A short discourse on the matter of spectator reactions.

[meauxfeaux]

Hi Everyone.

As someone who has been performing magic in some form or fashion for the past 25 years, I am probably one of the older people that frequents this site from time to time. I am interested in the future of magic and the younger generation that will take it there. Now, don't misunderstand; I'm not discounting the relevance of myself or those of my generation. There is a certain element of gravitas and experience that can only color and inform your performance with age.

That said, I thought I'd share a tidbit of wisdom regarding what I continue to see as a recurring concern among those who populate this site (and others like it): that of evoking strong reactions from spectators.

To be brief, simply remember this: some of the most powerful reactions are silent. To aspire to always cause your viewers to jump, scream, or run away shouting sundry expletives is a mistake. Not all people are the same and, therefore, do not process information in the same fashion. Should someone simply stand and stare (assuming you haven't merely confused them by being unprepared or unrehearsed), you have likely aroused in them a far greater emotion than just surprise.

As a friend of mine once stated so perfectly: Involuntary silence is eloquent ovation.

Take those words to heart and strive to make your magic meaningful instead of just shocking. The appropriate responses from your spectators will follow, and they will be far more rewarding.

 

[Chr!s]

Oh, thank you sir!

THis is one of the better general discussion threads I've stumbled over of late!

What a wonderful quote that is, near the end!

I am of the view that sometimes a moment of silence in a reactive sense is one of the more impicitly wonderful feelings one can encounter, so thank you for providing such a lovely discourse on that very thing!

Thanks thanks and thanks again!

CL
(Aged 22)

 

[Sinful07]

I personally cannot tell. i normally get crowds jumping up and down, screaming, calling me a demon (Stigmata/Stained skin.. love them effects)

ive had the occassional Stare at me. but i usually register it as them being confused. its kind of hard to tell. normally if i do an effect on a girl- if they are in a state of awe, they will stare at me- then stare at their friend, mouth agape.


its hard to tell, but your post was insightful, would you mind going into a bit more depth on that?

 

[Flyspazz]

Well said.

I agree that they shouldnt be your goal. While jumping, screaming and running around are great reactions for teasers, cameras, and of course acceptable for all performances, sometimes over reactions arent the best reactions.

I often prefer the silent, staring, trying to unscramble your brain reaction myself. Although I guess I like all reactions as each person seems to validate the performance in their own ways.

 

[stmikal]

One of the Best reactions you can get is tht mouth agape stare, and then walk away. I performed Fraud about a year ago for a band called The Showdown (Probably my favorite heavy band for the last 3 years.) I saw a kid do I card prediction for them in a podcast and they liked it so I said heck, i'll see what happens. I walked up with cards in hand and asked if they would like to see a trick. They kinda begrudgingly agreed. I could tell they expected the same ol' - same ol' card trick. When I put the cards away they had no idea what was going on. I asked them if there was a dollar around I could show them something cool. When I did the effect and just left the bill in their hand and walked away, it killed them. I did not turn and look back or anything. All I said was, "Check that out" and walked away. My buddy watched them stare at the bill for minutes before they started talking about it and then got more animated. They remember me every time I see them now. Sometimes it takes a long time to sink in what just happened. You have to trust your effect and presentation enough to know you did a good job. Even if it only hits them when they get home.

 

[Dima]

Great thread.

"Involuntary silence is eloquent ovation." - i'll remember that one

 

[praetoritevong]

meauxfeaux, that's a very good point and something well worth reminding me, and I'm sure, the entire forums. Actually, now that I think about it, some of the more memorable reactions I've seen have been quiet ones, rather than the shouting out jumping up and down ones. The silent shake, the single, quiet laugh... Brilliant, thanks for posting this

 

[Fred531]

One of the Best reactions you can get is tht mouth agape stare, and then walk away. I performed Fraud about a year ago for a band called The Showdown (Probably my favorite heavy band for the last 3 years.) I saw a kid do I card prediction for them in a podcast and they liked it so I said heck, i'll see what happens. I walked up with cards in hand and asked if they would like to see a trick. They kinda begrudgingly agreed. I could tell they expected the same ol' - same ol' card trick. When I put the cards away they had no idea what was going on. I asked them if there was a dollar around I could show them something cool. When I did the effect and just left the bill in their hand and walked away, it killed them. I did not turn and look back or anything. All I said was, "Check that out" and walked away. My buddy watched them stare at the bill for minutes before they started talking about it and then got more animated. They remember me every time I see them now. Sometimes it takes a long time to sink in what just happened. You have to trust your effect and presentation enough to know you did a good job. Even if it only hits them when they get home.

Have you seen Stockman's Postmentalism? Sounds up your alley. I agree, sometimes allowing spectators to react privately produces the best reactions of all. Also, as Jay Sankey said, teasers are magic "porn" (can I say that here?) - websites root through hundreds of takes to find the best ones.

 

[Ben Long]

My favorite is the delayed reaction. Where they are (to paraphrase Paul Harris) trying to fit what they've just seen into one of their boxes to which they attribute everything that they experience, but then realize that what they've seen doesn't fit anywhere.

Harris says it best:

Your primal state of consciousness is neutral and flowing. Then like jello, it takes on the shape of whatever 'idea mold' it's poured into. That shape gradually congeals into your world view, your 'permanent' reality. Our culture is a competition to see who can make the most appealing mold...and to promote it as the 'real mold' so you'll pour yourself into it. The moment of astonishment temporarily breaks the mold and sets intelligence free. Astonishment is the mold of no molds. Although I'm not sure if this works if you add tiny marshmallows.

That's my favorite metaphor for astonishment. To look at it as a moment of freedom.

 

[praetoritevong]

Fred - Mix Tape comes to mind too, incidentally...

 

[meauxfeaux]

Let me be clear. I am not saying that outrageous reactions are a bad thing. I am simply saying that they should not be your aim.

Make your goal to perform magic that is meaningful; to provoke thought and stir emotion. The appropriate reactions, whatever they may be (and they will differ from person to person), will follow naturally.

For those wondering, the quote in my original post is from my friend David Harkey.

 

[winterline]

reactions differ from person to person. the more extroverted they are the likelihood is that they will scream or jump. also I think the age of the spectator makes a difference as well, the younger will be more vocal and the older will be more silent as they have more life experience and are trying to fit what you showed them to their knowledge of the world. Brian Tudor said in showoff3 that the 'most powerful reaction to a performance is when they are silent and awe struck, or they're motionless and don't move , it's not when they are clapping and cheering."

this is not a new concept to me, although I don't think I can say I learned it from somewhere or someone. I realized this fact after watching David Blaine, Criss Angel then Derren Brown. the reactions that Derren gets are genuine gobsmacked reactions. where as Criss Angels spectators reactions is to immediately burst into applause and "criss rocks!".

I prefer that my spectator is speechless after an effect, seeing their expression and body language is priceless. I have a battle coming up tomorrow which is based on the trick as well as the spectators reaction, I have a very good example of this idea of silent reaction so have a look, I'm positive you will thoroughly enjoy the reaction.