|
|
Joshua Quinn Inner circle with an outer triangle 2054 Posts |
Okay, I have a confession to make: I really like the Zig-Zag Cig.
I'll pause here for laughter. [Looks idly around, whistles a little tune, checks watch] All done? Good. I should clarify. I really like the EFFECT of the Zig Zag Cig. What I don't like, of course, is the fact that it looks like a little plastic magic toy, so I never actually perform it. But I'd like to, if I could think of something logical that could take the place of the plastic case (which the case could either be made to look like, or which could be built from scratch). So far I'm stumped. I know it's a long shot, because in real life there just aren't that many reasons to have a small container with a sliding middle section, but I thought I'd throw it out there anyway. So, any thoughts for an item that you might conceivably have in your home or on your person, that could hold and trisect a cigarette?
Every problem contains the seeds of its own solution. Unfortunately every problem also contains the seeds of an infinite number of non-solutions, so that first part really isn't super helpful.
|
Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
Quinn,
You might try something other than a cigarette: For instance, a pencil, crayon, or piece of chalk, to go with a story line of keeping it in your pencil box when you went to school (are there still pencil boxes?) and learning to share with the other kids (dividing it into three); by "magically sharing", the others are happy and you keep the whole thing, too (return the pencil/crayon to its unsevered state). Worth a try, at least. cheers, Peter Marucci showtimecol@aol.com |
Fon Regular user London, UK 200 Posts |
It can be more realistic with tissues.
Roll one up into the shape of the cigarette. This way when you take the three sections out and show them, it is more believable that the box could tear the tissue, than a cigarette. Hope this helps, Fon
Always thinking..........?
|
Tom Cutts Staff Northern CA 5925 Posts |
Quinn,
What is it about the effect that you like? Are the separate pieces the attraction? Is it the mimmicking of a stage effect that intrigues you? Peter, Pencil boxes? Is that anything like a Palm Pilot or other PDO? :lol: |
Joshua Quinn Inner circle with an outer triangle 2054 Posts |
Peter and Fon, thanks for the ideas.
Tom, two things about it appeal to me: the visual impact of obviously separate pieces restoring instantly, with no cover and no funny moves; and the fact that it uses an everyday, borrowed object. I don't have any particular attachment to stage illusion mimickry. In fact, a two-piece broken and restored cig would do just as well if it were that visual. Is there such a thing?
Every problem contains the seeds of its own solution. Unfortunately every problem also contains the seeds of an infinite number of non-solutions, so that first part really isn't super helpful.
|
Michael Peterson Inner circle is where I'm trapped, because of my 4071 Posts |
Carl Cloutier has a nice broken & restored cigarette effect on his "Live from London" tape.
|
Ustaad Inner circle Iindia - States 6157 Posts |
Hi Quinn,
You may like the tip @ http://www.tenyoworld.co.uk Go to the Tips & Routines section. Check theT-110 Zig Zag Cig (Submitted by Mike Ihrig). Regards, USTAAD. CHEERS!!
MAGIC is a SECRET, without the SECRET there is no MAGIC.
"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." - Arthur C. Clarke. |
Tom Cutts Staff Northern CA 5925 Posts |
Quinn,
Slydini had a nice broken and restored cig. Check the Fulves books. Next time we get together I'll look it up for you. No cover and no funny moves...just a funny plastic box. Isn't that a bit of a tell? |
Paul Inner circle A good lecturer at your service! 4409 Posts |
Yes, the plastic Tenyo props look like toys. The effect has also been mass marketed by Taiwan producers to toy shops everywhere. Also, I think there was a give away at a Pizza chain in the UK recently!!!
It was/is also marketed as a Zig-Zag pencil. Before it was everywhere, when it first came out around 1981, John Mendoza had a handling for it in a Martin Breese newsletter!!! One of the pieces was signed, but cannot remember the detail. Because it is everywhere though, no matter how you dress it up, you'll come across someone that has seen some young kid do it, so it is simply a trick rather than you doing magic. It is possible to cover some plastic props with thin balsa wood and varnish them and they look less like toys! I suggested this to someone some years ago in my local club and he came back a month later with a great drawer box we all thought was wood, but was plastic he had covered as suggested! Paul Hallas http://www.PH-Marketing-magic.co.uk www.Paul Hallas.IsFunny.com |
Scott F. Guinn Inner circle "Great Scott!" aka "Palms of Putty" & "Poof Daddy G" 6586 Posts |
Personally, I think that whether it's made out of plastic wood, steal or ceramic, this kind of prop still looks like a prop, and any thinking spectator will realize that, at the very least, it has SOMETHING to do with the method of the trick.
That is not to say that a very entertaining and moderately magical presentation can't be created for it that would KILL. I use props sometimes, but it is the performer and his routine that makes the trick, not the prop.
"Love God, laugh more, spend more time with the ones you love, play with children, do good to those in need, and eat more ice cream. There is more to life than magic tricks." - Scott F. Guinn
My Lybrary Page |
Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
You could tell your audience that it was a device issued to soldiers during WW1. Trapped for months at a time in the trenches they had to stretch their meager supplies to the limit thus they issued this device so the servicemen could equally share one cigarette amongst himself and two of his buddies. The device is extremely rare because they were recalled due to the fact that this sharing caused the mortality rate of the entrenched soldiers to rise dramatically. You are never suppose to light three cigarettes with one match due to the fact that this gives a sniper enough time to zero in on a target. Restore the cigarette and close commenting better one match to one cigarette.
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
|
Alan Wheeler Inner circle Posting since 2002 with 2038 Posts |
A typical matchbox would be too small, and a typical cigarette pack or case would be too large... Perhaps a cigarette rolling machine would be about the right size.
alleycat
The views and comments expressed on this post may be mere speculation and are not necessarily the opinions, values, or beliefs of Alan Wheeler.
A BLENDED PATH Christian Reflections on Tarot Word Crimes Technology and Faith........Bad Religion |
Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
|
Ray Haddad Regular user Mansfield Center, Connecticut 151 Posts |
Quote:
On 2002-05-23 13:36, Payne wrote: Great story line. Welcome to the Magic Cafe. It's good to see you here. Best Always, Ray |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » We double dare you! » » Logical Zig-Zag Cig? (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.03 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 < |