I finally got round to posting something on You Tube, so...

I wanted to share my chop cup routine.
It can be found here:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=2inZ8AfI_pc

I would be grateful for any feedback.

Many thanks,
Tom

You may have to click on 'watch in high quality' to view it.

Lord knows why.

Finally a video from Tom! Been waiting to see your routine for some time now.
I love the fact that you are enjoying your performance. Great communication with the audience (cam) using eye contact and the look of wonderment.

Here are some of my feedback...

I always love the part when the ball goes back inside the pouch . I appreciate you using the line..." I waved the wand over the bag didn't I " ???

I think its a solid routine that plays stronger with a live audience.

Mabuhay from Manila,

Rannie

Thanks for that Rannie.
I'm glad you liked the routine.

Tom

Thanks Tom for sharing, I really like the reveal of the billiard ball… it appears to be too large for the cup. I keep watching it over and over.

Thanks Bruce.

That's great stuff Tom! I too liked the billiard ball ending.
Are you using a 'Little Don' chop cup?? I've always wanted one...

Thanks for the praise agent61.

You are correct, the cup is a 'Little Don'. It is the brass version.
I would highly recommend this cup, it is nicely weighted and takes a fair sized FL.
I should also say that it looks beautiful too.

I'm sure that Jake would be only too happy to supply you with one

I had no idea you could fit a billiard ball in there, wow!
That's a nice size load. Guess I'm going to have to seriously look into getting
a 'Little Don'!

James

James,

I think that the pool ball I use may be a smaller one than normal.

The dimensions of the cups are:
Mouth dia. 2 1/8"
Height. 2 1/4"
Base dia. 1 1/2"

These dimensions were taken with a steel rule and may not bee 100% accurate.

Best,
Tom

Tom, very nice routine, I the best I liked are "waved over the bag" and the ball trough the cup mouth down and mouth up, well done ...

Pablo

Thank you for the kind words Pablo.

I'm working om improvements based on the comments I've received.
When I've got the routine down I'll put the new one up.

Tom

I liked this one - slow and smooth, yet not without humor. Too many people do their routine in a rapid-fire fashion ala Paul Daniels but very few manage to pull it off.

Well done

Tina

Tom,

Where did you get your pool ball you use for the final load? Thanks.

-Paul

Tina, thank you for the nice comments.
I must admit that most of the routines I do are done slowly but it took a while before they did.
I used to work far too fast but, partly through what I've read here on The Café, I realised that much of what I do works much better at a slow pace.

Paul, I was given the pool ball by a friend who had relatives that owned a pub.
They got a new set of balls for the pool table and I got the 2 ball.

Tom

Why did you call it "chop" cup??? Call it anything but that...

The table is too small, your load was very bad and it looked like you had to think about what you were doing. Needs a lot of work.

You're a nice guy and I like you and I hope to see the routine improve.


Thanks for sharing.

Justin,

I have no idea why I called it Chop Cup. In hindsight it was a silly thing to do.

The table is big but I had to work in a small space to ensure the video camera caught my hands and my face. I have seen videos where the performers face is unseen and I always feel that I would like to see the face and catch its expressions etc.

I have to agree that it needs a lot of work, it was my first experience of taping a routine and posting to You Tube, I was VERY nervous.
I like to think that my performance of the routine is much better when I'm doing it for 'real' people rather than a camera lens.

Thanks for your comments, you've given me a lot to think about.
Thanks too for the nice comments about myself.

Once I have practiced the improvements that have been suggested I will remove that clip and put on an updated and hopefully, improved version.

Best wishes,
Tom

Listen. YOU ARE a nice guy. NO reason to be nervous, I knew you were. BUT relax and just be yourself. THAT'S the real magic, everything else will follow. It's a good routine and I know with some mileage it will get a lot better. One other thing...be gentle, yet firm. Treat your magic like a lady...with a soft touch. No need to slam things so roughly. Like playing pool, finesse. Know what I'm sayin?

I look forward to seeing more!

Me too! I like that routine...

Thanks guys