Derren Brown and Reframing Your Magic Tricks
Like a refreshing shower of rain in the middle of a long, laborious summer, a man stepped onto our screens in a long velvety coat and a rather predictable goatee beard and for me, changed the way I look at magic. He dazzled us not just with his magical fingerings, but with his beautiful use of the queens English.
He performed the impossible right in front of our mortal eyes and left us in a mystical limbo (that is until he clicked his fingers and assured us that everything will be alright.)
That was a few years ago when I first saw Derren Brown on his first outing (I think) with Channel 4. That's when he showed us a card trick and then horrors and horrors showed us how he did it, concluding with the words, ?That's the only tricks you'll SEE tonight.? BRAVO! From then on we were hooked.
In the following years I've heard laymen regaling their own experiences of watching Derren Brown perform. The superlatives to describe this phenomenon were abundant but there was a part of me that wanted to say, look its all about exposure. I'm sure Derren himself would point you back to the guys who are out there every night on the performers circuit doing the same job, sometimes even better.
But hang on that's not why I'm writing this. No, this is a commentary on the importance of presentation and I think Derren Brown is a master to be emulated in his approach to his act.
Here's what I mean. The modern magic world is constantly looking for the next best trick, the next 'What If I could do this?' That is fine if you want to spend another hundred on a draw filler. But what about the old tricks? The ones that your granddad used to teach us or the first ones we saw in the Paul Daniel's books (Sorry I'm not old enough to remember beyond that).
You give Derren and the boys a pick a card trick and they will take you on a journey into Van Demons land with your only saviour being that of the clever ledgerman uttering the immortal words, ?Was your card the seven of clubs? Then you are left to wonder why you are standing in a pool of your own wee, wee. It's just a pack of cards for goodness sake!
Suddenly that parlor trick has enough power to get you through college. To further illustrate this?
Pick a card, any card. OK look at it and remember it. In fact put it away so there is no way I can see it. Now I'm going to reveal your card. Blah! Blah! Blah! Big freakin' deal.
Directors Cut: OK look at me and imagine your card right in front of you. Imagine the colors, make them bright and vivid but don't give out any signals. I can tell by the strength of your stance?etc?etc that your card is a red?etc?etc.
I hope you see how the misdirection works on so many levels. You misdirect their thoughts, ideas away from the mechanics of a very simple magic trick and they are going to go away and not tell about a magic trick they have seen, they are going to talk about an experience of two people involved in a mind meld.
I guess my point has been not to underestimate the power of reframing old tricks, which have laid the foundation of what the universe of magic is built upon.
An archaeologist may be the only person who can see the inherent beauty in whatever he may find in the bottom of a hole. In the same way we can take the old tricks of the masters and re-energize them for a brand new, more hipper audience.
Click Magic Tricks from ShoutAboutMagic.com
Basic Concepts Of Winsor Pilates Methods
The Method Pilates, also known as the Method or Pilates Method, has long been described by many experts and professionals as the perfect exercise system. But, what really is the reason behind this description?
Although the Pilates Method and exercise is an activity that involves physical aspects, it is important to note that it is not a cardiovascular workout. With this, you will not have to worry about over exerting yourself. The Pilates Method and exercises were designed and developed as a systematic practice that boosts your bodys core through balancing, stretching, strengthening and breathing. Its no wonder then that the Pilates Method is often recommended in addition to aerobic workouts as well as resistance training.
On its most basic, the Pilates Method and exercise works by way of combining breathing techniques with special stretches and a machine. As mentioned earlier, it is a method of exercise and controlled movements that focuses on enhancing the core of the human body by making it stronger and flexible.
Many people these days have bad posture. Basically, the problem with body posture is that the body is thrown out of alignment resulting in pressure on ligaments, tendons, muscles and joints in ways that may cause chronic disorders. The Method Pilates can be used to improve the posture by correcting the alignment, making the person looks tall and long, slimmer and more confident. Note that standing up tall and straight can completely change the persons appearance.
The Method Pilates can also be useful for those people who have chronic tension. One particular reason to support this claim is that the Method, being a strengthening and body conditioning system will help the body release tension. As the body releases tension, it gains more flexibility and truly strengthens. Note that the injury mainly occurs when the muscle has lost its flexibility or suppleness.
The Method Pilates, on its most basic, focuses on working and strengthening the small muscle groups, which are the intrinsic muscles. These small muscles are actually the ones responsible for the core support of the body. Note that most strengthening programs work primarily on the large muscle groups. But, on the Method Pilates, the small muscle groups are strengthened first in order to change the placement of the bones, which are the framework of the body. As these muscles strengthen, the impinged nerves, muscles and bones are released from being crammed together to a freedom in their range of motion. So, they can move freely.
Having said all these, I could say that the Pilates Method and exercise is but a great supplement to any healthy routine.
Jason Story is an avid Pilates devotee and uses workouts with pilates day after day. Jason likewise likes publishing editorials about Pilates, Yoga Pilates Workout Techniques, & Aero Pilates Exercises and for that reason has made available several sites in order to aid those looking to learn Pilates methods. Visit his sites at: Yoga Pilates For Men.
3 Steps to Improving Your Craft Show Profit
Copyright 2006 Natalie Goyette
Here are those three things broken down even further for you:
1.) Simple products ? OK, a pet rock might be a little too simple (however, it might come back), but living room furniture goes a little bit beyond the standard craft show item. When you are thinking about simple crafts it doesn't have to be simpleminded. Here is a good rule of thumb ? it should be something that someone COULD make at home, but might be just out of the reach of most people who come to a craft show.
What this does is ensure a couple of things: first, it probably isn't that complicated to make.
Second, it probably won't cost you a fortune to produce because the components are relatively few, and inexpensive.
2.) Make them quickly ? Let's go back to the living room furniture example for a moment. How long would it take someone to do that? Let's just say a nice rocking chair? a few weeks? You need to work for a year in order to make enough chairs to satisfy the demand!
The key to profitability is to make something that takes very little of your (or a helpers) time to make. This reduces any potential labor costs and it also ensures that you can produce enough of the craft to meet the need you will have at any of your craft shows.
3.) A great markup ? Figuring out the price of a craft is going to be a tricky one. It might even differ between craft shows. When everything is accounted for, you should try to double or even triple the dollar value that it costs you to make the product. So, for example, if you produce something that costs $1 to make, you should be selling it for a minimum of $2 or $3 dollars.
This tip goes hand in hand with the others. If your craft is simple, and you can produce a quality product in very little time, chances are your cost for each item is going to be relatively low. The lower you reduce the cost to make a quality craft, the HIGHER your profit will be when you sell.
For anyone looking to profit from craft shows, this is a start. At first, it might look like it limits the choices you have for profits. That solely depends on you and the profit margin that you are expecting. It shouldn't prevent you from making a craft that you enjoy, but it should give you a better understanding of what you might need to do in order to make your craft show business as profitable as possible.
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Natalie Goyette shows you how to make your craft show business profitable in her best selling ebook: Craft Show Success Secrets. Visit her site: craft shows
