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illuzns Regular user My Room in Va. 104 Posts |
Hey All,
I just wanted to see if there are a lot of other performing magicians out there doing Watch steals in any Restaurant venues? If so, what routines or tricks are being used? I do a watch steal currently using the #4 sponges and The Crazy man's handcuff's. Thanks in advance for any responses. Allen Cleveland |
Lee Darrow V.I.P. Chicago, IL USA 3588 Posts |
No, I don't. After a really bad experience with doing one little bit of dip work on stage, I will NEVER do it again.
In a restaurant especially, the guests do not know that you are legit in many cases. If you cop their watch, they may well yell for the cops. One magician, in Chicago, a few years ago, got into some potentially seriously big trouble when a couple came in to the bar he was working at. He did Ring Flight and, at the conclusion of the trick, they both SWORE that the ring in the case was NOT hers! The cops came, management got involved and, after much hassling and disturbance to the other guests, the couple were taken away in handcuffs for trying to scam the magician and the club. If they hadn't had prior warrants out on them for something similar, they would have pulled it off and the magician would have been hauled off to the pokey. The magician still lost his job. In my own case, I dipped a guy's wallet while doing the thumbcuffs on stage. When I went to give it back to him, it opened. It wasn't a wallet. It was a police badge holder. For a Chicago Police Detective Lieutennant. From the Bunco Squad, no less. He was NOT pleased. Nope, not for me, thanks. Too risky. Lee Darrow, C.Ht. http://www.leedarrow.com
http://www.leedarrow.com
<BR>"Because NICE Matters!" |
magicsoup Elite user 461 Posts |
I don't do it but I'm very temped now that I've read the routine in the book "Real World Magic". It uses sponge balls as well.
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illuzns Regular user My Room in Va. 104 Posts |
Mr.Darrow,
Sounds like these instances you're speaking of are probably kind of rare. I can understand why you would be pretty weary of doing this type of act. Although it sounds to me like you were pretty proficient at this type of thing. It's too bad that you aren't still doing it. I'd pay to watch a pro pick pocket a cops wallet anyday! I'd love to sit and talk shop with some of you guys. I'm sure the stories are endless. Thanks for responding. I appreciate your help and your advice. Magic soup- I haven't read "Real world magic". Is it any good? I guess a better question is, is it still in print? I do a leather watch band steal while loading a sponge ball into a spectators hand. The misdirection is pretty good and I can tell you that the response is unbelievable. I do still occasionally miss on this routine, but I find it's usually more successful when I'm doing a street show instead of when I am performing for the restaurant. I think it's partially due to the natural misdirection of a larger crowd outdoors and the fact that I can move the spectator more freely in that environment. It's a lot harder for me to nail it consistently while they are seated at a table. Not impossible, but harder. Perhaps some of you more polished pickpockets could give me some pointers on this. Thanks for the response to the post. Allen Cleveland Magic soup- I haven't read "Real world magic". Is it any good? I guess a better question is, is it still in print? I do a leather watch band steal while loading a sponge ball into a spectators hand. The misdirection is pretty good and I can tell you that the response is unbelievable. I do still occasionally miss on this routine, but I find it's usually more successful when I'm doing a street show instead of when I am performing for the restaurant. I think it's partially due to the natural misdirection of a larger crowd outdoors and the fact that I can move the spectator more freely in that environment. It's a lot harder for me to nail it consistently while they are seated at a table. Not impossible, but harder. Perhaps some of you more polished pickpockets could give me some pointers on this. Thanks for the response to the post. Allen Cleveland |
vmendoza Elite user Farmingdale. New Jersey 430 Posts |
Alright, I started this post a couple of days ago and then I deleted it because I didn't think I felt that strongly about it. Well, I guess I do.
Watch stealing/pick-pocketing, done well, always gets a great response. Whenever I have the right opportunity, I'll include it in a performance. People love it and it gets lots of laughs. Having said that, there are only two occasions when I will either pick a pocket or steal a watch. On stage, in a contolled setting where everyone can see me do the steals and then return everything I took. Secondly, very informally, among family, peers, friends and aquantances. In any other paying venue where you are moving from one group of people to the next, you can very easily be accused of theft. If John Doe gets home and finds his wallet is missing, he won't be thinking rationally. If Jane Smiley reaches up to find that her diamond solitare is gone, you'll be getting a visit from Mr. Policeman. Lee makes very valid points in his post, and I speak from experience. Several years ago, a friend and I got together and landed a contract to do walk-around at several TGIF's in the NJ,NY area. Things were going along swimmingly and neither he or I used watch-steals or pick-pocket routines. After almost two years of great rapport with customers and management, we got canned. It seems another magician landed a similar deal and decided to include a pick-pocket routine in his act. He was unfortunate enough to pick the pocket of a regional VP who wasn't thrilled about it and didn't want the chain to be open to any kind of liability. They got rid of ALL their entertainment. We all got fired across the board because one guy just didn't think things through enough. Vince Mendoza |
Shawn D Elite user Hughson,Ca 465 Posts |
I feel both ways about it. I am very carful of who I use to do a watch steal. I do it mostly on kids at the restaraunt and return customers who want to see me and know who I am.
I take it on a cut and restored rope trick. Sometimes when I am doing sponge balls. I never borrow a ring with diamonds for a trick either. I would hate to give it back and them say I am missing a diamond. Maybe it fell out and they just never noticed it until you barrowed and gave back the ring. I just use my own or borrow a solid band. |
illuzns Regular user My Room in Va. 104 Posts |
Vmendoza,
Thanks for the advice on the watch steal. I can definitely understand why you would be cautious about doing the watch steal after such an ordeal. Especially since it obviously was not your fault. I have to agree that in certain conditions, the watch steal is not appropriate for those venues. I have been doing the watch steal for approx. 8 years and have not yet had a situation such as those you have spoken of.(Thats not to say that it couldn't happen to me as well, but that it has not happened as of yet). I think it is also important to note,that you should establish a reputation in your particular restaurant BEFORE attempting anything like that. I would never try something like that in a "Fresh" Venue. I have been performing at this restaurant for over 2 1/2 years. The management trusts me like one of their own managers (For example I am not only the "House Magician", but a "Regular" that dines at the restaurant as well). I have a Large Poster at the front Foyer that is displayed when you first walk in, so people will recognize me as the Magician and not just some nut off the street. I will admit,that we have a lot of patrons that are tourist's which come through on a regular basis, but I usually know 80-90% of the clientel on a first name basis. I know every single person on the staff on a first name basis as well. I also have a very good relationship with the upper management of this particular chain of restaurants which I think has helped me over the years in maintaining my contracts. That being said, I do realize that it is still possible to have an incident such as the one you spoke of, but I believe that such things could occur in any type magic show if the people involved were determined enough to make it so. This is just my opinion though and I do appreciate your advice and will definitely take a note of it. Thank you for your post. ShawnD, Thanks for responding to the post. I have to agree with you that I would not attempt to borrow a diamond ring from a stranger in ANY venue. In this day and age even Magicians must be aware of being conned or simply having the misfortune of taking the wrong ring from the wrong person at the wrong time. Thanks again for the post. Your friend in magic, Allen Cleveland ShawnD, Thanks for responding to the post. I have to agree with you that I would not attempt to borrow a diamond ring from a stranger in ANY venue. In this day and age even Magicians must be aware of being conned or simply having the misfortune of taking the wrong ring from the wrong person at the wrong time. Thanks again for the post. Your friend in magic, Allen Cleveland |
Whiterabbit Loyal user Kevin Mc Lean 278 Posts |
I think there's a post on watch steals around if you do a search. From memory a lot of people said you really had to be very careful about it. Points like scams aside, technically depriving someone of their possessions even if you are going to give them back is theft.
I'd avoid it personally as I wouldn't want the sort of publicity that could go with it if it went seriously wrong. Best of luck.
May your fingers never lose their deftness,
May your tongue always lead them down the garden path... Regards, Whiterabbit |
illuzns Regular user My Room in Va. 104 Posts |
Whiterabbit-
I definitely can see that side of the debate. I will be sure to take your advice into consideration. Thanks for the reply to this post. Your friend in magic, illuzns |
Roger Boucher Regular user 114 Posts |
I was thinking of doing the watch steal, but the problem I encounter is, where do you practice? Who do you practice on? I know that I could elicit my dads help but how does one practice this.
In saying that I do realize the importance of timing, report, setting, and all that so that it wouldn't be missused. But there are definitely some fantastic points that have been touched on here that I have learned from. Thanks Roger |
Whiterabbit Loyal user Kevin Mc Lean 278 Posts |
Hi Eyesawthat,
without giving the technique away, I think, for practice, people wrap a towel around a broomstick to simulate the wrist and add the watch to that. I'm not sure how or if they secure the broomstick. Any mockup you can make for a wrist/arm should do it.
May your fingers never lose their deftness,
May your tongue always lead them down the garden path... Regards, Whiterabbit |
Ben Matthew New user 1 Post |
Hello,
I have been "stealing" watches for approx. 13 yrs. The first 5-6 yrs. I never told anyone that I was going to take the watch until a lady caught me taking the watch and made a big deal out of it with the company I was working for at the time. One other time, I took around 8-9 watches at a company picnic and I forgot to give back the last one. I found it in my pocket when I got home. Bad News! I gave the lady a free show and I was lucky that it turned out ok. It was the best thing that could take place. Because ever since I ALWAYS tell someone else in the person's group that "I'm going to steal her watch and I'll give it back" Now they are now in on it and they are laughing hard and they know the watch is coming back. I never take any thing else, no wallets ever. When I was first learning, I practiced a lot on my own wrist, it's just like taking someone elses, the moves anyway, with a thumb sweep method. In closing, I think it's like any other routine with magic, some people can get away with somethings that others just can not. If it works for you, keep doing it, it's such a strong effect. |
illuzns Regular user My Room in Va. 104 Posts |
Just a note...
For practice, I would also perform the steals on my own wrist. This allows you to feel the same sensations that a spectator would feel. I also practice by using one of those fake arms you find at Spencers gifts around halloween. I even resorted to having my friends (All of whom know what I do for a living) Look around their old desk drawers for any old broken watches.(Different band styles and clasps) This allows me to practice on various types of clasps and my friends get to rid themselves of a bunch of old junk lying around the house at the same time.The towel wrap is good to practice on for techniques with bands that won't fit around a fake arm. You should also figure out a good "Out" to employ just incase you do miss a steal. A good gag or one liner always works good at this point to take the pressure off.This also makes a steal gone wrong seem like a Joke that was purposely done instead. Just thought I'd pass that on. Your friend in magic, Illuzns |
jondabach New user 46 Posts |
You have to have a trustworthy face to do watch stealing. You have to have an objective eye when you look in the mirror. Do people trust me right away? Do they tell me secrets soon after meeting them? If so than you could probably get away with doing pickpocketing all the time. Crazy man's handcuff's is a great routine and one of the only ones I've used for watch stealing. Good luck with it and have some courage.
Also, if you are ever in a situation where you get a police badge...flash it to the audience while you upstage the mark and then cross yourself...it gets a HUGE laugh. I mean you just lifted a cop's wallet - it doesn't get much funnier than this. |
illuzns Regular user My Room in Va. 104 Posts |
I have to agree with you jondabach. I think getting a cops wallet would definitely set the stage right for a lot of laughs. I also agree that you should come across as an entertainer when doing a watch steal rather than a clever swindler or con man. I think if you are in charge of the situation and handle it with a comical perspective,then the audience will enjoy this regardless of what size audience you are performing for.
Thanks, Illuzns |
HeyLockwood Regular user Arlington, VA (D.C. suburbs) 128 Posts |
Guys, I see the humor in lifting a cop's badge/wallet, but you need to consider that maybe he doesn't want/need people knowing that he's a cop. Get my drift? I definitely wouldn't go flashing some cop's badge to the audience, because you just never know...
Mike
Why doesn't it tickle when I tickle myself, but it still hurts when I stick a fork in my eye?
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phantomace Special user 651 Posts |
I use the ball and tube believe it or not for watch steals! It works GREAT! It is when I let them try it and supposedly show them how to do it.lol
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Knox New user Australia 6 Posts |
I was a magicians workshop where a performer did a sponge balls routine, and stole a watch from an audience member helping with the act.
She later did a section on balloon animals, and she placed the stolen watch in the a ballon dog and handed it to the guy after asking what the time was... "Here, my Watch-Dog can tell you the time"... Great Reactions! |
illuzns Regular user My Room in Va. 104 Posts |
Heylockwood-
I guess I could see your point. I too am from the DC suburbs and have found myself performing on numerous occassions for and audience member and found out later that they are FBI,CIA,DEA,Secret Service,ETC... I can respect that theory. Thanks for the insight... Also Phantomace- I have never heard of someone using the Ball and tube for a watch steal.Sounds pretty original.Great idea if it works for you. I also like the idea of using the balloon dog as a "Watch" Dog,Very clever and I could see that getting a good audience response.Great ideas! Thanks to you that have responded to this post, Illuzns |
Jonathan P. Inner circle Belgium 1484 Posts |
The "watch in balloon" is published in "impact", a french video of Romaric.
Jonathan. |
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