I started a topic on final loads some time ago. For those who never saw the routine, it looks like this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grSA18ccOZ8

That's great Kent. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Ah, my favorite routine is back so I can study it. This is the most magical cups and balls routine I have seen in my 60+ years around magic.

Every move is a perfect illusion and the loads are brilliant. I am happy you posted it again, Kent.

I assume that the judges at WMS heaped accolades and piles of money on you for the finest version in history of the world's oldest trick. Right?

BTW, I love Ricky Jay's "History Lesson" Cups and Balls, but if I really study his moves, especially the loads, they are not that great. Yours are far better.

Best regards,
Glenn Godsey

Yeah thanks Kent - Its a great routine, love it!

Hi, Kent

It's a great routine... I love it.

The use of different color balls were great.

and the load is invisible


Thanks for sharing it

Cheers
Andre

This is flat out the best cups and balls routine I have ever seen. Like Andre said, the loads are invisible, not only of the kickers but throughout the routine. Thanks for sharing this with us Kent.

-Jeff

Great job Kent

OMG that is an AWSOME Routine Kent.
Thank you so much for sharing.

Ocha

Wow!

You go to WMS and get told you're routine is crap. I come back home to the Café and it's the best thing since sliced bread. Hmmmm . . . perhaps the truth lies in between these two extremes.

Your positive feedback, one and all, has lifted me from the competition doldrums. I thank you all!!! Stay tuned a write up of the Fun Shop Cups is underway. Look for it at a magic store near you.

Ok it'll never really be in magic stores. I'll print up fifty copies and eat thirty of them. I have bites for the job of editor and illustrator. The routine is written up. If you're interested in helping or think you'd actually plunk down some dough, let me know. Your feedback will determine whether or not I spend the time to get this done!

Once again, Ocha, jconstans, Jeff O, Andre, Glenn and Tom: your positive responses were kind and encouraging. Sean, Sean baby, CupsCon! Dude you're making it happen!! Since FISM is too far away, I will get to meet you in Texas, next year!

KG

OH, you will sell this routine...no doubt. I would certainly plunk down the dough.


As for competition...why is it most of them have judges that are hobbiests at best. Magic is art (and work), not sport. Don't worry about that stuff.

Those that can't do become judges and critics.

Mark

Kent:

How about a backdrop, some lighting and a slightly spiffed up video - along with the write up - to start the campaign for a much deserved award at CupsCon 2009?

Go with it Kent....

I'm pretty sure the judges will be amazed by your routine...

It's one of the best routine I've seen

Cheers
Andre

Kent, I would be very curious to know what exactly they (WMS) didn't like about the routine. I enjoyed watching it.

Bob Kohler,

I can write. I can shoot pictures. I don't know donk about video. If that ever happens someone will have to lend more than a hand.

KG

Kent,

First, congratulations on having the courage to compete at a magic convention. That in itself is a huge accomplishment. Last year, I competed as well at the 2007 PCAM Convention. Before doing so, I sought out the opinions of my friends here at the Café and I received some wonderful advice.

I still remember Bill Palmer telling me how difficult it is to successfully compete with a cups and balls routine. The effect has been around for so long, and has been performed so much, that the bar is set very, very high. When performing this type of a routine in competition, I was told that technical skill alone will not be enough to succeed. Instead, you must have something amazingly different.

Obviously, these standards are not the same standards that apply in the "real world", where variations of the Gazzo, Ammar and Vernon routines abound. Just because you get a bunch of constructive criticism at a competition doesn't mean the routine won't be highly entertaining for a real world audience. Have faith and confidence in your abilities.

Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed your routine and would gladly purchase it to add to my cups and balls library. Keep up the good work!

Kent (the other one)

Joseph,

I bunged up early in the routine. I was like a deer, caught in the headlights. My presentations skills, limited as they are, completely vanished when I looked up into the spotlights and realized I couldn't see a single face.

I got a lot of support and encouragement fromt the staff at WMS. I got to do the routine in a real close-up setting, in the hotel room, about ten times for various magi, in the Las Vegas area.

Overall it was a great learning experience. Why didn't I win?, Because the other competitors did a better job!!!

KG

Kent,
Your finals alone are worth the price of admission!

Mick

I really like your routien kent, id be interested in a manuscript

I second that. As I said over at the CupsCon forum, I really like this version of Kent's routine. I hope that I can learn some of the techniques Kent uses so I can add them to my routine! I want my loads to be that invisible.