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xxxRoyxxx Loyal user 218 Posts |
Great-thank you all! Roy, Kinesis, what you said is something I especially thought about and the idea was reinforced last night at a performance. Wish I could build my own pad, but I am not much of a craft person. The mouse pad seems like the most logical.
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flourish dude Inner circle from ? But I know where I am going! 1195 Posts |
You guys are talking about this table with legs, does this go on the table over the plates and drinks?
Nothing of the same will bring any change, take action today!
Just taking a step, is a step in the right direction because when you stop working, your dream dies. www.magicalmemories.us |
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James Harrison Special user Ontario, Canada 762 Posts |
Yes, the legs are high enough to go over the drinks.
Good for a couple of reasons. No spills (or at least a lesser amount), nothing to get in the way of people seeing what's going on. (No glasses, plates and ketchup bottles in the way of the magic), and allows you to do that cups and balls routine, or that matrix you've been practicing and until now have only been able to show it to your friends and fellow magicians at the magic shop. I think that's not a bad idea. |
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MagicalPirate Special user Shamokin, PA 828 Posts |
Sounds like someone should invent a means of attaching a stiff pad to your belt so that you can carry your own table around with you. Stays out of the way of the patrons eating and keeps the water off of your props.
Martin
Martin Blakley, CSH, DASH, CMSA
http://www.thehypnoguy.com/HYPNORESOURCES http://www.docgrayson.com/ How To Sell Anything Online http://tub.bz/?r=1z Copyright to my own words retained 100%. |
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EricHenning Loyal user Laurel, Maryland 218 Posts |
There are so many wonderful routines that can play in the hands that I honestly don't see the need for a table or pad. If you really want to do the Matrix, then set up a situation where a table makes sense. But in the real world of restaurants and strolling, you will have so much more freedom and flexibility if you plan on not having a table surface.
Having said that, here are two novel approaches that work for others. Alain Nu has a table surface that clips onto the side of the restaurant table - and the places he works have wide enough aisles to accomodate this. Another fellow I saw working a banquet actually brought his suitacse table and rolled it right up to the edge of the banquet round (a 10-top!) and did his Cups & Balls! |
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frank Regular user Baltimore, MD 109 Posts |
Roy:
I use a close-up pad (gibson/apollo - 7x13) 90% of the time. I carry it in my hand as I walk to the table. If the table agrees that they'd like to see some magic, I simply put the pad down on the table. There's no questions asked. It's pretty clear that I'm going to do something with the pad - some magi say it's their stage. There's really nothing more to it. In fact, folks will gladly slide their drinks, etc. out of the way. Best regards, Frank
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flourish dude Inner circle from ? But I know where I am going! 1195 Posts |
Ok I work 4 restaurants per week and have for a few years, I am sorry but this table thing seems to me a really bad idea. Talk about invaiding their space. I could not think of walking up to a table saying excuse me I need to build a stage over your table and placing this thing with legs over their drinks and plates. What if the food comes? What if the server brings a refill? What if they want a drink of their soda? YOU HAVE COVERED EVERYTHING UP!!! As a restaurant magician your are not the most imporntant thing there. Placing this thing on and over the table says "I am most important and you can not have anything else but you must watch me!!!!" I think I would laugh all night long if a magi came up to our table and put this thing over my table, how awkward
Nothing of the same will bring any change, take action today!
Just taking a step, is a step in the right direction because when you stop working, your dream dies. www.magicalmemories.us |
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xxxRoyxxx Loyal user 218 Posts |
Thank you Frank.
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flourish dude Inner circle from ? But I know where I am going! 1195 Posts |
Roy,
If you want to use a mat use one. It is not a big deal but I would use a smaller one if I could.
Nothing of the same will bring any change, take action today!
Just taking a step, is a step in the right direction because when you stop working, your dream dies. www.magicalmemories.us |
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Keith Raygor Special user Naples, FL 968 Posts |
I've used one 6 nights per week for the past 6 years straight. Not sure I follow the thought that it's just one more thing to carry. It's the only thing in my hand as I approach the table. By the time I'm done introducing myself, they are almost always moving things out of the way as a gesture of enthusiasm. If not, after they've said they'd like to see some magic, I simply ask, "May I set this here?" There's lots of smiles going on at this point so there's no awkwardness. Again, they usually move the stuff for you, because they WANT to see what you've got. I could do routines without it, but why? And in regards to invading their space, you already are. And they've given you permission to do so. The mat is one of your tools - in their eyes and mine. It serves as a stage, a focal point, aside from the practical matters of coin and card handling. Sure, it can be done without, but again, why?
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flourish dude Inner circle from ? But I know where I am going! 1195 Posts |
Keith,
I am not talking about using a close-up mat. I am talking about the table mat with legs that they talked about above.
Nothing of the same will bring any change, take action today!
Just taking a step, is a step in the right direction because when you stop working, your dream dies. www.magicalmemories.us |
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Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
You could have a small rug type mat, like you see them in gift shops. Walk up and say, "Anybody want a good deal on a rug? OK, I washed it and it shrunk."
Set it down and go to work.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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flourish dude Inner circle from ? But I know where I am going! 1195 Posts |
That is too funny Pete. Nice one!
Nothing of the same will bring any change, take action today!
Just taking a step, is a step in the right direction because when you stop working, your dream dies. www.magicalmemories.us |
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Keith Raygor Special user Naples, FL 968 Posts |
I understand. I wasn't responding to your post but to the two posts early in the thread that mirrored those concerns. I agree with you about the table with legs on it.
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Turk Inner circle Portland, OR 3546 Posts |
A "close-up pad" that I really like using (at home) is a genuine small Persian rug that I purchased about 20 years ago. It measures 12" X 13" (not including the hand-knotted fringe on both sides) and is really elegant. As I recall, it cost me $35.00 way back when. The Persian rug dealer had approx 50 of them and each of the little rugs was distinct and unique.
But, probably not practical for restaurant work. Downsides? The rug could slip around if you don't put some sort of rubber gripping material on the back side, and, the rug has a tendency to be "one-sided" or allow smooth spread of card only one way (l to r) and not the other (r to l) and might not be the best alternative for card effects that use a lot of card spreads. And, some might feel that the elegant woven patterns can be distracting (or compete for attention) when you use it for coin effects or for effects that use small props. But boy!! It sure is elegant and classy. Mike
Magic is a vanishing Art.
This must not be Kansas anymore, Toto. Eschew obfuscation. |
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MagicbyCarlo Inner circle has squandered his time making 1062 Posts |
I was in a friend's office and she had an oriental rug style mouse pad. I just did a quick search and came up with this link:
http://www.addedtouchstore.com/prodinfo.......standard
Carlo DeBlasio
<BR>Entertainment specialist <BR>and all around fun guy! |
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EricHenning Loyal user Laurel, Maryland 218 Posts |
This is called a MouseRug(r) made by and also sold at http://www.mouserug.com These have a rubberized bottom surface that prevents skidding.
I have been using these for many years, both for my actual computer mice, and for more formal close-up situations where a pad might work. They certainly add a great deal of atmosphere as a "magic carpet!" They also come in an even smaller size called "CoasterRugs(r)" for drink coasters - could be a super micro close-up pad! These are also available at some museum shops and many CompUSA (r) stores. |
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Jared Inner circle Rhode Island, USA 1573 Posts |
Losing the close-up pad was very difficult, but 'quitting' was the smartest decision I ever made. It makes working tables much easier (especially if the food arrives faster then expected and you have to end quickly).
True, many great effects have to be tossed-out of sets, but you'll be able to save quite a few by figuring out ways to make them work with just a tight working space. I agree that a close-up pad looks like a small stage and keeps prying hands away, but after a while your magic will become cleaner and seem more effortless without it. -Jared |
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paulajayne Inner circle London England 1160 Posts |
Hi
Close up pads can be gaffed many ways and as they are not percieved to be part of the magic effect they are not suspected. Paula
Paula Jay - Magic to Remember -
--------------------------------- I once wrote a book on elephants, I think paper would have been better. ---- |
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Kingry Elite user Virginia 464 Posts |
I don't use a pad 95% of the time, but carry one in my drop bag for that special repeat customer who appreciates more technical card magic.
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