Hi,
My name I Alex and I restarted magic after an absence of about 4-5 years.
In your oppinion which of gimmics are essential for close up -street?

I 've been reading around ellusionist-penguin and all of the tricks in their oppinion are "must haves".

So I need some oppinions from you fellows

Thanks in advance

Alex

For street or close-up the only gimmick I use is a copper-silver coin, and a shell.

Vinny

Must haves include motivation, patience, some ability to read, and the determination to make magic work for other people.

The rest is just specifics which include props, scripts and some character work.

The toys are usually not needed till specific routines and presentations determine that these are the BEST way to get the work done.

You are probably best served by a reading of the Robert-Houdin book, and then perhaps the Downs book.

The only gimmicks I use are jumbo coins (if you can call them a gimmick), 2 copper/ 1 silver gimmick, and a copper/sivler gimmick.

I'd stay away from gimmicks and learn how to make miracles happen without using them as a sort of crutch

Yeah some of the best trick just use regular cards or regular coins....dont buy just gimmicks!

I'd stay away from gimmicks and learn how to make miracles happen without using them as a sort of crutch.

Gimmicks combined with good sleight of hand can be devastating in the right hands!

Mike

I'd stick to doing all coin magic by means of real magic.

But since that is beyond the abilities of most mortal humans, any means of appearing to do real magic is just as good as another. Yes, a gimmick coin is fake. Hiding a coin behind your hand or in your sleeve is fake, too.

Jonathan was correct... Determine the effect you want to create, and then develop that effect with whatever tools/toys are available to serve the purpose. Those tools may be gimmick coins; they may be deft maneuvers. Most experienced performers use a combination of both.

Those who advise using one method over another often forget that creating the effect is the goal if we are performing for other people. The method, as long as it gets the job done, is completely insignificant.

Performing for our own gratification is another subject altogether.

Greg

Thanx fellows ,i'll try....

Alex

The pyro perception, is a good one!

I you've checked out ellusionist-penguin,
I suggest you get
Coins for Dishonest Abe by Gregory Wilson from penguin
and
Impossible Cap Thru Bottle from ellusionist.

THese are so far the best from each site..

I used to use gimmicks a lot but I gradually moved away from them and I'm happier using sleights, having been inspired by Gregory Wilson's "On The Spot" originally and Manuel Muerte's "Done by Misdirection" more recently.

A thumb tip, used well, is probably the best gimmick out there IMO.

Pyro perception is good if you deal with cards. If you deal with rubberbands then I suggest you pick up a manuscript called Linked 4 Life. It is the best ender of a rubberband routine.

have fun in magic!