Card Magic Tricks Archives - How to do Magic Tricks

How Magicians Introduce Themselves – How to Approach a Group of People

I got to a gig a little early today, and I was sat in the car, waiting to go in and start. As I has some time on my hands, I thought I would check some emails and I received this question about how magicians introduce themselves.

‘Dominic, really enjoying the blog, thanks for sharing all this info. I do have a problem though. I have been doing magic for a few years, and have a decent load of tricks I can do. The only problem is, I don’t know what to say when I approach a group of people and want to show them my magic. What do you say when you go up to people and introduce yourself?’

Well, that’s a great question, but it requires a longer answer than I wanted to try to type out on my iPhone, so I stuck the iPhone to the windscreen of the car, hit record and answered the question with a short video:

It’s easy to worry about how magicians introduce themselves when in practice it’s a lot easier than beginners think. The problems come when we over think the situation and then anxiety sets in. There isn’t anything to worry about.. People like to see magic and as long as you are not forcing yourself on people at the wrong time, your offer to show them something amazing will almost certainly be met with interest.

There are a few simple techniques you can use to make your introduction easier, that I cover in the video above, but it’s not really what you say that counts here. The key is to be aware of the group you are approaching to make sure they are relaxed and look open to being entertained, and then to approach them with an air of confidence and a smile.. That’s all you need to have for the perfect introduction.

How do you like to introduce yourself to a group when you approach them to perform your magic? Please share your ideas in the comments section below:

What to do if your at your first ever gig and you get heckled

Self confidence when approaching strangers

Confidence For Magicians – Free Ebook

Camera Tricks – Casshan Wallace Interview

by Merchant of Magic Leave a Comment

Camera Tricks has now released in the UK. It’s created quite a stir amongst the magic community in the United States, with good reason. Take a look:

Dominic Reyes caught up with Casshan Wallace to talk about Camera Tricks, how he invented it and some tips for getting the most out of your magic.

Dominic Reyes : How did you get into magic?

Casshan Wallace : I got my interest in magic at the very young age of 5. I started trying to perform miracles by the age of 6. My grandpa showed me a few magic tricks. The one trick that sparked my interest was an ambitious style card magic trick with a story trick about four jacks. The four jacks would be placed into the middle of a deck of playing cards and they would all jump back to the top.

Dominic Reyes : And that gave you the ‘magic bug’?

Casshan Wallace : Yes. After seeing that magic trick, I tried making up my own methods.

Dominic Reyes : What made you start working on the paper clip principle in Camera Tricks?

Casshan Wallace : I’ve always been a big fan of paper clip magic tricks, and making them link. They are easy to carry with you, everybody knows what they are, and I know I can get good reactions with them.

Dominic Reyes : So you studies the classic methods first?

Casshan Wallace : I went about learning probably every method of linking paper clips ever conceived (well probably not, but it sure feels like it). The way I started creating my methods was because of school. Teachers don’t like me having cards out and coins are too loud, so paperclips are another way to go.

I just started trying to make a way for them to look like my vision. Once I got into the position of making the paper clips look linked, I just had to make it so I could have them unlinked from start and then link the clips while they watch them closely.

Dominic Reyes : The focus on the presentation in Camera tricks seems to be a slow, smooth and clear. How did you develop that as a goal and why is it so important?

Casshan Wallace : I wanted Camera Tricks to be slow because I feel that magic happens too fast sometimes. I want to slow the moment down for the spectator so they don’t feel like they are missing anything. I think its better for the spectator that way. So I really hit on that when I was making the methods. The effects in Camera Tricks happen slowly so they can’t use the quote “you moved so fast, so it was probably sleight of hand”. Ah the silly things spectators say

Dominic Reyes : Do you have any more tips that will help magicians learn and perform?

Casshan Wallace : Practice and relax, the magic trick is slightly knacky. Watch the over-the-shoulder view many times cause its not easy. Some stuff you will get better at, the more time you practice because its something you don’t really know. It’s hard to understand at first, so just really work at it. Also make sure you’re good at entertaining your audience so you don’t have to rush your set up. Just relax and have fun.

Dominic Reyes : What are your three favourite magic books or DVD’s?

Casshan Wallace : I thoroughly enjoyed Stars of Magic book and DVDs, Paul Harris Presents – Art of Astonishment collection, and Strong Magic. All very creative and innovative work

Dominic Reyes : Where do you see your magic going in the future?

Casshan Wallace : I see my magic definitely going into a more commercial approach. I want to make stuff that you can add to existing routines that can make certain magic tricks better. I also want to try to make new concepts and not just new methods. That’s what magic needs, more concepts. We have enough magic tricks as it is, so creating something new to magic is key. A spectator sees one concept and one method so they won’t know what’s different. I see my magic getting more and more creative and original in the future.

Dominic Reyes : What’s next from Casshan Wallace?

Casshan Wallace : I have many things that I’ve been working on over the years and they are about ready to be revealed but I’m going to give it some more time. Exciting things are to come!

Should I Only Learn Card Tricks?

by Dominic Reyes Leave a Comment

Greg writes:

'I'm quite a good card magician. I'm no Lennert Green, but more than competent.

Should I continue to learn card tricks and become the best I can be at it.

Or, should I branch into other areas of magic & become a good all rounder?

Life, home, and work don't really allow for both.'

Great news that you have found your passion in magic. It's fine to have a favourite field of study, and many magicians focus on card magic. If you are concerned about it, then you may want to think about the following:

What are your goals?

Why are you learning magic? Is it to go out and perform or simply for the love of learning? If you want to perform, your selection of material should be based around the ACT you want to present.

If time is short, use a practice drill technique

You really don't need a lot of time each day to set aside for effective magic practice. The secret is short, frequent, and focused sessions. Take a look at this advice about creating a practice drill program for your magic.

Hope this helps

Dominic Reyes