What do Outkast, Eminem, and David Blaine have in common? They all have tapped the power of less is more. Outkast puts out a cd with a couple KILLER tracks, get really popular. He Ya, anyone?
The same goes for Eminem. It took me a few months of sincerely asking what ever happened to Eminem to find out he had a new single out. This was months ago. I swear.
And the same goes for Blaine. Think what you will, but he gets ratings, shocks the public and the tv audience, does his stunt, and gets people talking again.
Then they all vanish (sorry). Just when you think, hey whatever happened to...... They pop back, just when they are wanted, not staying beyond their welcome.
As to the title of the blog, Blaine had 2 new specials air this past sunday. Reruns will be on the Travle Channel, check your local listings. But here's a sneak peek.
Showing posts with label David Blaine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label David Blaine. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Interactive Magic
After magic is on tv, some people ask me if I can do such and such a trick. I'm somewhat insulted. If you hear a symphony you wouldn't ask your piano teacher to play to the same scale.
I'm also happy as I am one of the go to sources of magic. As such, David Blaine has been making the interactive magic popular as of late, and that I can do.
That being said.....
Think of any number....go ahead, I'll wait.
Now add 1 to that number.
Now subtract 1 from that number.
You are now thinking of your original number.
No lesson today, just a trick you can try on your friends.
I'm also happy as I am one of the go to sources of magic. As such, David Blaine has been making the interactive magic popular as of late, and that I can do.
That being said.....
Think of any number....go ahead, I'll wait.
Now add 1 to that number.
Now subtract 1 from that number.
You are now thinking of your original number.
No lesson today, just a trick you can try on your friends.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
What is that?
Often times, I see magicians on tv doing some grand illusions, or even smaller stage props, the likes I've never seen before.
"Here I have an ordinary pitcher full of milk". Wait...time out.
What makes it ordinary? Because you said so? Why would I think otherwise? But more importantly....
I don't see milk pitchers a lot of places any more. Some restaurants will provide a pitcher of water, and some places also serve beer in smaller pitchers, but I have never, EVER been to, let's say, a Denny's, ordered some milk, which was brought out in a pitcher. EVER! And if, in some weird world, my hypothetical milk was brought out in a pitcher, it sure would not strike me as ordinary.
Which brings me to my point. Magic, as an art is likened to jugglers (big movements, but run of the mill), or even worse, mimes. There is nothing wrong with either one of those, but they are far from culture, or high brow art.
I'll get into what I believe to be a few reasons magic isn't respected in the next few days, but magic done with weird objects (boxes with oriental symbols, large silver balls and scarves, etc) which are then put away is not very impressive.
While I believe magic should be done with common place objects, or at least a rational explanation of any given prop, too much is done with weird props no one has ever seen, and then put away. Ummm....wow?
Why was David Blaine successful? He did magic with everyday objects, and showed everyday people, in common, everyday environments. Vanishing quarter under your nose, goes a LOT further than a convoluted box that makes scarves appear.
Tomorrow, a look at suspension of disbelief, and really "selling it".
Lesson: Magicians showing 10 or more tricks with objects no one has seen outside of a magic shop is not impressing anyone except the self esteem of the magician.
"Here I have an ordinary pitcher full of milk". Wait...time out.
What makes it ordinary? Because you said so? Why would I think otherwise? But more importantly....
I don't see milk pitchers a lot of places any more. Some restaurants will provide a pitcher of water, and some places also serve beer in smaller pitchers, but I have never, EVER been to, let's say, a Denny's, ordered some milk, which was brought out in a pitcher. EVER! And if, in some weird world, my hypothetical milk was brought out in a pitcher, it sure would not strike me as ordinary.
Which brings me to my point. Magic, as an art is likened to jugglers (big movements, but run of the mill), or even worse, mimes. There is nothing wrong with either one of those, but they are far from culture, or high brow art.
I'll get into what I believe to be a few reasons magic isn't respected in the next few days, but magic done with weird objects (boxes with oriental symbols, large silver balls and scarves, etc) which are then put away is not very impressive.
While I believe magic should be done with common place objects, or at least a rational explanation of any given prop, too much is done with weird props no one has ever seen, and then put away. Ummm....wow?
Why was David Blaine successful? He did magic with everyday objects, and showed everyday people, in common, everyday environments. Vanishing quarter under your nose, goes a LOT further than a convoluted box that makes scarves appear.
Tomorrow, a look at suspension of disbelief, and really "selling it".
Lesson: Magicians showing 10 or more tricks with objects no one has seen outside of a magic shop is not impressing anyone except the self esteem of the magician.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
From my Side of the Top Hat
When I perform, people think they are original in asking for some of the same things. So, on behalf of myself and other magicians....
No, I can not make your wife/husband/boss/kids disappear
Every famous magician (meaning, in the public's mind) has their strengths and weaknesses. My favorite is still David Copperfield, due to his longevity and his variety of material.
If you ask to see a magic trick and a magician brings out a deck of cards, do not automatically assume you know how the trick is going to play out.
Not all magic is the same. Just as you would not hire Criss Angel for a Corporate gig, and would not hire David Blaine for a kid's birthday party, do not assume that just because you see a magician at a restaurant, they would be perfect for your cocktail party. You would also not hire Frumples the Clown for your Bar Mitzvah.
As always, have a great rest of the day, and even better evening!
No, I can not make your wife/husband/boss/kids disappear
Every famous magician (meaning, in the public's mind) has their strengths and weaknesses. My favorite is still David Copperfield, due to his longevity and his variety of material.
If you ask to see a magic trick and a magician brings out a deck of cards, do not automatically assume you know how the trick is going to play out.
Not all magic is the same. Just as you would not hire Criss Angel for a Corporate gig, and would not hire David Blaine for a kid's birthday party, do not assume that just because you see a magician at a restaurant, they would be perfect for your cocktail party. You would also not hire Frumples the Clown for your Bar Mitzvah.
As always, have a great rest of the day, and even better evening!
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