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adamhill New user 4 Posts |
Hi all I currently do just Kids magic and I would like to start doing some close up table hopping strolling style magic, my main concern is I've no idea where to start!
I've no intention of advertising myself or doing any paid close up work for at least 12 months as I want to make sure I have a polished set list if you like. I would like to do a good variety of effects including cards, rings, ropes, coins etc it's just there are so many shuffles, forces and effects out there. Ideally I'm looking for a kind of guide that walks you through it bit by bit things like what type of effect works well what flops, how to have the best practice sessions, how to sell your services, approaching people that kind of thing. Any help would be great! Best wishes Adam |
Jmolomagic Veteran user Victorville 332 Posts |
Sent you a PM.
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mixman Loyal user Northern Colorado 294 Posts |
There are several threads in this category which can help you get started in close up. As far as which effects to use, your performing personality should help determine what would be the most entertaining. some general rules for strolling close up effects would be; angle proof, easily or instantly reset-able, easily portable, workable on any or no surface. if you are going to be doing this a lot, remember that props get lost and broken, so think twice about expensive props and always have spares ready.
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Hydrostevo New user Stamford, England 56 Posts |
As Mixman said there is a tonne of stuff in these threads and most of it is solid gold advice. I got Jamie D Grant's book 'The Approach' and that is a good place to start. I also just got a set of lecture notes from Steve Naylor that are very informative and well written.
http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......c=575194 |
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
If you're just starting out, you'll be wise to READ! I mean BASIC BOOKS!
In the past few years a plethora of books and a whole bunch of DVDs have been published, that are loaded with "close up" material. Most of them are very good. When you build a house, it is wise to start at the FOUNDAATION, not the ROOF! TARBELL is an excellent, basic 'course in magic". There are seven volumes (about 10" on your bookshelf!) TARBELL is an INVESTMENT! (and, will pay dividends!) The current edition is about $20. per volume--and well worth it. There is a pdf version available free! The pdf version will do just fine. You may want to invest in the hard bound volumes later. Tarbell starts off with a bit of history! You don't need to memorize it. Skim it. The first few chapters are on extremely basic sleights. It is not absolutely necessary to learn and perfect all of them, Just become familiar. As you study, certain tricks may appesl to you. If there is a sleight involved, you can go back to those first few chapters and "dig deeper". I read Tarbell when I was 15. I have made a living most of my life, performing magic. Much of my repertoire came originally from Tarbell. Over the years (alsmost 70)I have adapted, updated and edited what I learned from Tarbell. (You cannot edit, update, or adapt something that you don't already know! LEARN THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES! Never mind "selling your act" until you have something to sell. Dun and Bradstreet's slogan: "You can't do business from an empty wagon!" is OLD, but still TRUE. You can spend a thousand bucks real quick on "toys" (props). Scroll back up to mixman's post. I'm sure that he means well, HERE COMES THE "BUT">>>>>In performing you don't use EFFECTS. you use PROPS, and/or SECRETS. (The EFFECT is what the spectator sees--or thinks that he sees!!!) You use PROPS and/or SECRETS to perform a TRICK. The PERFORMER ia more important than the PROP! If you perform the trick well, using YOUR PERSONALITY, AND YOUR PRESENTATION, it is "very possible" that the spectator will like the EFFECT, --and "MAGIC" will happen IN THE SPECTATOR'S MIND! (HERE COMES THE SECOND "BUT">>>> MAGIC IS NOT INHERENTLY ENTERTAINING! You cannot BUY A TRICK. It only exists while it is being performed. You cannot BUY MAGIC. MAGIC only HAPPENS, in the spedtator's mind. You can buy a PROP or SECRET. Once you understand PRINCIPLES, you are better "equipped" to spend your hard earned cash! TARBELL teaches principles. The ball is now in your court. I can't TEACH you anything! Tarbell can't either. Tarbell or myself,or any mentor can only HELP YOU LEARN. Sophocles said it a few millenia ago: "One learns by doing the thing!" --Read, study, practice, and DO.
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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mixman Loyal user Northern Colorado 294 Posts |
I agree with everything Dick said. And I would also highly recommend the Tarbell course.
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EVILDAN Inner circle 1279 Posts |
The Approach by Jamie Grant is a good starting point as it is specifically written for what you want to do. I would read this first and see if this is something you want to do. If so, then dig into Tarbell. I would also recommend The Amateur Magician's Handbook by Henry Hay and the two Now You See It, Now You Don't books by Bill Tarr.
by EVILDAN....
"The Coin Board Book" - moves and routines with the coin panel board. - http://www.lybrary.com/the-coin-board-book-p-827955.html "SLASHER - A Horror Whodunnit" - a bizarre close-up routine based on Bob Neale's "Sole Survivor." PM me for more info. "Zombie Town" - a packet effect about how a small town turned into zombies. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nzJhcoJtyOM |
Bill Thompson Elite user Mississippi 422 Posts |
Quote:
On Jan 10, 2015, EVILDAN wrote: The amateur Magician's Handbook was my first real book on magic... you could use this book alone to make a career. Bill Tarr's book taught me my first basic sleight of hand. I have the Tarbell books, they will give you a firm foundation to build upon. If you already have a foundation built and are ready or already performing then books on presentation and structuring are what you need. Read Darwin Ortiz's Strong Magic. Study Don Alan's stuff and look at how he structured his sit down close-up act. You don't have to use much in way of props, I don't, but I do have a few here and there. I even do a routine with a set of Buddha papers occasionally. Bill Abbot has a book called Table Magic with a several routines featuring ordinary objects as props for close-up and resturant work. I use the Boyd Mystery from that book with a set of hand-made Buddha papers. Oh and lest I forget: read and absorb everything Dick Oslund posts. He has been there and done that and everything he posts is pure gold; wisdom from the trenches!
"To let understanding stop at what cannot be understood is a high attainment.
Those who cannot do it will be destroyed on the lathe of heaven." - Chuang Tse |
Chamberlain Special user 629 Posts |
Learn the following effects:
-Crazy Mans Handcuffs (followup with broken and restored) -Invisible Deck -Sponge Bunnies -Basic Card Transpo (using a dupe) -Ambitious Card > Wallet I have about 30+ effects in my repertoire that I use at gigs, though those 5 are the ones I've performed the most over the years at parties, weddings, corporate events etc etc sometimes they are all I perform all night If you're looking for more corporate style effects, learn the following -Extreme Burn -Liquid Metal -$100 Bill Switch -Ring Flight -Bottle Thru Table |
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