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Platt Inner circle New York 2011 Posts |
I was asked to perform a magic trick at my company's morning meeting. I decided on Out of This World. In front of some 80 people, and only a few cards into the effect, a girl screams out- Oh, that's so easy!
I ignored it and kept going. Just as I was finishing up and about to do the reveal, she screams- I know how that's done! I chose to ignore her both times, thinking if she truly did know how it was done, the last thing I needed was an overly ambitious girl challenging me. But that's beside the point. Here's the real question: Do you think any magic was lost due to her remarks? (By the way, I found out after the fact she really had no idea how it was done. She thought I was bottom dealing.)
Sugar Rush is here! Freakishly visual magic. http://www.plattmagic.com
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
It has to do with self-ego. The person yelling out wanted attention and ignoring her gave her the belief in what she was saying was right.
This is where ad-libing the moment comes into play. A quick answer is, "Your right, the shuffling part is easy, the hard part is putting them all back in the same place, but that's another trick." "You know how that's done, Oh wow, you got one on David Copperfield, he asked me to show him how it was done, and I asked him to show me how to fly? I drove here tonight!" Make light of it and if quick enough, without intimidating, it increases the Magic. Magic is in the minds of the viewer. That is a tough question and only you can answer that.
Dennis Michael
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Tom Cutts Staff Northern CA 5925 Posts |
If I listen to her what I hear is "Why are YOU dealing the cards instead of the participant?"
She presumed it was because you were false dealing. Could the routine be better if it wasn't you who dealt the cards? |
Marduke Kurios Veteran user Vancouver, Canada 316 Posts |
Platt,
If any, I think only a little 'magic' was possibly lost here... It really depends how your audience reacted in the end. If less than favorable, then Dennis is right on the money here. A re-direction of attention is needed in this situation. Ignoring an 'accusation', interuption' or 'hurdle' only makes your audience aware of her comment. Subconciously they will become aware of your non-response to the statement, making the event stand out in their mind. I think it's best to recover with an immediate leading of thought into another area. So your play continues... (and I would get them to deal if I could.)
Live well,
Laugh often, Love always. To the world you might be one person, but to one person you just might be the world. Without Prejudice, All Rights Reserved. |
Daniel Meadows Veteran user Manchester, UK 392 Posts |
Quote- "And I would get them to deal if I could"
->You can!It is called Galaxy by Paul Harris in AoA. I would check out the other thread about this too. As for the person saying I know how it is done, well it is a tough one. The last thing you want to do is say "Ok why don't you tell everyone?" because if she thinks she has a solution then there is no magic, unless something you then do conflicts with her previously held beliefs, rendering her solution unworkable. Even then the magic has been reduced to the challenge aspect. Learning from it and changing the routining after the event should help, but that does not help you when you are in that situation. Was any magic lost? For her, yes, for the others, probably not, it depends on how you reacted to what she said.
Cerberus Wallet, Equilibrium, Counterfeit, Deadly Marked Deck, Infamous, Instinct
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Paul Inner circle A good lecturer at your service! 4409 Posts |
I agree with Tom, when I used to do it years ago, the spectator dealt the cards. Makes it far stronger and eliminates the possibility you are somehow controlling the action. Bringing the spectator's s psychic potential to the fore, with you acting as a catalyst, has a feel good factor about it.
Remember to dig out the sucker trick you never use, to show her at the Xmas party Paul Hallas. |
Martin_H Regular user Austria 164 Posts |
There is a discussion on out of this world effects in the card section - and there are several versions where a spectator can deal the cards (or you begin and a spec goes on)!
Just an idea: Darwin Ortiz's book "strong magic" - you can improve your magic, by thinking what a spectator expects or assumes as explanation - for out of this world "maybe he deals false?" as spec explanation, then you should let him deal the cards... This thinking really resumes to strong(er) magic Martin
life is real magic
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Gianni Special user WILMINGTON, DE 993 Posts |
I think this is a very awkward and embarrassing occurence, and I sympathize with Platt.
I have used the following ploy with some success. I draw everyone's attention to the person and say something like, "Well, you get the deck next, and you can show everyone what you can do." Then just continue. I say this in the very most polite and collegial way, as if we are colleagues. I try to give the person the opportunity they crave - mass attention. While there is some risk, most will back down at the challenge especially when the fear is realized that they may not have much to offer. Gianni |
Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
There is absolutely NO way that a spectator can ruin the magic.
ONLY the magician can do that: By not reading the audience properly, by not preseting the trick correctly, by not having the right personality for the trick, crowd, and/or venue. If you are performing, you HAVE to be able to think on your feet. So, as Dear Abby used to say, "if life hands you a lemon, make lemonade." cheers, Peter Marucci showtimecol@aol.com |
Philemon Vanderbeck Inner circle Seattle, WA 4694 Posts |
Quote:
So, as Dear Abby used to say, "if life hands you a lemon, make lemonade." Shouldn't that be, "If life hands you a lemon, it's your job to find a signed dollar bill inside of it"?
Professor Philemon Vanderbeck
That Creepy Magician "I use my sixth sense to create the illusion of possessing the other five." |
Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
Philemon,
Well, Abby never met Prof. Hoffmann. Or one of those guys! cheers, Peter Marucci showtimecol@aol.com |
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