Magical Pro Teachings

G0NEaway999

Hey guys, just wondering, what was the best excuse you ever came up with, to NOT reveal one of your secrets.

My excuse is simply act dumb, and say "I don't know, it just... happened." Other than that, i must keep saying "No" everytime the audience says "Can u show me? can u show me? can U show me?".

*pass me the chlorofoam* >.>

CtheAmazing

i just tell them i did it with magic


lol and i like the one i dont know it just happened lol

Scott

i always say here let me show you how its done, and do a totally different trick, or effect
Garanteed theyll say that wasnt it, or say you didnt show me anything, and ill say are you sure, let me show you again, and do another totally new trick
It keeps them attentive, and entertained at the same time, just try it, and see, and most of all they get the point

Magic Malachi

How about this one...

"Well see this is crazy... Okay Okay Okay... i'll tell you how its done... I hypnotized you and made it to where you couldn't see the little bald naked mull-rat named fluffy come and whisper in my ear the thoughts of your mind... when i snap my finger you will not ask again... *snaps fingers* good day..."

and...

"You want to know how its done... well see thats the thing... I dont even know how its done..."

and...

"I would tell you... but then i would have to kill you..."

and...

"The Secret is... there is no secret..."

joshsane

This is a very loaded question... I'll start by saying that it is very rare that I get someone to pressure me into revealing a method to them. I guess with the right presentation, the spectators are just enjoying the entertainment; they implicitly know the rules so to speak (IE - "a magician can never reveal a secret"). However I do have spectators say "How did you do that?", but its more of an exclamation of excitement because spectators don't have experience in reacting to a properly performed magic effect.

The person who first showed me a trick (which is when the magic-bug hit me) did a coins across (3 Fly) and I was totally amazed and in awe. I didn't know how to react so the first words out of my mouth were "Wha...wha... How?". Its not that I wanted to pressure him for the secret, it was that I just didn't know what else to say. The magician simply ignored my comment and laughed along with me, continuing on with a few more quick tricks.

That's the approach I take today most of the time. However, there are a few loose-cannons that will heckle you for the secret no matter how clear and entertainingly you present your magic. In those cases I like to say something that isn't a complete lie but its not a cop-out either. I usually say "Trust me, even if I told you, you wouldn't understand..". Its a mysterious line that makes people wonder.

However, I think the more important question that needs to be answered (and I might make a separate thread for this) is how do you respond to a spectator if they ask you if what you are doing is "real" magic or "voodoo". Like most of us, when I started out in magic I had a huge ego once I started seeing the reactions I was getting from people (I still have a big ego, though I believe it has been matured and toned down). In that big-head of mine I wanted people to believe that I had some sort of gift or ghostly powers that allowed me to create miracles. As I grew older and matured, I realized that magic is a very strong form of art, and it can be used in the wrong way. Lets face it, some effects in magic can effect certain types of people in big ways! (I made a girl cry in High school, so trust me...) As magicians we need to be responsible in what view of reality we give our spectators. Someones beliefs or faith can be shattered or strengthened by how we define our methods. Now I am NOT saying that we can't make spectators wonder or stand in awe of our magic. And I'm NOT saying we need to put a blunt disclaimer in all of our performances that says "we are only using sleight of hand, mechanical devices, and trickery in our performance". But I AM saying that when someone seems very worried or intrigued about what the method (whether technical or spiritual) is to an effect, we DO NEED TO be cautious. The great Steve "BANACHEK" Shaw has some great ideas for this in his Psychological Subtleties books (book 2 specifically). Banachek suggests telling the audience that you are simply using techniques of physics and forms of psychology/mentalism that have been harnessed and honed to give the appearance of something strange.

Now, as a mature performer I see the importance of being cautious with your art. But remember, this doesn't mean to put a disclaimer in all of your performances (that's one thing I don't agree with since I only perform close-up---for stage its a different subject all together). But when a spectator comes to you with his/her beliefs on the line, I think its a good idea to use an out that leaves their faith in the same place it was before he/she saw you perform. A simple "It's not what you think it is..." is sufficient enough to leave his/her beliefs intact and yet still retain the wonder and amazement necessary at a magic performance.

Herostar

The best ansswer is:

" Ok. I'll tell you how it's done. But can you keep the secret?"
They say: "Yes"
I say: "So do I"

G0NEaway999

LOL, Herostar. That's a bit scary though, but what MagicMalachi says is even scarier O.O

@ CtheAmazing AND Joshsane, i do say i use magic too, but ppl start to ask if magic is real. Then i say, "Yes, magic is real as long as u believe in it, just like a Santa Claus. He is only real to you, if you believe in him and keep believing in him. He may not exsist to us, but he exsists in your hearts." (at this point i mess up, cause then kids start to cry now knowing Santa isn't real)

@ Scott, that's a nice way to put it. Best idea i've heard, just keep performing, but im worried that ppl would know they're being sidetracked. I guess we have our own ways to distract the audiences

Scott

G0NEaway999 how do you mean side tracked?? , from the magic tricks you mean?? , or the performance??

G0NEaway999

I mean, being sidetracked from the secret itself. Some ppl would stop the magician after the 4th trick or so, and ask for the secret. Hopefully, they'll forget what you showed the first time by then.

Still, its a nice way to keep the party going, and confuse their minds with more amazment.

Scott

Well thats the idea that people are side tracked, and forget they even asked about how its done
If they ask anything its normally, You aint going to show me are you, and a smile is enough to answer