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Chris Berry Special user 831 Posts |
Hey everyone,
I know for a lot of workers, you guys are totally against putting anything on the table, which is very understandable. Unfortunately by not taking advantage of ANY table space I think I would be missing out on a very wide variety of tricks (some of my more favorite ones). I to am also against bringing a large close-up pad to tables and having to move drinks out of the way. What I am looking for though is a small round close-up pad approx. 6 inches in diameter. This would allow me to place coins on and do my single card matrix, it also would allow me to do my cups and balls (I have my own special version that would work). I could just place my props right on the table but by using a small pad I think it would define my area and subtley tell the audience that it is "my" space. So, anyone know any sources for a small round close-up pad about 6 inches in diameter? I don't really want to buy a big pad and have to cut it. Chris |
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RobertBloor Inner circle The Socialist Republic of the USA. 1051 Posts |
Quote:
Chris: I could just place my props right on the table but by using a small pad I think it would define my area and subtley tell the audience that it is "my" space. That's flawed thinking. No part of the table is "your" space. All of the table is "their" space. You mention YOUR favorite tricks - seems to me you sound a bit more concerned with what YOU like to perform instead of what is effective in a restaurant setting. Me? I tire of stabbing a pen through a bill. But the tables I do it for go NUTS over it. Robert Bloor
"That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government,"
-The Declaration of Independence |
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Chris Berry Special user 831 Posts |
Well that reply was not AS BAD as some of the others I am expecting.
The tricks I am referring to are ones I have performed over and over again that people love. They also happen to be effects I really like to perform. I do know the table it THEIR space, but I think with a small pad I can have a little "stage". Of course I would NEVER walk right up and place any size pad down on a table. I'd perform, ask if they would like to see something, and get permission to "invade" their space. Chris |
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Rob Johnston Inner circle Utah 2060 Posts |
I would just make your own to the size you want.
"Genius is another word for magic, and the whole point of magic is that it is inexplicable." - Margot Fonteyn
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TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
I sometimes ask for some tablespace in a very polite way. It's never ****ed anyone off. In fact, most people try to help by clearing extra room for me even if I don't need it.
Being thoughtful is the right thing to do. It is "their" table for the moment but I don't think we should get carried away. Use common sense and courtesy. If you're not sure whether magic is what they're after, then perhaps a no-table effect is the right choice. On the otherhand, if they're clapping and cabbage-patching around the restaurant and making a conga line after your previous trick, you're probably on good solid ground. Frank
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic
Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate, Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder. |
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James Harrison Special user Ontario, Canada 762 Posts |
I don't know about you Robert, but a lot of the time when I've told them that I'm the house magician, They clear the table with out me even asking.
Either one table started it, and everyone saw what they did, or they've seen some other magician ask for space and they are being polite, I don't see it as being rude if you ask them for a small bit of entertaining space. Its kinda like being asked to come over to someones house. Would you just stand in the hallway and talk with them there? No, and neither would you run into their bedroom looking through their stuff. Of course its there house, but you ask permission to see if its ok to come in and sit with them. You ask politely, and people don't seem to mind. (Unless you are selling something, then they might hurt you, but lets not get into that) I'm not trying to force my opinion on you, just giving a different viewpoint from my experience so far. |
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twistedace Inner circle philadelphia 3772 Posts |
I agree with Frank. I ALWAYS ask permission before hand and never had a problem with it. Be polite and courteous and you'll soon see people clearing stuff away rather quickly when you only ask for a small corner of the table even. I ask for a space to place down my chop cup and sometimes I ask if it's ok to place a deck of cards down (Anniversary Waltz). Everything else is done in their hands. I only do this type of magic (with the table) at a 2-4 top...it's hard to do with round tables. Long tables are usually the bigger tricks anyway so it's not an issue.
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Han Solo New user 60 Posts |
I have a small mouse pad that I cut in a half oval it works fine.
Jonathan Thompson
Kill da wabbit! Kill da wabbit!-Elmer Fudd
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NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
My rule of thumb is
1) No close up mat. I feel it takes away from the sponanaity of my performance. 2) Only move things with permission. 3) No tricks where the magic happens on the table. I do a lot of corporate functions (tables of ten) and having half the people peering over glasses and centrepieces is not an option for me. |
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RobertBloor Inner circle The Socialist Republic of the USA. 1051 Posts |
Nicholas:
Good man. Robert Bloor
"That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government,"
-The Declaration of Independence |
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
I'm so accustomed to working out of my hands and without a mat that I actually had to think about an answer for this one!
If you ABSOLUTELY have to have a small close-up mat, the trimmed down mouse pad is just about as good an option as any. You can also trim a close-up mat to a smaller size. John Cornelius makes a small folding close-up pad that looks like a wallet when it is folded.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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Daryl -the other brother Special user Chicago 594 Posts |
I agree with the no mat theory for several reasons, many have been mentioned but one should be added to the list. As Simon Lovell says we should concentrate on performing our effects on a vertical plane not a horizontal one. Working vertically allows everyone to see clearly and on a sub-conscience level it makes you more a part of the group instead of just performing for them. You are more likely to make eye-contact because you and your audience are looking across, not down. Also needing table space no matter how small is just another limitation you have to work with.
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Totof New user Belgium 72 Posts |
Chris the routines you are talking about (matrix, cups&balls) are not visible by everyone. You should rethink your repertoire to fit a table hopping work. Everyone on the table should be able to see your show.
My point of view on the table use, is that I do not perform magic on the table but I do not hesitate dropping some small props on the table (card case, pen,...). |
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twistedace Inner circle philadelphia 3772 Posts |
That's kind of what I meant Totof. I do not use a mat when doing tables...it's too much to caryy anyway.
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bishthemagish Inner circle 6013 Posts |
I like performing on a close up mat. It is a clean surface to perform on. I can do magic in the hands and have used the spectators to "be my table" in situations.
But I like a close up mat because it acts as a performing stage. I also do not like to hand out the props. When I was operforming in a Carlos Murphys with Terry Vecky in the old days I had a set of cups that I handed to a spectator to look at... He bent the mouth shut... Wrecked the cups. And people are eating things like chicken and ribs and their hands often are grimy because they didn't wash their hands. That kind of hand mess can get on the props. The magic that you bring to the table is your stuff... Anyway I use a mat... I can work without the mat but I really don't like to. Glenn Bishop
Glenn Bishop Cardician
Producer of the DVD Punch Deal Pro Publisher of Glenn Bishop's Ace Cutting And Block Transfer Triumphs |
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Allan Elite user 405 Posts |
I purposely have never used a mat. I feel that no matter how small, it would require moving items to accomodate it. I also try & do my magic UP so that all can see. When I do effects that need the table, I ask permission to move anything that might block their vision. As others have said, once they have seen you work they will want more & they will clear the table for you. The only time I do use a mat is when I work at the bar. My reason is the bar seems to be anywhere from just damp to sticky. I keep a mat behind the bar so I do not have to carry it around.
I tried the shuffle mat from Cornelious. While it was a great idea, I found it too large to fit in my pocket & therefore sold it to another magician. The great thing about not using a mat is that you don't have to depend on a soft surface to perform. It makes your act something you can do anytime anywhere. If you always use the mat, you may become dependent on it. |
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EricHenning Loyal user Laurel, Maryland 218 Posts |
In general, I agree that restaurant magic is best worked out of the pockets.
BUT there is an exception to every rule. I have seen one of the greats work, and he used a wooden tabletop with a close-up pad built into it. It clipped onto the edge of the restaurant table and this worked really well for everyone. Now, this particular magician had been in on the design of the restaurant, and so the aisles are extra-wide. This clip-on arrangement won't work everywhere. I have also seen (at a banquet) a very solid performer bring a suitcase table! With 8-10 people at a round table, people would eagerly move aside, he would move his table up to the edge of the banquet table, and do Cups & Balls, 3 Card Monte - anything he wanted. His suitcase table was exactly the right height. I have occasionally used an InsTand(r) table www.InsTand.com (model CR3 with a jumbo tray), and that's OK sometimes, but not others. Bottom line, I think if you do strolling you should be ready to work out of your pockets with no table, that way you are ready for anything. Another point to consider is that sometimes people will have trouble seeing things we do on the table top. Working "up" at shoulder level means everyone can see better, and it has the added advantage of advertising the magic to other tables, who are then likely to ask for magic. Hope this helps. |
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mystre71 Inner circle martinsburg west virginia 1693 Posts |
Do a search for 'round close up mats"
Best Joe
Walk around coin box work check it out here https://www.magicalmystries.com/products
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Jonathan P. Inner circle Belgium 1484 Posts |
I think almost every possible point of view has been covered...
I agree with the ones who build their act without the need of the table. But I think, with some others, that once you made one or two tricks that pleased to the spect, there is NO problem to ask if you can place something on the table (maybe by telling: "I'd like to show you something, but I would need to put that XXX on the table, would you mind?"). And to finish (no, I am not wishing to bring the universal reconciliation), I agree too with the ones who think that, occasionaly, on a very small table (2,3 or 4 persons MAXIMUM) it is possible to do some "on the table" trick. Only in asituation in which anybody on the table could see what's happening. But once again, I would only prepare this trick as an "extra", just in case... Personally, I am, when performing, a "in-the-hands" performer, with sometimes a thing placed aside on the tabletop. Jonathan. |
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Ron Giesecke Special user Redding, Ca. 947 Posts |
In Ammar's cups and balls, people like David Williamson and Tommy Wonder both refer to performing their rotuines in "Table hopping" instances, and give specific accounts. David Williamson even references using a coffee mug--organic to the table's original setup--as a third cup.
I doubt either of these men suddenly lurched into an on-the-floor, indian style position with a stretch-canvas over their knees and started thimble-rigging. If someone wants to limit their magic to in-the-hands only, that's their choice. A restaraunt is a veritable coliseum of space-invading(unless somehow drinks, condiments, and various side-dishes and entrees are being transported across the table using an underground bank-tube system). That is why asking for an infinitesimal place to set down a card will not give anyone a pulminary clot. Oh, and I don't consider any trick that requires a spectator to touch our "dubiously-sanitized props-but don't require setting these props on the table" effects to be in the "in the hands" category. I think having them pick a card, pull of the lid of our sharpie and sign the thing is far more invasive than taking a mousepad trimmed to the size of a card box and setting it at the and of their table. And I don't consider either invasive. neither do the people I entertain. |
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