Topic: Emphasising fairness

[HeliMagic]

You could study the art of Equivoque, it is truly the art of emphasising fairness when in fact there is no fairness!

Here is some literature on the subject.

http://www.marketplaceofthemind.com/Illusions_Of_Influence.html

[Zach Taylor]

A point of consideration.

I'm consistently surprised at how vulnerable to suggestion people can be, as long as they have no reason to be suspicious. This ties in to Mr. Dreyfus' emphasis of naturalness. If the tone of the effect is relaxed, open, and you maintain at least an implicit tone of telling a story or showing a wonderful oddity then it can open wonderful opportunities. By opportunity I mean a chance to pause the action, generally just before the climax of the effect. During this pause, if you will go back and review what has "just happened" up to this point in the effect with your spectators (this is where the story-like tone is important) it's amazing how much you can alter your audience's perspective of events.

You still need to know your sleights, of course, but learning how to manipulate this extra psychological step can go an incredibly long way in covering the out of place moments and ragged edges that can be found in EVERY effect or illusion. Rubbing out  these moments through the use of well timed suggestion can do a lot to help create that feeling of impenetrable, unquestionable naturalness when the audience casts back in to their mind for a solution.

[Bryan Dreyfus]

Or the things that you have bought because you saw someone else do and you have loved it only to find that after years upon years you never found a place or a way to 'bring it out'.

I had props like these (usually on the expensive side) that I owned for a decade or more that burned up in my fire and never saw more than practice. I'm almost glad they burned up.

Bryan

[John Pyka]

That is the real challenge isn't it Eric? Taking it from practice into the real world? There are some things I've perfected in the mirror but would never consider trying in a real performance.

[wimzickle]

when you can perform the trick technically in the mirror flawlessly then go out and try to incorporate that trick into life.  At a resturant, family gatherings, church etc.  Find ways to bring up the idea of something magical or different and bring your new found audience in.  If you come at someone with a deck of cards in hand with that look that says I am going to show you a trick I just learned...you will have lost them before you even start.

[pete]

Thanks for the replies. I expected that this would be the advice I'd receive :)

I think its just because the people I practice to (family and friends) are a tough crowd. I still get nervous and end up focussing too much on the cards, which probably brings their attention to the same place. I guess it just comes down to more confidence and experience. I might hold back from showing anything to anyone until I've practised in front of the mirror a few more times.

cheers.

[Bryan Dreyfus]

I am glad to see this topic because it is something I have leaned by using the "Principle Of Naturalness" in action.

It is most important to appear as honest as possible when the most concealment is needed.

Observe your audiences and notice their manner of speech and as much as possible body language common to the area you are working and steadily emphasize these mannerisms till you fit in.

Naturalness covers a lot because when the spectator feels relaxed you can get away with murder because there are many off beat moments because you appear to be just the guys.

Bryan

[wimzickle]

For me card magic got better when I started focusing on the audience and the journey to get to the end...the actual trick.

While I do not use a great deal of knuckle busting moves I find it is always easier to cover the moment with comedy.  When your audience laughs they relax even close their eyes for a split second and the off beat is when the dirty work is done.

Concealing or not concealing the deck shouldnt be an issue if you are natural in your movements.

[pete]

G'day,

In the books I'm going through (Card College), Roberto Giobbi always emphasises certain techniques which make the spectators/participants feel like everything is fair and overhand. For example, when the spectator needs to cut the deck, place it at an arms reach, and lean backwards in your chair to maximise the distance between yourself and them. Also certain hand positions which ensure they can see more of the deck, such as open hand end grip vs closed hand.

My question is: what would your opinion be of purposely concealing the deck sometimes?

Many of the tricks I'm currently learning in the first volume of Card College have very few slights, as they are just there to teach certain techniques. Because I haven't properly mastered any of these yet, I almost feel like it is harder to get caught out if I conceal the deck a bit more. To me this gives makes them less able to pick out the actual sleight.

I imagine as I get better and, more importantly, more confident, I would want to emphasise fairness more to make the "how did that happen" thoughts a little stronger. Just right now I find it hard to confidently pull off a trick.

Then again, maybe I should practice a bit longer before actually performing for friends or family.

cheers.