theory11 — Magic Tricks & the World's Finest Playing Cards
Where can I learn stage illusions?
- Thread starter triixOr
- Start date
First off, many people may not know the answer. Second, it's only been four hours since your first post... that isn't a very long time. Third, you are 16 and really shouldn't be attempting the needle swallowing.
Hey mate, sorry about the late response. Some questions aren't as easy to answer, so it might take a while for other people to get back to you. Also, keep in mind that this forum got people from all over the globe, so someone 8 timezone hours away from you might have the answer, and you'll have to wait for them to get up, or get home from work, or whatever. So, no worries, we'll get to your question as soon as we can. Just bump it up after a day or so if no one's responded.
For actually learning stage illusions, I'd recommend the 'Seven Basic Secrets of Illusion Design' by Eric Van Duzer. That'll give you the what you need to learn HOW THEY'RE MADE. How to perform them is another matter, but for what you're asking for, this is what you need.
I'm also going to recommend you reading Jim Steinmeyer's "Hiding the Elephant" (this one's a fun read) and Milbourne Christopher's "The Illustrated History of Magic" (it's better if you don't try to read it all at once). Between those two, you'll get a grasp of the basic history of stage illusions. It's good to know where these things come from, and how they've evolved over time, y'kno?
There's also this thread at the Magic Cafe that you'll want to check out: http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewtopic.php?topic=335542&forum=7
That should be all the resources you need. Don't hesitate to ask more if you've got other questions and anything else I, or anyone else, can help you with 'round these parts. If I could recommend only two things, it would be "Hiding the Elephant" and "Seven Basic Secrets of Illusion Design" so that you don't try to read everything all at once (I've found that to be generally not a good thing, like trying to eat all the food at a buffet table.)
Have fun, happy staging!
--b
~~~
Mate, that's really patronising. What does triixOr's age have to do with whether or not he or she "should" attempt needle swallowing (as with any other trick, really)? Would you have warned a 16 year old against attempting to do the ambitious card trick? So why do it when needles are involved?
You might say, "Because of the dangers involved!" But if that's so...who's warning anyone of the dangerous consequences of the ambitious card routine!?
Yeah, that's right folks. The ACR is dangerous. You heard it here first.
A lack of preparation can result in nausea when performing, elevated blood pressure and an increase in heartrate, profuse perspiration, and choking on stage. It will almost inevitably lead to failure in performance which results in your deceptions being, well, undeceiving, redfaced embarrasment akin to having egg on your face, a ruined (thankfully, temporarily) reputation, and -GASP OH GASP- REVEALING OF MAGIC'S SECRETS, a level 3 punisable crime according to Article 127.9 of the Shadow Proclamation by The International Circlejerk of Magicians.
So. Why's needle swallowing more dangerous than the ambitious card routine?
Because of the physical dangers involved with sharp objects.
Dangers made manageable by proper preparation and correct performance of the trick.
Going by what you've said, you're saying either
a) "Based on the risk of physical danger present in the needle swallowing trick, no one, regardless of their age, should perform it,"
or
b) "No one under 16 years of age should perform the needle swallowing trick because, being only 16 years old, they are incapable of proper preparation and performance of the trick, and it will only lead them to physical harm."
And you know what?
You could be right. triixOr could be completely unprepared for such a trick. Most 16 year olds could be unfit for performing this trick. But hell, so could a 40 year old just as easily, neh, old man?
But that's not for you to decide. It's for the companies selling the trick (with them, it's actually a legal concern if they market tricks that end up with people in the hospital), and for the individual performer.
(Edited due to extreme profanity.)
It is a pleasure to meet you too. In the future, please try to express yourself without the stared out profanity.
Swallowing needles shouldn't be performed by a 16 year old who has been doing magic for two years (go back and read triixOr's other posts) for the following reasons:
1) It is dangerous even with the necessary preparation and training
2) Most spectators would not be interested in seeing a child (and yes 16 is a child) performing that type of effect
3) The effect relies on very strong presentation skills which most 16 year olds would lack.
Also, if he gets hurt, his parents do take blame. So just for legal stuff, it's probably not the best idea to perform until you're 18.
The "Age Issue" has always ticked off those under 21 and in some instances those of us cursed to look 16 well into our early 30s (I didn't have peach fuzz until my late 20s). But, there are certain bits in magic that have ALWAYS been looked upon as "too dangerous" in the hands of the young for reasons noted and more. The operators of the old brick & mortar shops as well as the "leaders" in magic organizations like IBM, SAM, etc. are to reinforce said requisites OR, when a rare and unique case does surface, work with said youngster (and their parents) in development of the effect, practice and execution.
The Needle/Razor Threading bits are classics of magic, Houdini is said to have done over 100 needles in his performance. It is NOT an "Illusion" but a trick, a small slight-of-hand stunt, please learn how to use the proper terms on things. Illusions are quite large and typically expensive as all get out, so learn the nomenclature so you don't come off looking like a wannabe. . . (oops! too late)
Given that this is a bit of slight-of-hand skill we go back to what was previously stated; how versed would a 16 year old kid be, with 2-years at home study, no hands-on supervision, etc. -- just how solid would his/her skills be? The odds aren't strong when it comes to the established pattern of things that such a person would be skilled enough to seamlessly pull off a bit that could literally kill them if not done correctly. [QUICK NOTE: with over 40-years vested in this craft I'd not try it at this stage because of the constraints placed on me health-wise -- loss of coordination, shaky hands, lack of focus -- it would be STUPID even though I know at least 3 very solid & safe methods. So it's not just being too young, sometimes it's being to old or ill]
When it comes to youth however, there is a responsibility shared by we older pros when it comes to keeping you and your audiences safe. This is one reason why bits like this, certain escape and "freak" stunts aren't readily taught and too, why there are laws governing the use/possession of knives, swords, and pyro-based materials by persons under 21 years of age but more so, those under 18. Even when you step into official adulthood, you MUST play by the rules or you will pay according to them.
The Needle/Razor Threading bits are classics of magic, Houdini is said to have done over 100 needles in his performance. It is NOT an "Illusion" but a trick, a small slight-of-hand stunt, please learn how to use the proper terms on things. Illusions are quite large and typically expensive as all get out, so learn the nomenclature so you don't come off looking like a wannabe. . . (oops! too late)
Given that this is a bit of slight-of-hand skill we go back to what was previously stated; how versed would a 16 year old kid be, with 2-years at home study, no hands-on supervision, etc. -- just how solid would his/her skills be? The odds aren't strong when it comes to the established pattern of things that such a person would be skilled enough to seamlessly pull off a bit that could literally kill them if not done correctly. [QUICK NOTE: with over 40-years vested in this craft I'd not try it at this stage because of the constraints placed on me health-wise -- loss of coordination, shaky hands, lack of focus -- it would be STUPID even though I know at least 3 very solid & safe methods. So it's not just being too young, sometimes it's being to old or ill]
When it comes to youth however, there is a responsibility shared by we older pros when it comes to keeping you and your audiences safe. This is one reason why bits like this, certain escape and "freak" stunts aren't readily taught and too, why there are laws governing the use/possession of knives, swords, and pyro-based materials by persons under 21 years of age but more so, those under 18. Even when you step into official adulthood, you MUST play by the rules or you will pay according to them.