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.