Comments on: Stop sportscasting: Three signs you’re calling action, not making magic

By: Mathew

Mathew — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 14:43:00 +0000

Thank you JIM and GOUDINOV.
But you both seem to misunderstand me ,maybe because English isn’t my motherlanguage or just because of my chaotic writing style.
I agree with this article but I think it’s not bad ALL the time, you should add meaning to your magic, but it’s not always possible.
take for instance the cups and balls.
I don’t preform it myself but when i see it preformed, all the magicians tell something about it’s origion and then tell what happens.
”I take the staff and wave it to produce the first ball”
” and the ball appears underneat the cup”
even Dai Vernon and Penn& Teller do this.
so if you can’t really add something different to your trick or want to keep the origion of the trick just talk to your audience, because a silent cups and balls is just awkward, maybe play some music.
My point is that sportscasting shouldn’t be used as much as possible but if there is no other way just do it.
because a silent magician, ( except when he has a big talking partner or really astonishing mime skills:)is a boring magician.
Goudinov, I think your awesome ( jim you to) and your thread on the forums gave me a lot of tips and inspiration.
If you have a better idea for the cups and balls please post it here ( i don’t yet have an account), and if i like it I will take back everything I’ve said here.

By: Jim Barron

Jim Barron — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 12:03:22 +0000

If you want to learn how to add meaning to your magic, check out the book “Scripting Magic” Peter McCabe. Fantastic work!

By: Mathew

Mathew — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 19:29:57 +0000

Goudinov, I knew that is was and is just meant sarcasticaly ( is that a good english word btw).
because Elllusionist has always such good tips and is the most well known magic site.
it’s like the Pirate code from potc , but reversed.
these are guidelines but it’s good to see them as rules because the improve your preformance ( the pirate code is a book of rules for pirates, but Jack and co preferes to see them as guidelines)

By: Goudinov

Goudinov — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 12:05:00 +0000

Matthew,

There are no rules… just tips, and this is a good one.

By: Mathew

Mathew — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 15:16:36 +0000

sorry my bad, Eric actually says it after the cards switched places to emphasise the visual effect.

so Eric Jones, the magician who i above all admire, did not sin agianst the Ellusionist magic”rules”

By: Mathew

Mathew — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 14:50:30 +0000

you shouldn’t do that all the time.
but if you do it once in your show it isn’t bas.
in fact, I believe i have a video of Eric Jones were he specificaly says.
watch as the cards switch places.
so i agree you shouldn’t act like your a sportscommentator but as long as you keep the moment magical you can say what happens.
or if it’s misdirection or part of your story or if it makes the visual aspect of your trick even better

By: Goudinov

Goudinov — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 12:29:06 +0000

I got three words for ya:
http://forums.ellusionist.com/showthread.php?90123-Your-patter-sucks.

Goud