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pierredan Special user Dai Vernon's birthplace 540 Posts |
Mr. Burger,
How do you feel about flourishes during a performance? Is it better to hide our skill with cards or create some interest with some flashy flourishes? When is too much too much? |
Eugene Burger 1939 - 2017 231 Posts |
First of all, I thoroughly enjoy the work of the Extreme Manipulation guys. I think it is a bit sad that so many magicians have been so negative on this subject. I love watching the Buck brothers and others and, when I am at Jeff's, I watch some of the flourish videos. Great fun.
Personally, I try to hide skill in performance BUT that is a personal, theatrical choice and does not mean that I don't appreciate the work of those who do incorporate flourishes in their performances. When is too much too much? As Don Alan would say, "Watch their faces." Thanks for the question. |
wayno Veteran user Canada 323 Posts |
Quote:
First of all, I thoroughly enjoy the work of the Extreme Manipulation guys. I think that statement better answered the question. You classified them as Extreme Card Manipulators and not magicians. I personally liken it to juggling. It takes a lot of skill and practice. I am impressed with it, and enjoy watching as well. But I beleive showy feats of card dexterity take away from the magic. It proves the whole "The hand is quicker than the eye." idea to your spectator. And Jeff is a bad example of flourishing. Yes he is a manipulator. But in his performance he makes a point of doing things, slowly, theatrically, deliberately, and makes everything look like magic. Sincerely, Wayne Stevenson The SpookClub |
Eugene Burger 1939 - 2017 231 Posts |
Wayne, well, yes, I called the manipulators but I think that is what they call themselves. And it isn't all flourishes: I've seen the Buck brothers incorporate some really magical moments with their flourishes. My point is that I really enjoy watching it (whatever we choose to call it). I've seen 14 year olds do the Cobra and other manipulations tht were just unbelievable.
I'm not sure I get your point about Jeff. Yes, there are some slow, beautiful, theatrically deliberate moments but there is also the intensity and speed and the final frantic moments immediately before the mirror breaks in his original Mask Act. I see Jeff's work as a marriage of magic with some flourishes. In the middle of his final card act, for example, he does spin the cards at the same moment from each hand to the other. That is certainly a dramatic flourish. People should do what interests them. Another example: I thoroughly enjoy watching Daryl perform and he will be chattering away in the most delightful way while his two hands, almost as if they are disconnected from him, are doing fairly complicated one-hand card cuts. To me this is a marvelous marriage of magic and flourishes. Of course, it's not everyone's cup of tea -- but, then, what is? |
wayno Veteran user Canada 323 Posts |
Eugene, I'll start off by saying I'm typing this up, but can't recall the exact points I was trying to make this-morning. But I beleive I do have enough thoughts on this subject to continue the conversation.
I beleive they call themselves manipulators because that is what they are. Manipulators of cards. They make a distinction of the two arts by not calling themselves magicians. I hope you don't think me negative on the extreme manipulation artists but I myself see refering to extreme card manipulators as magicians as silly. I find it equally silly to confuse the two based on the fact that playing cards and flourishes/manipulations of the playing cards are involved. The point I was making with respect to Jeff (and this is obviously my own interpretation of his artwork), is that he doesn't present his show as an example of his card manipulation abilities. Rather, he uses his ability (even dramatic flourishes), to make his show and manipulations of cards, appear as if magic were actually happening. I hold Jeff in the highest accaim for card manipulations. When I hear the world "manipulations", he is the one I think of. And he bills himself as a magician, not a manipulator. If you look around his website (http://www.mcbridemagic.com) you will not find many (if any) references to manipulations other than his "Art of Card Manipulation" video series. Sincerely, Wayne Stevenson The SpookClub |
Eugene Burger 1939 - 2017 231 Posts |
Hi Wayne. Yes, Jeff certainly sees himself as a magician and not as a manipulator.
Yet when Jeff introduces his Final Card Routine that almost always closes his show, it begins with Abbi bringing out the poster of Houdini who was the King of Cards and Jeff talks about his hero as a child and "practicing every day of my life, just for you, tonight," etc. This all suggests practice and sleight-of-hand manipulation to me. And now that Jeff has made 3 Records for the Guiness Book of World Records, in the show he mentions this and speaks about "the fastest hands in the world." Of course, I'm just quibbling here. But also making the point that some of these distinctions that at first seemed so clear begin getting muddy when we look at them and try to apply them in specific cases. Wayne, I think we're basically in agreement about enjoying the Extreme Card Manipulators even if everyone doesn't think it is or should be called "magic." (I wonder how many HOURS must it take to perfect The Cobra!?!?) |
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