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kleqy Regular user 105 Posts |
Let's say you are in a social situation and someone asks to see something.Not knowing how much time they have before they leave,would you perform for them ONE thing that they will never forget in their life,or would you start off with something basic and then build up your effects?
In other words,would you take them on a short experience they will never forget or perform a mini-show? If you build up your effects,are you not afraid they would leave early/not be mind blown by what they have seen at first (for example:equi***e)not knowing you will build up? |
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Mindpro Eternal Order 10587 Posts |
I have never once performed for anyone in a social situation. If they want to see me perform they'll have to come to one of my shows. Would you walk up to singer and just expect them to burst out in a song? If you saw someone at an airport carrying a guitar, would you ask then to play you a little something? If you were in waiting area of a restaurant and the person next to you identified themself as a brain surgeon, would you ask them to perform a lobotomy?
Of course not this is ridiculous - except for magicians with magician's thinking. Magicians might do this, not mentalists. |
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kleqy Regular user 105 Posts |
Yes this is 100% true.
I just lately found myself hanging out with friends a lot(I know that they know that I cant really read minds)and they would ask me to perform some stuff for like one of THEIR friends or cousin etc...(and it is always 5+ persons).So this is why I am asking because I am not doing stage shows in this period of time and I am finding myself sitting close-up more. I am still interested in everyone's opinion though. |
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lancenicolai58 New user 36 Posts |
Kleqy - you do whatever you want. Mindpro has a great point - no one should expect you to perform if they asked. However, if you want to share with them a special experience, go for it. When I was a substitute teacher back in the day, I would have many students come up to me at the mall when I was with my gf (now wife) and ask me to perform something for them. Some may not like to be approached like this and be expect to perform something, but for me, it made their day. I love seeing their reactions. Also, it made me feel better about myself. Back then I didn't know that I had aspergers syndrome which causes me to have trouble in a social setting. When I was able to perform magic, it gave me the confidence to be in control of the situation. This made me feel somewhat normal and a part of the group which normally I don't get that feeling. After I was diagnosed at the beginning of 2020, it all started making sense. If you are given a gift or special ability, its ok to share it.
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funsway Inner circle old things in new ways - new things in old ways 9982 Posts |
Kind of a weird question of me, but I will try to answer in imagined alternate state of being.
"social situation and someone asks to see something" For me "being social" does not include asking people to do things, nor does such action fit a definition of "friend." Any one who would start a conversation and then just walk away is not a friend. My being a conjuror or mentalist does not place any obligation on me to perform, even for folks who are not friends. I can agree with Mindpro that mental based effects are a poorer choice here than physical based impossibles (but not his opinion for making that choice). Any action by you should be influenced by audience experience/knowledge, setting, expectations and time restraints moire than by "what you prefer." But, accepting that your version of hanging out and being asked to perform is normal and social for you, the questions is what to perform, and a what level of astonishment/inexplicable do you attempt? The concept of "short and powerful" vs "prelude and adjustment" is a valid one for any setting. You apparently want to be known as a "mystic arts performer" and like performing when asked. So be it. Not enough info here to give good answer. What is the experience of this individual with live magic effects? What are the time restraints? How prone are they to distraction and interruption? Without such knowledge it is unlikely to be able to perform a "never to be forgotten" effect. Since magic must happen in their mind, a stepped approach to either learn or teach might be best, if you have uninterrupted time. I would suggest sticking to using familiar object and progress from magical to astonishing, perhaps attracting the attention of others. Then schedule a showing for those who indicate an interest and appreciation in which you progress to some "powerful magic." This is to say, never perform your best effects in a casual setting, social or not, friends or strangers. Orchestrate the right conditions ands follow ...
"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 |
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Martin Pulman Inner circle London 3399 Posts |
Just before the latest lockdown I was sitting with a well-known UK singer (views measured in billions on YouTube) who was telling me about writing their latest song. I asked if I could hear it and they happily picked up an acoustic and performed it for me.
The real world is never black and white. There's a hell of a lot of grey in there. |
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bubbles New user The 5th Dimension 99 Posts |
If someone asks you to show them something, and then they leave before you're done, then that makes them the terrible person. If they were about to leave and then decided they need to see some magic first, then its on them to stay to see it through.
I think it depends on your mood. If you want to really share something powerful, and they asked for something, I think you should go for it! They become your guinea pigs once they ask you to entertain them. Try out new material, give them a party trick, or give them a powerful experience- they belong to you at that point. |
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Tom Cutts Staff Northern CA 5925 Posts |
STOP! Just STOP!
And think about YOUR desired outcome. Then go out and fail miserably at it. Then learn from that. Figure out WHY they are asking. Learn if it is better to hit them hard and leave them wanting more. |
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Mr. Woolery Inner circle Fairbanks, AK 2149 Posts |
Have one or two bulletproof things you can do in a social situation. Things that nobody is going to figure out by watching again. Bulletproof. Not mind blowing. Save that for paid gigs. If someone asks for something, tell them “it’ll take 5-9 minutes. You have enough time for that?” That gives them the choice to commit or not.
Do the thing. Anyone says “do more,” you tell them “I’d like to, but I save my best material for paid performances because it really takes a lot out of me.” Let them wonder what else you might be able to do. Patrick |
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Mark Timon Special user 594 Posts |
Don't do anything but tell them what you could do. After all if you do something at someone request, you just devalue yourself.
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Martin Pulman Inner circle London 3399 Posts |
Quote:
On Dec 29, 2020, Mark Timon wrote: It depends who's making the request, I would have thought? |
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kleqy Regular user 105 Posts |
Quote:
On Dec 29, 2020, Mark Timon wrote: But I might be wasting a potential gig. |
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funsway Inner circle old things in new ways - new things in old ways 9982 Posts |
Quote:
On Dec 29, 2020, kleqy wrote: It used to be enough to hand out business a card to set up a potential gig. Now it is inexpensive enough to have a thumbdrive demo of some magic effects as teasers. But, it occurs to me that if you have to prove your ability "on the fly" to get a gig, then what prompted the request in the frst place? If your "friends" know you are competent magician then no future gig is at risk whether you perform or not. If they doubt you ability and need proof, then a "quicky" with drink in hand is hardly good advertisement for a later show. If you just want to be the popular "go to guy" as a diversion from party boredom, then the quality of the trick will hardly matter. Do you wish to be known as guy with a ready trick, or the man who orchestrate a 30 year memory of magic? You can't be both.
"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 |
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Martin Pulman Inner circle London 3399 Posts |
Quote:
On Dec 29, 2020, funsway wrote: When David Berglas performed his e******* routine at parties (as outlined in The Mind and Magic of David Berglas) which one was he? |
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innercirclewannabe Inner circle Ireland 1597 Posts |
Quote:
On Dec 28, 2020, Martin Pulman wrote: I would agree with this and I think Mindpro was using an analogy that the late, Bob Cassidy was often accredited for saying. Like, Martin, I too have spent company with entertainers who are known worldwide and you know the common denominator amongst them all?... Ego! Yes, they get their kicks from being told how good they are irrespective who is telling them. One, or one thousand people. It doesn't matter. It is their driving force. I have plenty of stuff I can demonstrate 'on the fly.' Why not? Life is short and God forbid I become so precious about all of this that I think I am above showing my talents to a stranger. BTW - On more than one of these occasions I happened to secure a TV spot and made good friends with a well known entertainer all because I parked my inflated ego to one side and decided to 'show' some effects to an agent of a worldwide singer! I didn't know who he was at the time & I didn't care. Something to think about while you finish chewing your leftover turkey.
Tá sé ach cleas má dhéanann tú sé cuma mhaith ar cheann.
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bubbles New user The 5th Dimension 99 Posts |
There's a big difference between being a guy who goes to social gatherings and says "WHO WANTS TO SEE A TRICK?!" and a guy who's known as a performer who is prepared to show something when asked.
I think saying "No" is fine, but what's the harm in having something ready? As stated above, you never know who that person may be, and networking never hurts when it comes to getting paid gigs. |
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John C Eternal Order I THINK therefore I wrote 12945 Posts |
Quote:
On Dec 28, 2020, Martin Pulman wrote: I play guitar and learn a lot from youtube. Surprisingly enough Robby Krieger of the doors teaches how to play all his licks. Ringo teaches stuff, Leslie West of mountain taught how to play Mississippi Queen. It's crazy. |
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John C Eternal Order I THINK therefore I wrote 12945 Posts |
Quote:
On Dec 30, 2020, bubbles wrote: Hey bubbles do you perform mentalism? |
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John C Eternal Order I THINK therefore I wrote 12945 Posts |
Quote:
On Dec 29, 2020, kleqy wrote: There are currently very few gigs right now anyway. But if you think, if you really believe you are bypassing a potential gig then there is your answer right there. Perform a 10 minute set. |
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Haruspex New user 62 Posts |
There are different reasons why you may get asked to show something.
I find that people who are interested in what you do, often ask about how you got into it instead of asking to show something. They want to know how you started out, how you practice etc. Generally these people have a genuine interest in things like psychology etc. and are fascinated by the concept of mentalism. Of course there are many effects that can be casually performed during the conversation, like which-hand effects of effects where the spectator hides different objects into different pockets etc. However in this kind of setting often the person does not need/desire to see an effect to be intrigued, the already are. Seeing an effect only serves as a sort of confirmation. Its up to you if you want to use an effect as an example of something, during the conversation. Then there are people who just enjoy to see an effect. If you see their interest in genuine, then again there is nothing wrong with showing them something. Another option is to have a demo video on your website, so they can get an idea of what it is you do. Often the people who are looking for an entertainer for an upcoming event fall under this category The final group, which luckily you don't encounter often, are the people with no interest whatsoever in what you do. The just want to put you on the spot and sometimes heckle a little along the way. Fortunately you can often recognize their false interest. Finally, I don't believe you de-valuate yourself if you perform something for people with genuine interest. |
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