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Magic Oli New user Australia 84 Posts |
Hey Guys,
Long time since I've posted, had my final exams that were more important than magic unfortunately. So this year I'm off to University and, as whenever you enter a new place, one of the most important tasks is creating friendships and contacts. For most people this is difficult and awkward as it involves putting yourself out there and trying to "impress" other people, us magicians on the other hand have it a little easier and also a little harder. Let's face it, a fair amount of people only want to outsmart us when we perform for them as they feel threatened by something they can't understand or by us gaining the attention of people whom they want to gain control of. So my questions to you are: You have 5 minutes to win over a group of people with your magic, what effects do you perform? What will you do if there is a heckler in the group? What effect will you perform to shut them down or win them over? How do you make friends with magic? Thanks Guys, Magic Oli |
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Yellowcustard Inner circle New Zealand 1334 Posts |
In many topics here at the Café you see the phrase its not the trick it the presentation. And a version of this apply to this post.
I think its all about you magic or not. Its your personalty that will win people over. Remember every one is out of there comfort zone and people are looking to connect. When I started Uni I just went round with my juggling balls this lead to me connecting with the juggling society which was a great start. It also lead to meeting other people. But it worked because I was just chilling under a tree doing what I do. Not forcing my self on people. My advice is do what you do best and if you get heckled just stop/ move on. don't try to win pepole over that usually goes wrong take out the competition side of itjust show your a chilled chap. If your in to card magic just always have a deck with you and when hanging out practice slights and shuffle. Someone migth ask what your doing or invite you to a poker night. Some time not moving forward gets you closer. take it easy and just be you.
Enjoy your magic,
and let others enjoy it as well! |
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Jason Simonds Veteran user Pensacola, FL 318 Posts |
In my opinion, you are thinking about this backwards. Instead of using magic to make friends, try making friends, so you can show them your magic.
Introduce yourself. Learn everyone's name and use their name when you talk to them. Smile. Be agreeable. Ask open-ended questions and be a good listener. Be interested in the people you are meeting. Check out Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends and Influence People. I was reading a book on Cold Reading by Ian Rowland and he recommended How to Make People Like You in 90 Seconds or Less by Nicholas Boothman. Both are good and both are relatively easy reads. |
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Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Hi Oli! Welcome back! I thought that you had vanished up your own sleeve! Did you ever try waxing any magicians??? hee hee
Well, that darn Jason "stole" my post, before I had time to think it up! (Ha! I just did another Charlie Miller! (ended a sentence with a preposition) Every magician should either read Carnegie's book, or, "take the course"! (BEFORE Tarbell, even!!!) Old cliche: "A smile is worth a million dollars! --and, doesn't cost a cent!!!" When I walk out on a platform in front of a thousand high school or college students, My first, and most important "job" is to get them to like ME. The tricks are merely creative tools. --important, 'cuz it is a magic show, but, making them like me is primary! That was Nate Leipzig's philosophy. --And, it worked for him! (It has worked for me "since forever".) Somerset Maugham (1920s)was describing a cocktail party in either a play or a book (I've forgotten!). A young lady says to another young lady: "See that man over there in the tuxedo? He asked if I liked card tricks. I said, 'no!'. He did six!" Jason already has given you the "work" on the "making friends trick"! --and that "work", works! Just keep in mind that when you are fishing, you can't "stalk" them. Just dangle the bait, and,they will come to you.
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Magic Oli New user Australia 84 Posts |
Nice to see you are still around the forums Dick, hope you had a great 83rd birthday by the way. I will definitely take that information on board guys, thank you for the input This is why I love the Café
Magic Oli |
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frankvomit Elite user 485 Posts |
No brainer sponges to get there attention, an everywhere and nowhere routine preferably the one in Carneycopia(cards) then probably torched and restored by brent braun.
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frankvomit Elite user 485 Posts |
Be direct and quick make the 5 minutes seem like a minute.
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MVoss Veteran user Boston, MA 372 Posts |
Be careful you don't become "magic guy." You wanna be a normal person they already like, who also can do these amazing things. It may sound weird, but let people know you can do stuff, then act a little reluctant to perform something. By being reluctant, by making it rare you make it special and gives it value.
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george1953 Inner circle Mallorca (Spain) 5943 Posts |
Welcome back Oli, you have already been given some great advice, Dick how do you remember the waxing thing ? Are you studying Harry Lorayne ;-)
By failing to prepare, we are preparing to fail.
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Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
IDK George!
My memory "bank" has lots of 'pigeon holes'! When Oli first came on, (remember, he was in high school, and "kinda" new. One of his first questions was: What's magicians wax for? And, I, in a jocular (high class word for this group!!!)mood, replied: "It's for waxing magicians!" I inadvertently started a whole thread of humorous lines, none of which got me a booking in Las Vegas. I met Harry Lorayne about40 years ago, at Magic Inc. It was just a casual meeting. If he remembers THAT, I'll ask him what color socks I was wearing. If he remembers THAT, I'll buy lunch! I have great respect for things he does! I always remember inconsequential things like: It snowed up here on VE day in 1945, or, my first two way f*rcing deck was Aviator (Fox Lake) Blue backed and it used t*o cards: 7 Spades and King Diamonds. I think my brain is full! Who are you? and, Where am I?
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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george1953 Inner circle Mallorca (Spain) 5943 Posts |
Dick, I love listening to you when you recall things that have happened in the past. Harry's book helped me a lot to overcome the problems I had after suffering a stroke 8 years ago. I couldn't speak, couldn't get out of bed unaided etc. And my memory was shot. I now can remember everything. I can speak and about the only lasting effect of the stroke is that I tend to drag my right leg a little but apart from that I'm fine and the memory I put down to Harry's book, it really did help me regain my memory. In fact I would even say its better now than its ever bee.
Keep well, and keep posting I'm sure I'm not the only one that enjoys reading them.
By failing to prepare, we are preparing to fail.
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Ray Bertrand Inner circle Ottawa, Ontario 1452 Posts |
Dick Oslund wrote; "I think my brain is full! Who are you? and, Where am I?" which reminds me... of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most!. You have received some great advice Oli. Work on yourself as a person and you will be liked. It will give you a great opportunity to share your magic.
Ray
Mentalism in Ontario.
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1KJ Inner circle Warning: We will run out of new tricks in 4385 Posts |
Quote:
On Jan 30, 2015, Jason Simonds wrote: I second this advice. |
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Harry Lorayne 1926 - 2023 New York City 8558 Posts |
Dick - you were wearing white socks!!
Re: Carnegie - not important and makes absolutely no difference in my life now, and I've written this before - I met Dale Carnegie decades ago when I was just becoming a bit known for my memory-training work. We spoke for a while, he was quite complementary and then - he said that he wanted to teach my systems at the Dale Carnegie schools. I said that if he'd give me credit and pay a small fee, that'd be fine. Truth is I didn't care about the "small fee" but I sure did want the credit. He said "no," definitely. And - he taught (badly) part of my systems at his schools anyway - no credit, no nothing. He sure as h*ll didn't "influence" me nor did he make a friend of me! Best - HL
[email]harrylorayne@earthlink.net[/email]
http://www.harrylorayne.com http://www.harryloraynemagic.com |
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Ray Bertrand Inner circle Ottawa, Ontario 1452 Posts |
Quote:
On Feb 2, 2015, Harry Lorayne wrote: That is too bad Harry. He had no idea of the treasure he missed out on. Ray
Mentalism in Ontario.
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1KJ Inner circle Warning: We will run out of new tricks in 4385 Posts |
Quote:
On Feb 2, 2015, Harry Lorayne wrote: Wow, Harry! I'm really glad you shared this. This puts Dale in a whole new light. I always wondered about this because I have been exposed to both, and I always felt you were the authority on memory, not Dale. Thank you for your contributions, and God bless you. KJ |
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Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Hello Harry!
Yes! (white!) --"Youse done good!" hee hee I certainly agree with Ray, and IKJ! Best! Dick
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Ihop Inner circle Glen Spey, NY 1604 Posts |
I see Harry bashing and insulting many reputable people.
Lennert Green, Jerry Lucas, Dale Carnegie, etc., etc., etc. Perhaps there is more to it. It'll be interesting to hear the other side of the stories.
Ihor
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Bill Hallahan Inner circle New Hampshire 3222 Posts |
Magic Oli, if you want to make friends, be interested in other people. Don't worry about them being interested in you, that will happen if you are truly interested in them. Other people there will want friends too.
Unless I'm either performing in a pre-announced show, or I'm performing for people who are already my friends, and they've asked to see me perform, then I usually don't perform magic. Performing magic makes you the center of attention, and in your situation, you could easily be viewed as taking attention away from extroverted people who want to be the center of attention. And even people who are introverts won't get to know the real you if you just perform magic without revealing anything personal about yourself. I'm no expert on this subject, but this is my best guess - if you do perform to make friends, at first do it for just one person at a time. Once people get to know you better, you can perform for groups of friends, but I would still only perform if they are receptive to the idea. Imagine you were a great guitarist. Then people would definitely like hearing you play at times, but no matter how great you played, there would also be a lot of situations where people would be annoyed if you started playing. The same is true for performing magic.
Humans make life so interesting. Do you know that in a universe so full of wonders, they have managed to create boredom. Quite astonishing.
- The character of ‘Death’ in the movie "Hogswatch" |
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Ihop Inner circle Glen Spey, NY 1604 Posts |
Quote:
On Feb 3, 2015, Bill Hallahan wrote: Well said.
Ihor
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