The first thing I want to deal with is Building Your Own Show. An idea for this came from a video I saw of Eugene Burger, where he said, and I quote: "Many magicians are very busy just trying to imitate other magicians. Trying to imitate the DVD they saw. The question I would like you to take home with you is, 'What do I want my magic to be?'"
And hearing that, I thought about all the magicians imitating other ones, even processionals. Then, I think about all the completely original magicians, that actually care enough about their work to do their best to continue making magic, in a word, 'real'. You need to find the deeper message in your magic.
Like the linking rings. Yes, it might mean two (or more) solid rings link together, and come apart. But deeper than that. It can mean two separate objects or beings can come together and join as one. Or you can have your linking ring routine resemble perseverance - anything to make it your own.
Thousands of magicians perform the linking rings in their routines, but every magicians routine is different. If Pen and Teller do linking rings, it will be a comedy act (most likely). But if Eugene Burger, or if Vernon were to do linking rings, it would most likely resemble two forces joining as one, or two beings finding each other in 'perfect harmony' so to speak.
So when you create your show, you need to find your deeper meaning. Magic is the art of transformation, and you need to find your original way of transforming something ordinary to something out of this world.
One last example I would like to use is something most of you are aware of, it is Jeff McBride's '
I am fascinated with masks. The expressions of all different masks, actually seems as if it is real. And they are so unique in magic, Jeff has made them his own, but of course there is the 'deeper meaning' that the masks really represent. And what Jeff once said was that his Mask routine comes from his early years when he used to be a Mime, and he always had his white makeup on. He tried to get rid of it, but everyone told him not to because that was his 'thing' or his 'brand', but he didn't like the white face. So the routine comes from him trying to break free, and get rid of the masks, but he can never get rid of it, because that is him.
So one last point on making things your own, when making a show. Remember, it is not just magic, it is timing music and dance. Pick your favorite routine to perform (preferably a stage routine), and do it with the music playing that you would normally use. Then, use a different style of music, that still sort of applies to the routine, even though it is much different. You will notice that it is a completely different mood, so find the mood that best suits you and your magic. Then with the dance, as a magician, you know you have to move around and 'flow' with your magic, make yourself believable.
A lot of you are probably confused at this title. When I say becoming a heckler, I do not mean heckling other magicians, I mean heckling yourself! Yes, before you start performing a routine, or during a performance, you need to have some thoughts to improve your performance.
So, get yourself in the mind of a heckler and criticise your moves (either when practicing or watching a video of yourself). Say "Hey, why does my hand have to look awkward like that, or why is my position so uncomfortable and unnatural, why are my hands in that position. Hey, why does it look weird when I turn over the top card." It could be simple stuff or complicated.
People on the forums often ask "How do I deal with Hecklers?....What are good tricks to fool hecklers....and so on. People think they have all these heckler-proof magic tricks. Which yes, might fool hecklers, because it is so unreal. But any trick, of any difficulty can fool hecklers, just practice, and heckle yourself, that way you will know how to perform the trick properly in front of a heckler, so he won't catch anything, because you already heckled yourself to making it natural, and believable.
So how to fool hecklers? Simple - practice!
To finish, I would like to quote Guy Forsyth: "The trick is to combine your waking, rational abilities, with the infinite possibilities of your dreams. Because if you can do that, you can do anything."
