|
|
Go to page 1~2 [Next] | ||||||||||
Markdini New user Peterborough UK 52 Posts |
I'd just got my new Posey Straitjacket and was showing my mum how I went about getting out of it, when the phone rang. She answered it and it was the doctor for me. "Er yeah he's here, hang on a minute" she replied. She had to hold the phone next to my ear as I spoke while trying not to laugh to loud. Of all the people you want to be in a straitjacket for when they call, your doctor!
Mark |
|||||||||
Scott Xavier Inner circle 3672 Posts |
Worst position I ever found myself in, was when Jori (My chick) caught me out with Jenny, the Ex! Hell hath no furry like a young Jewish girl with jealousy in her heart. I would have taken a posey any day!
|
|||||||||
TroyRoark Loyal user Springfield IL 282 Posts |
Um, I've been in a sub truck with no way out (long story.)
Troy Roark |
|||||||||
Margarette Special user Memphis area 956 Posts |
I was giving a demonstration of my abilities to a bunch of people from the press. Brought out my rope, and selected a volunteer, and told him have fun....but not around the neck. Well, this guy actually started tying KNOTS in the rope as he was tying me up. Found out later that the guy is a big hunter and that was how he tied deer to his car on the trips back home. For a bit there, I wondered if I was going to get free. It took me a few more minutes than normal, but I did eventually get out. All the while, I was thinking up till then, this was the biggest 'performance' I had done, and I didn't want to blow it!! Wouldn't have looked good in the article!!
Margarette
The only stupid question is the one not asked.
|
|||||||||
SpiffnikHopkins Regular user Washington DC 135 Posts |
haha, I recently had a similar experience. A buddy of mine had a booth at a trade show and I did some impromtu escape stuff with my SJ and chains as well as some new cuffs and shakles I got recently. I wasn't really even pitching a hat or selling my buddy. Just having a good time and generating some foot traffic for him. Well one time a cop was chaining me up. If I'd known he was a cop, I might have picked someone else.
Anyway, I've never had anyone crank down on the chains that much! Man it was tight! I was fighting against him the whole time (secretly from inside the SJ), but he just pulled it tighter and tighter. Right before I started I looked over at my brother and let him know I wasn't really sure I was gonna be getting out this time. He started laughing knowing he was helpless to save me. It took me a few extra mins but I was able to work some slack down around my thigh and slip my foot. It was money after that. Ahh good times. Hey Marg and others, what should I have done if I couldn't get out? Whilst staying calm and continuing to think on my feet, I was also try'n to think what I was going to do about not being able to get out. I didn't come up with anything very good. ~Spiff |
|||||||||
RichardJones New user 14 Posts |
To be honest, if you are getting into situations when you think you might not be able to get out you are not fit to be an escape artist.
Obviously, you did manage, so it sounds like you do not have any problems. In escapes, other people can't give you advice about what to do. You have to have the capacity to do it yourself because every situation is different. |
|||||||||
Margarette Special user Memphis area 956 Posts |
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS... I'M JUST PASSING ALONG INFORMATION!!
I don't know where I read this, but it was something I read when I was just starting into escapes. I read that if you happen to be strapped in a straitjacket with no way of getting out, you should just put up such a struggle, make it look really, really difficult, then, pretend to faint (then they will rush over and remove the jacket), then after you 'recover' insist that you haven't finished the job, and that they put you back in the jacket. Of course, they won't put it on as tight the next time. I actually laughed at that one!! I just wish I could remember where I read it. Now, if I were to try something like that, when I fell to the ground, I'd more than likely crack my skull open and REALLY need medical attention! I agree with Richard about getting into situations you can't get out of. When I had the guy tying knots in the rope, I did think about me getting stuck, but I have a couple of secrets up my sleeve (figurative, not literal) that I can use if the need arises!! It was funny, after I finished that particular rope escape, the guy that tied me up commented, "Well, I guess I'll never be tying you to the hood of my car!" Margarette
The only stupid question is the one not asked.
|
|||||||||
SpiffnikHopkins Regular user Washington DC 135 Posts |
Gee guys thanks... not that I don't feel encouraged by you all saying, "well if you think you can't get out once, then you suck and should stop doing it. What are you even thinking about anyway?", but that wasn't exactly the advice I was looking for.
Maybe that's not what you meant, but that's what I read... Let me rephrase and see if I can get the advice I was looking for... I'm NEW to escapes. I've been in and out of my SJ maybe 20 or 30 times. Perhaps 10 or 15 times with the chains. I can get out. I've always gotten out, but what if one time I can't? Sometimes it's harder then others, and I'm sure sooner or later I'll get stuck. What might I do to save a little face? Ok saving face might be out, but how might I recover the show, or still get a laugh, or SOMETHING? Fainting is seriously not ALL that bad an idea. As a very last resort. Anyone got any ideas as a second to last? On occasion it's taken me more then an hour to get out of the chains. It's a lot harder when they go through my arms or inside the SJ straps. Yup, the lesson learned is don't let them. But at times it's fun to let them. In a big show I wouldn't, but when I'm messing around with friends it's a nice challenge/practice, but I still want to "save face" with them. None of them are magicians or EA's. So, anyone care to offer up advice? Marg, or anyone else care to share a trick they have up their sleeve that I might use if I get in a tight spot? Thanks! ~Spiff |
|||||||||
DavidEscapes Inner circle I'm Special! 1003 Posts |
Hi Spiff
I understand where you are coming from, but I also understand what Richard was saying too. The bottom line is that you should not feel the need to have a get out when on stage. You should be practised to way beyond the point of failure and be in total control of everything. Be bossy, take control. They put a strap on a bit tighter than you would like it, tell them they have trapped some skin or worse and ask them to loosen it and move it slightly, then make sure you have grabbed some extra slack while they re-set. This is just one example, there are many more. For instance, the chains through the arm bit you mentioned. Never let them do it during a show if it is a problem! What I am getting at is the idea that you should spot problems before they arrive, you should build up a level of awareness and control over what might become a problem and change it before the escape begins. Think on your feet and learn recovery tricks that let you get out of the problems before they arrive. And as for friends. Don't worry, try the stuff you might fail on with friends, take more chances, fail in front of them every once in a while, they are the perfect practise audience. Use trusted friends as an oppurtunity to take chances you might not normally take. I have done a few rope escapes with freinds where I have directed them in tying me up so as to make it as hard as possible for me, letting them know everything that will make it as hard as possible for me to get out. Sometimes without doing any slack gaining along the way. In order to practise the worst that I might ever come across in the real world. So long as they are good enough friends that I know they will not be mean in any way. A good way to guarantee their trust-worthiness is to let them try first. Make sure there is no way they could succeed and treat the whole affair as serious. Establish an air of professionalism in the room. Then, when they are in, encourage them, tell them that you are there to help them out as soon as they want it. Let them know that this is what you do for a living so there is no shame in failure and that you can let them out the moment they need it. After you do this they will treat you in the same way. That all said, we are human, and there is always the chance that things might go wrong beyond our control. They shouldn't, but I happen to know of a major pro EA that has used Margarette's method twice on stage. So it is there if you REALLY need it. My point is, do your face saving before the escape even starts. The best real life example of this is, once I was doing a straitjacket escape and the volunteer managed to tie the crotch strap off very tightly while I was distracted (dealing with a troublesome heckler) he had tied it with a nasty knot to one of the other straps. While I was sure I could deal with it anyway, I didn't want the hassle just in case, so I told him that he had trapped one of my 'mens bits' in a VERY painful way and I didn't want to be made infertile for the sake of one escape. I made a joke from it and got the audience on my side and embarrassed the ******* a little, not much, but just enough that when he re-set he didn't even think of trying to do it again. Not that I would have let him! Hope this helps Duncan
David Victor - The artist formally (and still occasionally) known as David Straitjacket.
My Website Add me on facebook |
|||||||||
SpiffnikHopkins Regular user Washington DC 135 Posts |
Awesome advice! That was exactly the kind of response I was hoping to get. Keep 'em coming! The whole idea of saying a bit of skin had been pinched never really occured to me.
OK so how about this one... when they loop the arm strap through one of the back straps? No one has ever done this to me, but it's something I do to others when I let them try the SJ on. They never really notice what's different. My SJ is gimmicked and really not that hard to get out of otherwise. I've only ever really had problems with the chains on occassion. I generally don't use my gimmick, I just hold on to it and don't use the extra slack it would allow. It has however, saved me once or twice when I needed it. Thanks for the advice! ~Spiff |
|||||||||
DavidEscapes Inner circle I'm Special! 1003 Posts |
Hi Spiff
The bit about trapped skin really refers more to chain/rope escapes than straitjacket escapes. Saying 'straps' was a bit misleading. Though I guess it would work for an SJ escape. What to do when they loop the arm straps through the back straps? Here's two ideas. 1) Don't let them! Keep moving round, ostensibly to let the audience on all sides get a look at the jacket while it goes on. Make your movements distracting enough for the volunteer that they don't get the chance to mess you up. If you like, only stand still while they are actually tightening. I don't personally do this but it will work if you need it. 2) Have an assistant 'help' the volunteer. This speeds the process up so there is less of a lull in the show and it also allows you full control of how the jacket goes on. All the volunteer does is the tightening. The assistant is always one strap ahead, setting it how YOU like. 3) Prepare for the worst. Use the trusted friend idea and work out the worst possible situation. How about all the straps looped through each other then tied off, the arms looped through those and the crotch tied off through that. With you breathing out and stealing NO slack whatsoever. Then learn how to get out of it. Exercises like this will give you loads of confidence on stage. Another real life example. Last night I had myself put into a straitjacket under some very difficult circumstances. Not at a show I might add. I was strapped into an ungimmicked Posey while I was standing on 3 foot stilts. I didn't take any slack and the person putting me in (my girlfriend) knew exactly how to do it right. It was on tight! (she has had practice....) Anyway, I managed to get out in about 2 minutes without falling over and breaking my neck, tried it again and managed it again. On stage I deal with the same jacket put on with me stealing slack and stood on the floor, or hanging from my feet. No where near the challenge of doing it on stilts with no tricks. It will seem so much easier now. Have fun Duncan
David Victor - The artist formally (and still occasionally) known as David Straitjacket.
My Website Add me on facebook |
|||||||||
RichardJones New user 14 Posts |
[quote]not that I don't feel encouraged by you all saying, "well if you think you can't get out once, then you suck and should stop doing it. What are you even thinking about anyway?", but that wasn't exactly the advice I was looking for.
[quote] I was not trying to encourage you. I guess you are a magician primarily. If you saw a young inexperienced bloke trying to do a decent trick and failing (say exposing an invisible deck) you would not encourage him you would tell him to stop. This is slightly different, of course, but it is the same concept - you should not claim to do something you cannot. Anyway do re-read my message above as it appears you seem perfectly capable. The best advice I can give you is to get out there and do it. You must get yourself into that straitjacket over and over and find a good friend to do it. Just as you will get better getting out, he will get better putting you in. Then you will make some real progress. Apart from that, what advice are you looking for? You know as well as anyone else that there is no miracle way to get out of a straitjacket. It is just hard work and experience. Good luck. |
|||||||||
ELS Regular user Chicagoland area, IL 191 Posts |
Two ex-Navy dudes, tied me up 'Hog tied' and it just happened be a Gong Show type of event. After a couple minutes they just rolled me off the stage to the floor.
Needless to say it was my 1st attempt in public, well it never happened again (where I did not get out). Ed
Were the border between the natural and the supernatural will be nothing any more but fuzzy. http://edwardshanahan.com
|
|||||||||
SpiffnikHopkins Regular user Washington DC 135 Posts |
And if you re-read my post, I was asking for tricks to use in getting out of a tight spot.
If I saw a magician struggling with an effect, I'd HELP him get better rather then try to discourage him. Give him tips I learned from making mistakes so he doesn't have to make the same ones. OF COURSE he'll still make mistakes. As do I. It's part of the learning curve. As I'm a more seasoned magician I know more tricks on recovering magic. I was asking for you guys to do the same for me. For instance, saying some skin got pinched is great advice. Sorry if I'm coming off as a jerk, but I'm a little miffed every time I read your response. I just don't think that it's in the spirit of the forum, or our art. My only hope is that sometime someone gives you that kind of attitude and you realize it's a negative one and doesn't help. As for EA not capable of being taught, that's BS. Everything can be taught. Most things can't be taught in full, but almost anything can be described, and therefore begins a student down the path to knowledge. For instance: Knowing that SJ sleeves can be pulled over the head, or down below the feet is helpful. Seeing it done is more helpful. the student won't REALLY get it on the same level until they try, but having been instructed will move faster along the path to perfection. With an upside down, rope burning, SJ and chains escape, knowing the proper fuels, hazards and things to be mindful of will HELP aid in a safe escape. This doesn't mean anyone can be taught, or that words alone will convey mastery, but to say it CAN'T be taught is incorrect. I'll leave it at that because more isn't productive, but I hope everyone reads this and sees what I'm getting at. If our industry fills itself with a poor attitude it will be a miserable one to be in! ~Spiff |
|||||||||
Magicduck Elite user Washington State 484 Posts |
The advice from straitjacket guy is excellent: do the dirty work BEFORE you are trussed up like a sardine in a can. It is far better to be in control of how you are put in the jacket or chains than to end up looking silly. The average person putting you in the restraint will know nothing about it, so they will be leaning on you for how to proceed. In so doing, be sure that you are in charge.
I have had two personal incidents that I can share, that might be of help to you. I have, over the years, put two professionals in straitjackets during public shows. It was just a coincidence I was chosen. But the similarities were not to be missed. The first time the man spoke to the crowd but he also spoke to me in a lower tone, call it a stage whisper if you want. He would tell me how to do it, tell the audience it was gonna be tight but make sure that when I tightened it he would grunt groan, make it clear I had him really tight. I knew what he was doing, but certainly was not gonna be a jerk and pursue this to a point that was impolite. The second time, I was chosen to put Teller in the straitjacket for their Casey at the bat routine. Let me tell you, Penn is totally in charge. As you go up there, he is talking to the audience about the device. But he says to me exactly how to do it, and Teller makes sure arms are over one another and not crossed. Penn also tells you to the side that you MAY NOT put your knee in Teller's back, only hand/arm tighten the straps. The fact is, based on the way they handle it, the jacket is on Teller EXACTLY the same way each time, no matter how macho the guy putting it on him. Yet the other fact is this: to the audience it appears that the person putting the jacket on Teller had free will in how to do it. That is, of course, the goal. Hope this helps. Put your foot out in the beginning, be a bit bossy if need be, to keep from ending up in a very humiliating or even dangerous situation. quack |
|||||||||
Margarette Special user Memphis area 956 Posts |
Very good words, magicduck! I remember one time before I learned how to utilize the belly loop on my straitjacket. I would just always place my arms over the loop before having my arms strapped together. One time, this guy almost insisted that I put my arms thru the loop... to the point of beginning to thread the strap thru the belly loop. I stopped right where I was, right in the middle of the escape, and took one of those
"if you see mamma look like this, RUN!!!" stances. I had to keep control of the situation. So, if you can imagine, here I am, this short little blonde with this really tall and nicely put together man and I've got the jacket on, except for the arms strapped together... I've got my hands on my hips telling him, "Look buddy, we either do it my way, or we don't do it at all!" Before anyone says anything, this was a casual get together with friends.... nothing on a 'professional' level. They wanted to see the straitjacket, and I obliged. Of course, shortly after that, I did learn how to utilize the belly loop on my jacket! So, that is not a problem now!! It was a funny situation, but I remained in control! Margarette
The only stupid question is the one not asked.
|
|||||||||
jlareau Loyal user Henrietta NY / Chicago Ill 220 Posts |
Funny little story about one of my early escape experiences:
I was about 14 doing a magic show for my church youth group (That I was a member of) around Christmas time. For my finale I did an escape attempt. I gave the audience their choice of items for me to escape out of (the basics): Handcuffs, rope, chains... etc. All of the items were regulation (I don't like using gaffs). Well one of the audience members suggested that I use the Christmas lights that were hanging on the wall and have them plugged in. The rest of the audience liked the idea. Since I was performing primarily for my friends I didn't see anything wrong with the idea. When I was being tied to a chair I specifically told the group tying me that NOTHING was to be tied around my neck. It just so happens that a length of the light was around my shoulders and when the string was pulled taught it slipped onto my neck. To make a long story short I ended up electricuting (No major Damage) myself in order to escape. I had to bite through the lights. Nedless to say after that my parents tried to dissuade me from doing escape acts. Talk about embarrassing. I look back and laugh now. Jlareau :bluebikes:
Jonathan Lareau A.K.A "Jonny Card Trick"
"Imagination is more important than knowledge" - Albert Einstein Feel free to check out my website www.jonlareau.com |
|||||||||
SpiffnikHopkins Regular user Washington DC 135 Posts |
I think I'd draw the line at chewing through a live wire... then again I may just not have the commitment it takes to make it in this line of work
Great story though! ~Spiff |
|||||||||
Eddini_81976 Inner circle 2183 Posts |
When first starting out I failed once in a hog-tie. I got particially free (my feet). This was a real backwoods type of guy you know, real gruff. I've been hog-tied about 10 times, like three before that particular time. I was 15 or so and I was on tour with my youth group. We were doing a church musical in the Carolinas, so luckily I didn't live in the area. The guy told me he used a horse-knot. I still don't know what the hell a horse-knot is. I don't do ropes anymore. I just deal with locks if I do any escapes. I lost all of my teeth (they were absessed and my insurance didn't cover root canals). I obviously didn't take care of them though. So because of that I don't do anything that involves untying things with my teeth. As a youngster in high school just about every day I would have them tie me up with 10 feet of rope at lunch time.
Another time when I was like 18, I was doing my handcuff act for my high school drama class. I've never owned a cabinet so I just had them cover me with a blanket that's been searched. Anyway, for some stupid reason I picked a dark-colored blanket—not thinking about lighting capacity. Well anyway it took me twice as long because I couldn't see very well. Right in the middle of escaping the lunch bell rang. Luckily for me most of the class stayed the extra five minutes or so until I got out...
"Treat Others As You'd Want To Be Treated" - Jesus Christ
|
|||||||||
KingStardog Inner circle 2134 Posts |
Well, you know, I just got my Humane Jacket not too long ago and have been pulling it out every chance, either at parties or when folks come over to visit. (Basicly any time I can get a captive audience.) Ok, I'm a big guy—couple hundred and many more—and this one gal came over that had a hundred or more than me. A real skeptic. I took my bit and wasn't about to give up any. To make a long story short, I allowed her to tighten the roller buckles and she was able to flex my ribcage to the point of almost popping the bottom ones.
Apparently her extra hundred or more pounds was mostly wiry, strong muscle. This was the first time I even thought about broken ribs. I learned when to say when. Still got out in less than five though.
...think not that all wisdom is in your school. You may have studied other paths,but, it is important to remember that no matter who you are or where you come from, there is always more to learn.
|
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » All tied up! » » The Stupidest/Most Cringe Worthy Position You Found Yourself In? (0 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page 1~2 [Next] |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.07 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |