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Mr. Mindbender Inner circle 1535 Posts 
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Recently started doing this in impromptu situations -- parties, at a restaurant, etc. I'm sure it's not a new presentation, but it is for me!
I use a small Post-It pad (like 2x2). Person selects a two digit number, I give it thought for a second or two, then write a single number on a Post-It note and stick the note onto an open surface -- like a table, a wall, or better yet, a window -- whatever happens to be available at the moment. I write a second number on another Post-It note and again, stick it near the other note. I continue this, picking up the pace as I go, as though I'm a bit possessed. And I'm not putting the numbers in a neat order, like rows or columns. Instead, it looks kind of haphazard, but as I continue, the larger 4x4 square begins to take shape. A few times I'll stick a Post-It note up, then a beat later, change my mind and move its position. Eventually, I end up with 16 Post-It notes, each with a different number, forming a 4x4 square. I then reveal it all per the normal Magic Square routine. I've gotten some great reactions to this. I think it's something about what starts off as this seemingly free form, almost savant-like sticking of numbers on a wall or window, and suddenly, everyone sees it all come together and form this perfect combination. Give it a try, it's fun! |
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Bill Cushman Inner circle Florida 2873 Posts
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As a magic square fan and somewhat of an afficiando, I think this is great. I can tell how well it will play just from reading it. Well done!
Another thought is to use Chuck Hickok's Diagonal Magic Square. This way, the first four numbers could be called out by audience members and you take over from there. Finally, you could do a version of this that I think would work very nicely using my own Crosseyed from my ebook, Subliminal Squares. Again, four numbers would be called out by the audience, your numbers could be placed haphazardly as you wisely recommend and then with a bit of sudden inspiration and rearrangement at the end you'd have the desired result. I look forward to trying this out! Thanks Mr. M. |
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Mr. Mindbender Inner circle 1535 Posts
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Glad you like it Dr. Bill!
I have your Subliminal Squares, so I'll double check Crosseyed, because I like that idea of the spec calling out some numbers. I have Mr. Hickok's Mentalism Inc. series and thought-full Telepathy, but not his Diagonal Magic Square. That's a tough one to track down. |
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TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts
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I spent a long time before coming up with a version of the square that would suit my style. I love your version. I imagine it would kill. Well done. Tony.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
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Keith Raygor Special user Naples, FL 971 Posts
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Very nice presentation - until you clue them in, the square doesn't even exist. It leaves a lot of room for theater.
Dr Bill: great idea using it with Crosseyed. |
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Mr. Mindbender Inner circle 1535 Posts
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Yeah, I just re-read Crosseyed - very nice!
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John C Eternal Order I THINK therefore I wrote 12673 Posts
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I have audience members call out numbers in a chaotic manner until the square is full this is the only way I can think of in giving them the power to perform the effect.
I LOVE this POST-IT idea! I KNOW it will go over well. J
The ULTIMATE Routine Series: rebirth soon!
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Bill Cushman Inner circle Florida 2873 Posts
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Thanks Mindbender and Keith. Crosseyed is a great alternative when you want the power of a square but want to do something briefer. Now with your post it idea, it will kick even more asp. I can't wait to give it a whirl.
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revelation77 New user Melbourne, Australia 29 Posts
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I really like this idea. Thankyou SO much for sharing. I just got up and tryed it against a wall (no audience) and I found it a little laggy. Write number, peel off, stick to wall and so on for 16 notes seems a little slow. Maybe I just need to speed up the process and make it 'haphazard' like you said.
Thanks again. Rev. |
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John C Eternal Order I THINK therefore I wrote 12673 Posts
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Quote:
On 2009-11-01 01:46, revelation77 wrote: Suggestion: Use an audience.n Paste POSTITS on their foreheads l
The ULTIMATE Routine Series: rebirth soon!
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qkeli Special user paris,france 775 Posts
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Excellent idea Mr.M !!
I think of combining it with a the story of the movie "usual suspects" where information are taken from the wall, for those who have seen this movie... just an idea. |
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revelation77 New user Melbourne, Australia 29 Posts
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Quote:
On 2009-11-01 10:36, johncesta wrote: Or better yet, just write it on their foreheads... |
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Christian & Katalina Elite user 407 Posts
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Mindbender,
I love the post-it note idea. This really opens up a lot of room for play and additional thoughts on premise. One of the problems with the MS is the grid/math look. It can quickly make this effect look like a math trick. The grid also clues too many people into what is going to happen before you finish. This idea opens up some great room for creativity on why you are doing. It also hides the concept and climax until you are ready to reveal it. Awesome idea.
Milbourne Christopher Award for Mentalism 2011
The Annemann Award for Menatalism 2016 Author of "Protoplasm" Close-up Mentalism |
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John C Eternal Order I THINK therefore I wrote 12673 Posts
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Quote:
On 2009-11-01 17:38, revelation77 wrote: It's funnier (visually) to slap POST ITs on their forehead. I do a thing with post its asking them to name thier favorite color, number, whatever then I remove the post it and casually post it on their arm or somewhere. J
The ULTIMATE Routine Series: rebirth soon!
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Mr. Mindbender Inner circle 1535 Posts
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Glad you guys like it -- yes, I agree in that my favorite part is that people aren't exactly aware of what's going on until you finally piece it all together.
For those that worry about the memory angle of it, here's something else to play with -- whatever number you end up needing to add, and whatever remainder you have, you can write these two numbers down first, each on a post-it note, and stick them up. Then continue building the grid. If you happen to forget the numbers for a moment, you can just look up and see them. Then, at some point, as you get closer to finishing, you can look at those two numbers you first put up, shake your head (muttering to yourself) as though the numbers aren't quite right. You take the two post-it's down, and replace them with two new numbers. Hope that makes sense. |
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Scott Cram Inner circle 2678 Posts
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I love this approach!
Your presentation should suggest you're obsessed with numbers. Mention that you can't see a 4x4 without saying "16!" or picking up a 2 by 4 without going "8!" Tell them things like you shop at a 7-11 ("-4!") that's open 3.428571428....er, 24/7.... |
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slowkneenuh Regular user After 5,278+ posts, only credited with 133 Posts
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A belated "Bravo" Mr. Mindbender! What a great alternative to my lugging around an easel and flip chart. Also an ingenious way to cover a math trick which intimidates a lot of the audience.
Scott, great lead in dialogue! John
John
"A poor workman always blames his tools" |
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magicnewswire Inner circle 1947 Posts
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Just saw the first presentation of Harry Anderson's new show that he's been working on and, as expected, he's doig his presentation of the magic square as well.
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Mick Ayres Special user Hilton Head Island 998 Posts
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Mindbender,
This is a seriously great presentation idea. Thank you for sharing it. Warm regards, Mick
THE FIVE OBLIGATIONS OF CONJURING: Study. Practice. Script. Rehearse. Perform. Drop one and you're done.
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Mr. Mindbender Inner circle 1535 Posts
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Wow - great to see that this thread (and idea) has legs. Mick, slowkneenuh, Scott, thanks for the kind words, glad you like it.
And Scott, that's a terrific idea on being obsessed with numbers. The thought that relationships like 24-7, 7-11 or 9 to 5 haunt you is great. The fun task at hand would be to find these type of common ratios that provide usable numbers in the magic square - so that when you are writing down numbers, there seems to be an odd motivation to your craziness - so for example, as you ramble "I'm haunted by numbers, I see them everywhere, all the time, 24-7..." as you write down 24 on one Post-it Note and then 7 on another as you place them on the table. Another possibility to add to it would be to look around the environment where you are performing for usable number. A nearby clock shows that it's 7:42, so you use the "42" as part of your sequence. Or a menu item lists 39 different beers available. It's a little jazz element since it would change each performance, but if there's nothing usable around, so be it, no one would miss it. I'll have to play with this some more. Thanks...Bill |
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Posted: Oct 31, 2009 08:25 pm 
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