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briantwig New user 78 Posts |
On the way home last night from an event at a friend's house I stopped off at a bar I often drink at for a beer or 15. Being as I always carry a deck of cards I was fiddling with them at the bar. Not doing any tricks, just fiddling.
A gentleman came up to buy some beer and saw the cards and asked if I do card tricks. He then asked if I can do that "red and black one?" Meaning OOTW I assume, though I didn't ask. He wanted me to do it. I said why do a trick you have seen? He said his friends have never seen it and asked if I would do some card tricks for them. I said sure. He then informed me that the female with them was deaf and to do something special for her. (Special as in with no talking or a minimal amount that he could sign.) I was at a complete and total loss. It was a request I have never been faced with before and could not think on the spot of a single effect that would be effective without a single word being spoken. I later thought of a few I could have done, but the surprise at the request cause my brain to lock up. I drink at this place often and would like to have a few ready the next time I see them there. Suggestions? Oh, and it's a private club and it was their first night. After two effects one of the specs said, "This alone has made the membership fee worth it." And they proceeded to try and buy me beers but I had enough and was driving. Of course, the membership fee is a whopping $1! |
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jaybaby New user Australia 87 Posts |
$1 membership eh? How much of a compliment was it then? Just playin'.
I guess any trick that doesn't rely on patter or a story or anything. Here then there maybe? |
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Bohh Regular user Northeast Ohio 162 Posts |
I'm pretty new still, but I see a lot of videos of people showing the top card, turning it face down and then rubbing it on the table. The card then is turned face up and it has changed. I think it's pretty simple to do, but when I didn't know how it was done it was pretty amazing and didn't need any words.
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wsduncan Inner circle Seattle, WA 3619 Posts |
Almost any take a card trick. Triumph, because you can pause for the person to sign the important points of the presentation... Torn and restored effects. Matrix assemblies. Invisible Palm Aces. There are many effects which can be done silently.
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Daegs Inner circle USA 4291 Posts |
This is also a good chance to think about how you will handle things like this in the future. Not only for the deaf, but for the blind, or perhaps people that do not speak your main language. I assure you that if you perform a lot, you will definitely run into a family or group that speaks little to no English.
I personally like sponge balls, visual coin magic, etc. For the blind, things like sponge balls work well (in their own hands) as well as any mind reading routines that don't invole the spec reading something from a list. Always be ready for anything! |
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Paddy Inner circle Milford OH 1571 Posts |
I and my wife learned American Sign Language just so we could entertain the deaf. Learn ASL and work with these kids, it is worth it!!!
One word of caution, in signing a very small difference means a LOT!!, i.e. what side of a finger you rub means either "month" or the other side means "condom." Therefore sleights are really difficult to pull off because they are used to watching your hands very closely. Peter |
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Alan Munro Inner circle Kentwood, Michigan, USA 5952 Posts |
At my regular job I've trained people on production jobs, although I don't really speak their languages well. It helps if you concentrate on using body language, facial expressions and gestures to get your point across, works on deaf spectators, too. I remember spending time performing spongeballs for kids who only speak Spanish, didn't have any trouble although I know very little Spanish.
About the only hangup is if they're in the habit of relying on someone to translate, because they will focus on words too much. Certain effects will require a translator because the visual element isn't strong or it relies on verbal information. |
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warren Inner circle uk 4138 Posts |
Anything that is visual like rope or coin magic, but if it had to be a card trick I would go for Dr Daley's last trick.
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meilechl Special user 657 Posts |
Quote:
I would go for Dr Daley's last trick. I would never do that one silently, so much of the amazement depends on the patter, and on reinforcing in their minds that they've the two black aces. I'd do a Triumph routine because it's very visual and needs no patter. |
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ivfour Loyal user Texas 233 Posts |
She is a regular person. Just slow it down a little. Make sure that she sees everything that you are doing.
I have deaf elementary students in my PE classes and I'm not great at signing. They do a better job on the games than my hearing students.
Jerry
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dynamiteassasin Inner circle Naval Air Facility, Atsugi, Japan 1158 Posts |
Try:
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Metalepsis Loyal user 232 Posts |
I cannot believe no one has said ambitious card! What needs explaining? You can do this with no translation!!!
And yes it is worth performing for these people, I especially like finding tricks for a friend who performs for his blind friend. It gives me a chance to peruse the library and I had a blind friend in university so I like to encourage these friendships. Me: "Who left the power tools on in the theatre shop?" Mike: "No, someone's in there I can hear the bandsaw cutting something." Me (ducking head round corner): "**** Mike someone's in there with the lights off." (Mike was safety manager). Mike: "Whoever is in here is banned from using this shop ever again." Oz (blind friend): "Just cause you guys are blind in the dark..." We all laughed heartily. He *was* conserving energy... M |
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Michael Taggert Special user Fredericksburg Virginia 656 Posts |
OK not enough has been said here about the use of body language and pantomime. It is a skill to be able to translate your work into silence and still get your point across. Instead of telling show the person what you are to do. Pick a card then have them pick a card. Take out a Sharpie and hand it to them. I find the deaf a lot of fun to work with especially if you try to communicate. The deaf will play along.
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Eight Spades Elite user Ohio (northwest) 482 Posts |
Want to really impress a deaf spectator? Make them hear again.
Ok so that might be a little unrealistic. Dragon Thread breaks just about any barrier except for the blind. -Christian
"Tricks are only the crude residue from which the lifeblood of magic has been drained." -S.H. Sharpe
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Rob Johnston Inner circle Utah 2060 Posts |
One thing that impressed me about D. Blaine was his performance of a great Card in Spectator's Pocket effect for a deaf fellow. It was really cool to see and watch. The mother of the deaf fellow had tears in her eyes (because she was so happy). Check it out on his Unseen footage.
"Genius is another word for magic, and the whole point of magic is that it is inexplicable." - Margot Fonteyn
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Open Traveller Inner circle 1087 Posts |
I would suggest that if you're doing tricks where you HAVE to have patter to make the plots understandable, then the entire repertoire is in need of examination. Patter is there to help sell certain points, to increase interest and drama, etc., but it's not there to explain what's happening. That should be apparent on its own. The balls somehow move from one hand to the other. The coins somehow get through the tabletop. The ring somehow gets on the straw. The napkin somehow is restored. These events don't need patter to help them be understood. It's also no coincidence that these kinds of effects are the classic ones that have stood the test of time...
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jsmagus New user 71 Posts |
I once saw David Copperfield do an Ace Assembly set to music. I thought that it was the most amazing thing I had ever seen. (of course that was very early into my magical career) No patter, so it could still work even though she couldn't hear music either
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MinnesotaChef Regular user Minneapolis,MN 176 Posts |
In my volunteer work I've done card tricks for the blind using Braille cards that do not have any printing on them. They are plain white cards with little bumps on them, I don't read Braille so the spectator has to tell me if the card is theirs or not. This impresses the sighted almost more than the blind. It also puts a lot of the attention on what they can do as opposed to what they can't. I encourage everyone out there to go out and try routines with those who have sensory disabilities. You'd be amazed at what you'll learn about your routines and yourself.
"Great restaurants are, of course, nothing but brothels.There is no point in going into them if one intends to keep one's belt buckled."- Fredric Raphael
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paulsmagic Regular user 130 Posts |
Not being able to hear should not hinder your magic routine as long as you don't ask questions (if you don't know how to sign). that also doesn't mean that you shouldn't speak while performing. the spectator may lip read.
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Lee Darrow V.I.P. Chicago, IL USA 3588 Posts |
I work in loud bars on occasion and have learned to do most of my material without speaking a word. Sponge balls, chop cup, CMH, pen-thru-bill, Fl!p St!ck, ring on wand, all of them, I can and often am forced to do without being able to be heard. Some of the venues that I work would make the story-tellers out there go hoarse in a matter of minutes and their deeply moving messages would be lost in the thunder of the drums and the screams of the electric guitars. No offense, guys, but if you can't be heard, the material isn't suitable for the venue.
The key is a little known art called pantomime. If you can convey your message without speaking, then drive on and do it! Using gestures, pointing and making the actions that are to happen clear without talking can work just as well as talking. Some folks say, because of some of the jokes I use, that I should perform this way all the time! Working these kinds of gigs has taught me several things - keep the material simple and easy to follow, keep it visual and wear ear plugs! Hope this helps! Lee Darrow, C.H.
http://www.leedarrow.com
<BR>"Because NICE Matters!" |
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