My blog of things and thoughts
My inspiration for Working a Room
23 September 2010
News Images
A few years back I attended a lecture at the Home Counties Magical Association in Reading, Berkshire. The lecture was given by Gregory Wilson, one of the top magicians in the world - he's won five different awards at FISM (the world championships for magicians). This was an interesting lectures, however it was spending a couple of hours in the pub with him that were truly valuable.
Instead of just talking tricks the conversation soon turned to the presention of magic. There were a few of us magicians showing our routines and discussing the psychology behind what we do, and why we do it. There are elements of my repertoire that I can trace back to the lecture and the following discussions.
However, it was a comment that someone said - that I didn't really take any notice of at the time - that affects my performance.
The conversation turned to the subject of Derren Brown (Greg is from America and had never seen Derren perform) and someone said they saw Derren performing close-up magic at an event before he first appeared on TV. Although he couldn't remember what tricks and effects he done, he did remember that Derren involved everyone throughout his performance, which is quite a feat as all the guests were sat around tables.
I've attempted to interpret this, and try to effectively "work the room". Instead of spending a set amount of time at each table I try to adapt what I show each group to make the most impact. Whilst doing this I'm finding out guests names (and remembering them), there interests and what type of effects they like. I can then use this information when I see them later and ensure my next trick makes a real impact.
This may not be what Derren Brown used to do, but I find it makes a great impact on the guests. I know this works, not just from the reactions, but the way people call out "bye, Robert!" from across the room when I leave.
Instead of just talking tricks the conversation soon turned to the presention of magic. There were a few of us magicians showing our routines and discussing the psychology behind what we do, and why we do it. There are elements of my repertoire that I can trace back to the lecture and the following discussions.
However, it was a comment that someone said - that I didn't really take any notice of at the time - that affects my performance.
The conversation turned to the subject of Derren Brown (Greg is from America and had never seen Derren perform) and someone said they saw Derren performing close-up magic at an event before he first appeared on TV. Although he couldn't remember what tricks and effects he done, he did remember that Derren involved everyone throughout his performance, which is quite a feat as all the guests were sat around tables.
I've attempted to interpret this, and try to effectively "work the room". Instead of spending a set amount of time at each table I try to adapt what I show each group to make the most impact. Whilst doing this I'm finding out guests names (and remembering them), there interests and what type of effects they like. I can then use this information when I see them later and ensure my next trick makes a real impact.
This may not be what Derren Brown used to do, but I find it makes a great impact on the guests. I know this works, not just from the reactions, but the way people call out "bye, Robert!" from across the room when I leave.
