Heckler
Pronunciation: 'he-k&l
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): heck·led; heck·ling /-k(&-)li[ng]/
Etymology: Middle English hekelen to dress flax, scratch, from heckele hackle; akin to Old High German hAko hook -- more at HOOK
: to harass and try to disconcert with questions, challenges, or gibes : BADGER

We all know them.
We all hate them.

People who like to show they are "oh-so-clever" by telling everyone present the little "secret" behind your effect that cannot escape their most clever and observant ways. Or people that just interrupts and spoils your presentation by insisting that you let them shuffle the cards/look at your hands/inspect your prop.

Let's not talk about how much we hate them, because we ALL know how much we hate them.
But let's talk about how we can handle them and the situation. B)

Ask Huron.

I always break them down damn quickly. By doing sleights very suspiciously then marking them down. For example. 'Flash' a double, only to show its only one card. For example. Do a lousy 'palm' only to show you aren't palming anything.

Then there and then I break them down, piece by piece. I kinda learnt this from Huron...

For me, I would minimise every possible chance of performing when possible hecklers are around lurking for a moment to attack. So when no much hecklers are around, then I'll show something. You don't let them attack you, they won't delibrately attack you.
I dunno, but this sort of work for me. And, it prevent you from dying early from extra anger. :P

- Ling.

How I deal with heckler... Just try to make them feel a shame and reall orward lol.. :D

Well - embarrass them. Something I hate is the perpetual old-school advice of ignoring the person or stopping your performance. Yes, maybe your performance DOES need rethinking on your part in order to minimise the chances of you being in these situations, but stopping your performance on the spot, rush home and write down all the 500 different reasons that could have led to that heckler-moment, while the heckler feels a sense of triumph and the rest of the audience thinks you're weak? N-O W-A-Y.

Turn the crowd against the heckler. Steal off his watch. Give him an invisible wedgie. Make lingerie appear in his pocket. Shoot him with a super-soaker. Use my I.C. idea. Tell him his parents spent their first year after his birth throwing stones at the storks. Anything that turns the crowd in your favor and makes them laugh at him, makes him humiliated and forces him to back off. I'm not really someone you could ask for advice about turning a crowd against a single person, so you should get Huron into this thread.

C.

Note: telling him his parents spent their first year after his birth throwing stones at the storks will turn the crowd against your favor, make them laugh at you and make you humiliated

Hmm... Nothing much ... just take out my coin and do some coin vanishes and make it totally vanish. Actually making it end up in their pocket only when they think it went back into my pocket.

Hecklers are like the hamster dance song... they will only affect you if you let them.

I use this line I concocted a while ago to deal with the classic heckler line:

"I know how you do dat!! LOL LOL LOL"

"Wow, you make it sound like I care..."

Works for me. Or, just pay Huron a couple hundred greenbacks for a Heckler-management session, and you'll be geared up in no time.

-Kev

Steal his watch. :D
Eh Chris?

Actually just a short little thing on Hecklers... don't hate them. Hecklers turn from the most persistent "I wanna bust you" guys to the MOST respectful spectators, IF you can impress them. It's a wonderful form of progression but there are a few easy steps to slaying a heckler. Use a heckler to your advantage.

The wonderful formula is this "Heckler=Oh my this is gonna be good."

Hecklers are like wolves.

No, not because they can "smell your fear".
I mean they usually look and smell like dogs.

Other times they smell like Chlorine *ahem*.

1) Yes, OLD SCHOOL, but it works.

Ignore them.

Why? Because most of the time the spectators are too engrossed in your performance. They DO NOT hear what others say, and just filter out any pointless distractions. People do not like having their entertainment disrupted.

If you can help it, don't waste your time killing hecklers. They are like flies on fly paper. An eyesore but you know they aren't getting anywhere.

2) If that doesn't work, then it's time for some slaying. Don't insult them in a "you're so ugly your mom must be a *****" way.

It's more of a sarcastic "GEE, yeah you are SOOO intelligent! Damn he's good. It's almost as if he saw THIS card change."

-Magician does the colour change-

Let's recap.
Audience laughs at heckler for being so 'smart' based on your first comment.
They freak out at the change as you caught them on the off beat.
Heckler becomes/is a confused jerk.
They laugh at the heckler for being such an 'observant' guy.

Other lines work as well.

"Okay, let's see. You see that wall over there? Mickey Mouse is behind it. Go, go."

-Heckler looks for a split second-

"And the guy actually looked."

Ah... absolute bliss. Don't piss your spectator off by directly challenging him. Make him look stupid, then make him feel stupid.

3) From this point onward, you barely have to do any anti-heckler work. Most of the time after I've made my point rather subtly that his IQ is below 20, the audience does the work for me.

Heckler: "He's using a "Ke* Ca** method. I know. My friend told me"

Magi: "YES. And I'm using a trick deck at the moment as well. SHH. But don't tell anyone. My friend taught me this."

Heckler looks at friend: "You don't believe me you can see for yourself."

Audience laughing and smiling, turns to Heckler: "SHUT UP LA."

And he shuts up.


I'm sure many guys get the "are you using a trick deck" question.
DO NOT DENY THIS.

Spectators usually just HAVE to look through a deck. Let them do this at the beginning of the performance. Once they look through and do not find anything, they know it's a genuine deck. So if anyone midway asks the 'trick deck question'...

Just tell them

"YES! Of course it's a trick deck! It's super super super gimmicked. I got this at the magic store last week".
Others there usually reply for me "Don't bother checking. It's not gimmicked."


That just seals their mindset that I NEVER use any gimmicked decks. Which is of course, complete BS. And I've used things like Invisible Deck or Radar Deck on them, and not once have they suspected a thing, even when I blatantly switch decks.

Subsequently, a very interesting question that pops up from them is this.

"Eh... um... is this REAL magic, or a trick?"

How to reply?

"It's absolutely real magic, extremely superduper REAL. That's why I failed my math exam."

About the respect bit, once you impress a Heckler after whooping him, they actually stick up for you. Their purpose is to make themselves look slightly smarter than a mosquito. Yes most of the time they are a pain in the neck, but when the time is right, let them feel smart, but to your advantage.
This is what happened to me once when there was more than one heckler.

Heckler #1 :"He switched the card!!"

Impressed Heckler #2: "NO. He didn't switch a thing. I saw."

And your butt is saved.

Of course if they still persist on being 'oh so clever', then steal their watch off.

"Didn't see THAT, did ya?"

And there goes another long post from my initially planned one paragraph post.

There's so much more to say but it's impossible to write everything down. Plus, it's getting late. So good night!

Huron

Woot! Solid advice! cool. Now i have some sort of idea, yeah. :D Thanks huron.

Awesome post... thanks for sharing the great advice! B)

wow
sign up for huron's heckler course today B)
wait
wad if u happen to perfrom a trick to the group who are all hecklers

Then don't perform in the first place. You're not obliged to entertain. If they want you to perform... they beg.

Don't make your performances
"Hi can I show you a trick"
Make them
"Can you please please show us some magic today??"

Basically, make your performances few, yet powerful each time. Therefore, everytime you perform, it's "Holy crap we can't miss this and we better treasure this opportunity".

Huron

hey.. but what happens if the heckler says that.. he can't do it.. but he can explain the theory..

Hey guys... seems like there's another magician here... Lets welcome him to show us some magic to us... You guys also want to see him perform?

Usually, the crowd will say "Yes"....

And if he's a heckler, he's skills wouldn't be very good to perform any trick... Thus... he will give many excuses for not performing and he will definetly feel bad after that...

^_^

That's how I will do...

Any other better suggestions???

1. if u can, dont allow him to opportunity to explain or even "work" with him.

something like 'lets keep this to ourselves".


2. if he's persistent in trying to reveal the secret, laugh it off as a phony explanation. usually i say something like "thanks for the compliment." as if u could not have done so much under their noses.

just redo the effect using another method (that it is impossible for his theory to explain) and pretend ur doing everything the same.


3. or move on to your best effect (where the secret is devious, the handling/presentation covers it well, and the effect is devastating), and just amaze every1. leave even the heckler with his jaws wide opened, and unable to speak (what more reveal the secret which he will not know).


4. lastly, if he still knows the best effect in your arsenal, RUN! u are obviously not good enough for this smart aleck.

5. DONT invite him to any magic events/organisations as he will simply screw everything up. (remember, he's a heckler, and hecklers ARENT magicians, just smart alecks).

There are several levels of hecklers that I come across during my recent spate of performances in nighspots:

Level One-Laymen hecklers who know nuts but want to make things difficult for you: It's easy. They've virtually no knowledge so they're easy to fool. Hell, just use a couple of effective card controls and forces and make them look silly by letting them select the same card again and again. "Geez, you're boring. I'm hoping for some variety." If they wanna shuffle? No prob. P*** their selected card, unzip your pants (I've actually done this in a bar) and produce it from your crotch a la Brian Tudor style while they are happily shuffling away. Not exactly rocket science but the good audience will be laughing away. "I'm sorry but you seem to enjoy intruding my private areas."

Level Two-Laymen with some magic experience: They can't know EVERYTHING right? If they seemingly have knowledge with basic card sleights, diverge and do coin magic or I.T. or something. If you are in a situation where you can do ONLY cards, use your best sleights for the first few effects and hope that he doesn't expose you. Or do mental effects with stacks. For your last few tricks, use GIMMICKS. The heckler won't be examining the deck EVERY time you do a trick, and much less so at the end. They usually demand that everything be handed out for examination in the beginning, and that's nothing that a switcheroo can't solve.

Level Three-Intermediate to advanced level ex-magicians turn renagade: I haven't reached that standard yet so I'm at the losing end. Guess I'll hand the cards over to them and learn new stuff. :P

IMO... ex-magicians normally dont try to spoil ure show as they were magicians b4 and would noe how u feel... unless ure talking bout those who just join for a few weeks/months... then stop and try to spoil other people shows. those should be shot... i think the best way to deal with this kind of hecklers is to perform ure own creations... they may noe the sleight, but since they cant emulate it, they end up looking like fools trying to repeat wat u did. BUT if they are like world-class magis turned renegade... say bye bye... pay them 50 bucks and get it over with... -_-

Somehow ... Some magicians have different character, and when you meet 1 with thats has heckling in it. God bless Magicians, hahaha ~

of course... ex-magis can not only be hecklers... they can be stooges too... which can be a good thing...

Hey retsevlys... sorry, as much as I like you, I find that really offensive for all my gay friends/ colls/ and more. You're insulting them and that is simply, uncalled for. :angry:

...That's of course, unless you're a real mentalist with impressive gaydar skills ^_^ I'd suggest you retract your statement... just in case well, people get the wrong idea we're a gay bashing community :unsure:

;) Aight. ill take that statement back. Peace.

doing tricks just like playing ball games, for it was fun and hot. B)

Hecklers will had to hander this fun hot ball, i pass the time to him or her to perform; 4 result from them; B)

a) they are better than my way, i will learn new way of doing; :D
B) they do it well, i will learn from them; and :P
c) they just pulling my leg, i will fool them. B)
d) they will be my friend at the end of it. :) :rolleyes:

no, u shud never let a heckler take over your show (even if he's better).

maybe talk to him after the show or something, but your audiences will be watching you and seeing how you handle such problems.

can a heckler who isnt a practicing magician take over the show and make it a good show? don't think this is possible, unless he does one of those old-school pickacard self-working effects. some of which are not too bad B)

To layman, he might seem cool to be able to take over your show. We are magicians, thats why we can't stand in the position of a spectator to think whether will he be able to outshine you ?

Hey the heckler problem for me has been more or less gone or went minimal recently, I have no idea. I think I have successfully instilled to them that Magic depends on secrets, so now they have understood that, so i think they are starting to appreciate Magic as performance more as compared to earlier times. Yay! It is a good omen.

- Ling. :D

yes, after a while, ur sch mates will get that point. and usually thats where most of the problem of heckling arises (from ppl u are familiar with).

just to add on to uz_tham and winder, we shud not even consider letting a layperson take over the show. ppl pay to watch u, or at least commit some time, and they expect something good. how can u guarantee that a layperson taking over ur show is good? and if he is good, they'll think u suck.

being able to control the audience, hecklers and all, will win u respect from the audience themselves.

But if they are good in the first place, they wun be ruining ur effects and stuff. Unless they themselves are magicians, laymen don't practice their tricks and stuff that they might know.

u never know. they might just have been exposed to certain stuff, and wanna steal the limelight. they may be a magic enthusiast (not a magician, lets not use the term so loosely), and know much stuff and do magic often. its a remote possibility, but we shud always be prepared.

but in any case, just rmb that the show is urs, and no1 elses.

just~~ignore them...our audience, even after listen to the hecklers, they wont be able to do the magic~~then slowly they will give up and shut up when u perform..~`~




lady management is much more difficult...

guy don't get too work up, you pass the deck to them and ask him to perform for you. tell everyone well he is the master of tricks. the smartest dude on earth and he will do the im.possible. ask him to show you magic instead, if he start saying things like well ah erm well oh, than tell him to fingers fish offshore. everyone else wanna watch and shut the door tight lol. it works all the time.

I think it's always best to actually ignore them, especially if you are doing paid performance, do a routine which would actually gets all the attention. As hecklers are people who lack of attention and want to prove themselves, so give them all the attention they want.

sometimes... when u tell the heckler to perform.. he would say.. he only knows the theory...and he would go on by saying if i were to practice that i can take over.. wad do u do in such situations? and he would tell the audience how its being done...

Then I will ask him are you sure how this is done... really when did david blaine taught you that this is done this way and not done that wya lol... crap I finding trouble lol.. Just igonre him and change all the attention to another spec and do another trick that is heckler proof lol :D

never never never ever let a heckler take over ur show or steal the limelight.

justin, the problem u have can be quite common.

just ignore them first and try to brush them off with a small comment
avoid direct confrontation but do an even stronger effect.
if they persist on stealing the show, stop what u are doing, and just let every1 know that u'll continue once this mad guy is done.

at least the audience will appreciate and give u due credit for being able to handle the situation politely, giving the guy a chance, and even allow him to finish before u proceed.

if u just conceed to the guy at the start, u will appear as unprofessional.

Guys guys... I dunno, but i feel that making that guy looking stupid isnt gonna work.
1. That just goes to show that you are not a very nice person
2. If that guy is in your sch or work place, good luck for those awkward moments.
3. Why make him look stupid when you can bring him on your side and let him enjoy your magic as much as the others?
4. Making him look stupid just spoilts the tempo of your show.

I mean, depending on the degree of his rudeness, if he says he knows how its done, then just say 'Yup, we'll keep that to ourselves'. he'll feel like 'yay, the magician likes me! We're a team' and he'll be quiet.

Well if he still goes on telling people how he thinks its done, then just say to the rest of the people... 'Well, seems like i'm not appreciated around here, i'll just go somewhere else where they appreciate me more...' Usually, depending on your rapport, they better spect will ask you to stay and get the guy to keep quiet.

It really isnt a very good idea if you let him run the show. What if he does a 21 card trick and the spectator gets all impresssed by it? Well, as magicians, we'll be like...'21 card trick? what cr*p is that...' BUT! Do not forget, the magic is in the audiences mind, so if what if its 21 card trick. If he manages to impress them. Then... u've been replaced.

LAstly, if you PERSISTENTLY get hecklers in your show... then... i think its better to practise more and reflect on why that happens.... or perhaps, just.... change your hobby. ;)

Can I give my shair of opinion too?

Usually in school, the hecklers will be..your schoolmates (mostly younger or same age).

Now I really try not to make the heckler look stupid or something, unless he's really so "hard" to crack all my tricks.

Just try to ignore them, walk away, or just do some nice misdirection and surprise him/her. Basically, when I see them around, I usually perform more (to other students). if he/she asks to participate, I would just say.."Oh well, you just don't seem to be the guy/gal that appreciates magic"..

just letting their good friends enjoy the magic..(and letting them tell the heckler how good it is)..it'll make him feel he's missing the fun..and he's gonna be a great helper in your magic.

----

How are you gonna minimise your chances of finding a heckler during your performance..usually..just do some normal, beginner tricks..if they already try to make things difficult for you, stop or leave. it's not worth showing them cause they're not there to enjoy the magic (which is what the magician is suppose to do, let the specs enjoy it). Just resist the temptation to show them..until you get the right time to blow a nice heckler proof trick..


my newbie advice..hope it helps