We have seen it. We see it again and again. If there is a new trick out that the magic marketplace wants us to buy, there are video trailers promoting the item. It is called marketing. Fair.
Most of these trailers are produced by capable guys in perfect Hollywood style, often with multiple cameras, advanced editing and a willing (and reacting) audience. A key point is showing the audience reactions to the tricks demonstrated. Look at this trailer:
It is impressive, how that lady reacts to a trick. It must have dumbfounded her completely. Her reactions shows it. The power of the magician over the spectator’s emotions and reactions.
With all the respect for the trick, the performer and the concept (Ricky Lax does his stuff really well and he IS good), personally I wouldn’t be too keen on my spectators calling me ’son of a bitch’ in a restaurant setting (and in that loud voice anyway).
I would not want my spectators react that overdrawn to my tricks. My audience and me in these settings (restaurants, bars, etc.) are not alone in the room enjoying the evening. Others are there, too, and maybe those would prefer to have a quiet evening. What would the other guests think of my performance with such reactions?
From my performing experience I learned that not all (sophisticated) people going out for a decent evening, dining with class, will want that kind of buzz at their tables.
Of course, I am well aware that magicians love to see that kind of trailers. We love to see what reactions these tricks evoke. And many of us would wish that our work produces these reactions as well. And these trailers are very well produced. Amazing.
Here is my point: Is it really necessary to get these kind of audience reactions all the times when doing magic? Don’t we get a bit manipulated by all this hype, thinking magic must produce reactions like this?
Did we already start to oversee something?
Maybe …
… and I think despite all of that thoughts, I will probably get this trick as well.
