The Too Perfect Theory

[yankeeprez]

Hi guys,
For those who don't know the "Too Perfect Theory" is quite a big issue in today's creative magical world. This concept basically means that a trick is SO perfect (for lack of better words perhaps I should use "impossible"), that the only way a spectator could think of a possible way to acheive the effect is to think of the actual way itself! In my opinion, I think a perfect example of this, is a simple ACR routine using double lifts. OR, the Hummer Card. Both tricks/routines are so "stunning," that honestly, when you first saw the hummercard, didn't you think of the actual secret?

Here is a more concise explanation of the Too Perfect Theory.

The Too Perfect Theory has been interpreted to mean that a magic trick may be too perfect, in that not only does it not fool the audience, but the effect itself may lead the audience to discover how the trick is performed. (Source http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/summary ... 356038_ITM)

My question to you, is what do you think? Do you think that something like producing cards from backpalm is to obvious for a laymen? Eventually, this thread is to really encourage the importance of showmanship.

Producing a card is quite easy with practice, however without showmanship or a routine it can become quite simple. BUt, when you put some more effort, a change of scenery, and some other artforms (i.e. card throwing) you can get an outstanding routine like this:
Jeff McBride:



Buster Anderson:



Chrisgali:




You'll notice tha tthe last two actually are on magichat, so you don't have to be World Famous to have showmanship!

I"m awaiting your opinions!

[devinci]

Very interesting topic yankeeprez. I have allways thought about this, and yes i do believe in the "too perfect theory". You mentioned the backpalm routine. Allthough this does astound everyone who views it, almost all can figure it out.

Creativity and showmanship is something EVERYONE should practise 10 times more than their tricks in general. A trick is not a trick unless it has a solid patterline and showmanship with it. I can do a simple ACR routine to dozens of people and have them STUNNED, and this is all from my presentation. I can then do a ACR routine to my little cousin with absolutly no patter or presentation and she can figure everything out. This just go's to show you that presentation is everything.


Anyone else have any interesting storys of how presentation has changed everything for them...I see big things for this topic.

[yankeeprez]

Slightly off topic, but do you notice that even when you do try to tell a story, a young kid can very easily figure out a trick? Usually ones that they don't get the amazingness of, like a penetration?

[devinci]

Slightly off topic, but do you notice that even when you do try to tell a story, a young kid can very easily figure out a trick? Usually ones that they don't get the amazingness of, like a penetration?

YESS! All the time. I can do something that will stun adults or teenagers, and a kid can figure it out. hmmmm example: Anything with a simple double lift, a young kid will tend to shout out "two cards!", as apposed to an adult who will over-anaylize the entire trick and completely look past the two cards.

Children just dont have the strong minds to look to deep into a trick which IMO makes it easier for them to spot out what actually happens.

[MDew]

The thing with cards is that for kids, they just think of it as just what they are - bits of cardboard. It is not as exciting as, say, colourful silks or spongeballs or even a rabbit.

This is because the vast majority don't have any experience with playing cards, they won't be able to appreciate what you are doing. For older people, it is BECAUSE they already have a fundamental idea of what playing cards are (mainly through playing card games, and to a certain extent, gambling and poker...), they will appreciate the cards on a more symbolic and visual level that goes beyond the fact that they are merely bits of cardboard.

And yes, I am going a bit off-topic.

[Captain]

Interesting premise. I've never heard of it before, and would have to have more time to take in the links provided.

[t0aster]

Yes. That's why I always try to create patter to give it a mentalism spin. The edge of possibility is much more intriguing than flat out impossible.

[addj]

interesting.
i guess magic can be 'too perfect', but 'too perfect' is a slightly misleading phrase i think. i think it should be 'too visible'.
the purpose of modern magic is to entertain. the purpose of showmanship is to act as a sortof multiplier to the effect of magic.
[refering to coin and cigarette in posted link] the effect is pretty cool, but it the showmanship is too simple.

[willthong]

If you give them a false explanation, then they might believe you...

[busterandersson]

i would say that this theory applies more to mentalism, however one effect springs to mind to perfectly demonstraight this...
the CA levitation between buildings -it's just SOOO unbelievable that certainly magicians just watch it and laugh!

it is easy to get carried away with mentalism effects and go oever the top with a prediction, say.
it may be perfectly possible to force a card and then reveal it in 10foot letters of fire or burned into the liver of a dog :shock: but that would be (to use yankeeprez's words) too perfect (and yes it shud be too :lol: )

by the way - i am extreemly flattered that u feel my clip is worthy of an example! thank you.

[erlandish]

That's an interesting twist on the Too Perfect theory, that the degree of the effect might tip someone off. If you select a card and I show you I wrote it on a business card just a second earlier, it's essentially the same method as you select a card and I show it spray-painted on the wall, but the very nature of the spray-painting will suggest things that just naming it doesn't... interesting...

I disagree that this affects mentalism more, though. One thing that competent mentalists are good at doing is routining in such a way that explanations are shown to be impossible before the effect happens. Magicians, on the other hand, LOVE showing off a method. Take a look at the number of people who use a pass for a colour-change. Well done, it's one of the most subtle controls there is, but instead of using it to set up an impossible effect, we rub it in the spectators' faces.

[yankeeprez]

Erlandish you are from TMW no?

[erlandish]

I used to be a moderator there. I probably spend most of my time at MVD now.

[Hawk]

A perfect theory, is just like an - A Septic technique - as soon as you begin, its not what it was, so indeed there arguably
is no such thing ! :)

[paradox]

Agree or disagree with me, but I think this is the modern reprocussion of the magician focusing on the effect and not the presentation. Present hummercard as a telekenisis demonstration for example. As magicians we must keep pace with the state of our art. Personally I spend only 75% of practice time actually practicing the effect, the other 25% I spend creating routines or working the effect into my existing routines.