Conjuring 2023 evaluation

2023 – Conjuring A, Conjuring B & Conjuring C

Six day workshops at Sigtuna Folkhögskola
This is the results from the Conjuring workshops 2023.

Average value: 81.73 of 90.

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Learning Objectives • Bonus • Course Design • Challenges • Safe space • Workload • Contributions • Venue • Satisfaction • Extra events • Teachers • Expectations • Value • Changes • Future • Final comments

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Learning Objectives

In the stated learning objectives, certain promises were made. It was stated that on completion of the workshop, the student should have improved specific skills and abilities, as well as having gained new knowledge:

Comments

I have definitely advanced my skills like controlling where attention goes, using my body as a form of misdirection, and have a better sense when analyzing when certain moves should be made and why. I increased my knowledge and awareness of the encompassing elements to a magic routine that elevate the magic as a whole. Many magicians don’t find these steps as crucial for their work, but concentrating on the acting, the moments, and the timing of events throughout a routine is so important. I learned that you have to analyze your work and the components that make it up (among many other things:).

Ja. Jag hade begränsad erfarenhet av trolleri innan kursen (en kvällskurs a 15 timmar 2021, en del info-häng på Zoom med trollkarlar (SMC, Caroline Ravns bokklubb ett tag, YouTube), samt anspända självstudier två veckor före kursen). Jag var osäker på hur mitt deltagande skulle avlöpa, om jag skulle klara det.

Conjuring A-kursens olika steg och trygga lärande/instruktioner gav mig verktyg att stanna kvar hela veckan samt framträda med en ny magisk akt på ca 3 min på slutet med en sorts lugn och glädje. Alla delar var viktiga och Håkan Bergs lektion om att “be real” kom mycket lägligt och skalade bort mycket annat som skulle ha kunnat snurra i huvudet. Det var också intressant att se hur många av de andras lärande manifesterade sig inklusive inre självutveckling.

Jag är en kreativ person och denna kurs utmanande oss att arbeta kreativt på ett mycket holistiskt sett (intellekt, trolleri med kropp, röst, objekt, rum, publik). Det var ett mycket spännande ‘rum/tillstånd’ att vara i som jag vill fortsätta vara mer i.

I feel like some of these things were something that I did in my work already but not being aware of those things.
After the course I think I am so much better at specific skills like knowing where to look and when. Also I see the importance such skills now in a new light.

The learning objectives were stated clearly at the course description which made it relatively simple for me to comprehend what I would be taught and what I would be expected to learn throughout the course. I feel like the content of the lectures followed these objectives rather strictly, which I think is a good thing as there was no confusion about why any given topic is related to learning objectives – I felt that everything had a reason which kept me motivated even though the tasks were often really challenging.

The content is mostly very relevant to the stated learning objectives.

However, I believe we did not get enough time to actually internalise that which was taught. We moved on to the next thing almost immediately, despite the fact that learning new skills is an iterative process of trial > feedback > reflection > new attempt > new feedback etc. Using theme and storytelling in the misdirection classes was hindering the learning process. One thing at a time is imperative when it comes to learning. Add the other layers later, I think.

Some of the classes in clowning — while very relevant to performers wanting to establishing connection with the audience and focusing their attention — lacked stringency, context and clarity of purpose.

The propbuilding class was absolutely wonderful. Its main contribution was to teach us confidence in our own ability more than anything else. For deeper propbuilding know-how a specialized and longer course would be necessary. Still, this was a very valuable part of the course.

Dramatic techniques were discussed but not really taught in an in depth manner. I’m not sure that’s a negative though. It is an observation.

The objectives completed far exceeded those listed. The presentation of the course was well planned and executed. Break times and work times were well balanced, in that the work was intense and before they became overwhelming, a break was taken and of sufficient time to allow assimilation of the previous material.
The instructional techniques used are rarely found in public education because they are time consuming and specific to the individual learner. They are the most effective learning tool a participant can use to assure both comprehension and mastery of the course objectives.

I liked the structure of the course. I liked that we worked with different people and were able to bring different ideas to the table.

My place was only booked 9 days before the event started, so didn’t have a lot of time to think about what I had done. I have returned home more confident in my abilities and skills, have new magical items which I made! And have worked alongside some of the best magicians in the world. If I could make this mark a 12 I would.

I have definitely learned a lot of new things and have sharpened some of the already known ones

I feel that I gained a lot of concrete skills to apply to existing magic routines I do, and I’m finding this new knowledge very beneficial for approaching the creation of new magic routines. Previously making routines by oneself has felt very difficult and obscure, but after this course I feel that I have skills to systematically approach this goal.

Having strict time limits to create new magic routines has given confidence in the ability to approach topics and tricks that at first sight seem difficult. This charges the brainstorming process. I also feel that working together with colleagues in this way really creates routines that none of the participants would be able to do on their own.

Making the props was a lot of fun and gave both concrete skills to do similar tasks in the future as well as confidence in propmaking. However, I feel that the propmaking class was quite specific and greared towards metallic, high-end props. Perhaps the workshop could benefit from an exercise where the participants would learn to put together quick drafts of props the way Tommy Wonder would do when building a new routine. This could use other materials such as cardboard, foam etc. that could be easily modified.

I came into the workshop expecting to learn more specific effects, but it ended up being much more valuable. It was more theory than I originally anticipated, but what I learned I can immediately apply to my current act and any future acts I create. Having that foundation will serve me well as I progress as an artist.

The content of the course was exactly in line with the four learning objectives. Every class directly addressed the objectives with a lecture on a particular topic and one or two exercises that emphasized the topic. I can confidently say that after the class I can work with any of the concepts, I can work better with other magicians, and I can build things I never thought I could build.

In the beginning I thougt we are going to invent more new magic tricks in terms of new techniques.

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YES – and there was so much more than I expected. I found the learning objectives to be more interesting in the B course than in the A course. I was so excited and the content surpassed my expectations.

Yes! It was what was promised and even more.

Everything that was stated for us to learn – we learned. We worked with different techniques and areas that helped us reach our learning objectives.

Get a deeper understanding of misdirection, dramatic techniques and non-linear methods.
I think I understood misdirection as applied to paper balls over the head much better than ever before.
I felt there was more theatrical exercise in the B course, than magical.
This was partly a good thing, the problem being, since I and perhaps many lack the basics of theater.

I would’ve liked more discussion and exercises about non-linear methods. Maybe more discussion about how people use common sense to figure out magic, and how to transform a direct method into an indirect one.

Understand the principles behind Object Permanence and Amodal Completion
I was already familiar with these ideas, but I learned a lot by applying them to magic.

Get a better language to make it easier to cogently discuss, research and experiment with colleagues in both magic and related artistic fields.
We just had our own little retreat with the exercises we learned, and the shared language helped!

Yes, very much so.

Perfect to have these thoughts about public contact, handling, gaze, energi, etc.
Normaly I just focus on my trick and the magic part.

I fully agree, that all the promised learning objectives were made. And even learned more than was promised.

Yes, it was. Just a thought: Just from reading the learning objectives it’s not obvious that Conjuring B has a focus on theatre techniques.

The course content was relevant to the learning objectives. I can’t recall if we re-examined “non-linear” methods, but other stated objectives were covered.

Yes. Every learning objective was discussed.

Instämmer verkligen då jag fick så mycket ny inspiration av alla lärare från morgon till kväll. Alla tog sig tid att gå in på det man ville lära sig eller funderade kring. Mycket generöst. Nya tekniker jag lärde mig: maskteater, prop making, nya rutiner till min akt. Man lär sig otroligt mycket av sina klasskompisar under övningarna.

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As always; strange and new angles on things to apply to our magic 😀

I feel that in C course it could be possible to dive even deeper to those subjects

I completely agree with this statement

The first day we revised all the techniques we used in the pervious two courses. And I believe I gained new knowledge base working with exercises in both misdirection and acting. Juan Tamariz’s false solutions theory and the acting exercises where we played movement and speed techniques to alter our magic performances. Both are perfect example of exploring new territory for Conjuring C.

YES.

The false solution principle could be more explored. Since that was the main subject in the learning objective if I remember correctly.

baby that should be the framework for the whole week

Det som utlovas lär man sig definitivt men det är så mycket bonus-lärdomar som kommer på köpet.

Concerning the objective “Feel more comfortable inserting emotion and opinion in performances” I’m not sure if the content of the course was that relevant. Though I understand that this could also depend on how comfortable one already is in inserting one’s emotions and opinions.

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