What’s My Motivation?
What’s My Motivation?
By Jeff Stone
We’ve all seen the scene in a movie where an actor playing the role of an actor says the line, “What’s my motivation?” We’ve all mocked that actor’s character as well. However, as silly or cliche as the line is, it’s a valid question; one you should ask yourself on a regular basis.
Root:
Let’s remember our roots. Why are you doing that? Why did you do this? What made you say that? What purpose does this serve? These are questions that you must ask yourself. Everybody has his/her own reasons for doing certain things. The way you stand, the way you carry yourself, your posture, the way you shuffle the cards, etc.
Everything has a reason. The reason is either known to you or not. First you must learn the reason. Then you must decide if it’s a good reason. If it’s a good reason, then chances are it will be logical and the audience will “buy” it. If you have to think too long or too hard to figure out the reason, then chances are the reason is not a good reason, and it’s time to change.
The root is simple: Become believable through natural and logical movements.
Branch:
Let’s build our branches. Here’s your mission for the month. It’s very simple. Pick one trick that you do all the time that gets good reactions from your audience.
Break the trick down into steps on paper. For example let’s just take a simple one for the sake of this discussion. The trick I’ll use is a two-phase ambitious card. Let’s assume you simple use a triple lift, have the cards signed, then do two rises to the top.
What I would do to break this down is this:
- Have card selected and signed
- Secretly turn two cards face up
- Replace signed card face up on two secretly face up cards
- Do triple turn-over
- Place top (apparent selection) in the middle
- Do double turn over (show card rose to top)
- Do double turn over
- Place top (apparent selection) in the middle
- Turn over single card to show card rose to top
That’s it. The very simple basics of the effect. Next step is to look at each step very closely, and ask yourself why you do each step. I’m not going to go through the whole 9 steps, but let’s look at the first one or two. Step one… have card selected and signed.
Why do I have them pick the card? Why do they sign it? Normal people don’t sign cards. Too often we just take this for granted… Our attitude becomes, “hey spectator just sign it.” In reality, it’s a little weird for them to do that. So why do I have them sign it?
“Sir… before we do this, I want to make sure that you know I’m not doing anything sneaky like using an extra card, so would you mind signing your name on this card so that we’ll make it unique.” That’s one reason.
What about this: “Sir, for this trick, you’ll be doing all the magic, and when you’re done, people will want your autograph because you’ll be a famous magician. Could I get it before we start? Once you do the trick, the value of this card (the autographed card) will go way up!” Then I have them tap the deck or snap their fingers to cause the card to rise, etc.
What about step 4, do a triple turn-over? Why do I do a triple turn-over? Do not answer that question with this: “because I have to for the trick to work.”
No… the question is why turn the card over on the deck? Why not a top change? If you were really doing what you claim, then you could openly place the signed card in the middle of the deck without having to place it on the deck first. My justification is that I set it there for a second (face up) to make sure the ink is dry.
You need to come up with your own answers to justify, to your audience, your movement. When I have them pick the card, do I have I spread, riffle, or hand them the deck, etc? Why do I have them choose the card that particular way?
If you don’t have answers to these questions, then you need to rethink why you’re doing what you’re doing. Once you can answer these questions, your magic will be more natural and therefore more magical. Now go study the classics and go discover your true magical self.
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