Just a little survey: Do you perform a "Card Trick" that you have created yourself?

Regards

Tommy

I usually do a combination of a few of my own, and a few of the classics, or something new that I happen to enjoy doing.

I have done a few, but usually they are really short and added with another routine or something.

There are no original card tricks.

Only original performances.

One that I created, yes, one that has never been created before, probably not.

75% of what I do are my own creations. The balance would be the classics.

Rannie

Do you mean new plots? New Handlngs? New Presenations?

I perform a few card things that are completly original (to my knowledge).

The bulk of my card stuff is original handlings(not substituing a top change for a DL or pass for double undercut but completely new handlings), or original presentations....

I am not good enough to make up my own stuff. I learn effects or sleights and then use them to adapt my performances and presentation but completely original not a chance. Not good enough. That is why I envy the guys that are the card masters. I can do the sleights but I guess I lack the creativity except for presentation but that doesn't require that much creativity.

Daegs

If you can put your hand on your heart and say “This is my trick” then the trick is yours.

But if your proven wrong we will you allow to say:

“Not only will I retract what I said but I am willing to swear on oath that I never even said it.”

:)

I have some effects I thought of my own. Probably been done before but they are my handlings. Here are descritoins.

1. Twisting the aces, aces turn to kings. Aces on table have turned into kings.
2. Card is chosen, put down between aces. Card vanishes from aces, found face up in middle of deck.
3. 2 cards are chosen, trapped between aces on table. cards change places, aces turn into kings.

Do you mean novel effects? A couple perhaps.
Do you mean novel approaches to standard effects? A few.
Do you mean novel approaches to presenting standard effects? Yes for the most part.

Originality in some form. Something in the trick or the way it is presented that originated from you alone. Something that you have thought of rather than something someone else have thought of. Or some things that someone else has thought of and you have thought of a way of using them in novel form of combination. But now I am confusing myself.

What is the criteria for giving credit for a new effect? Whatever it be that is what I mean…. I think.

Tommy

All the time

IMHO it helps to credit every move, inspiration, collaborator... This honors the past, the folks who likely have lots of other good ideas to explore and all the people who helped make the trick or routine happen. That is the scholarly approach and helps our literature and other students a great deal.

Yes thanks Jon. I was not thinking about giving or getting credit that is important but...

I think what I wanted to really know was do we use our brains enough or have we come to rely on others for the magic we do. "We" as in us card guys in general.
Do we just buy books, learn tricks, and do them as shown? We might do them well, skill-wise, but should we not put something original from ourselves into every trick we do. Something a bit more than our personality. Seems a lot of us just ask what is the best so and so and copy it because that is so easy today. We get DVDs and see top card guys do it and think that's the way to do it, rather than how can I do it. Isn't all these DVDs and books stopping us thinking for ourselves. A bit like turning the TV on for entertainment, or not cooking because we get fast food. At least guys who have thought up something original are not just skilled tradesmen. Do you think that card guys like most of people in the modern world are getting lazy.
Shouldn’t the first and most important question be when we do a trick is what did "we" put into it that is original. Rather than did I do it skilfully.
The spectators may not care if we did or not but shouln't we care?

Great tricks do not need to be changed. The only creation is the presentation that must fit with the magician's caracter and style.

Uh, uh... No, no. I must admit, I did not know just who I was expecting for tea. But as you can see, I predicted the exact spot.

Merlin

I only have one which I consider a personal creation and use often. However, like many new effects days, it's just a tinkertoy creation of a couple of other pieces that haven't been brought together in the past to my knowledge. I consider it a creation because I came up with an excellent framing and story like progression that brings it all together, makes a lot of sense when using the cards, the backs, the action, and even the reason of introducing the trick to the spectator to make them feel special...and it ends clean.

If I ever describe it though, I'll credit those who have come up with brilliant pieces I use or similar plots. It's the least I can do.

I try to devise my own routines...... I don't know that I use any original "Trick". I also swear I never wrote this, and retract it summarily.