber Inner circle Los Angeles, CA 3014 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-04-08 19:48, Whit Haydn wrote: Whit, tell that lady that was selling stuff next to you at the swap meet today that there's something seriously wrong with those linking rings she sold me. They've all got big holes in them.
"I'm sorry - if you were right, I would agree with you." -Robin Williams, Awakenings
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Whit Haydn V.I.P. 5449 Posts |
Andrew:
I think she already knows--she rally saw you coming, Ace. That was Sophie Evans. She is a very great magician and fire-eater. She is a magic consultant, licensed pyrotechnic, and won an Australian Close-Up Magic contest. She helped write a part of my book on Three-Card Monte and part of my book on Fast and Loose. She produced "Rules of Thumb," a three hour set of videos featuring Larry Jennings, Peter Pit, Steve Valentine, Billy McComb, TC Waters and many othe magic legends discussing the thumb tip. |
tommy Eternal Order Devil's Island 16544 Posts |
Rules of Thumb is classic .......well it would have been except for one fellow on it.
If there is a single truth about Magic, it is that nothing on earth so efficiently evades it.
Tommy |
Whit Haydn V.I.P. 5449 Posts |
Yes. Nothing could have been done about that. He wheedled his way on as a a friend of hers...
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Andrew Zuber Inner circle Los Angeles, CA 3014 Posts |
Interesting...I may need to check that out.
"I'm sorry - if you were right, I would agree with you." -Robin Williams, Awakenings
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Rocky Elite user 486 Posts |
These effects may be classics for magicians but, to most audiences, they are not. Ask any person outside the realm of your local magic club to name the classics in magic and chances are they will respond with sawing a woman in two or pulling a rabbit out of a hat.
It's funny how many magician's assume that because we have seen or performed classic effects like the Zombie or linking rings for years and years (mostly by/for other magicians) that the general public must be as exhausted with the effects as some magicians are performing them. There are millions of people who have never, and will never, see these classic effects due to the minuscule number of actual performing magicians in the world (compared to other performance artists). Until the general public can relate to the classics of magic like those of us on the Café, what we consider to be the "classics" are still fresh and new to the average audience...and that's not a bad thing at all! |
Brent McLeod Inner circle 1792 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-04-08 19:48, Whit Haydn wrote: Great post from Whit! I too base a professional act around the classics-the lay audience reactions & feedback after shows is surprising that many people have heard about them but finally get a chance to see them live & done in a way that they really enjoyed etc..... I use various effects during different shows -mainly corporate & Theatre as we tour a lot, like Linking Rings, Zombie,Silk to egg, Bill in Kiwi, Razorblades,3 Card Monte, Snowstorm, Jumbo McCombical, Banknight, Confabulation etc etc....concentrating on presentation & great fun for the lay audiences not Magicians! Saw Whit Haydns show here in Auckland a couple of weeks back at the NZ Magicians Convention, I was stage manager for the public shows, it was full of classics & went down a real treat with the full houses at the theatre-It was fabulous to see!! and got amazing reactions-Classic effects but they were presented in a fabulous manner was very funny but so well done!! Thanks Whit, Brent |
Whit Haydn V.I.P. 5449 Posts |
Thanks, Brent. It was fun working with you.
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-03-31 21:29, Al Angello wrote: Not so. If the audience leaves when you get out your linking rings, you are a bad performer. If the audience stays when you get out your linking rings, and you fool and entertain them with them, you have classic magic.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
Bill Hallahan Inner circle New Hampshire 3222 Posts |
This topic is continued at Classic Magic.
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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