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the Sponge Inner circle Atlanta 2771 Posts |
For some reason last night I was thinking about Gospel magic and this chopper popped into my head. If you've seen any Mak catalogs you know this chopper has a lion's face painted on the front and the "board with a hole in it style" chopper has teeth painted on it. As anyone can see the back, here was my thought:
Daniel and the lion's den. paint a cave on the back with the hole as the den's opening. A person/child playing Daniel places his hand into the cave. the prop is turned around and lo, he is in the lion's den. But as we know, God protected Daniel from the lion's teeth (hand is unharmed by chopper). there it is, interested in any feedback. s |
Terry Holley Inner circle 1805 Posts |
Although I do not know if the backside of the chopper can be shown, I think that your idea has some real possibilities. I like the idea of the cave and turning it around!
With your permission, I would like to consider finding the chopper and giving it a shot. I know that there is one for sale on a used magic web site, but I feel it is over-priced. Terry
Co-author with illusionist Andre' Kole of "Astrology and Psychic Phenomena."
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the Sponge Inner circle Atlanta 2771 Posts |
With my regards, I don't perform Gospel magic, so I am mainly interested if this idea has any merit.
The front of this chopper hinges down so that at the end the audience sees the hand encircled by the blade. I couldn't think of any reason the back could not be shown, due to the secret being in the blade/board. Good luck, and if you remember, let me know if was a good routine/story idea! s |
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
The main problem with this, is that the way it it presented, you show the "blade", by pivoting the face forward. Then, you remove the "blade", showing it solid. (The face can be open or closed at this point, depending on some specifics of handling.) The face is closed, then you replace the "blade", lift it up above the wrist slot, then insert the arm. Just like most wrist choppers, you cannot completely remove the "blade" immediately prior to the penetration. However, it's a different principle because of it being a piece of wood penetrating, rather than a metal blade.
So, unfortunately, you can't present it exactly as you've described. They would not be able to keep their wrist in place the whole time, and just have you pick up the "blade" and do a penetration. In actuality, to do the routine the way you describe, they would have to put their hand in (the cave), then they would have to remove it again, for you to show the "blade", and get set for the penetration. Then when you are set, the hand goes back in. If it isn't obvious, I own one. The only weakness of showing the back, is that there is a notch cut out for a knob, a knob which is mounted to the back of the "blade". So you reveal the existence of the knob (not a real big deal, unless you make it one). (Moderators - if you feel I have revealed too much, please edit this post. I've tried to be pretty general.) - Donald. P.S. It's a discontinued item in Mak's line, so it's a little elusive to find.
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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the Sponge Inner circle Atlanta 2771 Posts |
Quote:
In actuality, to do the routine the way you describe, they would have to put their hand in (the cave), then they would have to remove it again, for you to show the "blade", and get set for the penetration. Then when you are set, the hand goes back in. ah yes, not too much point putting the wrist in the cave since it has to come out again. jumped over that issue in my mind. Perhaps could just show the cave back then contine? (I think some of the back of the tiger's head shows too since it's a little larger at spots) ah, it was just a late night thought. s |
Terry Holley Inner circle 1805 Posts |
Although I don't have the chopper to work all the moves out, I still think you could make it play even with taking the wrist back out. You would just need to think it through a little more.
I felt the "cave idea" was what made the routine a bit more interesting. Terry
Co-author with illusionist Andre' Kole of "Astrology and Psychic Phenomena."
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
From the back, people can also see the cutout shapes from the tiger and also from his teeth. The face is all black on the back, though.
- Donald.
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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Terry Holley Inner circle 1805 Posts |
Donald:
When you view it from the back, do the teeth look like stalagtites and stalagmites that are in caves? Terry
Co-author with illusionist Andre' Kole of "Astrology and Psychic Phenomena."
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MarkTripp Special user Michigan 618 Posts |
If this doesn't make you rush out and buy Duane Laflins "Greater Gospel Magic" then nothing will...
He uses this routine with a large chopper, but a hand chopper will work too. Have a "game show" type question with the pastor. If you can still get the Gene Gordon book there is a great one in there. You make a "svengali" deck of 3 x 5 cards with half of the questions along the lines of "Spell Cat" and the other half "Name 500 of the thousand islands". Let a few kids pick easy questions, then force the hard one. Of course he can not answer, so you tell him because he failed, he will have to pay the penality. Now you bring out the chopper. Go through all the bits, but just before you bring the blade down, your assistant (or you) says "Wait, I will take his place..." You can see where this is going, and I URGE you to buy the book to get the entire routine... ...it WILL make you a better Gospel magician, and it will help you use your magic to serve the Lord. Mark |
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Mark -
I don't own "Greater Gospel Magic." (I do own a few of Duane's other books, and saw him perform at the Pacific Northwest FCM many years ago.) I've been doing that routine for a while, too, in gospel shows. However, with guillotine and an adult. I think other people were doing it in their shows the same time as Duane. I think I saw a photo and description of Eric Reamer doing a similar presentation at a FCM Convention many years ago, too. There is ONE MAJOR DRAWBACK to this presentation. If you haven't discovered it yet, I'll reveal it to you. It's theologically flawed as an analogy. Why? Because you give the spectator an impossible question to answer. (As a magic / illusion routine, that's where most of the humour is, and that is also how you "set them up" to end up in the chopper.) In reality, when God gave mankind a chance to live sin-free through Adam and Eve, they were not given an impossible thing to do. They consciously sinned, but it was totally within their ability to not sin. It was their choice to go the wrong way. This distinction is important. They weren't tricked into it by impossible expectations from God. In the magic / illusion routine, the question that you ask sets up the example that God never gave man a chance, and that is why He had to / chose to send Jesus. That's flawed theology. You also cannot say that the magician is playing the role of Satan, in that he tempted Adam and Eve. Again, sin was their choice, and they did have the ability to say no. The Devil just provided the temptation. Again, you (the magician) are asking the spectator to answer a question that they can't possibly answer. This is not consistent with what God did before sending his Son. Just some food for thought. - Donald. P.S. I still present that routine on occassion, but sometimes take the time afterwards to clarify the distinction that mankind fell into sin by choice, not by God's trickery.
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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MarkTripp Special user Michigan 618 Posts |
Well, with all due respect, you expanded the theological aspect of the routine.
The only part on point in the routine is that we "failed" (fell short) and have a price to pay (wages of sin), yet someone else came along and paid that price for us (Jesus). I think performers need to remember the KISS concept in presenting Gospel Magic. We are not there to replace the Sunday School teacher or their own prayer and study of the Bible. We are there to use "surprizes for the eyes'z" to spread the Good News of Salvation through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If we are to split hairs about "tricking", then the entire show could fall under that. Now, I am sure Duane makes a much better job of this than my short missive. Perhaps I have left something out, or fell short myself. In either case, IMHO, no Gospel Performer should be without Greater Gospel Magic, and the video/DVD series on same. Mark |
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
You may well be right, Mark. I may be overthinking this. I just wanted others to think about it too, as it may be a point raised to a gospel performer by some pastors or teachers who watch our shows at their churches.
I have no problem with terminology and the fact that I entertain through mystery or surprise or magic or illusion or slight of hand (some would call trickery). That wasn't really the point of my post, so I am sorry that I came across that way. I agree with you, research and thinking about gospel magic (such as purchasing Greater Gospel Magic) are excellent things to do, to help your growth as a gospel performer. I didn't mean to imply that I think any of Duane's writings or thinking is faulty or bad. Thanks for helping me to clarify what I was trying to say. - Donald.
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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Scott O. Inner circle Midwest 1143 Posts |
I purchased Greater Gospel Magic when it first came out, and I was immediately taken by this illusion and the clear message presented with it. In fact, it IS worth the price of the book. And I have been using it ever since. It merely points out our inability to live a perfect life and the need each of us has for a Savior. Fun, entertaining and powerful.
Scott .
Do not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time you will reap a harvest, if you do not give up. Galatians 6:9
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