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edhagins New user 95 Posts |
In answering another post, I realized that I should post the following question as a new subject:
From previous post concerning "Fiber Optics": [My 12 year old Granddaughter does a rope routine that uses many parts taken from "Fiber Optics" Several times after performing, local magicians have asked where she got her wonderful magnetic ropes as they would like a set for themselves. This has happened so often that she now tosses the ropes into the audience at the end of the routine.] Tossing out the ropes causes a commotion that creates a problem with the audience refocusing their attention back to her act. (This is mostly a problem when working for children, which is her usual audience). Because of this, she has started using her rope routine as a closer. She would like to not be restricted to using this routine as a closer. Handing the ropes out at the beginning of the routine is not possible as the routine begins with only one rope in view. Does anyone have thoughts about how to disprove the magnet theory (other than tossing them out)? Or, do you think we are being too concerned with the need to disprove the theory? Ed LizzyC's 3 minute rope routine : http://youtu.be/emPYWsDUj2k |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
I for one think you are over reacting to the question. You did not say if the whole audience comes up to here and want to look at the rope. Or is it one or two people.
I see nothing wrong with after the show, if and when someone asked about the rope to simply hand it to them, or if you can afford it, just give it to them. I would not base how an act is designed on little children react to things thrown out or in reach of them to get ahold of. I have that experience with my paper coils, they even crawl up on stage to get ahold of the streamer. This is why it is best to have rules for children given to the place and person in charge. David Ginn covers this in some of his books and other children entertainers write and speak about. It is all about boundries, and how to manage them. When I did a Christian Camp show for different age groups it was only the 10 to 12 age group that came up and wanted to touch everything and several even asked for my rope and other things used in the act. Of course if it was not a prop I was using, I left them have the cut up rope and knots. They were very happy. Funny, no one wanted the broken raw egg. As I see it the only way a stand up presentation like this can be handled is to have a patter routine and have a spectator up on stage to handle the rope during the routine. The routine as is, is not possible to do this. |
tropicalillusions Special user Tulsa Okla 631 Posts |
You cant please them all. and you definately don't owe anyone an explanation. She does a great job, and is a joy to watch. There will always be someone in the audience that may just have to speak up with an idea of how it works,, I say.. smile and keep them guessing, Ignore them and go on with the wonderful demonstration, and if someone speaks out during a program just ignore them as if you didn't even hear them, then they will appear as a jerk to those around them. Others around them will enjoy the routine, so go to work for them and those that respect you and your talents. If approached by anothe magician, no explanation is neccesary as well, just politely explain that it is a variety of methods that you have applied, and right off the top of your head you just cant remember the names of the moves applied. This used to bug me when I was young, Soooo, just keep on smiling during your performance, let others see you enjoy the routine and enjoy sharing, and the reward of smiles will return to you. keep up the good work.
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jolyonjenkins Inner circle United Kingdom 1181 Posts |
I love her performance. Really well done. And I bet not a single person in the audience was thinking about the short piece.
Jolyon Jenkins
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J-Mac Inner circle Ridley Park, PA 5338 Posts |
Question aside, that was a very nice performance! Obviously well practiced and rehearsed. It's great to see a young person take the craft seriously, in contrast to the many YouTube kiddie "magicians" flubbing moves so often.
Thank you Elizabeth! Jim |
KOTAH Inner circle 2289 Posts |
Elizabeth, this old rope worker absolutely loved your routine !
THank you so much. Kotah |
Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
Great performance. If it is only other magicians asking, don't worry about it. Tell 'em buy the trick.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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DougTait Elite user Sebring, FL 492 Posts |
Great job Lizzy!! The hours of practice you put in paid off. Hope to see more of your work in the future.
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men [and women] to do nothing."
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Jim Sparx Inner circle Far Out, Texas 1144 Posts |
A few people will try to guess how something is done, the rest of us just enjoy the magic. Great granddaughter and a great magician, Lizzy.
Et tu, Spartacus?
https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/chispadeelpaso.html |
Alan Munro Inner circle Kentwood, Michigan, USA 5952 Posts |
Excellent handling of the ropes!
As far as the issues with the audience members, I suppose it would matter if the ones inquiring about magnets are magicians or not. If laymen are asking about it a sharper tug on the ropes, when they appear to be all the same length, should do the trick. If magicians are the only ones asking, it's not an issue. |
seneca77 Loyal user Tampa Bay, Florida 201 Posts |
Edhagins, I have no real advice for you or Elizabeth, but just wanted to say that I wish I had half as much poise and polish as your granddaughter when I was twelve years old. Very nicely done!
- Bob |
Torque75 New user 55 Posts |
Very nice, professional performance- you can see the hours of practice in your routine.
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magicians Inner circle Teacher and Legend 2898 Posts |
The greatest compliment is someone guessing (and guessing wrong) as to the solution.
The mention of a magnet, is sometimes an insider comment by someone who has been exposed to a secret. If not that, the spectator is telling you that what they can't attribute what they have seen to anything but a gimmick. That's the beauty of doing a skilled performance.
Illusionist, Illusionist consulting, product development, stage consultant, seasoned performer for over 35 years. Specializing in original effects. Highly opinionated, usually correct, and not afraid of jealous critics. I've been a puppet, a pirate, a pawn and a King. Free lance gynecologist.
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Al Schneider V.I.P. A corn field in WI surrounded by 1080 Posts |
I gotta put my two cents in here.
First and formost, I compliment Lizzy for doing one great job. I do not know how to say this without stepping on the toes of others around here. I could say she does a better job than me. You guys have said this before. You have also offered the advice to not worry about what people ask. I agree. I would suggest do the routine wherever you want and put the ropes away. You have done your job and the audience's job is to watch and wonder. In the situation mentioned, I have been known to ask the following, "Can you keep a secret?" Whatever they say, I respond with, "So can I." My thought here is to suggest to analyze the kind of magic you are doing. In a sense, you have caught yourself between a rock and a hard place. To some with knowledge, the handling does suggest magnets. In a sense to prove them wrong, you need to reveal how it really works. Well, we just don't do that unless there is some money in it. (This has happened.) Consider card to wallet. A card is marked, disappears from the deck, and appears in the wallet. Someone says, "You snuck the card out of the deck and slipped it into the wallet." Well, that is precisely what happened. Can you tell them they are wrong. Nope. You just live with it. But for many magicians, this is one of their best tricks. Your routine is somewhat similiar. Can you see what your presentaton really is? It is theater. You are playing the role of a person doing some kind of miricle. Would you go to a play in which a murder is commited on stage and walk up the the director of the show and say, "That person did not really die!" I think a person asking such a question is jealous of your success and is trying to take away the credit you deserve. In the magic I do I shoot for what I call virtual magic as opposed to theater magic. I cannot tolerate such a question and I will do whater it takes to avoid such questions. However, some tricks are so good, I don't care what people say because the audience loves it. I guess I am very sensitive to the plight presented here. I did a Christmas show for my karate club. About 300 kids were in the audience. I did Zombie. After the show one bright student of the crowd came up to me and said he saw the threads that make the ball float. Ehhhhhh. Go figure. Al Schneider
Magic Al. Say it fast and it is magical.
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magicians Inner circle Teacher and Legend 2898 Posts |
I must say, Lizzy did a superb routine, lots of applause cues, lots of great magic moments. I would totally ignore any comment from anyone. A couple of moves even fooled me, great job. Even David Copperfield gets a guessing heckler in the audience.
Here's the truth: if you handed the rope to the guy who said magnets, they would never reconstruct what you've done. Therefore, their solution is incorrect. The effect is done with skill, showmanship, and a little something extra.
Illusionist, Illusionist consulting, product development, stage consultant, seasoned performer for over 35 years. Specializing in original effects. Highly opinionated, usually correct, and not afraid of jealous critics. I've been a puppet, a pirate, a pawn and a King. Free lance gynecologist.
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lekin Regular user Sometimes less is more so I only have 175 Posts |
Nice handling, didn't rush through the routine, some nice applause points. I don't often see a lot of younger magicians doing rope routines. I can still remember performing at that age, and, in my memory at least, would like to believe I was as polished as this performer.
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Motley Mage Special user 572 Posts |
Poise, panache, and some mad skills. Lizzy does not need to worry about the folks who think there are magnets involved.
I believe you said these were generally local magicians--just tell them outright there are no magnets, just good manipulations. As for anyone in the audience who might think it, even rudely shout it out, they just prove how elegantly you have performed your miracles. As Al's Zombie story illustrates, there will always be those who think--incorrectly--they have "figured it out." They are generally the folks who only experience magic as a puzzle to be solved and really never quite enjoy it. If they are fooled, they become annoyed; if they cannot figure it out, they are bothered even more; and if they do unravel the mystery, they feel a momentary satisfaction, but then feel disappointed because it was "just a trick." |
Wizzard Veteran user 322 Posts |
Edhagins,
Your granddaughter is a perfect example of "The next generation" of Magicians. What a wonderful act, much talent good stage presence. Tell her not to be intimidated by these 'local magicians', they are fishing and jealous'. The line Al Schneider suggests is priceless. Good luck to Lizzy. John
It's never the wand, it's always the magician
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Absolutely fabulous. I love her style, and smile.
If a magician isn't smart enough to know what's going on let them guess
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
madelaine New user 91 Posts |
Excellent presentation. A joy to watch. Tarbary has a protege!
Go for it, Elizabeth. Don't worry about these few audience members. Magnets!!! Take it as an accolade. I certainly thought lizzie had magnets... she is that good. You're a great teacher grandpa...well done. |
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