Keith asks if it’s OK when spectators film your magic performance.

Keith writes: Hi Dominic, Loved your book Approaching Tables. There’s more useful info in this book than all the books and DVDs I’ve bought on this subject. If you are ever looking to update it, I wondered what your thoughts were when people film your magic on their mobile phones (which seems potentially likely) – any thoughts on whether this is a good or bad thing, whether you should discourage them, or if you need to make any adjustments or compensation for it?

Hi Keith, thanks for the kind words about the book. I enjoyed writing it and it was a chance to answer a LOT of questions we get asked at Merchant of magic every day. To answer your question, I often have spectators film my close-up magic, probably because I encourage it as much as possible. There is nothing to fear from your spectators filming you. As long as you think about the following:

When people film your magic it’s invaluable marketing

They say that word of mouth is the best form of adverting, and they are right.. Every performance you give is an advert about how great you would be at your spectators future events. If some of the guests pull out their phones and film you performing, encourage it. Although all of my work tends to be close up to groups of guests, I’ve found this applies just as well for any size crowd. Make sure you switch around your material, so they can film something close up right away and then prompt them to pan out for reactions..

Spectator reactions are THE footage you want them to capture.

You want them to have some great footage of everyone having fun, they can show their friends..

Make sure your angles and misdirection is good

It’s pretty obvious, but make sure you switch over to material you know is 100% tight. Cameras can’t be distracted, so make sure that you don’t flash anything. The tricks you perform need to be structurally robust. In other words, they can withstand someone watching them over and over again. If you have to do a secret load, or misdirect the audience whist a change happens, this won’t hold up to repeat viewing.. always pick material to suit the conditions.

Remember: Audience attention spans are very short when it comes to video.. Switch over to short punchy effects at the start, so some magic happens quickly. If you start a long drawn out routine, don’t be suprised if their camera gets put away half way through.. you don’t want that.

Use off camera moments

Be aware of when the filming is taking place, and when spectators are just watching. You can use those moments, to set up something that can’t be done on camera. If I know someone is going to film because they are getting their phone out, I will try to do a body load or steal a watch, right away. I can then do the reveal, once the camera is rolling.. This is like instant, impromptu, pre-show!

Ask one of the spectators to use YOUR phone to film your magic.

You REALLY CAN do this. People don’t find at all. Just hand someone your phone and say:

“I’d like you to film this, because there is NO WAY you will believe what you are about to see..”

That doesn’t make sense, but at the same time.. it feels like it does.. I say that a LOT. You probably won’t show them the footage anyway, as you will go on to perform more.. but it SOUNDS good, and you will find the person will usually really enjoy doing it. That footage is great for your showreel, and you can even send it over to your client later when you recontact for a follow up.

Try to steer them to focus on the reactions of the spectators

Sorry to say, but the method of your trick is BORING to everyone other than other magicians. People sit through the method, to get to the magic. It’s just a tool to get a spectators reaction. The reaction is the reward and your footage should be full of rewards!

If you see a spectator just zooming in on your hands, steer them to focus on the whole group. other spectators questions and engage with them, make them a feature of the performance too. Bring you r hands up away from your waste line level. Your crotch is not the best think to be on camera,, faces are! If you reveal a card, move over to stand next to a spectator and bring it up to be displayed at a level that gets people in the shot. Open up whats being filmed. It’s quite easy once you start thinking about it.

Remember to smile and have fun

Pause at good moments for them, move into the best light available in that area, and remember to smile.. You need to make sure you look like you are having fun. I know you will be, but have you checked how you look when you are deep in a routine and paying attention to 10 things at once.. Smile, relax and make it look effortless.

Make sure you get them to send you a copy

After you finish with a group, take a moment to ask for a copy of the footage. They can transfer directly from phone to phone. or just ask for their email address so you can get a copy later. Make sure you do this… Bank all the performing footage you can.

When spectators film your magic tricks, they need to reference you.

Take a moment to give the spectator your business card and ASK THEM to put it up on youtube or facebook with your NAME. Always do this.. Without some reference to you, it’s giving you nothing back.