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giggalo183 New user new jersey 32 Posts |
what are the best books/videos on how to do escape magic ?
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Sniper New user 75 Posts |
I recommend the John Novak series (published by Mickey Hades). There are 8 volumes of very wise and practical advice on making this form of magic entertaining to todays audiences.
His book on the 75 foot rope escape is also really good - as is Lee Jacobs book on the topic. Sn!per |
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x-treem Inner circle 1133 Posts |
A great over view is “The New Expanded Encyclopedia of Escapes.” Various authors, through Micky Hades.
A pretty good list to get you started and the order to read them: 1) Houdini on escape – Houdini, edited by Walter B. Gibson. 2) The Cord Vol. 1 – Expert Manipulation of Handcuffs – Norm Bigelow (for modern day handcuffs) 3) Handcuff Secrets For Magicians – Dick Norman (older handcuffs and a history of) 4) The Cord Vol.3 Expose of the Specialist – Norm Bigelow (locks and various other things) 5) The Cannon’s 21st Century Lecture Notes – Mark and Shelia Cannon (various effects for the modern “do it yourselfer”) 6) How to Escape From a Strait Jacket (video) – Jay Leslie Hope this helps. X
A direct from text adaptation : The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde Starring Mickey Rooney in his final role.
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Megatherion Regular user 146 Posts |
Hi,
Apart from the books mentioned above I would like to recommend: 33 rope and chain releases 16 thumb tie gems Escape "Abbotts" The New Expanded Encyclopedia of Escapes has to few illustrations. Rope and chain work needs illustrations. Yours faithfully Dan Kirsch |
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Cliffg37 Inner circle Long Beach, CA 2491 Posts |
I am posting this note for no reason other than to bump this topic to the top. It is the oldest post I could find in the all tied up section.
Magic is like Science,
Both are fun if you do it right! |
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Harley Newman Inner circle 5117 Posts |
I teach.
“You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus” -Mark Twain
www.bladewalker.com |
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Ian McColl Inner circle 1493 Posts |
Have you started to teach methods for opening locks and handcuffs yet?
handcuff keys https://www.facebook.com/groups/274871910110997/
old business https://www.facebook.com/Stockade-locksmiths-276492435716704/ |
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Harley Newman Inner circle 5117 Posts |
Some cuff work. Teaching, I have a limited amount of time to cover a lot of material.
“You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus” -Mark Twain
www.bladewalker.com |
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Ian McColl Inner circle 1493 Posts |
You'd want to have a 6 week course then, I could a two days on cuffs and another two weeks on locks and that's just a starters lesson.
handcuff keys https://www.facebook.com/groups/274871910110997/
old business https://www.facebook.com/Stockade-locksmiths-276492435716704/ |
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Cliffg37 Inner circle Long Beach, CA 2491 Posts |
My terminology here is probably wrong, but I have always wondered how long it takes of study to become a competent locksmith technician (someone who responds to lock out calls) vs. how long to become a master locksmith who builds and designs their own.
Magic is like Science,
Both are fun if you do it right! |
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Rook Special user I went to the Magic Cafe and all I got were these lousy 834 Posts |
Don't know about the title designations, but a locksmithing apprenticeship generally lasts 2-3 years.
Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.
-Roald Dahl |
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dave_matkin Inner circle 4522 Posts |
Quote:
On May 15, 2018, Rook wrote: Rook this is completely off topic ..... but I love your signature line. I was given that quote framed really nicely as a leaving present from the school English department I worked at last year! Love it great quote. |
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Harley Newman Inner circle 5117 Posts |
Rook is making a derivative comment from Ian. Ian is an amazing locksmith, and that is his focus.
I don't think that locks are central to escapes, any more than straitjackets. There are other important principles. And of course...showmanship. It doesn't matter what you do, if you can't present it in a way that's compelling to the audience.
“You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus” -Mark Twain
www.bladewalker.com |
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Kondini Inner circle 3609 Posts |
In a nutshell Mr Newman.
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Rook Special user I went to the Magic Cafe and all I got were these lousy 834 Posts |
[quote]On May 16, 2018, dave_matkin wrote:
Quote:
On May 15, 2018, Rook wrote: Thanks, Dave! I was always a big Roald Dahl fan, so it suited me well...glad you resonated with it also!
Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.
-Roald Dahl |
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dave_matkin Inner circle 4522 Posts |
Quote:
On May 16, 2018, Harley Newman wrote: Quote:
On May 17, 2018, Kondini wrote: As you both say 0 showmanship! Seen some "escapes" online and live that have been severely lacking in that! I think the fact that people have escaped out of bags of paper and plastic sealed with tape backs up the comment Harley made about locks are not central to escape entertainment. Further backed by rope and regular zip ties, cling film (Sorry Saran wrap for the yanks) and duct tape. Locks and SJ are not necessarily needed. |
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Harley Newman Inner circle 5117 Posts |
I've met more than a few people who call themselves escape artists, because they know how to pick a lock. They can escape, sure. But that doesn't have anything to do with artistry. It's far more important to know how to engage an audience, and take them on a journey.
“You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus” -Mark Twain
www.bladewalker.com |
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Cliffg37 Inner circle Long Beach, CA 2491 Posts |
I can pick some locks. I do not call myself a locksmith. Not in any way shape or form. Everything I know about locks, I imagine someone like Ian learned in his first week of school.
When I tell people I am an Escape Artist, most lay people assume that I can pick locks. OK, fine. I don't pick locks on stage. I never have. I do tell people at one point I am going to do that, but that is not what happens in my show. I lie and fake them out. They don't know that though, they think I picked the lock. I don't claim that the following psychology will work for anyone else, but this is what I have come to believe for myself. My style on stage is very disarming. (Not my word, this came from a spectator after the show) What she meant was that I make people feel comfortable while I entertain them. Keeping in mind that the thought of restraining someone can be very uncomfortable to some people. If I make them feel comfortable it is a good thing. I often wonder how many people when asked to apply a restraint are accused of having a sadistic grin, when in reality it is a nervous laugh. I think the psychology of what we do with and for an audience is worth exploring.
Magic is like Science,
Both are fun if you do it right! |
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Ian McColl Inner circle 1493 Posts |
I've met more than a few people who call themselves escape artists, because they do escapes in front of an audience. They can escape, sure. However that doesn't have anything to do with cleverness and cunning, what I consider the artistry of escapes. People aren't into a journey, I don't think they care less. Most audiences will probably only see one or two performances (live) in a life time and they have nothing to gauge good against bad. With so much magic being adding to escapes, the art and class of escapes has been blurred for decades. The escape from a packing crate lifted off and trailer into the air and then the vanish is the worst type of escape but the audience clap because they know no better.escapes are a novelty performance which is why there are heaps of them doing escapes without any foundation in the craft. Escapes from duct tape and cling wrap is done because no skill is needed, nor any dedication to practice or learning. If straitjacket escapes are out of date, cling wrap fails as I have never seen (in a real world crime) where someone is wrapped in it. Unless they are already dead and it's normally a carpet or rug.
handcuff keys https://www.facebook.com/groups/274871910110997/
old business https://www.facebook.com/Stockade-locksmiths-276492435716704/ |
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Cliffg37 Inner circle Long Beach, CA 2491 Posts |
Ian, You bring up some interesting points. I would love to know who you have seen do an escape show (live or on video) that you considered good or even great.
I remember years ago at the Cannon's convention, an escape artist being angry when he described himself as the "greatest" and was told, "Face it, we are all the greatest." Does it all come down to personality and interaction with the audience? Are some of us more skilled than others? I know there are better performers than me, just as I know there are some more skilled than I. I hate being introduced as the greatest, if for no other reason that some in the audience may like someone else's show better than mine. No hard feelings on that, it is a matter of preference. I loved Roger Moore's comment after his first James Bond movie, "Live and Let Die." Someone suggested that Sean Connery might have been a better James Bond. Moore said, "Some like Olivier's Hamlet and some like Geilgud's" In other words, he did not care. I don't either. My ego is not so big that I need to be the greatest, unlike the fellow at Cannon's
Magic is like Science,
Both are fun if you do it right! |
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