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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
When we decide to embark on the journey to become a magician, there are sacrifices one will have make on behalf of ones own awe and mystery being lost forever.
To become a working magician one cannot ever enjoy the experiences of wonder that drew his curiosity to the art in the first place. As you have signed on to be the one to have others visualize the magic you are offering. No longer will you be mystified by the presentation of an effect. You will only think, that is done this way or that way or he/she used this or that gimmick. The effect is no longer what you are seeing but handling and methodology is what you are seeking if you already do not know how it is being accomplished. I recently obtained several sets of Billiard Balls. While practicing with them, I thought so what, I roll this here and there, where is the magic for me or the audience. I lost site that it is not the balls or the gimmick; it is how, I have to learn, how to create the magic for an audience. It really does not matter how skilled you are at the palming of a ball, it is not used in a form that transcends to the next phase. The unexpected appearance of the ball in a totally unusual place. Whether plucking it from the air or revealing it in another hand or between the fingers along side another ball. The artistry with which one chooses to cause it to materialize is the magic. It will not look magical at all to you, it may not even make any sense to you at all. This is where you must step outside yourself, to see it as a non-magician will see the effect. You are the magician creating wonder and mystery, thus you give up your right to see the magic you create for others. That is why the new trick market is thriving today. Magic has been exposed so much today, that now the only experience these people who have sacrificed there ability to watch and partake in a presentation of a magic trick can only seek the next new trick that may fool them or give them the enjoyment they first experienced watching a magic trick performance. They do not realise, that by the simple act of purchasing the trick they once again forfeit the experience and feelings of the experience. They watch the trick and learn the secret, and usually say, I thought that is how it was done, and on to the next new trick advertised as fooling them as never before. It was Dai Vernon who said, you only have to learn 6 tricks and do them as well as you can. There is no need to every go beyond the 6 tricks. Well, he did not listen to his own advice, but he is absolutely correct. Why, because any audience enjoys watching the same thing over and over, if it is done well, and gives them enjoyment in some measure. That is why, people buy songs and music and videos in DVD format. They enjoy seeing or hearing the same things over and over. The re-runs on television also proves this by the ratings of re-runs on television shows and movies. Every time you present your favorite trick, you learn something. Realized or not from the experience. If you are wise, you will take note of that experience and learning, and add it to your effect. Sometimes it is the smallest detail, gesture, or move that has your audiences saying, WOW! Do that again! So practice - rehearse your magic and begin to see the effects as an audience will see them. Your magic will improve for it, and they will call you a magician for doing so. Yes, we are all glad Dai Vernon learned more them 6 tricks in his lifetime. We have all appreciate his sharing of his knowledge with the future magicians of the world. So the next time you pick up deck of manipulation cards, billiard balls, palming coins, or thimbles, ask yourself, "What do I want my audiences to experience from this demonstration?" |
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
As for the magician's enjoyment and sense of wonder...
"Love is eternal... the aspect may change, but not the essence." -- Vincent Van Gogh Having the proper perspective makes it possible to "see" things as you wish the audience will.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
Peter Pitchford Elite user Philly 423 Posts |
Good insight. Much appreciated.
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magicians Inner circle Teacher and Legend 2898 Posts |
Modern magicians have the amenity of watching themselves perform. I can watch my own performance and sometimes be amazed and even fooled. It seems, that what I do to achieve that effect is just not obvious,and I can enjoy the magic I make when that happens. This short effect, seems impossible to me. I can watch and enjoy it every time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5C41ImYlUn4
Illusionist, Illusionist consulting, product development, stage consultant, seasoned performer for over 35 years. Specializing in original effects. Highly opinionated, usually correct, and not afraid of jealous critics. I've been a puppet, a pirate, a pawn and a King. Free lance gynecologist.
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-02-20 17:54, magicians wrote: What you see and what you feel are two different things. If you are watching a video of your self, then you know how it comes out. There is no magic when you know what is happening behind the scenes. |
magicians Inner circle Teacher and Legend 2898 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-02-20 16:26, Michael Baker wrote: I agree.
Illusionist, Illusionist consulting, product development, stage consultant, seasoned performer for over 35 years. Specializing in original effects. Highly opinionated, usually correct, and not afraid of jealous critics. I've been a puppet, a pirate, a pawn and a King. Free lance gynecologist.
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Mary Mowder Inner circle Sacramento / Elk Grove, CA 3659 Posts |
I agree Bill,
I try not to learn the secret of an Effect that really WOWs me for a while (which sadly happens less and less). I try to hold on to the feeling of wonder and "anchor" in that feeling before I try and learn it. I often ask friends not to reveal the secret of an Effect that I don't plan to learn, why do I need the secret of an Effect I won't be doing? Still, I do start to lose the "Magic" of what I'm doing on occasion. There I rely on my connection with my audience to get their sense of wonder. This can be problematic since part of my job is to convey a feeling of wonder to my audience. I have faith that if I do it correctly and focus attention where I should and adhere to my inner script I will get it "right enough" for the audience to reinfect me with that sense of wonder. -Mary Mowder |
Regan Inner circle U.S.A. 5726 Posts |
I always worried about that when my daughter began helping me on stage during my magic shows. She wanted to be my assistant, so I really had no choice, but I was torn. I did want her to lose the wonder of magic that I had experienced as a kid, and I felt like I was spoiling some of it for her. However, from the other side of the stage she has experienced many great things that few are privileged to do. It also enabled she and I to do things together and create memories that are very special. She is grown now, but she still likes to help when she can. If not onstage, then behind the scenes. She says it is some of her best memories, so in the end I think it was a good thing. I know it was for me because it was some the best times of my life. I feel very blessed to have been able to perform with my daughter. I taught her to play guitar, and we play in a band together now, so we still share a special bond with our performing lifestyles, and I am very thankful that we do.
Regan
Mister Mystery
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Kent Wong Inner circle Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 2458 Posts |
Over the years, my approach to watching magic has changed drastically. I used to watch an effect and intensely try to conceive how the trick might have been done. With magician's eyes, my mind never allowed me to transcend beyond the puzzle. Over the years, something strange happened. I stopped caring. I could care less how a trick is done. In many cases, when I am asked to "pick a card" I'll actually forget the name of the card before the trick is completed. Maybe I got tired of puzzles. Maybe I got tired of feeling fooled.
But that doesn't mean I stopped enjoying magic. I simply realized that the magic was not in the method. It never was. The magic is in the presentation. If a performer can engage me and draw me into the piece he/she is presenting, I'll be much more than "puzzled" - I'll be entertained. The suspension of disbelief goes beyond not being able to see the strings. It's about not even thinking about them. Kent
"Believing is Seeing"
<BR>______________________ <BR> <BR>www.kentwongmagic.com |
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Good post, Kent.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
Ekuth Inner circle Floating above my 1538 Posts |
As part of my opening bally, I state the following:
"...for magic is born not of the mind, or of the hand, but of the heart..." Which is pretty much my outlook on things. I may know or want to know 'how it's done'... but I'll never lose the magic itself.
"All you need is in Fitzkee."
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MagicBrain New user 63 Posts |
Thanks wmhegbli for your excellent post.
I do feel like 'my' magic is not magical at all !! I have been interested in magic for most of my life and I know that when I perform for children I usually have good reactions. I recently found myself willing to incorporate a manipulation act with balls-coins-thimbles, but I have a hard time thinking that this is 'magical'. I know that manipulation art is very 'magic' by itself, but because I am in the 'secrets' of magic for so long that, like you said, 'I didn't step out of myself' to see my magic as my audience is seeing it. Combine this with all the internet exposure and how easy it is to reach out for the secrets, for me this is a difficult situation !! I found your post to be very inspiring. I will look at my magic the other way around, not much to the secret but more for the entertainment goals. Thanks again... Magic Brain |
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