The Magic is Not in the Props Magicians Use

by Merchant of Magic 4 Comments

How do you present the ‘magic’ happening within your performances? Some magicians perform tricks and some magicians perform magic…

Master magicians seem to define magic with every movement they make. The performance is enchanting and for a few moments, even their fellow magicians forget to think about the methods.. I’m sure you can think of several famous magicians that have that effect on you. What do they have, that you could use to create a similar impression on your own audiences?

It’s NOT the tricks they choose to perform.. It’s not the props magicians use.. It’s the way they present the tricks!

I really believe that you can learn a lot from watching as many famous magicians perform as you possibly can. You will learn SO much from doing this. Obviously, the secrets to the tricks will not be revealed. Don’t worry about searching for ‘method’. The tricks in and of themselves are not important for the point we hope to highlight here. You can learn so much from the performer.

Look at the way the performers conduct themselves, their posture, their pacing and timing, and the way they focus the spectators’ attention at times when needed. Forget the props magicians use.. Instead notice how they PRESENT the magic and give it meaning.

Studying showmanship is vital to your magical studies because it allows you to create the magic in a spectator’s mind, not the method for the trick. The presentation is more powerful than the method. Self working card tricks can be just as powerful as complex sleight of hand if you apply the right presentation.

DO THIS: Next time you are packing your pockets full of magic tricks, spare a moment to think about how you will perform them to maximize their potential. Try not to rush through your tricks if you don’t immediately get that amazing reaction; these things build. Your spectators can be blown away time and time again by the same effect as they are reliving the moment in their minds. It is tough to remain silent or bring the focus back to yourself at a time like this, but it is worth it! Always make the most out of your performances, be confident and believe in your skills, and you will only improve the magic.

Best wishes

Dominic Reyes

Choosing a Magic dealer – Curated magic shops

Will You Ever Be More than an Average Magician?

Criss Angel Recommends The Merchant of Magic

by Merchant of Magic Leave a Comment

Criss Angel sent us this video to Recommend the Merchant of Magic

We are really pleased that Criss Angel recommends The Merchant of Magic for magicians in the UK. Our Chris Angel section which features his own releases and magic from other creators released under his label ‘Criss Angel Presents’

If you haven’t already done so, check out the awesome Criss Angel Platinum Magic Set and the new release under his label, from Sean Fields – Sickness. These magic releases are HUGE in the US at the moment and we are really pleased to be the exclusive UK dealer importing them in from Las Vegas directly.

Considered to be the most famous magicians in magic today, Criss Angel built his career by having a visionary approach and groundbreaking material. Whether on his worldwide #1 television series Criss Angel MINDFREAK or on stage in his spectacular live show BeLIEve at the Luxor in Las Vegas, Criss continues to push forward magic in the United States.

You can browse the whole range of magic tricks in the Criss Angel Magic Section.

We are often asked which magic set is best for kids. Criss Angel recommended the platinum magic set which has been given the seal of approval by the International Magicians Society.

Filming Your Magic Tricks – 10 Things You Should Do

by Merchant of Magic 5 Comments

One of the most useful tools for developing your magic is the video camera. Filming your magic tricks being performed will allow you to critically analyze every part of your routine. You can understand what your audience actually see’s when they watch you. It’s an invaluable learning process and we recommend you seriously consider making this part of your training.

When we talk about filming your magic, we don’t mean quickly filming a half mastered trick and uploading it to YouTube. That’s not going to teach you anything. The only feedback will be flattery or even rude comments, that will do you no good at all. This is not about self promotion or feedback from others, it’s about having a cold, hard, and dispassionate look at yourself. It strips away any ego, and shows you what’s actually really there, rather than what you hope to find. That’s where the true value is gained, and it’s priceless.

Which magic tricks you choose to film doesn’t really matter, but ideally you should be performing to spectators and not to the camera itself. You want to be able to study how you interact with your audience just as much as how well you can do the moves when nobody is watching.

Filming your magic tricks is the easy part, now the painful part begins.

You need to sit down and prepare to take notes as you watch the footage back several times. The first time you watch it, you probably won’t learn much. That first viewing will be spent either feeling uncomfortable about watching yourself, or enjoying the routine and patting yourself on the back for how clever a particular part of it is. The real value comes from the second, third and fourth playback.

After filming your magic tricks, make a careful note of the following 10 action points:

1) Do you look relaxed and natural?

2) Do you look happy to be there and enjoying performing the magic tricks?

3) What does your body movement say about you, the situation, and the magic you are doing?

4) Are your hand movements natural, relaxed and clear?

5) Is your speech rushed. Is it clear and engaging? Do you vary the tone and pace?

6) Do you make eye contact with the audience?

7) Do you hesitate when executing a move or sleight?

8) Does anything look awkward or out of place?

9) How is your audience reacting at each point during the magic trick?

10) Are you performing your sleight of hand at the right moments, when the misdirection is the strongest?

You should have made quite a few notes after running through this process a few times, and it’s very important that you act on every point you find. Use what you learn from this to eliminate all the weak points and reinforce the actions that are working well for you. Tweak the routine and its presentation to highlight your strong points. Make a conscious effort to be aware of the problems you have identified. When you next perform, you will be much less likely to repeat those problems if you know they are there.

Each little adjustment will make your magic far stronger. It’s a better long term investment than simply adding more and more new magic tricks to your knowledge base. You have a tool at your disposal that the greatest magicians through history never had. Make use of it and your audience will thank you for it.