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SpellbinderEntertainment Inner circle West Coast 3519 Posts |
Taylor, If you've got the money for something cool or a regular theatre space, then there's no reason to do the Blaney, I agree with your wife.
My problem with it is that is is not really a suspended lady, but rather the "floating board" for that kind of money I want to be able to take the board away and just have the lady floating in air. Because I don't have a set theatre, and because of budget (for flexibility and funds) I've used the Jack Gwenny Walk-Away Suspension for years. With the right presentation (and as said above a presentation can make everything look better) and with the correct music, the audience gets the feeling, and sometimes remembers it as a levitation, even though it's a suspension. The board is removed, and with careful staging it seems the supports are farther away than with the ladders. Again, far from a perfect solution, but I'm not dong a million dollar budget show, so we use a ton of creativity and originality in routine to make it work. As per-above, we also use a Sword Basket, but not a regulation one, it was a custom job, and with a logical story presentation about the San Francisco Barbary Coat and Shanghai Kelly and white slavery in those wicked days. In the framework, with a story-presentation, the magic become stronger. Again, with a million dollar budget I would probably not have the basket in my act, portable and flexible are the reasons to use that illusion. OK, let the darts fly. Magically, Walt |
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James FX Regular user Virginia 178 Posts |
Favorite: "One" by DC
Least Favorite: any "Sword Basket" (I just don't get it?) |
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TaylorReed Special user Branson, MO 743 Posts |
Ok.... My wife is pretty harsh.. She also hates Interlude!
That's one that I enjoy performing and the audience really seems to go WOW.. She can be hard to please when it comes to magic. It's good to listen to a hard core magic critic.... Taylor
www.taylorreed.com
www.usedmagicillusions.com taylor@taylorreed.com (979)482-0714 See: The Magic and Comedy of Taylor Reed, Live in Branson, Mo |
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w_s_anderson Inner circle The United States 1226 Posts |
Favorite: Copperfields Death Saw, flying, and one.
Least Favorite: I agree with the sword boxes that you show empty. |
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Zaprig1 Elite user 470 Posts |
Taylor,
You're not starting a war here! My eyes were opened quite wide by my two assistants who are jaded as we are, but still have that all important lay person's point of view as a spectator still. I'd shown them clips of Copperfield and Burton as well as Blaney performing the effect and raved about it. Then I took my "number one gal" to see Lance perform it live. Their reactions from the beginning and even more so, after seeing the Ladder live were both the same and they made their points VERY clear: They just were NOT impressed! This really took me back as, like Walt, we do a heavy duty Jack Gwenny Walk-Away Suspension that can suspend even me. To them, taking away the board was 95% of the deception when they were first fooled badly by it! The "floating board" factor as Walt so aptly refers to it never once bothered me so badly as until then. So, I went with a Magellan to add to my act for just 10% of the Ladder and saved about enough to say....oh buy another truck perhaps?! I also think that the guys that hate Harbin's Chair Suspension so much should think about this too. With a proper performance of the illusion where the board is taken away AFTER the chair (very dramatically) and a participant's head is merely balancing on the tiny edge of a small and thin wooden deck chair whilst the rest of her body seems to be defying gravity itself can baffle a lay audience very badly. Always remember, the gasps don't ever lie! Back to the topic at hand: My least favorite is the sawing in half too. The deduction is just too obvious for me. I much prefer a Harbin's sawing with a nice comedic performance in that regard. Mine fav is and will always be the beautiful Asrah and my Gossamer Flight hands down. Best to all, Christian |
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Eshla Inner circle 1239 Posts |
"One" seems to be a very popular choice, do magicians know how it is done? None of the guys down my local magic store seem to - I think I do, but you never know, I could be wrong.
Either way its one of the most deceptive and beautiful illusions of all time.
I come from the future to culture you poor sods with fire.
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Zaprig1 Elite user 470 Posts |
Magicians who buy it know how it's done I suppose.
I just sold mine to make a payment on the Magellan which is the most revolutionary self levitation there is IMO. Jimmy is also a great guy and his service is second to none! My two pennies... |
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Eshla Inner circle 1239 Posts |
Its available to buy? Out of interest how much is it being sold for? If my idea is right is relatively simple. (probably wrong though)
I come from the future to culture you poor sods with fire.
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noble1 Special user 651 Posts |
My least favorite is the Sub Trunk, it's a great trick but way overdone. I like the Pendragons version and everyone I've seen since pales in comparison.
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Frank Simpson Special user SW Montana 883 Posts |
I am in complete agreement with WagsterMagic on this one... I think the fundamental problem is the question being asked. Presentation is far more important. This is not to say that the illusion is not inherently a major influence, but it is not the be-all, end-all in and of itself.
I've seen miracles with cardboard boxes and snored through tens-of-thousands of dollars worth of props. This point is furher illustrated by ARNOMAGIE's observation of DC's flying being great and others' versions as not. The hardware is only a tool. Whether it is a "real-world" looking prop or a brilliantly lacquered box with dragons on it is NOT the real issue. (Jim Steinmeyer has some really excellent observations on this very topic in his latest book... if you haven't read it, do so ASAP!) I really don't care what wrench the plumber uses on my pipes... I just want them to carry water without leaking. I really don't care what illusion a magician uses... I just want him to genuinely entertain me. |
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TaylorReed Special user Branson, MO 743 Posts |
I do also agree with Wagster and Frank. Entertainment value is more important than the illusions.. But this thread was mainly set up to just hear the least favorite illusions...
I once saw Dirk Arthur perform a levitating car and vanish that was such a great illusion that it would look cool even if the magician left the stage... It looked like something that you would see at Universal Studios... It was built by master builder and great guy Willie Kennedy. It was Dirk's idea and they also worked with Don Wayne on the effect... I believe he sold it.. I don't think that he has it anymore, but it was so strong that it was the Illusion being stronger than the performer... I'm sure it could have been performed better as a magician, but the Illusion was really something to see.. Just my opinion.. Taylor
www.taylorreed.com
www.usedmagicillusions.com taylor@taylorreed.com (979)482-0714 See: The Magic and Comedy of Taylor Reed, Live in Branson, Mo |
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Zaprig1 Elite user 470 Posts |
My bad Eshla- I hadn't read previous posts regarding DC's One etc. Long week!
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keithmagic Veteran user 375 Posts |
Re: Chair Suspension -
Though I don't do it anymore - simply because I had a Bill Smith unit (the CADILLAC of chair suspensions - the only one I have seen made correctly) and I was a little tired of lugging it around... The REASON you guys don't "like" the chair suspension is because YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN IT PERFORMED PROPERLY! People have written books, and presentations, and this/that/and the other about it without having a CLUE what the trick is even SUPPOSED TO BE!!! If you don't have the Harbin book, or at least access to one, you probably don't have a clue. It's NOT a "floating lady" trick. It's NOT something to be done for the kiddies at the birthday party so you can upsell a photo for an additional $50 and advertise in your local parent mag that "You'll make the birthday kid float"! And NO - you DON'T need some weird kind of gimmick so the feet don't SAG! When done properly - heck even with the cheeseball versions out there the feet will be HIGHER than the head. What all these lamo magi don't realize is that Harbin designed the effect for a VERY SPECIFIC presentation that totally makes sense, and is more of a balancing puzzle. And the effect is literally only a few seconds long (and there is a KICK build-up to it) - not some boring "make mystical passes at a kid for 2 minutes and snap pics" kind of a thing. Do your self a favor and buy, beg, borrow, or steal a copy of the Harbin book before attempting this trick. Rant over. But I believe this is one of Harbin's two or three masterworks that have just been raped by the magic community. Keith p.s. - for the record, about 15 years ago I was guilty of doing this trick stupidly as well. Get your hands on Harbin's own words and get ready for lightbulbs to explode in your head.
Author of "The Festival Entertainer" The Professional Entertainer's Guide to Booking and Working Outdoor Fairs, Festivals, and Events.
Available at http://www.howtobookfestivals.com |
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Eshla Inner circle 1239 Posts |
Tell us more
I come from the future to culture you poor sods with fire.
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TaylorReed Special user Branson, MO 743 Posts |
I'm not a big fan of the cair suspension, but I saw someone perform it live and when he took out the board the audience really liked it..
Bill Smith does build the best version of this illusion from what I'm told.. The person that I watched do the illusions didn't use a hoop, which I think makes it a better Illusion. Sometimes the hoop isn't needed and this would be one case where it's not needed... The Illusion seems stronger without the hoop.. Gives the audience just one less thing to think about.. Just my opinion.. Taylor
www.taylorreed.com
www.usedmagicillusions.com taylor@taylorreed.com (979)482-0714 See: The Magic and Comedy of Taylor Reed, Live in Branson, Mo |
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61magic Special user Sacramento California 775 Posts |
Here this one will start a war, I don't like Origami.
Everyone I sat with during a performance is confused by the mirror and is expecting the performer to do something with it.
Professor J. P. Fawkes
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HowardT New user 75 Posts |
Taylor, Regarding your public comment on the Ladder Levitation.. I use to think that as well…….. That was until I could afford one.
I saw the same show as you and your wife. I agree Steve Wyrick worked the illusion so far up stage because of sight lines, it lost all effectiveness. That was just a poor choice of illusion for that venue. The ladder gets an incredible response when it’s used properly and in the right situation 61magic, Clearly, whoever you saw perform Origami did not properly explain the mirror or your friends would not have been “confused”. Another example of blaming a prop rather than the performer or performance. I can’t understand some of the readers of this forum who don’t understand that it’s about the presentation rather than the prop.. We read this over and over but it doesn’t seem to register. Having said that, Taylor, lately Magic Café has become your personal blog. We have watched you tear apart other peoples creations. Their hard work and contributions that they have shared with us and for our use. Jim Stieinmeyer, Bill Smith, now Walter Blaney. Every other post you write seems to be how you can make everything better. We’re happy for you.. really.. I mean that. It is all about growth. But I for one think, it’s highly inappropriate and insensitive, to on a public forum continuously insult the individuals who have come before you. Put your ego aside for a moment and consider giving them a little respect. |
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videokideo Special user 895 Posts |
I mentioned Peter Gossamers chair suspension was the only ive ever liked....found a photo of his presentation style with his chair.
http://www.cstalent.com/Stage/Peter_Gossamer/Gossamer2.jpg It uses his Gossamer H------. If you ever get the chance to catch him, take the time to meet him after the show. Womderful guy and very loyal to other magicians. |
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Crispy Loyal user Louisville, KY 207 Posts |
I saw a magician do the Abbott's chair suspension on TV once and the host of the TV show said, "Okay, so if she were not lying on that board attached to that chair, then she would be floating?"
I perform the broom suspension, but it always bugs me when I see someone use a hoop with the broom suspension. |
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TaylorReed Special user Branson, MO 743 Posts |
Howard T.. I'm sorry that you were insulted by the part about my wife not liking this Illusion... We should be able to share stories... I talk good about Bill Smith, Jim Steinmeyer and all of the guys every time I get a chance..
Go back and read how I was telling my wife how cool it was that Steve was moving the ladders.... I'm just like all magicians.. I'd like one of every Illusion even if I don't love the illusion to just have it.. Personally I think Steve did a fine job with it. I saw that it was being performed way upstage, but that didn't bother me... My wife just hated it.. It's a free Country, she doesn't have to like it just because one of our greats invented it... I still believe he could have picked a better Illusion for that show... This is my opinion and you don't have to like it or even agree. We all have one.. But thank you for sharing yours.. Taylor
www.taylorreed.com
www.usedmagicillusions.com taylor@taylorreed.com (979)482-0714 See: The Magic and Comedy of Taylor Reed, Live in Branson, Mo |
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