Concept & Ideas #1 – Sum of Your Decisions – Suggestions & Methods for Magicians

After succesfully publishing my Suggestions & Methods e-mail publication each single Tuesday for greater than a 12 months, I feeI I’m prepared so as to add a brand new layer. Right here it’s! I’ve began a podcast!

I’m calling it “Concept & Ideas for Magicians” as a result of it should comprise neither Suggestions nor Methods. No tips as a result of, nicely, we’ve all heard sufficient about Danish elephants. No ideas both as I’m trying to supply extra questions than solutions. The aim is to get you fascinated by your individual magic relatively than telling you the way I do mine.

Every episode goals to be centered on exploring a single subject, suggesting some homework in your pondering pleasure, and wrapping all of it up in 10 to fifteen minutes.

Talking of quick and to-the-point, let’s get to it. Have a hear…

On this inaugural episode Ryan introduces a foundational perception in what it takes to grow to be a singular, creative magician. Why it’s necessary to decide on your individual journey within the magic world. The lacking ingredient to the frequent recommendation; “be your self.”

These episodes are, by design, extra considerate and fewer off-the-cuff so that they do take some effort and time to arrange. I’m not making any guarantees a couple of launch schedule. I’ll follow high quality over amount and let the inspiration movement as it could. That stated, I’ve already began into episode two.

In the event you’re an everyday podcast listener you possibly can subscribe to new episodes utilizing “your favorite methodology.” (Spotify, Apple, and so on.) If you wish to sustain on every little thing I’m publishing (podcasts and in any other case) the perfect supply is my Tuesday Suggestions & Methods for Magicians e-mail publication.

Episode Transcript

Teller stated; “Typically magic is simply somebody spending extra time on one thing than anybody else may fairly count on.” This podcast, which goals to be quick and to-the-point, will encourage you to spend extra time fascinated by your magic, and supply options of the right way to develop as an inventive magician. I’m Ryan Pilling. Welcome to Concept & Ideas for Magicians. Let’s get unreasonable.

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I’m a 40 12 months previous man who performs with silk handkerchiefs and does card tips, however simply in case there's any doubt, let me be completely clear; I’m not likely into sports activities.

Citius, Altius, Fortius, the Olympic motto which interprets to Greater, Quicker, Stronger sums up all sporting occasions from my perspective. A bunch of oldsters get collectively, do the factor, and measure who did the factor extra thingier than anyone else. Did you see that man do the very same factor as that different man however 1/one hundredth of a second quicker? Wow!

My perennial curiosity in magic is a direct results of not having the ability to measure which magician is extra magician-er. That is what makes magic a pursuit of limitless alternatives, countless inspiration, and unfulfilled potential. There is no such thing as a one path. The additional you go, the extra paths you uncover. That is each thrilling and scary. Like anyone tossed a handful of random items from 1000 totally different puzzles right into a field and stated “good luck!”

The place do you begin? You select.

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That is considered one of my elementary beliefs in life and magic. We're the sum complete of our selections. Your magic performances are formed by the alternatives you make.
The extra selections you make, the extra distinctive your efficiency will probably be. To be a greater magician is a matter of creating higher selections.

In the event you had been to learn a e-book out of your favorite performer, see a trick you're keen on, and copy-and-paste it into your present, that is mainly one alternative. The selection to do this trick identical to the opposite man. For every little thing else in that routine, you might be opting to go together with the multitude of selections made by the creator. The factor is, whereas these selections might have been proper for that individual, there are doubtless higher choices for you.

The routine might name for a traditional cross as a result of the originator feels fairly assured of their technical means. For me, attempting to do a traditional cross can be a poor alternative. It will muddle up the smoothness of the routine.
Typically the alternatives had been made for a foul purpose. A trick might use rough-and-smooth simply to make it a saleable “no ability required” merchandise for the magic store, whereas anyone with intermediate card ability can be higher served with an everyday deck and a double raise.

The revealed alternative might not be your best option for you. Making your individual selections about your efficiency will add as much as a end result completely distinctive, and tailor-made, to you. The frequent efficiency recommendation says “Be Your self.” That is the right way to be your self; make your individual selections.

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You’re already making selections with out even understanding it. From the viewers perspective every little thing that occurs in your efficiency is completed that manner on objective, even when it’s not.

I used to be watching an efficiency from a magician who , I can inform, places a whole lot of thought into his selections. His costume is a custom-made jacket, his stage setting is fastidiously lit. It actually jumped out to me as a poor alternative when he held up a blue sponge ball which unintentionally disappeared in opposition to the black/blue background on stage.

I’m positive it wasn’t a aware alternative to make use of this blue ball. Quite, he bought a blended bag of multi-coloured balls and used considered one of every in his efficiency. The dangerous ball snuck in by this bigger alternative, to make use of quite a lot of colors, and it wasn’t thought-about by itself benefit.

I’m positive in some unspecified time in the future he'll discover, or be alerted to, this camouflaged color impact, it should grow to be a aware alternative and a change will probably be made. Perhaps use a lighter shade of blue, change his backdrop, change his lighting, or take away the blue ball. It doesn’t a lot matter what the selection is a lot {that a} alternative is made.

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To create uniquely private performances you need to query every little thing.
It begins with the massive questions like “Why am I doing this routine? What am I attempting to say?” and goes all the way in which right down to minutia akin to “Would the change work higher if the deck was positioned on the correct aspect relatively than the left?” 

Assume nothing. Problem every little thing. The common manner of doing issues might not be the perfect route together with your particular circumstances. Nice discoveries await those that dare enterprise forth. The extra consideration and thought given to those moments of alternative, the higher they may fit your needs. Be the tailor in your personal go well with.

That is how one can put your self into your magic. Make so many considerate selections that no one however you may provide you with the distinctive mixture of choices that kind a routine.

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In the event you at the moment carry out the Linking Rings, you have to have realized it from someplace. So how comparable is your efficiency to that authentic supply? What number of selections have you ever made alongside the way in which?

What number of rings do you employ? Why? As a result of Dai Vernon used six? Then it’s not your alternative, until you realize why Vernon did it that manner, and agree together with his reasoning.

Do you carry out it gracefully? Do you fumble for comedic impact?
Do you discuss in any respect? What do you say? Do your phrases add to the affect?
What do you most emphasize? The magical impact? The historical past?
How do you construction your routine, so the tip remains to be stunning?

Richard Ross grew to become a legend of the linking rings when he selected to carry out it with none noise.
Mike Caveney created a brand new trick when he selected to make use of coathangers relatively than rings.
Harry Anderson selected to do a relatively quick routine; “When you’ve linked two rings,” he stated, “you higher take into consideration wrapping issues up. You’ve achieved it. Make just a few fairly passes and get dwelling early.”

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All selections have an expiry date. If you’re on stage you have to commit totally to your selections. Plant your flag and stand with the utmost confidence. Wishy-washy dedication makes for a half-hearted efficiency. Doubting your selections on stage is a weak point.

As soon as the curtain falls, nevertheless, doubting your selections turns into a power. You’re evaluating what labored, what might be improved, and as soon as once more viewing all selections by questioning eyes.

You’ve doubtless witnessed a efficiency which was previous its prime. We people change, the world modifications round us. The alternatives we made ten years in the past might not be acceptable for ourselves or our viewers. It’s value a re-assessment, and an out of doors perspective, to be careful for these previous selections which have grow to be worn and ragged.

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The performers we admire are the sum complete of an extended sequence of robust selections. With each resolution they select to be extra enjoyable, extra wonderful, and extra distinctive.

In the event you focus an excessive amount of on the vacation spot, it will probably really feel overwhelming.
I look down the street and see a lot work but to be achieved. A lot progress to be made. Take a breath. One alternative at a time. Incremental progress. Make a alternative, decide to it, put it on the stage. One alternative will result in one other, and one other. Take a threat and experiment. You possibly can at all times make a brand new alternative afterward. 

You’re about ten robust selections away from significantly levelling up in your magic. The place are you going to begin?

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Thanks for listening to Concept & Ideas for Magicians. I hope I sparked one thing in you. I really like the chance to share my expertise, and artistic experiments, with my fellow magicians. Whereas this podcast is targeted on, nicely, idea and ideas I additionally share loads of sensible concepts in my weekly Suggestions & Methods for Magicians publication. You’re welcome to hitch in at www.MagicTipsAndTricks.com.