The Intuitive Magician

Table of Contents:

Preface
Acknowledgements
Introduction

Part 1 Diagnosis

Chapter 1 Performance Paralysis
Chapter 2 Limitations of Intellect
Chapter 3 The Importance of Rapport
Chapter 4 Memory Versus Learning
Chapter 5 Avoiding False Solutions

Part 2 Basic Concepts

Chapter 6 The Limitation Paradox
Chapter 7 A, B and C Lists
Chapter 8 Refining the A List
Chapter 9 The ‘Final’ A List
Chapter 10 Pattern-Matching

Part 3 Are We Good Enough?

Chapter 11 Status Anxiety
Chapter 12 Quantity Versus Quality
Chapter 13 A Too-Perfect Theory
Chapter 14 Apocryphal Miracles

Part 4 The Natural Magician

Chapter 15 The True-Magician Formula
Chapter 16 The Performing Self
Chapter 17 Styles of Magic
Chapter 18 Naturalness in Action

Part 5 How to Practise

Chapter 19 Practice and Fearlessness
Chapter 20 Three Stages of Practice
Chapter 21 Practising Mistakes
Chapter 22 The Practice Habit
Chapter 23 Stages of Mastery
Chapter 24 The Holy Grail

Part 6 The Fear Factor

Chapter 25 Nervousness and Fear
Chapter 26 Social Phobias
Chapter 27 The Adrenaline Factor
Chapter 28 Social Image
Chapter 29 Short-Cut Syndrome

Part 7 Developing Confidence

Chapter 30 Misdirection Basics
Chapter 31 On-Stage and Off-Stage
Chapter 32 The Moment of Magic
Chapter 33 The Bubble of Attention
Chapter 34 In-Transit Action
Chapter 35 Designer Confidence
Chapter 36 The Art of False Emphasis
Chapter 37 Why Strategies Are Useful

Part 8 Studying Magic

Chapter 38 Think-Time
Chapter 39 Think-Learning
Chapter 40 Learning Processes
Chapter 41 Further Advantages of Reading
Chapter 42 3D Learning
Chapter 43 The Struggle to Learn

Part 9 Categories of Magic

Chapter 44 Basic Categories
Chapter 45 Saturday Night / Sunday Afternoon
Chapter 46 Mixed Categories
Chapter 47 Magic Castle Magic
Chapter 48 Magic for Magicians
Chapter 49 Dealer Tricks

Part 10 Magic Props

Chapter 50 Suspension of Disbelief
Chapter 51 From a Layperson’s Perspective
Chapter 52 Real Normal Versus Fake Normal
Chapter 53 The Nature of Props

Part 11 Impromptu Magic

Chapter 54 The Key to the System
Chapter 55 Pick-Up Magic
Chapter 56 Incidental Magic
Chapter 57 Tricking Passers-by

Part 12 Elements of Magic

Chapter 58 Multiple Layers of Effect
Chapter 59 The Essence of an Effect
Chapter 60 Method-to-Effect Ratio
Chapter 61 Pick-a-Card Tricks
Chapter 62 Enhancing and Cancelling
Chapter 63 The Greater Whole
Chapter 64 Pick-a-Card Themes
Chapter 65 Reasons for Performing

Part 13 The Layperson’s Archetype

Chapter 66 The Fifth Archetype

Part 14 Organic Solutions

Chapter 67 Magic from Thin Air
Chapter 68 Magic by Association
Chapter 69 Session-Thinking
Chapter 70 Unblocking the Mind
Chapter 71 Inspired by the Moment
Chapter 72 The Jam Session

Part 15 Space and Time

Chapter 73 Redefining the Stage
Chapter 74 Living Choreography
Chapter 75 Assimilating Choreography
Chapter 76 Concepts of Routining

Part 16 Learning to Improvise

Chapter 77 The Relay Race
Chapter 78 Learning About Improvisation
Chapter 79 Three Sleights Versus Six Tricks
Chapter 80 Post-Prandial Entertainment

Part 17 Practising Improvisation

Chapter 81 Improv – the Good, the Bad and the Misleading
Chapter 82 Horizontal Versus Vertical Knowledge
Chapter 83 Improv Games
Chapter 84 Intuition and Creativity
Chapter 85 Learning Through Improvisation
Chapter 86 Live Practice-Time
Chapter 87 Limitless Performing

Part 18 Forms of Thought

Chapter 88 Forms of Thinking
Chapter 89 Intellect Versus Creativity
Chapter 90 Fight Not Flight
Chapter 91 Lateral Thinking

Part 19 Notes on Improvisation

Chapter 92 Forms of Improvisation
Chapter 93 Overt Versus Covert
Chapter 94 Avoiding Over-Analysis
Chapter 95 The Time Factor
Chapter 96 Improvisational Art

Part 20 The Mind of an Improviser

Chapter 97 Training the Subconscious Radar
Chapter 98 Rapport with Our Art
Chapter 99 Not-So-Great Expectations
Chapter 100 Thinking Like a Magician

Appendix 1 Themed Interaction

Why Movies Have Sound

Appendix 2 Untangling the Brain

Problems in Definitions

References
Index

552 Pages | Paperback