MagicGizmo

When is it time to say “this effect is finished” and when to say its done. I’d say it depends on the piece. And the audience’s reaction to the effect. My personal opinion and my observation of the matter is an effect is never finished and is in constant motion and evolution at all times. I’ve designed and built many large stage illusions. (As well as small ones) One of which probably a handful of times. If the effect had not been re-addressed over and over it’d not be the miracle it is today. Unlike a painting. Which is a stationary piece of art. Magic is a malleable and in constant state of flux. A good performer should always be in the pursuit of evolution originality and perfection of whatever piece he or she is doing. But. When is it time to say one is finished? I feel its  the million dollar question. 

Example: In regards to FLYING. I know that the original concept was a far cry from the final piece. I understand that countless hours and headache were spent getting the piece right. They were getting to a point where it just was not working at all. Something simple, and effective was tried after re-evaluating the situation - and a masterpiece was born. Constant and pursuit and relentless pursuit of perfection. And that was only the beginning of the journey. Touring, audience testing, constant filming and re-evaluating performance and workings - years of evolution and creation. Thousands and thousands of man hours and hundreds of thousands of dollars in fabrication, gear and other related items. If DC or another performer went with the original concept - left it the way it was it would certainly not be the masterpiece it'd be today. 

Another: THE FAN , also went through a great deal of trial. Over a million was spent on the prop and its development (rumor has it) . Hundreds of man hours in choreography, staging and testing. Then audience testing.  Its still being changed and modified. (now just done with david and not  two people) Again- other fan illusions - Wyrick, Jet engine props , don't  have HALF the power THE FAN does. Why is this? Time, Energy. And pursuit of relentless perfection & Evolution. 

I'm currently building a new effect. I'd been developing it and working on the concept for years. Years and years. Got to the point where I could take it no further. I shelved it for a year. I got married. Got inspired to work on it again. Drew up the final drawing. I had the look. Now I had to actually design the thing. Another year went by. The drawings were finished. Now into pre-visualization. Was and is the most detail I had ever dived into pre-fabrication. 

Finally selling the concept. Just to now it'd collectively taken five or six years just getting the look and the routine correct. It'd been an effect that was special to me just like fine wine sitting in a barrel waiting for perfect flavor. If I had rushed it or tried to make it something it was not It would never have been what it was. 

Now to the builder. Discovering changes. Structural elements. More changes for client budget reasons and practicality for touring. A reality of the business. Always happens when fabrication begins and things evolve. 

The thing has not even hit the stage yet. And its been years into development A few months in fabrication. We'll have the prop in a warehouse for testing. Then more testing with tech rehearsal, lights, sound, choreography. Possible modifications and structural changes to the prop additions, removals. Electrical,  physical modifications and changes. 

Then audience testing. More changes. More conversation, evolution. Pursuit of perfection. Could be another few years to perfect it before the owner chooses to put it on TV. 

My observation as its literally happening right now to me, as I'm observing the process.

I realize I have not really provided an answer of when to stop the pursuit of relentless perfection. I'm not sure it ever stops to be honest. As long as the audience is truly blown away and effected emotionally and on the surface level, and the artist is always striving for the best in what they do. To be original. To be themselves. To push the envelope of the magic, to push themselves and the people that work  with them to do things even they thought was impossible. 

Our art is a malleable, ever changing entity. Never stationary and will always have something new and original. Different. Things will be evolved, and changed. Made better. Sometimes things are overdone - over-thought. Where something should remain simple.  I suppose that's the dichotomy isn't it. . .

This was originally posted for the Magic Cafe on a conversation listed here.

However. I thought It'd be good reading for the rest of you.