So to all the sleight junkies out there and the magicians frustrated by them
So let's be honest. When you first were introduced to the modern forms of visual magic for the first time, such as the Bucks, you were pretty freakin blown away. And it inspired you to learn the material, so that you could accomplish the same thing. Then you want to go show off your new skill to all your friends so that they get the same feeling as you did when you saw it.
But wait, maybe the reactions you're getting are not what you want. And you wish that you could get some better ones.
I think the problem with this is the constant copying of the performances seen by people like the Bucks
No offense to the Bucks, but the style they perform with is not meant to "wow" spectators.
How many videos have popped up lately that just involve a fancy control and a color change. "Ill take this card and leave it in the deck, if i take a different card, it changes... *drifts off into a dull low voice*" The style they perform with is meant to be for magicians. It involves no interaction whatsoever with the spectators and it makes you seem somewhat awkward if you perform that way for someone.
I'm sorry but the simple way of explaining what's happening throughout the trick (like said above) is no excuse for patter. If you simply copy the dull monotone voice of the Bucks for a spectator, it will leave them bored and it will get an "Oh, cool" type reaction. But take Tivo 2.0 for instance. If you simply perform this as they do, it will get a decent response because of the visualness of it. However, if you incorporate it into and exciting, interactive ACR, then the reactions you will get from your spectators will be so much better.
In the Bucks' performances, they are simply trying to get the point across about what's supposed to be happening in that particular effect. I do not believe that they are teaching it to be performed that way. The sleights that the Bucks come up with are absolutely phenomenal, but if you perform them as sleights, as they do, then you will not get the best reaction you could out of a spectator.
I believe Jordan Lapping has done a great job at dissecting the Bucks work and making them into a routine. For example, his Transpositionings video, and his Time Machine video. The bucks perform Deja Vu and the Molecule 2 single card production as sleights. Jordan Lapping takes those sleights and incorporates them into a routine. He doesn't perform them as just sleights. And Swiss Made. They perform this as a control and a change. Why? Because they are introducing two knew sleights to teach you. Is that what you're trying to do when you perform for a spectator? Of course not! Jordan takes this effect and puts some friendly patter into it to make it enjoyable for a non magician, and a magician to watch.
So next time, instead of just performing a Cascade control and a goat change, try sitting down and figuring out a way to make them into a routine that will be fun and interesting for a spectator.
Now, I have no problem with videos that people put out there that show there skill by doing controls, changes, and other sleights. I do enjoy seeing people's demonstration of skill. And in that situation it is okay to use the Bucks style because let's be honest, all you are trying to do is get the point across. You're not going for a magical experience, but more a demonstration of skill. However, if you perform for your spectators as a demonstration of skill, they will not understand and it will seem somewhat boring.
So then, if this is the only way you perform, can you really call yourself a magician? Or are you just a skilled hobbyist that wants to have the quickest, most deceiving hands. A skilled hobbyist worries about how well he can execute the hardest sleight. A magician worries about giving a spectator the best possible magical experience. And both types of people are fine, provided you call yourself and accept what you are.
So take a step back and think. Are you really a magician? Or just a skilled hobbyist. And if you're not either, which do you want to be. And how can you improve your skills to become a better magician? And I don't mean your hand dexterity Magic lately has become too much about executing and perfecting the hardest sleights. What happened to the sheer all around fun that magic is supposed to present?
peace
-Kevin
So let's be honest. When you first were introduced to the modern forms of visual magic for the first time, such as the Bucks, you were pretty freakin blown away. And it inspired you to learn the material, so that you could accomplish the same thing. Then you want to go show off your new skill to all your friends so that they get the same feeling as you did when you saw it.
But wait, maybe the reactions you're getting are not what you want. And you wish that you could get some better ones.
I think the problem with this is the constant copying of the performances seen by people like the Bucks
No offense to the Bucks, but the style they perform with is not meant to "wow" spectators.
How many videos have popped up lately that just involve a fancy control and a color change. "Ill take this card and leave it in the deck, if i take a different card, it changes... *drifts off into a dull low voice*" The style they perform with is meant to be for magicians. It involves no interaction whatsoever with the spectators and it makes you seem somewhat awkward if you perform that way for someone.
I'm sorry but the simple way of explaining what's happening throughout the trick (like said above) is no excuse for patter. If you simply copy the dull monotone voice of the Bucks for a spectator, it will leave them bored and it will get an "Oh, cool" type reaction. But take Tivo 2.0 for instance. If you simply perform this as they do, it will get a decent response because of the visualness of it. However, if you incorporate it into and exciting, interactive ACR, then the reactions you will get from your spectators will be so much better.
In the Bucks' performances, they are simply trying to get the point across about what's supposed to be happening in that particular effect. I do not believe that they are teaching it to be performed that way. The sleights that the Bucks come up with are absolutely phenomenal, but if you perform them as sleights, as they do, then you will not get the best reaction you could out of a spectator.
I believe Jordan Lapping has done a great job at dissecting the Bucks work and making them into a routine. For example, his Transpositionings video, and his Time Machine video. The bucks perform Deja Vu and the Molecule 2 single card production as sleights. Jordan Lapping takes those sleights and incorporates them into a routine. He doesn't perform them as just sleights. And Swiss Made. They perform this as a control and a change. Why? Because they are introducing two knew sleights to teach you. Is that what you're trying to do when you perform for a spectator? Of course not! Jordan takes this effect and puts some friendly patter into it to make it enjoyable for a non magician, and a magician to watch.
So next time, instead of just performing a Cascade control and a goat change, try sitting down and figuring out a way to make them into a routine that will be fun and interesting for a spectator.
Now, I have no problem with videos that people put out there that show there skill by doing controls, changes, and other sleights. I do enjoy seeing people's demonstration of skill. And in that situation it is okay to use the Bucks style because let's be honest, all you are trying to do is get the point across. You're not going for a magical experience, but more a demonstration of skill. However, if you perform for your spectators as a demonstration of skill, they will not understand and it will seem somewhat boring.
So then, if this is the only way you perform, can you really call yourself a magician? Or are you just a skilled hobbyist that wants to have the quickest, most deceiving hands. A skilled hobbyist worries about how well he can execute the hardest sleight. A magician worries about giving a spectator the best possible magical experience. And both types of people are fine, provided you call yourself and accept what you are.
So take a step back and think. Are you really a magician? Or just a skilled hobbyist. And if you're not either, which do you want to be. And how can you improve your skills to become a better magician? And I don't mean your hand dexterity Magic lately has become too much about executing and perfecting the hardest sleights. What happened to the sheer all around fun that magic is supposed to present?
peace
-Kevin