I admit it. I waste effects during the show. Meaning, that I do something that is really "strong" and then not waiting for the applause but going on quickly.
Here is the reason: if you were a real magician, those things would be normal to you. They would be no wonders, nothing spectacular that deserves applause. You would just do them, because you entertain with them.
Doing that creates two things.
1. The audience perceives you as someone who is larger than life. You do not need to celebrate each effect, you do not need applause every time. In a weird way the magicians appears more modest. The act also seems less interrupting and the flow is much nicer.
2. If this is nothing to you, what is something to you? Strangely it will seem that you are capable of doing much more than you do. Leaving them to wonder what else you might have up your sleeve. So this creates natural interest. It makes you seem more in tune with your character which is a magician.
John had a good post of such.
ReplyDeletehttp://johngmagic.blogspot.com/2009/05/in-moment.html
This is a very natural progression of someone's talent, act, and maturity (and I don't say that as an insult).
ReplyDeleteTo paraphrase other self-help gurus, the fact that you know you have the problem is the first step to solving it. The time has come for you to step outside your own head and put yourself in the heads of your audience. Ask yourself questions:
What would be relevant to them? What subject matter, information, or POV would make them sit up and take notice? Here's a hint: finding chosen cards or making things appear or disappear is NOT interesting to them. To refer to common marketing wisdom - nobody cares about your product. NOBODY. All they care about is what's in it for them.
Now, when you perform your magic, what's in it for the audience? How can your framework or message become relevant for them? This is not an easy question, and it took me a long time to arrive at a workable answer (I tried many ideas along the way that didn't work). And that answer is still evolving. All I know is that when I DID discover an answer, not only did I suddently REALLY like my magic, my AUDIENCES responded BIG time. They started to truly connect with what I was saying, and they gladly went along for the ride. They actively participated in tne suspension of disbelief that we, as magical performers, try to engender. And when THEY are doing the heavy lifting, then the path becomes easier, clearer, and more fulfilling.
I know this may smack of a Pollyanna attitude, but it truly, truly works.
I wish you great luck on your new journey.
Fred Zimmerman