theory11 — Magic Tricks & the World's Finest Playing Cards

Developing your own style...

Randomwrath

Randomwrath

May 8, 2008
1,081
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Cumbria, UK
Hey, this is a thread about developing your own style of magic. You see, my problem is that I know quite a few tricks. I just can't sell them to the audience. For example: on the Distortion or Witness DVD, the audiences are like 'AAARRRGGGHHH OMG FREAK OUT!@!@!@!@!@!' (you get the picture) yet when I do them, people are alot less impressed. It isn't because they catch me out, I just don't present it very well. Anyone got any help or tips/advice?
 
I would've imagined, that they had plenty of takes before they got the amazing reactions on distortion...
 
That's a toughie because it means experimenting and constantly adjusting.
I would start off with what tricks you know, and try to tie them together into a story so that there's a reason to go from trick to trick. For example, if you are doing Believe, Distortion and Panic, you need to tie them together. Why are you doing those three tricks? Not because you know them well, but there has to be a reason from YOU.

YOU are the performer so you are giving part of yourself to the audience. The tricks are the screen. You are the charactor. If you take your own personal experiences, likes, hopes, whatever and put it into the why of the effect and the why of going from one to the other, then you have taken a first step.

Now also remember that it's a constant adjustment. Don't ever get complacent with your style once you think you've got it. Remember you are constantaly learning and growing, so you'll be changing your routine as you grow.

....I hope that made sense..... I just woke up.... :)
 
OwnerM is totally right, It's Wayne or Aaron or whoever getting the reactions, not just the effects they perform.

Take Blaine's first special for instance, pretty much everything he performed on that show you could take a stroll to your local magic shop and pick up, but the character and personality is what sells the magic and pulls the reactions.

The best advice I can give you is look into what you're saying when performing the tricks and think:

"Do I need to say this here? What could make this better? Maybe i could drop silent to allow the visuals to take over?"

Look at the rhythm of the tricks to, Taking WH as example, look at the way he performs indecent. Every move is scripted - look at the way he clicks his fingers, then he tugs the bag a little and looks up at the spectator... It's all rhythm, build ups and more build ups and climax points!

Hope that helps,

D.
 
Yea, I agree with everyone here, so I will just add that it also depends on the people you are performing for. Some people just dont react the same, but that does not mean that your effect didnt hit them hard. So just remember to have FUN, and keep peforming.
 
It seems you have a problem with your presentation.

Don't worry, you're not the only magician with that problem- I'm sure everything reading this has seen performances that make you want to spack the magician (espeically on YouTube).

May I suggest you get this book:

Strong Magic by Darwin Ortiz.

It is THE book you need to improve presentation and shownmanship.
 
Just to add to the chorus here: find something you care about.

Are you really into science? Maybe you want to start tweaking your scripts and presentations so that they relate to quantum physics (try Quarks & Quirks for lots of great ideas). Maybe you're an educator? What about routining so that your act is about the importance of continuous education?

Find what matters to you. That's the first step. Hope this helps a little.
 
I think a huge part of getting those explosive reactions that we want is having the skills to RELATE to the audience. If you walk up to a complete stranger, it's automatically going to be really awkward for the person you're walking up to. (and awkward to you too, if you're first starting out...) The only way to get to your audience is to break thorough that wall that's always going to be there when you perform for strangers. The way you break though that wall is going to be different every time you perform. Some tricks don't affect spectators as much or as deeply as others. Find a way to relate your magic to something they're doing, or something that interests them.
I'm still very new to magic myself, and I'm still learning how to pick out the spectators that will be willing to stop what they're doing and give you your full attention. (or most of it, anyway) The easiest way that I've found to get ideal spectators is to hang out in a crowded area (to increase your chances of attracting spectators) and do flourishes. It's a great way to warm up your fingers and get some attention at the same time. Just wait until someone asks you what your doing, and you've got your audience.
As far as style goes, the more you perform for people, the more you'll find start to find your style. Keep the stuff that works, and throw out the stuff that doesn't.

Hope I helped...
 
for distortion, you should start with the card switch where u have the spectator sandwich a card between their hands and u take another one and "magically" switch it with their card. (sorry idk what this trick is called). And after you do that, you should tell them that you'll actually show them what's happening to the cards while u wave it over their hand and do distortion.
 
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