Hey, has anyone tried this effect? I remember seeing some masked guy do it on TV, and Blaine did it with a chicken on one of his specials..

-Vinnie

Vinnie,

I've never seen anyone do this with a dove. However, an old carnival stunt was biting off a snake's head. The essence of the stunt was that what the "entertainer" really did was bite a raw chicken neck. It is not one I would recommend.

Bob Sanders
Magic By Sander

Well, I saw Blaine do it on TV too and to be honest, I think it's the stupidest trick I've seen. We all try very hard to convince our audiences that the doves are well cared for and loved not to mention keeping PETA off our backs and then to do something this just destroys all our efforts.

Maybe I'm being to critical but there are so many good effects to be done, why do something like this?

I've seen an effect where a white head and a black head change places on the bird but it's done tastefully enough that there's no harm done.

Poor taste is the minor problem here. Blaine neither entertains nor interests me but that is a matter of personal taste. To intentionally harm an animal for entertainment purposes is bad enough. However, I can't imagine a respectable member of the entertainment community thinking faking this, is faking ruthlessness. To me it removes all doubt!

A true professional knows the difference between a live dove and a rubber chicken.

Count me out! I don't want the identity with such.

Bob Sanders
Magic by Sander

Dave, well, basically, I usually have friends that come over, and they know my dove is not only my pet, but a part of my magic act, and they sometimes just ask to see something with him.. I have a dove pan, but that requires set up, and so does body loads. So I think it would be pretty easy to just steal the false head, and I'm set..

Also notice that my friends are teenagers, and not audiences, persay, so they would probly find this magical, and not involve the PETA in any way.. haha But I see where your coming from.. I would NEVER perform this effect on stage or for a show; just something to show friends on the spot..

-Vinnie

OK, now I understand.
It is OK to make it look like you are pulling the head of a dove for a small private audience, but not for a larger group.

Bob

Bob, just understand that its something to do on the spot.. My friends know that I am a *MAGICIAN*, and not an "animal hater" or whatever.. I think they would know the difference between a trick, and animal cruelty.. Expecially whent he head is restored.. C'mon guys, don't single me out here..

-Vinnie

Vinnie, if that's the only choice you have, then I wouldn't do it even for your friends. They surely know that you have an act and it isn't fair to put you on the spot by saying "do something with your dove". Wow them with something else. Word of mouth gets around even by your friends. What happens when they go out and talk to people saying "hey, you should have seen Vinnie pull the head off of his dove" Next thing you know, when you go out to do a show, you're going to be asked to do that effect.

Dave,

Thanks, I understand now.. And I know what you mean too.. Every friday in my US History class I perform a few tricks to the class and the teacher, and last week I did the card thought window.. The class went CRAZYYY!! And by the end of the day, the whole school new! LOL..

Thanks
-Vinnie

Look what it did for Ozzy Osbourne's reputation!

:)

Regan

Regan, I didn't know Ozzie did the card through window

Dave,

I think Ozzy probably did a lot of things through windows. Not without the glass breaking though!

:)

Regan

Vinnie,

I'm the guy who has a routine called "Spot Out" and understand being on the spot. There is nothing wrong with saying, "I'll see you at showtime." Your barber isn't going to cut your hair at McDonald's.

Remember that you control the show or it's somebody else's show.

Bob

O.K., I'll stand out by saying that I think this is a great trick, IF DONE CORRECTLY. Kevin James does a head-off-duck and it looks great. The key here is to do it quick, and have the bird restored before the effect has 100% registered. By the time anyone has the chance to think "potential cruelty", you are once again playing with your treasured pet whom you obviously haven't harmed in the least. Now, if one were to tell the audience what they were going to do, then maliciously rip off the head and wave around the decapitated bird, I agree that we would then have PETA knocking down our doors. As a quick bit in the middle of a dove act, though, it's great.

Ill second that

Bob, thanks for the insight! (I like that barber line) Now I understand.. Thanks!

-Vinnie

So since no one has mentioned it yet, I'm assuming fake dove heads aren't really readily available ?

durgy

Durgy, I remember seeing something from hocus pocus about a year ago called the Decapitated Dove, but they discontinued it.. It was just the fake head, and it has blood coming out of it, and came with a DVD..

I also remember finding someone who sold fake dove heads as a novelty kind of shop.. he also sold novelty hot dogs, cameras, etc.. I lost the link though.. Google around..

-Vinnie

The poynter's do the head rip in there hallowe'en special at screamers I believe

I see no harm in this trick...It's a cut and restore dove. Nothing more.
We cut people in half all of the time, put audience volunteers in wrist chopping guillotines.
People know it is a trick, otherwise, they would be calling the police and having us thrown in jail. I think they can seperate illusion from reality a little bit.
Would I do it bloody...Nope. But I see no problem with this trick.
And I absolutely adore my animals.
Gwyd