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Margarette Special user Memphis area 956 Posts |
When things go wrong with....a card trick, what happens? The magician is a bit embarrassed and goes on to the next routine. When things go wrong with an escape....an ambulance is called. I just finished watching a video of an escape gone terribly wrong....two of the assistants suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns. People tell me I must be crazy for doing the type of stuff I do...and I reply, "Of course I am...why do you think I own my own straitjacket!"
The only stupid question is the one not asked.
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Greg Arce Inner circle 6732 Posts |
Sometimes I get a papercut when I handle the cards wrong... isn't that tragic enough!?
I feel your pain, Margarette. You've chosen the one field in magic that not having an "out" can kill. Play it safe and have as many back up plans as possible. Remember, just because you tell your audience that what you are doing is dangerous doesn't mean it has to be. As far as owning your own straitjacket... I thought the state gave you that one? Greg
One of my favorite quotes: "A critic is a legless man who teaches running."
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Harry Murphy Inner circle Maryland 5443 Posts |
I admire the extreme magicians that do the dangerous escape acts for my entertainment. I do some “geek” stunts but never even come close to doing real, life-threatening injury.
Margarette is absolutely right about this field of magic. I have actually witnessed a magician friend end up with a broken neck and paralysis because of an upside down escape gone wrong. He fell less then 10 feet (it was an indoor venue over a stage) and still broke his neck! It was an escape that he had performed over 200 times before it went wrong. I have also seen an escapologist almost drown and have to be resuscitated because his milk can had suffered a dent that he was unaware of. This was a gimmicked escape and was so-called “fool-proof” automatic, self-working and safe!Yeah, sure, as if! The dent locked the gimmick in place. No one knew it. What I am saying is that even with the gimmicked escapes injury can be had and life can be lost! The only escape that I will do is the thumb tie! OK, I confess that I also perform the Siberian Chain escape (as a stand-up comedy routine) and I have a set of topological chain cuffs and a Sack-X for my sub-trunk routine (which hasn’t been performed in 5 years!). I do not use them in any manner that could put me at risk! I am a true wimp when it comes to hurting myself (did I mention that I do “geek” stunts? What does that say?). I always sit in awe of the working escape artist. They risk so much for so little!
The artist formally known as Mumblepeas!
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Margarette Special user Memphis area 956 Posts |
Quote:
On 2002-07-26 03:49, Greg Arce wrote: SSSHHHHH...Greg, that's supposed to be a secret!
The only stupid question is the one not asked.
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Tony Chapparo Special user Albuquerque, NM 704 Posts |
Margarette,
You are absolutely right! One "oops" can be your last in escape work. As much as I try to make my escapes look much more dangerous then they really are, things can and will go wrong. Be safe!
Tony Chapparo
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Margarette Special user Memphis area 956 Posts |
Many people don't realize that even the most simple escape has the risk of injury, maybe not a fatal injury, but an injury nonetheless. If Joe is reading these, I'd like him to tell his version of my handcuff escape almost gone wrong at IBM. I was being videotaped, and it didn't go quite right. I ended up having a nice cut on my wrist on one side and a rather large bruise on the other side. BUT, I did finish the escape without having to be 'rescued' from the cuffs.
Margarette
The only stupid question is the one not asked.
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Sniper New user 75 Posts |
Not wanting to "name names" but I saw a very famous escape artist have some serious problems with a fairly standard escape. He opened his show with a challenge rope tie, 50 or 75 feet, allowing two guys to tie him anyway they wished. He also offered them $5000 if he was unable to release himself!!! And guess what? He couldn't!
They used all of the rope to tie his wrists and arms, and then finally securing them to his chest. The escape artist stuggled for a while and it began to dawn on me that he was having real problems. He then, believe it or not, motioned to his assistant who then pulled on the ropes partially releasing him!!! The EA finally got free of the ropes, but the audience was not impressed - as you can imagine. He then mentioned to the guys - who were not entirely pleased with seeing their $$$ disappear - that they should meet him after the show and they would work something out! :hmm: True story! Sn!per |
Harry Murphy Inner circle Maryland 5443 Posts |
Margarette, Joe doesn’t seem to have the time to relate his version of your escape. I’d like to hear your version! Especially, I like to hear what was going on in your head when you discovered that you were in a spot of trouble? I’d love to see that videotape. Sorry that I couldn't be there to cheer you on!
The artist formally known as Mumblepeas!
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Margarette Special user Memphis area 956 Posts |
Well, Joe sent me a message saying he couldn't remember exactly what happened. I might add at this time that it was HIS encouragement that I actually do this little escape for the videotape. Since he can't remember, and I won't ever forget, here goes MY version of what happened:
Six of us were waiting outside the theater before the evening show started. There was a man going around videotaping people doing short 30-60 second routines. Well, AT JOE'S ENCOURAGING I volunteered to do a short handcuff escape with my ADA-100's. Mark Cannon is the lucky one to snap the cuffs on me. Now, I am wearing a long sleeve shirt, and he can't see the watch I am wearing on my left wrist. Unbeknownst to him, he secures the cuffs over my watch. If you are not familiar with the ADA-100's, the gimmick is dependent upon the size of your wrist. Well, securing the handcuffs over my wrist in effect changed the 'wrist size'. I'm working on the cuffs behind my back and can't get the left one to release, and I can't figure out why. So, I do get the right one to release, pull my hands in front of me, then start working on the left cuff. Now, Joe is over there offering to rent me his handcuff key if I can't get out. Well, the escape artist in me says that I'm gonna get out of this one way or another!! I finally move the sleeve of my shirt a little and see what's happened. Mind you, I'm beginning to be in pain in my left wrist here because the cuffs are cutting the watch band into my wrist (it's a metal watch band). I can't move the cuffs, can't move the watch, nor can I move the sleeve of my shirt any due to the 'secure' nature of the cuffs. It appears as though I'm stuck, but I don't give up!! I'm gonna get thru this!! So, with one last concerted effort, I try one last time...all the while, the cuffs are cutting the watch into my wrist. I finally free myself from the remaining cuff, turn to Mark and say "you closed them over my watch!" Mark apologizes profusely when he sees the cut on my wrist. But, he pays me the highest compliment I have received. He tells me that even though I was faced with a real challenge, I persevered and suceeded, I didn't give up. Knowing who Mark is, that really meant a lot to me. The next day, I had a bruise develop on the opposite side of the wrist from where it was cut. So, even the simplest escape has the potential to injure. I never dreamed anything like that could happen with my "sure to escape every time" handcuffs!! Well, that's the story behind my handcuff escape almost gone wrong! Margarette
The only stupid question is the one not asked.
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Kevin Ridgeway V.I.P. Indianapolis, IN & Phoenix, AZ 1832 Posts |
Margarette, I had forgot all about that. We were standing just in eye shot of the whole ordeal. You did indeed persevere and overcome the obstacle. Great job!
Kevin
Living Illusions
Ridgeway & Johnson Entertainment Inc Kevin Ridgeway & Kristen Johnson aka Lady Houdini The World's Premier Female Escape Artist www.LadyHoudini.com www.livingillusions.com |
Harry Murphy Inner circle Maryland 5443 Posts |
WOW!!!
Margarette, what a story! Imagine done in by a wristwatch! Who’d of thought of that! You proved to be true professional, worked it out, and continued the performance. Once again you demonstrate the point that even a straightforward (if there is such a thing!) can go wrong and do injury. I doubt if anyone street worker has ever gotten a cut or bruise from a load going astray in the Cups and Balls! (at least I haven’t and mine go astray regularly!!). Great show!
The artist formally known as Mumblepeas!
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Joe Marotta Special user Can You Believe I Have 944 Posts |
Sorry my response was delayed here.
I recall Margarette having been put on the spot but I forgot exactly where and when. Sorry Margarette. While watching her perform, I was beginning to wonder why it was taking her so long to escape. Her expressions were telling me she was in a little trouble but I knew she was a professional and would ask for help if she really needed it. It wasn't until after the video man left that she revealed her situation and the damage to her arm was very real. It didn't look good with the lovely black velvet dress that she was wearing that evening. Like mumblepeas said, Margarette truly is a professional and she persisted until she became the victor. I was proud of her. (interpretation: glad it wasn't me!) And my key rental fees are very reasonable! Joe Marotta |
BroDavid Inner circle America’s North Coast, Ohio 3176 Posts |
Hey Mumble peas,
What do you mean never got a bump or bruise from cups and balls? It can get real ugly during the final reveal of a bowling ball from the cup. If you arent careful, that thing can roll off the table, and HURT!!! We all need to be careful out there...... BroDavid
If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything.
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Greg Arce Inner circle 6732 Posts |
Margarette, next time have on the Watch & Wear so you can at least predict the time called out.
All kidding aside, nice work. I know it must have been a sticky situation, but look at the great story you will have for the rest of your life. Greg
One of my favorite quotes: "A critic is a legless man who teaches running."
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Harry Murphy Inner circle Maryland 5443 Posts |
Hey My Brother Dave,
ROTFLMAO!!!! OK, I did once get a bad razor cut “proving” my razor blades were real for my swallowing razors effect. I was performing in sub zero weather outside and couldn’t feel my hands! I still have a nice scar! I quit using the trick! Too dangerous! Just call me Mumblewhimp! Besides, I use the Goshman foam bowling Balls for my final load. They are so much safer! You have to admit, David, this Margarette has poise, perseverance,skill and class! I’m going to have to catch her act some day! -MW(wimp)
The artist formally known as Mumblepeas!
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BroDavid Inner circle America’s North Coast, Ohio 3176 Posts |
Right there for sure, Mumblepeas!
Joe and some of the others who have seen margarette's escape routines are VERY impressed. There is no doubt that it took a great deal of courage and character to persevere through a situation like that. I know that I would not have gotten thru that without everyone around wondering if I wanted any Cheese to go with my "Whine". Margarette is a true professional in every sense of the word! And I admire the fact that she isnt afraid to be real! BroDavid
If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything.
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Margarette Special user Memphis area 956 Posts |
OK, you guys are making me blush, now!!
This was the closest smilie I could see that resembled blushing! Margarette
The only stupid question is the one not asked.
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Greg Arce Inner circle 6732 Posts |
You're not blushing, Margarette, you just have the shackles on too tight. Release the tension and let some blood flow.
Greg
One of my favorite quotes: "A critic is a legless man who teaches running."
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Margarette Special user Memphis area 956 Posts |
Oh, thanks, Greg! Whew!!! That feels a lot better now! Hey! It's also easier to type, now!!
The only stupid question is the one not asked.
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