A Tech-Based Instant Stooging Method for Magicians

Instant stooging is an interesting and underexplored concept. In short, it means turning a spectator, mid-performance, into someone who actively collaborates in executing your method, without the audience realising.

One could argue that whenever a spectator follows your instructions, they’re already part of the method; but the difference with instant stooging is that the spectator is aware they’re working alongside you and gains a more or less real understanding of the method you’re using. In short, they become a stooge.

The clearest and most common example of this concept is when, sitting at a table, you press your foot on a spectator’s foot to communicate, for instance, which object among several they should choose. The same can be done by placing your hand on their shoulder and giving small taps at certain moments without the rest of the audience noticing.

An obvious point about instant stooging is that, like any other method, it takes place without the general audience knowing. The stooge is the only one aware of being part of the method, and that’s how it should be. Their experience will therefore be different from that of the rest of the audience, which means the method incorporates elements of the dual reality principle.

There are some other things to keep in mind to use this technique effectively:

• Choose the right person: someone willing to follow your instructions and open to being "taken backstage" of the effect.

• Give clear and simple instructions.

• Make sure there’s a payoff both for the audience at large and for the stooge. In other words, the stooge should also be genuinely amazed by some aspect of the effect at the end of the performance.

This last condition is not strictly necessary, though it is recommended. That’s because the absolute priority shouldn’t be focusing solely on fooling, but on the relationship created between the performer and the stooge.

If you choose the right person and build genuine rapport, what makes the method effective—and keeps them "on your side"—is not how amazed they are, but how connected they feel to you and the role they played in bringing the routine to life.

The relationship to be built with an instant stooge should never be one of challenge or of trying to fool them more deeply than the others—it should be based on collaboration. Often, we fear using instant stooges in our performances because we’re afraid of being caught using accomplices; but in reality, it’s just another method, and like any method, it should simply be hidden well.

The bond between performer and instant stooge can, in fact, be more profound and meaningful than with any other audience member.

Fooling the instant stooge isn’t all that difficult: their sense of "knowing the method" is actually flawed because they’ve only seen a small part of it and convinced themselves they’ve figured it all out.

To amaze them, it’s enough to disprove that one piece of the method in their eyes. But as already mentioned, amazing them is secondary—the real focus is to create in the stooge a genuine desire to collaborate, secretly.

The Method

The method we’re presenting allows you to turn any spectator into an instant stooge using your phone’s camera. It’s an original principle, with countless possible applications. After you understand the general idea, you’ll see it applied to a card magic routine—but that’s only to spark your creativity, because the applications are truly limitless.