|
|
SpringBizkit Regular user 193 Posts |
Hey guys,
I had a problem the other day and I was thinking of how to solve it, couldn't think of any off the top of my head, so I decided to post the 2 problems here. The first one. We all know that Vernon liked doing tricks at the spur of the moment, starting tricks without knowing how they would end. This is similar to the style that I like to do, but I always have the cards chosen. He always said "think of a card" now, I'm curious but, how did can you continue an effect like that? I mean, if they peeked at a card, fine then there's plenty. But in what ways could you continue after asking them "go ahead, think of a card?" like he did with Greene. (what luck) anyone know what vernon would do maybe? Second problem is The Trick That Cannot Be Explained. I was wondering if anyone here had different ways and methods of ending the trick. I know there are sooo many ways, but was wondering if anyone could share any as I'm totally out of creative juices. I mainly do the spelling one, by spelling suit, card number, count the number etc. if in any case I can spell to the card when it's near the ends. But other than that, I was wondering if anyone had some they wouldn't mind sharing. Thank you so much in advance. Any ideas or suggestions would greatly be appreciated. Sagar. EDIT: also, if anyone knows of clips or anything of Vernon, could you please post? I'm dying to watch the Spirit Of Magic, a bio on him. Thanks! |
Tim Sutton Elite user Tim Sutton AIMC, London UK 461 Posts |
Check out Eric Mead's The Tangled Web. It has a marvellous chapter on The Trick that Cannot Be Explained, which takes the trick out of the realm of spelling (which has to be a good thing).
Tim |
Jaz Inner circle NJ, U.S. 6111 Posts |
First. I don't recall Vernon doing this too often.
In his "Inner Card Trilogy" book there is a chapter called 'Think A Card'. Each uses a different method. I think he knew how most would end. Maybe he just did a different revelation for some of them. Second. Lorayne's 'Calculated Risk' is similar and worth looking into. Another option is to use a crimp. |
SpringBizkit Regular user 193 Posts |
Thanks guys. I live in Singapore, so I'll have to try and order Eric Mead, hope the rest of the stuff other than the trick that can't be explained will be great also.
Jaz, when you said use a crimp, for which effect did you mean? think a card? I heard while reading about Vernon that he used to just improvise on his tricks according to coincidence, the lay of the cards, the audience, and his mood. Usually not knowing how a trick would end when he started. It would've been like he did with Cliff Greene (im pretty sure that's the name) with the 3 of Diamonds trick and how he just had Cliff name a card. oh well, guess we'll see what else comes up Thanks a lot guys. I'll look into your suggestions. |
Tim Sutton Elite user Tim Sutton AIMC, London UK 461 Posts |
It sounds like your two questions refer to the same trick...
|
Paul Chosse V.I.P. 1955 - 2010 2389 Posts |
Here's a clue: The things that Vernon SAID, versus what he DID, could vary drastically. The audience was frequently left with the IMPRESSION that they only thought of a card, and never realized that the "thought" was influenced subtly. Sometimes the influence was verbal, othertimes physical, stil other times there was a combination of forces in action.
Then there is the extraction of information: Vernon used techniques that allowed him to determine the selection by directing the spectator's actions, or by asking leading questions, or by making statements that eliminated options and narrowed his field. Finally, there was the revelation: the concept of multiple outs was one that Vernon had thoroughly mastered. You might read the Milt Kort book for examples of another master of these ideas. Hopkins "Outs, Precautions, and Challenges" is another handy pamphlet to have. And if you really want to explore this are go back to a basic book: J. G. Thompson's "My Best". There is an article in that book by Charlie Nyquist that is amazing - amazing that no one has read it! (Charlie was a mathematician at Stanford, if my memory serves me, and Persi Diaconis counted him among his "secret weapons". Charlie has passed on, but he was very interested in magic, and combined his love of math with his love of magic to produce some remarkable items. Mostly they appear in old Genii's. He was close to Jack McMillen, and they developed some material that has been closely guarded by the few guys who know it, for years. For instance, Jack and Charlie worked out a wonderful "Single Shuffle Poker Stack" for four aces in a five handed game. In fact any number of hands can be dealt, but five seems optimum for the effect. They also worked out a great variation of the "Ten Card Poker Deal" that I don't think has ever seen print, though I did send it to Bob Farmer for his manuscript, on Charlie's behalf. There are other things, but that gives you a flavor and the reason you should look up his article on "Alternate Endings" in "My Best". That's all for now, Best, PSC
"You can't steal a gift..." Dizzy Gillespie
|
Bob Farmer Elite user Magic Forest 428 Posts |
I think Charlie was a lawyer. At one point, I actually spoke with him.
|
SpringBizkit Regular user 193 Posts |
Thanks a lot guys. Now, to hunt down and wait. (hate buying online and having to wait the long international delivery lol) don't you?
Well thanks again. I'll try to find out about these books. If anyone has anything more, please add also. Thanks again. |
Picard Elite user 411 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-08-23 15:57, SpringBizkit wrote: 1) Regarding "think of a card" you might want to read this topic: http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......&forum=2 All these effects start with "Think of a card": Out of Sight, Out of Mind by Vernon, Killocation by Steve Beam and Devastation (or 4,5,6 Packet Trick). If presented well spectator should be convinced that he could have thought of any card (even though it's not really so). In OOS, OOM you show 9 card but in Killocation 15 - quite enough. For other "purer" "think of a card" routines check out the topic mentioned. Don't underestimate peek - nice example of how to verbally convince someone that he merely thought of a card http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynb2Q24r3oA . I watched this presentation of Roberto Giobbi so many times, it's simple but brilliant - every word is so well thought out. 2) Regarding "The Trick That Cannot Be Explained", I personally do not use it as I don't find it necessary to spend my energy on something that doesn't produce a miracle too often. Ok, I'll accept that in someone's hands it does produce miracle more often then in someone else's, but I don't feel like taking any chances with so many sure-fire effects around which are strong enough. Btw, you might want to check out "Simple Arithmetic" from "More Inner Secrets of Card Magic" (first effect in "Think of a Card" chapter), someone on Café called it once a "junior version of The Trick That Can't Be Explained". It's less stressful then The Trick That Cannot Be Explained but I have always gotten great reactions with it. |
SpringBizkit Regular user 193 Posts |
Hey guys,
thanks a lot for all this. Right now I'm trying to get Clairvoyence from Gustaferro. what's it like anyways? I don't even have a description of this trick. anyone with a quick description can help? I was just told that for the trick that cannot be explained, I should check up on a book or dvd that teachs you about the multiple outs that you can achieve from the certain point. See, what I was getting at was, I was going through a lot of vernon's stuff lately, his bio and his revelations dvd, and he would always say (eg. case of him vs. Cliff Greene) how he would just ask a card to be named, and he would just continue on from there. luckily it was on bottom, but what could else could he have done? I guess outs would've shown some pretty good ways to reveal the card. but anyways, I guess I'll have to work on psychological forces so that they end up thinking of a card I want them to. So anyone know a book or dvd or anything that can help with psycological forcing and also teaches outs? anything else on thhis topic by anyone will be a great great help. thanks again so much!! (anyone know where I can watch The spirit of magic, the dai vernon bio?) |
Tim Sutton Elite user Tim Sutton AIMC, London UK 461 Posts |
I wouldn't spend too much time working on psychological forces. The most powerful presentations you can give will be from a spectator-shuffled deck . I'd recommend instead working on glimpses, estimation, controls. In fact anything in your card arsenal that allows you knowledge of the identity/position of one or more cards will be of great use in performing The Trick That Cannot Be Explained. I try, for example, to glimpse the top card and bottom two cards. Eric Mead's great approach gives you more possibilities again. There's no one resource that will tip the skinny on this trick, because it's not a trick - it's a state of mind, and the more experience you have of card magic, the finer will be your delivery.
Tim |
SpringBizkit Regular user 193 Posts |
Thanks a lot. I usually turn the deck face up after they shuffle. glimpse top 2 and bottom.
then have them cut again if I don't see something that would suit me. Then I go into the spread and then go forward from there. What I usually do is see how many cards they are from the ends, and do some sort of counting,sometimes DLing or second or bottom dealing when the count is slightly off. So anything else would be nice. I sometimes ask for their birth month, or date, or add the ends or suits, numbers, etc. or take a card, place it back face down into the deck and try to force it close to where the card is through estimation. stuff like that. just want more.. thanks a lot for all the help guys. I'll keep searching. |
Harry Lorayne 1926 - 2023 New York City 8558 Posts |
I didn't include Calculated Risk in THE CLASSIC COLLECTION (originally in Close-Up Card Magic) because I didn't think many used it, or COULD use it. You might want to check it out. HL
[email]harrylorayne@earthlink.net[/email]
http://www.harrylorayne.com http://www.harryloraynemagic.com |
SpringBizkit Regular user 193 Posts |
Hey Harry, I just bought your book off you a while ago, still going through it. lotta good stuff. wish calculated risk was on it. oh well..
thanks a lot guys for the posts! |
Daniel Nicholls Veteran user UK 390 Posts |
I use an idea by T.A Waters using 2 specs where I get one to think of a card and the other doesn't.
Close your eyes. Open your senses.
|
daffelglass Regular user 120 Posts |
If you want to try a forced 'think of a card' check out Daniel Garcia's Scatter on volume to of The Daniel Garcia Project. A very clever idea.
|
Radoslav Sheytanov New user 9 Posts |
Edward Marlo's Automatic Placement can be a real mental miracle if its done correctly :')
"A good magic effect should easily be described in one sentence."
-David Frederick Wingfield Verner |
Russell Davidson Inner circle Hampshire, England 1108 Posts |
For the Trick that cannot be explained I highly recommend Wayne Dobson's Lucky Card. This takes the basic idea of Vernon's but keeps it within a certain theme - i.e a lucky card.
It's in Special Effects booklet or there is a updated version on his 'Look no hands' DVD. |
Maxyedid Special user Panama 843 Posts |
Dear friend,
In the Vernon’s Revelations videos he says a comment regarding TTTCBE that is basically the answer to both of your inquiries. He said that the performance of that effect depends on how much you know about card magic - it basically requires everything that you know to put it at the service of that effect. You are asking because you don’t know so much yet. Once you study dozens and dozens of books and videos you will be able to answer your own questions. 😀 Quote: On Aug 23, 2008, SpringBizkit wrote:
NEW BOOK! "Semi-Automatic Miracles" - INSTANT Best-Seller at Lybrary.com
https://www.lybrary.com/semiautomatic-card-miracles-p-925333.html chaos handlings, out of hands effects, and more |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The workers » » "Think of a card" and "The Trick That Cannot Be Explained" (3 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.06 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 < |