A question especially to those who are very experienced in performing to people in social gatherings or at pubs.

How do you usually set the stage so that the people will come asking to see magic? Instead of you going up to them to ask them if they want to see some magic.

Cos' I realized when you go up to people, it will trigger their defense and they are more likely to heckle you.

Hmm, Well, I found out 2 WAYS, Either you don't say anything, or do everything!!

What it means? Okie, first of all, you need to be super thick skinned, (I know that from yellow ribbon), then go onto the place you want, either you make big gesture to people to look at you, being a statue works very well, (This one you ask Alan, I see him stand there, everyone will take a photo of him, Singapore IDOL le) OR, you keep on shouting to people to come over to see what you got, before selling yourself that you are a magician.

I think thats how those street buskers or street store works most of the time, they will keep shouting, asking you to look at his store, (though his store might not sell things that you need) but the first move is to get them to the store before anything can happen ma.

SUPER THICK SKINNED IS THE WAY!!! :)

LOL Larry can't seem to get over Yellow Ribbon =p

Hrmm, anyway, i will have to agree with muscleaxl that it triggers their defenses because i had been doing some HDB magic for some time now.

But, i guess being a statue kinda works. Or like what Brad says in crash course one, or was it two? ( Can't remember ) Do flourishes! Flourishes are eye catching and very soon you have a number of people coming up to you with interest =) Hope this helps.

For me i would do something elaborate to get the attention, like hummer card or some pyro effect. This will help you to gather a crowd as most people seldom see cards flying around or flames coming out of palms.

[QUOTE] Cos' I realized when you go up to people, it will trigger their defense and they are more likely to heckle you.

Try not to go straight to magic if possible. Do a short intro of yourself, get to know the names of the audience. Make them feel comfortable of your presence before going into the actual magic routine.

I think by approaching them and say " Hey u wanna see something cool?? " with an anxious voice tone. maybe they will stop and say what issit? if it didnt work.. then, grab their shirt at the chest area and talk with a harsh voice and those scary eye squeeking and say look at this!, and proceed with a card trick or wateva u wanna do. Thank You

hope this helps :rolleyes:

lol what if its a girl? She may start screaming "molest!!"

If its a girl, dont do that. talk nicely and if she didnt reply the same way, slap her n run. lol :g: :!!:

Haha, Just ring a chick magnet, something super cute, like a cute dog, or some cute "objects" i mean "toys", sorry sorry i mean jsut anything that will make them same, "EEEEEeeeeeeeeee, so CUTE!!!"

Then you reply in a cute way, " This bear bear can do magic know?"

thats it!!!

Standing like a statue works? Interesting…unless you're dress in bright colours or in an usual way (reminds me of that guy who painted himself silver and held pigeons his hands and stood like a statue in Orchard :P). If not I think ppl most probably will ask to 'Siam" and stop blocking the way haha… Shouting might be over doing it sometimes, people might be irritated by your constant shouts and yelling. You would not want to attract the wrong attention.

I would prefer to get attention in a more laid back approach. Doing levitation of objects effects or fanciful flourishes will surely get the attention. I recommend, hummer card, Spun or just the floating dollar bill. I remember once when I was drinking with a magician friend of mine. He was just doing the floating dollar bill for fun and it attracted quite a number of onlookers from the pub and people along the street. The waiter came over to our table to serve our drinks stared at my friend and said "hey, thast cool man, can you doing it again?". Instead of repeating, my friend did Spun with a Closer ending on him. That floored everyone who was watching.

As you can see, once you've attracted the right attention and people are asking to see more, the guard or defense psyche within them is down. They no longer feel intruded as compared to you walking up to them and ask them if they would like to see a trick. This is just psychology, because when something unfamiliar or strange befalls us, very naturally and intuitively, we'll switch on a barrier of defense within us. In magic, if this happens, our presentation plays a very important part to break this barrier. That's why its gd to break the ice and try to create that Magical Atmosphere. This Magical Atmosphere is whereby you're able to provide that sense of astonishment where it makes one feel childlike and reverent. At that point in time, people will stop searching for logical explanations to your tricks and simply immense themselves to enjoying what is presented to them.

This is what they meant "Curiosity KILLS the CAT"

Haha!! :lol:

My way of getting people to be interested in magic is to do an elegant flourish like a hot shot or fan twirl.

People will definitely notice that.

I then slowly square up my deck, look them in the eye, smile, and tilt my hand with the deck slightly forward.

They'll get the idea.

As for me i think there is alright to approach a crowd if you're doing ti the correct way.
I usually throw a coin at the selected crowd. This will get their attention if the coin hits. Then i'll walk up to them, apologize and perform a clean vanish.

Pal that's a GREAT idea. I'll try that out.

Sounds like something to hit on girls

In my own opinion, it's never a good idea to actually start shouting, i have seen in some cases. Where people got told off by the Management of the Shopping centre as they are not allowed to shout.

Simply if you want to show something, why ask them come to you when you can go up to them if you are simply doing walk around. Even if you are doing busking, just get a few people over by asking "Step forward, let me show you something interesting". This group of few people will build up your crowd, and sooner or later more will just join in.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Good Day ~

Winder ~

Haha.. Just grab 1 or 2 interested people to watch, the usual "busybody-lets-go-see-see" Singaporeans will start to accumulate around you..! [Sounds like Accounting.. LOL]

But interesting thing is majority of them would want to stand and watch and when asked to step closer or participate, or even the slightest attempt to make contact with the crowd, many would be very timid and just step back or walk away.. Not forgetting the majority of responseless people..

Conclusion: Crowd in Singapore = Timid Zombies

Just my 0.5 cents =P

Well, one could always start with tricks that could get people's attention (i.e. Self Tying Shoelace, Hummer Card or just plain flourishes). Sometimes the people sitting beside me in lectures would get interested too when I'm fiddling with my cards with color changes, Shapeshifter or just spinning the card.

I haven't really tried approaching total strangers as I'm still realtive new to magic. I'm still experimenting the performing part within my school compound. Usually i would do tricks for my friends and if their friends that i don't know will also be less defensive and participate. I would then move on to try a trick on this acquainted people and they will definitely remember you when they see you next time. As NUS is pretty big, I try to perform in various faculties to diversify your presence.

So basically you can try with friends of friends at events, parties, etc... The performing for a complete stranger thing in Singapore hasn't really sink in yet though. Being more reserved, even people walking by may be instrested in what you can do, they may just be too shy to approach you to ask to see a trick or two. Or you can just try 'Mondo Magic' style... grab a buddy to film and just go out and let it go at anyone, but be sure they are receptive first.

p.s Restaurants are a good place to start. I did some at my uncle's restaurant and usually family crowds are quite receptive and try keeping it in entertaining the children.

I like the idea of using STS, really cool, even for friends that does not know you are a magician, they will tell you that your shoelace is not done, and the magic begins.

Good thread. Yes, you may think you've got the magic but how do you get the crowd? ;) Cellini teaches a great way to make your audience come to you in his Streetmagic Lecture DVD. It's great stuff... won't let the secret out but he's got a smart method that doesn't even require you to say a word, yet a crowd will come towards you :lol:

I'll post a review on it soon... Really worth checking out if you're serious about doing street magic! ^_^

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