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Richard Schneider New user 57 Posts |
Hello
I'm just getting seriously into sponge ball magic. I'm at the level where I can do a standard routine, such as the one on Patrick Page's DVD, but I haven't nearly perfected and mastered one. While I'm getting into sponge balls and my mind is fresh, I'm wondering what are some different things people do with sponges. Yeah, we all do the "some in the hand, some more in the pocket" effects, pocket penetrations, and balls multiplying in the spectator's hand. But what else? What's some novel new trick to do with sponge balls? On his DVD, Patrick Page has a routine with a bowl. I'm working on a routine with two small bowls, where balls appear under them and teleport between them. I'm toying with ideas about color changes and some kind of sponge monte. I know the Page DVD has as color change with a dye tube... anyone know of any other resources for these? So... what are your inventive ways of using sponge balls? EDIT: I searched before posting this, but just found a similar thread from a little less than a year ago: http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......m=115&27 |
ray raymond Veteran user 329 Posts |
In the dvd sankey/skutt sessions Mike skutt has a totaly unique and inovative production of a sponge ball. He has a very uniqe stage routine that can be see in the video "art of sleight of hand" also by sankey.
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M for Magic Special user 673 Posts |
John Carney has a great routine in his Master Sessions DVD series.
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
Take a look at The Sponge Book from Magic, Inc. There is a finale that will knock the socks off your spectators.
Mind you, the routine is about 70 years old, but only a handful of magicians know about it. If you consider that Discoverie of Witchcraft is more than 400 years old, this is relatively new. I find it amusing that richardjs thinks that something "new" is necessary. But he does not know about the Benson bowl rouine. (apparently) Don't worry about what is new until you can perform that which you think is old without any flaws. A wise man once said, "Practice everything until it is boring, then practice it until it is beautiful."
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
William Wortman Veteran user Omaha, NE 301 Posts |
Well for me I am doing a sponge routine for a computation.
I have a pretty nice and visual color changing sponge ball then a bowl routine with a 10 count and a pretty funny final load. That is my deal with sponge balls. I am waiting to practice my routine with 3 inch sponge balls just waiting for them to come in the mail. |
funsway Inner circle old things in new ways - new things in old ways 9981 Posts |
I have used sponge balls instead of crochetted ones in dozens of different C&B and Chop Cup type routines - the secret being never to let the audience know of their unusual properties. Save the 'morphing' ball for other times and needs.
Just my opinion, but a sponge ball routine is fine as a stand alone, semi-impromtu performance; or a sponge ball can be a gaff-tool to support another effect. You do not show the spectator how how shell coin works -- why a sponge ball? There are soem crocheted cover sponge balls availabel. You might check them out.
"the more one pretends at magic, the more awe and wonder will be found in real life." Arnold Furst
eBooks at https://www.lybrary.com/ken-muller-m-579928.html questions at ken@eversway.com |
Richard Schneider New user 57 Posts |
Thanks to everyone for the suggestions
Bill Palmer, I knew about the Benson bowl routine (Page credits him on the DVD). I used the bowl as an example of something different from what I saw as the standard sponge ball tricks. My idea was to learn alternative ways of using sponge balls while I was still learning the basics, perhaps enhancing my creativity. It wasn't to get a bunch of "cool new stuff" to do, but to stimulate my thinking. I certainly will practice the standards until I've eventually mastered them--I know that when performed well, they are very strong. Once again, thanks everyone. |
Eddie Torres Special user New York City 692 Posts |
Look at sources on billiard ball magic and coin magic, with a little creativity and a lot of practice most of it can be applied to sponge balls. Most people look for materials on sponge balls and find nothing they're very impressed with, so stop looking at material specifically for sponges and just apply knowledge from other areas to the area you want to get involved in.
Eddie Ivan Torres
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-05-28 10:21, richardjs wrote: The irony of this is that sponge balls in magic occurred almost simultaneously with the Benson bowl routine. And in the Benson bowl routine and its variants, the sponge balls as a standalone segment are almost always used as an interlude and/or time misdirection for a final load. Take a look at the Rezvani routine, or better yet, look at any version of Owan to Tama. BTW, ponder this: The strongest magic there is almost always involves direct participation by a spectator. To a lay person, a sponge ball disappearing from your hand and appearing in their hand is far stronger than having it go from one cup or bowl to another.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
funsway Inner circle old things in new ways - new things in old ways 9981 Posts |
I agree with Eddie -- think "magic with small objects." Many Sleights can be applied to balls, coins, nuts and crab apples as well as sponge balls. The latter has some unique advanteges, but don't let that limit you. For example, I use sponge eggs in some Cup and Ball effect without the audience knowing I have switched them in (or out for the break).
"the more one pretends at magic, the more awe and wonder will be found in real life." Arnold Furst
eBooks at https://www.lybrary.com/ken-muller-m-579928.html questions at ken@eversway.com |
mumford Special user 652 Posts |
In an impromptu setting your sponge ball routine can be done with crumbled up napkins or tissues.
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videoman Inner circle 6732 Posts |
The Carl Andrews Table Hopping Cups and Balls DVD is a nice routine combining parts of a classic C&B routine (but using only 2 cups) and some of the classic sponge ball work. I'm sure the reason you don't see too many new sponge routines is that the timeless routine of having them appear in the specs hand is really difficult to improve upon. Most folks, myself included, have probably never bothered to put too much effort into it for fear that it will only be different for the sake of being different but not nearly as strong the classic routine.
If there were a stronger routine for the sponge balls then everybody would be doing it. But having said that I would never want to discourage you from trying to break new ground and come up with something even better. Just be aware that many have tried, but if you do come up with something you have to promise to share it with all of us, okay? Bill |
Yellowcustard Inner circle New Zealand 1334 Posts |
I am just want to add sponge bunnies. The routine is simple it has a beginning an middle and end. Kids love as well as adults.
Enjoy your magic,
and let others enjoy it as well! |
Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
There was once a group of magicians who called themselves "The Sponge Rabbit Club." Among them were Jay Marshall and Karrell Fox. These were magicians who had been sitting in a Café, and when asked by a waitress if they were magicians, were told that said waitress knew a trick. She then performed the sponge bunnies.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
Ronin Loyal user Martinez,CA 216 Posts |
A few sources on sponge magic with variations:
Daryl's "Papa Rabbit Hits the Big Time"--VERY strong routine, the construction of the rabbits allows for a few new beats to the routine. Jay Scott Berry does a very nice standup routine (more like a billiard ball routine) using his "Eclipse tip" gimmick. The routine is detailed in his "Illusioneering" lecture notes. Dean Dill's "Real Magic Sponges" and "Spotlight" in his book, "Intimate Miracles". I found his tips on using a gimmick for vanishing and producing sponges to be very useful. "Spotlight", with it's use of an LED gimmick, is unique in sponge magic, although... ...Chris Priest's "Protons" DVD includes the use of a D'lite gimmick as well. He also details the use of a little-used gimmick in his sponge routine. (I have to say, though, after studying these various routines, my "worker" routine is VERY simple and straightforward, although it incorporated some elements of almost everything listed. Even practicing some of the "new" ideas that I didn't use helped inspire my current routine. Have fun!)
David Hirata
www.thingsimpossible.com "Life is a combination of magic and pasta." --Federico Fellini |
Richard Schneider New user 57 Posts |
Thank you all for your help and suggestions.
Great... now I have an even larger list of things I want to purchase... I have a feeling that's a common plight. |
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