Monthly Archives: January 2016
Conflict and Complications in Magic
For the magic student:
I was talking with some guys on the Magic Café about conflict and complications in magic routines.
Every magic trick is like a little play, with the magician as the Protagonist, and the assisting spectator as the Antagonist.
The magician has a card chosen, the spectator wants to put it back anywhere he wants, or otherwise creates Conflict.
The magician wins, creating Resolution.
Along the way are complications.
This is how a routine is developed–by filling in the details of plot and character. Conflict and complications are the easiest ways to enlarge on the plot.
If you ask someone to take a card, and they want to put it back some place different than you suggested, this is a great moment of conflict that can be manipulated into the routine and provide engagement and emotion.
Whenever there is an emotional exchange between the performer and his spectator assistant the audience is galvanized; what is going to happen? Nothing engages interest as well as conflict and emotional drama.
The more the magician can express surprise, worry, slyness, anger or joy, and the more he can set his little play us to make the spectator respond with emotion, the more fun and exciting the presentation.
The magician should seek out such complications and use them to add to the interest level of his little drama:
You can watch the whole routine here:
Doc Jon’s “In the Life” on Sale!
Join School for Scoundrels in an amazing weekend with a real card and dice cheat who went by the name of Doc Jon (John Deems, Born Oct 27, 1943, Died May 9, 2011).
Doc lived an extraordinary life as a dealer, mechanic, cross-roader, and as a card and dice cheat for crime mobs in Las Vegas and Hawaii, as well as for the Yakuza in Japan.
He sits and talks with us for nearly four hours on these videos, telling us his thrilling life story and talking about what it takes to be a successful cheat.
$5 OFF for one week!
Get the whole three hours of video for only $10!
Order Here
Pop Haydn in the WC Fields Bar
Pop Haydn performing in the W. C. Fields Bar at the world-famous Magic Castle in Hollywood. January 3, 2016.
Pop Haydn is a seven time award winner at the Magic Castle, and is a past Vice-President of the organization. Pop and his pal Doc Eason are the only performers to be named W.C. Fields Bar Magician of the Year.
Photos by Billy Baque
Founders Day at the Magic Castle
Today is Founders Day at the Magic Castle. We first opened on January 2, 1963. There will be festivities all afternoon, and then tonight will be for members only at the Magic Castle, with dinner prices reduced to the Good Old Days.
I will be performing in the W. C. Field’s Bar from 8:00 pm until 12:00 pm.
Doc Eason and I are the only Magic Castle performers to have won an award for our performances in the W.C. Fields Bar.
I have been honored with seven performing magician of the year awards, in every room. But the W.C. Fields Bar is my favorite performing room at the Castle. It is the closest and most spontaneous venue. It is a party all night.
Photo by Billy Baque
Billy McComb at the Magic Castle
Billy McComb was the finest gentleman I ever met. Also a wonderful magician, and a great friend. I miss him everyday.
Nancy Magill
Pop Haydn
Pop's Soapbox 