Comments on: The Wonder of Wit http://www.jaysankey.com/wit/ Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:30:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Rob Vanden Heuvel http://www.jaysankey.com/wit/comment-page-1/#comment-150 Rob Vanden Heuvel Thu, 10 Feb 2011 22:49:07 +0000 http://www.jaysankey.com/?p=137#comment-150 I often get praise about my wit and consider it one of the highest compliments. On those occasions when I pull off some magic, there's no doubt that my quirky and witty remarks magnify the experience. You're bang on about the connection it creates. I might even say that "magic's path tends to be from the magician's hands to the spectator's head, but wit moves from one mind to another. That's where a true connection is made. Genuine wit can elevate your magic from an exhibition to an experience." A word of warning though. Don't try to force or fake wit. You may only get half way. I often get praise about my wit and consider it one of the highest compliments. On those occasions when I pull off some magic, there’s no doubt that my quirky and witty remarks magnify the experience. You’re bang on about the connection it creates.

I might even say that “magic’s path tends to be from the magician’s hands to the spectator’s head, but wit moves from one mind to another. That’s where a true connection is made. Genuine wit can elevate your magic from an exhibition to an experience.”

A word of warning though. Don’t try to force or fake wit. You may only get half way.

]]> By: Gary P. http://www.jaysankey.com/wit/comment-page-1/#comment-148 Gary P. Thu, 10 Feb 2011 19:59:04 +0000 http://www.jaysankey.com/?p=137#comment-148 Recently I've been reading "Scripting Magic" by Pete McCabe and have found the whole book very refreshing, I can't wait to apply what I've been learning in my next gig. While I consider myself to be a funny guy, my spontaneity can be hot or cold depending on a number of factors including my overall health, the energy of the audience, the weather, etc. and can often be undependable. Presenting a joke from a script into something that appears spontaneous is a rare skill and I praise those that can do it well; I find if engage my audience with constant and sincere eye contact during the joke, the confidence and the wit really flows even if it's self-deprecating humor. I learned early on that if I deliver a joke to the floor instead of my audience, it's more apt to get just a snort or a groan which leads my performance into a precarious uphill battle. Recently I’ve been reading “Scripting Magic” by Pete McCabe and have found the whole book very refreshing, I can’t wait to apply what I’ve been learning in my next gig. While I consider myself to be a funny guy, my spontaneity can be hot or cold depending on a number of factors including my overall health, the energy of the audience, the weather, etc. and can often be undependable. Presenting a joke from a script into something that appears spontaneous is a rare skill and I praise those that can do it well; I find if engage my audience with constant and sincere eye contact during the joke, the confidence and the wit really flows even if it’s self-deprecating humor. I learned early on that if I deliver a joke to the floor instead of my audience, it’s more apt to get just a snort or a groan which leads my performance into a precarious uphill battle.

]]> By: Steve B. http://www.jaysankey.com/wit/comment-page-1/#comment-147 Steve B. Thu, 10 Feb 2011 19:36:05 +0000 http://www.jaysankey.com/?p=137#comment-147 Thanks for sharing! I really enjoyed your magic & comedy DVD and seems like you're on to something here. Your comment reminds me of something I heard about the human brain once: It's constantly seeking new stimuli (i.e. surpises) and one of the best ways to "train" your brain is to experience new things. I even heard of a study done where the person is put in a "sensory deprivation chamber" and the brain starts hallucinating imagery just to have new information to process. Perhaps that CLICK moment is basically giving our bored brains what it needs. Thanks for sharing! I really enjoyed your magic & comedy DVD and seems like you’re on to something here.

Your comment reminds me of something I heard about the human brain once: It’s constantly seeking new stimuli (i.e. surpises) and one of the best ways to “train” your brain is to experience new things. I even heard of a study done where the person is put in a “sensory deprivation chamber” and the brain starts hallucinating imagery just to have new information to process. Perhaps that CLICK moment is basically giving our bored brains what it needs.

]]> By: Jay Sankey http://www.jaysankey.com/wit/comment-page-1/#comment-145 Jay Sankey Thu, 10 Feb 2011 15:25:33 +0000 http://www.jaysankey.com/?p=137#comment-145 I've spent a big part of the last few years exploring the strong overlap between comedy and magic. A large part of the power of both a 'good trick' and a 'good joke' is the element of SURPRISE. The experience of things coming together (or flying apart) in a completely unexpected way. That CLICK moment lies at the core of magic, comedy and so much more. My innovative 'Bending the Real' project was in part birthed out of this exploration, as I've strived to think past the traditional distinctions between jokes, tricks, stunts, puzzles and more. 'Pure surprise' can be extremely powerful, even transcendental. Breaking through everyday barriers is important work. I’ve spent a big part of the last few years exploring the strong overlap between comedy and magic. A large part of the power of both a ‘good trick’ and a ‘good joke’ is the element of SURPRISE. The experience of things coming together (or flying apart) in a completely unexpected way. That CLICK moment lies at the core of magic, comedy and so much more. My innovative ‘Bending the Real’ project was in part birthed out of this exploration, as I’ve strived to think past the traditional distinctions between jokes, tricks, stunts, puzzles and more. ‘Pure surprise’ can be extremely powerful, even transcendental. Breaking through everyday barriers is important work.

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