8. Slates (use a white board instead) unless it is in a spirt routine (ghosts don't like white boards)
True, once I was using a white board while calling on the ghosts to reveal the design of the card an audience member had chosen (because obviously that sounds like something ghosts usually do), but they didn't come. I repeat, using spirits as assistants, highly unreliable.
I'd like to respectfully disagree. I think there is a lot of bad phone magic out there (i.e. The Invisible Deck app), however there are some effects using an iPhone where (imo) the tech feels secondary. Especially because many of these can be performed almost exclusively using a spectator's phone. Even though it's overdone, I know some solid effects using the TOXIC force that usually play well. WikiTest is one of my favorites as well, especially because there's one part of the method that isn't and can't be done with technology. Earworm is pretty cool although I haven't really had many opportunities I've also been having fun with digital force bag although that app (along with Timeline) are probably best used in the context of another trick.
You're actually right. I used to think that the audience won't react as much for 'phone magic' because they'd think it's just technology and if they installed an app, it'd be the same. But videos show otherwise (note: I haven't performed them and I'm aware that the 'phone magician' might be selectively showing the reactions).
HOWEVER the phone magic which attracts me is the kind which incorporates a phone instead of everything happening in a phone. Like, maybe me calling somebody on a phone, or the reveal of a card being texted to them by me even though I haven't touched my phone, or something related to people choosing things on their phone (favourite song out of their playlists), cracking their passwords (a simply organic way to include a phone, because we all are afraid that somebody will just guess our password, steal everything and render us homeless), a photo of somebody holding a blank sheet of paper, which converts into a photo of them holding a sheet with the card's name...you get the idea.
All of these naturally incorporate a phone without us having to explain them.
I think they are a lot of concepts that can be used in a modern way... but old magic by itself cannot.. simply because people nowadays are not familiarized with certain concepts or objects (top hat, canes, silks, etc)
True. Maybe as a gag though. Or as you said, it's part of one's character. I'd add that it could also be a part of that routine itself. Maybe the entire routine is intended to feel vintage-y.
(Screams "I got this at the magic store")
Any prop which clearly looks purchased, when used in magic, is one of my biggest pet peeves. There are stars drawn on that card, or there is 'MAGIC' written behind that item, or it's cheap plastic and looks suspicious, how am I supposed to believe you?
If somebody likes a prop from a magic set, they should find a real-life item replacement, or just create it themselves.
Magicians shouldn't look like bigger geeks than we naturally are (my opinion).