Well this got me to thinking about why magicians feel it is ok to just buy something off of the shelf, and hopefully work up their own routine, but do nothing to make that prop fit them or their routine better than with the stenciled or decaled decorations that come when you buy it.
With the exception of Chance Wolf , Steve Axtell and maybe one or two others, props that are bought from the magic stores look like just that. MAGIC PROPS. And if everyone bought and uses the same effects, the public is often heard saying ‘I know that one” even before the magician does anything with it.
Not only that, but every magician seems to do the same thing as the other guy…. by just unpacking their show. Why is it that magician’s do not customize their props to suit themselves, to make it “Theirs” so to speak. How many times have you seen the proverbial “Chinese” boxes that are painted red with gold trim and oriental themed pictures? “Temple Screens” with the Buddha on one side and the oriental lettering on the other.(or Joker on the rip off version) Tubes with the same overused cobra or devil decal.
We as entertainers MUST not only take the time to try to work up our own routines for effects, but we should also do everything possible to make that prop “our own” as well. If we do this, we set ourselves apart from the other guy.
Take a look at “the magic coloring book” there are maybe five or six versions, but you see the same ones over and over again. Even Silly Billy customizes his and includes cartoon pictures OF HIMSELF in the version he uses. HE HAS MADE IT HIS OWN.
Part of what I find the most fun with in magic is searching out old effects from the Jinx, Genii, Tops and other sources, rethinking them and doing them in a more up to date manner. In doing this, you are doing things “the other guy isn’t.” Again setting yourself apart. Take an old, simple concept and retool it using something that is applicable today.
Using the “Magician’s force” used in the Hot Rod, I put together a routine using copies of the Harry Potter book covers. Using spells and incantations, I was able to have my volunteers select the cover of the book I wanted. OLD CONCEPT, NEW LOOK.
The bottom line in this article is to get you to take a step back and honestly LOOK at your show. Look at your props. We have all seen wrinkled and torn, ill fitting costumes and say to ourselves, ”I would never do that!” Then why do we insist on using the same OLD worn out looking props. Dress up not only yourselves, but your whole show.
Many say, “I have no artistic talent, I can’t do that.” To this I say there are two answers. First, you don’t know what you can or can not do unless you try first. Second, if you have tried and still can’t get the results you want, FIND SOMEONE WHO CAN DO IT FOR YOU!
As my good friend Kyle Peron says, we ALL have the ability to be creative, we just need to exercise the ability until it works on command. I say “you didn’t get that classic palm the first time either, you had to work on it until it became natural.” You can substitute any magical move if you are not a coin guy or gal.
If you put in that little extra effort, you will take your show up a notch, and no one else will have a show that is anything like yours. YOU WILL BE UNIQUE! And that can be a wonderful thing.
I would love to hear any comments you might have.