Michael Kras
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What You Say When You Screw UpDo you use any special lines or actions to gracefully cover up for a mistake or a full-on screw up?
My favourite line to use is "Wow, it's so quiet, you could hear a career drop".
Any funny stories of screw-ups?
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BrianMillerMagic
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Nothing serious has happened in a long time for me, but when something goes goofy I usually just say, "Bummer." or "Well would you look at that?"
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Michael Kras
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Just a side note, when I saw Jay Sankey lecture, he would occasionally drop a card. When he did, he would forecfully stomp on it and scream "BAD CARD"!
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BrianMillerMagic
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Even though it was planned as part of the effect, I love when Richard Sanders in Defective from the Sankey Sanders Sessions looks down at the wrong card confused and mutters quite seriously, "...that card's broken."
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Liam
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hehehe, that cards broken
but personally, i avoid messing up 
but when i do mess up, i kinda just say
"well that didnt/isnt going to work, lets try this."
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Ben Train
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My goal is to never OUTWARDLY screw up. Sure, an effect can (and DOES!) go wrong, but I don't want anyone to know it. And, I'd like to think, in the last few years no one has- when I mention I flubbed a trick to my sister (because she likes to know how my shows go) she asks if it was a REAL screw up or only one I knew about...
And she's right. This is an important distinction.
So, here's what you should do.
First, contact Steven Youell (he has a website) and ask for his WMD notes. They contain a piece called the ProActive Control, which is a system that allows you to control and minimize potential problems. Tell him Ben Train sent you.
Second, get Charles Hopkins' book. It gives you tools and strategies to deal with problems AFTER they arise.
As long as you have these tools, plus a healthy dose of competent slight of hand, quick thinking, and solid material you are comfortable you shouldn't have any problems.
Here are two scenarios that occur in INFORMAL settings that I've had to deal with (I stress informal because in a formal/paid show I'm in control and don't let these things happen- where as with informal I PREFER to lose control, so I can test my abilities to cope).
First:
You control two spectators cards to the top, make a magic move, and turn over the double. Card one on top. As you go to turn it face-down it splits, revealing the second card. What do you do?
Second:
Your deck is sitting on the table and someone grabs a card and asks you to name it. What do you do?
Ben
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BrianMillerMagic
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I second Steve Youell's WMD notes - besides having fantastic card effects, the section on ProActive control is absolutely brilliant. Definitely track it down.
First scenario: "Ooh...look who wants to tag along for the ride?" Then take the extra card, shove it in the middle of the deck, and use an alternative handling to continue.
Second scenario: "Three of Clubs." 1 in 52 that you're right, you'll look like a god. When you're wrong and they say no, take the card and look at it as you say, "Three of Clubs...which has now changed into the Eight of Spades!" Old gag, but it still works wonders.
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Michael Kras
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I third the WMD notes Excellent stuff and very practical advice and theories.
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