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Jim Snack Inner circle 1338 Posts 
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Manal,
I have seen the Stevens video and you just can't get the full effect from the video because the Egg Bag is not about the egg or the bag. It's about the reactions of the two volunteers. Sometimes you get two great volunteers that really sell it to the audience and sometimes you don't. The final appearance is in the volunteer's hands and when you get "a screamer," the effect is so strong and so entertaining that it just can't be beat. Furthermore, it is a great lesson in volunteer management for the magician. When you are confident enough to let someone hold the bag in their own hands and look inside to confirm that it is empty even when it's not, you are ready to do just about anything with volunteers. I now understand why the Egg Bag is a classic. Jim |
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Whit Haydn V.I.P. 5449 Posts
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Excellent post, Jim. I agree with you.
I think it is important to remember that magic videos are usually shot with friends, neighbors and family making up the audience. It is rarely a real performance situation, because most of the time, it is not appropriate to video at a paid performance. So you end up with a bunch of people, both in the audience and assisting who have sat through several runthroughs of the routine, and are either trying too hard and over-reacting, or subdued and tired. This is just the way it is. I have never liked any of the performance video that has been included with my videos and dvds in any of my routines. They are okay, and sufficient, but nothing like the real show. If you have ever seen Johnny Thompson live with an egg bag, and I have hundreds of times, you would know that it is a mystery and a joy to behold. A lot of magic that kills live, lies flat on video. That is just the nature of the beast. I would not depend on the video of a routine that is recorded for a teaching dvd to be anything like a fair representation of the routine in front of a paying crowd. Remember this is not television. There is only a limited amount that can be made with a niche dvd like a magic teaching dvd. There is not a lot of money for professional sets, studio audiences, original music and the like. |
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Alan Munro.jpg "View Profile") Inner circle Kentwood, Michigan, USA 6071 Posts
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[quote]On 2005-08-19 00:26, manal wrote:
Quote:
I have the Steven's dvd and while there are 4 routines shown one of them is the Malini routine as performed by Charlie Miller and then with almost no variation in performance, patter or handling ,by Johnny Thompson. This may have played well in Vaudeville.I don't think this routine as performed on the tape is all that magical or entertaing. The Mullica, Lewis, McComb routines are much more entertaining and tip a few good production techniques. The Lewis segment is by far the most instructional as far as handling the bag. I perform the Martin Lewis routine, but I added some changes to make the presentation stronger than if a Mardo bag were used. I brush my hand across the surface of the bag, with my fingers wide apart, so that I can show the whole bag without the pocket showing. I also grasp the bag over the pocket opening, similar to the way it's done with a Malini bag, so that I can do a slow display. To me, it seems that the Malini bag is often hard to see on stage, unless the performer has a colorful costume. I use the Tarbell bag to contrast with my black suit. I use practice golfballs, because they're lightweight and easy to find in stores. I'm always perplexed as to why someone would use an egg or other object, that's heavy enough to cause the bag to shake when it hits the bottom. |
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manal Inner circle York ,PA. 1412 Posts
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Thanks everyone for not taking offense at my comments and I appreciate the responses. I too agree the egg bag can be wonderfully entertaining. As a kid I saw a great performance on WGNs Bozos Circus TV show. I unfortunately cannot remember the name of the magician though he performed using a plaid egg bag and it had the studio audience and myself at home laughing with amazement.He never once made his 2 young assistants look foolish or like "suckers".
Mr Haydn your explanation was illuminating. I own several instructional DVDs where the problems you described are very evident. The performances are often performed with great technical skill yet with little of the performers true performance personality making the demo portions sometimes painfull to watch. I'll never get the chance to see these greats perform live so its dissapointing when the performance on the DVD is no where near their standards when performing for a "paying audience",although I have payed a good sum for the DVD. Finally to Sammy The Kid I hereby "unhijack" this thread with my apologies and hope you will let us know if you find the routine you are looking for. Sammy, You might want to have a look here,has descriptions of reference material and where to obtain the same. http://magicref.tripod.com/magicref/magegg.htm Sorry address should read http://magicref.tripod.com/magref/magegg.htm [quote]On 2005-08-20 17:18, Alan Munro wrote: Quote:
On 2005-08-19 00:26, manal wrote: My critisim of the Tong Tarbell EggBag was premature and unwarranted. I recently performed this twice and using Mr. Munros tips got great reactions. I recommend this eggbag and apologise for the critisim. Thanks for the tips Mr. Munro. I recently got the Bruce Elliot Books ( all 3 ) and the Tarbell Volume #2 which are helpful. I would also recommend the Tirofog eggsactly eggs. I let one of the volunteers hold the Tirofog egg and she actually "exclaimed" hey this is a real egg. I did not let her hold it too long though 
Thanks to all, This is a great forum. |
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John Sturk Regular user Chicago, IL 120 Posts
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I recently purchased a Malini bag and Ron Bauer's "Siamese Goose Egg Bag" manuscript. I was absolutely amazed at the reaction! Bauer's scripts are always well thought out.
I had the benefit of seeing Johnny Thompson perform his routine at Michigan Magic Day 2005, and I was blown away. It was the first time I had seen the egg bag, in any version. I now own the Ken Brooke manuscript, and have the Stevens video on the way. I look forward to learning some from all of these sources. |
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ufo Inner circle Phoenix, Arizona 1185 Posts
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IF you want to see a great presentation of egg bag by a pro who has worked it for years...complete with unexpected cirrcumstances from the audience...get Denny and Lee's live performance video. It shows the classic handling described in the Ken Brooke book, mixed with Denny Haney's experience and showmanship. It can give you a feel for what a powerful and versatile piece this can be.
Keep Your head up, your heart open and your magic alive.
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Dean A Regular user 114 Posts
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Quote:
On 2005-08-10 15:05, wmhegbli wrote: And that's it is it? I do the Whit Hayden ring routine close up. D |
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Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts
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The Malini egg bag is perfect for a close up small group strolling gig. Think about it.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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Bill Scarlett Veteran user Vermont 366 Posts
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I have the DVD by Martin Lewis and find it to be a great routine that is a real fooler. There are a couple of moves that look good too. Buy one of the Mardo egg bags from Lewis too, after all, they are made by his mom!
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Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts
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SAMMY THE KID.... Well, it's been some time since you asked. What have you decided?
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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Sammy the Kid Veteran user Southern Illinois 314 Posts
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Pete- I've been reviewing all the posts and.... I'm not sure which one to go with. I have been using it to "catch" a golf ball leading in to a multiplying golf ball routine. Have someone in the audience swing a club (imaginary of course)after I turn the bag inside-out looking for a ball. right now its a utility prop to help get a bigger routine started. I may look at the ROn Bauer script since I really have had good luck with some of his stuff.
Sammy the Kid |
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Leppy Regular user Eden Prairie, MN 161 Posts
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Jim Snack,
I have also purchased the Malini bad from Denny...how different is it from the Fabric one you have also purchased? Anything other than quality? Is it even close? Thanks again, Patrick |
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Spellbinder Inner circle The Holy City of East Orange, NJ 6330 Posts
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Quote:
On 2005-09-20 02:33, Sammy the Kid wrote: If that's all you want it for, the mesh egg bag will make the ball visibly appear. Then as the person in the audience keeps swinging the imaginary club at your command, you lunge this way and that, catching more golf balls between your fingers as you do your multuiplying routine. The final ball should be caught in your teeth.
Professor Spellbinder
Professor Emeritus at the Turkey Buzzard Academy of Magik, Witchcraft and Wizardry http://www.magicnook.com Publisher of The Wizards' Journals |
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sbroomheadsr New user Retired, so I only have 59 Posts
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Well, I feel a bit ashamed. I am using my egg bag for something a bit different. I do a thumb cuff escape by putting my hands (cuffed by the thumbs) into the bag. I struggle a bit and ask my volunteer help me by getting the key out of a case. In the case is a pair of thumb cuffs and my hands come out empty and show the bag as being empty, too.
Think outside the bag?
S Broomhead
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Spellbinder Inner circle The Holy City of East Orange, NJ 6330 Posts
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Sbroomheadsr:
That's a great new (to the best of my knowledge) use for the egg bag! Congratulations! Which bag do you use?
Professor Spellbinder
Professor Emeritus at the Turkey Buzzard Academy of Magik, Witchcraft and Wizardry http://www.magicnook.com Publisher of The Wizards' Journals |
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22788 Posts
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Sbroomheadsr, This is a good presentation for the thumb cuffs trick. Thank you for sharing such a good idea. The thumb cuff are sold by Magic Inc. with all the instructions and routine. This moves it to a new class.
Thank you again! |
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Alan Munro Inner circle Kentwood, Michigan, USA 6071 Posts
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For thumbcuffs, I'd think that a no-sag devil's hank would be better. The hank wouldn't swing as badly as a bag would, giving away the location of the cuffs.
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22788 Posts
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Quote:
On 2005-10-05 09:15, Alan Munro wrote: depends on the design of the bag. If using an large Sam Berland bag, it would not sag. Then for a smaller bag shot the cuffs to the location. I think working out the little details is part of a good presentation. It is still a great idea noone else thought of. The devils hank is a good idea also, but harder to ditch unless you are speaking of a different design then the traditional one. |
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TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13426 Posts
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If you want to see a masterful routine on video, check out John Carney's
"Up Close And Far Away" video. 1 vanish. 1 production. 2 spectators. done! sounds quick but he's got 6 minutes of great entertainment packed in there without a dull moment. I timed it.
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic
Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate, Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder. |
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John Bowlin Special user Maryland 827 Posts
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I second seeing Denny's live version of the routine Miller does. What a difference that live audience makes. The audience assistants that Denny had we're not extraordinary but you can hear the awesome audience reactions in the background, it was just a fantastic presentation by Denny.
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Posted: Aug 20, 2005 12:35 pm 
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