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RobLaughter
01-12-2007, 08:07 PM
I use magic in-set on a regular basis, as I'm a magician/mentalist and it's congruent with my personality. I'll describe some of my methods here, and the rest will be saved for my upcoming ebook/DVD release, because I'm a selfish bastard like that.

Magic can be used in pickup in four principle places: pre-approach (in the venue), in A1, A2, and Comfort.

When using magic in the venue before you approach, you're doing magic because you enjoy doing magic and performing. The idea ISN'T to impress. Instead, the idea is to go out and do things you enjoy doing, much like going to the gym to work out or playing in a band.

In A1, an effective way to introduce magic into the set is to roll up, borrow a prop from the set (cigarette, coin, napkin, what have you) and then perform the effect for your wing, disregarding the set. Try it and tell me that doesn't pique their interests.

In A2, you can do some simple coin, cigarette, or matchbook tricks much like you would an offhand comment--you just have something in your hand, do the trick, and move on. You don't even need to call attention to it.

Finally, you can use magic in comfort by either performing or teaching effects. In C2 or C3, for instance, you can have some cards or coins laying on the table in the seduction location and say, "hey, check this out."

You can perform up to 5 or so minutes of magic in A1 and A2, and up to 30 minutes of magic is appropriate for comfort. It's all a matter of calibrating to whether the set/your girl stales out. In my experience, though, this almost never happens. You can do several effects in a row and they'll be hanging on their seats for more.

The most important point to make is that, when performing magic, you cannot do so in a tryhard way. You're not there to be a dancing monkey and perform for her for hours on end. In A1 and A2, you do magic ON YOUR TIME, not hers. If she begs you to see another one, make her wait for it. It's a propless lock-in prop! Furthermore, you should be doing magic as it's a cool skill that you have, not being overly-serious about what you're doing.

Remember: you don't NEED magic to get by in the set. Mystery Method isn't Mystery Method for the magic! In fact, I don't think magic is even mentioned in his book and his DVD Video Archive. Only perform magic if you're doing it to better yourself, enjoy your time out, and make other peoples days just a little bit better.

Ciao,
Rob

--

I don't play hard to get--I am hard to get.

Sovereign
01-12-2007, 08:09 PM
I want your DVD Rob!

Hawaii
01-12-2007, 11:26 PM
When I first started gaming a couple years ago, I wanted to use magic in my sets. But both Mystery and Style recommended against me using magic because it was incongruent with my identity. However, I still do use Style's discount magic as an occasional pebble when I want to get a quick laugh.

Scythe42
01-13-2007, 12:09 AM
On some occasions I like doing some metal bending. Especially when being in a restaurant. But it's more for me having fun seeing the OMG expression on the waitress' face. But I rarely do it in clubs. It's more a thing for parties for me. Same with mentalism routines. But once in a while I feel the urge to do some street magic in Summer an go out performing some tricks. But as said I rarely do it in my sets.

RobLaughter
01-13-2007, 09:23 AM
Right, this is more of a bar/party gambit for me. Clubs are far too ADD to keep someone's attention to do it. Another thing I like to do is hold parties at my place, cash bar, and perform a 20 minute set of magic. You want to see sets blow wide open?