Performance Anxiety

KingMerv00 · 25th September 2008, 08:51 AM

Two problems:

First, fear of screwing up a trick in front of others.

Second, I've learned a few tricks here and there but after learning how a trick is done, I can't get the idea out of my head that it is REALLY obvious and everyone already knows how it's done. Even the little tells make me worry.

Any advice?

Skeptic Guy · 25th September 2008, 08:58 AM

Usually my wife doesn't care if I mess up the first time...

Oh, wait, I see what you mean...never mind.

rwp · 25th September 2008, 10:22 AM

You're going to mess up when you are performing; we all do. It's how we learn and improve and is a necessary part of becoming good at what you do.

Here are some things that help me overcome those same fears.

1. Perform for a video camera. If you use a video camera, you can see for yourself how good the trick looks. You can improve the way you handle the trick and or misdirection, covering for the parts you think are most obvious.

2. Perform for a trusted friend who either knows the trick and is willing to help or is willing to not care if you mess up. You can even perform for a group of friends where it doesn't matter what you do; they'll love you anyway and will endure your attempts.

3. Perform all the time. Bug everybody who will watch.

4. Realize that it doesn't really matter if you mess up. Even if you drop a coin or someone laughs and points out something, it doesn't matter at all-- it helps you. You know now in a very specific way what to be aware of, how to stand, and more. You learn how to control an audience and get them to look where you want them to. You learn what is effective and what is not. If you mess up you can choose to recover (by making that dropped coin disappear, for example) or not. It doesn't matter - just keep learning.

Conclusion: You are learning. Each performance is your lesson and the audience is your teacher.

I hope that helps!

eGadfly · 26th September 2008, 06:06 AM

You will mess up... just learn how to laugh it off. Don't take it so seriously(as long as the trick isn't dangerous). =P

FM21.105 · 28th September 2008, 08:40 AM

Why do you care as much if you mess up? Embarrasment factor? It's simply a magic trick, it isn't like you've just flopped a job interview. Laugh it off (with friends, strangers might think you're a bit odd) and it might give you a better time than if you pulled your trick off.

The Professor · 28th September 2008, 11:19 PM

Originally Posted by KingMerv00

Two problems:

First, fear of screwing up a trick in front of others.

Second, I've learned a few tricks here and there but after learning how a trick is done, I can't get the idea out of my head that it is REALLY obvious and everyone already knows how it's done. Even the little tells make me worry.

Any advice?

Firstly, if you consider what you do as a TRICK and not a Performance, then you are off on the wrong foot.

It is your obligation to not expose the effect. You need to rehearse until you get it right. There are some great ideas written above.

That said, you also don't need to stagnate yourself with endless rehearsals.
At some point you must "Jump In"

Properly presented, they will not figure it out. So just relax. Did YOU figure it out? (If you did then it might not be strong enough for your friends either)

If it is strong enough and you've rehearsed enough then just DO IT!

But be Theatrical and Entertaining in your presentation. If people enjoy it, even if it isn't "the Virgin Birth", then you will have done well.

DrugFreeAlcoholic · 18th October 2008, 01:11 PM

Whether you're an actor, magican, athlete, or approaching a woman, the first few minutes of any opening, no matter what level of expertise you're at, is the most nerve-wrecking. It's nothing new.

I still get anxiety or nervousness when performing, but it only lasts for about the first 2 tricks. So I choose tricks I can't possibly fail [like the key card (and dammmit, do the turnover version), or a simple coin trick]. After you find that the audience is amazed by you, it's easier from there. Don't get scared and leave at this point, do a minimum of three tricks.

Also, don't talk yourself out of doing a trick for someone. During my beginner days, I was at a small gathering where everyone spoke Korean and I couldn't. I kept thinking when the most oppurtune time to do a trick was, but everytime it came, I kept making an excuse not to do it. So the entire night I sat there silent. I was the guy that brought nothing to the table and everybody felt sorry for, which kills your social value.

Lastly, do practice the trick until you do it so well, that you even fool yourself while performing. I learn new tricks all the time, but I never perform them for a live audience until I've done the moves a million times at home. (Admittedly though, I do take the risk and perform a trick I'm not too solid at if I think it's totally worth the audience's reaction.)

Redtail · 23rd October 2008, 10:40 PM

Ok. I'm an actor (So I agree with DFA) and I would add breathe. Sounds a bit silly I know but young/inexperienced performers have a tendency to hold their breath if something goes wrong and every time I see them do this they freeze. Some recover but most don't.

Also remember that the audience has no idea if you screwed up unless you let them know it.

The Professor · 17th November 2008, 12:28 AM

Great advice.
Do effects that you know inside out first. Try something risky second to last. End with your best effect!

25th September 2008, 08:51 AM	#1
KingMerv00 Philosopher Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Philadelphia, PA...USA Posts: 7,674	Performance Anxiety Two problems: First, fear of screwing up a trick in front of others. Second, I've learned a few tricks here and there but after learning how a trick is done, I can't get the idea out of my head that it is REALLY obvious and everyone already knows how it's done. Even the little tells make me worry. Any advice?

25th September 2008, 08:58 AM	#2
Skeptic Guy Raccoon Death Squad Leader Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Southeast of Disorder Posts: 6,219	Usually my wife doesn't care if I mess up the first time... Oh, wait, I see what you mean...never mind.
	__________________ "Our history is in part a battle to the death of inadequate myths" - Carl Sagan Even Mother Teresa^WP doubted.

25th September 2008, 10:22 AM	#3
rwp Thinker Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 208	You're going to mess up when you are performing; we all do. It's how we learn and improve and is a necessary part of becoming good at what you do. Here are some things that help me overcome those same fears. 1. Perform for a video camera. If you use a video camera, you can see for yourself how good the trick looks. You can improve the way you handle the trick and or misdirection, covering for the parts you think are most obvious. 2. Perform for a trusted friend who either knows the trick and is willing to help or is willing to not care if you mess up. You can even perform for a group of friends where it doesn't matter what you do; they'll love you anyway and will endure your attempts. 3. Perform all the time. Bug everybody who will watch. 4. Realize that it doesn't really matter if you mess up. Even if you drop a coin or someone laughs and points out something, it doesn't matter at all-- it helps you. You know now in a very specific way what to be aware of, how to stand, and more. You learn how to control an audience and get them to look where you want them to. You learn what is effective and what is not. If you mess up you can choose to recover (by making that dropped coin disappear, for example) or not. It doesn't matter - just keep learning. Conclusion: You are learning. Each performance is your lesson and the audience is your teacher. I hope that helps!
	Last edited by rwp; 25th September 2008 at 10:29 AM.

28th September 2008, 08:40 AM	#5
FM21.105 Thinker Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 156	Why do you care as much if you mess up? Embarrasment factor? It's simply a magic trick, it isn't like you've just flopped a job interview. Laugh it off (with friends, strangers might think you're a bit odd) and it might give you a better time than if you pulled your trick off.
FM21.105 Thinker Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 156

28th September 2008, 11:19 PM	#6
The Professor Banned Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 721	Originally Posted by KingMerv00 Two problems: First, fear of screwing up a trick in front of others. Second, I've learned a few tricks here and there but after learning how a trick is done, I can't get the idea out of my head that it is REALLY obvious and everyone already knows how it's done. Even the little tells make me worry. Any advice? Firstly, if you consider what you do as a TRICK and not a Performance, then you are off on the wrong foot. It is your obligation to not expose the effect. You need to rehearse until you get it right. There are some great ideas written above. That said, you also don't need to stagnate yourself with endless rehearsals. At some point you must "Jump In" Properly presented, they will not figure it out. So just relax. Did YOU figure it out? (If you did then it might not be strong enough for your friends either) If it is strong enough and you've rehearsed enough then just DO IT! But be Theatrical and Entertaining in your presentation. If people enjoy it, even if it isn't "the Virgin Birth", then you will have done well.
The Professor Banned Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 721

26th September 2008, 06:06 AM	#4
eGadfly Student Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 30	You will mess up... just learn how to laugh it off. Don't take it so seriously(as long as the trick isn't dangerous). =P

18th October 2008, 01:11 PM	#7
DrugFreeAlcoholic Student Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: $1 reject store Posts: 48	Whether you're an actor, magican, athlete, or approaching a woman, the first few minutes of any opening, no matter what level of expertise you're at, is the most nerve-wrecking. It's nothing new. I still get anxiety or nervousness when performing, but it only lasts for about the first 2 tricks. So I choose tricks I can't possibly fail [like the key card (and dammmit, do the turnover version), or a simple coin trick]. After you find that the audience is amazed by you, it's easier from there. Don't get scared and leave at this point, do a minimum of three tricks. Also, don't talk yourself out of doing a trick for someone. During my beginner days, I was at a small gathering where everyone spoke Korean and I couldn't. I kept thinking when the most oppurtune time to do a trick was, but everytime it came, I kept making an excuse not to do it. So the entire night I sat there silent. I was the guy that brought nothing to the table and everybody felt sorry for, which kills your social value. Lastly, do practice the trick until you do it so well, that you even fool yourself while performing. I learn new tricks all the time, but I never perform them for a live audience until I've done the moves a million times at home. (Admittedly though, I do take the risk and perform a trick I'm not too solid at if I think it's totally worth the audience's reaction.)

23rd October 2008, 10:40 PM	#8
Redtail Illuminator Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 4,438	Ok. I'm an actor (So I agree with DFA) and I would add breathe. Sounds a bit silly I know but young/inexperienced performers have a tendency to hold their breath if something goes wrong and every time I see them do this they freeze. Some recover but most don't. Also remember that the audience has no idea if you screwed up unless you let them know it.
Redtail Illuminator Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 4,438	__________________ MOVE!!!! SCIENCE IS COMING!!!!! I like yelling that as if science is a rampaging monster because it makes the Christians scatter... I'm kidding! I'm a christian! Shakes head while mouthing "No I'm not." ~Dr. KaBoom!

17th November 2008, 12:28 AM	#9
The Professor Banned Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 721	Great advice. Do effects that you know inside out first. Try something risky second to last. End with your best effect!
The Professor Banned Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 721