Tarbell 35: How To Make People Laugh

Comedy, like magic, employs the element of surprise, so it’s only natural that we find the two working so well together.

Even the most serious magical performers have found moments where, through the use of humor, they can relax an audience before once again creating tension.And, successful magicians in all genres know the power of laughter to strengthen misdirection, increase reactions, and leave lasting, positive impressions.In this lesson, the very talented (and of course, funny) Gregory Wilson and Dan talk about the nature of comedy and how to incorporate it well into your magic.They discuss what people find funny and why. Plus, they share some examples from their own work and guide you to developing your own comedic style.Greg and Dan also offer you advice (gained from experience) about how to avoid some of the most common pitfalls of people who try to be funny.They show you that laughter doesn’t always come from telling jokes, and especially not from reciting a bunch of memorized stock lines.As you’ll see, most often the best responses come from honest reactions to interesting situations that you can manufacture and control with precision.Whether you realize it or not, making people laugh at the right time (and for the right reasons) is the true mark of a professional, polished performer.So get ready to laugh and learn some serious lessons about why being funny is so important… and how to do it well, with reliable results.