Making Tricks Into Magic: An Online Workshop with Nate Staniforth

A collection of tools and tactics to help make your magic stronger, from the creator of 'The Lottery Ticket' and author of 'Here is Real Magic' and 'Clouds and Kingdoms.'

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In October of 2019 I gave a one-off workshop in the UK about maximizing the power and impact of a magic routine.

I wanted to talk about why it's so easy to deceive an audience but so hard to enchant them.   Magicians use words like 'wonder' and 'awe' all the time, but how do you actually put it in the work? 

'Making Tricks Into Magic' is an enhanced and updated exploration of the same questions. You'll learn two of my favorite creations—a close-up workhorse and the closer to my stage show. But mostly it's a collection of tactics and techniques to amplify the power of any piece of magic—to make it stronger and more effective, and, I hope, a little more magical.


"...a literal game changer."

- Daniel Chard

"...one of the most profound experiences of my magical life."

Joseph Walker

"The workshop given by Nate that I attended was one of the most profound experiences of my magical life. It made me think; it challenged me deeply. In this world of ours, Nate is a visionary and a luminary - he cares about creating magical experiences so greatly, that he approaches the line between genius and insanity. He has attempted to distil the art of human connection in to a science. When selling a magic product, people will often claim "This will immediately change the way you perform" or some other grandiose proclamation. I will not claim something like that about Nate's work. What I will say is this: what you are being offered here is a framework for magic - something that, if you work with it, will improve your magic maybe 10%, maybe 20%, maybe 50%, maybe only 1%. After all, even when done badly, to the uninitiated magic is still amazing. To a serious practitioner of magic, to make that improvement is absolutely worth it. I will never forget the workshop, and I sincerely recommend you get this course."

"...should be compulsory for every performing magician ."

Jez Rose

“Real magic lies not in methods. It is in the cerebral and visceral experience of our audiences. To seek wonder anywhere other than within ourselves and the experiences and connections we offer others, is futile. From Fitzkee, Mead and Ortiz, to Wonder, Weber and Tamariz, with a few others in between, there have been only a few books written on the most important subject of our art. Nate Staniforth has lit a beacon to shine the way forwards with 'Making Tricks into Magic’ and the future looks truly magical. I can’t recommend his genial, transfixing style and his fiercely passionate intellect on the subject nearly enough. This should be compulsory for every performing magician."

"...a literal game changer."

Daniel Chard

“Nate’s workshop was a literal game changer. Using his structure/theories I’ve noticed a sizable shift in the reactions I get from the magic I perform. I’d recommend anyone take this workshop”.

"...creating true moments of magic..."

Marvin Berglas

“Nate is someone I’ve kept an eye on since being really impressed with a performance I first saw on line. I know he is a big fan of my father David Berglas - and I know they hit it off when they met. I can see why - as Nate’s passion, thinking and attention to detail is also evident. I really enjoyed spending time with Nate during his trip to the UK and it reminded me how much of a difference there is from someone merely showing tricks compared to Nate’s way of affecting his audiences by creating true moments of magic and miracles that will be forever cherished and recounted amongst their favourite memories."

Lesson Guide

- Preview

- Welcome and Housekeeping

- An Introduction to the Problem


Section 1 : Technical Considerations

- Effect Design Part 1: Cone of Attention

- Example: Rubber Band Through Arm Tutorial

- Effect Design Part 2: Cancelation

- Effect Design Part 3: Layering

- Effect Design Questions

- Technique


Section 2 : Performance

- 7 Things I Believe About Performing

- Tension and Release

- Example: Name Tutorial

- Atmosphere

- Silence

- Character


Section 3: The Inner Game of Performing Magic

- The Most Important Thing

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FAQ

  • Is this course right for me?

    This is a course for professional magicians/mentalists or experienced amateurs who perform for the public regularly. If you're just beginning in magic, or even if you've loved magic all your life but don't perform for the public, there are probably better resources out there for you. I've spent almost all of my life performing my magic for audiences—some big, some small, but all gathered together for the purpose—and this has necessarily shaped the way I approach my work. If you perform most often for friends and family in a social environment, I'd wholeheartedly recommend you skip this course and read Andy's thinking at the Jerx instead. BUT—if you're a worker, and especially if you're a worker who's eager to rekindle your creative spark and dig into some new ways of approaching magic, yes. I think you're going to love it.

  • Does this course apply equally to stage and close-up magic?

    Yes, more or less. 'Equally' is a tough promise, as my background is mostly as a stage performer, but I've worked hard to balance this course material as closely as possible. I use my close-up piece "Rubber Band Through Spectator's Arm" as the main example for many of the lessons in the first half of the course, for instance, and many of the subjects (atmosphere, silence, tension, etc) apply to magicians in any venue.

  • Is this a one-time, limited-edition release like 'The Lottery Ticket' and 'Clouds and Kingdoms"?

    No, I see this as an open and ongoing project, but this is an experiment for me and I'm not sure if it will continue for years or if this is the only time I'll do it.