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truesoldier Inner circle 1191 Posts |
Hi Guys
I hope this is the right forum to ask this question,(If not please advise) I am trying to put together a walkaround routine that will consist of a mixture of effects using various props. I would like to start off with 3 card effects and have so far decided upon the in your hands triumph (With the right presentation and patter I have found this to play really big) followed by a version of signed card through hanky (using the same card that was chosen during triumph) Now for the question I am really confussed as to what card effect to follow this up with and would really be gratful for your suggestions. I am an intermediate card handler who can use basic sleights such as DB, TP (using two hands) The Glide,The Glimpse, Card Forces and various card controls. I like strong and visual effects, however I prefer effects that use up to a maximum of three sleights as I really like to work on presentation and believe that simple is beautiful(As long as the effect is strong). Maybe as my skill level improves I will consider using effects that require more advanced slieghts but for now I want to stick with effects that use the basic sleights as mentioned as I want to master them first. The most important thing I would like you to consider when making suggestions is that the effects are usable in the real world and that they can be done in the hands standing up without the need for a table. ( In the specs hands is cool) Thanks for your help |
BrianMillerMagic Inner circle CT 2050 Posts |
If you are doing walk around, you will only want to do one, maybe two card effects per table. I would say on a given night you'll need a total of ten solid effects down, and that will get you through the whole night since you'll only need three to four at a table. So basically I would suggest getting five solid card routines, and five solid non-card routines. Learn a simple coin routine, a bill switch effect, maybe some kind of penetration, perhaps a mental magic effect, and of course sponge balls.
Based on what you've said, however, you're not ready for a strolling gig. Please don't take this in a bad way, though I know most people have trouble when being told they're not ready. You claim to be an intermediate card worker, but you say you want tricks that focus on presentation because your skill level isn't great yet? There's certainly nothing wrong with working on presentation, but I do believe that before you go out into the real world performing you will need to already have well above average sleight of hand and skill. The trick to working in the real world is the business aspect; the performance should be the least of your concerns. So for now work on your sleight of hand, practice non-card tricks and get comfortable performing in front of friends, family, etc. Then compile a list of effects something like what I've mentioned above. There will be many opinions on how many of what kinds of tricks you'll need, and this is just my own, but I believe it's a pretty good estimate for a first-timer working a strolling gig. I hope you accept this as constructive advice, and not as an insult. It's certainly intended to help. |
truesoldier Inner circle 1191 Posts |
Hi Brian
Thanks for your comments, I have taken them on board as I understand where you are coming from value what you say as there is a lot of helpful information there. I agree I am not intending on going out and doing a strolling gig yet but I do believe in giving yourself a timescale so that you have something to work towards. I would like to be able to do a strolling gig by the end of this year. But in order for me to do this I want to work on putting together a solid routine from now so that I can really practice the type of effects that can be done in the real world. It also makes my practice feel more worthwhile as I am working on something for a specif reason (This is just my opinion and I know everybody likes to work differently) With this in mind do you think that the in your hands triumph and card through silk would get good reactions in the real world. Also if you have any suggestions for specific effects (Card and others that could follow on from this ) I would be very grateful. Many Thanks Posted: Mar 19, 2007 10:24pm Sorry for all the errors in the last post, I just noticed them after reading through it. (It's 2:30am here) |
BrianMillerMagic Inner circle CT 2050 Posts |
Hey, it's great to hear someone that has a goal and is working towards it. I wish you all the best. I too perform an in the hands Triumph, and I'm sure that the card through silk would go over well, but due to pocket space you may find that a large silk takes up too much room. Then again you may not. Another great in the hands card routine is Greg Wilson's take on Doc Daley's Last Trick (I know people on the Café see me say this in every post about in the hand card effects), called "Weighted Aces." You should check that out.
For in the hands work which you seem to be real keen on, if you don't already do sponge balls then buy a set and at least get Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic for a simple routine, and possibly Jay Sankey's Earplugs. That's not for the goofy earplug sponges but because it's one of the best all around sponge balls videos on the market, in my humble opinion. I'll PM you about more information so that we don't clog up this thread with a personal conversation. I'd like to hear what others say too. |
patrick flanagan Inner circle lisle, illinois 1045 Posts |
If you are looking for a in the hands closer using the same selection as previous, check out "Think, Touch, Turn". It is on Bill Malone's DVD series, and on Stevens Restaurant Vid. (with Malone, Sisti, Close, and Fleshman). It can be introduced with a 4 ace production, the middle is a type of twisting the aces, and the closer is one ace changes into the signed selection. I don't present it the way Bill Malone does, but that is one's choice. It has always gotten a very strong reaction, and is a fun routine to do; I think you'll like it.
Patrick |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Wait wait wait.
Lets define terms shall we? Table work is far different from walkarround magic. First we need to find out if it is table to table, or walking arround a coctail party. 2 sepporate sets of effects as the difference in angles are going to come into play. Here are 2 suggestions. "The Magic of Matt Schulien" and "Magician Nightly, The Magic of Eddie Fecter". Matt Schulien, possibly the godfather of close up magic, certainly bar magic, said to do GREAT card magic you only need to know 2 slights. A force and a steal. By a steal he meant the ability to control a card and palm it off so maybe 3. His book is chalk FULL of some of the best card magic in the history of our art. Eddie Fecter did a lot of "peek" work, cards never really being taken from the deck, which works great for in the hands effects. Both styles are straight forward in your face BAM magic. Read those 2 books, you will have hundreds of tricks you can do, with a variety of props. It is a great start and will encompas the next 4 years of your life just digesting the info.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
truesoldier Inner circle 1191 Posts |
Thanks for your replies. I am looking for effects that are good for strolling but that can also be done for a group of people sitting around a dinner table while they are waiting for their food to arrive. I still would be standing and would not be using table space. I am very much for getting an audiance member involved in one or two effects. I will pick up the two books that you have suggested to me as I am trying to learn all I can about preforming in the real world.
I also have one other question for all of you that are already working magicians. Do you think that you have to be a master of slieght of hand to be a pro, or do you think that it is fine to be a master of a few carfully selected sleights that are used for the effects that you do. I really enjoy sleight of hand and will allways work towards improving and learning more advanced sleights, however I feel there is so much else to learn as well such as presentation, the art of direction, phsycology, routining and the designing of effects all of which I enjoy. These also need the time and of course you also need to learn the business. I beleive if you apply all of the above you can still be a very strong preformer by knowing and mastering a few carfully selected sleights and as time goes on you can allways add to your arsenal of sleights and effects. Please give your opinions as I am very interested in what others have to say on the matter. |
Jaz Inner circle NJ, U.S. 6111 Posts |
Ok, so it's a standing Triumph and Signed Card thru Hanky and you want a closer using the same props. Right?
Torn and Restored Signed Card. Card Warp or possbly "Greenwarp". Card to Forehead. Rising Card. Possibly "Kundalini Rising". Card on the Ceiling if there is a ceiling . Wearing a jacket? Vanishing Deck using the hanky. Last but not least. Francis Carlysle's "Homing Card" or card to impossible location. Hope this give you some ideas. Brian mentions doing only one or two card tricks in a set. I tend to agree. You mention "a walkaround routine that will consist of a mixture of effects using various props". What I try to do is create sets of three tricks using two props. Example: elastic bands (Crazy Mans Handcuffs), cards (Standup Triumph), both props(Wagner's "Bandarama" or Sankey's "Bound to Fool"). Not an easy task but I try to keep it versatile. Good luck with your goals. |
BrianMillerMagic Inner circle CT 2050 Posts |
I believe that you should have a "mastery" of the sleights that you will be performing. You don't need to be the world's greatest card technician to give an outstanding performance. As you mentioned, a lot of it is performance, but that isn't to say that performance can make up for lack of proficiency at the technical stuff. You need a solid combination of both sleight of hand and performance. The art of direction, psychology, routining and designing effects are all part of the performance.
When I perform, there isn't usually a single action that I haven't carefuly scripted and rehearsed. Of course, you have to leave room for some improv and be able to react to the environment. Now of course the catch is that most of this stuff is stuff that you only get good at throughout performing for real people, so to say that you need to know it all before you perform for real people would be counter-productive in my opinion. Let's say you should have a strong sense of what you're doing before you go out there, and then continue learning and building upon it. A good magic performance has so many different aspect built into it that are all happening at the same time, that it can be overwhelming to figure out what and how to start learning it. Take it slowly and carefully; you don't want to learn techniques poorly and then have to backtrack in a year. |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Actual slight of hand skills are not the most important thing you need.
Do what you do well needless to say. But to learn complicated slights just to say you know them won't help you. Let me put it like this. As a professional magician believe it or not, you are not paid for your skills with objects, as much as for your skills with people. I keep writing this, and nobody seems to get it.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
Daryl -the other brother Special user Chicago 594 Posts |
Quote:
As a professional magician believe it or not, you are not paid for your skills with objects, as much as for your skills with people. I keep writing this, and nobody seems to get it. Many of us get it Danny. We don't reply, we just smile and nod. |
Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
READ THIS AGAIN:
Actual slight of hand skills are not the most important thing you need. Do what you do well needless to say. But to learn complicated slights just to say you know them won't help you. Let me put it like this. As a professional magician believe it or not, you are not paid for your skills with objects, as much as for your skills with people. I keep writing this, and nobody seems to get it. Posted: Mar 22, 2007 1:00pm Now... if you want one more card item, why not a card to wallet? Non cards? I like Porper's SHE FLY... or a copper/silver in a spectator's hands. And you can't go wrong with a nice, simple sponge ball routine.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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