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RiffClown Inner circle Yorktown, Virginia (Previously Germany) 1579 Posts |
Welcome to The Cafe and thanks for sharing your knowledge with us. I've asked this question several times and I would like your take on it as well.
What effect, packet trick or gimmick do you most see abused on a regular basis? You know, the one where you cringe when the performer pulls it out of his pocket or bag. Then for those of us that might own this same item, how would you suggest bringing out its potential? In short what do you most hate to see and how would you make it better?
Rob "Riff, the Magical Clown" Eubank aka RiffClown
<BR>http://www.riffclown.com <BR>Magic is not the method, but the presentation. |
Aaron B Fisher V.I.P. Hollywood, California 143 Posts |
Rob,
This is really a great topic, and I hope to add more thoughts here as they occur. For starters, I think the most abused and often misunderstood item I can readily imagine is the sleight known as the double lift. Because it's the sort of sleight you can "execute" on the first day you read it, it tends to be done poorly by many people. Not only is it handled poorly, but audiences are managed poorly while it's being performed. I used to argue with Richard Kaufman on this point. He feels the double lift is such a perfect sleight that you don't have to misdirect at all when performing it. He feels you should always have the audience focus directly on the cards. I feel it's a beautiful sleight as well. The double lift is my friend, and I like to treat my friends a little better than that. Especially my friends that wish to be discreet; my friends that don't want to be recognized. Whenever it isn't absolutely central to the effect, I apply some sort of misdirection to the action. Subtle misdirection. I don't want the audience to feel misdirected. I simply engage the eye as the "card" is turned over. By the time the card falls face up on the pack, all my attention, and with it the attention of the audience, is on the card. Most of the time, the important part of the effect is the identity of the card, not the act of turning it over. In those rare occasions when the important aspect of the effect is in the actual turning of the card, then Isometimes allow the audience to focus on the action. But, and this is the important part, I cannot rely on the sleight this way. If I always focused audience attention on the actual act of turning a card over, I would be asking to much of the poor double lift. It's a good sleight, I know, but it doens't deserve this abuse. Every now and again, an effect, like the ambitious card (see favorite card effect thread), will demand you focus all attention on the "double turnover action". Otherwise, dont' do it. Treat your sleights carefully. Take care of them. Then, they will take care of you. What sleights, or effects, do you guys feel are abused? This is a great topic, and we should talk some more about it. |
Mark Ennis Inner circle Raleigh, NC 1031 Posts |
I agree. I also believe the Elmsley count is abused.
I am also a believer that subtle misdirection is appropriate for any move you want to perform, no matter how invisible it may be. Juan Tamariz looks up on the move of the Elmsley count just for reinforcement.
ME
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djockisch New user 3 Posts |
Aaron,
Do you believe that flourishes are abused? When it comes to flourishes how much is too much with-in the structure of an act? |
Aaron B Fisher V.I.P. Hollywood, California 143 Posts |
Well, I can't say what's right for anyone else. But for me, a little goes a very long way. I did one flourish in my show recently at the Magic Castle. I think it was plenty...
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RiffClown Inner circle Yorktown, Virginia (Previously Germany) 1579 Posts |
Anything, including florishes, can be overdone; a 15 minute dancing cane performance for instance. The magi was very impressed. The audience was asleep. I was so impressed that I put mine away for a while (almost a year now.)
That and the everlasting zombie routine is pretty much my yikes factor. I have also seen the Svengali deck used to make an audience snore.
Rob "Riff, the Magical Clown" Eubank aka RiffClown
<BR>http://www.riffclown.com <BR>Magic is not the method, but the presentation. |
Geoff Weber Inner circle Washington DC 1384 Posts |
I know magi have certainly tried to get away with a lot worse than double lift while audiences are burning their hands.. I agree with you, that misdirection in these moments is good discipline, even if your hands are nimble enough to get away with it anyway. I know that when I perform "The Homing Card" my erdnase palm change would be most grateful if I drew attention away from my hands at the crucial moment, through eye contact and banter.
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Aaron B Fisher V.I.P. Hollywood, California 143 Posts |
Geoff,
Right, The important thing is that no matter what you are presenting, you always have your attention precisely where it belongs. It doesn't matter how hard the move is. It only matters where and what the effect is. If you focus on that, you manage to avoid focusing on your hands. Trying "not" to think of a technique is like trying not to think of a pink elephant. It's much easier to think of something than not to think of somthing. How are things on the old hometown magic scene? |
Dave Egleston Special user Ceres, Ca 632 Posts |
Actually - The most abused sleight has to be your specialty - the pass - When done properly (something seldom seen) a stupifier - when done like most of the cardmen I know something less than impressive and certainly a trick killer
I think most of us should only be allowed to attempt this sleight in the privacy of our homes, out of sight Even one of my heros of card magic (D.O.) does a substandard pass I've practiced this sleight for years - but have too much pride in my performances to attempt this with out the flying elephant misdirection By the way - Congratulations on one of the best books published in recent history - I called Mr Minch last Friday to congratulate him als - You have set the standard for publishing for the next several years - In both content and presentation Dave |
Aaron B Fisher V.I.P. Hollywood, California 143 Posts |
Thanks, man.
Don't give up on the shift. As a discipline, it teaches much about the righteous use of sleight of hand. It's like a zen koan. Those who require its teachings will seek them. |
Geoff Weber Inner circle Washington DC 1384 Posts |
Quote:
On 2002-10-08 18:35, Aaronbfisher wrote: The D.C. magic scene is still growing. I would like to see a more steady stream of world class magic acts come through here. I guess its all about establishing a known venue, and then building up a regular audience with an appetite for magic. I'm convinced that D.C. would go for it. One man in my area is trying to do exactly this... starting with producing a Jeff McBride show in November, and hopefully many more to follow. |
Aaron B Fisher V.I.P. Hollywood, California 143 Posts |
Who's that?
DC used to house a seriously powerhouse magic scene, including....Jack Birnman, Swiss, Kohler, Spill, York, West, Bannon, Williamson (he's still there isn't he?) Allan Hayden and more. Is there any sense of community magically in DC anymore? The shuffling off of Al's has probably left a big ugly hole where magic used to be... Who's producing Jeff's Show? |
Mark Ennis Inner circle Raleigh, NC 1031 Posts |
David Williamson moved back to Ohio last July. Coincidentally the last time I saw him was at Al's about 2 weeks before he moved.
ME
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Aaron B Fisher V.I.P. Hollywood, California 143 Posts |
Wow. The old home town. Are there any decent meetings there any more? Is anyone on the scene? IS there even a scene? I wouldn't even know who to call if I was in town.
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Geoff Weber Inner circle Washington DC 1384 Posts |
Glenn Gary is producing the McBride show. There's going to be two nights of that, as well as a lecture and a workshop. Al's is still open.. Its just under new ownership.. and it still stocks the same material, just no Al to demonstrate it Well actually, I hear Al still drops in on occasion. We threw a nice little farewell banquet for him. Right now, there are 4 clubs in the area. For the most part, I think there is a comraderie amongst the respective members, its a just a select few that grumble about there being two SAM's in such close proximity.
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Cy Keller New user 3 Posts |
How can you mention DC without Bob Sheets????
Or Tim Conover??? Or John Kennedy??? Or Rosenthal??? Or Kaufman??? |
Aaron B Fisher V.I.P. Hollywood, California 143 Posts |
Cy,
I just finally met John Kennedy a few months ago. Excellent fellow, and of course Sheets is a monster. I thought Conover lived in Virginia Beach? I thought Richard went without saying...... And Cy Keller, only a few hours away.... I'd love to come for a visit near Thanksgiving..... |
Geoff Weber Inner circle Washington DC 1384 Posts |
If you're interested when you come to visit, I could put the word out to some like-minded folks, and organize some sort of lunch or dinner gathering.
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Aaron B Fisher V.I.P. Hollywood, California 143 Posts |
Hi Geoff,
It's possible. I would love to see everyone in the area. Perhaps we could arrange a workshop together, if there is any interest. Best, aaron |
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