Theory & Thoughts for Magicians

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Ideas and inspiration to grow as a magician. Each episode will give you something to think about for improving your performances, creativity, and audience engagement. Presented by magic creator, author, and lecturer Ryan Pilling.

Ryan Pilling


    • Dec 5, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 18m AVG DURATION
    • 20 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Theory & Thoughts for Magicians

    Is Self-Working Magic Working For You?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2023 26:23


    Ryan digs in to one of the biggest lies magicians tell... themselves. A critical look at the prominence of self-working tricks in the magic industry, and whether it might be a short-term gain for a long-term loss. Don't be a stout Uncle George!

    Is Self-Working Magic Working For You?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2023 26:23


    Ryan digs in to one of the biggest lies magicians tell... themselves. A critical look at the prominence of self-working tricks in the magic industry, and whether it might be a short-term gain for a long-term loss. Don't be a stout Uncle George!

    Take My Advice

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2023 19:48


    Some magicians keep their distance from the magic community because of bad advice. Be it unwelcome, unwarranted, or unfounded there seems to be no shortage of shaky advice being thrown around. In this episode Ryan looks at the wisdom of advice, how it comes to be, and how it gets passed along. It's not all bad, though. There is a more productive way to work together and offer guidance.

    Take My Advice

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2023 19:48


    Some magicians keep their distance from the magic community because of bad advice. Be it unwelcome, unwarranted, or unfounded there seems to be no shortage of shaky advice being thrown around. In this episode Ryan looks at the wisdom of advice, how it comes to be, and how it gets passed along. It's not all bad, though. There is a more productive way to work together and offer guidance.

    Hooks, Lines, and Thinkers

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2022 16:04


    Through every moment of a routine your audience's interest is rising and falling. If it drains away, you're in trouble. Are you maintaining interest, attention, and creating a desire to see what happens next?

    Hooks, Lines, and Thinkers

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2022 16:04


    Through every moment of a routine your audience's interest is rising and falling. If it drains away, you're in trouble. Are you maintaining interest, attention, and creating a desire to see what happens next?

    Magic Is Crumbling

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2022 13:15


    Max Maven was a giant in magic, whose long shadow kept many in line. So, where does that leave us now?

    Magic Is Crumbling

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2022 13:15


    Max Maven was a giant in magic, whose long shadow kept many in line. So, where does that leave us now?

    Hooked On Classics

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2022 23:19


    In 1954 the Magic Circle presented the Hoffmann Memorial Lecture by Charles Harrison on "The Qualities of a Classical Feat of Magic." In it he suggests eight common features of a trick which make it a "classic."Not everyone is on the same page. In his introduction to "Magic By Misdirection" Dariel Fitzkee makes the opposite argument; that no trick is, in itself, "great."In this episode Ryan Pilling takes a look at both sides, and asks why any particular trick does or does not become immortalized as a classic of magic, including one curious trick which was once a regular feature, now lost to history.Corrections:The "Six Card Repeat" was originated by Tommy Tucker, not Tommy Windsor. (Windsor is known for inventing the Dye Box... which is different than the Die Box!)---References:"The Qualities of a Classical Feat of Magic" - A lecture by Charles Harrison, published as a bonus supplement with the Magic CIrcular, August 1954."Magic by Misdirection" - Dariel Fitzkee, 1945

    magic classics qualities windsor hooked magic circle tommy tucker charles harrison die box
    Hooked On Classics

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2022 23:18


    In 1954 the Magic Circle presented the Hoffmann Memorial Lecture by Charles Harrison on "The Qualities of a Classical Feat of Magic." In it he suggests eight common features of a trick which make it a "classic." Not everyone is on the same page. In his introduction to "Magic By Misdirection" Dariel Fitzkee makes the opposite argument; that no trick is, in itself, "great." In this episode Ryan Pilling takes a look at both sides, and asks why any particular trick does or does not become immortalized as a classic of magic, including one curious trick which was once a regular feature, now lost to history. Corrections: The "Six Card Repeat" was originated by Tommy Tucker, not Tommy Windsor. (Windsor is known for inventing the Dye Box... which is different than the Die Box!) --- References: "The Qualities of a Classical Feat of Magic" - A lecture by Charles Harrison, published as a bonus supplement with the Magic CIrcular, August 1954. "Magic by Misdirection" - Dariel Fitzkee, 1945

    Weakness Is Strength

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2022 19:05


    A look at your personal style as a performer, as defined by your strengths, weakness, and limitations. Magicians generally tend to be all happy-go-lucky razzle-dazzle, but being yourself means bringing both the best and worst of yourself to the stage.Suggestions for further watching and listening:If you'd like to hear my favourite musical artist, John Hartford I recommend starting with his album "Aereo-Plain." https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2sh1eP4JA_O-HkoIOrRiiGJTzjPd4W-lAlan Watts speaking about Wu Wei, the principle of not forcing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzaUGhhnlQ8&t=635sJazz pianist Kenny Werner speaks about "Effortless Mastery" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAZOamxuw5wMusic used in this episode"Naptime" by David Benedict ...not John Hartford :)Three pieces played on the guzheng by Annie Zhou"Hidden Heart" by Lux InspiriaAll tracks are licensed for use from Artlist https://artlist.io/Ryan-18742

    Weakness Is Strength

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2022 19:04


    A look at your personal style as a performer, as defined by your strengths, weakness, and limitations. Magicians generally tend to be all happy-go-lucky razzle-dazzle, but being yourself means bringing both the best and worst of yourself to the stage. Suggestions for further watching and listening: If you'd like to hear my favourite musical artist, John Hartford I recommend starting with his album "Aereo-Plain." https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2sh1eP4JA_O-HkoIOrRiiGJTzjPd4W-l Alan Watts speaking about Wu Wei, the principle of not forcing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzaUGhhnlQ8&t=635s Jazz pianist Kenny Werner speaks about "Effortless Mastery" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAZOamxuw5w Music used in this episode "Naptime" by David Benedict ...not John Hartford :) Three pieces played on the guzheng by Annie Zhou "Hidden Heart" by Lux Inspiria All tracks are licensed for use from Artlist https://artlist.io/Ryan-18742

    Setting The Stage

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2022 18:31


    The success of your magic show hinges upon your audience being ready to receive it. I have a four phase process I use to develop a relationship with my audience, maintain a positive mood, and roll out the red carpet for a magical evening.

    Setting The Stage

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2022 18:30


    The success of your magic show hinges upon your audience being ready to receive it. I have a four phase process I use to develop a relationship with my audience, maintain a positive mood, and roll out the red carpet for a magical evening.

    Creating Chaos

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2022 21:24


    Magicians strive to control every detail of a performance, yet the more you control, the weaker the magic becomes. What happens when you let more chaos into your presentations? How can you make your process feel more random?

    Creating Chaos

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2022 21:23


    Magicians strive to control every detail of a performance, yet the more you control, the weaker the magic becomes. What happens when you let more chaos into your presentations? How can you make your process feel more random?

    Do You Believe In Magic?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2022 17:06


    In this episode we dig into what your magician character believes they are actually doing when they present magic. What is really happening to cause the magic effect? What does it mean when they snap their fingers?Understanding the source of your power will clarify your presentation, fill out your character, and make your show more interesting.Ryan explains the "Spectrum of Magicality," an indication of how much your character does, or does not, believe in magic.WIZARD - Knows magic, and knows how to use it. They command the mystical force to do as they wish.MYSTIC - Tapped into magical forces, but not in direct control of them.AGNOSTIC - Hasn't decided if they believe or not.SCIENTIST - May still experience the mysteries of the universe, but believes there is a rational explanation.JUGGLER - All about physical skill. There is no need for magic when you're this good at what you do.“Sources of Magical Powers” by Bill Fienning, The Linking Ring November 2001 (pg 70) suggests there are five ways in which a human may come to have magical powers.Studied arcane knowledge.Powers enabled through an object, material, or words.An object with power of its own.Power passed from a supernatural being.Contact with a mystical force.

    Do You Believe In Magic?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2022 17:05


    In this episode we dig into what your magician character believes they are actually doing when they present magic. What is really happening to cause the magic effect? What does it mean when they snap their fingers? Understanding the source of your power will clarify your presentation, fill out your character, and make your show more interesting. Ryan explains the "Spectrum of Magicality," an indication of how much your character does, or does not, believe in magic. WIZARD - Knows magic, and knows how to use it. They command the mystical force to do as they wish. MYSTIC - Tapped into magical forces, but not in direct control of them. AGNOSTIC - Hasn't decided if they believe or not. SCIENTIST - May still experience the mysteries of the universe, but believes there is a rational explanation. JUGGLER - All about physical skill. There is no need for magic when you're this good at what you do. “Sources of Magical Powers” by Bill Fienning, The Linking Ring November 2001 (pg 70) suggests there are five ways in which a human may come to have magical powers. Studied arcane knowledge. Powers enabled through an object, material, or words. An object with power of its own. Power passed from a supernatural being. Contact with a mystical force.

    Sum of Your Choices

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2022 12:16


    Theory and Thoughts for Magicians will be a series of focused topic discussions about improving your magic performances.In this inaugural episode Ryan introduces a foundational belief in what it takes to become a unique, artistic magician. Why it's important to choose your own adventure in the magic world. The missing ingredient to the common advice; "be yourself."

    Sum of Your Choices

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2022 12:15


    Theory and Thoughts for Magicians will be a series of focused topic discussions about improving your magic performances. In this inaugural episode Ryan introduces a foundational belief in what it takes to become a unique, artistic magician. Why it's important to choose your own adventure in the magic world. The missing ingredient to the common advice; "be yourself."

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