So, I'm trying to create an original effect. The problem is I have never really created an effect before. How do you create an effect? Also, can you please give me some tips on creating an original effect. Thank you so much!
Ryan:
I'll echo what
@VagueTheory said, don't try to create just for the sake of creating something.
If you are new to magic, the best use of your time is to learn the fundamentals and then keep learning. The more sleights, principles and plots you know, the more tools you have in your toolbox to build something original. I"ve got over 200 books on magic and I'm still learning.
One of the best ways to be creative in magic is to take existing effects and put your own touches on them. Those touches could be a different presentation, different moves, a different ending or taking the principle and applying to accomplish a different result. Most of my performance pieces are customized magic where I've taken the main effect and changed the handling and/or the presentation. The rest of them are routines where I've put together a series of standard sleights in a unique combination using props like linking rings, sponge balls, cups & balls, etc. Magic is a performing art and this type of focus makes your magic performances unique.
When you combine a strong knowledge base and the experience of personalizing your magic, you will create something. If you do, don't rush out to sell it. Fine tune it through performance. Greg Wilson said something to me once that really resonated. He said that most magicians want to show off the latest thing they are working on learning. Greg said that he asks magicians to show him what they have performed a thousand times.
To magicians that want to create magic: I don't want to buy what you just came up with 1, 6 or 12 months ago, I want to buy the effects that you have performed a thousand times, the effects that you treasure as if they were your own children, the effects that you can't bear to see someone else perform.