FISM is introducing a new category for online magic. (There’s also one for street magic which is more traditional and less contentious.) Online magic is getting more and more popular and has significantly diverged from other types of magic I think it makes sense for it to be a category. There are some specific implementation details which I think will need to be worked out.
I feel like there should be a distinctinction between “social media magic” and “virtual magic”. I consider the fundamental difference in the two to be the lack of a live audience for social media magic. As such, you have more flexibility to create a magical effect. For example, you don’t have to worry about cleaning up because you can just cut the video. On the other hand, it won’t have the same personal connection of a virtual or in-person show. I’m guessing that the category is meant for “social media magic”.
It’s interesting in the rules that post production is not allowed. I’m curious whether that includes “in-camera” effects such as AI filters or live gestures. I’m not sure how well thought out “everything else” being allowed is. I’m really not interested in seeing full-stooge effects or variations on the bogo-ACAAN.
Realistically, I would also break down social media magic further into two groups: first person and third person. In live magic there are effects where the chosen volunteer’s perception is different from the audience’s. For example, the “over the head” vanish in which the audience can see the magician is simply tossing the object over the volunteer’s head. In social media magic, there are some effects that are performed to camera (1st person) and some that are watching the magician perform to some one else (3rd person). David Blaine really was the pioneer of that style. Social media 3rd person magic, however, tends to give the audience a stronger effect rather than the spectator.
This first year will set the tone for the category. The set of judges is quite diverse and I’m excited to see the winners. And consume the drama.