The Key's in the Threes - Stone Cold Magic Magazine

First, I need to thank my friend Michael Rigby, owner of Curious Country Creations, for the coining of the phrase which is the title of this article. This is a concept that we’re all familiar with. In fact, in Michael’s website, you can find the use of it. His business name uses alliteration . . . three words that start with the same sound, in this case a hard “C.” In sales and marketing, telling the story or the sales message three times is key.

We often hear it referred to as The Rule of Three. So what is it? Well I’m no expert in psychology or human thinking by any stretch, however, consider what wikipedia has to say:

The rule of three is a principle in English writing that suggests that things that come in threes are inherently funnier, more satisfying, or more effective than other numbers of things.

The reader/audience to this form of text is also more likely to consume information if it is written in groups of three’s. From slogans (“Go, fight, win!”) to films, many things are structured in threes. There were three musketeers, three little pigs, three billy goats Gruff, Goldilocks and the three bears, and Three Stooges.

A series of three is often used to create a progression in which the tension is created, then built up, and finally released. Similarly, adjectives are often grouped together in threes in order to emphasize an idea.

What the crap does that have to do with Pillars of Stone? Well simply this. I like this column to be thought provoking and to get you thinking about things that may help improve your magic. This is a pillar of stone to me . . . presentation. Take my effect Triptych, for example. It was the free trick of the month back in March 2008. This is a three card selection/revelation effect.

It’s pretty simple and straightforward, however, each revelation builds on the next to the point that the third reveal gets gasps. Does every trick need to have three climaxes? No. Of course not. However, consider looking at some of your effects, especially ones that have 2 climaxes. Evaluate them. Would a 2 climax routine be better as a 1 climax or a 3 climax, or is it best as a 2 climax?

Evaluate any tricks you do that already have 3 climaxes. Do they build on each other? Do you have effects that have more than 3 climaxes? Maybe that’s a bad idea. Maybe not?

The bottom line . . . I want you to think about your magic. Give it purpose. One simple way to do that is to look at the final moments, the impact moments, of the effect. Do you have the correct climax count? Do they build on each other? Are they in the right order?

I’m not here to give you the answers, only the questions. Finding the right questions is much better than finding the right answers. The questions lead you down paths. The answers end the search.

Short, Sweet, Sincere . . . That’s it for this month’s Pillar.

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