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danaruns Special user The City of Angels 808 Posts |
Someone as a gift gave me 14 hours of private magic lessons with Jeff McBride. Jeff wants to know what kind of magic I want to learn. Knowing Jeff and what he does, what do you think I should say I want him to teach me?
By way of background, I'm pretty new to magic. I've taken classes at the Magic Castle from Mark Wilson, and I'm part of Jeff McBride's online magic school. I'm trying to master a broad range of skills, and eventually rise above "doing tricks," to make performance a gestalt experience. I think card tricks are mundane, yet I like them. And I love card manipulation (which Jeff does very well), but I'm not sure I'd ever want to make a show out of it. But if I did, it would be something beautiful, I hope, a la Shin Lim, who does the most beautiful, theatrical manipulation I've ever seen. I love stage magic if it's theatrical and original, but am not into old or expensive big box tricks. I also love close-up and parlor, but am not a big fan of walkaround. What should I ask Jeff to teach me during my private lessons? What should I stay away from? Looking for any suggestions or advice from people who know Jeff, or know his skills and propensities. I'd like this to be a good use of my time and my spouse's money. Thanks.
"Dana Douglas is the greatest magician alive. Plus, I'm drunk." -- Foster Brooks
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MGordonB Loyal user Toronto, Canada 279 Posts |
Wow, what an opportunity!
If had a chance like this, I would ask to spend 2 or 3 hours getting coaching on showmanship, creating, structuring and presenting a solid routine. |
MichaelJae Loyal user 281 Posts |
Jeff will pick your brain and evaluate and help you determine what your goals are. From that assessment your remaning 13hrs will be chalkfull of antics. What an opportunity! Make the most of it!! Tell us how it goes.
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funsway Inner circle old things in new ways - new things in old ways 9982 Posts |
Audience engagement.
"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 |
davidpaul$ Inner circle Georgetown, South Carolina 3086 Posts |
Quote:
On Feb 11, 2016, funsway wrote: YES...I agree. I've learned that your magic has to mean something to your audience on various levels. Just like comedians who connect with an audience when they talk about things or experiences that strike a chord with the crowd. Without that your magic might be good but it won't be great and memorable. That's what I would discuss with Jeff.
Guilt will betray you before technique betrays you!
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Ihop Inner circle Glen Spey, NY 1604 Posts |
I suppose you have to decide whether you are interested in stage performances, illusions, parlor, street, closeup, etc.
I agree with you to bypass card tricks. Take advantage of things that McBride could teach you that you can't learn on your own through other sources. Showmanship and audience engagement were good suggestions but not for 14 hours. Also misdirection. MichaelJae had a good suggestion. McBride could pick your brain and steer you towards your goals. Good luck
Ihor
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Yellowcustard Inner circle New Zealand 1334 Posts |
I would not bother going just send me the ticket!
I would asking him to invite Eugene Burger over and start talking about how they stage some of the effect. I would say Jeff McBride is a magician that stands out as a creative creator of staging magic and it that theory you want to pick up.
Enjoy your magic,
and let others enjoy it as well! |
Father Photius Grammar Host El Paso, TX (Formerly Amarillo) 17161 Posts |
Jeff has tremendous manipulation skills and excellent sleight of hand skills. His best forte is performance and showmanship. If you don't go with manipulation, then go with showmanship and thinking outside the box. What he has always done best.
"Now here's the man with the 25 cent hands, that two bit magician..."
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danaruns Special user The City of Angels 808 Posts |
Some good advice here, thanks. I like what Father Photius suggested, except perhaps all three (manipulation, showmanship and thinking outside the box). Still thinking...
"Dana Douglas is the greatest magician alive. Plus, I'm drunk." -- Foster Brooks
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vannma New user 38 Posts |
I saw Jeff lecture in Myrtle Beach a few years back. He is great. I would take a varied approach.
Ask him for his best self working effect. Ask him to show you his best mentalism effect, card routine, closeup routine ect. Ask for his points on showman ship and audience management. Of course, being McBride, you gotta ask about throwing cards and his mask routine. His best moment in magic and his worse. How he got started. Show him your best trick and ask for pointers. Show him your worst trkck and ask how you can improve. Lastly, ask for his opinion on be best trick for you, since he has known you for 14 hours or so! |
danaruns Special user The City of Angels 808 Posts |
Good suggestions. At this point I'm just trying to learn and absorb as much as I can, but given that I only have 14 hours and not 14,000, I'm hoping to tease out the best of what Jeff has to offer in such a short period. Everyone has something different to offer. What can I get from him that I can't get elsewhere? I guess that's where I'm going with this.
"Dana Douglas is the greatest magician alive. Plus, I'm drunk." -- Foster Brooks
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vannma New user 38 Posts |
What do you see yourself doing in magic in say one year from now? That is what you should share with Jeff, and with him, develop a plan to get there.
But wait, if you are asking what are Jeff's specialties: I would say that he is a master showman. As you know showman ship is probably one of the most important aspects of performing. So I would focus on that. Also, he is great at cards. Another strong point that Jeff exhibits is that he is a master at putting together routines using different props. |
whiteoakcanyon Special user 899 Posts |
First of all what an amazing thoughtful gift you received. I would consider using the money to enroll in one of his classes which have a structured curriculum. If that is not logistically possible, I would definitely look through the course guide to see if any one of them resonates and ask Jeff to focus on that topic. If it were me, I would try my best to master three effects prior to working with Jeff. I would perform them and ask Jeff how to strengthen these presentations. You will finish not only with three strong presentations but begin to learn Jeff's process from taking a trick and creating a memorable magical experience. Good luck and have fun with this amazing opportunity.
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Danaruns, welcome to the Café. From your posts, I would suggest you ask for help concerning what direction you should pursue. Stage Magic, Parlour, or Close-up magic.
Then what field do you want to excel in, Cards, Coins, Silks, Birds, Thimbles, Billiard Balls manipulation, etc. Do you like to practice to create magic with your skill, or do you like apparatus magic props, that only require rehearsal, practice, and showmanship. Learning as much as you can, as you say, only gets you nowhere. You learn what you need to know to accomplish each goal, be it a trick, routine, act, or performer. I am sure Jeff McBride can help you with that. Then have him help you with a plan in that direction. What materials you will need, what reference material to purchase and study. That should get you started. Like your hat. |
valueduser New user Batavia, ny 77 Posts |
Nowadays, anyone can go on to youtube and learn how magic works. The magic isn't in the trick or the technique so much as it's in the presentation. As amazingly technically gifted Jeff is, I think that what makes him great is his presentations. If I had the opportunity, I would ask him to help me work out a classic routine. I love how he does Miser's dream, I'd likely ask him to help me come up with a presentation that suits my personality and skill level. To be honest I'd probably also use up a good chunk of that time shooting the breeze and getting to know him.
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RedHatMagic Loyal user UK 239 Posts |
Find yourself first, then ask him to help you develop the yourself that you have found
Let the Entertainment Commence!
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funsway Inner circle old things in new ways - new things in old ways 9982 Posts |
Ask him about kindling the magic within the spectator
"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 |
Slappy Loyal user North Hollywood, CA 266 Posts |
To stop buying marketed effects (especially those by Gregory Wilson) and stick with the "classics".
"Help, I've got a silver ball stuck on my thumb"
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Ed_Millis Inner circle Yuma, AZ 2292 Posts |
You might take a look at some of the things he does (probably on YouTube) and see if you have something that you like to perform that's the same basic effect. Watch what he did and pick out some things that really appealed to you. Then ask him to help you work up a presentation like he did for his routine. Your personality and presentation skills are going to be different than his, so your routine won't look like how he does it. But if he can help you work through to *your* best presentation, you'll probably discover how you best present your magic.
Ed |
danaruns Special user The City of Angels 808 Posts |
Quote:
On Feb 19, 2016, valueduser wrote: I'm absolutely sure I'm going to ask him about presentation and showmanship. Just one thing he said has made me change how I do just about everything. He talks about "hands up, heads up magic." So much magic, especially close-up or strolling magic, is done low, looking down at props such as cards, cups and balls, etc. Just raising magic up to eye level has made a big difference in how I do things and how I connect with the audience. Such a small change with such a big difference. I will definitely hit him up for tips on presentation, showmanship and getting the audience past the trick and connecting with the magician. And it's also a great idea asking him to help me develop a knock 'em dead classic routine. Or maybe to string a few routines together into one killer set. Also, in my character I like to be a little more jokingly aggressive than I see other female magicians getting away with. For instance, I do a very simple mentalism trick, which completely relies on presentation. The trick could be done in 30 seconds, but I stretch it to about four minutes through interaction with a spectator. In doing so I get right in their face and "break character" to stare them down or scold them in mock disapproval. I have even been known to curse at them if I think I can get away with it. "I'm serious, remember the effing card!" (I will start the mentalism trick with this incantation, saying in a chant, "In order for me to truly see, you must answer me these questions three!" And then I ask two ridiculously simple questions followed by one that is impossible to answer. When they can't answer the third question, I "break character" and frustratedly demand, "Look, man, if you won't answer the question, how the !@#$ do you expect me to do this trick?") That depends on using the curse word. Usually that gets a great laugh, but I have to be very careful about who my audience is and where I'm doing it. I also have to be concerned that some audiences will not like hearing that kind of thing coming from a woman. But if I don't get edgy, the trick is too simple to kill by itself. The whole thing depends on being a great character that breaks the "fourth wall" to violate the bounds of polite society. That way it brings the audience "in" on the joke. It doesn't get nearly the reaction if I do it vanilla. So, how do I manage audience expectations of women and of edginess coming from a woman? It's a more complicated problem than most men might think. I would like his insights on character in general, and character when a woman does things not expected of women in our society. Men can get away with a lot more than women can, frankly. So I hope to get help shocking them while still keeping them on my side. I dunno. Just thinking out loud here. Still trying to figure it out. I like the idea of just getting to know him and not having it real structured. But I also don't want to waste my time. I do want to take a little time to have him help me learn to do some card flourishes well. Hm...I'm not usually this indecisive! Lol!
"Dana Douglas is the greatest magician alive. Plus, I'm drunk." -- Foster Brooks
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