|
|
Aledkazam New user Wales (United Kingdom) 8 Posts |
2 months ago I was asked by my brother-in-law if I would do some magic at his wedding. He has seen me do some bits and bobs for friends and family and thought it would be fun. I nervously agreed but only to do a few things for his table in the evening.
I spent the next 2 months practicing and practicing and practicing. I also spent time on here reading advice given to other budding magicians as I was not yet a member of the forum. This advice from experienced magicians combined with the principles I had been reading about in Tarbell were put into practice on the evening in question. This advice being: Limit the number of tricks you do. Practice ALOT before attempting anything at the wedding and do not repeat the same trick twice once at the wedding. I performed my own little versions of the following things for the bride and groom on a table while they had drinks with friends outside in the garden of the venue. 1. I did the cut and restored card for the groom which went over very well and got a good reaction. 2. I had the bride pick a card and then when she went to the car it was enlarged int he front windscreen. 3. Followed this up with the Chicago opener which probably got the best reaction even though my handling was not perfect. 4. Next I went inside and switched decks to a tapered deck which allowed me to do a little routine where their card is the only card face up in a deck of face down cards (not sure of its name but) 5. Finally after a second deck switch I finished with a Svengali deck routine which left one person flabbergasted. He had followed me inside and was sure I was using the same deck which I had let him inspect outside. I learned several things by dipping my toe into the waters of Magic at this wedding Firstly, You get just as good a reaction to a relatively simple trick i.e using the Svengali deck as you do the routine you have been practicing for house and hours i.e the ripped and restored card. This is probably only the case when combined with other things however. I think If I had only done things with a Svengali deck people would have caught on pretty quickly that the deck was not normal. Secondly, despite being sure of what I was going to do and how I was going to do it I was very much affected by nerves. My hands were shaking...properly shaking, making some of the slights much more difficult. I am hoping this will lessen the more I perform. Thirdly, People do not even consider the fact that I may have brought multiple decks and this makes it easy to let them see the cards after a routine. Also, You have to think on your feet and not dwell on things going wrong. My DL during the Chicago opener went wrong and I lifted 3 cards, They said "That's not my card." and I was able to say, "I know, because this is your card!" Thank goodness the lighting wasn't brilliant or I would have been found out. The main thing I learned from this is that I need to perform more...creating that look on peoples faces and getting lots of questions like, "How the bloody hell did you do that!?" and "He let me hold the cards earlier so they are not dodgy...I don't understand...It's freaking me out." was very pleasing and it has got me completely hooked. It may be many months before a similar opportunity arises but I shall endeavour to perfect these same routines and maybe add one or two more, with a bit of luck I'll stop shaking. I am not looking to enlighten anyone with this post, I am new to magic myself. I am just very pleased and wanted to share with people who would understand. TLDR: Did magic at a wedding, learned a few things from it. |
fab1an New user 61 Posts |
That sounds great! Congratulations on that, you should definitely keep digging into it!
You should take every chance you can and perform for other people, friends, and especially friends of friends or family! If you asked me some weeks ago I would have answered that it will still take a bit of time until I have some gigs and guess what. Last saturday I performed at an garden party (table hopping) for about 20 guests and instantly landed a gig on a corporate event of one of the guests. Additionaly, some friends of my girlfriend want me to perform on their birthday partys aswell in september. Just keep going! PS.: If you have some further questions or something you want to talk about, feel free to send me a PM! |
Aledkazam New user Wales (United Kingdom) 8 Posts |
I will keep on performing for friends and friends of friends but it will be a long time before I would be willing to perform magic in return for money but that is something to aim for long term.
|
Doug Trouten Elite user Minnesota 471 Posts |
Thank you for sharing your experience. I'm impressed with the lessons you took away from the performance. I thought your first point was a particularly good one: the audience doesn't care how hard you're working to achieve the effect, they just care about the effect itself and whether or not they were entertained. While magicians might appreciate knuckle-busting moves, the average layperson just wants a bit of mystery and laughter.
It's still magic even if you know how it's done.
Terry Pratchett |
SamChak Elite user 478 Posts |
Quote:
On Aug 31, 2016, Doug Trouten wrote: True from the spectator's point of view. However, from the magician's perspective, the quality of the effect displayed almost always directly proportional to the amount of efforts the magician puts in the performance of the effect. |
Gorlzax New user 39 Posts |
Very good reflecting on your first gig! And congratulations for your courage. As you probably know, courage isn't the absence of fear but rather being afraid and still doing it. 😊
I'm a professional actor and still was nervous as hell to start showing my magic to anybody. Somebody here said to me that that it will get easier - and you know what, I don't have even so many gigs under my belt, but it is already getting easier. Keep at it! Alex |
Doug Trouten Elite user Minnesota 471 Posts |
I agree, Sam. But I think "the spectator's point of view" is far more important than "the magician's perspective."
It's still magic even if you know how it's done.
Terry Pratchett |
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Right Alex! "Repetitio est mater studiorum" (Repetition is the mother of students) and, IMO, performers, too!
ABSOLUTELY! Doug.! I agree, 110 %!
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
|
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
So! Aled, you "survived"!
--And, it appears that you, in spite of a bit of "first night" jitters, enjoyed your performance, as well as the "customers" did! "Chicago Opener" is a CLASSIC for a good reason. Burling Hull's invention (Svengali deck) is too often regarded as only a pitchman's trick. Used properly, it can be a fine bit in a program. (Just don't get "greedy with a principle"!) Another example: I saw Eddie McLaughlin "KILL" an audience of amateur magicians with SI STEBBINS! Eddie did almost TWENTY MINUTES, with SI STEBBINS! He would do three strong tricks, and shuffle. Then he talked for a minute with some amusing stories, (AND, COLD DECKED!) Then another couple of tricks, He repeated this "routine" three or four times! He absolutely "destroyed" the group with a bit of "technique" and "chutzpah"! The key to making magic ENTERTAINING is a very basic acronym: KIS MIF (Keep It Simple Make It Fun)!!!
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
|
Aledkazam New user Wales (United Kingdom) 8 Posts |
Thank you all so much for taking the time to comment. It is nice to come home from work and see that people have taken time out of their day to comment on how my first "gig" went and this is why I like the Café so much already.
Being able to talk to magicians has already taught me so much. I will admit that I am often having to google terms used on here to find out what they mean. I've just spent some time reading about SI STEBBINS which was very interesting indeed. I also had to look up the word "Chutzpah" and have discovered that "chutzpah" is definitely something I am in need of. |
SamChak Elite user 478 Posts |
Quote:
On Aug 31, 2016, Aledkazam wrote: Envision a memorable experience you want to leave with your spectator so you can construct and choreograph a streamlined routine that leads to compelling interest by employing the most deceptively effective method. This way you can "fool" and entertain the laymen and maybe, some magicians. |
Aledkazam New user Wales (United Kingdom) 8 Posts |
I think that thinking about what the spectator will experience rather than just what they will "see" is great advice. Building a linked together set of routines with patter that is suitable for the spectator I am performing for is where the real challenge lays now if I stick to the same 5 "tricks". That and finding enough time to practice with a four month old baby in the house, although he is mesmerised by my hindu shuffling which ia a bonus.
|
jimhlou Inner circle 3698 Posts |
Just keep it up - the jitters will eventually go away. As far as the reaction goes, the spectator only sees the end result. Why bust a nut with fancy card work when an invisible deck will work??
|
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Quote:
On Sep 1, 2016, SamChak wrote: Sam means well about efforts. (here comes "a but": But, use your effort(s) to improve your PRESENTATION, more than the sleights!) keep in mind what you learned about "Mr. Svengali"! The EFFECT is ALWAYS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE METHOD!!!!! Example: My Misers Dream CLOSES the SHOW! (i can't follow it!!!) It's all in my PRESENTATION. I use a finger p*lm, and, occasionally, a thumb p*lm. It certainly wont fool magicians, >>>BUT<<< it ENTERTAINS an AUDIENCE! My ball routine gets SOLID LAUGHS, & APPLAUSE. I use a finger p*lm and, a classic p*lm! (Ten times the response than when I did the multiplying routine!!!) Learn a sleight, when you need it, to do a trick that will create an ENTERTAINING EFFECT. Most of my act, is subtleties, then sleights! My favorite "definition" of magic is: Magic is an art that involves 5% sleight of hand skills, 5% perceptual illusions, 5% esoteric science principles, and EIGHTY-FIVE PERCENT, PSYCHOLOGY!!! I normally use only one "box" in the show, and only occasionally, as a "pad", when I need a few extra minutes. It's a DEMON WONDER BOX". It's about 3" tall x 2" x 2". It produces a few silks, and gets big laughs. Otherwise, I use silks, golf balls, rope, cards, coins, egg bag, a bottle of water, a torn & restored bit of paper, etc. On very special occasions, I use the old faithful mutilated parasol, or Disecto (depending on ages of the audience.
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
|
Aledkazam New user Wales (United Kingdom) 8 Posts |
I shall endeavour to heed this advice and find an opportunity to give some new peoplegreat experience.
|
javlin5 New user 42 Posts |
Now I dare you to go out and repeat that show 20 more times.
Have fun! |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » New to magic? » » Learning by doing, The things I learned from my first performance in public. (5 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.05 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |