Figured I'd post up the first article over here at Theory 11.
If you were to see real magic, what would it look like?
Would it look as if you levitated, effortlessly into the air, with no cover? Would it look as if you asked a spectator to think of ANY number, and you named the number out of their head?
Would it look as if a card visually melted into the card the spectator is merely thinking of? If you were to do REAL magic, what would it look like? As magicians, we try to IMITATE what real magic would look like, if such a thing existed. Saying that, does your magic, look, well, real? Does it look as if it is real magic? Or a cheap re-make?
Ask yourself the above questions, and more:
Does my magic look real?
Why not?
Is it because I am doing all of these fancy cuts and "XCM" moves?
Is it because the only choice I have is to ask the spectator to “pick a card?”
What am I limited to? (Card effects? Simple pick a card effects? Gimmicks? No gimmicks? Etc?)
If I were to do REAL magic, what would it look like?
Would I HAVE to cover my feet?
Would I HAVE to do all of these cuts?
Would I HAVE to do this, or would I have to do that?
If you were to do real magic, would you have to have the spectator choose a card, place it back into the deck, you shuffle, than name their card? Or could you just have the spectator think of a card, and you could name it?
I think you get the idea…
___
Before you can answer the above question, you have to know what real magic is. Yeah, that would be useful.
The dictionary definition of magic is this:
The art of producing illusions as entertainment by the use of sleight of hand, deceptive devices, etc.
I do not believe this is what we should be presenting our magic as though. Magic, in my opinion, is showing an audience the impossible. Taking them into their imagination and making the impossible, possible.
That is just how I think about magic. Everyone has their own opinion and thoughts on this subject. Some present it as sleight of hand and trickery, others present it as true magic and others leave the audience to pick. I like to let my audience believe what they like. I present it as impossible but I am not saying that my magic is REAL. I do not claim “powers” or the like.
What do you see when you think of Magic. Flying? Vanishing? Making things appear?
Think about what you see. Now, is there an effect that can re-create what you saw? If not, try to create on. If you “don’t know how” to create effects or need a basis, that is for another thread.
A man that can create true magic is Eugene Burger. His presentation makes the effects his. From the way he looks to the way he pronounces words. Everything is pin-pointed and screams magic.
Read below to find out more…
___
People ask all of the time was real magic looks like. Look at Mr. David Copperfield. Everything he does is simple and fairly visual. From his flight, to Grandfathers Aces. All of is has a magical aura around it. Why? Let’s dissect one of his performances of his flying routine. He starts out with a falcon on his arm. He lets it fly off stage. This creates the setup (not method wise) for his about to take flight. Who wouldn’t want to fly? He lies down on his back. He slowly, effortlessly, starts to hover over the ground. With a sway of his hands, he goes higher and higher, and slowly lowers back to the ground. This is the opening for this effect. It is perfect. He doesn’t go all out with the effect. Yet, it is enough to set the mood. Next, he stands up. Slowly starts to fly around the stage. Going higher, and higher. Like superman. This is the hard-hitting part. He has just begun his act and from the opening, it is amazing. Next, two assistants come out with hoops as he lies, back down, on thin air. They go around him. I do not think this was needed. It basically destroys the magical aura. It only screams the fact that there might just be wires. This is the only thing I would not have done.
Next, a box is brought out. He flies into the box and a lid is places atop the box. David is now flying, in the box. How much more magical can you get? I mean, seriously. The way he moves is completely elegant and smooth. An assistant walks atop the box. David is walking, upside down, the box, following the assistant’s steps. This just adds the Copperfield touch to the effect. This is HIM. Than, to top everything off. He flies out of the box, and asks an audience member to come on to the stage. She does so. David grabs the audience member. He starts to fly while holding onto her. They both go up into the air. It gives a very magical aura, mixed with the music and his movements.
It goes black.
Everything is very well thought out. From the music, to the movements he does. Everything is very simple, visual, elegant, and has that impossibility factor. There is an opening, middle, and an end. The perfect effect.
Another effect, most of you will be much more familiar with, is Silver Dream. 3 coins, visually, vanish from open hands. Amazing.
Why so magical? There have been effects like it before. But this one just screams magic. Why? Everything about the effect is magical. Every movement leads into another, there is a reason to why each coin is vanished, and there is a reason for each movement. The way each coin vanishes is unique.
It is beautifully routined.
Both of the above effects don’t only look amazing, but they look real. If I were to really fly, that is how it would look. If I was to really vanish 3 coins, elegantly, that is how it would look.
This is how you should think of each and every one of your effects.
(To see the above effects, you can see Silver Dream being performed by Justin Miller on Ellusionist. To see David Copperfield Fly and to see his Grandfather's Aces, search it in youtube.)
___
“But how Keenan, how could I possibly make each and every one of my effects look and feel like real magic?”
That may be what you are wondering. Well, sit down, get some cookies, and listen to Uncle Keenan and maybe, just maybe, he can help you out with your dilemma.
Supplies (What you will be needing)
A notebook
A pencil
Something to put the notebook on
Your hands
Your head (Including your brain and imagination.)
That is about it.
Now, write down each and every one of the effects that you perform. Write down what the spectators see, and then the method for each effect. In detail. From the subtleties to the presentation, to the script. Write down EVERYTHING about the effect.
Now, perform the effect to yourself. In the mirror, to a video camera, camera phone, anything so that you can see and hear the effect being performed. Perform it like you would to a normal spectator.
Now, if you are using a video camera (camera phone/webcam) you can rewind it and watch it again. (If not, watch yourself in the mirror and perform it for a parent or friend) Watch the effect over again.
Ask yourself these questions:
Does it look magical?
Does it look natural?
Does it sound natural?
Why doesn’t it look magical?
Is there reasoning for everything I do and say?
Is that sleight, saying, movement, shuffle, cut, etc. Really needed in the effect?
If I were to do this effect with REAL MAGIC, is this what it would look like?
(Those are only a few of many)
Really dissect your effect. Is it what you really want to accomplish? Mainly look into the first and last questions above. These are what you REALLY want to be paying attention to.
Write down these questions. Answer them ON PAPER. You want to be able to see these questions and answers.
If you don’t think something in your performance is needed, or takes away from the magical ness, take it out. Get rid of it. You will not need it. Now, if you think something should be added. Write it down and try it. If it works, highlight it and add it into your performance. Cross out everything on paper you are getting rid of and highlight everything you are adding into the effect.
Try everything you are adding. You are going to want to see it. SO, when you add something, film it again. Make sure it looks good. If it does, great. If not, again, get rid of it.
Don’t be afraid to try something outrageous. It might just make the effect.
Thanks!
Keenan
If you were to see real magic, what would it look like?
Would it look as if you levitated, effortlessly into the air, with no cover? Would it look as if you asked a spectator to think of ANY number, and you named the number out of their head?
Would it look as if a card visually melted into the card the spectator is merely thinking of? If you were to do REAL magic, what would it look like? As magicians, we try to IMITATE what real magic would look like, if such a thing existed. Saying that, does your magic, look, well, real? Does it look as if it is real magic? Or a cheap re-make?
Ask yourself the above questions, and more:
Does my magic look real?
Why not?
Is it because I am doing all of these fancy cuts and "XCM" moves?
Is it because the only choice I have is to ask the spectator to “pick a card?”
What am I limited to? (Card effects? Simple pick a card effects? Gimmicks? No gimmicks? Etc?)
If I were to do REAL magic, what would it look like?
Would I HAVE to cover my feet?
Would I HAVE to do all of these cuts?
Would I HAVE to do this, or would I have to do that?
If you were to do real magic, would you have to have the spectator choose a card, place it back into the deck, you shuffle, than name their card? Or could you just have the spectator think of a card, and you could name it?
I think you get the idea…
___
Before you can answer the above question, you have to know what real magic is. Yeah, that would be useful.
The dictionary definition of magic is this:
The art of producing illusions as entertainment by the use of sleight of hand, deceptive devices, etc.
I do not believe this is what we should be presenting our magic as though. Magic, in my opinion, is showing an audience the impossible. Taking them into their imagination and making the impossible, possible.
That is just how I think about magic. Everyone has their own opinion and thoughts on this subject. Some present it as sleight of hand and trickery, others present it as true magic and others leave the audience to pick. I like to let my audience believe what they like. I present it as impossible but I am not saying that my magic is REAL. I do not claim “powers” or the like.
What do you see when you think of Magic. Flying? Vanishing? Making things appear?
Think about what you see. Now, is there an effect that can re-create what you saw? If not, try to create on. If you “don’t know how” to create effects or need a basis, that is for another thread.
A man that can create true magic is Eugene Burger. His presentation makes the effects his. From the way he looks to the way he pronounces words. Everything is pin-pointed and screams magic.
Read below to find out more…
___
People ask all of the time was real magic looks like. Look at Mr. David Copperfield. Everything he does is simple and fairly visual. From his flight, to Grandfathers Aces. All of is has a magical aura around it. Why? Let’s dissect one of his performances of his flying routine. He starts out with a falcon on his arm. He lets it fly off stage. This creates the setup (not method wise) for his about to take flight. Who wouldn’t want to fly? He lies down on his back. He slowly, effortlessly, starts to hover over the ground. With a sway of his hands, he goes higher and higher, and slowly lowers back to the ground. This is the opening for this effect. It is perfect. He doesn’t go all out with the effect. Yet, it is enough to set the mood. Next, he stands up. Slowly starts to fly around the stage. Going higher, and higher. Like superman. This is the hard-hitting part. He has just begun his act and from the opening, it is amazing. Next, two assistants come out with hoops as he lies, back down, on thin air. They go around him. I do not think this was needed. It basically destroys the magical aura. It only screams the fact that there might just be wires. This is the only thing I would not have done.
Next, a box is brought out. He flies into the box and a lid is places atop the box. David is now flying, in the box. How much more magical can you get? I mean, seriously. The way he moves is completely elegant and smooth. An assistant walks atop the box. David is walking, upside down, the box, following the assistant’s steps. This just adds the Copperfield touch to the effect. This is HIM. Than, to top everything off. He flies out of the box, and asks an audience member to come on to the stage. She does so. David grabs the audience member. He starts to fly while holding onto her. They both go up into the air. It gives a very magical aura, mixed with the music and his movements.
It goes black.
Everything is very well thought out. From the music, to the movements he does. Everything is very simple, visual, elegant, and has that impossibility factor. There is an opening, middle, and an end. The perfect effect.
Another effect, most of you will be much more familiar with, is Silver Dream. 3 coins, visually, vanish from open hands. Amazing.
Why so magical? There have been effects like it before. But this one just screams magic. Why? Everything about the effect is magical. Every movement leads into another, there is a reason to why each coin is vanished, and there is a reason for each movement. The way each coin vanishes is unique.
It is beautifully routined.
Both of the above effects don’t only look amazing, but they look real. If I were to really fly, that is how it would look. If I was to really vanish 3 coins, elegantly, that is how it would look.
This is how you should think of each and every one of your effects.
(To see the above effects, you can see Silver Dream being performed by Justin Miller on Ellusionist. To see David Copperfield Fly and to see his Grandfather's Aces, search it in youtube.)
___
“But how Keenan, how could I possibly make each and every one of my effects look and feel like real magic?”
That may be what you are wondering. Well, sit down, get some cookies, and listen to Uncle Keenan and maybe, just maybe, he can help you out with your dilemma.
Supplies (What you will be needing)
A notebook
A pencil
Something to put the notebook on
Your hands
Your head (Including your brain and imagination.)
That is about it.
Now, write down each and every one of the effects that you perform. Write down what the spectators see, and then the method for each effect. In detail. From the subtleties to the presentation, to the script. Write down EVERYTHING about the effect.
Now, perform the effect to yourself. In the mirror, to a video camera, camera phone, anything so that you can see and hear the effect being performed. Perform it like you would to a normal spectator.
Now, if you are using a video camera (camera phone/webcam) you can rewind it and watch it again. (If not, watch yourself in the mirror and perform it for a parent or friend) Watch the effect over again.
Ask yourself these questions:
Does it look magical?
Does it look natural?
Does it sound natural?
Why doesn’t it look magical?
Is there reasoning for everything I do and say?
Is that sleight, saying, movement, shuffle, cut, etc. Really needed in the effect?
If I were to do this effect with REAL MAGIC, is this what it would look like?
(Those are only a few of many)
Really dissect your effect. Is it what you really want to accomplish? Mainly look into the first and last questions above. These are what you REALLY want to be paying attention to.
Write down these questions. Answer them ON PAPER. You want to be able to see these questions and answers.
If you don’t think something in your performance is needed, or takes away from the magical ness, take it out. Get rid of it. You will not need it. Now, if you think something should be added. Write it down and try it. If it works, highlight it and add it into your performance. Cross out everything on paper you are getting rid of and highlight everything you are adding into the effect.
Try everything you are adding. You are going to want to see it. SO, when you add something, film it again. Make sure it looks good. If it does, great. If not, again, get rid of it.
Don’t be afraid to try something outrageous. It might just make the effect.
Thanks!
Keenan
