Inspired by something I saw in another thread….
If you could really do magic, what would you do? Would you use you powers to rid the world of poverty? Would you become a superhero? Perhaps you’d go to the dark side and become a super villain?
Or would you use it to make the two black jacks sandwich a chosen card?
OK, that’s an extreme example. But i’ve often seen the question asked on forums, especially aimed towards those who choose to ‘create’ magic, about what exactly the ‘point’ of a new effect is. Why are you doing this effect? Is it what you would do if you could really do magic?
To be blunt, no. It isn’t what I would be doing. If I could really do magic I certainly wouldn’t want to waste my time making two rubber bands pass through each other.
But then again, the reality is that I can’t do ‘magic’. And, given they fact it’s 2016, I don’t for a second expect my audience to think I can either.
In the intro to my ebook Card Ideas, I describe my effects as ‘pointless ideas’. And I honestly believe that is what they are. Good, old-fashioned, inherently pointless cards tricks. And I love ‘em for it!
However, I don’t necessarily believe that just because something is pointless, that it also has no value. Magic has value in that it is a great ice breaker. It’s also fun, novel entertainment and also great distraction. It is also something that people don’t see every day. Whilst I don’t necessarily buy into the notion that magic can ‘make you believe anything is possible' (no one is going to make any major, life changing decisions just because I know what card they’re thinking of), I do think it can help people forget about their stressful day at work for just a moment and maybe bring a smile to their face. And that to me is where it’s value lies. It is something for me and other people to simply enjoy in the moment. Pointless, but enjoyable.
I take my magic very seriously and have done for most of my life, but I certainly don’t try to act like it’s life or death. It’s just card tricks.
Then again, maybe I'm completely wrong. This is 'art' after all. So what do you guys think? Should magic effects always have a point, a narrative or some deeper underlying meaning? Should we try and convince people we can really do magic, or are they just tricks we have spent many years perfecting? Are you a real magician, or is it all just a bit of fun?
All thoughts welcome, and let's keep it civil!
Rev (purveyor of pointless card tricks!)
PS: Forgive the slight 'rambling' tone of the above, this is very much 'train-of-thought' style writing rather than an essay!
If you could really do magic, what would you do? Would you use you powers to rid the world of poverty? Would you become a superhero? Perhaps you’d go to the dark side and become a super villain?
Or would you use it to make the two black jacks sandwich a chosen card?
OK, that’s an extreme example. But i’ve often seen the question asked on forums, especially aimed towards those who choose to ‘create’ magic, about what exactly the ‘point’ of a new effect is. Why are you doing this effect? Is it what you would do if you could really do magic?
To be blunt, no. It isn’t what I would be doing. If I could really do magic I certainly wouldn’t want to waste my time making two rubber bands pass through each other.
But then again, the reality is that I can’t do ‘magic’. And, given they fact it’s 2016, I don’t for a second expect my audience to think I can either.
In the intro to my ebook Card Ideas, I describe my effects as ‘pointless ideas’. And I honestly believe that is what they are. Good, old-fashioned, inherently pointless cards tricks. And I love ‘em for it!
However, I don’t necessarily believe that just because something is pointless, that it also has no value. Magic has value in that it is a great ice breaker. It’s also fun, novel entertainment and also great distraction. It is also something that people don’t see every day. Whilst I don’t necessarily buy into the notion that magic can ‘make you believe anything is possible' (no one is going to make any major, life changing decisions just because I know what card they’re thinking of), I do think it can help people forget about their stressful day at work for just a moment and maybe bring a smile to their face. And that to me is where it’s value lies. It is something for me and other people to simply enjoy in the moment. Pointless, but enjoyable.
I take my magic very seriously and have done for most of my life, but I certainly don’t try to act like it’s life or death. It’s just card tricks.
Then again, maybe I'm completely wrong. This is 'art' after all. So what do you guys think? Should magic effects always have a point, a narrative or some deeper underlying meaning? Should we try and convince people we can really do magic, or are they just tricks we have spent many years perfecting? Are you a real magician, or is it all just a bit of fun?
All thoughts welcome, and let's keep it civil!
Rev (purveyor of pointless card tricks!)
PS: Forgive the slight 'rambling' tone of the above, this is very much 'train-of-thought' style writing rather than an essay!