SAM Assembly #206 January 2024 Meeting

Our first meeting of the new year had a record attendance of 19 people. It began with our new President, John Carter, performing his new spin on an old trick. He brought out a box of Legos, wrapped them in a bandana, and they assembled into a complete Lego flower. This then sparked a lively discussion about the reinvention of magical effects.

We discussed how magic can be used at trade shows and how many good magic tricks are created by thinking about what type of mechanic will best get a desired point across. Stories were exchanged about reimaginings of classic tricks that members had seen or invented. Brad Henderson talked about how changing the props of a trick can change how people feel. When magicians blindly copy other magicians, their magic can never inspire the same feelings in their audience because the second magician can never exactly replicate the first. 

Past President Adam Dunraven talked about how magic is a piece of theater with magic in it. Magic brings people to another world, and our performances and props determine what kind of world that is.

We discussed how practicing creating effects is important for making a good trick. Writing down ideas, regardless of how bad they may be, is also helpful. The creative process is ongoing and iterative.

We moved on to an exercise in magic creation. Members formed small groups and received parts of beginner magic tricks with the goal of inventing new ways to use, present, and combine props.

Sergeant-at-Arms Bertil Fredstrom and Vice President Joe Weaver teleported a chosen card into a closed vase. Miles Ford and Secretary Jackson Edwards split a large plastic ball into many small balls. Brad Henderson made a chain disappear from the inside of a box.

We hope that Austin magicians will join us next month for an exciting lecture on character development from Ray Anderson!