{"product_id":"stepladders-demon-traps-by-nicolaj-christensen-1","title":"Stepladders \u0026 Demon Traps by Nicolaj Christensen","description":"\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eStepladders \u0026amp; Demon Traps\u003c\/i\u003e turns you into a savvy, assured creator of your own magic.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e\"This is the best thing I've read this year.\"\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e- Mark Elsdon\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEver wondered why magicians say \"stop\" instead of \"freeze\" or \"hold it\"? Or why they might feign a flop during a trick? And what's with the magic effect in every routine anyway?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eStepladders \u0026amp; Demon Traps\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e is all about finding purpose in your magic routines. Sure, you make a ton of choices, but are they conscious ones? Nicolaj Christensen nudges us to pinpoint our creative vision and sift through the best ideas like a fine wine connoisseur (minus the pretentiousness). Remember, form follows function, mate.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith seven routines (close-up and stand-up, some with cards, some without), Nicolaj lays bare the choices he’s made to align each routine with its vision, trimming away the unnecessary bits like a good barber does to a scruffy beard.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFive essays dive into the nitty-gritty of a deliberate creative process:\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA summary of the routines as part of a larger vision.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA reminder that changes cannot be made in isolation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA deconstruction of brainstorming as an analytical tool.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA helpful distinction between theme and premise.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA discussion of the kinds of subject matter that come with the territory of a magician. Nicolaj suggests that if a magic trick doesn't take into account the layers of meaning inherent to magic-as-magic, the work might be fundamentally out of touch with itself.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003eIf you’re the analytical sort, you’ll dig the insights in \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eStepladders \u0026amp; Demon Traps\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e. But if you’re more of an instinctive creator, you’ll appreciate the fresh ideas that’ll spark your imagination even more.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e218 pages, 57 hand-drawn illustrations","brand":"Pegani Magic","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56483585458500,"sku":"STEPLADDERS","price":35.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0943\/1826\/4644\/files\/79964-full_8ea9ae5f-49c9-423a-9b33-6e763174b036.png?v=1779731976","url":"https:\/\/www.handpickedmagic.com\/products\/stepladders-demon-traps-by-nicolaj-christensen-1","provider":"Hand Picked Magic ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}