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Roger_Staton New user 81 Posts |
How do you guys choose which tricks you do when performing close up and how do you flow between on trick into the other in a smooth way?
Cups and balls seems to be the ultimate closer but what is a go to opener, and good middle effects. I would love to see examples of what are on some of you guys "set list". That is if you you are willing to share. I was doing a lot of mentalism but am trying build a close up magic act and I would love to see the contrasts of what sort of effects you guys love as your go to effect. |
Dave V Inner circle Las Vegas, NV 4824 Posts |
I don't work enough to have a "set list" but I have some ideas...
Are you on the street? Start small with single person effects that will interest passers-by. Work into the "middle show" while teasing them about the "big finale" If you're in a formal show and introduced by someone, they're waiting for you and expecting to see magic. I'd heed the advice of Paul Vigil and others who say "Don't open with a card trick" Paul's second trick uses cards, but he sets it up that it's not a card trick but a mental experiment that happens to use cards. If you're a "table hopper" you have to break the ice and play to a fixed number of patrons so you would choose effects that play to that size and leave the big crowd pleasers for some other time. In a trade show, people come and go, so make it short and sweet and repeat, repeat, repeat... using something that's entertaining but doesn't depend on a surprise ending as some people will see you more than once. I worked the "Fast and Loose" chain for 8 hours straight and baffled everyone, even those who played it and lost earlier in the day. They were equally entertained seeing their friends lose as well. So... if you don't get a straight answer to your question here, the likely reason is "it depends."
No trees were killed in the making of this message, but a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.
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Roger_Staton New user 81 Posts |
I should have been more clear I am sorry,
I would probably be doing it in a indoor setting where I have a time limit maybe 20 mins maybe more maybe less but I would be there to perform and people will be there ready to see magic, no need to gather people just come out and perform. so am just wondering how people would structure an act in that way and examples of tricks you would use, thank you for you input |
afinemesh Inner circle Senseless gibberish that amounts to 2621 Posts |
Roger,
I'm not going to mention any specific effects here, but rather, some ideas I've learned. Think of a "set" as a written paragraph or a movement from a symphony. It has an introduction, a body and a conclusion (provided it's written well). First, you need to know what you want to say (accomplish). When you figure that out, then you can work on structuring it. Your opener is your introduction. It describes what you want to accomplish. The body is a series of effects that build from your introduction in a synergistic way. And, your conclusion should sum up what you performed in the body. Your closer should be a culmination of everything else. I know this sounds vague and maybe a little esoteric, but learning to routine a "set" or how to link effects together (for me) comes from trial and error. I have to get out there and try it out and see what works. More times then not, what works best might not be what you think! Jorey
"I've always been mental, I'm sure of it" Boris Pocus
"Someday we'll look back on this and it will all seem funny". . .Bruce Springsteen |
Roger_Staton New user 81 Posts |
That's really good man, thanks for that, I'm not on here trying to steal peoples ideas for routines I hope that's not how It seems, and what you have said was really helpful. The only reason I was asking for effects is just get an idea of how people blend the effects like what goes well before cups and balls..ect, Just looking for ideas, but the way you put that is really awesome, thank you
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afinemesh Inner circle Senseless gibberish that amounts to 2621 Posts |
Thank you, Roger. But, to be honest, I really don't routine the C&B's. For me, they're a stand alone effect. You can really jazz it up for a nice routine of it's own. That's not to say they can't be routined with other effects. But, I imagine they work best as a closer.
Jorey P.S. I (I'll speak for myself) didn't think you were trying to steal anything
"I've always been mental, I'm sure of it" Boris Pocus
"Someday we'll look back on this and it will all seem funny". . .Bruce Springsteen |
Roger_Staton New user 81 Posts |
Yea I have heard of guys using sponges as a final load and going into a sponge ball routine but I feel as if C&B's are the perfect closer. and I think it is really hard to follow..I just don't really know what to do before that I mean I have some good card stuff rope stuff coin stuff..things that will work great, and play well alone but I just don't know how to put it all together for a close up act. I am settled on C&B's being my closer though.
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Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
Take what you do really well and can do without worrying about anything. Angles, preparation, nothing that could fail.
Open with your strongest item other than cups and balls. Something that involves the folks. Then maybe a card routine. I like to start with Chicago Opener, Vernon's Triumph then card on forehead, and either MacDonald's Aces or card in wallet. Then cups and balls or a Benson Bowl. An alternate closer might be my new Soup to Nuts.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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afinemesh Inner circle Senseless gibberish that amounts to 2621 Posts |
There you go! Not complicated at all
"I've always been mental, I'm sure of it" Boris Pocus
"Someday we'll look back on this and it will all seem funny". . .Bruce Springsteen |
Roger_Staton New user 81 Posts |
Thank you Pete, That is extremely helpful
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Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
Glad to be of service.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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Roger_Staton New user 81 Posts |
How do you guys feel about opening with shell game and closing with cups and balls...Is that too much of the same for one act? I know they are completely different in performance but are they too similar for spectators?
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Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
How entertaining is your routine? Don Alan did chop cup, Benson bowl and a routine with a hat and a final load all in the same show.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Roger_Staton, the way you link effects is simply through 'what you say'. The tricks can do it at times if you learn enough tricks and find they blend together. You must speak to people, be friendly and interested in other people.
I learned enough magic, that I finally routined together this sequence. Remove a deck of cards, remove the 4 Aces, and lay on the table. Moving the cards aside, 4 half dollars appeared. from this I went into the Matrix effect. Then each coin was used in a trick. One coin I extracted the silver from. leaving a clear coin. Another coin transformed into a shot glass of whiskey, etc. I sometimes did the coins across, it all depends on the room on the table. The same with card tricks, I found that 3 of the tricks I learned from the Paul Harris books, could be assembled into one deck. So I actually had 3 or 4 card tricks all with one deck, that could be easily re-assembled for the next table. Another way is, using interesting props draws interest. If you pull out those cups, this draws interest. Notice someone looking and hand a cup to them. Then say, "I would like to show one of the oldest tricks in the world, with these unusual cups." Come to think about it most props are interesting, as why would you have a deck of cards, a rope, sponge rabbits, or any of the props we carry in a restaurant or place they are not expected to be. That is the problem with buying magic on line, most of the time you do not get to see the actual effect. So you cannot know if a trick will fit your act. Lastly, you have to know your magic so well, that if you are interrupted, you can carry on from where you left off. That is why if you do the magic you like, you will not have a problem with this. I once asked the same question you did, how to routine your magic. It will come with time and an in depth understanding of your tricks, but you need a knowledge base to draw from. That is why it is important to actually see in person professional magician. I once was amazed by Harry Lorayne at at Chicago lecture. He entertained for 2-1/2 hours with only a deck of cards. It was the most enjoyable time I have ever had watching card tricks. Get the Don Alan DVD, you will learn more then just some excellent magic. |
Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
Ken Brooke always preached, "It's the links and bits of business BETWEEN each trick that make an act."
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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doug brewer V.I.P. 1142 Posts |
Start with this rule of thumb: coins, cards, closer.
Any eye candy is best served in the beginning, then move into more interactive routines. Set lists, routining, segues from effect to effect; ah, that's the sauce on the goose. That's where the fun is, and it's where you get to show us who you are and where you're going. If you want to open with the shells, make it work. I sometimes use shells as a "closer" since they're more a performance piece, have a lot of audience interaction, and end strong. Instead, something faster and establishes you as someone to watch is (typically) a good opener. Good luck! |
Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
I find it very handy to work out two or three trick "chunks." Each chunk may be 10 or 15 minutes long. Each chunk has an opener, a middle and a closer. The middle in a two trick chunk could be the transitional patter.
You can combine two chunks to make a 20 minute show. Everything I do for a close-up performance is of such a nature that by holding it higher and speaking more loudly, I can entertain a roomful of people with it. When I do coins, the smallest coin I use is an English penny, (in most cases) and I tend to use silver dollars rather than halves. Do very visual, visible magic.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
Roger_Staton New user 81 Posts |
Thanks Bill for sharing your wisdom, taking all of this in.
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