Ask Eugene Burger

[EddWithers]

I am extremely pleased to be able to welcome Eugene Burger to The Magic Woods.

Eugene will be with us the first weekend in February. He will go on line with you on Friday (2 February) at 7 pm GMT time (which is 1:00 pm Chicago time) and will end it on Saturday (3 February) at midnight GMT time (which is 6:00 pm Chicago time).

During this time, Eugene will visit the thread many times, and answer as many of the questions as possible, but I am sure the more interesting and unique questions will get most attention!

You can start posting your questions now, but please make sure you read those already posted. If a question is asked twice, it will be removed.

You can also wait to post your question during the time he is online.

Enjoy!

[erlandish]

Eugene,

First of all, thanks so much for agreeing to do a Q&A with us.

If you had to delineate a recommended reading list for people who are interested in magic theory, what would it be? If that's too broad a question, would you list what you consider to be the five most important texts (including books, magazines, DVDs, or essays from an otherwise "regular" book of magic, etc.) on the subject?

Oh, and are/will you be involved with Phil's rumoured Equivoque project?

[FRK]

OMG edd a god

[pav13]

Wow Edd, you got a legend...

I can't wait!!!

[headinthemicrowave]

I'd liked to thank you trememdously for taking time to do a Q&A session with us. I was going to ask Erlandish's question, but he already asked it.
Mr. Burger, what sort of process do you go through when creating a presentation for effects, including timing and misdirection?

I just realised that I'm about a month early on the questions, oh well.

matt

[Steve Dela]

Mr Burger thanks for dropping in to do this! how cool.

When you are creating a story surrounding an effect do you write it down? do you go back to it and adjust it or go with your first instincts?

Are there any effects you do where you have more than one presentation ready to spin to your clients? If so how do you judge which to use?

Thanks a lot and Happy New Year

Steve Dela

[Hawk-Eye]

Wow! Thanks a lot for taking the time to do this Q&A Mr Burger.

This is something I've been wondering for a while...

How long did it take to grow your beard?

OK, now that's out of the way...I do have a question I'd like to ask. Growing up, who were your biggest influences in the magic world? Who did you idolise?

Nick

[KeenanG]

Thank you for joining us!

Now, here are a few questions:

Would you reccomend magicians to write down their patter, or mentaly memorize it without writing it down?

Why magic? Why not any other hobby?

When you perform, are you looking to come off as what you are doing is "real", Or just trickery?

Thanks!

Keenan

[jason]

What would have to happen for you and Jeff to do a "Master Class" while you are in Melbourne??????? please please. Let’s face it, it is likely to be the only chance that Melbourne and Australia may get to have the two of you here at the same time to run one.

Q 1. In rereading "Mastering the Art of Magic", your offering on Audience Involvement stimulated a different veiw on Performance. I have come to believe that if I can have my Audiences CARE about the 'story', the overall presentation, then I gain many benefits: i.e. reduced chance of presenting a 'challenge' effect.
You, Darwin Ortiz and Henning Nelms all seem to support the concept of build "Audience Investment" in the presentation. As I interpret what you say, you want the audience to care about the story, to be 'invested' in the outcome. I love the concept and would like to ask if you could give us a couple of examples of where and how you have looked for and found ways to build 'Audience investment' in an effect you want to perform?

Is your "A Short History of Religion, as told with a deck of cards", an example of this intent? If so, how? It is I think the most enjoyable presentation of Card Warp I have ever come across. Your use of the eyebrows and laughter, to emphasis a couple of 'sharp points' is so much fun and I am sure the audience must take a lot of cues from your facial expressions. Correct me if I’m wrong but there is no significant ‘built in’ misdirection in this piece, is there?

While the "History of Religion" is invested with fun, I do not think that you intend it to be invested with 'Importance' (P28, 1982 Book 'Secretes & Mysteries'). Your performance of the Hindu Thread (“Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva”) however, has 'importance' threaded throughout the presentation (sorry about the pun). The script, the mechanics and the presentation match so well. Can you recount your thought process and the 'evolution' of the presentation? I can't decide if you are simply 'telling the Story', education the listeners, both or changing the mood. In any event, it is a marvellous piece of theatre. I look forward to catching up with you in Melbourne.

p.s. your facial expressions are very noticable, am I correct in assuming that you have practiced and developed this aspect of your Performance?

[erlandish]

Holy... He's going to need a "What's your favorite pizza?" question after that one.

[erlandish]

Can I throw a couple more questions into the mix?

Eugene, what do you feel is the most underexplored area of magic right now? It could be either a genre of magic or an approach to magic (patter styles, routining, etc.)

Conversely, what do you feel is the most overdone area of magic? Do you see any pitfalls in having this part of magic being stretched too thin?

[MitchellStafiej]

Eugene, thank you SO much for taking part in this Q&A.

On average, how long does it take you to script a routine?

What would you recommend to a performer who hasn't delved into the "presentation" area of magic so that he can better his performance and presentation?

What do you think of the growing "trend" of magic and the commercialization of the art of magic?

Mitchell

[Seachmall]

Welcome to the Woods and thank you for taking time to answer our questions.

1. How do you write your presentation. Are you inspired by something you see or ...?

2. Who do you admire in the magic community today?

3. Have you ever considered dressing up like a wizard for a performence? It would be AMAZING.

Thanks,
S.

[EddWithers]

Hey Guys,

Just a heads up from Jason, Eugene's website is - http://www.MagicBeard.com and is a great read.

//E

[KeenanG]

When you are writing your scripts, do you listen to music? Is it completely silent? Dark? Very bright? Tv on? Specifics?

What is the main age of your audiences?

Thanks!

Keenan