Should You Have An Assistant?
Some magicians prefer to work alone, they never want anyone
mingling or catching the viewers' attention while performing
their magic tricks. If noticed, these are the magicians who only
perform using cards, balls, flowers, birds, boxes, bottles, and
other kinds of paraphernalia used in magic tricks. Though
amusing, for very rare and really mind boggling tricks, a pair
or a group of people performing the magic in front is more
highlighted, making the whole performance longer since the
magician could perform numerous kinds of tricks and illusions
without having to move around and just concentrating on his
master piece.
Oftentimes, magicians are seen doing their tricks in magic with
one or two or even more assistants to help him with the trick.
This is done especially when the magic show requires a person as
a part of the trick or simply to hold some of the magician's
props for him. Their interaction with the assistants greatly
influences the people watching the show. They help in making the
audience feel comfortable watching and even joining the show as
volunteers in performing some of the tricks. They also attract
the audience to applaud by striking a pose. Once the assistants
move, the audience may be prompted to clap their hands.
The assistant may also serve as the extra vision of the
magician. Since she has access to the back stage, she can be the
first onlooker of the performers' costumes and other props as
well. She can immediately tell which costume belongs to who.
Some magicians may just require their assistants to simply take
care of his equipment back stage. Packing up props is also
another responsibility of an assistant, since an assistant is
usually the only person entrusted by the magician to touch his
priced equipment or tools. However, there are times when the
magician would like to pack their own props, the assistant can
help by making sure that the magician has indeed packed
everything and nothing got left behind.
The magician's assistant can also make it a point that all
tricks have been made. There are times when magicians lose track
of the succeeding tricks due to the concentration and it is the
assistant's duty to make sure the next prop is presented to the
magician to remind him of the next trick to be delivered.
Aside from having another set of hands for the show and keeping
the props in their proper place, assistants could also help in
entertaining volunteers for special tasks as part of the show.
They will be the volunteers' guide when there is already a need
to stand, move or take a bow. Assistants can also play a big
role in taking care of any volunteer or who is beginning to act
like a nuisance. This can be accomplished by informing the
security department of the show or by simply using his own
strategies or following the instructions of the magician to tame
the partypooper.
Also, assistants play an important role in drawing the
audience's attention since the audience will look where the
assistant is looking while a trick is being performed. However,
since a slight movement could catch attention, there should be
an agreement between the magician and the assistant when to be
still and when to start moving again. The assistant's reaction
is also vital for it causes the illusion of a trick happening
for the first time, thus, giving more thrill to the audience. So
once the magician halts for a few moments of applause, the
assistant should halt as well.
Keep in mind that the magician's assistant is not only assistant
to him but to the rest of the performers who are also willing to
help whenever she is free of her tasks. This builds camaraderie
between the magicians and other fellow performers as well as on
and off stage. It is very appropriate to offer the same
relationship and respect with other workers in the magic show.
The whole success of all the tricks performed will never be
complete and effective without the assistant's effort and
hardwork, too.
As a form of motivation, good magicians should acknowledge and
commend the assistant's great job after a certain magic show. A
simple pat on the back or a salary increase can help a lot.