3 Highly Visual Tricks For Your Next Virtual Magic Show That Are Super Easy (For virtual Magicians)
3 Highly Visual Tricks For Your Next Virtual Magic Show That Are Super Easy (For virtual Magicians)
When conceptualizing a virtual magic experience many aspects of creating your show may be intimidating. There are numerous bits of technology and moving parts involved. It’s an entirely different visual platform than an in-person event. Virtual magic canbe overwhelming and you may be unsure where to start. There are many places to begin, but a great jumping off point is picking the tricks themselves. An often overlooked aspect of your audience’s virtual experience is the actual magic you perform. On paper it may seem obvious to you, but it isn’t obvious to everyone. There are numerous tech-heavy (and extremely complicated) virtual shows that are weak on prestidigitation. These magicians focus too much on the types of overlays, frames, transitions, audience views and so on. It’s an aspect that can often overshadow the purpose of the show: the pure experience of wonder. Trick selection is key. Of course, we all know that it isn’t what you do, it’s the way you do it. But despite that, it is important to choose types of magic that translate well to your “stage” – and virtual magic is a very different platform than a traditional theater.
For example, when everyone in the audience has a front row seat you need to perform much cleaner sleights, and misdirection can be pretty difficult when you’re the only thing on the screen. But there are positives as well and they outweigh the negatives. There are many creative tricks you can get away with in a virtual magic show because you are only playing with one audience angle, so you never have to worry about your volunteers handling or inspecting your props too closely. The best types of magic tricks are the ones that take advantage of these virtual benefits. They are highly visual, interactive, engaging to the audience, and fun to perform. Here’s a short list of some that really shine in a virtual setting.
Watch This by Rex for your Virtual Magic Show
Watch This by Rex is one of the most popular magic tricks of the year. You may have seen this on TikTok or on Instagram. It’s a wonderfully fast and visual effect where a single playing card turns into a wrist watch in a matter of seconds. It’s simply elegant. The trick design is extremely clever, easy to perform, and leaves your audiences baffled. It makes sense that it has taken the social media world by storm. When first seeing this trick performed it is easy to dismiss it as a one-off short gag for social media videos. However, take a closer look and it is an extremely high mileage tool for virtual shows that you can perform over and over again. Watch This by Rex works as a great visual opener in a virtual magic show and is a wonderful way to ensure your audience is on the edge of their seats for the remainder of your show. After seeing this trick they won’t want to look away for a second (timing pun intended).
2. Intersection by Hondo for your Virtual Magic Show
You’ve heard of a magician cutting a woman in half – but have you heard of a magician cutting a card in half? Now you have! In this highly-visual magic effect you take two simple playing cards, slice one through the other like butter, and then instantly restore it. Intersection is extremely fun to perform and has multiple beats and magic moments throughout. With a little sleight of hand it is fully examinable afterwards, which makes this a great close-up trick as well. But if you perform it virtually you don’t even have to worry about that! It’s very strong and works as a great kicker or an add-on to any other card trick you perform in your show already.
3. ReaList by Greg Rostami for your Virtual Magic Show
One of the best features of ReaList is just how easy it is to customize and to make work for any occasion or theme. This isn’t just a basic magic trick, it is a versatile and useful tool. You can predict literally anything that the volunteer chooses, all while using their own cell phone. The possibilities are endless. Not only is this particular deception extremely visual and engaging, it’s also highly interactive and happens on the spectator’s (or even the entire audience’s) phone. You don’t even need to be in the same room for the magic to work, it can be performed long distance, which is perfect for a virtual magic show. It’s relatively easy and simple to perform and the creator has some of the best customer service around. If you have any questions Greg Rostami is extremely helpful and knowledgeable. This really packs a punch and wows virtual audiences.
There are a myriad of magical effects that you can purchase which work wonderfully for virtual magic shows in addition to other venues, these selections are just the tip of the iceberg. When you’re shopping for other virtual tricks it’s important to keep these three crucial factors in mind: Is the trick visual? Is it engaging and interactive to my audience? Is it fast paced and easy to follow (people have much shorter attention spans when doing video calls). If you keep these guidelines in mind then you should have no trouble finding and creating some really strong effects for your next virtual magic show.