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sean_mh Loyal user 229 Posts |
Hi all! I posted this on another forum - thought I'd toss it on over here for fun. This seems like the best place for it, since it was a total volunteer performance on my part
---------------------- About a week and a half ago, my only significant magic performance of the year took place. It took me a while, but I thought I would discuss a bit about what went on. The Venue At our secondary school carnival day, all teachers volunteer to run various activities. We had a barbeque, cotton candy, inflatable bouncy castle-things, fake jousting, ice cream sales, a band, you get the idea. As my contribution, I set up my close up magic table, and performed (mostly card) effects for groups of staff, students, and parents, as they randomly walked up to my table. I had a nice green felt-covered performance surface with a backdrop to cut off viewing angles. One of my students volunteered to make me some signs, so I ended up being "The Fantabulous Mr. Hill" with a picture of a ..... baby Cloverfield-monster with bunny ears and a bow on its tail coming out of a top hat (the artist chose that cuz she thinks the Cloverfield monster is 'cute' ). In a vain attempt to control hecklers (what, high school kids heckling? no way!) I had another sign that said "If you know how it's done, keep quiet and don't spoil the fun!"). I basically stood at my performance table from about 11:30 am to 3:30 pm, and performed card magic continuously. Literally, it seemed like I looked down and started performing, and when I looked up again, everyone had packed up already. Four hours went by like minutes! The Performances I tried out a wide variety of stuff (hey, I practiced all year for this, so why not?) Various sources - Daryl's ACR video, Ammar's ETMCMC, Royal Road, Mark Wilson, Close-Up Illusions by Gary Oulette, interspersed with a lot of self-workers (from Scarne on Card Tricks, Fulves and Longe books, etc) - you name it I tried it (yes, assuming it was at a performance worthy level!) Show Stoppers These are things that got great reactions: Do as I Do and variations - yes, simple sure does get the job done! Twisted Sisters/Entourage - awesome! NFW - pretty good, though I need better handling to improve the reactions. Four Ace Routine - things I put together - insert the four aces, multiple shift/false shuffle and cuts, produce them again using the 3 Second Miracle. Then Twisting the Aces/Weighted Aces (or Jazz Aces) followed by Jumping Gemini (the Ammar version with the AS) - everyone loved this routine, and I really enjoy performing these. Hold Em High - and orginial Texas Hold-Em Effect created by me, I'm proud to say Card to Orange - one of my best reactions was when I cut open the orange and DIDN'T find a card in it. I looked very sheepish, and since it was so hot I cracked open a fresh, ice cold iced tea - Yes you guessed it, a failed card to orange ended up as Bottled Up (thanks Jared!!!) - their face when their torn corner matched the card in the bottle was priceless Blizzard - though I'm sure I SUCKED on the Deck Switch and finally, Ultimate Three Card Monte - Holy crap! Why did I even bother learning anything else. I could have stood there and done this one thing for four hours and I would have been a superstar. Hands down the best reactions of anything I have ever done - I'm talking swearing, screaming and running away! Things that were OK ACR - People appreciated it,m though some of my phases need more practice Three Stage Prediction - I correctly predicted the amount of change held by someone, a common household object merely though of, and a card selected in a fair and open manner. This took too long, and people basically got bored I think. Various "You Pick a Card and I find It"s - they were good, I just need to jazz them up a bit more Left Out Because they weren't ready to go Sleeve Aces/Collins Aces - from ETMCM Vol 6 A simple (ha!) version of Reset - Someday I will get this down! Cros Twist - See above Things I practiced but FORGOT TO DO!!! Aces in Their Faces - only one of my favourites, dammit! Gathering of The Clan - Royal Road TnR Card - from Mark Wilson - forgot a hanky to tie the pieces up in!!! Nemesis - oh well, it needed more practice anyway I had also toyed with the idea of some of my students going into the crowd and planting cards in people's back pockets, then bringing them over to my table, where I would force same card and they would find it in their pocket. Shades of Criss Angel!!!! No time to organize this - maybe next year! So there you have it folks. I had a complete blast! The hecklers were mostly quiet, and got shouted down by other spectators when they weren't! I was the first to set up and the last to leave, and I didn't have more than 3 minutes of 'no audience' at any time. Imagine what this would have beenm like if they had a real magician performing!! Already working on next year - gonna branch out to other close up - I'm thinking: rope, sponge balls, Cups and Balls. I'm resisting coins cuz I have convinced my self, sadly, that I will NEVER fool anyone with a false transfer or take . Wow! Ain't this hobby/obsession awesome? Sean |
themagiciansapprentice Inner circle Essex, UK 1381 Posts |
Well done to survive four hours of close-up at a secondary school. How long did you practice before the performance?
Why not try another performance at another fund-raiser? Then you could do the tricks you left out as well as trying out new material.
Have wand will travel! Performing children's magic in the UK for Winter 2014 and Spring 2015.
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Jaz Inner circle NJ, U.S. 6111 Posts |
Sounds like a fun day.
Good for you. Branching out to other than cards is a good idea. Be sure to add some more visible effects for passerbys. |
sean_mh Loyal user 229 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-06-09 14:24, themagiciansapprentice wrote: Pretty much starting the day after my performance of the previous year And yes, I know cards are not the end-all of close-up. I just started with them because I like them best, and concentrated on this area because I really only have limited time to learn and practice, and I would be hopeless if I spread that out over too many genres. But I love all close up, and I think I will start working on those other areas, and pull back on the card magic. Visual effects would certainly be a plus!! Sean |
themagiciansapprentice Inner circle Essex, UK 1381 Posts |
I too started with cards. I practised like mad for six months until I could do it without my staff and pupils seeing the method. Then I got some silks, hot rod, paddles and made some genii cards. This extended my routine (gave me for options.) From that I graduated on to children's show routines which I now mainly use.
Good luck from a fellow teacher
Have wand will travel! Performing children's magic in the UK for Winter 2014 and Spring 2015.
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Pauldela Special user U.K 882 Posts |
I said well done on Penguin, and I'll say it again! Good job, mate!
Pauldela |
sean_mh Loyal user 229 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-06-11 07:04, Pauldela wrote: Thanks very much! I do work hard to have fun with magic, if that makes any sense Sean |
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