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mrehula Loyal user 209 Posts |
Does anyone know of alternative endings for the Chop Cup? Typically, all of a sudden, there are two baseballs or two lemons. No explanation why, just impossible baseballs.
I think that the delightful surprises this classic offers the audience makes the magician lazy in his presentation. Why change a classic? is the usual response I get. But why lemons? is a relevant question too. Confusion is not magic. Does anyone know of anyone who has rethought how to use this ingenious device? Maybe with a more logical and engaging presentation? |
funsway Inner circle old things in new ways - new things in old ways 9982 Posts |
One cup routines were popular before the Chop principle made it easy to accomplish a secret ball retention,
and few had an unusual final load. Check older books and early copies of Genii. There are also alternative methods of retaining a ball(object) other than a magnet, Some of these suggest different endings. "FoldCup" for example, has a cup and balls constructed out of a magazine sheet, goes through several moves not possible with a Chop Cup, and ends with a transport to a spectator's hand who keeps the cup and ball. Methinks the label "classic" is an overcall. The eBook "ChopSign" has many alternative endings such as segues to other effects. I have dozens of routines using alternative cups and objects - and endings. (ScoutAround, Cup of T, Co-Lapse, Camp-Out, Tin Cup) - all never published when field testing revealed very few were willing to do the work required to master such effects. But, the objective was not to eliminate weird final loads - just that they were never presented as necessary. So, it is not "rethinking" - just following your logic of the second line above. That is, little thinking in the first place. Since most C&B routines end with some weird final load, those shifting to a Chop Cup (or combo) just followed the leader. Think for yourself. What are you trying to accomplish with a routine? Why a single cup effect? What do you plan on doing next? Are you looking for a different final load or a reason to do a one cup routine at all? Why balls in the first place? Think of picking up a coffee mug in a restaurant and grabbing a couple of coffee creamers. Do a 20 minute routine ending with a cup of steaming coffee. My point is that if you feel limited by popular approaches, don't restrict your imagination to alternative fruit. Also, this is not the best forum to ask questions about C&B or Chop Cups. Many readers of knowledge will miss it. If you get stalled, feel happy to contact me as indicated below.
"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 |
David French Veteran user 374 Posts |
I do a chop cup and end with a lemon and lime load. I do this as it is memorable. People always remember the "lemon and lime trick" I think because it is so odd that it ensures the memory. Also, Dai Vernon used lemons as they are just funny and memorable. Sure you can use any loads that make sense to you. But I would imagine a piece of fruit is such an odd surprise that it will be long remembered over a larger ball load, for example.
Don Alan also talks about this. How his loads are "non sequitur" which makes them even more amazing and memorable. I think we tend to overthink things as magicians and are looking to make sense of things. Not always necessary. My thoughts only here. |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
There are longer routines published in old Genii Magazine and books, over the years. As far as finale Ken Brooke suggested small figures of a baseball person that were from a cake decorating store.
If you want a final production item, then work on something you think it should be. The large balls add to the surprise. The spectator is so surprised and puzzled that they are dumb founded. |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Mrehula, There no need to explain a magic trick or ending, if you perform it well.
I remembered the name of the Genii article, way back in the 1970's or 1980's. If you subscribe to Genii, you have access to all the back issues. Look for Larry Jennings Chop Cup article. He also published a great cups and Balls routine several months later. Both routines are fantastic, and may also be in one of Larry Jennings' books. When you buy a magic prop, you get the basic original handling. You have to search for other magician's creative routines. The Chop Cup usually comes the original inventor's routine, that magician was called, Chop Chop, thus the name of the cup. Don Alan made it even more famous during his career. |
FrankFindley Inner circle 1028 Posts |
Why doesn't everyone adapt Johnny Ace Palmer's cups & balls ending to the chop cup? Because they are cheap, cheap, cheap.
There are several other proven endings. One is to turn the cup into a solid block. David Regal's "My Best Friend" routine ends with a cup filled with toy mice. A logical ending is that the rolled up bag from which the cup originally was taken appears under the cup. I've seen a performer steal a spectators watch and have it found underneath. So there are lots of alternatives. |
martonikus Regular user 167 Posts |
I recall a video of an Asian magician who did a one-cup routine and ended with a live mouse under the cup!
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David asecas New user 54 Posts |
I have seen several final xargas, from live animals, a shot glass in which the chop cup also has liquid.
I think the important thing is something that is not expected, even if it is unrelated. |
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