How to differentiate between good iPad magic/ digital magic and the bad one?
It is rather intuitive to know if a singing or dancing performance is a good or bad one because we are aware of the different artistic techniques and we have tried them. It is, however, very different for the art of magic, due to the secret nature of it. The audience do not know what magic techniques are used. Yes, we may not know how “magic” is done most of the time. But, the performance can still be a bad one, from a professional point of view.
When it comes to iPad magic or digital magic, it is relatively easier to differentiate between the good and the bad ones because of the limited scope of iPad magic or digital magic. I define good iPad magic or digital magic as one that makes the audience feel truly amazed. To help yourself differentiate, just ask 3 simple questions.
1. Do you feel that the iPad magic or digital magic is achieved with the help of technology?
This questions probably sounds funny to you because you may think that the core of iPad magic or digital magic is digital technology and it has to be done with the help of technology. It is true that when an iPad magician or digital magician uses an iPad or digital gadgets, he or she is performing magic with the help of technology. But, from a professional point of view, iPad magic or digital magic and technology need to be separated and they can be separated. It depends on how much efforts the iPad magician or digital magician wants to put in to separate them. The desired afterthought that an audience member should get after the iPad magic or digital magic performance is that the magic is impossible even with the help of technology. So, if you feel that a particular iPad magician or digital magician’s magic performance makes you suspect technology is in play, the performance is probably not up to the mark.
2. Do you know how the iPad magic or digital magic effects are done after the performance?
The word “effect” is the technical term for the word “trick”. If you know how the effects are done, I am really sorry to say that you have probably just witnessed an iPad magic or digital magic performance of very low standard by a very poor iPad magician or digital magician. There has been a tendency by some iPad magicians or digital magicians in Singapore or Asia in general to name their shows iPad “magic” shows. In reality, they are merely special effect shows because it is blatantly obvious to the audience how the effects are achieved. If the audience knows how it is done, how is it even magic?
3. Does the iPad magic or digital magic performance incorporate the unique characteristics of iPad or digital gadgets in general?
Some major unique characteristics of iPad or digital gadgets are the screen and camera. The core of iPad magic or digital magic- the new category of magic- is the interaction with the screen. If you feel that the iPad or digital gadgets in the iPad magic or digital magic performance can be replaced by a signboard or any other flat objects, it probably does not deserve to be called iPad magic or digital magic. To be truly iPad magic or digital magic, incorporation of the unique characteristics of iPad or digital gadgets is compulsory. If the incorporation is absent, the iPad magic or digital magic is probably a bad one.
Ladies and gentlemen, I really hope after reading this guide, you will watch iPad magic or digital magic with a discerning eye. These guiding questions are by no means a consensus of the magic community but my personal opinion which has guided me when I create my own iPad magic or digital magic. I always strive to present iPad magic or digital magic that is both digital and magical, and constantly push back the frontiers of digital magic.
Modern, Digital & Magical.
TK