|
|
Mr Pink Regular user 120 Posts |
Hi guys,
I remember reading in the Dai Vernon Book of Magic how Slydini would never perform until he had the perfect conditions for it. If I recall he was likened to a good general, strategically manoeuvring everyone into the ideal position for him to perform. This all sounds great, but in reality how often do you guys have the luxury of this? How often do you get the opportunity to sit at a green felt table (or equivalent) and perform your magic? I would assume the professionals among us will almost never have perfect conditions and it's their ability to adapt to their environment that makes them the professional that they are. I'm sure years of trial, error and encountering almost every possible scenario has honed this ability. But I guess they have no choice. But what of us amateurs? As a hobbyist I spend most of my practice time sitting at my card table. I'm told though that this is NOTHING like any situation I will ever encounter in the real world. Surely though, those of us who perform purely for fun are in a unique position. Whatever our perfect scenario would be why cant we ensure it happens. Whether we set up a table at an old folks home, a fete or wherever. Why can't we afford to create the "perfect conditions" for us. Maybe walk around and table hopping is the perfect condition for some but I know I feel far more comfortable sat at a table. Would love to know your thoughts. Regards Mr Pink |
Wes65 Inner circle I've said very little in 1219 Posts |
If you are performing in a controlled venue there's no reason you can't, for the most part, have the conditions you want. Simply tell whomever is running the venue what you'll need.
If you are in a less controlled situation you have to know what you can and can not do and what the limitations are for what you plan to do. Then control the situation to your advantage in such a way that no one knows you are controlling the situation or that you have limitation. For example, if you are doing something with tough angles, stand in the corner. If you need people to move so you can get there, tell them it's so everyone can see better. If you are at a table and need to switch places with some one so your back will be against the wall, tell him you feel a breeze on your cards and it only takes a little breeze to move a card and mess everything up. Finally, if you've committed to perform and you don't know what conditions you will face, make sure you have some effects you can perform in any condition. If you're not committed and you don't like the conditions, don't perform.
Wes
|
Mr Pink Regular user 120 Posts |
Thanks for your insight Wes65.
I like the idea of a controlled venue, it seems to appeal to me more. I realise as a professional you can't be so precious about the environment otherwise you'd never make a living. I have tried the odd bit of walk around and hated it on various levels. The two main ones being: 1. Approaching people cold is too much of a psychological barrier for me to the point of making me ill. 2. Having to discard tricks that the audience love and I love performing because there is a risk the environment wont be sympathetic to them. For those reasons I've learnt to appreciate doing magic for fun. This allows me to get into a position where spectators approach me in an environment I have chosen. A format I would think would be difficult to make much money from. I don't perform this way often. But when I do it works well, everyone has fun and I get a buzz. I just wondered if anyone else is as into this way of working as I am. Mr Pink |
TengLun New user 5 Posts |
I agree with you that it is hard to get past that initial barrier. When I
was younger, even the thought of performing on the spot, no matter what I was doing (Magic, guitar, whatever) made me ill. But I think the more I practiced, the better I felt about it, and the more I embarrassed myself, the less I ended up caring in the long run. I think stage magic is terrific, but having a magician walk up to you on the street and perform for you unexpectedly is really a treat. And if they fudge it up a bit? Well, not a big deal. But for me, being on stage having people expect it can be even more intimidating. Either way, people care less about us making mistakes than we do. And thankfully, they notice mistakes a lot less too Seth Turnlund |
DomKabala Inner circle I've grown old after diggin' holes for 2827 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-08-06 05:34, Mr Pink wrote: “A good general chooses his battlefield.” -Tony Slydini- Perfection is rarely attainable...strive instead for "near perfection'... Cardamagically, Dom
We don't stop playing when we grow old...we grow old when we stop playing.
God is enough, let go, let God. Gal 2:20 "Anything of value is not easily attained and those things which are easily attained are not of lasting value." |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » New to magic? » » Perfect Conditions (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.01 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |