Step 1<\/strong><\/p>\n You need to create a word processing file for each trick you intend to perform at future magic shows.\u00a0 As soon as I get a new magic trick, I create a file for it in my word processor.\u00a0 The file name uses the following format:<\/p>\n Trick-Month-Day-Year.doc<\/em><\/p>\n For example, my Substitution Trunk Illusion file is Sub Trunk-08-12-2015.doc.\u00a0 This file name translates to Substitution Trunk Illusion file created on August 12, 2015.\u00a0 The file naming system allows me to easily keep track of my most current file version and have a backup of prior versions if I ever choose to go back to them.\u00a0 I keep all of my magic trick files in a folder called \u201cMagic Tricks\u201d on my computer.<\/p>\n Step 2<\/strong><\/p>\n Each trick file needs to have these sections in this order:<\/p>\n Trick Name<\/em><\/p>\n This section needs little explanation.\u00a0 Use the trick\u2019s original name or a name you can easily remember.<\/p>\n \u00a0Items Needed to Perform Trick<\/em><\/p>\n This is one of the most important sections of your file.\u00a0 You need to list in detail every item required to perform the trick.\u00a0 I usually separate out the consumables from the non-consumables.\u00a0 Consumables would include any item that is used up during the performance.\u00a0 For example flashpaper, paper money, and lemons are listed as consumables for my bill in lemon trick.\u00a0 Separating out the consumables means I am less likely to overlook them when packing up my show.<\/p>\n The non-consumables list is a great checklist to make sure you have everything you need to perform the magic trick.<\/p>\n \u00a0Setup Notes<\/em><\/p>\n This section reminds you about any important points to remember when setting up your trick.\u00a0 As tricks come in and out of my performing repertoire, it is a nice reminder of key points I may have forgotten if I haven\u2019t performed the magic trick in a while.<\/p>\n Brief Description of Effect<\/em><\/p>\n You can use the description from the magic trick\u2019s ad or write a brief one yourself.\u00a0 I have found it useful to have a description handy if I am looking to add tricks for an upcoming show.\u00a0 You have a vague idea (or none at all) about what this trick is about.<\/p>\n \u00a0Performance Script<\/em><\/p>\n This section contains the complete script that I use to perform the trick.\u00a0 I write out everything I do and say in the form of a script.\u00a0 This is the baseline for my performance of the trick.\u00a0 Once the script is mastered I am able to freely go on and off script during my performance.<\/p>\n Writing the script is a good way to study the intersection of this magic trick and your performing style.\u00a0 I work on the script all of the time.\u00a0 I view it as a work in progress. It is a good exercise to avoid just using the canned patter that comes with the trick.\u00a0 Try writing your own script out for a magic trick or two.\u00a0 You will be pleasantly surprised with the reactions you get from your audience.<\/p>\n Finally, the script is a nice refresher if you have not performed the trick in a while.\u00a0 I hated having developed a good routine for an effect only to have forgotten most of it because I had not used in a couple of years.<\/p>\n Notes<\/em><\/p>\n This section contains any of your thoughts and ideas for the magic trick.\u00a0 Put anything and everything you want to remember or try with the trick.\u00a0 This is a good place to record your insights about why the trick didn\u2019t play as well as you thought it would.<\/p>\n Step 3<\/strong><\/p>\n You have created individual magic trick files for all of the effects in your performing repertoire.\u00a0 A customer calls you on the phone and books you to perform at their next event. When you are ready to design a show for a customer here\u2019s what to do:<\/p>\n Create a folder called \u201cCustomers.\u201d\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n Within the \u201cCustomers\u201d folder create a subfolder using the customer\u2019s name.\u00a0 I don\u2019t use a date with the folder because I expect to have several shows over many years in this folder.\u00a0 For example Barb Jones calls me up and books me to perform at her son\u2019s birthday party.\u00a0 I create a subfolder called \u201cBarb Jones\u201d in my \u201cCustomers\u201d folder.<\/p>\n Create a word processing file (called a \u201cshow file\u201d)<\/em><\/p>\n Use the following naming format:<\/p>\n Customer-Month-Day-Year \u2013 In the above example, I might create a file called Barb Jones-01-15-2015.doc.\u00a0 This file would contain the show I performed for Barb Jones on January 11, 2015.\u00a0 This record is great to have when she rebooks you for a show.\u00a0 You have a permanent record of all of your shows.<\/p>\n The show file has the following format:<\/p>\n I.\u00a0 Details of the show including time and place. I create the show file by going back to my magic trick files and cutting and pasting the first three sections into the show file.\u00a0 Using the order suggested in Step 2 makes this faster.\u00a0 All of your hard work in the prior step makes this step really quick.\u00a0 What you end up with is a detailed checklist customized for each show.<\/p>\n Step 4<\/strong><\/p>\n Having finished and saved the show file from the last step, this is the most important step.\u00a0 Print out the show file.\u00a0 I\u2019ll say it again PRINT OUT THE SHOW FILE.\u00a0 It is THAT important.<\/p>\n My father was a pilot.\u00a0 Growing up he stressed the importance of the checklist.\u00a0 If he didn\u2019t run his checklist he didn\u2019t fly.\u00a0 I attended many funerals of other pilots who blew off this advice.\u00a0 The point is that it doesn\u2019t matter how often you have done the magic trick or the same show. Always use the show list as your checklist.\u00a0 The show list will serve as your checklist at two points for every show.<\/p>\n The first use is packing up all of your props before your show.\u00a0 Check off items on the list as you pack. I will often find out that I am out of one or more of the consumables. Leave enough time when you pack to get what you need.\u00a0 Don\u2019t pack your show thirty minutes before you leave without having run over your checklist\/show file earlier.\u00a0 Having packed up your show, you are ready for the final step.<\/p>\n Step 5<\/strong><\/p>\n At the show, you will use your show file as a checklist to set up your props prior to going on stage.\u00a0 I start at the beginning of the checklist and work my way down.\u00a0 Having finished I go over the checklist once again to make sure I have not overlooked anything.<\/p>\n At that point I can relax and get ready to walk out on stage.\u00a0 I am confident that I won\u2019t face the situation described at the beginning of this article.\u00a0 It is a wonderful feeling being sure that everything is set and ready to go.\u00a0 I can focus my energy on my performance and the audience.\u00a0 This leads to a more enjoyable and professional show.<\/p>\n You have enough things on your mind when performing than worrying about whether your props are set up.\u00a0 Try this easy five step approach to organizing and setting up your show.\u00a0 You will find that your show will be more professional.\u00a0 More importantly you will find that your audiences will find your shows more professional. This will increase the perceived value of your magic show.\u00a0 Higher perceived value leads to customers begging to hire you as a magician again and again.\u00a0 Try this system out for yourself.<\/p>\n Magically yours,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Imagine that you have walked out on stage and just finished your opener to rave applause.\u00a0 Your show continues like a well tuned sports car until you get to the fourth magic effect.\u00a0 You introduce the magic trick and the audience quiets in eager anticipation.\u00a0 You begin to patter and suddenly realize that the trick was not set up correctly.\u00a0… Read more →<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-39","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","xfolkentry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.funtymemagic.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.funtymemagic.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.funtymemagic.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.funtymemagic.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.funtymemagic.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=39"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"http:\/\/www.funtymemagic.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":41,"href":"http:\/\/www.funtymemagic.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39\/revisions\/41"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.funtymemagic.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=39"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.funtymemagic.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=39"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.funtymemagic.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=39"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}\n
\nII.\u00a0 Opening \u2013 including any music or other setups
\nIII.\u00a0 Trick\u00a0 1 – Trick Name
\nA. Items Needed to Perform Trick
\nB. Setup Notes
\nIV.\u00a0 Trick\u00a0 2 – Trick Name
\nA. Items Needed to Perform Trick
\nB. Setup Notes
\nV.\u00a0 Trick 3 –\u00a0 Trick Name
\nA. Items Needed to Perform Trick
\nB. Setup Notes
\nVI.\u00a0 Trick 4 –\u00a0 Trick Name
\nA. Items Needed to Perform Trick
\nB. Setup Notes
\nVII.\u00a0 Closing\u00a0 \u2013 including any music or other setups<\/p>\n![\"magic](\"http:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20060203023651im_\/http:\/\/learn-great-magic-tricks.com\/images\/sig.gif\")
<\/p>\n