On our gathering on Sat, Blackwing talked about how to do a approach during charity shows.

I am just wondering, in social situations (eg parties/ gatherings/ workplace), how do you approach a person for magic?

Anything extraordinary besides the usual :" Hi, would you like to see some magic?"

is " Hi i find this really strange so i'm just making sure i'm not dreaming or making things up" a usual line too? =) i normally just go like "can you help me with this" then get "her" involve from there i will see whether the person is interested. If yes i will continue with my magic if not i will just walk away.

just go up, smile, say" excuse me, i have a little experiment that i need your help", stop let them answer, continue on with trick.

the important thing is usually the manner of approach. try to approach groups rather than a single person. remember to smile!!! <however, smile with considerably clean and white teeth though..> :lol:

the words do matter though. i try not to use "wanna see a trick?" the word "trick" just gives it away that it's a, well.. trick! and the word" experiment" means that you're probably a demented scientist who MAY fail in the thing that you are going to do. :ph43r: :g:

haha oh and the word" thank you" is nice too. :D

Aaron

Hie guys,
I thought I'd like to share this.

About four years back I went to every nook and cranny to perform too. After school ,I used to take my bike and ride to the nearest field and perform to anybody sitting on the benches . That was how obsessed I was with magic .

My approach then was totally different from now . I just went up to people and just asked do you want to say something ? and went on to do my stuff. People usually complied , because at that time, nobody expected a 16 year old salesman at the field wearing a T-Shirt...those were the days I use to perform to anyone and everyone for experience . It was just crazy . =)

These days my approach is different . No more going around and terrorizing the fields,food courts ,.etc.=)

Just 2 tips from me (feel free to disagree):
1. Approach with a statement like "Please allow me to share with you something amazing.", instead of a question like "Would you like to see some magic?". That is because the latter allows them to decide and possibly reject you (even if they are just simply shy). If you are confident enough, you may even approach with an effect (like walking up to them and producing a coin from their ear).
2. Make sure you do not look like a salesperson. Singaporeans have a phobia of salesperson and should they construe you as one, you will be rejected even before you say a single work. Just try to look magician-like, a tag "Magician" will work easily.

Generally, all approaches can be done with either a statement or a effect, in any situation. Although if the audience is told beforehand that a magician will be available around, you might have more space to experiment with your approach. If I may, I'll just elaborate a little on statement approach and effect approach.

Statement
-Direct (This is very safe as they immediately know that you are a magician) "Let me show you some magic"
-Indirect (You might need some flair to pull this off) "Witness the impossible"

Common sense will have you know that a quick effect is probably needed to bolster your indirect statement before they think you are a little crazy.

Indirect statements can be in the form of a question if they do not offer a chance to reject your performance. Like you can start with "Do you believe in the supernatural?" Whatever they answer will probably not affect you, but you might consider leaving it as a rhetorical question and follow-up with a statement like "Well, in the next few minutes, you just might..."

Effect
Keep it really simple and quick, especially since you are not going to say anything much at the start that reveals your identity as a magician immediately, except for something like "What's that behind your ear? Ah! A coin!" Therefore, the effect must immediately say that you are a magician, afterall, the first thing that people who meet each other do is introduce or greet. It is always a nice gesture to introduce yourself properly after a quick effect, like "A very good morning. My name is XXX and I am a magician. (You may add a little information about why you are here here.) In the next few moments, you shall experience the impossible."

But having said that, all starter effects should be brief and quick.

Just wondering, why would you want to perform to someone who would reject you? If they are not interested, they are not interested.

Well, most people would love to see magic, so you have to present yourself in a way that it is easy to say "yes" to.

Many people are shy, many people would not like to say "yes" (especially in public). And when you approach a group, all you need is one person who is really uneasy about "making you perform for them" to make you look for someone else. Moreover, if they think you are a salesperson or someone else but a magician, they might reject you (wrongly). So it is important to present yourself properly and make it easy for the audience to say "yes" (afterall, magic is about the audience). Have them know it will only take up a few minutes of their time (and they'll probably crave for more at the end of your performance anyway).

As a magician, you would like to approach every group and have every group watch your performance. Whether it is for personal satisfaction or to project a more professional image.

Take it as a service to you and to them if you will. You know you will enjoy performing to them, and you know that they will benefit from it, so make it a win-win situation as it was always meant to be.

I use a certain format.

Greet them, state your name (optional, in my opinion, though sometimes important), state who you are (a magician just walking by, a hired magician for this party etc), state your motive (perform magic, entertain you guys), and ask for permission.

One important thing in this kind of walkaround magic, IMO, is audience permission. That is because you, to them, are just a sudden stranger. You need their permission to perform, whether it is verbally given or given in their mind.

Example of what I would say:

Hello, my name is Harapan, and I'm the magician hired for this dinner occassion. Since you guys are waiting for your friends, is it okay for me to perform some magic to entertain you all?

And yes, for Singaporeans, add a "don't worry, it's free! no need to pay money!" and of course, smile. Look confident. Look professional. No one wants to see a half-pint magician.

Met up with Blackwing for a kopi before the meeting; he asked me along but I had filming that afternoon.

Anyways, I personally perform mainly at events. I always approach a group and simply interact with them for as long as 2mins and then go into the magic. Within that time frame, I get their names, and make sure they get mine. And size them up as to what would play nicely for the group (and also decide if I should walk away from them).

Basically, I just socialize and once I've entered their social space, I introduce myself as the magician and perform sincerely.

Not to sound like I'm sucking up to you or anything but that's ingenius. Why didn't I think of that.

Whatever you do, don't state that you'll be doing magic. It spoils everything.

Well............... yes and no.
Many people are adverse to watching magic, especially at a corporate function where many social masks are worn by people all over the event. Magic to them may be seen as "kiddy" and thus would make them look "childish" to even watch you.

But I guess it takes some courage to actually state flat out what you're there for, and to do it confidently. You may be surprised that by doing do, you actually gain control over people's respect and attention (which adds to further control in the use of misdirection - but that's a different topic) by being so overtly-confident (not arrogant). Depending on your persona, you can win them over.

But I do agree to a certain extent that entering a group's social space and immediately saying you're going to perform magic isn't too effective. As I mentioned previously, I chat them up, interact with them and get involved while settling into the whole dymanics of the group.

Interesting, Nique. Appreciate your comments.

I don't like to state that i'm doing magic. I suggest in a more subtle way.

Usually if i state that i'm doing magic in a casual environment, i get defensive measures and responses like "that's cool", "that's not bad", "Criss Angel can do better". I agree with you in a party walkaround event, or any kind of events, stating is a acceptable way to start and you'll get recognition if you have good miracles on hand.

If i suggest that i'm doing magic but not saying that i am, i get curious eyes and responses you see on TV.

I just prefer the latter.

nyx...

Yeah, gotcha. There're 2 sides to every coin, so just do what works best for you. Arousing curiousity isn't exactly a bad way to go when performing magic; one may say it is a useful tool in maintaining interest.

As many of us know, some audiences already don't favour participating in a "magic show" as they feel it's about fooling them. For me I prefer to tell them I'm the magician whilst engaging in conversation. One can steer the topic to lead them into asking what I do for a living. If they do go down that path chance are they like me, and I can confidently perform.

I just don't like the approach of using the "excuse me, did you lose this knife?" kind of approach. Some people may actually respond with genuine concern at the that kind of question - and after they've had real emotional investment in your apparent query, they find out that you were actually trying to show them your little knife can change colour. Fooled from the start, in my opinion!

Ah well! Whatever works people. whatever works! :)

I would say that you got to know wat is your strong point. Well as for me, I normally tell the audience I'm a entertainer and start to tell them a joke. Judge your audience by now that if you should stay or walk away from now. But there's one thing I'd like to add, laughter is more important than applause. The more laughter the more entertaining value. Just my 2 cent of thought and you might disagree. Nique know my style and I work quite differently from the rest. :lol:

(Please apply IMHO to the following)

The approach you use would depend on the event, why you are there, and your performance style. For example, if you do visual magic, things that are quick and don't require a lot of interaction, and the event involves lots of performers essentially acting as background, then you don't say anything. If you're hired to stroll and involve small groups then I suggest an introduction is very important and including a name is essential. Giving your name puts your spectators at ease and allows them to be specific when passing along compliments to your employeer.

For me, whatever follows, I always start with, "Hello, my name is Bob and..."

Agreed.

At the end of the day, perform appropriately- consistent with character with event permitting.

Whatever works and feels right for you, just go with it. We've all different styles anyways.

I generally use standard lines, e.g. "Could you help me with something?". Recently though, after watching one of the special features in Stigmata where Wayne Houchin presents himself as a guy doing a documentary, I have started using that concept in my street effects. Essentially, I feel that the key thing is to make them feel comfortable, particularly if you are attempting to perform for a single guy/gal. Performing to an individual is potentially problematic, because they may feel that they are singled out. Even if they accept, you may not get very good reactions because they will feel shy to express their amazement publicly. If you are new to doing street magic (I define that as doing magic for strangers on the street), I suggest looking for groups of people to perform to. Your spectators will feel more comfortable and as Brad Christian puts it in KK, there is a "general sense of frivolity".

Another good method I've found is to perform to a relative/friend when you're performing. Singaporeans are naturally inquisitive(sounds nicer than kaypoh, doesn't it :D ), so they will crowd around you to see what's going on. From there you can move on to doing an effect for someone in the crowd you don't know. Note that I don't recommend using the word 'trick" when approaching a potential spectator. It implies trickery (duh) and some form of deceit. Despite the fact that most, if not all, Singaporeans don't believe in magic, I don't see why that should stop you from doing your best to make them believe that you are doing something supernatural.

I guess the most important thing is to find your own style. You have to be yourself. If you possess the kind of quiet confidence and slightly creepy demeanour of Criss Angel, then good for you. Armed with a good effect or two, you will probably find it a little easier to get screaming reactions. On the other hand, if you more inclined toward being a jokey, comedic kind of performer, then be one. Don't feel that it's necessary to change your personality, because that may cause your spectators to think you're phoney. Just be yourself.

Good luck ^_^

Wayne Houchin can present himself as a guy doing a documentary because he has a guy with a video cam following him around. I doubt you'd normally have that.

You could pretend you're doing a survey for a school project or something. I've done that twice. I said I use the 'concept", not that I followed his presentation strictly. Of course, if all else fails, you could get a friend with nothing better to do to follow you around with a camera :lol:

You can try the Blaine's style, " Hi, Can i show you something? It's Bizarre. "

"Hey, can i show you something?" seems to work fine for me. Just remember to have your cards out in full view or explain to them whatever you're going to do, lest they think you're showing them some other... stuff.