My blog of things and thoughts
Magic Presentation Theory, and cabbage...
25 June 2011
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To any non-magicians this post is likely to make you think I am slightly mental. For magicians, I’m guessing that a large percentage will either not get it, or get the principle and no doubt look at it at the theoretical/artistic perspective. I’m hoping that a small amount of magicians who actually go out performing for a living will get the concept and ask themselves how they would do it.
Ok, first some background. I was chatting to some magicians (to keep their identities secret I will refer to them as Old and Normal) and they said how it felt to be on the receiving end of a close-up table magician (ie., me.)
Basically, we were all at the same event and they asked me to do a little around their table (no doubt so they could steal my material – I haven’t named them so they can’t deny it.) I obliged their request and as usual got stunned reactions and was on the verge on starting my own religion, so a typical evening.
Talking to them later they said how rude it seemed to have the table’s conversation interrupted by someone wanting to show them magic tricks. This wasn’t directed at me personally, but this is something all magicians must do in order to perform.
It got me wondering how many stories and anecdotes I have (and other magicians at events) interrupted in the past already entertained guests can be entertained. See the paradox?
It's interesting to think about and discuss this, as this is obviously something that needs addressing, not just personally, but by the magical community as a whole. However, before I go further I would just like to point out that I introduced myself nicely, apologised for the interruption and showed the table some magic that they enjoyed watching.
It’s also fair to point out that at many tables I am welcomed as they have seen be walking around other tables and are anticipating my arrival. Similarly, many tables (and this is why I’m booked) are only engaging in small-talk and need someone like me to kick-start the conversations and get everyone involved.
However, the groups (perhaps the first couple of tables of the evening, or the ones where the ice is already broken and the conversation is flowing) are the groups of my concern. As an analogy I saw the similarities between getting a child to eat their greens and getting a group to watch magic – something they don’t want to do but will be beneficial in the long-term.
1) Force the kid to eat cabbage: This is basically what we (as professionals) do. Force it on to them, and after a few bites they realise it isn't too bad and like it. Quite direct but gets the desired result after an awkward start.
2) Say "try some if you want" and put a small serving of cabbage on the plate: Basically go to a table and perform for a couple of people and hope the rest of the group stop talking once their conversation has finished and their interest raised. I pointed out that in theory this is good, but in real world people will just talk and not give things a chance. You won't get the attention (and applause) from the whole table, and booker won't book you again as only a small handful saw what you done. This is the route amateurs go when they start performing and can’t command the attention of a group.
3) Make the cabbage interesting by pretending it's a plane. This is the best option, make it interesting so people actually want to try it, but without forcing it on them, but still not giving them an option to say "no”. How's this done? Don't know, but I think that raising the question and acknowledging that there is this "problem" is important.
To be honest, I fully understand that my ramblings are only a couple of steps up from the scrawlings on the wall in a mental institution. If you don’t get the concept of what I’m saying then this post clearly wasn’t aimed at you. You’ve lost a couple of minutes of your life that you won’t get back, but well done for sticking with it to the end.
Ok, first some background. I was chatting to some magicians (to keep their identities secret I will refer to them as Old and Normal) and they said how it felt to be on the receiving end of a close-up table magician (ie., me.)
Basically, we were all at the same event and they asked me to do a little around their table (no doubt so they could steal my material – I haven’t named them so they can’t deny it.) I obliged their request and as usual got stunned reactions and was on the verge on starting my own religion, so a typical evening.
Talking to them later they said how rude it seemed to have the table’s conversation interrupted by someone wanting to show them magic tricks. This wasn’t directed at me personally, but this is something all magicians must do in order to perform.
It got me wondering how many stories and anecdotes I have (and other magicians at events) interrupted in the past already entertained guests can be entertained. See the paradox?
It's interesting to think about and discuss this, as this is obviously something that needs addressing, not just personally, but by the magical community as a whole. However, before I go further I would just like to point out that I introduced myself nicely, apologised for the interruption and showed the table some magic that they enjoyed watching.
It’s also fair to point out that at many tables I am welcomed as they have seen be walking around other tables and are anticipating my arrival. Similarly, many tables (and this is why I’m booked) are only engaging in small-talk and need someone like me to kick-start the conversations and get everyone involved.
However, the groups (perhaps the first couple of tables of the evening, or the ones where the ice is already broken and the conversation is flowing) are the groups of my concern. As an analogy I saw the similarities between getting a child to eat their greens and getting a group to watch magic – something they don’t want to do but will be beneficial in the long-term.
1) Force the kid to eat cabbage: This is basically what we (as professionals) do. Force it on to them, and after a few bites they realise it isn't too bad and like it. Quite direct but gets the desired result after an awkward start.
2) Say "try some if you want" and put a small serving of cabbage on the plate: Basically go to a table and perform for a couple of people and hope the rest of the group stop talking once their conversation has finished and their interest raised. I pointed out that in theory this is good, but in real world people will just talk and not give things a chance. You won't get the attention (and applause) from the whole table, and booker won't book you again as only a small handful saw what you done. This is the route amateurs go when they start performing and can’t command the attention of a group.
3) Make the cabbage interesting by pretending it's a plane. This is the best option, make it interesting so people actually want to try it, but without forcing it on them, but still not giving them an option to say "no”. How's this done? Don't know, but I think that raising the question and acknowledging that there is this "problem" is important.
To be honest, I fully understand that my ramblings are only a couple of steps up from the scrawlings on the wall in a mental institution. If you don’t get the concept of what I’m saying then this post clearly wasn’t aimed at you. You’ve lost a couple of minutes of your life that you won’t get back, but well done for sticking with it to the end.
