I don’t know when it happened and how. But it happened. At one time, many of the lecturers on the circuit started to perform card tricks (on the table top). I have nothing against it (I like card tricks), but I had a problem: actually seeing what was happening on the lecturer’s card table.
Over the years, the quality of my eyesight diminished and the attendance at convention lectures grew. It’s a natural thing. But then, it was not only that. I noted that in most lecture venues it seemed the organisers didn’t care too much about the visibility of the lecture. Audiences sitting on a flat floor, sometimes a room full of 70 people. How can I expect to see what is happening on a (non-tilted) performing table?
For me it seems it would be an idea to adapt a few things concerning »small item lectures«:
1. Limit the audience to maximum 20 people and grant everyone a good seat.
2. Tilt the performance table, so everyone can see the full table top.
3. Divide lectures into intimate lectures (close-up, cards, coins, etc.) and stage lectures (or stand-up, party magic). Do stage lectures on a stage or platform, intimate lectures in a smaller room.
4. Book suitable performers/lecturers for the job.
Being a lecturer by myself, I know all the problems and benefits of doing card material in a lecture: easy to do and travel with, lots of possibilities, packs-small-sells-well tricks/gimmicks, easy to construct. Also, the possibility to showcase one’s abilities with the pasteboards and make a great impression. So far, in the past years I tried to avoid card tricks in my lectures as much as possible, doing the occasional one, but made sure it was a stand-up trick everybody could easily follow.
Then they had the bright idea of using video screens (after all, it’s new, it’s technology, it’s hip and shows off well). As you can see in the picture, the visibility is not granted through that alone. The miserable result is depicted in the pic. Also, all the performer’s presentation and misdirection get completely lost, people staring only at hands, close-up pads, cards and coins in full-screen and in jumbo size. It kills all the flair of the performance. Stupid.
Personally, I don’t care to sit level with the floor amongst 700 people, 30 or 40 meters away, and stare at a dim video screen (probably with bad camera handling!), »enjoying« a lecture. A waste of time and embarrassing.
Convention organisers – start to change something, not only in thinking and talking, but in taking action. Please do it for the art of magic and the benefit of the attendees who really want to learn and take something out of a lecture.
And do it for the sake of the few real close-up and card professional lecturers, who would benefit without a doubt from better viewing conditions. It shows some (overdue) respect for their work and craft.
I am fed up with unlovingly presented and hard to see „card lectures“ …
