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Mike Maturen Inner circle Michigan's Beautiful Sunrise Side 2726 Posts |
Absolutely LOVE that promo Sam!
Mike Maturen
World of Wonder Entertainment The Magic and Mayhem of Mike Maturen 989-335-1661 mikematuren@gmail.com AUTHOR OF "A NEW DAWN--Weekly Wisdom From Everyday Life" member: International Magician's Society |
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Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Mike Maturen got in there ahead of me! Your promo looks marvelous!
10/4 on the run around bit. I just wanted to mention the the physical problems. It's always a great effect. Use it when it's possible! Joe Eddie Fairchild is an old friend. He used to work fairs with a big illusion show. He even carried his own stage (lights, sound, etc.)He often rented it to the fair board, for their programs. I like what he does, and the stuff he builds--even though I'm not a big props man! I also share with you the same opinion on the sword basket. I've seen it done very well, and I've seen it 'butchered'!!But, it's not something that I care to do. Max Hapner (just died last year) and I were both touring for the Roth office in the early '70s. (Roth had oversold the magic, and Max & Sally + John Todman and his wife, and I all had full seasons!) Max did the basket--he's one of those that did it well. I still don't wish to do it myself. --and I'm an old carny! Jay Marshall and I did the blade box at an Abbott GTG about 15 years ago, as part of the Saturday Matinee. (Al (the only's) wife in the box) We dinged 'em for $1.00, and raised over $500. for the Lions Club! I'm happy that you are finding my comments worthwhile. In the next few days, I hope to add some thoughts on using teachers and/or principals on stage. Also, I'll, from memory, try to provide a "list" of the various illusions that other school show magicians have used. Maybe, a few words on PRESENTATION, TOO. Ah! the flag is up! (On a circus, that means that the cook house is serving meals. So, I'm heading that way! I'll be back!
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Sam Sandler Inner circle 2487 Posts |
Thanks guys. the video really was some thing we threw together quickly but wanted it to look good at the same time.
the one thing I plan to do on this tour is to create a large gallery of video footage for my use as well as take as many pictures as I can. not just to use for advertising purposes but to also create memories for me and my daughter. I will have a twitter or instagram account set up so fans can follow me and see what is going on. I currently tour with about 2 tons of equipment and about a 60/40 split of solo shows verses big shows and for the school show tour we are taking several illusions, sound, curtains and my magic lecture materials. I am hoping to line up some lectures across the country. I have enjoyed lecturing over the last 5 years at many conventions and now that I am going to be going national I hope I can reach out to many more SAM, IBM, and FCM rings and others. I would be very interested to hear about what you or others do with a principal. I always use a teacher or two in the show but rarely the principal. for middle and high schools I do ask to use the principal and put them in my head chopper. but starting to fear with all the school shootings I might not want to use that any more. so thinking of a visible sawing or audience dismember however working on some OLD school fun stuff. maybe you Mr Oslund can offer some ideas. I love abbot and costello, red skeleton, jerry lewis. I lover physical comedy and thinking that maybe be fun to have the principal be part of a routine where things go wrong but they end up the hero or go wrong for me but works for them. I don't know just a thought. cant wait to hear more!! sam Click here to view attached image.
sam sandler- America's only full-time DEAF Illusionist
http://www.samsandler.com http://www.deafinitelymagic.com |
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themagiciansapprentice Inner circle Essex, UK 1381 Posts |
I've really enjoyed reading through this thread
and found the info about the cube zag thought-provoking. Any idea why it doesn't get the response you expected?? And I can see the wisdom in having the illusions ready to go, rather than being assembled at the school.
Have wand will travel! Performing children's magic in the UK for Winter 2014 and Spring 2015.
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Sam Sandler Inner circle 2487 Posts |
I have owned several illusions that are what I would call "puzzles" verses "illusions"
Tubed out Konudrum Kube- similar to Jam and some others my feeling that the cube zag is just that- a puzzle not an illusion. especially if you perform it with leaving the girls hand sticking out. that proves it is a puzzle! this is my take on these illusions and in reality they are indeed based on a puzzle or at least an optical illusion. then there are things like OP Art that although I would classify it as a puzzle it goes beyond that with the vanish and a very very convincing look of she is indeed gone. just my feelings and thoughts on it. oh and I own a spiker illusion and again I kind of thought at first it was a bit of a puzzle but with the kicker ending of having two girls it defies logic. love that illusion but don't perform it for elementary schools usually on for High schools and colleges where it plays well. sam
sam sandler- America's only full-time DEAF Illusionist
http://www.samsandler.com http://www.deafinitelymagic.com |
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
When Sam commented on Puzzle Illusions, it reminded me of an article I read by Jonathan Pendragon at one time. I think it was in Genii Magazine, sometime in the 1980s or 1990s. Jonathan might have been featured in that issue. Anyhow, I think he talked about the subject of "Power" vs. "Puzzle" Illusions, and how he approached illusions. I think he even discussed his approach to the sword basket, etc. This article might be of help, if you can find it.
I'm sure someone with access to the Genii archives can pinpoint which issue I'm talking about. - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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Sam Sandler Inner circle 2487 Posts |
Hey Guys- don't get me wrong I think puzzle type illusions have a place for sure I have owned several some of which I enjoyed and got pretty good reactions.
but I am specifically looking at illusions for schools. NOW I want to break it down this way best illusions for Elementary schools best illusions for Middle schools best illusions for High school and I guess colleges. I have done many many of each and have altered my show for the different age groups. I just don't think puzzle illusions have enough wow factor for a 50 minute assembly that has to contain educational material, audience participation, and illusions. well I guess not every school assembly performer does illusions but those that do I think would agree. short attention spans and short show calls for BAM WHAM COOL illusions. sam
sam sandler- America's only full-time DEAF Illusionist
http://www.samsandler.com http://www.deafinitelymagic.com |
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
I think you missed my point. In the article, Jonathan talks about how to change a Puzzle Illusion into a Power Illusion, if I recall correctly. But you won't know this unless you read the article.
Even though it's not about doing illusions at a school, it is about presentation. - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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Sam Sandler Inner circle 2487 Posts |
Sounds great and yes I kind of figured that is w hat it was but alas there was no article to read LOL
if some one finds it that would be a good read I am sure. presentation is indeed the key especially for school shows. thanks Donald. hope some one finds it and post it. sam
sam sandler- America's only full-time DEAF Illusionist
http://www.samsandler.com http://www.deafinitelymagic.com |
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Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Well, here I am again (short pause to allow those who may not want to hear this to switch to another channel!)!!!
The late FETAQUE SANDERS said many times: "PATTER PACKS EASIER THAN PROPS" When I walked into a school(remember I was booked by assembly agencies and toured coast to coast and border to border. --And, usually on a tight schedule (often 15, occasionally more programs week)I had observed and studied many school assembly performers before I quit 40 mileing and started touring with agencies) Often the principal would look at my case (13" x 20" x 8")--plus the dove carrier in earlier years--and my waiters cross legs stand, he would often comment that I wasn't carrying much. If there was one, I would point to the grand piano backstage,and to the violin on top of it. My reply was, "Which one of those instruments provides the better music?" He was usually unable to really answer! Sometimes he would reply, "Well, it all depends on the one playing." And I could reply, "Entertainment,like music does not "come" by the yard or by the pound! It "comes" by the OOOHS,AHHS and the GIGGLES AND LAUGHS!" After the program, he/she would nod and smile. I have thousands of "audience delighted" commentcards. "OLD" school magicians and illusions>>> Phil Foxwell The Farmer and the Witch, Stuart Ross, Thayer's Super Vanish Extraordinary (pigeons)Max Hapner, Indian Basket, C. Thos Magrum, BIG "tipover" prod.box (everything but the "kitchen sink",Roy Mayer, spikes thru wrists(used his wife) Ray the magician(never knew his whole name) Temple of Benares (with wife)Jim Sommers, head chopper (Gen Grant's,I think)Al Ulman (Al the only) ZigZag with wife, Dick Oslund Gen Grant's Victory (cardboard) sword box (with a school mate--I was 13 and only did it in my first school show) There may have been others, but,that's all I can recall. So, a lot depends on whether you book independently, or thru an agency. Also,whether you have you own assistant. Whether the advertising potential makes it worth your time, etc. They were mostly "load in, do, and load out. (Harry B. Sr.'s show moved by railroad box car and almost everything was packed in crates (broken down). One that traveled (with only the big electric motor taken off)was the Buzz Saw. Harry Jr. with the smaller illusion show used Illusion "blankets" when he could. Ditto Bobby Gurtler (Andre KOLE). In Kole's show as the illusions are finished, they're blanketed and loaded into truck! In a school show with "minimal" and varying theatrical conditions, Sam already understands the importance of blankets not crates, and no set up or tear down. SIGHT LINES are critical, too. Effects are important. E.g.: NO FIRE,NO BLOOD AND GUTS,NO SEXY WARDROBE, ETC. I am not "anti" big props, it was just too difficult for me, to troupe them. Earlier, I mentioned Max Hapner, John Todman and myself playing the Roth time down south. Max carried the basket, John carried a stack of boxes, a broom suspenson,a backdrop, a sound system and I carried a Merv Taylor Suitcase table and a dove carrier. WE ALL GOT THE SAME $$$! I've not seen the new "B" illu. If it's easier to troupe than the original Bryce, GREAT!. The JC Sum "Blind" sounds wonderful. Of course, keep in mind that PLYWOOD isn't "everything"! Foxwell did Farmer & Witch. It,of course would need updating. Now, a few thoughts on using teachers. THIS IS A DELICATE SITUATION. I would NEVER, just invite a teacher (at random). You don't know the local situation, That teacher could be "NEW" and possibly would be embarrassed. I was playing a repeat in an elementary in (I think) Portales NM. I arrived early and the principal invited me for coffee before the program. (I knew him from the previous date) He asked me if I knew Br**n F***a. I said I had heard of him, but didn't know him. The principal said, "I booked him last year, BUT NEVER AGAIN. --and, I passed the word to all the principals at our next meeting. They wont book him." He explained that Mr F. had asked a teacher to "help" and had seriously embarrassed the teacher in front of all the kids. It was the nasty put down sort of thing. If one desires to involve a principal or a teacher, I WOULD DEFINITELY CLEAR IT IN ADVANCE. If no one is enthusiastic and willing, I would not urge anyone. A "magician" from way out west, wrote a book on school shows a few years ago. He used stooges (students) for his whole show. He had to arrive an hour early to rehearse the stooges. I had seen this guy, when I was managing a Pig Racing Show (playing fairs) at a fair in California. He was brash, and, I thought, insulting. But young magicians bought his book. YUK! Enough. I hope this has been helpful. As you can readily see, there isn't any 'one' answer. A lot depends on the individual magician and the type of bookings. OH!!! SCOTT Burton::: The book you mentione earlier in this thread is KID STUFF FIVE. My picture was the frontispiece. I helped write it,edit it, and contributed material on old school magicians. The "funny" thing was, that, after all the work in getting it published, Fran. Marshall inscribed my "comp' copy: "To Dick, without whose help this book would never have happened"! When she advertised it, she mentioned all the fellows who had contributed something, EXCEPT 'ME'!!!
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Sam Sandler Inner circle 2487 Posts |
Well once again a plethora of info you have provided.
my tour will take me across the country to over 300 schools as well as magic lectures, church shows, family nights etc etc. concerning principals and teachers- for principals I always ask prior to the show date IF they want to participate and if they say no then its no. I never push them. I also go to great lengths to make sure they knew what was involved and what was required of them to help me. as for teachers I invite 2 on stage thru out the show in elementary schools. one for a funny routine and of course nothing embarrassing. the other trick is part of the educational portion and use a teacher in elementary schools as the kids are too young to help but old enough to understand the trick and the outcome. as for my show itself it is pretty big but that is one of the selling points and I get the money for it. but I have condensed it into one road case with the two illusions wheeled in their cases. takes about 35 minutes to set up but we arrive 1 hour before show time. why-- because it never fails that the stage is not clear or signing in takes longer then you like. its best to wait 10 minutes on stage then have to rush to start on time. schools are on a pretty tight schedule and you need to make sure you start and finish when you say you will. my other school show we show up with about 1.5 tons of equipment but again the school is paying for the bigger show. I am really enjoying this conversation and look forward to each new post. thanks again. sam
sam sandler- America's only full-time DEAF Illusionist
http://www.samsandler.com http://www.deafinitelymagic.com |
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RayAnderson New user Toronto Canada 41 Posts |
Hey Sam loved the website as well love your thinking. I use a Paul Osborne illusion called "Find a Lady". Can be performed on the gym floor close up close and when the girl disappears at the end great way to tie in a message. Email me (ray@coolmagician.com) and I would be more than happy to share some info with you about this.
Ray Anderson
www.coolmagician.com |
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tristanmagic Special user 533 Posts |
Beware:
Paul Osborne illusion called "Find a Lady" is actually based on Sonny Haydes routine. Paul only added the vanish at the end using a B*** The Paul Osborne plan or book containing this illusion does not include the performance rights, these belong to Sonny! You need to receive his permission before you can perform this great comedy routine. It is however being stolen by many but most of them do a very lousy version comparing to the original! |
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Dennis Loomis 1943 - 2013 2113 Posts |
To Dick Oslund,
It's so good to have you on the Café. You've got so much to share. You and I have a friendship going back for 60 plus years! I would not have had a life as a magician if it hadn't been for your friendship. One little thing, just to set the record straight. Doug Henning never did Things That Go Bump In the Night with a Modern Cabinet. Right from the first he used the Million Dollar Mystery method. I think that you're thinking of another mutual friend: David Seebach. He never called it "Bump" of course, it was Doug that came up with that. Before Doug it was simply called a Triple Exchange Illusion. As far as myself, I've used lots of illusions in School Shows. Disecto, Three different styles of Guillotines, Doll House, Sword Basket, Abbott's The Ghost Walks, Arabian Tent (out of cardboard), Super X, and the Zig Zag. Super X and the Arabian Tent didn't last long... too many venues with angle problems. I even had an Audience Acupuncture which I used for a while. Today I no longer use any knives, swords, or blades in the schools. Dennis Loomis
Itinerant Montebank
<BR>http://www.loomismagic.com |
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Rainboguy Inner circle 1915 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-01-22 22:31, Dennis Loomis wrote: Dennis Loomis: You are soooooooooo correct, Sir! I've only known Dick about 25 years or so, but he's taught me more about performing Magic than any magician I've ever known, and I revere the guy!~ It only took me 2 years to get Dick on The Magic Café but it was worth it!~ Magicians here will definitely benefit from Dick's amazing life experiences as a pro Magician and I know that Dick is enjoying being on The Magic Café. BTW, Dennis....we have never met but Dick has told me a lot about you...he says you are a great guy! |
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
I know this is an old thread, but I thought this new post might fit well on it. Many of the posts on this thread discuss stage illusions for a two-person school assembly show. But what about a solo performer school assembly show?
Lately, I've been thinking about stage illusions for a one-man Magic and Illusion Show for a family audience / elementary school audience. Here are some that I've thought about (some I own, and some I don't own). * Chair Suspension, or Super-X Suspension, or Blaney Suspension 3001 * Wiz Kote (burnt shoe), or other versions (OOPS Machine, Dirt Eradicator, Sneaker Tweaker, S.N.A.F.U., etc.) * Thru Steel (Smoky Mountain) * Instant Fantasy Magician Stand (Smoky Mountain), with Fantasy Magician Costume Prop * This End Up (Smoky Mountain) * Stocks Escape (Fairchild Magic), or Stocks of Zanzibar (Abbotts) * Cross Escape (Fairchild Magic) -- more suitable for church shows * Balloon Sword Box (Fairchild Magic) * Walking Thru a Brick Wall (Fairchild Magic) * Tri-section Illusion (Wellington) * Boy to Rabbit (Abbotts or Sommers) * Floating Table (Losander) * The Web (Lance Richardson) Some that may be "on the line" nowadays for a family show / elementary school audience: * Guillotine, or Head Chopper, or Lion Tamer Head Chopper Illusion * Bow saw Sawing Illusion * Jig Saw Sawing Illusion * Audience Acupuncture Illusion (invented by Jim Steinmeyer) * Audience Dis-member Illusion (invented by Jim Steinmeyer, built by Bill Smith's Magic Ventures) * Dagger Head Chest Illusion I know that these illusions are now considered "on the line", because when I offer to perform my Guillotine or Head Chopper Illusion as a part of my super-deluxe show package, I get some schools (and other groups) that ask for an alternate illusion. My super-deluxe show package used to feature quite a bit of stage magic, and two illusions (Guillotine and Chair Suspension). Now I'm changing that show to include Wiz Kote and Chair Suspension, or Stocks Escape and Chair Suspension, as the two big illusions. - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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