I am currently working on new parlour material and find my brain attacking the problem from more than one direction, I find myself treating the creative process more like a problem-solving exercise sometimes and that makes sense.
As humans we are natural problem solvers and pattern spotters, we can find meaning in the smallest of things (lucky numbers and superstitions) and solve some of the biggest problems with the simplest of solutions (the cup and the wheel).
Creating lines in the sands, conditions, which act as parameters in which we are allowed to play to solve problems helps our brains come up with solutions.
"A problem well stated is a problem half solved"
Charles Kettering - Head of research at General Motors.
DIY Creativity
Desired effect
'I want to make a coin vanish and appear elsewhere'
This is a solid problem to solve, but I think we can do better.
Let's place some more conditions on this.
Ideal conditions
The coin that reappears needs to be recognisable as the same coin that vanished
The vanish needs to happen in the spectator's hands.
The reappearance must be inside the same person's pocket.
Now the mind can allocate more processing power to fewer problems.
We know a few more things; a coin needs to be loaded on the person ahead of time, the coin needs to vanish in the spectator's hand, and the coins need to look, feel, and be identical.
Now we are one step closer to finding a method the problems to solve have changed; How and when do I load the coin on the person? How do I make the spectator 'believeā that only one coin is used? How do I make a coin vanish from a spectator's hand?
Your solutions
How and when do I load the coin on the person?
We could āput pocketā them ahead of time, overtly or covertly.
We could get the spectator to unknowingly load their own pocket, giving them some other item to place in their pocket that secretly drops the coin in their pocket.
How do I make the spectator 'believeā that only one coin is used?
Have the coin signed and have a duplicate made by an accomplice.
Mark the coin with a generic mark which is easily repeated, with a cross, a heart, a star, a stickman etcā¦
Have the date and condition of the coins match identically
Introduce an intentional anomaly on the coin to act as a convincer, such as a gauge mark or dent which goes unsaid by the magician but will be put forward as āproofā by the spectators themselves, (how satisfying).
How do I make a coin vanish from a spectator's hand?
Use an intermediary;
Devils handkerchief
Have it vanish amongst other objects
Ring box
Rattle box
Inventive use of a loop (the original loop, not the IT version)
Use a raven
Intent / Performing requirements
One last thing to consider (arguably this could be done at the outset), what is my intent with this piece? For a stage show, commercial close-up, TV, etcā¦. This helps manage the solutions and pickān'mix to suit the requirements.
The most magically impossible - For TV;
Duplicate made by an accomplice in combination with an intentional anomaly.
Covert put pocket done by accomplice.
Raven.
Most surefire and āsafeā - Commercially;
Spectator unwittingly loads their own pocket ahead of time.
Have the date and condition of the coins match identically, in combination with a 'namedā or thought-of simple shape (this can be forced and alternated for repeat performances at the same booking), with the intentional anomaly for good measure.
Use an intermediary.
Personally
If I were to explore this piece my intent would be to do it once in a while as an fun way to challenge my boldness, so Iād chose the following;
Opportunist covert put pocket.
Intentional anomoly.
Raven.
So there you have it, being creative doesnāt have to be this elusive talent that only a select few are born with. By creating conditions and asking a few questions we can allow our mind to start solving them one at a time.
Share the accountability - reply to this email with what are you working on, I'd love to hear what's keeping you and your magic dreams ticking right now.
š If you know someone who might benefit from this newsletter it would be cool if you shared it with them, it would really help me out!
šŖš» Workout plan
Come up with a name for a magic effect
Ask yourself what the ideal conditions are for the effect
Write down what questions need answering
Start solving them one at a time
š Magic Diet
Book - Waiting For Inspiration - by Guy Hollingworth published in 2005.
I remember worthing my way through this booklet as a teenager, one section looks at how one might create a new design for a water filter and Guy takes the reader through the process one might use to create anything. A solid mental model to add to one's magical thinking.
š Dynamic FX- looks like this website is still live and selling Guy's products
š§¦Socks - The London Sock Company - It's the small things together which make the difference, and socks are one of those things. I have something of a trademark always wearing an ascot around my neck when I perform, well I treated myself to a pair of matching socks for my ascot colours. Even if no one notices I like the fact I match. š Get it here
Take care, and keep up the good work!
Magic coaching
STRIVing FOR MAGICAL excellence
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