Damien: Hi Duncan,

It's always nice to hear some first hand advice of a highly respected person in magic, so what is the most important piece of advice that you would give to a young and learning person like myself.

Thanks

Damien

Duncan Trillo: Hi Damien,

Without knowing anything about you, or what you want to do with your magic, that is a really tricky question!

I guess "be yourself" is always good advice. Find what style suits you and be natural, or if you're playing a character make sure that it is an extension of the real you. Blaine is basically Blaine... what you see is what you get. Derren Brown is basically Derren Brown... their styles are an extension of themselves.

Be yourself.

All the best,

Duncan

Binions: Hi Duncan,

What is the best way to practice ?

Also, I have asked this on the forums and had a good response, but what do you feel is the best way to learn from books. I have just got Expert at the Card Table and i am going to read it a few times without a deck, so when I come to learn from it I will have a better understanding.

What do you think ?

Regards

Duncan Trillo: Hi James,

"What is the best way to practice?"

Well, I guess it depends what you are practising. Manipulating and technical stuff can just about be worked on any time. I remember mastering the coin roll at the back of Chemistry (but in doing so I failed to master Chemistry and failed, so I don't really recommend that). But for small sleights just keep whatever it is with you and work on it in front of the TV, or whenever you have some free time. That way it doesn't become "hard work" but by handling the item and repeating the moves you will crack it in the end.

For act rehearsal I'd set aside 2 or 3 hours once a week and do a full run through over and over and over and over... the more the better. Keep a note pad handy and jot down any improvements that come to mind as you rehearse. Video it from an angle (not straight on) but don't play to the camera, play to an imaginary audience all around you and work to them (and the camera occasionally of course).

" ...but what do you feel is the best way to learn from books."

I never enjoyed working from books too much. For me magic has always been a visual thing and sitting down in front of a book was hard work. The last books that I bought were the Books of Wonder and I still haven't read them... or even started. But that's just me. If you can settle down into a book and study it then do, but reading the whole thing without trying out the magic would be tough. I'd tackle one item at a time and really work on it and then move on to the next when you are ready.

Remember the great thing about books is that they are forever and can be referred back to - you don't need to learn it all in one go.

Good luck,

Duncan

Daleshrimpton: Hi Duncan

A quick question...How does one become a magical advisor for film, telly, and theatre?

Duncan Trillo: Hi Dale,

Two ways I guess. One is to advertise your services as any other business does. There are directories used in the advertising/TV/film industry that can produce results.

The other, and this is how my jobs normally come about, is either via old contacts or word of mouth. Researchers in the television and film industry keep their own contact books and often someone that you last worked for years ago will make contact again out of the blue. Thanks to the internet even if you've moved they can find you. The Va Va Voom job came from an agency called Crowd Pullers that I'd last worked for back in the 80's during my Covent Garden days more than 15 years ago! And now someone who saw that commercial recently contacted me for a new TV project, and so it goes on, (in theory anyway!).

All the best,

Duncan

Shaun Robinson: I was wondering if you, Duncan, an experienced magician and web master would give us your feedback on this:

www.readsecrets.com

Duncan Trillo: Hi Shaun,

Who knows? It all looked over-hyped to me. I'd opt for material from a recognised source if I was buying something.

All the best,

Duncan

Admin: It has been, yet again, another incredible week.

Just take a few seconds to browse down the index of this forum to see the amount of interest shown by our members and then take some time to view the excellent replies given by Duncan.

I am very grateful indeed firstly to our members for supporting this forum and secondly to Duncan for his superb and comprehensive answers.

We are indeed so very lucky to have such a wealth of professionals such as Duncan (and our previous guests) - who are willing to spend so much time offering support and advice to others.

May I take this opportunity to thank you Duncan for your time and input over the past week. It has been another week of such value and I thank you for your excellent thoughts and advice.

Rich: Thank you Duncan for your time here. Your style of performing is closer to mine, and so I've been able to hugely benefit from your answers

Duncan Trillo: Thanks very much for having me. Thanks too to all who posted questions - how embarrassing if there hadn't been any!

I really enjoyed it.

Long live the Bunny!

The Scot: Thanks for taking time out on our behalf, I really enjoyed asking you questions and finding out more about you. Thanks again.

Michael Jay: Mr. Trillo, while I have not asked any questions, I have followed intently all of the insight and wisdom that you have shared with us over the last week. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to share these thoughts with all of us. I wish you the best in everything you do and I deeply appreciate what you've given to me, and the rest of our reading members.

Thank you!

Aged Magician: Duncan, like Michael Jay I have been 'lurking in the wings' but I must salute you for your really explicit and helpful answers. Not only have you provided a wonderful 'news' source in Magic Week but you have also proved your willingness to help many aspiring magicians on a 'one to one' basis.

My compliments and thanks.

Sean: Thanks alot Duncan. Your answers really have been top quality! Yet another gem of good advice to add to our growing treasure of past guests

MagicSamX: Thank you so much. It's been brilliant to have you!