Author: ChrisPilsworth

Magic Goes Wrong

Magic goes wrong when the trick fails. Sometimes is human error and other times it’s a technical malfunction. Either way, it’s not fun to experience for the performer.

If you perform magic long enough, you’re bound to make a mistake or two. Over my career I’ve had a few. If a mistake happens once, I chalk it up to bad luck. If the same mistake happens again, I feel I haven’t taken my job seriously enough.

The first step to eliminate mistakes is to determine what went wrong in the first place. The next step is to figure out why it went wrong. Only then is it possible to begin to devise a solution to the problem.

Magic Goes Wrong with a lack of Practice

The first step to prevent a trick from going wrong is to do enough practice. One wise magician wrote that practice is to discover everything that can go wrong with a trick. Only then can you feel confident presenting it in front of a paying audience. I like to practice for short periods of time over an extended period of time. That allows my brain and hands time to allow the trick to evolve gracefully.

Prop Failure

Magic goes wrong when a prop fails. For an audience, it isn’t always possible to know if a prop has failed because some props are made to appear like a normal object, but they aren’t. Some of the electronics that run my microphone or music have had problems, but having back-up systems helps to reduce the anxiety. I also buy the best quality audio equipment possible. It is more reliable and lasts longer.

When I design a new prop, the first one doesn’t usually become the last one. Once it is in the show, I discover ways to make it more efficient and effective. The second one is always a step up, but not necessarily the final prop. Having the persistence to keep making improvements separates great performers from average performers.

When Magic Goes Wrong is a Good Thing

There have been times when a mistake in a show requires quick thinking to mitigate disaster. Occasionally, the new way to complete the trick ends up being better than the way it was presented beforehand. Some performers intentionally create a minor problem in order to see where it leads them during a show. The results can sometimes be surprisingly good.

Making mistakes is being human. Figuring out solutions is being professional. Mistakes make for an interesting journey.

Travelling Magic Show

A travelling magic show takes many forms. Early in my career, for shows that were close to home, I sometimes used this unorthodox method of transportation. Not having handlebars to hold onto let me to carry my show in style. I always got some amazing looks from bystanders. And that’s a hockey bag on my back. So very Canadian.

A travelling Magic Show is essential to being able to thrive in the entertainment business. Unlike touring rock shows, I’ve never needed a fleet of tractor trailers. The largest show I ever toured required a five-ton truck. That’s about half the length of an eighteen-wheeler. There is always a balance between the amount of equipment for a show, the length of time it takes to set up the show and the size of vehicle to transport everything. Over the years, I’ve become very efficient at determining what’s essential and then learning how to pack it with skill.

Travelling by Car

All of my big travelling magic show days are behind me. As I’ve become better as a performer, I know that I don’t require all of the really big tricks to do an amazing job for my audiences. I liken myself to a big-name comedian who is able to present a fantastic evening of entertainment with only a microphone. My current shows fit into the back of a hatchback.

Weather is always a concern when travelling to a show. Many years ago, the alternator on my truck died and I gently coasted onto the side of the highway without power. Fortunately, I had CAA and the flatbed tow truck took me and my assistant to our show destination. We started the show only 10 minutes late. The following day, the alternator was repaired and we were back on our way.

Flying with a Travelling Magic Show

Flying to a destination for a show presents a whole new range of issues. A checked case cannot exceed a certain size or weight. That really reinforces the dictum of only taking what you need and making sure that it is well used. “Pack small, plays big” is a term that magicians use to describe squeezing the most entertainment value out of the minimal number of props. With those restrictions, it’s amazing that a really great show can be successful.

Travelling by Train

Sometimes a travelling magic show, moves by train. When I toured China, half of the travelling was by train and half by plane. The above photo was on a high-speed train. It was so smooth that the water bottle didn’t tip during the entire journey.

Trains load faster than planes, but the amount of space for cases is limited. Fortunately, I only had one large case and a carry-on sized bag. That was about all that could be accommodated.

On a plane, I would put my scissors in my checked case, but on the train in China, the case would be in the rail car. That was a problem as in China, all bags go through a scanner to remove restricted items. Unfortunately, the scissors needed to be left behind. The problem didn’t last for long, as my tour manager called ahead to the next city, Shanghai, and when we arrived another contact had a new pair of scissors for me.

On With the Show

When an audience watches a show, what they’re seeing is the tip of the iceberg. Moving equipment and getting to the tour destination is such a big part of performing that is never seen. Performers who are in the business for the long haul learn quickly how to pack efficiently and effectively to make the show run smoothly. It’s not something I anticipated in the beginning, but is a necessity.

Magic Inspires

Magic Inspires others to believe that nothing is impossible. It is a very optimistic artform. Where the laws of physics tell us what is not possible, magic says otherwise. When I saw a photo of the actor, Steve Martin, holding a cactus and a balloon, it inspired me to see if I could magically put a cactus inside a balloon. After two years of experimenting, I finally discovered the solution. Steve inspired me and if you keep reading, you’ll see how I inspired another literary artist.

When I invented how to put a cactus in a balloon, I never thought that one day a children’s author would want to include my trick into his book. Frank Cottrell-Boyce lives in England, which makes the connection even more amazing. I gave him permission to include the trick into his story. Frank sent me a copy after the book was published.

Magic Inspires Creativity

I love how looking outside the box inspires creativity for the work that I do. Artists observe and form new connections that make for some interesting projects. I never felt that my art would inspire others and it is a lovely feeling knowing that my creativity sparks someone else’s.

Below is the acknowledgement for my illusion at the back of the book. If you have any children that like a good mystery combined with magic, look for Frank’s book at either the local library, at your local bookstore or online. You won’t be disappointed. https://www.panmacmillan.com/blogs/books-for-children/frank-cottrell-boyce-books-guide

Let me Introduce you to Frank

Below is an interview Frank and I did together about his book. This was the first time we’d met. All of our previous interactions were via e-mail. I’m really happy to have met him online. His enthusiasm over e-mail was the exact same as in person. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9pE1Vg0zCQ. Enjoy!

Podcasts for Magicians

Podcasts for magicians is an important part of the magic underground. They provide insight into the way of thinking of many of the world’s top performers. In my case, I’ve flown under the radar of many magicians, but those in the know, have sought me out to talk about my journey in magic. What perhaps they find the most interesting about my career is that I studied product design at university before beginning my full-time career in magic.

Having a design background has helped my magic immensely and has allowed my creativity to flourish. Not only have I designed much of my own magic, I’ve also been hired to create new tricks for some of the other top performers around the world.

Podcasts for Magicians – Discourse in Magic

My friend, Jonah Babins, is a magician in Toronto. He has been producing his podcast over many years and this is the link to the episode that I’m interviewed. https://discourseinmagic.libsyn.com/exploring-creativity-with-chris-pilsworth

Jonah has been really consistent in creating podcasts over the years and has landed some great interviews. His methodology is a classic in business, that is: do what you love, learn on the job and be consistent in creating content.

Podcasts for Magicians – Scott Wells

Scott is a friend of mine. We met for the first time in 2013 at an exclusive magic convention in New York. Scott doesn’t go anywhere at a magic convention without is microphone and recorder. Using this technique Scott has compiled an impressive number of interviews on his podcast, The Magic Word. Here is the link to one of my interviews with Scott: https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/561-chris-pilsworth

Having made a few interviews with Scott over the years has been great fun. His questions are always insightful and well thought out. This really highlights Scott’s depth of knowledge about our artform.

A Fantastic Learning Resource

I wish podcasts were available when I was starting in magic. The amount of incredible information is really astounding. I’m sure my path to becoming the professional that I am today would have been shorter had I been exposed to all of the interviews. The ability for young performers to acquire hard-won knowledge is unprecedented in this day and age. I’m really happy that I’m able to share what I’ve learned with other up and coming magicians. It certainly helps to keep our artform vibrant and alive.

30 Year Old Birthday Party

30 year old birthday party ideas are quite varied. Having a magician perform is not as uncommon as you may think. Within the last month I’ve performed my show at three parties celebrating a thirtieth birthday.

Why Have a Magician When Your Friend Turns 30

I don’t know about other magicians, but I really enjoy performing for this age group. They’re well beyond their teen awkwardness and have a good sense about who they are and where they’re going. This creates a really warm and friendly environment in which to perform.

Comedy Magic at a 30 Year Old Birthday Party

When it comes to audiences in their thirties, I’m never too hip for the room. That means the laughter is spontaneous and frequent for my audiences at a 30 year old birthday party. I’ve taken many acting courses including improv comedy, so I’m really happy to take a bit of a detour in my planned show to create some comedy gold based on the reactions and comments from the audience. It makes for a very playful atmosphere.

Volunteers During the Show

I love incorporating volunteers into the show. Everyone who volunteers is always treated with great respect and they in turn become stars in their own right. Each volunteer is different, so I like to make them feel comfortable and tailor my interactions with them. The birthday guest is always included and that is great fun for their friends. At smaller parties it is not uncommon for some of their friends to take photos or video clips. They are wonderful reminders of the fantastic party and show.

Adult Birthday Parties

In this blog I’ve highlighted 30 somethings, however, I’ve actually presented shows at birthday parties from 4 to 104, quite literally! A show is more than the icing on the cake at a party. It is what the guest will remember for a very long time, long after the food and gifts are forgotten.

Magic Catalogues

When I began to learn magic, a great source of wonder and inspiration came from magic catalogues. Magic shops in North America and Europe would publish an annual catalogue with all the old tricks plus new ones that had been created during the year.

Louis Tannen is a magic company in New York City. The catalogue below was published over 50 years ago and the company is still in business. They have a great shop in NYC. If you visit the city and are interested in magic, it’s worth a visit.

Artwork in Magic Catalogues

Most catalogues were illustrated. A few would use photographs, but they were more expensive to produce. Usually, the company would have a few illustrators that would create the artwork for their catalogues. Some of the artists had a cartoon style, while others were more dramatic.

First Trick

The bottom trick from the above photo was one of the first tricks I ever bought. A dollar these days doesn’t seem like much, but when you’re 11 with a small allowance in the late ’70s, that was a few weeks of saving.

The trick, when it arrived was very disappointing because the method seemed too easy. I persisted and practiced and it made it into my show and was a really good trick!

The Tricky Bottles was a fun trick with a volunteer. They always had difficulty matching the magician’s actions, even though they followed along identically. It stayed into the show until I accidentally broke one of the bottles. I don’t recall why, but I never replaced the trick.

Catalogue Magic Created by Friends

The trick in the illustration below was invented by Don Wayne. He was a consultant for many years for David Copperfield. One or more of Don’s tricks would always be in one of David’s annual TV specials.

A few years before he died, I had a chance to work with Don Wayne. I consult for a great magician named Rick Wilcox. Every year I go to Rick’s theatre to help him improve the show. This time, Rick also invited Don. We had a blast that week creating some new mysteries for Rick’s show. I was really fortunate to get a glimpse of Don’s creative process!

Old Tricks in Magic Catalogues

The Dancing Cane trick has been around for many decades. Sometimes I like an old trick, but want it to look current. Take a look at the next photo and you can see how transitioning from a cane to an umbrella can do the trick.

Catalogue Magic has Changed

In a future blog, I’ll talk about how the catalogue is no longer in use and what replaced it in the digital age.

Canada Day Entertainer

Being a Canada Day entertainer means working while others are taking the day off and having fun. This goes for all the major holidays in Canada. I wouldn’t have it any other way! Canada Day entertainment usually takes place outdoors, so I’m usually at the mercy of the weather. Fortunately, July 1st, has been great over the past few years.

The setting for the show is crucial for it’s success. This is the start of setting up for a show in a community outside of Ottawa. I like to position myself so that the audience is in the shade. If I have the sun shining in my eyes, that is always preferable to the sun being in the audience’s eyes. A comfortable audience is a good audience.

Before the Canada Day Show

Below, you can see how the show will give the audience a good view and also keep them in the shade. It is also good for me that I have a flat surface for my tables and audio equipment.

I love the battery-powered audio speakers and microphones. This means I’m not tethered to a certain location that is close to power. Often, that can compromise the ideal location for the show.

Canada Day Activities

In addition to entertainment, there are usually face painters and balloon artists at Canada Day events. I love to see the kids’ faces painted with super heroes, stars, unicorns and other fantasy characters. There is a real art to being able to do amazing art on children’s faces.

Showtime for the Canada Day Entertainer

In the summer time it is important to stay cool and look cool. My outfit is less formal for these shows, but still bright enough to stand out. The photo below is at the beginning of the show when I’m building up my audience. I spend a bit of time to do this as there are lots of other activities happening. All in all, I really enjoy providing entertainment on Canada Day and help other Canadians celebrate our great country!

Magic Books

I love magic books. When I first started learning magic, the library was my first source. The small community, where I lived, had no magic shops and I was too young to join the magic club. You had to be 18 or older. That gave me 7 years to become really good for when I applied to join the club. Even with its small collection, the library was a great springboard to learning the tricks of the trade.

The Amateur Magician’s Handbook was the first book I bought at the bookstore. It is a classic of magic writing. Covering a broad range of topics, it remains, to this day a really great starting point for magicians, both amateur and professional.

Practical Magic Books

Bill Severn’s Big Book of Magic had a great cover and I also bought this at the book store. It was written with magic tricks that teens could make from supplies around the house. Some of the tricks took a bit longer to make, but a few from this book found their way into my working repertoire. Bill put out a whole series of books for the general public, each covering a different style of magic.

Gifts

In 1977, my Grandfather gave me this book for Christmas. He wrote in it, “Success to your fingers.” It was my first serious book that revealed secrets of close-up magic. Harry Lorayne, was a great writer and made the instructions very easy to understand. He wrote many magic books that contained his creations and also the tricks of other well-accomplished performers.

Some of the magic in this book became the foundation of magic that I present at ice-breakers and cocktail parties. When people witness magic up close, they always have strong reactions!

Advanced Magic Books

The Dai Vernon Book of Magic was one of the first books that I bought that was of an advanced level. Dai Vernon, is considered, by magicians to be the father of modern close-up magic. Many magicians made the trek to LA to study under the master.

When I was in my teens, I met him at a magic convention in Toronto. Dai would have been in his 70’s. I approached him and mentioned that I was from his hometown of Ottawa, Canada. He told me a few stories and gave me some encouragement to keep practicing and performing, and most importantly, to make the sleight-of-hand look as natural as possible. It is great advice from a master that I still follow to this day.

Old Books

Even though much of the new magic is explained on streaming and DVD’s, books continue to be a medium for disseminating new ideas in magic. As such, there is a healthy market for used magic books. Advanced performers try to find hidden gems that can be updated. This makes their act unique in the world of magic.

The book below is the oldest magic book I own. It was printed in 1902 in Britain. Even though the language is a little different, it is still easy to comprehend the tricks and explanations. I love how ideas from one magician can cross over centuries and generations.

During the last 20 years, I’ve been documenting tricks I’ve invented. Some of those tricks have found their way into lecture notes that I have when teaching other magicians. Eventually, all of my ideas will make it into a book. It will be a fitting conclusion to my career and will provide inspiration to future generations of magicians.

Making Magic

Making magic is something I’ve done since I started when I was 11. Many of the books that I borrowed from the library were meant for beginners and had plans to make some simple, but effective tricks. In those books, the materials were easy to find around the house and with some scissors, cardboard, tape and a bit of paint, I had the beginnings of my first tricks.

Making More Advanced Magic

As I progressed, the tricks I built became more complex and detailed. I ideated and sketched concepts. From there, I turned the sketch into reality. I’d like to say that after the first version I was done, however, usually I’d make one or two more with the necessary improvements.

Designing Illusions for the Big Stage

Sometimes ideas for larger tricks began with research. I’d modify existing ideas to make them fit a certain look I wanted to convey. The box in the photo, is one example. My assistant appeared in the box.

I wanted clean minimalistic lines and also a natural “IKEA” style table. It looked and worked beautifully in many of the larger shows I presented with my team in theatres across Canada.

Prototypes

Building multiple prototypes is a standard procedure for designers and engineers. In trying to discover the best form and function, multiple iterations are required. Below is an evolution of a mechanical component of a prop I designed and built. From the first prototype on the left the the one on the right was about two days of trial and error.

Modern Ways to Make Magic

Computer renderings are another tool in the designer’s took kit to make magic props. Below is a preliminary design for a classic trick called the Cups and Balls. I sent sketches to a design firm and they created life-like renderings. Once the design was resolved, a few variations were 3D printed to get a better sense of the functionality and proportions.

I’ve designed and built hundreds of tricks and illusions throughout my career. It is challenging to get the prop to create the illusion of magic. the reward is to present the new trick in front of an audience and hear the applause. That propels me forward to create more unique magic.

Newspaper Articles

You know you’re a big star when you Get your photo in the newspaper for the very first time! The article below was published in the Ottawa Citizen, in conjunction with a theatre show that I starred in called Disappearing Nightly. In the entertainment industry, it is important to have a prominent place in the paper. This article was at the top of the page, which they call that the “top of the fold”.

As an entertainer, it is important to give interesting answers to the questions of an interviewer. Sometimes, we brag a bit too, because ultimately, we’d like to have more people come out to the show. After the interview, the staff photographer attended one of the rehearsals to shoot some photos. My team had a bit of fun with the photographer. At the end of the shoot, I vanished into a cabinet. My team didn’t bring me back and the photographer left, scratching his head, wondering where I’d gone.

Great Photographs of a Big Star

One day I had an idea for a great publicity shot. I wanted to float over a field of sunflowers as I was watering them. My friend, Jean Clermont’s family had a hobby farm and that summer they had a great crop of sunflowers. We made plans to shoot first thing in the morning as the sun was coming up. As this was taken before digital photography, my older brother, Greg, and another photographer shot 6 rolls of film. The one below was the third last shot of the day and looked fantastic. As a designer, I love the composition. It is still my favourite photo!

That Looks Fantastic

From the photo below, you can appreciate how a great photo, submitted to a newspaper can really create a lot of interest for the article. This article, was part of the promotion for the Ottawa Children’s Festival. Without knowing beforehand, a horizontal photo format, lends itself well to a great placement. Sometimes, in life, we get a bit lucky.

Ongoing Series Features a Big Star

I loved the way this article looked. It was part of a series called, One In A Million. Bruce Deachman created this weekly series to showcase local individuals that were tops in their fields. After the interview, Bruce took a variety of photos and some were from magic books I have in my library. The photo of myself with a cactus in a balloon, was a trick that I invented in the mid 80’s.

I’m not sure how much articles in newspapers help an entertainer’s career, but as with all promotion, it is necessary to keep the ball rolling. Over time they help to build up the credibility of an entertainer and turned me into a big star. I love looking at these articles and they give me great satisfaction seeing how all my hard work has paid off over the years.