I've been posting a ton of videos on YouTube at
http://www.youtube.com/Penguinmagic
Me, along with Maxwell and a few other Penguins. Some really great stuff. Subscribe if you want to get the latest. New videos go up every day.
February 27, 2010
January 14, 2010
December 07, 2009
December 05, 2009
November 16, 2009
Drinking your own Kool-Aid
This may surprise you, but I actually want to make sure you ARE drinking your own Kool-Aid.
As magicians we are lying to our audiences at certain parts of our acts. However, in the same way that it's important sleight of hand to make sure our fake actions match the real-ones, our fake lies need to match the real ones.
An example would be anytime you are doing something that actually has NOTHING to do with the method to your trick, like wiggle your finger, snap or wave your hand. Many magicians will half-ass this. HUGE MISTAKE! It totally gives away that it has nothing to do with your trick.
This failed mis-direction directs unnecessary attention on your moves that *are* actually hiding something.
So wiggle that finger like it matters MOFO! Get that coin under the M**F** shadow like it DEPENDS on it!
AND FOR GODSSAKE, when you achieve a miracle, ACT SURPRISED.. you're not AN ACCOUNTANT.
November 14, 2009
No excuse for a bad website
Your website is a direct representation of you as a performer.
In your client's mind:
- an outdated website means you are probably a bit outdated.
- a boring website means you're probably boring
- a cheesy website means you're cheesy
- a website with bad design and style means you probably do too.
There are too many good options out there for this to be happening. I'm happy to talk more about solutions for specific problems.
Email me a link to your website and your concerns about them and I'd be more than happy to give you feedback as well as a series of FREE solutions to make it better almost immediately.
November 10, 2009
Flavor of Magic
If Flava flav (pictured above) did magic, wouldn't a prediction of time be obligatory? I think so.
Isn't it great then that he has built a quirk into his character that can easily guide his choice of material? You can do it too! Read on.
To start, take one element of the world, or one skill, and turn up the volume. Way past 10. We're talking super-human. Flava chose time.
By keeping it limited to ONE, you open a clear path for yourself. A lot of the problems we have in our lives are based on too many options - it can all get a bit overwhelming. For more on this, watch this presentation from Barry Scwartz on the paradox of choice:
I have been working on limiting my choices over the last couple years. The trick is to do it in a way that doesn't limit your effective potential, but makes decisions easier. Last year I bought a type-writer, and it works wonders in keeping my writing focused. No choices - nothing to do but write.
Restricting options is also hugely important in creativity. If there are no limits to grow out of, how do you know what to do. Ultimately you need some constraints or else you've got no goals.
Same goes for creating magic. Limit yourself to using 3 things, or 2 or 1. Force yourself to come up with something for a specific purpose and watch your brain go. On the other hand, say to yourself, I want to come up with some kind of random magic trick today, and you might as well give up. This is a good reason why so many magicians come up with card tricks. To say, "I'm gonna come up with a card trick today" is a great restriction. You've gotta focus, you've gotta think. The problem with too many choices, is that the moment things get a little tough, a little tricky, your brain will say "oh screw it, I'll think of something else" and move on.
Do less and you may do more.