Magic Touch of Fate - Article

Article

The biggest reason this series gets people's attention is its unique theme—magic. But a TV series is not a collection of magic tricks. The key still lies in whether the story can make people to remember, only this can make the audience to be glued to the TV everyday to watch it. "The Magician's" script went through several versions. In order to weave out a more complex & tense plot, the writers took great pains; magic is only used to beautify it. For instance, when Alec Su pursues Ruby lin, other types of series will create a lot of romantic ways. "The Magicians" will let us see in whats ways a magician can be romantic. Alec Su would perhaps make a bunch of roses to appear or give a necklace to Ruby lin.

Lots of people love watching magic and a majority of them cannot guess what the magician is up to, a cloud in a fog. Will "The Magicians" reveal any secrets? This naive, fond thinking was put down by the producer. "We had to sign a confidentiality agreement with the magician. I'm afraid we cannot reveal anything. In the series, we can use camera angles to do the large-scale magic performances, or to use special effects. If it's a close-up of a small magic trick, the actors had to first learn several magics tricks. This way when we shoot it, it will look more real. These small magic know-hows, it doesn't matter if we let people know a bit. The audience can go into a magic shop to buy these stage props and learn them."

The investors weren't willing to disclose the budget, but expressed that this is one of the biggest investment for a mainland modern series. The three heavy cast members' fees took up a pretty large part of it. Another thing, before this none of them participated in any magic series. The hiring of a magician and stage props also cost quite a few. Moreover, this is a first attempt, and costs will definitely increase.

The magic instructor is not a stranger with our action and martial arts genre films, and "The Magicians" hired a magic instructor/director. Two months prior to the official start of filming, the magic instructor joined the production team to await orders. One, is to teach the actors; and two, to help the production team to revise some of the general knowledge mistakes.

Regarding the life of a magician, people know too little of it. For instance, the script had a magician rehearse on a practice field, a professional will take that as a joke once he sees it. Magicians often rehearse by themselves in small rooms because it is mysterious and they do not wish others to see them. The script said "the magician was sweating profusely while rehearsing" was also pointed out by the magician to be a mistake. Practicing magic, the most important things are using one's wisdom and brain. Depending on sweating profusely is not okay. (credit to ruby lin international family)