Body Language for magicians

Body Language – an often forgotten asset

Our body is a powerful tool. Ladies use body language to influence men. Politicians use body language to influence voters. Salesmen use body language to influence a customer to buy. So it therefore follows that we as magicians can also body language to enhance our magic. We can influence our spectators using our body language.

Directing Attention

There are two main times in a routine where you want to direct your spectator’s attention;
1. When you are about to carry out a sneaky move
2. When you want the moment of magic to occur
Taking the first situation where you are about to perform some sleight of hand within the routine. Of course we all practice practice practice this in front of a mirror, but what about also looking at techniques which will direct the spectator’s attention away from your hands? The common phrase is misdirection.
So how do we direct attention away from your hands?

Verbal Misdirection

Making their eyes meet yours using what you say…. Although not strictly a body language issue, your voice is also a powerful weapon. Here’s some things which will draw the attention away:

• Use the spectator’s name – this is of course vital not only as a misdirection tool but also for creating a lasting impression with your audience.
• Ask them to do something
• Ask them a question
• Crack a joke or humorous line

Non-verbal Misdirection

• Eye direction – they will look at where you look! So don’t look at your hands!!! Indeed I often turn my head away when say the spectator is selecting a card (very fair), but when I turn back and eye contact is resumed then that’s the perfect opportunity to do any dirty moves!
• Relax – the eyes are directed towards fast movements, particularly those moving forwards and upwards. Tenseness also attracts attention. Hence by leaning backwards, minimizing any fast movements, and dropping the hands the eyes will see a relaxed body language void of suspicion! Even letting the shoulders drop aids in this chilled out relaxed state.

The off-beat

This is a great time where you can perform any secret moves. The off-beat is when the spectator is totally relaxed which could be;
• When a routine has finished (a great time to get set up for the next effect. For example let’s say you need to introduce a deck switch, well do it at the end of the previous routine when the audience are all clapping and think that the magic is over.)
• When the spectator thinks that the effect has finished!
• After a WOW moment – like the classic final load on the cups and balls
So what about directing attention? This is vital to reinforce the moment of magic. Often you will hear spectators say;
“He didn’t even touch the cards”

Or similar. This is a perfect example of directing attention to the moment of magic once the magician has successfully misdirected the audience so that the real method has been disguised and all suspicious actions removed. In a close up environment, the moment of magic should be framed if possible at chest level rather than at table level. To direct attention, you need to adopt an active body language which is leaning forward, hands forward with eyes directing the spectator accordingly.

No need to rush it either – time misdirection helps to reinforce that moment of magic too. So why not take a look at your routines. If they aren’t getting the sort of responses that you’re expecting then maybe it’s worth looking at your performance in terms of your body language. Have fun!

So why not take a look at your routines. If they aren’t getting the sort of responses that you’re expecting then maybe it’s worth looking at your performance in terms of your body language.

Check out Sean Goodman’s effects Tick-Tock and Genetics both out now at MagicDirect.com!