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ggarcia Veteran user San Antonio Tx 395 Posts |
I just got my first axtell drawing board today and I love it. but, I have a question regarding the visibility of the mouth gimmick. on my board the mouth gimmick is in view a good 1/4 inch and is pretty visible. those of you that have the board, does yours hang out that much? if so, have you ever been called out on it? I was thinking about trimming it down but I thought I would ask about it before I did.
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kenscott Inner circle 1869 Posts |
Never been called out on it. Been doing it since 1994.
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Mr. Pitts Inner circle David Pitts 1058 Posts |
There's a recent thread on this. Myself and several others here have put a velcro strip along the top of the board and the top seam of the bag it comes in. After I get the board out of the bag, I attach the bag to the top and lay it over the back. I don't make a big deal out of it, I just do it. The bag hanging down covers up my hand and the gimmick during the show. And yes, the gimmick sticks out that much on my board also, and I sometimes work surrounded. Even if the folks behind me are only the parents, I'd rather they didn't see me working it. It's a great, versatile prop/novelty puppet, and this was such an obvious and simple fix for it's one shortcoming.
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ggarcia Veteran user San Antonio Tx 395 Posts |
Mr pitts, I am referring to the front of the board. the mouth gimmick sticks out about a 1/4" below the line. it is very visible. wasnt sure if all gimmicks stick out that much, and if so have you ever been called out on it.
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Don't cut it.
If you trim that mouth flap, you run the risk of it malfunctioning. What I mean by that, is that at some point while performing, the mouth might not come into view through the cut. It may slip in behind. - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
You could always send it back to Axtell for repair. He is excellent about his products being in pefect condition.
Dennis Michael
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kenscott Inner circle 1869 Posts |
When perform in close settings I am sitting down with the board resting on my knee. It really would be very hard for me to turn around. So NO one ever says it. If you keep the routine and don't drag it out and if the kids keep engaged there really should not be a problem. It is funny to watch a parent slowly walk back behind the board. Also I use AX trax or in some cases I make my own up. I don't do vent. What I find really funny is I can see parents saying to each other "is he saying that?" meaning am I doing vent? Well at that point I start moving my mouth a bit just to make it appear that I am doing vent. I think it is more amusing to me and entertains me.
By all means if you think the board is not working right send it back to Axtell. Great customer service. Ken |
Stevethomas Inner circle Southern U.S.A. 3728 Posts |
Did you buy yours brand new? I once bought a used one from a dealer and it turns out it was the old-style, and it had the same problem. Make sure it's stamped "Pro-Magic Drawing Board". If you bought it new, Axtell's customer service is awesome, just tell Steve. Maybe it just needs a tune up, too.
Steve |
ggarcia Veteran user San Antonio Tx 395 Posts |
Thank you all for your input. I just got it brand new from hocus pocus. I will contact Axtell and ask him about it.
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mike storz Inner circle Orange, CT 1353 Posts |
That's the best thing to do. Mine is not seen at all. You should get a new one no problem.
Steve is great to work with as well. I'm sure he'll take care of you. Mike |
David Thiel Inner circle Western Canada...where all that oil is 4005 Posts |
You know the boards come in two sizes, right? The big one for big shows and a little one for...well...you can do the math. I use both of them constantly.
Have NEVER had a problem with Steve's service. David
Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Except bears. Bears will kill you.
My books are here: www.magicpendulums.com www.MidnightMagicAndMentalism.com |
Gary Shelton Regular user 183 Posts |
Axtell service is second to none.
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Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
I'd never been called out on it, but I trimmed mine slightly then placed a thin narrow sheet of lamination plastic behind the lip to take the place of the overlap. This kept the lip from slipping behind the slot and is unnoticeable.
David, I like your Velcro cover idea. Never really thought about it. Thanks!
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
Matthew W Inner circle New York 2456 Posts |
The mouth on mine is a bit visible, but nobody has ever said anything to me. I think both children and adults realize it is a puppet. Its still a fun routine that audiences love and I enjoy doing.
-Matt
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axtell V.I.P. Steve Axtell 2126 Posts |
Ggarcia... It is normal to have the white leading edge of the mouth showing out of the slit. There are over 25,000 of them out there and it's not noticed by the audience. It's white on white (white magic). It's usually about 1/8" but can be a little more. It should not be showing any of the black line art however when it's closed.
Ax
Axtell Expressions, Inc.
Pro Puppets, Magic & Animatronics |
ggarcia Veteran user San Antonio Tx 395 Posts |
Mr Axtell, thank you very much for your input. mine does hang out about an 1/8 of an inch. I do like the idea suggested above of trimming it a little and using clear plastic as the overlap.
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axtell V.I.P. Steve Axtell 2126 Posts |
Clear shows the white paper behind it, so white on white is the same to the audience, really it isn't noticed as you've heard from the others. If you do trim it down keep the curve smmmmoooooth like it is now so it slides out without catching on the slit. I'm excited you are adding it to your show! Best to you! Ax
Axtell Expressions, Inc.
Pro Puppets, Magic & Animatronics |
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Every few years I bring back and take out puppets from the summer programs. This year for the theme of Around the world, I will be using this great prop to talk to the winner of the Ms. World Contest. (a drawing of a globe will be used rather than the traditional contestant)
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
axtell V.I.P. Steve Axtell 2126 Posts |
Very cool! If the mouth is drawn near the middle with it have an Ecuadorian accent?? Ax
Axtell Expressions, Inc.
Pro Puppets, Magic & Animatronics |
David Thiel Inner circle Western Canada...where all that oil is 4005 Posts |
Nah. They've never noticed. Not once. I've done it literally hundreds of times on festival stages as well as living rooms.
David
Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Except bears. Bears will kill you.
My books are here: www.magicpendulums.com www.MidnightMagicAndMentalism.com |
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