Creativity in Magic

Thoughts on Creativity in Magic

By Richard Mangaha

Maybe it’s just the people I hang out with, but so many of the other magicians I know are hell bent on inventing their own effects and routines. I also hear a fair share from people preaching that we should all “be original.” I think this is true to an extent, but not in the way most of us are used to thinking. I think it is our responsibility to “be original.” But when I say that, I mean that we should all do magic that is US, not magic that is someone else. Perhaps I’m still not quite making sense, hopefully as you continue on, it will.

If there is one thing that’s ever bugged me about instructional media for magic, it’s that it includes patter. It’s not really THAT bad of a thing, but for the beginner, it can be a bit of an obstacle. Beginners do not necessarily know much about performing. A beginner reads an effect and to perform it, performs it straight out of the cookbook. And speaking of cooking… I think I smell an analogy coming on. It is my belief that the general magic population goes through certain stages in their magical evolution:

Creativity in magic Stage 1

The first is the microwavable frozen food phase. It’s simple, you purchase the frozen food, pop it in the microwave, and you’re done. It’s very easy to concentrate on the creation, but it lacks a bit of something which I cannot describe… such is magic. It’s very easy to purchase microwavable frozen magic. You just bust open the package, read the instructions and ta da! Instant magician.

Creativity in magic Stage 2

The second phase would be the cookbook magician. You purchase a cookbook, follow it to the letter, and you get the final product. I know when I cook out of a cookbook, I am a bit… flustered to say the least. Such is magic, you purchase a magic book, work through it, and you somehow pull out an effect. A magician, yes, but now to a different sort of degree.

Creativity in magic Stage 3

The third phase would be the variable cookbook magician. This is when you start thinking “Oh, it doesn’t need this much salt…. could use more garlic, though… I prefer to use peas over the green beans… etc.” A magical example of this would be altering moves to accomplish the same means because it is simply something you prefer. A personal example for me would be my use of the pass as my control.

Creativity in magic Stage 4

The fourth phase is the crappy original creations. This is when you start creating things just because you want to create things. This might turn against you because the creation is the motivation. This phase may or may not be necessary. I’m not really sure.

Creativity in magic Stage 5

The fifth, and final, phase is the original creations. This is when you finally create worthwhile effects, etc… creating your own recipes so to speak.

So what does all of this have to do with creativity in magic? Simple… we attempt to become creative because we don’t want to be identified as simply being a clone. This is very important, but I think most people miss the point. I’d assume Triumph is in most any card man’s repertoire. People attempt to vary it and alter the effect a bit. I have no doubt that some of the attempts are just so one can say “MY version of triumph.” Not to belittle some big names, but whenI read JC Wagner’s handling of Triumph in his book “Commercial Magic of JC Wagner” I was pretty much wondering where the significant difference lay. (Triumph #999, I believe is the name of the effect. Also, despite this slightly negative comment, Commercial Magic of JC Wagner is one of my favorite books. Learn “The Assembly” and his original T&R.) The Classic Magic of Larry Jennings has many versions of Triumph, but there is one in particular (cannot remember the name right now) that is barely different from the “standard” handlings. (BTW, “Classic Magic of LJ” is very easily a modern classic. One of my favorites… two words “The Visitor”… two more “Mystery Card.”) Why do I mention these? Because they are examples in print that I could immediately think of. I am sure there are more, and I am not attempting to single them out. I do have the greatest respect for both.

However, although I may have spoken slightly negatively about them, they are also examples of what I mean when I say “be original.” When I say be original, I mean adapt an effect so that it is something YOU would perform. If you WOULD perform it exactly as it is written, so be it. If you would not, then change it, or never perform it. If it’s not something YOU would do, your audience will pick up on it.

Magicians don’t need to spend their time thinking of new magic tricks.

I really think many of the good plots in magic are already taken anyway. Think about how much magic is in print. There are so many books and periodicals. Find something out there. Find a diamond in the rough just waiting to be shined. Be original. And when I say that, I mean that you should make an effect original for you. Make it so that no one else would WANT to perform it the way you do.

Some of my favorite books in magic are Michael Close’s Workers series. They’re also some of my most hated. Why? He left NO detail out. I read his routines and they’re wonderful! But they just seem TOO Michael Close. So what do I do? I take the effect and throw out his patter. I run through his handlings and find out what I don’t like. I then make a handling that is more me. I then find the patter that fits me. Did I create a new effect? Of course not, I just found the handling for the effect that I can deal with. Is it something I should climb mountains and announce to the world? Probably not.

I think the fault in much of magic is that we spend too much time trying to be Vernon, Malini, Wagner, Ammar, Jennings, or Close, that we forget that WE are the ones performing magic. I am an actor playing the role of a wizard. I am not a Larry Jennings impersonator.

To utilize one of Michael Close’s favorite analogies to magic…

‘Imagine we are musicians. We play our instruments, we will probably cover someone else’s songs.But when we do sing someone else’s song, we try to leave a bit of ourselves so that it cannot be confused with the other.The impersonator on the other hand, attempts to make the audience feel like they would be watching the same person.‘

We do not need to sit around creating magic. There is enough out there. IF we take what is out there and adapt it to ourselves, the magic will evolve on its own. We may have started out with something that was originally an effect in Close-up Card Magic, but as time passes and we develop our own tastes, the effect goes through change. And perhaps, the effect will differ enough that it is essentially something new. This is the process of creativity. I do not think creativity and originality show up as we simply “decide” to be creative and original. We take an idea… play with it… screw it up… maybe put it aside only to pick it up later… and then, at some later point, a brief moment of insight brings it all together.

We do not need to create magic. We simply need to help it evolve. Find something… anything. And perform it the way YOU want to perform it. Time will pass and it will eventually be yours.

Do you agree or disagree? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Liam Montier Interview – Performing Magic Vs Creating Magic Tricks

by Dominic Reyes Leave a Comment

I asked creative magician Liam Montier how he got into magic and started inventing magic tricks.

Like many magicians during childhood, Liam Montier became obsessed by magic after seeing a magician perform. Liam studied everything he could find about magic, and by the age of 16, he was performing at weddings and social events. As magicians, it's important to remember that we are not only entertaining the public, but also acting as the inspiration for the next generation of magicians. Next time you are performing at a gig and a young person asks you how you got into magic, spare a moment to point them toward the first step in learning. Recommend that they read Royal Road to Card Magic or Mark Wilson's complete course in magic. You shouldn't expose methods to them, but a point in the right direction, that will require effort for them to 'follow up' is a very special thing to give someone. For you, it means little, but for someone who has been inspired by your magic, it could set them on the path of a life long hobby or career.

Liam Montier doesn't go magic gigs any more. He prefers to devote his time to the creative side of magic. For Liam, magic is all about what's new. He isn't motivated by creating a set professional 'act' which he would perform over and over again. He wants to spend his time pushing at ideas, forming new techniques and staying at the edge of magic discovery.

When asked what he regrets, Liam Montier wishes he had started working as a magician much sooner. Like so many magicians that spend countless hours practicing, he waiting around for things to happen to him. Waiting doesn't make things happen. Looking back, he understands that the best way to get what you want, is to go out and make it happen. Even just taking a small step forward each day, will get you there in the end. Standing still, and wishing for something, very rarely makes it happen. If you have been thinking about performing, but have been putting it off, why not make the commitment to no something today that will bring you closer to your first gig?

If you would like to learn more you can check out the very best work of Liam Montier here

Posted by Dominic Reyes

How to Invent Your Own Magic Tricks and be More Creative.

by Merchant of Magic 1 Comment

Would you like to invent your own magic tricks? How much of the magic you perform has been created by other magicians? There isn’t really anything wrong with that, but many magicians want to start being creative with the magic they introduce into their act. Let’s look at ways to develop ideas for new magic tricks and develop creativity.

‘If you can dream it, you can do it.’ – Walt Disney

Instead of hunting for the next new magic trick that will freshen up your act, could you invent something new? Even if you don’t feel you can create full, brand new magic tricks, you may be able to adapt or change existing material to give it your own special twist and brand it with your personality.

Take a step away from the magic you are currently performing and think to yourself:

‘If I could perform any magic trick, what would I like to do?’

This is where Walt Disney’s wise words come into play. The first step is to be able to ‘dream’ or ‘imagine’ what it is you wish to achieve. This can be tough, starting from nothing. However, to be creative you don’t have to start from a blank canvas. Use what is around you and inspires you.

Buy yourself a pocket sized notepad, or use an online notebook like Evernote. Ideas and inspiration are all around us. It could come from listening to a conversation, an event you witness or a poster you see. It’s very easy to have ideas, but just as easy to forget them. Any ideas you have, make a note. Even if its just a word, note it down. See something that gives you an idea? Take a picture of it on your phone. Start capturing ideas as you go about your day. In time you can then refer to your random notes and scribblings. You’ll be surprised how inspirational and these ideas can get your creative juices flowing in all sorts of directions.

Here are some of my suggestions to help inspire ideas and help creativity to flow.

Movies.

Movies are great for ideas. But only if you are watching them with the thirst for new ideas in the back of your mind.

‘I was watching the old horror movie ‘The Fly’ recently. There is a scene where the main character has developed two transportation pods. He enters one, dematerializes, and is then rematerialized into the second. However, one day he transports himself and a fly enters the pod. Lo and behold they materialize as one being.

This immediately hit me as a great theme for any transposition magic trick, or even any routine where two signatures appear together on one card.’ – Paul Knight

Being creative with your magic does not necessarily mean creating a new routine. Simply taking a magic trick you already do and changing the theme and patter can change the whole appearence of the trick.

So when you are next relaxing watching a film keep in the back of your mind the opportunities for any possible ideas or themes you can employ in your magic.

Music.

Music can be very inspiring and help hugely with creativity. By simply playing music as you practice you will be surprised how easy it is to stray from your usual patter and handling. Just experiment and open up. Remember there are no rules.

Books.

Not just magic books, read as much as you can both fiction and non fiction. It’s amazing how many plots can spark ideas for magic. Good authors can engage readers on both an intellectual and emotional level. This is an important skill to master for your magic. The more you read, the more you will grow a feel for how a good story is created, as well as discover interesting plot ideas you may never have considered.

Latest trends.

What’s being discussed on the internet?
What meme’s are going around?
What are the top 10 games or apps at the moment?

Trending topics and current news can give you some awesome ideas for new presentations and magic tricks. Finding fun or interesting topics that are popular has never been easier. Your facebook stream will be stuffed with meme’s and ideas. Get ideas from sites like Boingboing or Lifehacker add them to a newsreader app or service and start building a reader list of interesting sites that can give you ideas.

The secret to magic creativity.

To build your creativity, you need to feed it. Start looking around at all the weird and unusual stuff. It’s all around you! Here’s the real secret:

Ubiquitous capture

Ubiquitous capture is when you record ideas, information, thoughts, and experiences wherever you are. The goal is to reduce the amount of time taken between when the idea appears and when it is written down, recorded or captured.

Capture the things you find, even if you don’t know why or how you could ever need it. If it’s interesting to you, capture it. The more you do this, the more you feed your creativity with little ‘idea seeds’. They can stay buried in your note system, until one day they pop out and give you a great idea for a new presentation, or even a magic routine itself.