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Category: Past Workshops

Boot Camp: Scripting For Impact

Written by TylerErickson
Wednesday, 07 July 2010 05:04
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Often times magicians have a significant misunderstanding of what constitutes effective “presentation.” Many fear they must deliver some kind of Shakespearian monologue or tell a fanciful tale of enchanted sponge balls. Even the word “scripting” (which is an infinitely better descriptor than the more commonly use “patter”) tends to strike fear into the heart of many a close-up performer. They suppose that their every word must appear on a page, else it not be allowed into existence during any performance, ever.

Luckily for us that is not the case.

Scripting for Impact is a Clinic designed to help you get the most out of your performance. Regardless of what your style is, you will be able to improve upon what you have, and better understand your possible choices.

  • Exposition- Sometimes you need to clarify what is happening, but you must avoid needlessly explaining the obvious. Find out how to make smart choices.
  • Stories- We are often told everything we do needs a story. Find out why one of the most famous magic “story tellers” (Eugene Burger) suggests otherwise.
  • Conversational Presentations- Is it possible to have an “unscripted” script? Of course it is, you just need to be prepared.
  • Humor- Verbal Comedy vs. Physical Comedy vs. Situational Comedy. Maybe you aren’t good at all of them, but odds are you tend to lean toward at least one. Find out how to build on your natural strengths.
  • Dramatic- Some people perform with great gravitas. Others attempt to sound deep but end up looking silly in the process. Knowing yourself and your audience will help determine what is right for you.

Find out how to adapt a presentation to the environment you’re in, so you can see the difference between performing in a busy/noisy bar vs. a casual living room vs. a real theater. What needs to change, and why?

Find out how to match scripting to effects so you eliminate dead time, without over-burdening the effect with words and drowning out the magic.

Fully understand the theatrical wisdom of “Don’t tell, show!”

Above all else, I have always put great emphasis on drawing from what you know. The more of “you” there is in your performance, the better you are able to sell the effect. The more congruent you will be with your subject material making you appear more competent and sincere.

In the interest of full disclosure, I will confess my personal choice is for a conversational performance style. Because this was a conscious choice on my part, and not a product of indifference, I have been perfectly capably in helping develop scripts for people who have vastly different performance styles than my own. Also, while I do have some strong beliefs regarding how an audience judges a performer by their script, I am fully willing to admit these are only my opinions. I will always do my best to communicate why I believe what I do. The choice to believe me is yours.

This is the first of a two-part Clinic. This first session is going to give you the tools and techniques, and hopefully answer your immediate concerns regarding the topic.

If you would like to attend this Boot Camp, please continue here to register. Boot Camp tend to fill up fast, so reserve your spot today! (Guarantee your spot by using the PayPal option at the time of registration.)

 

Boot Camp: The Double Turnover

Written by TylerErickson
Wednesday, 23 June 2010 20:05
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The #1 move abused in card magic is the Double Turnover (often misidentified as the Double Lift). And, if you took this move away from many of today’s magicians, you would take 80% of their performance material with it. Considering that you can use it to invisibly switch a card for another, or secretly reverse a card, or even force a card, is it any wonder that it sees so much action?

Given that it can do so much for so many, do you really want to be using sub-standard technique?!

While I have taught this move to a great many students, there is always room to advance your abilities. Like all of my Boot Camp training sessions, we will work on the parts of the move you have not fully mastered.

Sleights:

  • The One-Handed Multiple Push-Off Technique (For obtaining a break under two cards)
  • How to hold a proper Pinky Break (See the mistake that even famous magicians make and how to correct it.)
  • The Basic Book-Style Turnover (One of the “safest” lifts to do with a less-than-perfect deck.)
  • The “Push Back” Technique for reclaiming a break (Again, see the fundamental misunderstanding often attached to this move and the simple fix.)
  • The Advanced Push-Off Turnover (The perfect hybrid of “loose” lift technology with much of the safety offered by the Book-Style Turnover.)

Remember, this is about taking whatever you can currently do and making it better. Even those with a “nice” turnover can come in and receive advanced level information such as the Vernon Replacement (Strongest from the left) and the Tamariz Replacement (Strongest from the right). In case you are unfamiliar with these moves, they both accomplish the goal of making it so you never have to replace the double squarely on the deck!

Just a reminder: You “test out” through progressively harder techniques until we get to the one you do not do well. The purpose of attending is to leave doing the sleights better than you did when you arrived, not filling your head full of additional techniques that “someday” you will work on.

Finally, if time permits, I will demonstrate some unconventional applications for a Double Turnover as well as field any remaining questions.

 

Workshop: Mentalism With Cards

Written by
Tuesday, 23 February 2010 21:43
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These are my improved versions of little known (but still classic) effects. Everything I am about to describe can be done with a normal, and many times borrowed deck.

Emote- A spectator shuffles the deck and then thinks of any card (no restrictions). If necessary, they may go through the deck and stare at it to lock in the image. The deck is shuffled again and then set aside (or even put in its box). Whatever card they are thinking of, you now tell them, and you are always 100% correct. REMEMBER: You can do this without ever looking through the deck!

Visionary- From across (or outside of) the room, the spectator takes the entire deck and removes any two cards, sight unseen by anyone including him. He places one into each of his two back pockets. He puts the remainder of the deck into the box and sets it aside. While you are completely blindfolded (or have someone cover your eyes) and without anyone telling you which pocket, the spectator removes either card and learns it’s identity, then replaces it in his pocket. Simply by touching his hand you are able to tell him the card’s identity. While still blindfolded, this can be repeated with the other pocketed selection, if desired.

Distant Thoughts- Over the phone, you are able to have a person think of a card in their deck. They then shuffle and cut the cards. They call out the names of the cards as they are being dealt. When they finish you can instantly name their card. Keep in mind the only thing the spectator ever says is the name of the cards as they are being dealt after they have been shuffled.

No Gimmicks. No sleights (unless you want some). No mathematical crap.

These are three of the best mind reading demonstrations I can give with a regular deck. Any one of these could make your reputation.

Should time permit, I will give examples of other ideas you can use in your card magic to give it a “mental” flavor and try to answer any remaining questions related to mind reading with cards.

Full instructional DVD included.

 

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