Does anyone have someone that you show all your magic to and let them give you feedback, instead of using a vid-cam? I don't have one. Who should I ask?

I'd ask a fellow magician who you respect because they can give you more appropriate and objective feedback than a so called "layman". And if you accidentaly give the secret away it's less of a deal.

My wife can see through anything. If I fool her, I know I've got a winner.

Geoff

That's the same with me, Saxmangeoff. If I fool my mom with a trick, then it will probably fool almost anyone else!

I practise my routines on both laymen and magicians because each give me different types of feedback that help me to improve. However I only do a trick for a layman if I have practised it enough to be completely confident with all of the sleights and if I have good patter for the trick.

I usually use my webcam for practising individual sleights so that I can play it back and watch it from the spectator's point of view so I know what I need to do to improve it. A webcam or camcorder really comes in handy for practising!

Same here, if I can do an effect and my wife has to ASK me, “How did you do that. Show me." I know I have got a winner. She is certainly my toughest audience.

I would def. try to find another magician practice buddy. The downside is you are going to want this person to be fully honest with you, even if it hurts your ego.

I know my try-out friend sometimes gets so excited about his new effect it almost hurts to tell him.." you need to work on it."

Brutally honest is the best way to go, but not always what you want to hear. If you have a camcorder record yourself, talk about a wake up call. My Panasonic is my worst enemy. I hate when he comes arou-er-ah. I mean I take him out. What a wake up call. I am so glad I do not perform effects on television.

That's what the guys in Don's Garage are for. They will tell you what they think, no holds barred. Lorrie is a bit easy, but her eyes aren't what they once were either.

I have a friend that is into magic and I use him. We both give feedback on each other.

I use my wife, and assistant to try out new tricks. I rarely fool her, but I get honest, valuable feedback.

Other magician friends first, to get the technical moves polished. Then my wife to test the effect, followed by other family members and friends.

Just go out there and show it to any person you know,i don't find a better way than that.

Magicians, Assistants ,Laymen, and Associates. These are the categories of people in our world. Associates are people who aren't interested in performing or even learning magic, but have a closer relationship with magicians and the magic world than laymen. Husbands, Wives, and close friends can all be associates. Associates need to understand and obey the rules of secrecy just as if they were an actual magician.

I have a close group of magician friends that are honest and will help correct problems. I also bring on directors, and hope to be working with Amanda Denhart very soon...

We have a core group who are very honest & will tell the the good, bad & ugly. Remember you have to be bad to get good!

I'm using my girfriend, but what I do I tell her before where or when I will do the sleight or secret move. And when she can't see it even she knows that I'm doing it, then I know it's really a good one.