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Paul Rathbun Inner circle Michigan 2543 Posts |
If you work long enough, it is bound to happen. Sometimes it may be your fault. Maybe a sleight you've done a thousand times just doesn't go smooth as normal. Other times it could be a logical thinker calling out a solution that happens to be right. Maybe you are employing a gimmick that for some reason fails or malfunctions.
For me, it just depends on who it is and what the situation is in that moment. If a child says he knows how something works, they are wrong most of the time. Even if they are right, I will probably just give them a look like they are in on it with me (maybe a wink) and tell them not to tell my secrets with a smile. Adults I may do the same thing or just smile and say "could be." If I say something like that others will say "magicians never tell their secrets." If you have performed magic whether as a hobbyist or a working pro, chances are you have encountered this awful feeling of being busted. My question is what is your favorite way to respond?
https://www.penguinmagic.com/p/9160
Sleightly Better Magic Reviews - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9rkXnNp8CxftN-rxU_WcbQ |
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Wes Holly Special user Cincinnati, OH, USA 644 Posts |
Typically, I won't deny it if they actually saw the secret move. I find it disarms their attack if you don't go on the defensive. If they're just guessing, then elusive answers seems to work for me. Of course, if you have a kicker/alternate ending that doesn't depend on the failed or observed move, that kinda takes the wind out of their sails, too. Then it's like, "did he mess up intentionally?"
More than the verbal responses (which I would love to hear), I think the other question is, "How do you gain their interest again?" Do you go to the next trick in your set or move to the next table? If adults catch you, you are no longer a magician, you're just a guy doing tricks. They are quick to "shuffle you off to Buffalo" if you disappoint or let them down. Just my opinion, you're mileage may vary. |
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Devious Inner circle 2120 Posts |
I always sat, "Relax, it's a free show"! The rest of the crowd usually responds in agreement by restating my response to the perpetrator.
"This is all due to the consequences of the facts notwithstanding" is another one that I use. It totally confuses the audience as they try to decipher my comment. "We are honest deceivers" is also one of my faves. I never get defesive, that would be very cheesy. For most of my effects, I perform false explanations, so when I go to my "out" it makes complete sense. Cheers, |
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slyhand Inner circle Good ole Virginia 1908 Posts |
It is very rare I get busted but if I do and they are guessing but guessed right I will sometimes say " That's what most people think."
I find that saying this is implying that they are wrong without saying they are wrong. If someone says I lifted up two cards instead of one I can generally just ignore it and do something else which proves I didn't without saying so. (tilt for example) If it's a blatant bust and no way to get out of it then I will grin real big and just say "Awww, yea, you got me. Now let me show you some real magic." Now bring out a killer.
I am getting so tired of slitting the throats of people who say that I am a violent psychopath.
Alec |
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Dr_J_Ayala Inner circle In search of Vlad Dracul and his 2169 Posts |
I normally do what Wes Holly mentioned in the way that for every effect that I do, I have always found other ways to acheive the same effect in the event of screwing up. I cannot recall ever being called out by adults, but kids are another story. If they are right it just happens to be a lucky guess, and when the adults hear them say it they give you that, "Hey, yeah! My kid is pretty smart! How about that one, Mr. Magic?" look. That is when you do the effect again, this time with a different sleight/move and for the effects that have them, a kicker ending. It never fails to drop a jaw or three.
As far as what you say depends on your available 'out.' Admitting you got caught and then telling them you will show them some real magic, the way Slyhand does as he mentioned above, is great. If you get caught doing a sleight or move, and you can acheive the same effect with a different move, you can say something like, "Really? Then explain this...!" Do it again, but in a different way. In the case of card and coin work, you can ignore the guesses and 'absentmindedly answer them' by doing something to prove them wrong, again as Slyhand mentioned above. That is a good way to prove them wrong without going on the defensive, which one should never do. For example: If someone mentions a d***le l**t when I am working with cards, I use a move from Gregory Wilson on his Card Stunts video from the Las Vegas Split effect, where you can spin two cards from one hand to the other at quite a distance, without them coming apart. That can be a magician fooler because I have been asked, "I perform that effect all the time, but how in the world did you do it without doing a DL?!?!" Just smile and walk away... I hope this helps you Paul. Good to see you again! |
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davidpaul$ Inner circle Georgetown, South Carolina 3086 Posts |
I perform an effect that uses multiple DL's and occasionally someone will say "You have 2 cards". I immediately perform a KM move and hand the card to the spectator and they say "Oh, I'm sorry". Other times with other routines I just move on as in the case with a Sponge Ball or coin set without calling attention to their accusations.......I never admit I made a mistake, I just move on and the inquisitive person really starts to doubt themselves.......
My performing persona is light hearted and comedic and at times while performing a particular routine I will out of the blue just address another person at the table and pull an egg from their ear and say "I'm sorry that was distracting me". When something like this happens, the way the mind works, they forget the mistake you obviously made. I just found this to effective. I could be wrong, but the focus is on entertainment not critiquing my sleight of hand skills.
Guilt will betray you before technique betrays you!
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David French Veteran user 374 Posts |
I will say "how else?"
this will sometimes make them wonder if they are indeed correct. After all, why would I tell them they are right... |
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Tim Dowd Special user ...Making the Magic Happen! 942 Posts |
"waddayathinkeyeam, a magician?"
Timothy Dowd
...Making the Magic Happen! http://www.timothydowd.com These are my points of view; I accept no responsibility for your interpretation of what I just said... |
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nonvpro Inner circle 1844 Posts |
Apparently not very well!
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Dr_J_Ayala Inner circle In search of Vlad Dracul and his 2169 Posts |
Davidpaul$ is correct - never admit that you made a mistake, or that they are correct in their guess, as David French pointed out.
Tim: Love it! |
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Yellowcustard Inner circle New Zealand 1334 Posts |
The thing I learnt is keep the rhythm going. Your routine should be tight and have a rhythm. So if you have a slightly sloppy handling. And someone say it in the other hand you can stop and argue with them or think of a fun put down or keep going. The crowd were following you and the ones that missed it will keep going the person that called out will feel on their own and shut up. Also you probably done something else they were fried by.
Something else I have just worked out for myself from doing some street magic. Is there is one routine that had a slight which if not done smoothly and the viewer was at the right angle they would see something they should not. if they called out I would keep on like mentioned above. However I also find calling them up to help or check something. then sending them back to the audience. This helps as when they go back you can move them to another place. This changes the angles. So just echoing and adding to the advice already mentioned. Have fun keep going.
Enjoy your magic,
and let others enjoy it as well! |
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deadcatbounce Special user the Wilds of Ireland 863 Posts |
My favourite (and only) response is.. "I knew it - YOU'RE the sort of guy who opens his presents on Xmas EVE, huh? " (and he is, usually..).. gets a laugh from the rest, distracts, and gives more than enough time to move on, like was mentioned above, keep the rhythm going. Can't REMEMBER when I last had to use it.... . It's best said with a kind of jokey venom...
DCB
"With every mistake - we must surely be learning..." George Harrison.
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AWESOME New user 48 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-09-21 22:41, Paul Rathbun wrote: You always need one MINDBLOWER on backup. Something that should be your very last effect, unless you do a "beg for money or business" trick as your last. If you get caught with a sleight or a gimmick, pull out your mindblower and walk away. You'll be the talk of the rest of the evening. |
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Tim Dowd Special user ...Making the Magic Happen! 942 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-09-22 12:34, nonvpro wrote: Hope you get better
Timothy Dowd
...Making the Magic Happen! http://www.timothydowd.com These are my points of view; I accept no responsibility for your interpretation of what I just said... |
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Tim Dowd Special user ...Making the Magic Happen! 942 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-09-22 12:43, Dr_J_Ayala wrote: Thanks
Timothy Dowd
...Making the Magic Happen! http://www.timothydowd.com These are my points of view; I accept no responsibility for your interpretation of what I just said... |
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iwillfoolu Special user Upstate NY, USA 746 Posts |
Look to the back of the room and say "Oh look, it's Elvis" or "Tim, is that you? I haven't seen you in years" when they turn to look, walk around the crowd. If you time it well, you can fool the bejesus out of a few people (or scare them out of their socks...unless they aren't wearing socks, then you're on your own). Most people will laugh and forget all about....whatever we were talking about before.
Joe PS These aren't the droids you're looking for. |
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David Thiel Inner circle Western Canada...where all that oil is 4005 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-09-24 01:16, iwillfoolu wrote: Made me laugh...very clever. When I've been busted -- thankfully quite rarely -- it's been my experience that they aren't QUITE sure, unless I've utterly flubbed the sleight or failed to re-set the prop before performing. I will usually drive straight ahead...and if that's not possible, I'll go to something like MD or ID...a killer piece of work. Sometimes I'll ask them if they ever had a bad day at work and wink. David
Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Except bears. Bears will kill you.
My books are here: www.magicpendulums.com www.MidnightMagicAndMentalism.com |
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Paul Rathbun Inner circle Michigan 2543 Posts |
David,
I don't know if there is anything worse than screwing up a trick because you forgot to reset it before going into the next performance. Talk about a great way to make one self feel stupid.
https://www.penguinmagic.com/p/9160
Sleightly Better Magic Reviews - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9rkXnNp8CxftN-rxU_WcbQ |
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Rus ANDREWS Inner circle 1451 Posts |
A simple "well done, give yourself a cookie" I find works well, and I actually hand them a small mint cookie.
Lol R |
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Nash Inner circle Hong Kong ~ USA 1101 Posts |
"Well fortunately I already got Payy--yyaid, so next trick"
I teach leaders the magic of curiosity and empathetic communication. keynote Speaker | Seattle magician
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