Let's cut to the chase. David Blaine is the best in the world at making his magic feel completely improvised and unrehearsed. That engaging sense of danger and unease in not knowing what will happen next has captivated audiences and celebrity spectators.
You've seen it. You're aware of it. But what makes Blaine so good at it? First, look at this infamous clip of Blaine performing a card in orange for Harrison Ford. It's the viral clip which ends with Ford telling Blaine to "Get the f*ck out of my house." It's a stunning performance.
As you watch it, be mindful of how improvised the routine feels and how Blaine creates this fantastic sense of freedom with the belief that he doesn't know where the trick will go next. He's not pretending he doesn't know how it works or is not responsible for the magic. What he's doing is making it feel like he's genuinely freestyling and making things up as he goes along.
