Learning Objectives • Bonus • Course Design • Challenges • Safe space • Workload • Contributions • Venue • Satisfaction • Extra events • Teachers • Expectations • Value • Changes • Future • Final comments
Expectations & reality
When comparing my expectations beforehand with what the course actually consisted of… what was different and what was as I expected?
Comments
I expected more theory and less practice. But is was better this way.
I actually wasn’t sure what to expect. I’m just glad I was able to be moved to the A class at the last minute. I think the only thing that surprised me was how much of the course was how to create a theatrical magical experience. Most of my experience in magic is performing trick, trick, trick. I think this difference is a very positive one. I’m already trying to figure out how to change my performances to be much more of a theatrical experience for my audience.
Contents of the course was something that I knew to expect, so I knew what I was getting in to and I think I had a high expectations about course, But it surprised me how good it really was, Course totally exceeded my expectations.
I had expected the prop making to be much more in depth and to have higher quality props however despite this the lessons still came through. Other than the prop making I had no expectations and If I did the course has exceeded them!
Beforehand, I was a little afraid that I wouldn’t be able to understand everything in the course, but I actually found that that wasn’t the case at all.
It met my expectations but gived me more than I hade thought.
At first, I was hoping for a course focused on magic in the strict sense (analysis of authors, books, topics). In reality, I found an environment that was more free and ready to explore.
If I had to define this experience, I would say that it was a course focused on the different areas adjacent/complementary to magic, and less on the study of magic in the strict sense.
But don’t get me wrong! I am very happy that it was organised this way. Each of us, at home, alone, can study an author, a book, a topic. On the contrary, exploring one’s own limits and creativity and trying to go further is not an exercise one does every day, let alone at home, in one’s comfort zone.
As expected: crossing the gaze. Challenging work. To meet and interchange ideas with people form all over the world. I was worried to not be up to the task or to be to amateur by comparison to other students. On the website I read other students had the same concerns and return home happy and there were nothing to worry. Yes, don’t worry. Different: For prop class I was ready to be dirty. It hasn’t so dirty work. I was worried about the work with themes, kind of improvising. It was much easier and funny than I expected.
Coming into this course, I really didn’t know what to expect. This open-minded approach allowed for many surprising and enriching experiences, but it also led to some misconceptions that were quickly dispelled.
Perhaps the biggest misconception I had was about the nature of our individual contributions. I came prepared with the idea that I needed to bring a trick of my own, which we would then carefully craft together from basic elements into a complete masterpiece. This expectation was shattered during the first session with Leif, where I attempted to present a trick that was essentially just an effect without a fully developed method or presentation.
It quickly became apparent that the course was not about polishing individual tricks we brought with us, but rather about providing us with a comprehensive toolkit of magical principles, performance techniques, and creative approaches. The focus was on developing us as all-round performers and thinkers in magic, rather than on perfecting specific routines.
This realization was initially a bit jarring, especially during that first session with Leif where I felt somewhat unprepared. However, as the course progressed, I came to appreciate this approach much more. It allowed for a broader, more holistic learning experience that wasn’t limited by our preconceived notions or existing repertoire.
Another expectation that differed from reality was the intensity of the course. While I knew it would be intensive, the sheer amount of information, practice, and activities packed into each day surpassed what I had imagined. This was both challenging and exhilarating, pushing me to absorb and apply new concepts at a rapid pace.
On the other hand, some aspects of the course met or exceeded my expectations. The high caliber of the instructors, the opportunity to learn from and interact with peers, and the immersive nature of the experience all aligned with what I had hoped for.
In retrospect, the gap between my expectations and the reality of the course worked in my favor. By challenging my preconceptions and pushing me out of my comfort zone, the course provided a more comprehensive and transformative experience than I could have anticipated. It forced me to think about magic and performance in new ways, broadening my horizons beyond just perfecting individual tricks to understanding the deeper principles of magical artistry.
What was expected was the teacher’s knowledge, what was unexpected was the very friendly environment. The Saturday performance was more fun than expected. We were told to bring our “favorite solutions” to solve magic problems, there I thought we would use more of it. On the prop making day, I thought we e.g. would come up with “magic problems” and get help to solve them. Or something like that.
This was NOT a beginner course! At first I was annoyed that I needed to be in A, but in retrospect, there was nothing “A” about it except that we didn’t know each other!
I had no clear expectations.
Perhaps I had imagined that we would work more on one Routine, that we would get into a process of refinement and feedback.
I did not know what to expect. I hoped it was a lot about theatre skills and such. And it was, or at least that is what I got out of it 🙂
På grund av trolleri-kollot så har jag gjort flera av övningarna som vi gjort med Tom förut. Därför förväntade jag mig att en del skulle vara repetition. Detta såg jag bara som en positiv sak. Nu i efterhand känner jag att jag lärt mig många nya saker ifrån alla kurserna.
The location was even better than expected. The people were even more lovely than I could have imagined. The food was delicious. The schedule was so organized and really easy to understand and really nicely set up.
I did not have any particular expectations.
My expectations for this course were quite high. Even before I read the schedule, I knew this class would be a continuation of the last class and I looked forward to a clearer understanding of many of the fine points being presented. In addition, I expected (and was not disappointed) a high level of ethics, respect and relevant information.
It was pretty much as expected – actually it was better than expected, but I also was better prepared compared with last time (that was my first).
I liked that we were able to layer what we learned from last year. It was a refresher with layering on top.
I was not expecting to learn pyro, so that was a bonus.
It was what I expected
My expectations for prop-making were definitely higher, considering the materials cost. I know that covered all materials for all the lessons, but I imagine most of it was budgeted for props. Especially after what we made last year, it was a bit of a bummer. I expected to have more confidence in my performance this year since I knew what to expect. Last year I didn’t feel like I could participate in the showcase, but this year I felt comfortable, knowing how supportive the group is. Having that opportunity surpassed my expectations.
Based on the previous course I had a pretty good understanding what the course and lessons would consist of, and my expectations were quite accurate.
I read we would deepen our skills we learned in the a course which we did
Only difference is expectation was the prop-making class. in my own opinion I think it could be improved by having more specific outcome, for example all making the same item, or making something that creates the same effect with different methods? some more specialised goal, instead of the “make whatever you want to using these tools”
As I had attended last year I think my expectations were met. The major difference was the weather, much warmer which meant a lot more meals/Fika were outside and helped to make groups mingle, which was good.
I expected to have some additional colleagues and friends there, who must have cancelled.
I expected that there would be even less teacher-lead learning this year so it was a nice surprise to see Leif and Tom in our classes more than I expected. I expected that I would not learn that much new as I had already took the two previous courses and the curriculum seemed very similar. I was wrong 🙂
Since this was the third time around, I pretty much knew what I was getting into. And as a returning student, I obviously come back because I wanted more. It was not anything radically new compared to previous years, which I didn’t really expect either. Expectations were high but the course, venue, teachers and other students delivered again. 🙂
I had no expectations. I only remember what group C did last year when I was in group B. I only knew that group sessions will be more productive and faster paced because all of us knew exactly what to expect.
I expected the week will be as good as it was a year ago. But it was even better. This time I got more information about everything and actually prepared a little better.
The conjuring course is my highlight of the year and my expectations are very high, too high probably. But the course delivered again.