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XaviorSpade V.I.P. New York City 124 Posts |
I love asking people this question as it brings up topics that people shy away from. Lets go at it head on.
What is more important to you as a magician, Performance quality or technical proficiency ?AAAANNNNDDDDD why. |
marc_carrion Special user 639 Posts |
I think both... technique is only 10% of the trick, but without that 10% you can not do the rest. It does not matter if we are talking about difficult techniques or easier techniques. When you do a DL, it needs to be perfect. If you can not palm a card, don't palm cards. But what makes the magic entertaining is the performance. Unless you can be entertaining, it does not matter how complicated or perfect your technique is, people will be bored and would not enjoy your performance. So, I would say both, proficient technique as a requirement, and performance quality as to entertain.
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helder Inner circle Portugal 1065 Posts |
Good question.
For me a balance between the two are the best answer.
My version of Eddie fetcher "Be Honest What's it?" it's available at Penguin Magic
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mikelsc Regular user 139 Posts |
Performance of course.
When I got to US I am privileged to watch such performers as Rob Zabrecky, Derek DelGaudio, Max Maven, Guy Hollingworth, Jared Kopf, Paul Vigil, among many others. Yes they have chops, some very, very good chops, but what struck me the most is their ability to perform. As Henning Nelms brilliantly put, "The magic of drama is infinitely more powerful than the magic of trickery. It is as available to the conjurer as it is to the actor. The only difference is that actors take it for granted, whereas few conjurers are even aware that it exists." |
XaviorSpade V.I.P. New York City 124 Posts |
That is a strong statement mikelsc but ask yourself this If you saw those same magicians and they did not have chops would you have remembered them the same way? If they were not technically proficient in any way would you still have enjoyed their performances the same?
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mikelsc Regular user 139 Posts |
Everyone knows a good balance between technique and performance is the best. The hard part is decide that balance.
If I have to choose between "a performer with no chops" and "a mechanic with no performance", I would probably choose the performer. As much as I love magic and sleight of hand, and I know those moves tickle me so much, I just cannot stand a bland performance nowadays, that is if I'm buying a ticket rather than just chatting or sessioning. That is, of course, an extreme example. The point I'm trying to make is that performance skills are so prevalent that people pay a lot more attention to them than us magicians think. We are much more afraid of exposing a secret sleight than exposing unpolished showmanship. Whereas both hurt the experience of magic. So I personally would put more effort on performance skills, just because I was not aware of how terrible my "performance technique" was. That is not to say I don't see technique as important. I love techniques and moves as well. Just my thoughts. |
Zee Regular user Leonia, NJ 196 Posts |
I never understand why we have to balance Technique and Performance. We are just limiting ourselves with a wrong way of thinking. Why are we not trying to make them both 100%. It might be hard, but it's good to have a goal, isn't it. I have seen some beasts doing some technical stuff with an entertaining presentation, so I think it is totally possible to get both Technique and Performance.
I don't think as the performance gets better the technique gets badder(Is it even a word haha) or vice versa. Zee |
paisa23 Inner circle 7293 Posts |
I have to be honest and I think a great Technique is the performers goal before he can perform it. Performance is for me a bigger goal and that is because I love to perform for laymen. I'm 36 yrs old been doing magic in some way or form since I was 16. I will be the first to tell you that I cannot do what I see kids doing at that same young age. I see some amazing techniques and I am jealous of a lot of it. However I have seen some of those great dudes and dudettes with phenomenal technique fall flat with a lay audience because the performance lacks. I have had close friends tell me they saw someone on tv do something that they have seen me do but it wasn't magical in that persons hands or routine. I dread and honestly never perform for magicians unless its for guidance or sessioning or an open type of situation. I never felt comfortable BECAUSE I know they know what I am trying to do and that has always gotten into my head. But if its for a lay group my confidence screams out through my performance. My top change isn't silent but as good as I have mastered it so far, my pass is not invisible but its always done on the off beat or under misdirection. Again not due to lack of practice but to me its just as good as I have gotten with it. When I perform for the lay I never think about technique, I'm good and ready to perform because I have practiced and am ready to try and astonish. At that point its second nature even if I slip or flash. I know that when I am performing I have them involved and am not concerned if my palm has a window. In a nutshell Technique is VERY important but your ability to perform that effect and connect with that audience is what makes that effect magical. If you are lucky enough to do both perfectly then that is AMAZING and I truly applaud you. However I do think, that Performance is a little bit more important (TO ME) but that's because I believe its what takes an effect from a piece of magic/trick to a moment of astonishment (SEE WHAT I DID THERE?)
June 22 2012 9:02 AM baby Usnavi was born!
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