Alakazapps! | Blog
Pro Tips
Pro Tip #5 Being Prepared.
08/10/09 21:50
Magic Card Stab requires a little bit of preparation. This does not however mean you can't perform it spontaneously! You can even perform it with a borrowed deck of playing cards.
I'm writing this assuming you own Magic Card Stab and are familiar with the secret move. If you don't own MCS, this might not make much sense.
Step 1
Have the cards shuffled.
Step 2
Say something like, "lets find a good card" then thumb through the cards (faces towards you).
I'm writing this assuming you own Magic Card Stab and are familiar with the secret move. If you don't own MCS, this might not make much sense.
Step 1
Have the cards shuffled.
Step 2
Say something like, "lets find a good card" then thumb through the cards (faces towards you).
Step 3
In the process of 'looking for a card', secretly cut the deck at the right place for the trick.
Step 4
Finally say "actually, this would be better if you chose the card". Proceed with the trick as per the instructions.
To the spectator it will simply look like you changed your mind about who should choose the card.
Pro Tip #4 Always Ready
27/06/09 15:24
Even with the new Spotlight feature of iPhone OS 3.0 getting to an app can take a few clicks. These clicks can really upset the flow of a magic performance so here's a solution.
Launch the app before performing then lock your device using the button on the upper edge - simple!
Now all you have to do is unlock your device and you're ready to perform.
Depending on your audience you might want to consider what you have as your wallpaper. Just a thought.
Launch the app before performing then lock your device using the button on the upper edge - simple!
Now all you have to do is unlock your device and you're ready to perform.
Depending on your audience you might want to consider what you have as your wallpaper. Just a thought.
Pro Tip #3 All about timing.
23/05/09 21:47
It's fairly common for magicians of all levels to rush when performing a trick, especially when executing the secret moves. A symptom of this is what's known as the 'blink'. While practicing a performer will blink during the crucial moment. Getting the timing right can make all the difference in how the trick is received so here's some tips to help:
1) Practice, practice, practice! In front of a mirror or even better, make a video. Watching yourself perform on video gives you an audience perspective. Plus if it's good, send in a link and I'll feature you on the site.
2) Choose the right environment to perform your magic trick. A relaxed, friendly atmosphere is great for entertaining, you'll be under less scrutiny thus less pressure. As a rule, I never make my tricks a 'challenge' because while sometimes appropriate, most of the time it will make your audience hostile. Performing where you feel comfortable will naturally lead to better, more relaxed timing.
3) Remember - only you know the secret! A famous magician called Dia Vernon often spoke about 'big actions covering small actions' and this is worth keeping in mind when performing. The human eye can only take in so much information at once - you can take as long as you need to perform a secret move when covered by more distracting movements.
The main point to take away is simply relax, and don't feel pressured into rushing. Oh, and make sure you have fun!
1) Practice, practice, practice! In front of a mirror or even better, make a video. Watching yourself perform on video gives you an audience perspective. Plus if it's good, send in a link and I'll feature you on the site.
2) Choose the right environment to perform your magic trick. A relaxed, friendly atmosphere is great for entertaining, you'll be under less scrutiny thus less pressure. As a rule, I never make my tricks a 'challenge' because while sometimes appropriate, most of the time it will make your audience hostile. Performing where you feel comfortable will naturally lead to better, more relaxed timing.
3) Remember - only you know the secret! A famous magician called Dia Vernon often spoke about 'big actions covering small actions' and this is worth keeping in mind when performing. The human eye can only take in so much information at once - you can take as long as you need to perform a secret move when covered by more distracting movements.
The main point to take away is simply relax, and don't feel pressured into rushing. Oh, and make sure you have fun!
Pro Tip #2 Be Clear about the Effect (iThought Receiver)
16/03/09 16:35
Separating the illusion from the secret is one of the most difficult aspects of learning a new trick - it's also one of the most important. It's important because when you have a solid grasp of the illusion, you then have a license to be very creative. Before delving into an example lets examine 'illusion'.
‘Illusion’ is basically an impossible story you create in the mind of the spectator. It's a story they then share, "yeah, this guy made his iPhone float!". Perhaps even more important, it's a story with huge pieces of information missing, now for the example.
With iThought Receiver you create the illusion that the iPhone reads someone's mind, telling them what color they're thinking of. This is exactly the story they'll tell their friends too "this guys phone knew what color I was thinking of!".
Just to re-cap - the secret behind iThought Receiver is that you (the performer) will be told what color they (the spectator) are thinking of before they even know the trick has begun.
Here's how to use presentation to solidify the 'effect' and hide the secret.
1) Performer: "Could you name any of these colors?"
Notes: The spectator is not expecting anything so this question seems innocent enough.
2) Spectator: "Um, blue."
Notes: They are just naming a color.
3) Performer: "Okay, if you could just think of your color, then when you're ready touch the iThought Receiver."
Notes: Now, this is when it gets interesting! Using the line "could you just think of your color" does multiple things. First you are planting the notion that they are 'just thinking' of a color, second you are personalizing the choice 'your color'. By using this dialog while asking them to do something 'touch the iThought Receiver' you are effectively creating distance from the first step where you ask them to name a color.
4) iThought Receiver displays the correct prediction.
Notes: The iThought Receiver guesses correctly.
When retelling the above story, the first step will probably be left out because it seems insignificant. The fact is, they touched your phone and it seemed to know what color they were thinking of.
Using presentation to control how people remember events is a key aspect of magic, this works best when you have a clear idea of the effect.
‘Illusion’ is basically an impossible story you create in the mind of the spectator. It's a story they then share, "yeah, this guy made his iPhone float!". Perhaps even more important, it's a story with huge pieces of information missing, now for the example.
With iThought Receiver you create the illusion that the iPhone reads someone's mind, telling them what color they're thinking of. This is exactly the story they'll tell their friends too "this guys phone knew what color I was thinking of!".
Just to re-cap - the secret behind iThought Receiver is that you (the performer) will be told what color they (the spectator) are thinking of before they even know the trick has begun.
Here's how to use presentation to solidify the 'effect' and hide the secret.
1) Performer: "Could you name any of these colors?"
Notes: The spectator is not expecting anything so this question seems innocent enough.
2) Spectator: "Um, blue."
Notes: They are just naming a color.
3) Performer: "Okay, if you could just think of your color, then when you're ready touch the iThought Receiver."
Notes: Now, this is when it gets interesting! Using the line "could you just think of your color" does multiple things. First you are planting the notion that they are 'just thinking' of a color, second you are personalizing the choice 'your color'. By using this dialog while asking them to do something 'touch the iThought Receiver' you are effectively creating distance from the first step where you ask them to name a color.
4) iThought Receiver displays the correct prediction.
Notes: The iThought Receiver guesses correctly.
When retelling the above story, the first step will probably be left out because it seems insignificant. The fact is, they touched your phone and it seemed to know what color they were thinking of.
Using presentation to control how people remember events is a key aspect of magic, this works best when you have a clear idea of the effect.
Pro Tip #1 Managing Expectations (Magic Match)
02/03/09 19:06
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.
