by Jay Sankey on Jan.30, 2011, under Practicing
“Natural abilities are like natural plants that need pruning by study.” –Francis Bacon
I think of each of the elements of performance as a different type of “muscle.” In other words, scripting is a type of muscle, as is manual skill, character acting, improvising, entertaining, appearance, knowledge and originality. All muscles which every performer has, but no two magicians have developed the same muscles to quite the same degree.
There is no way you can completely separate any one of these aspects from any of the others because they are intimately related and intertwined. However, being able to write an effective script is a different “muscle” than being able to execute a deceptive Second Deal, just as being entertaining is different than being knowledgeable.
A traditional adage suggests that we should “stick to our strengths,” but if your goal is to become a better magician, I strongly recommend that you do precisely the opposite. Nurture yourself and your audiences by reaching for things that are not quite yet in your grasp. Push yourself, especially in the areas of our craft that you feel least secure.
If you are more comfortable creating presentations than executing sleight-of-hand, I suggest you do not develop another script for three months. Spend that time practicing in front of the mirror. Or if you only perform other magician’s effects, spend some time striving to develop your own handlings and effects. Such enlightened efforts and courage of spirit will yield so much more than continuing to exercise your already strong
