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Miika Korkatti New user Finland 8 Posts |
In this post I will present ideas and thoughts on how we magicians should act amongst other magicians. The basis of the text are comical experiences I have encountered in different situations. This text is especially pointed towards beginner or slightly more experienced magicians, who share the same social circle or hangout together often.
1. I remember when… …once another ”magician” exposed to the audience the secret to the strange phenomena I had performed. I heard about it afterwards from my friends, who were watching that performance. Hearing the secret they laughed and boasted, how the trick in question was not so amazing after all. The revelation of the secret led to the sabotage of my performance. A moment ago the spectators screamed in astonishment and were rolling on the floor after witnessing the most amazing thing in the universe. Couple minutes after, all was lost. I can only imagine, what was going through the mind of the guy in the moment, he decided to expose the secret. Was he jealous? Was there a beautiful girl or perhaps a tough guy, who he wanted to impress with his knowledge? Did he just want to destroy what I had achieved, and prove to himself that he is something of a magician? That’s how it is, magic isn’t suitable for everybody. It’s actually surprising that some people don’t understand that keeping the secrets is the number one rule of magic. If it isn’t inscribed on our hearts, we are better just to forget magic entirely and it would have been better, if we hadn’t been involved with it at all. A magician without secrets is like a printer without ink: something comes out, but it doesn’t leave a trace or a mark. 2. I remember when… …once I was performing for a small group of friends in a Café. Watching the performance was another beginner, who had shown a couple of things beforehand. I was performing my first effect for the group. In the middle of the performance he asked out loud: “Wow! Was that a riffle force? Pretty *** well done.” Anyone can imagine the thoughts that ran through my mind. If there would have been a handgun nearby, I would have fired and asked: ”Wow! Did I hit your heart? Pretty *** well done.” (It's a joke). Ignoring the loud and stupid comment from the guy I finished my performance normally. The spectators were amazed from the phenomena and applauded at the end. Even though the performance was a success, every spectator probably had a little WTF-moment, when someone mentioned something foreign in the most natural part of the act, the spectator selecting a card. Tip: When someone else is performing magic, keep your mouth shut and comments to yourself. 3. I remember when… …once another beginner asked me to show a couple of tricks for his friends. He had praised me and said that here is a magician, whose magic doesn’t leave you cold. Well, I get performing. I did three of my best routines maybe better than ever before. The spectators screamed for mercy on the ground and at the same time begging and crying for more. I decided to end my performance there, because my objective had been reached; you don’t want to perform too many tricks, or else the audience might get numb, and sometimes it’s best to end on top. After my performance and a couple days later I heard from a spectator, how the other “magician” had been wondering out loud to his friends: “How can you react so strongly to such simple tricks, which I can also perform and have performed for you?” Tip: We should side with our magic buddies even behind their backs. We shouldn’t harm others magic, image and performance with our actions. On the contrary, progress and build conversation-culture, which builds the character of impossible magic and thus amplifying the reactions of spectators. Impossible situations and weird phenomena’s are things that people might analyse long after they occurred. Instead of understating, strengthen the effects of other magicians and performing magic; now you are serving the other magician and you at the same time. Unforgettable and impossible magic serves all magicians. 4. I remember when.. …once I was performing magic for friends of another magician. The performance wasn’t much of a success, and the reactions weren’t amazing either. They even seemed bored half the time. It might have been because of me, but knowing this other magician, I can imagine how many times his friends have heard the phrase, “pick a card.” He was a overenthusiastic guy, to say the least. Well anyway—during the performance he seemed jealous of all the attention I was receiving—the spectators talked to each other and asked me questions and were active during the performance. He couldn’t bother watching my performance to the end and it seemed to me that he was in a hurry to show his own tricks. During the performance he even tried to steal the spotlight for himself, making animal noises and making strange ninja moves with his hands, and after the first effect he was already showing us all new amazing tricks. This also happened after the second effect. We still had fun, I guess. Tip: Let the other magician perform his whole set in peace. Avoid all unnecessary actions and attempts at stealing the spotlight. 5. I remember when… … I first heard about the top change. It was and is a move, which revolutionized my world. After a couple days practising the move and its misdirection, I decided to perform a routine for my magician buddy. I remember the feeling, when he wouldn’t take his eyes of the deck. Even my greatest misdirection attempts proved futile, since he was burning my hands as if grilling a sausage. Finally my attempts to direct his gaze were not the traditional, “Hah, so you were happy with your card?” but rather “Is that meteorite coming straight at us?!” with the additional screaming and arm flailing… In spite of this, his gaze didn’t even waver; he had locked his eyes on the deck like a ten year old, seeing a naked woman for the first time. Tip: Respect the other magicians in the best possible manner by acting like a normal spectator. 6. I remember when… …once I was on the road with two magic buddies and I was performing magic for two young ladies. My two buddies sat next to me watching my performance, as if it was the World cup marathon for snails. If I wasn’t mistaken, one of my buddies might have dozed of leaning on his hand while his eyes wandered. I can only imagine the message received by the spectators due their actions. After the first effect, neither of the girls gave an indication that I should continue my performance. They seemed more annoyed, probably thinking “that guy thinks we are stupid, and tried to fool us with a couple of cheap tricks…” Normally I am at my best performing for young beautiful ladies, but this time my charm and impossible magic didn’t work. Was the fault in my awesome effect, in my face or how my buddies acted, which obviously sent the signal: “this here magic buddy of ours is by the way a really boring guy. He has nothing more than ****ty and boring tricks. Let’s all go home to sleep, and leave this guy here alone to wander and play Criss Angel. In addition to his ****ty tricks he has failed in every aspect of his live, no education, no money, we are dealing with a complete loser. Leave while you still can…” Tip: When your friend is performing magic for lay people, try to be as interested and amazed at what he’s doing. Negative and passive behaviour gives the impression to the audience that your friend’s tricks are nothing more than trivial scams and a big heaps of garbage. Sometimes it hard for us to publically give thumbs up and appreciation for someone else. Too high standards can sometimes be in the way of constructive and good things. I myself have experienced that spectators in a group act like mirrors; when one is openly amazed, then it’s easier for others to let loose their inner feelings. If the spectators feel as if they are surrounded by people, who are aware of the secret, then they might interpret the situation as if they are made fools of and considered stupid. In this kind of situation the spectator shuts off his/her feelings and retracts from the uncomfortable situation. To summarize We should respect another magician’s performance, and advance with our behaviour only the elements, which strengthen the effect and serve fellow magicians. Whoever the performer of magic, then at that moment the spectators are witnessing, at least hopefully, a unique and unforgettable moment. For this reason it is important for us to see to it that our behaviour doesn’t give a negative effect for the audience, which can potentially hinder the effect, value and through this even the reputation of the other magician. Performing magic is a great thing. Its purpose is to accomplish something impossible, something which cannot be explained. We magicians should strive to live out what we achieve. When on the side-line, we should try to respect other peoples magic the same way we do our own, and also view it as real magic. The spectators have a way of absorbing all possible agents and lifelines that they can use as a weapon against magic. We shouldn’t hand over any weapons, on the contrary, take the rest. Do you have any annoying/funny situation or a tip you'd like to share? Thank you for reading Miika Korkatti from Finland |
mlippo Inner circle Trieste (Italy) 1227 Posts |
I am not aware of having been in one of these situations (as the "victim" I mean), but I can assure you that when seeing other magicians at work I have never ever interrupted, commented in a loud voice during their performance. I have, sometimes, approached the magician after the show and discussed with him his performance in private.
Good thread, though... Mark |
funsway Inner circle old things in new ways - new things in old ways 9982 Posts |
One problem that has always bothered me is some magicians at a magic club/circle meeting. There is certainly time for performers of like interest
to get in a corner and mentor or "practice buddy" each other. But when it comes to a contest or required performance why should it be a practice session? Too many times a performer will say, "I've only been practicing this for a day," or "I've been playing with a new idea," etc. Why should magicians be denied the ability to see polished performances? Might not we all enjoy magic more if we saw the best and not the worst? Perhaps I was spoiled in my early magic days where mentoring meant, "Where can we meet to work on this idea?" and every member performed at each meeting if only to tell a story. On the positive side I have enjoyed having a fellow magician describe something I performed years later. I wish I had been as good as the story related, and even had performed that effect at all. Memory is a magical thing too. SO, I wouldn't be too worried about the strange immediate reactions you have received. See what they recall in 20 years.
"the more one pretends at magic, the more awe and wonder will be found in real life." Arnold Furst
eBooks at https://www.lybrary.com/ken-muller-m-579928.html questions at ken@eversway.com |
Father Photius Grammar Host El Paso, TX (Formerly Amarillo) 17161 Posts |
Common magic ethics and courtesy dictates that a magician does not sit in an audience and reveal the performing magician's secrets. And if you are a magician and the performing magician on stage tries to choose you from the audience to assist, it is always the appropriate thing to inform the performer your are a magician and decline. The performer will appreciate it.
My wife and I have seen Mac King's show over 50 times over the years, and have taken others to see it as well. Initially my wife asked how Mac did tricks and I always declined to tell her and told her that it would ruin the magic. Same for the onese we took to watch. Anyone who reveals the secret of the trick is a narcissist trying to focus the attention on themselves and ruin the performance for others.
"Now here's the man with the 25 cent hands, that two bit magician..."
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chiartguy New user Chicago, IL 56 Posts |
Banachek has something called the magician's pledge, which is basically a list of ethics and courtesy points:
https://www.facebook.com/Banachek/photos......&theater He discusses it a bit on his website here: http://www.banachek.com/pledge/ I think all magic clubs should consider prominently displaying something like this and referencing it frequently. |
Tukaram Loyal user Iloilo, Philippines 227 Posts |
Wow, that pledge is long ha ha... if you read "A"... it seems to cover pretty much all the rest.
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RogerTheShrubber Veteran user 301 Posts |
I agree with all of your points except the fifth one. If you're performing for a magician and nobody else, I don't see you as having any place complaining that he wouldn't take his eyes off the deck. That magician didn't reveal your secrets to anyone else, he didn't denigrate you in public, he didn't do anything wrong at all, and he is not in any way obligated to bite on misdirection attempts (especially one like your questionable meteor choice, which in my view is the same as saying aloud "Look away, you jerk, I'm trying to distract you").
The spectator was a magician, and he reacted with the same curiosity and scrutiny you SHOULD expect from a magician. Unless you stop performing for magicians, you're going to run into that again. You'd certainly run into it from me, and I wouldn't feel guilty about it at all - I would keep my eyes on that deck out of instinct and force of habit, not out of any active desire to be a jerk, and I'd honestly resent any implication that I was being one. Your options here are twofold: improve your misdirection (for all I know your misdirection is very good, but everyone's can be improved - perhaps you could have asked him his thoughts on this?), or have another trick ready to do at the point where you realize you can't shake his eyes. That magician who wouldn't take his eyes from the deck didn't show you any lack of courtesy whatsoever - he showed you an opportunity to improve. Otherwise, great post. |
Banachek V.I.P. Houston 1086 Posts |
Actually I disagree..... there is such a thing as being polite. As a magician we know there are moments of distraction. Would you want some magician burning you at a restaurant while you are working or would you rather be able to perform your magic to the best of your abilities. Treat other magicians as you would want to be treated and with respect... That means going along with the magic and enjoying it, not burning when you don't have to. And I don't see working for other magicians as work.. My whole pledge is about the real world, not the fantasy world we live in with each other. Now if you are showing a fellow magician a trick and asking for him to give you feedback that is very, very different.
I guess I just work in the real world and not for other magicians and my pledge is made for that environment.
In thoughts and Friendship
Banachek Campus Performer of the Year two years in a row Year 2000 Campus Novelty Act PEA Creativity Award Recipient http://www.banachek.com |
RogerTheShrubber Veteran user 301 Posts |
Sorry, but I still disagree. As long as the magician doesn't tell everyone else at the table how I did what I did, I don't care if he refuses to move his eyes from my hands. The only respect that magician owes me is not revealing anything (and, of course, not being a loud jerk while I'm performing). If I can't fool him/her, that's my fault, not his/hers. I simply cannot get on board with the idea that he or she is obligated to look away when I want. And as for "Would you want some magician burning you at a restaurant while you are working or would you rather be able to perform your magic to the best of your abilities," if I can't perform to the best of my abilities in front of others because an experienced magician isn't biting on my distraction, if I'm letting that affect my performance in front of non-magicians, my problems are much bigger than the magician's eyes.
Also, from the way the OP was written, I was led to believe that the author was performing for a magician one-on-one. If that's the case, then, no offense intended, I disagree with you even more strongly. Not only would I not be of the mindset that the magician is obligated to look away on cue, I wouldn't even WANT it to happen. I'm not going to get better if a magician sees right through me but plays along instead. I mean no disrespect, and I can tell from your profile that you're a lot more experienced than I am, but I really couldn't disagree with you more. If you ever see me perform, please feel free to burn away. As long as you don't tell the table what the secret is, I'm fine with it. And if you see through me and afterward you give me any one-on-one tips on how I can improve, the beers are on me. |
MRSharpe Special user Never a dull moment with 940 Posts |
Roger the Shrubber makes a good point about your 5th anecdote. Your magic buddies are the worst to try out any new sleight of hand move for, particularly if you isolate it by just doing the one effect, that is unless you are interested in having the new move critiqued. That isn't a bad goal necessarily, but if you want to wow fellow magicians with new moves you're probably setting yourself up for a disappointment. If you really want to fool another magician who knows you typically use certain methodology--in your case sleights--then do something that involves a totally different working method. And if you are known for "finger flicking" do something mathematical with a good presentation and use a couple of fake sleights! That will really lead them down the garden path.
Custom Props Designer and Fabricator as well as Performer from Indiana, USA
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RogerTheShrubber Veteran user 301 Posts |
Thanks, MRSharpe.
Truth be told, if it's actually standard accepted etiquette that I'm to look away on cue in such a situation, I have no business ever watching anyone perform. I'm not trying to be a jerk, I'm trying to learn, and because it's such force of habit right now I could probably say "I have to look away when the misdirection comes, I must, I WILL" and still forget to do it. If I see how the trick is done I'm still going to keep quiet and applaud with everyone else, so I don't see myself as being impolite at all. If I'm wrong and it is rude not to look away on cue, then I basically have to stop watching magicians perform because I wouldn't be able to keep myself from doing it. |
thomasR Inner circle 1189 Posts |
Roger.
Agreed 100%. When I watch pros work I like to watch and see the different angles. I'm not trying to "catch" them. I mean I watch the routine, but sometimes if I know what to look for, I watch closely to see how clean it is. A friend of mine who is the definition of a pro will often ask me after a show "did I flash anything?" - he knows I know what to watch for and takes Advantage of that fact so he can work on parts of the routine. Naturally I would never say anything during a performance... I always applaud genuinely. I enjoy watching magic! |
RogerTheShrubber Veteran user 301 Posts |
Thanks, thomasR.
I'll be honest - when watching a magician I actually AM trying to figure out how the trick is being done. But if I do, I never tell others the secret. I always applaud. I'm always polite and respectful regardless of whether the performance is good or not so good. I just don't see how or why I'm somehow obligated to look away on cue, especially when laymen wouldn't know the difference. I've never been in a situation where anyone says "I don't know how these tricks are done, so I think I'll watch the short guy with the long hair and see where he looks." And if it's just one-on-one, whether I'm the performer or spectator, I don't see an obligation there, either. If a magician busts me and tells me how, I've just been done a big favor. |
danaruns Special user The City of Angels 808 Posts |
I think I take issue with #5 also. When I watch, my eyes never, ever leave their hands. I don't think there's anything wrong with that. I am not a regular audience member, so I feel no need to act like one. I remember one episode of Penn & Teller: Fool Us, where whichever magician was on actually stopped his routine and shook his head, noting that Teller never went for any of the misdirection but was laser focused on the magician's hands. Anyone's act is fair game. I wouldn't want anyone to pretend to be misdirected. If I'm busted by somebody in the know, then I'm busted. No big deal.
"Dana Douglas is the greatest magician alive. Plus, I'm drunk." -- Foster Brooks
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emanuele New user London 49 Posts |
I can relate with some of the things said in the opening post, but (even if it was a vent) the impression I'm left with is that, direct heckling aside, you
1) Go into your 'performance mode' when presenting magic 2) Are too much wound up in methods/misdirection Which are both, in my ideal, wrong things to do when performing magic, especially if it's informally for friends/night out etc... You should plan the 'magic moment' to happen organically through the, say, evening. "Hey, let me show you a card trick" (and similars) is/are often badmouthed for a reason. If you drop both I think you'll find that your 'fellow magician friends' won't find interest in busting you up, making you appear tedious etc...because it will feel fresh for them as well every time, and by the time they realize you're doing 'the same old trick', everyone else will be interested in knowing how it ends Oh, by the way, about your magician friend burning your hand: it happens, of course. Personally I don't agree with that since I'm not interested in fooling magicians, so whenever I'm watching a performance I try to see it from a layman's point of view. This will help me later to deconstruct what happened, enjoy misdirection if there was any (also because often with cards, us magician can anticipate what's happening. So why not enjoy it like the rest of the spectators? That p4lm is going to happen anyway XD ), and AFTER, if I'd like to discuss techniques with the performer, I'll do it privately. But you shouldn't be phased off by that. One idea I use though is, after having him/her stare for a minute with nothing happening, build tension, do a 'fake' pass (more like a finger flinch with a 'swoosh' sound with my mouth lol) and ask "So how's my pass progressed so far, did you see it". I still have to find a burner who hasn't flinched their gaze when asked that (another subtlety, I often peek the selection regardless if I can, so in this case I can hold the top card towards myself as well and miscall it). The moment the card goes back on top, or when they look up, is where the cleanup is done. I always refer that as a cleanup though, when you have someone closely burning your hand "because yes". It all depends on the sleights you have at your disposal by the way; one of my closest friends (layman with some basic card control knowledge) was challenging me to practice some sleights with him burning my hands. Made him peek at a card and DPS steal it under his burning eyes. Gave him the deck to shuffle. 5 minutes later that card will be found in a wallet/pocket. Always remember that if someone is burning, doesn't even mean they're burning the right place (still part of misdirection) |
Robmonster Elite user 455 Posts |
Wasn't this posted ages ago? I remember you getting into an argument with people saying that threatening to shoot someone because they got in the way of a magic trick was a tad of an overreaction.
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MeetMagicMike Inner circle Gainesville Fl 3501 Posts |
I agree with the OP (Except for #5). If you want to be a magician fooler then do tricks that fool magicians. Expecting someone to pretend to be misdirected doesn't make sense.
However I think Banacek was talking about a performance in front of a crowd. If you attend a close up magic show and just stare at the magician's hands it could be a distraction to him. He really should be able to handle it but why give a fellow magician a hard time? |
obrienmagic Special user 752 Posts |
One thing I can add is this:
When you watch a magicians performance and see things that either flashed or need more work.. Never... EEEEVVVVEEEEERRRR tell the performer while his audience is around. Also, make sure to give both positive and negative feedback. Don't be the guy who says "hey just a heads up I saw this and this and this... bye...." Also..... Make sure your constructive feedback is helpful. Never say "I saw that" without at least making an attempt to help the performer with ideas on how to fix it.
Visit my online store at http://www.obrienmagic.com/magic-shop
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