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MySurvive New user Raleigh, NC 29 Posts |
Hey folks,
This is my first time actually recording a trick, I'd like some feedback if you don't mind. Self critiquing, I know there is at least one time that I flash a technique (the DL specifically) and the performance isn't really completely smooth Sorry for the audio, I had my face in a weird position near my mic... a lot of my patter cuts out. P.S. Performing for the camera sucks! It catches EVERYTHING! https://youtu.be/nXT34xnNni4 I'm looking for constructive criticism (i.e. "you look a unnatural when you do x" or "you need to speed up y part of the routine because it's obvious that something's up") Thanks, friends! |
Tom G Inner circle 2895 Posts |
MyS, this isn't meant as snarky, but you really need to learn the trick and have some patter before filming for advice. It didn't flow as it seemed like you had to think what comes next. Work it hard so you can get the moves without thinking and the handling is smooth. Then work on some patter that fits your personality.
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MySurvive New user Raleigh, NC 29 Posts |
Didn't take it as snarky!
I was actually speaking the whole time, but my mic is cardoid and I must have had my head in a weird position where my voice wasn't picked up for a lot of it. I was talking the whole time D: |
DelMagic Special user 719 Posts |
It is hard to give advice with such choppy audio - we can't really tell how all of your actions relate to your words. For the first two aces which flipped, instead of saying each had turned face up you said the ace came to the top. That is inconsistent with what the spectator sees.
Your handling isn't the smoothest but I would say it is OK. I do not like the failed 1st attempt with the ace of spades. I prefer the method of explaining that when you don't do the half-twist, then nothing flips face-up. Do not spin the packet and do the elmsley to show four face down cards. When counting the 4th and final card, place it on the bottom of the packet. Then do the half-twist followed by a quick spread of the packet. This is the most dramatic display as this is the climax. The placement of the 4th card to the bottom ensures the ace of spades is in the middle of the packet instead of the weaker position at the bottom. |
The Cardfather Veteran user Long Beach, CA 347 Posts |
This is something we can all benefit from, this is as straight from Vernon as you can get. I had the honor to sit with Howard Hamburg at the Magic Castle last February and did some tricks together at the Vernon table and chair. I showed him a trick of my own innovation that included a similar twist, he told me that Vernon never twisted his aces like everyone teaches in the DVDs and videos on the market and drives him nuts. He said Vernon wouldn't twist the cards with fingers in the middle of the cards as if axle on a wheel. Howard took his cards and showed me how Vernon reached further to the opposite edge, pinching the cards and spun it around or more like rocked it out. After the turn this puts you in the position without adjustment to do your Elmsley or whatever count you go into immediately without adjusting your fingers. Leave it to Vernon not to waste a movement. This came from one of Vernon"s best friends who sat across from him at this very table on countless nights up until his final days. It made my night, hope I was clear if not feel free to ask for better explanation. Rick
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MySurvive New user Raleigh, NC 29 Posts |
@DelMagic - I can't believe I said they came to the top... thank you for pointing that out. Huge discrepancy on my part... ugh.
"Your handling isn't the smoothest but I would say it is OK. " - I will take that any day of the week! I am very new to magic so even saying that my handling is "ok" is awesome for me to hear! I'll try the different handling you suggested with the Ace of Spades.. I like the idea of having the ace of spades appear in the middle of the deck, so I'm glad you pointed that out. I'll also cut the "it didn't work" bit, I agree that it sounds better saying that when you don't do the half twist, nothing shows up. Some people that I've seen like making the Ace of Spades the "powerful card" that requires a "more magical move" which is where I got that bit from. @The Cardfather - That's amazing that you had an opportunity like that! However, I may not be understanding what you mean... since you're doing the twist with the packet being held in the left hand and the twisting motion is done with the right hand, the entire right side of the packet should be clear post-twist no matter where you hold the packet. If anything, it seems like holding further from the center would make the cards get stuck on the webbing between your thumb and index finger? |
arthur stead Inner circle When I played soccer, I hit 1773 Posts |
I would suggest studying and practicing Vernon's original instructions from the book Dai Vernon's More Inner Card Secrets by Lewis Ganson.
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DaveGripenwaldt Elite user 487 Posts |
Just one additional comment...your doubles are kind of clunky. There is no need to hold on to the double all the way down and lay it on the top of the deck so deliberately. Try levering it up just enough that it begins to go over on its own, just letting it fall into place. A light tough makes a double appear much more fair.
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1KJ Inner circle Warning: We will run out of new tricks in 4385 Posts |
I don't think it looked that bad. Just practice it a zillion times until YOU are comfortable with the handling. My handling is different from other people's handling, but it works for me.
More importantly, once you are flawless with YOUR handling, then focus on YOUR presentation. You might enjoy watching the World's Greatest Magic (WGM) DVD on Twisting the Aces (TTA), just to see how they have different approaches to making the trick entertaining. I took inspiration from one of them (pardon me for not remembering who), who does a routine about acrobats. I use my version of TTA as a follow-up to my version of B'Wave. I keep them together in a gimmicked packet trick holder. By doing TTA after B'Wave, it allows me to end clean and examinable. My version uses their selected card plus three blank face cards that have something written on each one. It makes the patter much more entertaining. KJ |
furmanmatt Loyal user New York 217 Posts |
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MySurvive New user Raleigh, NC 29 Posts |
Hey everyone, thanks for the comments. My Elmsley has improved drastically since the original recording a month ago, so the trick looks a lot cleaner by far. However, my current handling is (as furmanmatt suggested) much too weak. I've been getting much better reactions even from simple rubber band tricks. I think I may work on creating my own handling by watching some performances by others as 1KJ suggested.
I've been working far too much on improving technique rather than putting technique into a routine, which I need to fix. Thanks for all of the comments, support, and critiques everyone! |
rowdymagi5 Inner circle Virginia 3616 Posts |
It takes guts to post a video and ask for constructive criticism. Good for you. Once you have the mechanics down (and you pretty much do) then you can work on presentation.
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RiderBacks Loyal user 251 Posts |
It's not a weak trick, contra furmanmatt, who wants to derail the discussion. It's a serious loser move to pop into a discussion and make a comment like that. Shame on furmanmatt for contributing nothing of value.
You don't have the moves down. They aren't OK (as presented). Describing them as "clunky" is an understatement. Even your non-moves, such as the mere twisting, look forced. Shoot a video of yourself ordinarily counting four cards in succession. Then compare it with the video of your Elmsley Count. Once your EC looks like your fair count (provided you can do a fair count quickly and smoothly), you'll have that portion nailed. It looks like you're maintaining a death grip on the cards throughout. Loosen up. This also applies to your double lift. Loosen up. Let the double fall gently. Flip it over slowly and smoothly, as if you were just turning a page over in a book. And work on abandoning the obvious get-ready for the DL. Just stick with Vernon's patter. Your patter isn't working. Finally, if you're going to upload a video, take the time to get it right. Make sure the audio is done right. Reshoot if you have to. |
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