Now that's a practice mirror!

Thanks for all the mirror suggestions, guys. As it happens, I already have the mirror that Arthur uses. (So, Arthur, that may explain why you sometimes can't find your mirror.) I rarely use it -- time to get started. $40 for a 3-way mirror that doubles as a close-up pad. Someday I may want to get a better pad and a better mirror, but for now I'll get as much use as I can out of my already-spent $40.


Kalix, not a big deal since I'm not in the market for a new mirror at the moment, but I tried your link and got an error message. Naturally I'm curious to see what the mirror is like.



Thanks to everyone for your kindness in helping me with this vexed issue of making my magic visible to my spectators. It's clearly going to take some work to put your suggestions into practice.




Bob

To this point, Gabi Pareras has only written in spanish.

Dani talks about Gabi's notion of "making a picture of the effect" for the last 8 minutes of ATT#2, starting at 2:55:45. This discussion certainly communicates and illustrates the idea, which is that the final arrangement of props on the table should visually tell the story of what just happened.

If you want more, he discusses it again in his 3rd Penguin lecture. (He's done 3 Penguin Lectures, and 1 Penguin Live Act -- so far.) I think pretty much every effect in his 3rd Penguin Lecture is a good example of the idea of "making a picture" being applied. So if you want more of that applied theory, it's there.

If you just become enamored of Dani DaOrtiz and want more of him, my highest recommendation goes to his Penguin Lectures 1 and 2. He is at his freewheeling best in those two, mostly due to the format of always having a table full of participants available for the full duration of the lecture. His style is not about demonstrating his own prowess, but rather playing together with a group of people. Later Penguin recordings change the format so he has a full table of participants available only for the performances, while the explanations are given one-on-one to Dan Harlan. The more people present, the more enjoyable Dani is.

Just to backtrack to Bob G’s original post: I also prefer being seated for close-up. But because I also struggle with bending my wrists down while in that position, I find it easier to stand up for certain routines.

Works for me!

Thanks, Tim, for all these details about Pareras's performances. I'll buy one of the lectures and see whether I want to continue with more. Really interesting idea -- arrangement of props tells story of the trick just presented.


Arthur, I'll try performing standing. M wife is happy to help me try various experiments with my magic (in moderation), so I can see what it feels like to stand, sit and hold my arms differently, etc, and get her reaction. And the mirror's. Come to think of it, it's a good idea to get used to performing standing, sitting at various kinds of tables, etc., so I'll be prepared once I start performing for people other than friends & family.

Just spread the cards on the table instead of holding or showing the cards in your hands whenever you can.

If you can't lower the table, raise your seating position with a different chair, or one or more cushions.

Getting used to standing when performing is a good idea though.