The Dancing Hankherchief has always been a great routine, especially the modern motorized versions. But there's at least one major problem I'm having, and I'm wondering if anyone else is having this trouble or has any suggestions. It's the new "ITS" by Sean Bogunia that I'm using. It's such a great idea, and I was really looking forward to it. But it has become quite disappointing, partly because the thread is constantly getting caught on the spools. I've had fair success with his "Ultra Dancing Hank", but so far almost no luck at all with "ITS". The thread also seems to break quite easily. Does anyone have any suggestions? It's gotten so frustrating that I'm almost to the point of trying to send it back.

On a seperate note, the instruction video didn't give very much info on stage setups. Does anyone know of any instruction videos that better explain stage set ups for dancing hankherchief routines such as this?

You have one of a kind, invented and manufactured by Sean Bogunia. I don't believe anyone but him can help you with his merchandise. Have you reached out to Sean Bogunia with your concerns and questions.

If you are breaking the thread, I would say you are being to rough with the device, and you need a lot more patience and practice. Seems you may be rushing the learning process. You have to go slow at the beginning and study what you may be doing to catch the thread and how you may be mishandling the device, then train yourself not to make these same mistakes any longer. I thought Sean Bogunia announced he came up this a new design that prevented the thread from getting caught.

This is something you will not learn in a week or so, the few videos I have seen of most people that try to do the dancing hanks are very poor simply because they do not get the movements and "acting" that has to go into this effect.

If you are to devote the time into learning this, you have to set aside an hour or two everyday to practice these moves until they become second nature. This is not an automatic magic act, but a device to accomplish entertaining your audiences.

Contact Sean Bogunia is your best solution.

One Dancing Handkerchief I saw used a Zombie-type, articulated system. Anyone familiar with that one? Is it still available?

Doug

Doug, there are copies of the original Don Wayne Dancing Hank, but Don Wayne gave the rights to Sean Bogunia, Sean then developed his Ultimate Dancing Hank with all the additional advantages and capabilities of his new version. These used a Zombie type gimmick as you stated.

http://seanbogunia.com/ultimatehank1.html

Here is the copy:
http://www.abbottmagic.com/Dancing-Handk......oryId=-1

Here is the copy or another version of the electronic Dancing Hank, not as advanced as Sean Bogunia's version:
http://www.abbottmagic.com/Interactive-H......oryId=-1

For the definitive work on the Dancing Hank and animating other objects, I suggest picking up a copy of Michael A. Ching's 'New Animations'; it's the most comprehensive and thorough work on the subject matter I've ever found and gives multiple option and variations to produce the effect.

As far as the ITS, it sounds as though either you need more practice with it, or to use a better line. I would recommend Fearson's Vectra X2. Otherwise, I would contact Sean Begunia as Bill suggested.

Sean Begunia offers "Support" when you purchase his products.

It says so here and how to contact him with any of your questions. You can also call him for over the telephone advice.

http://seanbogunia.com/support2.html

Feel free to PM me if you have a Don Wayne DH you want to unload...

Doug

I agree with contacting Sean. I use his non-thread Dancing Hank, and he's always been available to answer questions and provide helpful support.

Ching's book is very good for the more traditional methods of dancing hank. But you need to talk to Sean on his. He will give you help.

Richard

I need to find a copy of Ching's book. This could be what I'm looking for...thanks Richard! Ha! Nary a copy to be found! Sca-REW this. I don't know what I was thinking...

Doug

Hey Doug, did you try here? http://dennymagic.com/store/new-animatio......ing.html

Fantastic Greg! I have a PDF, but want a hard copy. Thanks!

Doug

JB - It's been about 9 months now, since you started this post, how did all this turn out?

Thankfully I did eventually perfect it. I wrote more about it on this post. http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......forum=54

Hi all - I'm a bit late in coming to the "hank party" -- but I do intend on purchasing one of the various models that Sean has for sale. And I'll be glad to return to these chats if the wonderful mechanism suddenly stops functioning as well as the Magical Act needs it to. Thanks for the beginning information - so helpful, yes!

-Chris