Storytelling in magic: writing the narrative of your act
While many magicians know how to perform tricks, too few know how to create a real universe, a real story around the routine. At the same time, the existing literature on the subject is quite sparse. Let's mention the recent publication of the book The Power of Magical Storytelling by Claude de Piante or the book Spectacle en couleurs by Jonathan Renoux, both of which mention a concept popularized notably by Joseph Campbell and Christopher Vogler: the hero's journey.
This method is the basis of every good Hollywood film, or at least every good story worth listening to. It follows a very precise pattern, which allows for the creation of a genuine story on the fly, with a beginning, a logical progression, and an end.
This technique can obviously be used for magic, and should be known by any magician who wishes to grow their act in the right direction.
The method in question
The Hero's Journey method consists of a sequence of events that, put end to end, constitute the complete story. A routine, or even an entire show, can thus be structured on the following successive pillars:
1. The Ordinary World: The scene is set, we discover the hero's strengths and weaknesses.
2. The Call to Adventure: A problem arises, forcing the hero to act.
3. Refusal of the Call: Fear of the consequences temporarily immobilizes the hero.
4. Meeting the Mentor: Crucial help or advice is provided.
5. Crossing the Threshold: The turning point where the adventure truly begins.
6. Tests, Allies, and Enemies: The hero overcomes obstacles.
7. The Reward (The Elixir): The hero triumphs and obtains what they sought.
8. The Road Back: Sometimes strewn with new twists and turns.
9. Resurrection: The hero returns, transformed by their journey. They must not return exactly to the starting point, at the risk of the audience feeling they have wasted their time.
10. Return with the Elixir: The final resolution of the initial problem.
From this list, can you, for example, take a trick from your repertoire and fit it into this structure? Note that it is not necessary to complete all these steps (especially since this is already a simplified version, the original having 12 steps). It simply needs to make sense as a whole. Let us know in the comments if this structure helps you clarify the structure of your act!
