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Deke Rivers Loyal user 216 Posts |
I think that sometimes magicians "overkill" and effect, in the process forgetting the basic magical effect. For example, Miser's Dream is a simple concept: coins are magically produced. This can be done in amusing ways (plucking them from a little girl's pigtails, blowing a handful from a boy's nose, etc.) However, many a magician has, IMO, spoiled the basic effect by doing something like pretending to push a coin through the bottom of the pail, at the same time making the "plunking" noise of a dropping coin.
The problem? I think it rather tips the method. Now even the most casual observer will be pointed in the correct direction. "Okay, I know he didn't push that through the bucket. That coin isn't really dropping into the bucket; it ALWAYS stays in his hand." The magician has changed the effect from one of appearing coins to a penetration, all in the name of a one-second gag, and in the process risks revealing the method. Comments? |
Jaz Inner circle NJ, U.S. 6111 Posts |
The casual observer could also think, "I know the coins can't come from nowhere."
The penetration could be used to break up an otherwise monotonous routine and perhaps get a laugh. I'm not understanding how the penetration 'tips the method' of production. IMHO a bit of variety can be a good thing, too much can be overkill. |
Kent Wong Inner circle Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 2458 Posts |
I also like injecting variety into routines such as the miser's dream. This includes a variety of methods in producing the coins and even the types of coins that are produced. In my opinion, repeated use of the same method (even if the coins are coming from different places and different spectators) is more likely to tip the method than adding variety to the effect.
Kent
"Believing is Seeing"
<BR>______________________ <BR> <BR>www.kentwongmagic.com |
The Great Smartini Inner circle 2280 Posts |
Too much thinking can make jack a dull boy...seriously, one might consider this effect from the perspective of Tamariz and his ideas and thinking on false theories and explanations...the routine that is described here doesn't do this and it would lead the spectator to a less than magical experience
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Deke Rivers Loyal user 216 Posts |
I agree, you need variety ... but you should keep with the basic premise.
Jaz, staying with the basic premise doesn't tanslate into monotony; boring presentation does. A jarring detour away from what you are supposed to be doing can be confusing and unnecessary. How would you feel if Kreskin or Maven was doing a beautiful bit of mentalism using cards, and in the middle of it backpalmed a card and then made it reappear? Geez, that would sure add variety and avoid overkill of seeing too much of that blasted mentalism, wouldn't it? No, the coins can't be coming from nowhere -- but the illusion is that they do, by using clever production methods and the added element of sound. And, magicman, I never said we shouldn't use a veriety of methods ... I was talking about introducing an entirely new premise and magical effect in the middle of a routine! Throwing in a hack bit like shoving a coin through the bottom of the pail is senseless and does nothing to enhance the effect of making money appear from nowhere. THAT IS THE EFFECT ... and that was my original point. Why do so many so-called magicians forget the original plot? We have all seen enough magicians to know that very few can successfully pull off the mixing of effects; far more will simply make a mess of a good stew. |
Kent Wong Inner circle Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 2458 Posts |
Shoving a coing through the bottom of a pail may seem like a "hack bit" to you, but for many other magicians, it is an artistic extension of the basic premise. It depends on how a person views the "basic premise" of their routine. If you view misers dream simply as the repetitive produciton of coins from the air, then you are right - the penetration sequence may not fit.
But if you expand the premise to a more general coin manipulation sequence, then you have the ability to include vanishes productions, penetrations and transformations into the routine without breaking stride. So, magicians may not be "forgetting" the original plot at all. Instead, they could be re-interpreting it on a wider scale. After all, this is an artistic form of entertainment and, as such, it should not be restricted to only one manner of interpretation. Kent
"Believing is Seeing"
<BR>______________________ <BR> <BR>www.kentwongmagic.com |
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