|
|
EricHenning Loyal user Laurel, Maryland 218 Posts |
Too Much Stuff / Pocket Management
When strolling, why do magicians carry so much stuff? I think it's insecurity. Having lots of tricks in our pockets makes us feel invincible, but look lumpy. Yet no matter how much stuff we carry, we always seem to end up doing the same 4 or 5 routines! It may be good to have lots of choices, but that doesn't have to mean lots of pocket-filling props. So how do we maintain flexibility in our offerings, while avoiding looking like Harpo Marx? First, we have to determine what Eugene Burger calls our "true repertoire." These are the routines we actually do in the real world when called upon to perform. These are not half-baked ideas, pipe dreams, projects and fantasies. These are what we can do effectively NOW without thinking and without stumbling. They fit us like a favorite shirt. From this list come our Openers, Centers, and Closers. Let's arrange these in groups of three according to those criteria. Now let's be optimistic and say that we have three sets of three, and each routine is strong and each set flows naturally. Three sets is a good number because in a restaurant, we can go to adjacent tables without repeating material. Let's load up with the necessary props, practice all three sets and see what happens. Almost immediately, we find some conflicts. I need the right front pants pocket for the coin flurry *and* the Sponge Bunnies *and* the shell for the other routine and - oh, bother! Here we have three choices. We can add pockets - which is where those horrible 50-pocket vests come from. I want to look like a sharp businessman, not a peddler. That's just not a valid choice for me. We can adjust our repertoire to use only routines that don't have pocket conflicts - not the best way to choose material. Finally, we can adjust our handlings to use different pockets. While this may be a little work, it is usually neither difficult nor cumbersome. Many, many props are in certain pockets out of habit and not necessity. So let's check which props absolutely must be in certain pockets, and which props can be anywhere. Often, this is all we need to do to fix the problem and distribute things evenly. If not, we can always adjust our handlings to make things work. Changing our repertoire is a last resort. Another strategy, used by many of the best minds in the business, is to rely heavily on props that can be used for more than one routine, such as ungaffed cards, coins, etc. Simon Lovell has told me that he often goes out with two decks of cards, a Sharpie(r) permanent marker, his card to wallet and some coins. That's it. Because the magic is in his head and not his props, he can do hours of material with these props alone. Obviously, any time we can make a prop do double duty that saves pocket space. And we'll need to save pocket space for four other types of objects: special occasion tricks, giveaway items, trash and business cards. Special occasion tricks are for birthdays, anniversaries, etc and can really make a huge impression. We won't be doing these for everyone, so we face carrying a prop that we will only use occasionally, but I believe it's worth it. My solution is to do the same trick ("The World's Best Birthday Trick") for every occasion, changing the *script* for the occasion. This also involves a giveaway item. Giveaways items are usually part of a Closer routine, which would already be in our sets, so while they may not require extra trick space per se, we may need to carry a quantity of items that could crowd out other props. My solution is to use flat giveaways, such as the Chinese Fortune Telling Fish from the routine "Pseymour the Psychic Phish." David Williamson was the first person I ever saw who talked about having a "trash" pocket for the detritus that accumulates over an hour of strolling. You might want to consider using a small zipping sandwich bag so you can just zip it and toss it in a trashcan. I put business cards in my shirt pocket, vest pocket or the little ticket pocket on the lower left inside of my suit coat. So we end up with nine items for our three sets (perhaps fewer, if using double-duty props), plus some giveaways, a birthday trick and business cards. These should fit comfortably into the pockets of a typical man's business suit: four pants pockets, an outside breast pocket, two outside side pockets (one with that little Thumb Tip pocket on the inside), two inside coat pockets and the inside lower ticket pocket. That's a total of ten pockets, plus possibly a shirt pocket. On occasion, I will wear a vest, but rarely need to use the pockets. In reality, I only carry two sets of three, and always have one new item I’m working on to rotate into the mix with regulars who’ve seen me before. I have not yet solved this dilemma for women magi, but Alba of Argentina carries an elegant evening clutch purse that serves as her prop case. As previously mentioned, I carry my set of Ninja Rings clipped on a carabiner on the back tab of my braces (or suspenders). They sit quite comfortably hanging under my coat until needed. Although once, someone saw me reach behind my back and thought I was pulling a gun! (Need I point out that now is the time to rehearse each *set* in order to get it working smoothly as a unit?) If you really want a creative exercise, stroll without a coat. This forces you to edit down to your top few routines, and once you realize you can work "without a net," you'll cram far less junk into your pockets. Cheers, Eric Henning (From the new book, "TIPS: Real-World Ideas for the Working Magician") http://www.TheWand.net |
twistedace Inner circle philadelphia 3772 Posts |
Wow,
Lots of good advice in there that I've thought for a long time. I mostly carry, 4 sponge balls, one purse frame, one purse with 4 halves an ES a jumbo and chinese coin, one regular deck, mental photography, and invisible deck. I also have a wrist full of rubberbands, and a velvet rope around my neck. Also, a TT loaded for the mismade bill. What is everyone else carrying these days? |
Lee Darrow V.I.P. Chicago, IL USA 3588 Posts |
Eric, excellent post.
One of the most surprising things I have seen of late is a close up worker wearing TWO fanny packs! And neither of them was dedicated to balloons or the like! Talk about a strange look for a worker in an upscale restaurant! I find a deck of cards, a wristfull of rubberbands, my chop cup (2 loads in the back pocket, under the coat), 6 fifty cent pieces, 1 English Penny, a 2.75" brass chinese coin) a TT, and a coin purse set up for a mismade bill routine is usually more than I need. Oh, yeah, a thin wand that fits inside my inside jacket pocket and 4 2" sponge balls. With that, I can entertain table to table or onstage with no problem. And I often don't carry all of that. Not particularly lumpy as I carry my Chop Cup in a Corwn Royal bag (useful for the line about only conjuring the finest spirits), with the rest in various pockets. No detrius to clean up after or dispose of, everything resets right away and I don't look any stranger than I normally would. Once in a while, I will also carry a Professor's nightmare, but not all that often. It depends on the client. To me, the real key in working from the pockets is to make sure everything is accessable quickly (no fumbling, please!), resets instantly and offers little in the way of bulges. A good tailor really helps, too! Respectfully, Lee Darrow, C.Ht. http://www.leedarrow.com
http://www.leedarrow.com
<BR>"Because NICE Matters!" |
Scott Wells Inner circle Houston, TX 1025 Posts |
We were just blessed here with a sample of Eric's wonderful new little spiral-bound book, "TIPS: Real World Ideas for the Working Magician." Thank you Eric. I highly recommend the book. It is full of wonderful ideas. Get to his website today. Okay, enough with the testimony.
Here is my little "inside" secret. For years I have worn the Steve Dushek Dove Vest while strolling. It is built with three (or four?) pockets on each side and is pinned down inside the top of my trousers. It keeps things organized and keeps the jacket from bulging. Also, when you carry too many things in your jacket pockets, it pulls across your shoulders and ultimately destroys the "line" of the coat. It just looks like the coat doesn't fits. By using the Dove Vest, that problem is eliminated. Furthermore, rather than having everything bulging in your pockets at your waist area (and I bulge there enough WITHOUT things in my pockets), the vest more evenly distributes the bulges. The vest works great for switching cold decks. Also there is ample room to carry your business cards and to pull them out easily and quickly without having to fumble through your props or rummage through your pockets.
"A magician who isn't working is only fooling himself." - Scott Wells, M.I.M.C. with Gold Star
The Magic Word podcast: http://themagicwordpodcast.com Listen to convention coverage, interviews with magicians, pictures, videos and more. Magic Inspirations website for all things Banachek: www.magicinspirations.net |
Ron Reid Inner circle Phoenix, Arizona 2732 Posts |
I just received a customer email from Denny at Denny and Lee Magic, and he has given Eric an excellent review. After seeing Scott's post, and Denny's review, I will definitely be getting this book.
Ron |
Decomposed Eternal Order High Desert 12059 Posts |
Gosh, it is something to think about. I find my act changes though and I need more or less pocket space.
ClICK HERE for HOW TO MAKE TRANSITION FROM MAGICIAN TO MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER WORLD NEW BOOK!
Click here for NEW PROMO TRAILER! 90 seconds of pure laughs without a standing ovation! Click here for Magicians Austin Mentalist Performance https://www.facebook.com/AustinMagicians https://www.speakermatch.com/profile/gianicano/ Magicians Company Entertainers in Dallas, TX https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8sHW_zVuSc https://about.me/motivationalpublicspeaker |
S2000magician Inner circle Yorba Linda, CA 3465 Posts |
While the advice here is quite sound, soesn't this thread belong under the "Where to Put it All" rubric?
|
Stuart Hooper Special user Mithrandir 759 Posts |
Man, you guys carry lots! I have a normal deck of cards, a TT loaded with silk, and a scotch and soda set. (Once I do a gimmicked effect, they can be used to do normal coin magic). Oh and I carry a bang wand through the belt of my pants. Millions of things can be done with these 4 items.....
|
Silvester New user 53 Posts |
Excellent posting!
I take a few "sets" with me and when I did everything once, I empty my pockets and take new sets |
Karl Miller Elite user 494 Posts |
I do carry a lot of stuff with me to a gig. The reason I do this is so I can perform material that fits the audience. Fortunately, most of the routines I do use fairly small props. When I do walk-around, all of my stuff is in my pockets. I do not carry a case into a walk-around gig. I have many friends that have lost thousands of dollars worth of props to thieves who will actually walk away with your whole case! My case stays in my car. I know people who use doctor's bags in walk-around situation, and it seems to work well for them.
Eric- thank-you for the fantastic advice! |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Table hoppers & party strollers » » Too Much Stuff / Pocket Management (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.07 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 < |