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CardC
Regular user
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
151 Posts
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Posted: Jul 28, 2011 11:50am
Hello all,
I'm getting into spongeball magic, and I was wondering if anyone wanted to share some thoughts on patter?
I'm sure stealing clown noses is used haha, but I'm looking for something interesting to add to my routine. I was playing with the idea of doing it as if it was a new material scientists discovered that could transport, duplicate, etc...or some patter on mitosis...
WOuld be interesting to hear what some of you like to use.
be happy
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Dr_J_Ayala
Inner circle
In search of Vlad Dracul and his
2062 Posts
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Posted: Jul 28, 2011 12:09pm
I use all sorts of different things for my sponge work. There is no limit to what you can do - especially if you integrate the color of the balls into the routine - green for aliens, blue for moons/stars, etc. I had a non-alcoholic drink that I made up some years ago and I decided to call it the Purple People Eater, because it is purple in color. I then started using that name for purple sponge balls too. You can present them as 'protons' in a scientifically-themed presentation, they can be a magnified (1 million times, for example) bit of a dust particle that you pick up off the table, they can be a little creature that you found living on a spectator, etc. If you start playing around with those ideas, you can come up with the story (or patter, as it were) quite easily.
Eugene Burger, Aldo Colombini, Steve Dacri and many others have some very good routines with sponge balls that you can look into as well. If you have not seen it already, check out the DVD from the World's Greatest Magic series on Sponge Balls. A lot of excellent material, all of which is very workable and useable.
I hope this information is useful to you, or at least helps you get some additional ideas.
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kumpletoo
New user
56 Posts
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Posted: Jul 28, 2011 8:41pm
I highly recommend jay noblezada's sponge ball DVD from penguinmagic.
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ade
New user
Singapore
82 Posts
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Posted: Jul 29, 2011 12:50am
Don't really know if you like this style of magic, but I recently read Chris Carey's book, and was quite taken with his spongeball routine, which he calls "Warm Fuzzies". It's a very feel-good routine, but you must be able to tell the story well. You can find the routine in his "Do the Stuff That's You" book. I believe it's in volume 1.
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philip tilston
New user
52 Posts
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Posted: Jul 31, 2011 2:59am
I always liked Carl Andrews routine & patter from "Magic from Maui"
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Martino
Special user
Manchester, UK
760 Posts
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Posted: Jul 31, 2011 4:53am
Philip, isn't that the one about "Eeny, Meeny, Miny and Mo"?
Regards,
Martin.
"There's a difference between not knowing how something is done and knowing it can't be done!" - Simon Aronson
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Larry Barnowsky
Inner circle
Cooperstown, NY where bats are made from
3901 Posts
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Posted: Jul 31, 2011 8:31pm
In Chapter 36 of my new book The Book of Destiny, there is a sponge ball routine with unique script which I have used for years. The routine is also performed and taught on the companion DVD.
Larry
NOW SHIPPING The Book of Destiny +DVD http://www.barnowskymagic.com/bookofdestiny.html
Kingdom of the Red Book and DVD http://www.barnowskymagic.com/kotr1.html
21ST CENTURY COIN MECHANICS Book + Video CD www.barnowskymagic.com almost Out of Print
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WhoDeanie
Regular user
141 Posts
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Posted: Aug 1, 2011 9:16pm
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On 2011-07-31 20:31, Larry Barnowsky wrote:
In Chapter 36 of my new book The Book of Destiny, there is a sponge ball routine with unique script which I have used for years. The routine is also performed and taught on the companion DVD.
Larry
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I think I'm gonna go for both the Kingdom of the Red and The Book of Destiny. Both seem to be right up my alley. Is the Book of Destiny released yet? I thought I saw someplace around Christmas?
Magically yours,
Dean Burgess
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Merc Man
Inner circle
Nuneaton, Warwickshire
1895 Posts
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Posted: Aug 3, 2011 2:30pm
Maybe this isn't what you want to hear and others may disagree.
To refer to sponge balls as 'martian's tomatoes', 'clowns noses', 'fuzzy wuzzy dust collectors', 'magnified bionic particles' etc. is basically patronising to your spectators - unless they happen to be four years old.
Maybe it's just the UK, but I can imagine referring to them as these things to an adult audience in England - they'd either think I was insulting their intelligence or, at best, that I'd totally lost the plot. The latter would be the most preferable as it may stop me from getting thumped!
Why magicians have to give sponge balls such idiotic names (for adult audiences) is beyond me! We don't do it with coins, cards, string, etc..............do we? Even one of my heroes, Albert Goshman, had to refer to the bloody things as 'matzah balls' - God knows why and it was the only patter in his beautiful act that ever made me cringe.
A well-constructed sponge ball routine is one of the most VISUAL things when working close-up - so let your handling and presentation do the talking.
Sponge balls ARE sponge balls - it's as simple as that!
Barry Allen
Mercedes-Benz W123 Series.........undoubtedly, Stuttgart's finest ever hour.
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Dr_J_Ayala
Inner circle
In search of Vlad Dracul and his
2062 Posts
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Posted: Aug 3, 2011 6:42pm
Merc Man: I can understand where you are coming from and I completely respect your point, but I respectfully disagree. I think that because the audience has already suspended their beliefs due to the fact that they are watching a magic performance, you can assume they will do the same with the names you use for your props. Once an adult suspends their beliefs about what they know to be impossible, you would be surprised at how well a lot of them would take to such silly things as a 'martian tomato' or anything else of the like. The more important thing is not to try and convince them wholly that they are 'martian tomatoes' or 'fuzzy wuzzy dust collectors' but rather make it a comedic comparison to those objects, without actually stating that they are being used solely as a comparison. Let them make up their minds and have fun with what you are doing and saying - I have never seen a sponge ball routine done in a horribly serious manner by a performer with a straight face and a hardened demeanor, nor an adult audience member take an offense to what they are being called...
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Merc Man
Inner circle
Nuneaton, Warwickshire
1895 Posts
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Posted: Aug 4, 2011 3:22am
Dr J A,
Similarly respect your point of view and ideology.
Just to make something clear though, I agree with your point about not performing sponge balls in a serious manner. However, I've always found that the amazement and laughs within a good, commercial, sponge ball routine are more or less generated by the audience themselves - the effect is so strong.
Now to let you into something here. For a number of years I've also performed a cabaret act and I always use sponges in stand up - often for some pretty rowdy audiences at stag or hen nights, etc. I never once use any blue patter during the routine, nor even any double entendres - other than timing and facial expression as certain things were said.
Now (and maybe controversially) for the right crowd, I'll end with the 'Ding Dong' production. Some people may think this is the wrong way to go; does a disservice to good magic, etc. However, it plays well - in fact, it plays exceptionally well FOR THE RIGHT AUDIENCE and it's good entertainment. However, before anyone thinks of using it, trust me on this, you need to gain the experience of being able to read your audience before EVER attempting it. In the wrong place at the wrong time, it will kill your act stone dead. However, for the right audience (AND using the right volunteer) it gets howls of laughter.
Whether in close up or cabaret, a good sponge ball routine can be one of the best ways to go to learn about audience management technique. The only people I've ever seen deride them are other magicians - most probably those that have never even tried a sponge ball routine. Sponges are also a great way to learn how to jazz with magic - a routine that you can cut short if circumstances require yet still remain effective. An example of this would be in a nightclub environment for younger audiences where the music is deafening - BUT you can still actually use sponge balls with minimal patter - as the visual impact of them is so strong.
Just a few additional things that CardC may also want to consider (outside of patter) if moving into sponge ball performance:
- Supersoft or normal? Personally, I don't like Supersoft as they don't expand quick enough but it may be useful to try both.
- Size? Whatever feels comfortable for your level of technique but as a general rule of thumb, bigger is better. 2inch for close up and 3 inch for cabaret are my preferred sizes.
- Best vanish or fake transfer really boils down to whatever suits you best BUT try to choose one that leaves the ball classic palmed rather than scrunched up in a finger palm.
- Keep them clean by washing them in a small bowel of warm water, then leaving them for 10 minutes - some colour will run initially, especially if you add soap. Squeeze out excess water gently, roll back into shape between both palms, then leave them to dry in a soft towel. Maybe this next tip is OTT - but why not give them a squirt of aftershave - it just makes them smell fresh at the tables (bear in mind that these sponges will be in and out of different spectator's hands - and some people are just a tad hygiene mad these days!).
- Women react better as assistants in my opinion.
- Ask them to open their hands S-L-O-W-L-Y......there is no impact if 4 sponges spring out too quickly and 3 go rolling off the table without really being seen! To this end, always ensure that when a ball vanishes from YOUR hand that you also open your hand slowly or they may just copy your actions.
- A way of overcoming the problem of them opening their hand before you ask is to gently turn her clenched hand face down, then (again) placing a purse frame onto her wrist. I think that this was an Albert Goshman idea?
- Always have a few spare balls somewhere to hand - they WILL get lost rolling under tables, etc. and you don't want to look unprofessional crawling on all fours under tables/chairs, etc. to retrieve them!
There you go CardC - just a few additional things that you may want to consider.
Barry Allen
Mercedes-Benz W123 Series.........undoubtedly, Stuttgart's finest ever hour.
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CardC
Regular user
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
151 Posts
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Posted: Aug 5, 2011 12:10pm
Thanks everyone for your thoughts! This is very fascinating...i haven't had too much experience with sponge balls however the other night while on a date with a girl she brought up how she was scared of clowns...and I said I was as well and I always ran up and stole their noses...then I waited for 30 minutes...and then when I brought it up again it seemed to flow, and her reactions were actually mindblowing...freaking out and standing up...not being able to believe that the ball traveled...
I guess it comes down to gauging your audience no? For some people martian tomatoes will go down well, for others minimal patter is best. Merc Man, thank you for your great details on the spongeballs themselves.
be happy
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djurmann
Inner circle
1270 Posts
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Posted: Aug 7, 2011 5:57pm
Merc man Wrote: "- Keep them clean by washing them in a small bowel of warm water, then leaving them for 10 minutes - some colour will run initially, especially if you add soap. Squeeze out excess water gently, roll back into shape between both palms, then leave them to dry in a soft towel."
Good advice here. I would add, don't stick them in the washing machine. I did and the balls came out lifeless and looking like dirty rags....I threw them away.
- Ignorant but seeking.
- "All done by kindness."
- Fellowship across differnces
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Michael J. Douglas
Grammar Host
WV, USA
1650 Posts
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Posted: Aug 7, 2011 10:23pm
CardC,
You might want to check out Scott Guinn's PB&J routine. It's well thought out and automatically resets. Lybrary.com has it for 10 bucks.
Merc Man,
Quote:
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On 2011-08-03 14:30, Merc Man wrote:
To refer to sponge balls as 'martian's tomatoes', 'clowns noses', 'fuzzy wuzzy dust collectors', 'magnified bionic particles' etc. is basically patronising to your spectators - unless they happen to be four years old.
Maybe it's just the UK, but I can imagine referring to them as these things to an adult audience in England - they'd either think I was insulting their intelligence or, at best, that I'd totally lost the plot.
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Do you find it patronising or insulting when an actor plays a role that's not his/herself?
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We don't do it with coins, cards, string, etc..............do we?
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Yes, actually. I can't think of one magician, besides yourself, that doesn't/didn't.
Michael J.
“Believe then, if you please, that I can do strange things.” --from Shakespeare’s ‘As You Like It’
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Feral Chorus
Veteran user
CA
308 Posts
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Posted: Aug 9, 2011 6:13pm
I don't think anyone has mentioned the sponge bunnies, but that routine's patter is fun and works well in the context of a "sponge ball" routine. Daryl's Papa Rabbit Hits the Big Time is great. You can find it on YouTube.
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Dr_J_Ayala
Inner circle
In search of Vlad Dracul and his
2062 Posts
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Posted: Aug 9, 2011 10:58pm
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On 2011-08-09 18:13, Feral Chorus wrote:
I don't think anyone has mentioned the sponge bunnies, but that routine's patter is fun and works well in the context of a "sponge ball" routine. Daryl's Papa Rabbit Hits the Big Time is great. You can find it on YouTube.
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Nobody has mentioned them because when used, they are called exactly what they appear to be - little rabbits or bunnies. Here, we are talking more specifically about calling a round sponge ball something that it is not, or rather, trying to convince an audience of such, which in itself is quite off track to the original post. I do, however, agree with your comment! Sponge bunnies work well because of the word/action association, i.e. "The bunny 'hops' from this hand to the other' and others like that.
Papa Rabbit Hits the Big Time is really good and is a lot of fun to perform (especially for adults-only audiences) because it can play to audiences of all types. You can perform it just as Daryl does for the adults, and the routine can be performed the same exact way for kids, where there you only need to change the wording to make it kid/family friendly.
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Dazz
New user
84 Posts
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Posted: Aug 10, 2011 3:51pm
I use protons by chris priest and think its a fantastic routine. Its not to simple, not to difficult and has a natural build up throughout the entire performance.
I've changed the patter slightly to suit my age group and mention buying this new invention off ebay, the invisible iball by apple. Then demonstrate its capabilities. The ending of the routine uses dlites in a new way, and actually leaves spectators speechless. I use it as a closer.
I highly recommend protons. When you learn more spongey sleights you can even incorporate then within the routine.
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Merc Man
Inner circle
Nuneaton, Warwickshire
1895 Posts
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Posted: Aug 23, 2011 7:39pm
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Merc Man,
Quote:
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On 2011-08-03 14:30, Merc Man wrote:
To refer to sponge balls as 'martian's tomatoes', 'clowns noses', 'fuzzy wuzzy dust collectors', 'magnified bionic particles' etc. is basically patronising to your spectators - unless they happen to be four years old.
Maybe it's just the UK, but I can imagine referring to them as these things to an adult audience in England - they'd either think I was insulting their intelligence or, at best, that I'd totally lost the plot.
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Do you find it patronising or insulting when an actor plays a role that's not his/herself?
Quote:
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We don't do it with coins, cards, string, etc..............do we?
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Yes, actually. I can't think of one magician, besides yourself, that doesn't/didn't.
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Why have you come to the conclusion that I'd find it patronising for an actor to play a role? That's his job, isn't it?
As for you not knowing of any magician (aside from myself) that doesn't refer to various props as anything other than what they really are, all I can say to this is that you clearly don't know many working performers here in the UK.
With no disrespect aimed towards other Countries, people on the UK don't generally stand for a tirade of BS, hype or fairy tales. Over here you have to hit them hard; and keep knocking them down before they have a chance to get back on their feet. If you doubt this, be my guest to join me in any English pub when we've just lost at football or rugby, and try telling a crowd of blokes that you a using a pack of cards that once belonged to Merlin; that the shoelace is magic thread from never-never land or that your coins are from a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
If you are lucky, they'll let you choose which window you are going through!
Barry Allen
Mercedes-Benz W123 Series.........undoubtedly, Stuttgart's finest ever hour.
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Pecan_Creek
Veteran user
The Nation of TEXAS!
331 Posts
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Posted: Aug 23, 2011 8:48pm
Merc man Wrote: "- Keep them clean by washing them in a small bowel of warm water, then leaving them for 10 minutes - some colour will run initially, especially if you add soap. Squeeze out excess water gently, roll back into shape between both palms, then leave them to dry in a soft towel."
I tried this method, but one question...
So how do you get them out ... of the small bowel ?
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KingNothing
New user
71 Posts
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Posted: Aug 23, 2011 8:56pm
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On 2011-08-23 20:48, Pecan_Creek wrote:
Merc man Wrote: "- Keep them clean by washing them in a small bowel of warm water, then leaving them for 10 minutes - some colour will run initially, especially if you add soap. Squeeze out excess water gently, roll back into shape between both palms, then leave them to dry in a soft towel."
I tried this method, but one question...
So how do you get them out ... of the small bowel ?
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Well, with the really small bowels, you'd want to use tweezers. For larger ones, if you opt not to use tweezers, I'd advise surgical gloves at the very least, followed by vigorous scrubbing...
On topic, I do call my sponge balls clown noses, but I make sure to assure the audience that I do not purchase them from clown poachers. No indeed, I make sure every one of my clown noses comes from a legitimate clown nose dealer, who captures the clown, drugs it, and removes the nose with the greatest of care, before releasing it back into its native habitat.
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Dr_J_Ayala
Inner circle
In search of Vlad Dracul and his
2062 Posts
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Posted: Aug 23, 2011 9:02pm
Quote:
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On 2011-08-23 20:56, KingNothing wrote:
On topic, I do call my sponge balls clown noses, but I make sure to assure the audience that I do not purchase them from clown poachers. No indeed, I make sure every one of my clown noses comes from a legitimate clown nose dealer, who captures the clown, drugs it, and removes the nose with the greatest of care, before releasing it back into its native habitat.
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That would not necessarily fit my style, but that is really funny! I like that!
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Michael J. Douglas
Grammar Host
WV, USA
1650 Posts
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Posted: Aug 24, 2011 12:08am
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On 2011-08-23 19:39, Merc Man wrote:
Why have you come to the conclusion that I'd find it patronising for an actor to play a role? That's his job, isn't it?
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I've made no conclusion about you. I was genuinely curious, so I asked a question. I see a big similarity between a magician's props and actors, both of which may take on the role of something or someone else for the purpose of entertainment. No one seriously believes an actor has gotten hurt when his/her character gets shot, yet that's the story being told. Similarly, when a magician says some strange-looking coin is rumored to have come from the lost city of Atlantis, no one tends to regard that as a serious statement. As I believe was noted above, most magicians tend to have their tongues firmly in their cheeks when saying such things. The very fact that we're magicians who, whether implied or stated, are supposed to have magical powers is enough for me to think someone as hard-lined as you say wouldn't enjoy our performance anyway.
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As for you not knowing of any magician (aside from myself) that doesn't refer to various props as anything other than what they really are, all I can say to this is that you clearly don't know many working performers here in the UK.
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While I'll concede I don't follow the magic scene in the UK, I don't follow it that closely here either. However, I've been lucky to see, meet, and read about more performers than I could ever remember over the years, and I stand by my statement. I just can't think of anyone, except for perhaps Jerry Andrus.
P.S. It's just after midnight here, and I'm quite tired. Hopefully, this doesn't come off as argumentative or anything, as it's certainly not meant that way. 
Michael J.
“Believe then, if you please, that I can do strange things.” --from Shakespeare’s ‘As You Like It’
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Merc Man
Inner circle
Nuneaton, Warwickshire
1895 Posts
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Posted: Aug 24, 2011 9:16am
Quote:
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On 2011-08-24 00:08, Michael J. Douglas wrote:
Hopefully, this doesn't come off as argumentative or anything, as it's certainly not meant that way.
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No, of course it doesn't Michael and I totally respect your point of view mate. Sometimes the written word can be portrayed differently than if we were sitting discussing our respective views over a pint!
In the UK, a lot of audiences are not used to seeing magic; albeit with Penn & Teller, Dynamo, Derren Brown, etc. there's a lot more media coverage recently that has raised awareness. That said, the majority of English audiences (in my experience) have to be impressed pretty quickly; hence my point about hitting them hard - and it always seems to have been the way as I've learnt the trade from people such as Joe Riding, Ken Brooke, Pat Page, etc. No disrespect to a performer such as Eugene Burger (who I admire), but his style of performance for most UK audiences would just fall flat on it's a*s.
The bottom line, I guess, is to use patter that fits your style BUT also meets the demands of your audience. If we ever get to live on the Moon (not a bad idea when you consider a lot that's happening on Earth  ) then, rest assured, I'll try out the Martian Tomato patter without any hesitation. Until then, they'll just be sponge balls.
I wish you well fella - adios.
Barry Allen
Mercedes-Benz W123 Series.........undoubtedly, Stuttgart's finest ever hour.
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Tanay
Regular user
130 Posts
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Posted: Aug 24, 2011 2:05pm
Treating my spongeballs as aliens has worked a treat in every performance! I think it adds life to a spongeball routine.
It makes for a fun routine, and some phases can have more meaning (holding on tightly because aliens can escape easily, for example!).
Tanay
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Dr_J_Ayala
Inner circle
In search of Vlad Dracul and his
2062 Posts
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Posted: Aug 24, 2011 2:48pm
I just thought of what Johnny Thompson does with his: He brings them out and asks people if they know what they are. After whatever guesses (or not) he gets, his reply is, "I have no idea what they are either..." For the performer that does not want to call them anything else, or anything at all, this would be perfect.
@tan567: Have you ever seen Steve Dacri do his Martian Sponge Ball Routine? It is fun!
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Julie
Inner circle
2298 Posts
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Posted: Aug 25, 2011 5:41am
Kenton Knepper (yep, the mental guy) has a very commercial stand-up sponge ball routine with a couple of unique "moves" that is worth checking...
Julie
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Corbett
Inner circle
Indiana
1070 Posts
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Posted: Sep 19, 2011 9:45pm
I introduce the ball as a clown nose, minus the clown, but then patter mostly descriptively throughout the routine. My routine moves quickly, and I don't feel
there is need or necessity to conjure up a storyline or metaphorical narrative of what the balls represent, etc. This works for me, but for each his own. What I WILL say is that if you are new to sponge ball magic, you are in for a treat. This routine is still the most requested and gets the best reactions of almost anything I do. Kind of frustrating from my perspective , but if the audience loves it, I will continue to enjoy doing it.
CORBETT D. TROYER
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