The Term Key
Copyright
One of the most confused areas today is terminology. I can see it when I read what is said on web sites. Things like “I don't use any tricks” and then use gaffed equipment. This is just a matter of presentation. Let’s take the term legitimate.
If you get out of an un gaffed jacket that can be called legitimate. If you use handcuffs that are not gaffed and you don't use a key that can be called legitimate. If you get out from a trunk through a trap door it is not legitimate. But it is a legitimate form of the art. So no matter which form is practiced each can say I practice a legitimate form of this art.
Now if you do one legitimate act and all the rest are gaffed you can say, “I can perform legitimately.” It is far different than saying, “I don't use any tricks.” That statement is too easy to challenge and it boxes you into a corner. Words are very important. “Magic is the Legitimate Art of Deception.”
We are in the age where everything is broken down and studied. “I can perform magic, can be finished with and “I also practice the art of deception just for clarification when needed." How do you clarify “I don't use any tricks?” Every act you do has to be legitimate to back up that statement. Words should be used just like keys or picks as they are tools.
Old timers never had to say they didn't use any tricks because it was all implied without saying it. Often the speech would be, “I am asking for volunteers from the audience to inspect and assure everything is legitimate.” This gives the impression the audience has the last say and if they don't find the deception then it is implied that the demonstration is legitimate or real.
It is not the actual magic that causes an argument it is how it is presented. By understanding this you block much of that out. We are only doing what Houdini and those before us did. The terms legitimate and deception should become one thing, a well molded tool with a double edge meaning. For instance what we tell an audience may not be the same thing we tell other members of the craft. A performer gets some leeway in an act. If you say your cuffs were once owned by General Patton in a show and they are not it’s an act. But if you told that story at a cuff collector’s convention or to other artist they will immediately ask for documentation and laugh at you when it is not forth coming. Think careful about how you word things and save yourself trouble later.
I believe a real balance point is the title “Magician.” That is either or. You are either a magician or an artist depending what you need to be for that routine and you can also be one or both at the same time.
This covers all bases. You can say, “I am not a magician I am an artist.” This is the art of deception. The best magic works when the audience doesn't even know you're a magician. Houdini himself said the same thing, “I am not a magician I am an artist.” Certainly he was a magician using deception.
If you do not know why I advise this type of thinking you may when you meet people who like to push and argue. If you are all thought out beforehand on this you will know how to use this when that situation arrives. Either or is similar to the methods of a mentalist ending up with the effect they want. Once I told a press person that I was ninety percent legitimate and ten percent theatrical enhancement. He just would not let the idea of trickery go so I gave him something to pacify him. I could have insisted that I perform a legitimate show completely under the terminology that I have stated but I knew this was the best way to control the situation because he was going to just keep pushing. As a rule the press has been very good to me. Some magicians will argue that you're doing tricks and not real art. Many told me I was not doing real artistry because I didn't work behind a curtain. Everything should be done the way Houdini did it. I wouldn't be very creative if all I did is what Houdini did.
Some don't see any difference between the public and the craft and there is. We are suppose to fool the public. We are suppose to keep our secrets. Some lie to the public and then bring that same lie to the craft and expect us to believe it. It could be anything such as claiming you can get out of cuffs that you really can't. Telling the public that is one thing but insisting it is true to the craft is foolish. Just say nothing. Many troublesome people who seek to challenge can be beat in the war of words when they realize that you know how the game is played.
Let’s do away with the absurd. “Worlds Greatest” is a publicity title and that’s all. There is no way to actually measure the worlds greatest. Different people have different styles and skills. Also anyone can be trapped even in our own equipment if something goes wrong. So when dealing with those who like to give people a hard time with, “I bet you can't get out of this” the OR is, I bet you can't get me into it. The whole secret can be summed up into one sentence. Don't get into anything you can't get out of.
You are not bound by any claims of Houdini or any other artist. You are only bound by what you say and nothing more. Your world of magic is not about what anyone else in he craft thinks. It is only about what you think!
There is an old time artist called Slippery Leo Erby. When you are slippery no one can quite get a hold on you. Be an artist, be a magician, a mentalist, an actor and most of all slippery.
Be what ever you need to be to get the job done!
-N. Bigelow
