Quotations from Nelms...


[in page number, not topical, order]


"The art of illusion is at least 95 per cent applied psychology...a play does not take place on the stage but in the minds of the spectators." (2)
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"If several laymen find fault with the same spot in your routine, it is bad." (17)
[usability testing!]
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"A layman's diagnosis of what is wrong will usually be false and will often be absurd, but he almost always puts his finger on the point where the trouble lies." (18)
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"If you work out the act first, fitting characters to it is a hopeless task." (73)
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"The audience as a whole is always right. Once it forms an opinion, the fact that this is completely unfounded is of no consequence whatever." (102)
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"If we wish to create an illusion, it is not enough to conceal the particular device used; we must conceal the fact that any device exists." (149)

Let's discuss this one further...and the next one, which is related...
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"Always provide a mock explanation, but avoid disclosing key details of procedure until after you have worked any devices which concern them." (176)
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"The completely unexpected is almost always unwelcome." (177)
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"Do everything to make the source of information the most interesting object present." (182)
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"Nothing remains a center of interest for long. We must shift attention constantly in order to control it." (183)
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"Doing something three times creates a climactic effect. Doing it a fourth time creates boredom." (192-3)
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"Success in creating a false frame of reference depends primarily upon your ability to handle your theme, treatment, and atmosphere." (196)
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"Stealing another man's routine is as futile as stealing his false teeth. Neither one will fit." (208)
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"The chief secret consists in knowing what you want to do." (209)

[Read quotations]: Just a few quotations from the book to give you the flavor. Remember, they're on the web site.

Let me demonstrate the implications (for digital art) that I draw from just a few of these points.