I have an answer worthy of the gods.


Tell them that you previously placed a disk over their eyes that promotes camera tricks to occur. Tell them that they are really just seeing things, and do a colr change! then go into another trick! or end your show!

Uh... I could see that. Yeah, that would work well! I would say implant though. It scares them more!

Oh, and, I used to use that as my presentation for Garrett Thomas's Ring Thing. I would say that I was going to make them expirience human camera tricks.

okay....worthy of the gods?
Have you tried it?

I think that explanation will just turn people off. It really doesn't make sense, and I don't see how saying they had an implant could ever make anyone afraid (that was directed at Popchris). People aren't stupid, so why treat them that way? It will just tick them off.

Most of the time, when someone asks how did you do that, they don't want to know the answer. It's just a reaction.

You don't know the stupid people at my school.

I have tried it.

What you say should depend on the trick you just did.

I agree with Fallingblood, the average spectator wants to believe in magic. Emotionally they do not wish to have that illusion destroyed with an explanation. Even though intellectually they know there has to be one.

"How'd you do that!" is the best compliment they can come up with. it's their way of saying.." I do not understand any non-magical way for you to have done what you did, that leaves magic as the only alternative, but since I KNOW there is no such thing as magic.... How'd you do that?"

if you tried to explain, they would literally cover up their ears and run away. This is the average spectator. Not the hecklers, or " wannabee" magicians.

Again, it depends on who you are dealing with. I am sure Philal was talking about a specific group of people while you are doing magic. We have all met the ones he is talking about.

That group is a very small group that probably only exists in high school. For the average magician, that line is horrible and will make it very hard to ever get a job.

I think the best way to handle this is some tongue in cheek reply...that is known to be you just joking around a la.." Against the magicians convocation agreement.." Or " Sorry, if I tell you the magic police will give me a bench warrant." or just say " why it's magic!!!" with tongue FIRMLY in cheek, and a knowing grin."

Magic benefits from some ambiguity. Not during an effect, but as an explanation for the effects. Spectators want to feel that magic is real, while Knowing that it isn't. By being a bit vague, and acting like you could play it either way, you feed both needs, without divulging any secrets..

" It's magic... there are no secrets..." * wink*