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magicians Inner circle Teacher and Legend 2898 Posts |
I watch rope lecturers intently, and listen carefully. I have seen a lecturer do a routine with one added move, or his "improvement" on the move. The spectators watch a most impressive rope routine and in their mind they can't differentiate between the so called "improvement" and the main routine.
Now, improvements are fine, but there are lots of magicians who are new on the planet and have never seen the original effect. Thus, new heroes are born under false pretense. They just saw a phenomenal classic performed by a competent performer who winds up with credit for the classic by only adding a small twist of the hand. Those who have followed my posts have listened to me rant about George Sands rip-offs (probably one of the most abused), whose root routine are the basis of very expensive DVD's. I look at those lecture routines and DVD's and can see what is no less than blatant plagiarism and copyright infringement. In some cases, there the basic end switch when tying a knot, or a slide of a knot, and a unique pick-up and switch. These all have documented origins and should be credited. I caught a Mike Finney routine, who used a rope pickup (the key point of his effect), and it was my pickup out of my lecture. He commented that it wasn't his move and that he forgot where he had seen it. Fiber Optics (the first DVD), notoriously used uncredited Sands moves without which, Fiber Optics would be reduced to how to pluck off a rope loop. There should be an encyclopedia of rope moves. During my beginner rope lecture, I use several credited moves. A Sands setup, a John Cornelius rope slide, a Garcia pickup and more. I credit it as I do it, so as to differentiate them from my own effects. Knowing the history of moves can help you create a totally original routine without derivation (and I have). Some rope effects are parts of the natural progression of thought and even if you think of it, does not mean that it hasn't been done. I was very specific with a young lecturer who touted his routine as original and I gave him the youtube video of several old routines with his "new move" included. Including one from Sweden from the sixties. That didn't stop him from making a $25 DVD. Maybe its professional jealousy, (that some very popular lecturers claim other people's work), but I will not allow the sacred word "original" to be bantered about casually.
Illusionist, Illusionist consulting, product development, stage consultant, seasoned performer for over 35 years. Specializing in original effects. Highly opinionated, usually correct, and not afraid of jealous critics. I've been a puppet, a pirate, a pawn and a King. Free lance gynecologist.
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
If you buy the George Sands book, read it, look at his DVD, then you will realize that most rope magic ideas were created by the great George Sands. The famous rope magicians of today (David Williamson, Richard Sanders, Daryl) would not be very famous at all if it was not for the George Sands moves that they incorporated into their routines. I have an original ring and rope routine that no one else does but me which is about 75% George Sands.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
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