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ted french Inner circle Columbus Ohio 1946 Posts |
I want to put together a video of an myself or other magicians testing out some of the fears we have as magicians. To give you an example, do lay people think specialty decks are trick decks? How about you do you have anymore to add that you want to see tested? Please try to stay on subject, let's not turn this into a discussion about the example I used.
P3
practice practice perform. |
Cyberqat Inner circle You can tell I work on the net from my 2209 Posts |
That we are, most of the time, right
But seriously, top false magio beliefs? Here's my number one... that the secret is all important or even the most important part of magic.
It is always darkest just before you are eaten by a grue.
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ted french Inner circle Columbus Ohio 1946 Posts |
Hmmm good one but how could I test that in the field?
P3
practice practice perform. |
Cyberqat Inner circle You can tell I work on the net from my 2209 Posts |
Well, a number of magicians have stories of how they showed someone who owned a "trick" a really good routine with the same prop and they didn't even realize it was the same thing
Not sure how you create a scientific test though :/ hmm... There was a time when I was a kid where EVERY other kid owned a Svengali deck (thanks to "TV Magic Cards") but I can't think of something like that right now... Okay, here's a way to build a test but it would require doing some revealing. (1) Show a set of laymen a bunch of reveal videos for maybe a half dozen or a dozen different effects that all use similar looking props (cards perhaps?) (2) Then show them a good routine using ONE of the techniques previously revealed to them (3) Ask them on a survey two questions-- (1) Did you recognize the prop or technique used and if so which? (2) How much did you enjoy the presentation. As a control you would show a second control group the routine and give them the survey, but without the reveals first.
It is always darkest just before you are eaten by a grue.
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Cameron Francis V.I.P. 7025 Posts |
Simple Equivoque. Done well works great even though a lot of magicians are scared of it.
MOMENT'S NOTICE LIVE 3 - Six impromptu card tricks! Out now! http://cameronfrancismagic.com/moments-notice-live-3.html
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Mr. Mystoffelees Inner circle I haven't changed anyone's opinion in 3623 Posts |
Good subject.
I would say that the specs see and understand way more than they do. It took me a year to have the courage to try Blizzard because of the DS. Almost as long with the DL. I am still amazed at what goes thru without notice... Hey, how's things? Jim
Also known, when doing rope magic, as "Cordini"
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Failed Magician Inner circle Still working on the DL even after made 2100 Posts |
IMO, the fear itself comes from us that already knew the method. So we keep telling ourselves that the method is so simple even every layman would be able to figure it out in two seconds.
Magic comes through perception. -HS
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Jonathan Townsend Eternal Order Ossining, NY 27297 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-10-07 21:02, Cameron Francis wrote: yes, that's a pretty scary belief. Good one.
...to all the coins I've dropped here
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BarryFernelius Inner circle Still learning, even though I've made 2537 Posts |
A few magician's beliefs that are probably false:
1. If you bring a card to the top of the deck using a double undercut, no layman will suspect anything. 2. Most of our tricks completely fool the vast majority of the public a vast majority of the time. 3. Cheesy comedy is good enough in the context of a magic show. 4. The public can't tell the difference between an experienced, polished, professional sleight of hand artist and an amateur who's been performing for a few years. 5. Most magicians can perform a simple equivoque deceptively.
"To achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan and not quite enough time."
-Leonard Bernstein |
funsway Inner circle old things in new ways - new things in old ways 9981 Posts |
The biggest false believe is that magicians "make" the magic happen. We may create the conditions under which a spectator might think "magic," or even orchestrate a chain of reasoning and emotions for which "magic" is the only conclusion -- buy "magic" happens in the minds of the spectator, no where else.
the next biggest falsehood is that the purpose of magic is to fool people. somewhere down the list is the belief that a value of something is determined by a price tag.
"the more one pretends at magic, the more awe and wonder will be found in real life." Arnold Furst
eBooks at https://www.lybrary.com/ken-muller-m-579928.html questions at ken@eversway.com |
andini1 New user UK 93 Posts |
Some magicians believe that when "packet tricks" are taken out of a small card-wallet, they arouse suspicion (??)
I think this is a false belief. Surely, to a lay person, a few cards are no more (or less) suspicious than a full deck. What difference does it make where the cards are kept. They are expecting us to do something magical or sneaky. Providing that we start dirty, finish clean and importantly entertain along the way - it shouldn't matter. A good trick is a good trick is a good trick. I think that this could be easily tested. |
taiga Veteran user Chicoutimi, Qc 317 Posts |
One that is completely false is:
"When a spectator/helper doesn't follow your instructions well, it's because he didn't understand what you said or you pick the wrong one" Sorry guys, you're the only responsible. Your instructions must be "foolest of the foolest" proof and you must take great care when you choose someone. Be ready to assume. After all, you're the one in charge on stage or at the table!... |
Faster New user Texas 57 Posts |
Ted, your title asks for factoids (commonly held beliefs that are probably false and are unverified), but your initial message asks for magicians' fears, then, what does the laity think. So.... I'm not sure my reply is appropriate but going on the basis that your subject title is the real question you wanted to ask:
My candidate for factoid status is the annually-circulated premise that a magic effect must somehow apply to the moment, to the interests and needs of the spectators. A classic explanation: You and your friend are hanging around and [s]he says, "I'm hungry. Wanna get something to eat?" You reply, "Sure, but wait a second, watch this!" You pull a rabbit or an electric drill or something out of your hip pocket which, just moments before, was obviously not bulging so your friend is amazed at your ability. That's bad, no matter how you dress it up, no matter the theatrics because (according to this premise) a rabbit or an electric drill is of no use to either of you at that moment in time. Now, suppose instead (as the premise goes) that you pull a ham sandwich out of your pocket after your friend suggests a bite to eat. This, according to the premise, is the foundation for good magic. You still need theater and all that, but at least the effect is appropriate to the moment and means something to your spectator. Well, following that theory, cups and balls is out. Coin magic, unless you can produce far more coins in net that you vanish, is also out. Rope magic is useless. Metamorphosis is pointless because you trap yourself inside a box and need someone else to get you out. Levitation sucks because you can only go up a little ways, then you have to come back down to the same spot you started from. In fact, none of the awe-inspiring (if done well) effects of magic qualify as "appropriate to the moment or meaningful to the spectator." Yet the spectator pays big bucks to see these performed well. The premise requires that David Copperfield and Lance Burton aren't performing good magic. Would you pay 100 per ticket to attend a performance on the hopes the mage can produce a softer seat cushion for you? Or produce a drink for you at just the moment you're getting thirsty? That's worth your 100 bucks but everything else they do is junk because it has no meaning? Or would you rather see the mage do something pointless like make the Space Shuttle vanish then return? Or something useless like making little red balls appear and disappear under, between and on top of some cups and do it right under your nose, repeatedly, slowly, and let you examine the cups and balls? Or something impractical like levitating an assistant out over the audience, returning her to the starting point and, when done and the covering cloth is removed, the assistant has disappeared? This premise requires that "The Gambler vs. The Magician" would be a great card trick because it might make people think they, too, can cheat at cards and win some money! But "Out of this World," considered by many to be the best card trick of the 20th century, is actually junk. Who cares if you can separate red and black cards without looking at them? Ace productions? Good (same reason—gambling). Oil and Water? Junk (same reason—who cares about separating black from red?) Please. It's performance and presentation. I can't for the life of me figure out how "2001: A Space Odyssey" applies to any practical interests I might ever have had, but I still enjoyed the film. "Dracula" is utterly meaningless in practical terms (except maybe that I shouldn't transport a bunch of coffins with dirt in them), but it's a darned good read. The Indy 500 is, as things go, an utter waste of time for the spectator. The only thing a spectator learns is that if you build a better machine you can get right back where you started 3 seconds sooner than the other guy can. Nevertheless, 400K people cram into the raceway every year to see who gets back to the starting point first. Richard |
funsway Inner circle old things in new ways - new things in old ways 9981 Posts |
Following the "appropriate to the moment or meaningful to the spectator" theme Ia gree that most popular effects do not qualify except for the growing need for people "to be entertained" rather than entertaining themsleves -- a need that may overcome "need a sandwich" in the Needs Hierarchy. It would certainly seem wise for any magician to have a repretoire of effects performable with "found objects" at the moment of need. Whiel your friend is waiting for his sandwish to arrive you can do C&B with a coffee cup and jelly packs to divert his mind from hunger.
"the more one pretends at magic, the more awe and wonder will be found in real life." Arnold Furst
eBooks at https://www.lybrary.com/ken-muller-m-579928.html questions at ken@eversway.com |
The great Gumbini Inner circle 3062 Posts |
I really have to agree with Failed Magician on this. I have had this exact thing happen to me. I would sit for hours sometimes trying to figure out an effect, then once I learned it I would always think the audience would figure it out. They did not of course but that thought was always there. I finally began to realize once an effect is practiced enough this feeling really does start to fade away. But again I agree 100 percent with Failed Magician.
Good magic to all, Eric |
panlives Inner circle 2087 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-10-07 21:02, Cameron Francis wrote: So right.
"Is there any point to which you would wish to draw my attention?"
"To the curious incident of the dog in the night-time." "The dog did nothing in the night-time." "That was the curious incident," remarked Sherlock Holmes. |
panlives Inner circle 2087 Posts |
"My double lift is imperceptible."
"Is there any point to which you would wish to draw my attention?"
"To the curious incident of the dog in the night-time." "The dog did nothing in the night-time." "That was the curious incident," remarked Sherlock Holmes. |
panlives Inner circle 2087 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-10-10 19:32, Faster wrote: Faster, Great post. And thank you for finally demystifying the allure of car racing. Your comment reminds me of how Sherlock Holmes described horse racing: “For some reason it seems perpetually to astonish the British public that one horse can run faster than another.”
"Is there any point to which you would wish to draw my attention?"
"To the curious incident of the dog in the night-time." "The dog did nothing in the night-time." "That was the curious incident," remarked Sherlock Holmes. |
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