The Magicanada Project

Michael Kras · Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 3:14 am Post subject: Meriting Audience Reaction

Please watch the following...

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=c1MWKEs90aE

...and discuss!

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Michael Kras
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BrianMillerMagic · Joined: 14 Aug 2007 Posts: 543 Location: New York State

I think that you some a lot of good points in the video. However, I'd like to mention some other points. When you react strongly to your own magic, it will encourage the audience to do so as well. Is that reaction always genuine though? Many times an audience will go along with you for the sake of conformity, and that isn't a genuine reaction. It's sort of like when a suggestion based effect doesn't work - often the spectator will still play along for your benefit and the success of the effect.

Also, what are we calling a "good audience reaction" anyway? Reacting strongly to your own magic in order to get a screaming, cheering response will work. Again though, is that necessarily genuine? When I've been most amazed watching a magician, I haven't given that type of reaction. My mouth will gape open in silence, and I might start laughing eventually, merely from running out of any other emotion to express my amazement.

So for me it really depends on what type of reaction you're going for.
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Michael Kras · Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 4:04 am Post subject:

Excellent points indeed, and by meriting audience reaction, I am not trying to fabricate it in the process. In my experiences, audiences will only visibly react to something if my mannerisms strengthen the presentation to that point. It is especially useful in blander effects with no real visual elements to them.
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Ethan the Emazing · Joined: 29 Aug 2007 Posts: 160

I believe it also has to do with the effect itself. And they type of reaction your going for. Say your showing your card skills by dealing out five hands of poker and giving yourself the best hand. In my opinion, I'm not going to be amazed or act amazed at my skills that I knew I had beforehand, and in some instances so does the audience. But the audience gets the impression that you're good with cards and have great skill and are amazed and baffled at how you got to that ending.

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