Pro Tip #1 Managing Expectations (Magic Match) | Pro Tips | Instant Download
Pro Tip #1 Managing Expectations (Magic Match)
02/03/09 19:06 Filed in: Pro Tips
An oft repeated mantra in the magic community is that 'magic happens in the minds of the spectators'. Magic is not just about secrets or special props, it's about leaving someone with an impossible memory.
When showing people magic tricks it is very easy to focus only on getting the secret moves right consequently abandoning timing and presentation.
In the 'Pro Tips' posts I'll try and share some more insight into each app released by Alakazapps. The first app I'd like to discuss is Magic Match.
Pro Tip #1 Managing Expectations (Magic Match)
A key idea in magic is that you don't tell your audience what you're about to do. Imagine a magician saying "now watch me vanish this ball", aside from sounding corny, everyone would then be watching closely for a secret move.
The above idea is very important when performing Magic Match. When I show it to people I don't even tell them it's a magic trick, I just show them a digital matchbox. After I've played with the match for a second I then let the spectator play with it - by now their expectations are pretty low so I say "watch this" and I pluck the match off the screen. You introduce something pretty ordinary then, when your audience least expects it, you do something amazing!
Aside from creating a stronger magic trick, this performance tip will take the pressure off the secret move - since nobody is expecting it, nobody will be looking for it.
When showing people magic tricks it is very easy to focus only on getting the secret moves right consequently abandoning timing and presentation.
In the 'Pro Tips' posts I'll try and share some more insight into each app released by Alakazapps. The first app I'd like to discuss is Magic Match.
Pro Tip #1 Managing Expectations (Magic Match)
A key idea in magic is that you don't tell your audience what you're about to do. Imagine a magician saying "now watch me vanish this ball", aside from sounding corny, everyone would then be watching closely for a secret move.
The above idea is very important when performing Magic Match. When I show it to people I don't even tell them it's a magic trick, I just show them a digital matchbox. After I've played with the match for a second I then let the spectator play with it - by now their expectations are pretty low so I say "watch this" and I pluck the match off the screen. You introduce something pretty ordinary then, when your audience least expects it, you do something amazing!
Aside from creating a stronger magic trick, this performance tip will take the pressure off the secret move - since nobody is expecting it, nobody will be looking for it.
