Fritts1223
Spring street magic
Link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKwJkp2iGbs
Effects performed: Pressure, Torn and Restored, Time machine, Witness, and Stigmata
Audience: Random teenagers at a local park. The spectators were either just sitting around or walking passed me when I approached them.
Performance: The first performance I just approached the girls randomly, trying to be friendly. The other performances were asked for by people asking what I was doing with the camera. Things I noticed were that the audience really reacts strongly to effects that are put into their own hands. I tried to be as natural as I could in my performances. I think that made it much easier for people to open to the magic experience.
Hey Frits, because everyone has been praising your recent live performance video, you now got yourself a topic stimulated by you! Aint you proud of that!?
I am. For the Greater Good.
First thing to mention is, i like the feel in your approach. If someone with that cool attitude walked up to me, and said "Wanna see a trick?" with boundless confidence (like you portrayed), then it would make my day. Most people stutter while asking, people shy away, people get sweaty and shakey. We should learn from this.
I am not familiar with how you perform, the persona you take, or how you see your magic, how you want it to be seen; but i dislike it being called "trick". To me, it dilutes it, it downgrades it, the thing you are showing. I avoid using that all the time - when i go out to perform for people who are in the young adult/adult range, they tend to think of tricks when you say magic, "magic trick magic trick". I stop them right away when they say that, i tell them "I dont do tricks", because its like throwing away the context that magic represents for. The bigger picture. Like shutting their gates before they experienced it. Even if you dont take magic seriously like professionals do, you should present it in a manner which demands respect - dont misunderstand Fritt, im not talking about you in any way. I just have a disliking for the word trick thats all. Its not you.
First effect was Pressure wasn't it? Im sure you have heard people saying how you shouldnt have had the balloon out already and stuff like that. Now i believe so too, i won't nag you as to why but all i want to add to it is that maybe you could introduce the balloon somehow. Add a bit of context to this balloon. I havent got any ideas yet, but i will give you an example. In the AoA Vol 1, there is an effect called Vanish 5000, with the Sugar Packet. The effect goes as follows:
"While hanging out at a coffee shop you mention there are exactly 5000 granules of suger in every sugar packet. You rip open a fresh packet and invite nearby diners to count along with you as you pour the 5000 granules into your fist. The packet is now empty. No sugar has left your hand, yet when you slowly open your fingers, the 5000 granules have completely and irrevocably vanished. Theres nothing to say, so say it with the fewest words possible."
This may not be a good example, but you see how he gave the lil sugar packet context? A simple bold statement such as knowing there are 5000 granules in a packet in every sugar packet naturally reels people in to this. Of course, that is bait, the good stuff is behind it. I hope you understand what i mean.
Second effect, the torn and transposed card. I like how you played it throughout.
Third effect Time Machine, one of my personal favs. This effect can be presented in many ways, rather than the old "Did you know in every deck of cards there is a Time Machine?". It's good, but people can't relate to it. I have a few presentational ideas and scripting, i will share it with you in hopes it stimulates your thinking. I'll send you a PM bout it. BTW, did you do any effects for the baby in the red?
Fourth effect. Like everyone says, don't say the effect's name out loud. Shh! Also, try not to call your attention on the "Joker", they know its the Joker, they saw it just a moment ago, so telling them its the Joker makes no sense. Also, i dont know if you use that presentation of changing the card with adults or people older than kids, but that kinda makes the spectator feel awkward - rubbing the card and making it change that is. Like somebody else said (i forget who it was), try and have them think about the Joker (inside the bag btw), and in their minds, guide them through images of the Joker morphing into their card. An example of this would be psychological card forces, im sure you have heard (or even know a few), so you could use the concept within this effect. To make it even bigger than it is.
Fifth effect Stigmata. When you have a spectator freely pick a card, when they have picked the card they want, don't ask them "Are you sure?", it's pointless. Also. What part of the body language tells you that it is a red card exactly? If you were to perform for a much wiser minded and a broader range, and they asked you how can that be, then what would you say?
Some final words. Like the comment i gave Z magic about his confidence in performing, the building of suspence and climax, you have done good. You didnt shift weight between your feet, you didnt lose crowd control, you had your patter recorded good, your sleight execution thumbs up. Just work on your presentation - that is where the exquisite tastes of magic are found, and it is the most rewarding part of your journey. Try and make effects your own, presentation wise. Try to relate your effects towards the audience. Try and get them hooked.
I would love to see more live performances from you. Check your PM when you have time.