Every trick has an origin story that can inform its presentation. Where does the magical power come from? Why does this magic happen? I started asking these questions and discovered that backstories were already embedded in my routines -- I had just never bothered to find them.
Read MoreExtending the backstory concept into specific questions every performer must answer: How did you acquire this ability? When did you first discover it? What are its limitations? The answers create a character that audiences believe in, because real abilities come with real histories.
Read MoreIn the original Star Wars, Obi-Wan mentions the Clone Wars without explanation, creating the sense of a larger world. I applied this technique to my magic scripts -- casually referencing experiences, mentors, and events that I never explain -- and discovered how unexplained references make a character feel real.
Read MoreReplacing a standard prop with an unexpected one transforms everything about a routine. I swapped standard props for objects that connected to my corporate keynote themes and watched my routines transform from demonstrations into stories.
Read MorePixar's story template provides an instant narrative structure for any magic routine or full show. I used it to restructure my entire corporate keynote as a narrative journey, and the result was the most cohesive performance I had ever given.
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