A subset of the magic community create and invent new tricks. When I began learning how to be a magician, the library was my primary source of knowledge. The books that I borrowed showed how to make simple tricks with supplies that could be found around the house. Many tricks in my first public shows were made at home.
New Tricks
My love of creating new ideas was born when I started, but has continued to this day. In order to create, I start with an idea about what I want the magic to look like for the audience. Then the process begins of trying to solve the problem without resorting to real magic. One technique I use to help overcome barriers, is to imagine that another magician has already come up with a solution. This allows me to think that a solution is possible. I also think that there is more than one solution to every problem.
I’ve probably created over one hundred magic tricks that range in size from smaller tricks that can be presented to one or two people, right up to large stage-size illusions that are meant to be viewed by thousands in a large theatre.
A Cactus Inside a Balloon?
The one trick that magicians always remember, is one where I magically put a cactus inside a balloon. The idea began when I saw a photo of the comedian, Steve Martin, holding a cactus in a flower pot in one hand and a balloon in the other. I thought, wouldn’t it be cool if I could put a cactus inside a balloon? I sketched the idea in my ideas book.
Persistence Pays Off with New Tricks
The idea laid dormant for a while, but then piece of the puzzle began to reveal themselves to me. After about a year the first version of the trick was ready. I debuted the trick at a magic competition in New York. When I finished the trick, I had to wait for the judges to decide. Finally, it was revealed that I’d won first prize in the stage category. That made all the creative effort even more worth while.
Constant Refinement
Since then, the trick has undergone some major revisions. Even though the trick was created about 30 years ago, I’m still finding little ways to make it even better.
Whenever you see a new trick presented in my show, you can be assured that it is merely the tip of the iceberg. Creating is both fun and frustrating, but seeing the results in the expressions of my audiences make the development time totally worth it!