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Docta FoxXx New user 33 Posts |
Welcome to the Magic Café, Apollo! I'm very excited to have this opportunity to talk with you. I myself am a budding pickpocket but an experienced magician. I wanted to have a very interactive routine with my audience and felt that pickpocketing would not only be fun, but engaging. After watching some various footage of you (and a few others) performing, I felt that pickpocketing would be ideal for audience involvement. I still consider myself a beginner and have some questions for you.
First and foremost, how did you perfect keeping the nerves and adrenaline down before attempting a steal? I frequently falter in my patter whilst going for the steal and my audience takes notice of it, which usually gives me away. Any tips other than just gaining experience? 2. How do you approach your audience about your act? Do you always make them aware that you are going to pickpocket them before you do it? If you don’t tell them, how do you deal with getting busted? This brings me to my next question: 3. Is it possible to find audience members/spectators that would be more willing to subject themselves to something like pickpocketing versus those that do not? 4. Once you've found that person, how do you build such a friendly and intimate relationship with your audience? After watching footage of your performances, I've noticed that you build an extraordinary amount of trust with you audience and maintain a very friendly and respectful atmosphere. At the same time how can I ensure that my audience knows that the pickpocketing is just for entertainment and keep a relaxed, non-intrusive atmosphere going? And for the final subject: 5. How do you make sure that the person you are misleading/misdirecting is having as much fun as the audience? Especially when the audience is in on almost everything and the volunteer is always being fooled? Simple examples could include repeatedly flashing stolen items over the volunteer’s shoulder, a coin routine where the audience knows what is happening but the volunteer doesn’t, etc. How do you make sure they don’t feel like a fool? I apologize for the length but I doubt I'll ever get the chance to talk with you in the future. Thank you for taking the time to visit us and help me in my work to becoming a better pickpocket and having more fun with magic in general! I do hope you enjoy your stay with us. Thanks again, ---Mark PS: is there any place I'd be able to find information on future shows of yours? |
Apollo V.I.P. Los Angeles 77 Posts |
Hello Mark,
Great questions. I would like to provide you with some helpful answers but I need to take a nap first. I didn't want you to think I was ignoring your post. Soon, Apollo |
Docta FoxXx New user 33 Posts |
No problem, I'm up to my neck in work here at college so I can definitely relate. Just woke up...and it's 2pm...
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Docta FoxXx New user 33 Posts |
I was also curious if there are any specific movements/gestures/touches that make you seem less...invasive you could say.
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Docta FoxXx New user 33 Posts |
Eagerly awaiting your input!
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Apollo V.I.P. Los Angeles 77 Posts |
Hi Docta Foxxx,
Thank you for your perpetual patience. Please let me know if missed anything below. ~Apollo When I perform, I navigate between four trains of thought: 1.) Developing an unconscious competence of my techniques. (This will help with your guilt.) 2.) Developing a grift sense. Having a clear objective of where my subject's attention is focused and monitoring that. 3.) Tension management. Maintaining a nonchalant demeanor. (Slydini) 4.) Impression management. (Self awareness) Perceiving how my audience is interpreting the situation, my persona and the relationship between them. "How do you approach your audience about your act?" I have a through line based on a human truth that they can relate to. "Do you always make them aware that you are going to pickpocket them before you do it?" Depends on the context of the performance. But my personal signature is to make an open challenge. "If you don’t tell them, how do you deal with getting busted?" Check this link: http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......um=253&1 "Is it possible to find audience members/spectators that would be more willing to subject themselves to something like pickpocketing versus those that do not?" The ones that do want to subject themselves are usually not the ones you should use. "How do you build such a friendly and intimate relationship with your audience?" Its about developing trust with your participants and handling them with respect. (even if they don't offer you the same in return) Again, it is important to be self-aware of how you are being perceived. "How do you make sure that the person you are misleading/misdirecting is having as much fun as the audience?" I use a barometer to determine their comfort level. I also try to create a dual reality for them. When they hear a laugh from the audience they are led to believe it is for another reason. This gives them a comfort level as they feel they are laughing WITH the audience. "Are there any specific movements/gestures/touches that make you seem less...invasive you could say?" Study about proximity zones (Edward T. Hall) and eye movements (saccadic vs. pursuits). |
Docta FoxXx New user 33 Posts |
Ah excellent! This has been very informative Apollo!
If you don't mind, I have one final question. Hope I'm not wearing you out here Why would you usually not want to select people that are willing to subject themselves to such an act? I greatly appreciate your time helping me out here. Since I started pickpocketing I have gone through many resources (books, videos, etc.) but as of yet have not had the privilege of speaking with another person about my worries. Even better that I get to discuss it with an expert such as yourself! I will have to take a look at your suggestions after finals week is over (only 3 more exams left!) and will have much more time to practice after I move home for the summer. ---Mark |
Apollo V.I.P. Los Angeles 77 Posts |
"Why would you usually not want to select people that are willing to subject themselves to such an act? "
I think you have to look at the difference between someone who is cooperative and some one who is "eager." Eagerness often signifies that they have an objective in this context. That may make your show challenging than you can handle. Especially, if you ask for volunteers and end up with five people with their own agendas. Of course, this is only the case that you have informed the audience that you are a pickpocket. |
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