(Close Window) Topic: Slink
Message: Posted by: JimMaloney (Jul 11, 2002 10:12am)
I think Slink is my favorite of your products that I own. The idea behind it is great...lots of room to play around. I'd like to talk about it a bit -- I'm not sure exactly how open we can be about the workings, so I'll be as vague as possible.

The first thing I found, for me, is that the Slink Link is a bit awkward. At what level are you holding your hands? Chest Height? Waist level? It seems to me that the hands need to be around chest level, so that they can see the ring hanging down after you do the move, but it feels cramped when I've tried it that way. I'd appreciate any thoughts you might have on this.

Since I wasn't too happy with the Slink Link, I developed a link of my own. I'll try to describe it here without giving away too much: for anyone familiar with the routine, start in the same position as for the Slink Link. The hands come together as if praying, fingertips pointing out towards the audience. Act as if you are rubbing the two rings together, as you rotate your hands so the left is on top. Let the left fingertips move forward a bit just enough for the "loose" ring to drop down and onto your right middle finger, then come back so the hands are even again. This is all done under the pretense of rubbing the two rings together. Seperate your hands a bit to show the link, then let the ring drop off the right hand as the left moves upward a bit to better display the linked rings. That's it -- any thoughts, folks?

Next thought: Since some of the best magic happens in the spectator's hands, have you ever done the final link in someone's hand? It seems as if that would be a logical step in the routine.

One more -- although I realize you can show a ring pretty cleanly on each hand at the beginning of the routine, have you ever tried handing out two unlinked rings at the beginning and then doing, say, a shuttle pass to bring in the gimmick? That way, they see without a doubt, two whole seperate rings. I'm not sure if this would add anything to the routine or not, but it's something I've thought about.

I think that's all my thoughts for now...any comments, anyone?

-Jim

Actually...just a little correction on the link I described. When the two hands are turning so that the left is on top, they also rotate so that they are perpendicular to each other, touching at the fingertips. It's the natural movement your hands will make when turning to the side...go with it. The impression of this link is that you just touch the two rings together, rub them a bit, and they are linked.

-Jim
Message: Posted by: Ben Harris (Jul 12, 2002 3:09am)
Hi Jim,

I really like your thoughts with SLINK. A cool thing about the trick is that it is open to variation so individuals can adapt it their way.

Yes, the link you refer to is performed at chest height so you need the spectators standing right up close - just where I like em!

In the spectator's own hands is a killer too. I'm glad you've considered this. There really are many ways you can go with it.

I like to jazz around when performing, often making things up as I go along (the performance of Space Oddity at my website was 100% improvised, though it uses what's in the Q&Q book, I applied the ideas "on the run").

Here's something I've done once or twice - linking one SLINK ring to a SPECTATOR'S OWN RING.

I do it under the guise of -

"You know many people think these must be trick rings. Here, give me your ring.
Wow, look it links too! "Blah, Blah, Blah.

(I'm sure you can suss out a handling).

Anyway, the important thing is that you are using SLINK your way.

Thanks Jim!

Ben Harris