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mitchb2 Elite user 455 Posts |
I've mentioned before that my BIL is a jerk, and I've quit performing magic when he's around. The problem is, the rest of the family is a great audience and are genuinely fooled.
They're all coming over Friday for my wife's birthday, and I really want to try some new stuff for them, especially Ultimate 3 Card Monte and some rope magic. I was thinking of just taking my BIL aside at the beginning, showing him the secrets, and saying "There. Now you know. You don't need to yell anything out." He's the kind of guy who will buy or research a trick, just to know the secret. He has no intention of learning or performing. I did Healed and Sealed for them perfectly, and he ruined it. Especially the "healed" part. I figure if I nip it in the bud, he may shut up and feel like he's part of it. Of course he'll ruin it for his wife, but not until they get home. What do you think? |
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spatlind Special user still moving 863 Posts |
Wow, what a pain the the a**! I don't know if I would voluntarily spill the beans, but it may well be worth taking him aside before you start and saying that you'd be happy to talk to him about it, but that others would like to enjoy the show, so let you do your stuff without interruption. Apart from that, I reckon you need to be doing something that he can't just walk into a shop and buy for himself, ie somthing from a book rather than a marketed item. Or as a last resort send him out back to get something and have some of your mates knock him over the head, apply duct tape etc...
Scott
Actions lie louder than words - Carolyn Wells
I believe in God, only I spell it Nature - Frank Lloyd Wright. |
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J.Robert Loyal user Gettysburg, PA 240 Posts |
I agree, find something from a book or not easily found in a shop or online (make sure you don't mention the name of the effect), learn it to perfection, and FRY him with it. That's the best way to shut them up.
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mrunge Inner circle Charleston, SC 3716 Posts |
Do NOT take him aside and tell him how everything is done in hopes of keeping him quiet. Absolutely NOT!!!
Tell everyone, up front, that you'll be glad to entertain them with some magic as long as it's enjoyable for ALL, including you. If anyone starts ruining the experience, just stop. Call them on it and make everyone aware of why you're stopping. He'll get the message and hopefully shut up. If not, quit, go have some more cake and get back to the party! You're there as much of a guest as everyone else. You're NOT hired help who can be abused by those in attendance. Mark. |
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john scot Special user brighton, uk 585 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-04-22 11:47, mrunge wrote: I've nothing to add.. Except, brilliant advice! Cheers Mark, John |
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Father Photius Grammar Host El Paso, TX (Formerly Amarillo) 17161 Posts |
No question about it, telling him how everything works will not only encourage him, but will just make it easier for him. Your best tactic is to continue to perform only when he isn't around.
"Now here's the man with the 25 cent hands, that two bit magician..."
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Branden Darcel New user Colorado Springs, CO 72 Posts |
Mark hit the nail on the head.
And like others have said, telling him the secrets will do the opposite of what your trying to accomplish. He needs to learn some respect, and telling him how to do the effects is not going to teach him that. B
Branden Darcel
Mental Illusionist |
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Brad Burt Inner circle 2675 Posts |
Your brother-in-law has a problem that may or may not need to be dealt with in therapy. Really. Leaving that aside you are in a no win situation ..... unless, you do the following: Just don't do magic when he's around. At all. Nada. Zip. Either before he comes or after he leaves.
If he asks you why then just tell him up front that he obviously has a problem with what you are doing so why inflict it upon him? Since he can't contain his 'need', and it IS a 'need' on his part to not just be 'right' about what is going on, but to do so in a manner which ruins it for both you and those with a less damaged ego. When I was first getting going I found a variety of folks that in the end I realized that I just simply couldn't do magic for them or in their presence and so I did not. Was it inconvenient at times? Yep. But, man o' man was it much easier on my temper and blood pressure! Note also that these 'people' almost always arise within the context of a family or personal friend situation. The reasons are really important for this being so, it just is. Thus once you know the enemy you must do what you can to avoid conflict. Playing Neville Chamberlain to your brother-in-laws Adolf Hitler will end up working about as well as did Chamberlain's appeasement. On the other hand, I could be totally wrong! Maybe your brother-in-law is really a spiffy guy and he's just morbidly intelligent and socially unskilled and if you took him aside and simply asked him not to blurt out how he thinks things are done, he'd do so? I don't know. Don't know him. Go with what you truly think will work out best for you, your audience and magic as a whole. Been where you are and I disliked it. Good luck,
Brad Burt
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Cyar Regular user 132 Posts |
We'll be holding our breath till you post what happened.
I told those f***s down at the league office a thousand times that I don't roll on Shabbos!
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mitchb2 Elite user 455 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-04-22 14:46, Brad Burt wrote: He's 36 going on 12. In every respect, mentally and socially speaking. I'll do some magic while he's dealing with a diaper or something. His wife is a blast to do magic for. |
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Poliphilo New user 57 Posts |
Try out Stuck to the Floor by Fraser Parker on him next time before you perform anything else to anyone. He will find that he is unable to speak. Safely continue the rest of your routine while he watched on dumbfounded.
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MickeyPainless Inner circle California 6065 Posts |
Mark said it better than I could!
One of my sisters is a kill joy and after one (and only one) time of her antics I heeded the advice given here. Now when I'm around the family they all tell her to go away so they can see my magic! LMAO! She now either leaves the room or sits quietly in the corner while everyone else has fun. |
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irossall Special user Snohomish, Washington 529 Posts |
You could volunteer him for the Bullet Catch since he knows how everything is done. When the Police arrive just tell them it was supposed to be a blank in the gun (accidents happen).
Iven
Give the gift of Life, Be an Organ Donor.
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Angel Freire New user Long Island, NY 72 Posts |
I like Irossall's idea. Might use that for some of my co-workers.
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Bendy Special user Columbus, Ohio 518 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-04-22 11:47, mrunge wrote: I would just like to add one thing: "Yeah. What he said!" I totally concur. Do NOT show that guy anything. Those types of people don't deserve to have magic performed for them; let alone be given any secrets. |
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davidpaul$ Inner circle Georgetown, South Carolina 3086 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-04-22 22:39, Bendy wrote: Ditto !! Exactly what he said !!!!!!
Guilt will betray you before technique betrays you!
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abc Inner circle South African in Taiwan 1081 Posts |
Don't take my comment the wrong way. You are letting your fear of being embarrased by an idiot getting in the way of what is right and wrong. The general rule is to not tell. Don't let him break the rule. He isn't worth it. I know the feeling where you wish someone would change and they don't. he isn't going to change with influence from the outside. It has to come from within him and you telling him how something works is outside influnece not an inner decision to change.
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mitchb2 Elite user 455 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-04-22 16:46, Poliphilo wrote: Hmmm...could I really do this, or would I be wasting twelve bucks? http://www.lybrary.com/stuck-floor-p-757.html |
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Loopback Veteran user Lincoln, Nebraska 359 Posts |
Tell him to run to the store and get you some toilet paper for a magic trick then just perform while hes gone. When he comes back tell him you made him disappear
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molsen Special user Copenhagen 552 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-04-23 09:03, mitchb2 wrote: You mean whether it would help your BIL situation? No, probably not. He will most likely consider this 'unfair' and try harder to prove he is 'better' than you. He appears to see this as a competition. You 'winning' the first round may have him coming back harder in the 2nd. When choosing effects, consider what the rest of the audience would be entertained by seeing. Buy the booklet if you feel it is well spent on actual spectators. I don't think you should start investing (neither money, emotions, or any other kinds of efforts) in adapting to your BIL. Don't compromise your magic, not for him, not for anyone else. Don't let him take anything away from you as a magician. Michael |
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