Add the Element of F.I.R.E. to Your Magic

I’m an avid journal-writer-in-er . . . particularly when it comes to things magical. The problem is that sometimes I write down something that I heard/saw/read somewhere else. I write it down with the intention of using it in my own work . . . maybe a move that I learned in a book, or a premise I read about somewhere, etc. Sometimes it’s a principle I learned that I want to apply to my performance.

Most times, however, the things I write down are ideas and brainstorms that I had myself. Sometimes, when I read the entry a year later, I don’t remember which is which. This month we’ll be dealing with one of those unknown items. In my defense, however, I will say that this particular thing was recorded as a notepad entry on my iPhone from over a year ago. Typically the only reason I record something in my iPhone rather than my paper tangible journal is because I’m out and about or it’s the middle of the night and I wake up with an idea.

I used to write my middle of the night ideas in the paper journal, but I found that often I couldn’t read my own handwriting the next morning, so I’ve switched to typing for those cases. Here’s the point: the fact that it was in my iPhone dramatically increases the odds that it was an original idea of my own and not one I heard elsewhere. Typically when I watch DVDs or read magic books, etc., my journal is right there with me.

Anyway, having said all that, enjoy this probably original, but possibly stolen idea.

Root:

Let’s remember our roots. This month’s root: Creating solid material. We’ve recently discussed having material in our act that’s a bit fringe-ish or not necessarily appealing to everyone. I still stand by that. I think that you should have pieces in your act that you do just because you like them. That said however, here are things to consider about your act or an effect.

• Is it funny?
• Is it interesting?
• Is it relevant?
• Is it entertaining?

A nice little acronym: F.I.R.E.

Does your act/effect have F.I.R.E. power? One could argue that if something is funny it is also entertaining, and thus the “E” is redundant. If you feel that way, chew on this: funny is only one form of entertainment. There is also tension & relief, drama, passion, etc. But if you don’t buy that, then feel free to swap out the “E” with an equally legitimate question, is it educational? I think every show and/or effect should have at the very least one of the elements of F.I.R.E. for it to even be considered.

Branch:

Let’s build our branches. Your challenge: Find the F.I.R.E. take a look at your repertoire. Take a look at each effect as well as your entire act. Is it funny? When people laugh at the funny parts, are they chuckling, snickering, guffawing, belly laughing, courtesy laughing? Which one do you want? Why?

Next, is it interesting? Most people find, for example, Rubik’s cubes interesting. So do I, so I’ve made an effect or two (or 20) centered around the cube. People are interested in it. What else are people interested in? Politics? Religion? Food? Mystery?

Is it relevant? Do people care about it? My guess is that a weird looking metal tube with a dragon painted on the side of it is not very relevant to 99% of your audience. I could be wrong, but I’m not.

Is it entertaining? Does it move your audience:

• To Tears?
• To Laughter?
• To Shock?
• To Surprise?
• To Fear?
• To Horror?

Where do you want to direct your audience? Can you move them there? Why? Why not?

Is it educational? Does the audience leave your show knowing more about you? About current affairs? About the world? About life? Politics? Religion? Human behavior? What do you want them to learn? Why?

Think about your magic folks. That’s all I can hope for when I write this column each month. Let me leave you with one last thought. F.I.R.E is not everything. There are many other things to consider. A big one for me is, “is it personal?” I want my magic to reflect me. I want people to learn more about me. But, let’s start with F.I.R.E. If you don’t have at least one of those elements, it’s as good a place as any to get started on improving your material.

Now go study the classics and go discover your true magical self.