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Jeff Christensen
Regular user
181 Posts
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Posted: Feb 7, 2012 12:21am
Putting together some stuff that I can take to the street. Any thoughts on using Plumber's Helper by David Regal. Here's a link in case you don't know this effect.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BTixtCZLnQ
Thanks!
jeff
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troppobob
Loyal user
Crescent Head Australia
253 Posts
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Posted: Feb 7, 2012 5:04am
G'day Jeff
I use a standard "Pom Pom Pole" and it works well in my street performance because it meets a number of criteria including:
Light weight
Instant reset
Can be performed surrounded
This variation could well work in this setting - I am not sure how many times you can do the climax with the water before needing to refill.
Bob Latta (aka Troppo Bob)
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Jeff Christensen
Regular user
181 Posts
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Posted: Feb 7, 2012 4:55pm
Good criteria..thanks mate!
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Eric Evans
Elite user
Rio Grande
445 Posts
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Posted: Feb 7, 2012 6:27pm
I can't tell you how vigorously I disagree with the criteria listed above, but I'll try.
First off, everyone of the listed benefits are derived from the performers standpoint. So if you're looking for something easy to do, that has minimal impact, go for it.
I suppose if you had an extremely funny presentation, that might outweigh the fact that it is little more than a puzzle. Short of that, it appears to me to be little more than a rehash of an old piece.
Very little to indicate to your audience that what they have witnessed is in fact magic. Rather, plenty to signify that it is nothing more than a convoluted contraption, with a pedestrian presentation.
http://sidewalkperformers.freeforums.org
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JoeJoe
Inner circle
Myrtle Beach
1508 Posts
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Posted: Feb 7, 2012 7:45pm
I agree with Eric. My issue is that its a "gimmick" ... I don't mean gimmick as in a magical apparatus, but just a gimmick in general. Yeah a gimmick might work, but it's still a gimmick. Substituting real magic with a gimmick is just not something that works. Not "right" or "wrong", just my opinion.
Cherry picking some sentences from the Wikiepdia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gimmick
Quote:
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In marketing language, a gimmick is a unique or quirky special feature that makes something "stand out" from its contemporaries. However, the special feature is typically thought to be of little relevance or use. Thus, a gimmick is a special feature for the sake of having a special feature.
In marketing, product gimmicks are sometimes considered mere novelties, and not really that relevant to the product's functioning, sometimes even earning negative connotations. However, some seemingly trivial gimmicks of the past have evolved into useful, permanent features.
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That is what this routine is: "the special feature is typically thought to be of little relevance or use" ... they cite a toothbrush example, does that "special grip" really do anything? No. It's just a gimmick.
I don't like gimmicks. I try to get them out of my act. An example of a gimmick I've removed from my act would be my long blue tails coat. It was just a gimmick ... yeah it worked ... but when I take it off I realize my act works better without it. That's the problem with gimmicks right there - conventional wisdom says they work, they seem logical. But when you apply unconventional wisdom and think outside the box, you realize they are actually working against you.
-JoeJoe
One of the hottest new releases of the year - Steve Fearson Presents the Amazing JoeJoe's Web Spinner!!!
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Nick W
Loyal user
thailand.....the world
294 Posts
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Posted: Feb 7, 2012 10:27pm
Do you really want to carry something big, ugly, and clunky like that around? if your character was that of a plumber, id say, go for it. but even then the prop is not pleasing to the eye on any level.
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Devious
Inner circle
CANCER SUCKS!
1692 Posts
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Posted: Feb 7, 2012 10:57pm
I saw David Regal do this live a few days ago, what sells the effect is the water blast at the end. You need the pressurized water for the reset. You will not have a water source nearby on most pitches to make this practical.
If you don't agree with any of the advice given thus far, he only has 11 of these units left in his stock. He doesn't plan on making any new ones anytime soon. $300.00 Bones gets you one of them.
My opinion,
Parlour/Cabaret, Yes.
Busking, No.
Devious Deceptions
Chavez School of Magic Student
Head Shot
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Ekuth
Inner circle
1104 Posts
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Posted: Feb 7, 2012 11:18pm
*raises one eyebrow*
Nnnnnnnooott for me. And no way I'm lugging that thing around with my busking gear.
"Magic is found neither in the mind, nor the eye; but in the heart."
http://www.christophe-magic.webs.com
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Mario Morris
Inner circle
Mario Morris
1691 Posts
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Posted: Feb 7, 2012 11:38pm
I think it is naturally funny to try to perform this Seriously!
What would Tommy Copper do and say with this?
Im guessing he would examine it chuckle to him self, strut around play with it, look up into the tap, turn it on, face full of water!
Shaking of his face the tap water runs dry on the ground, he turns it off any way.
He then Does the pom pom sticks still dripping no surprise their.
Finishes
Turns on the tap one more time to see and water comes spouting out of his mouth,
Just like That -
He makes a magical jest to then chuck it ove his shoulder and moves on to the next prop
www.schoolofbusking.com
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Devious
Inner circle
CANCER SUCKS!
1692 Posts
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Posted: Feb 8, 2012 3:02am
Great thinkin here Mario, I will forward this to David Regal with your permisso?
Devious Deceptions
Chavez School of Magic Student
Head Shot
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Mario Morris
Inner circle
Mario Morris
1691 Posts
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Posted: Feb 8, 2012 6:01pm
Si, claro!
This is not me, just being objective!
www.schoolofbusking.com
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FunTimeAl
Special user
987 Posts
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Posted: Feb 8, 2012 6:09pm
I had a drip coming from my pipe once as a result of someone pulling on my chain...they've got shots for that nowadays though. Gawd, I love doctors...and nurses. Now this story's come around full circle.
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Eduardo
Veteran user
302 Posts
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Posted: Feb 8, 2012 6:22pm
HOOO MY GOD!!!!???
who will carry that thing in the street for 1 minute of glory?
http://www.eduardofernandes.com
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Ekuth
Inner circle
1104 Posts
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Posted: Feb 8, 2012 8:45pm
Quote:
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On 2012-02-08 18:09, FunTimeAl wrote:
I had a drip coming from my pipe once as a result of someone pulling on my chain...they've got shots for that nowadays though. Gawd, I love doctors...and nurses. Now this story's come around full circle.
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MWHAHAHAHA! Classic. Nice one, Al.
"Magic is found neither in the mind, nor the eye; but in the heart."
http://www.christophe-magic.webs.com
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Jeff Christensen
Regular user
181 Posts
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Posted: Feb 9, 2012 12:04am
Quote:
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On 2012-02-07 22:57, Devious wrote:
I saw David Regal do this live a few days ago, what sells the effect is the water blast at the end. You need the pressurized water for the reset. You will not have a water source nearby on most pitches to make this practical.
If you don't agree with any of the advice given thus far, he only has 11 of these units left in his stock. He doesn't plan on making any new ones anytime soon. $300.00 Bones gets you one of them.
My opinion,
Parlour/Cabaret, Yes.
Busking, No.
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Thanks for the advice Devious. Good to hear your thoughts at McBrideTV the other night as well. Maybe we'll meet at Street Magic with Mario/Jeff this coming October in Las Vegas.
I do appreciate the comments from the other folks. I'm a magician and not a street performer so I see things differently. Still wrapping my head around this and look forward to more posts that will make me think.
jeff
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Chance
Inner circle
1386 Posts
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Posted: Mar 2, 2012 3:41am
Why buy the rip-off for hundreds when you can buy the original for less than $50:
http://www.stevensmagic.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=88_90_10&products_id=1563
Pete Biro will thank you.
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Devious
Inner circle
CANCER SUCKS!
1692 Posts
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Posted: Mar 2, 2012 3:45am
Steven get a clue!
I cannot believe you called David Regal a ripoff artist.
He recieved the full blessing from Pete Biro for his addition to the device.
Devious Deceptions
Chavez School of Magic Student
Head Shot
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Chance
Inner circle
1386 Posts
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Posted: Mar 2, 2012 4:07am
My name is not Steven, it's Chance.
According to a thread started by Mr. Biro at another magic forum, his version was/is the original, and he asked that the copy be pulled from the market. I'm simply repeating what he said, and it's his trick.
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Eric Evans
Elite user
Rio Grande
445 Posts
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Posted: Mar 2, 2012 4:09am
Ouch!
Looking back over what I wrote, I wish I hadn't been so critical.
It is a clever addition to a beautiful trick that I own, albiet mine is a miniature version for close-up.
But unless you have a funny presentation like Mario suggested, for the street, I don't think so.
http://sidewalkperformers.freeforums.org
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Devious
Inner circle
CANCER SUCKS!
1692 Posts
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Posted: Mar 2, 2012 4:51am
Your website lists you as Steven Chance.
Pete was referring to a recent knockoff version by a German citizen,
not David Regal's version, of which we are speaking of here silly rabbit.
Here is the Genii discussion of which you are referring to,
http://www.geniimagazine.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=261828#Post261828
Pete even endorses Regal's version. Consider yourself better informed now.
Devious Deceptions
Chavez School of Magic Student
Head Shot
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Chance
Inner circle
1386 Posts
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Posted: Mar 2, 2012 5:37am
My name is Chance. You wouldn't call me Steven to my face, so please don't do it here.
There's nothing in that thread about Pete endorsing anyone. Nothing I said was out of place based on the contents of that thread. The fact remains, Mr. Biro's version is the original, and it costs less than $50. Where ever you got your extra info from, it was not from that thread.
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Eduardo
Veteran user
302 Posts
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Posted: Mar 2, 2012 6:35am
Steven the Plumber!!! Steven the Plumber!!! Steven the Plumber
http://www.eduardofernandes.com
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Stperformer
Regular user
144 Posts
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Posted: Mar 2, 2012 8:17am
I bought the Pom Pom stick years aback for the street, attracted to it like Troppobob mentioned, no reset, surrounded and kinda funny.
Problem that I had on the street was, how do I get into it and how do I get out of it. As a stand alone trick it was fine (probably great for parties and shows where closure is no worries) but on the street it was kind of a stand alone puzzle. I used the pompomology patter that was/is still popular then.
Lke most tricks, with some thought I'm sure there are those out there that could make it work great....given time. Where there's a will, there's a way. 
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Ekuth
Inner circle
1104 Posts
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Posted: Mar 2, 2012 9:58am
Wait... is it Chance, Chanz, Chawnz? I'm getting confused with all the 'trademarked' names being thrown around.
Makes it difficult to remember who is what and what is whom without a score card.
/sarcasm off
You know, even though this is just gonna give you another target, I gotta say something- probably because the others are too polite to do so.
Seriously? You're gonna start another flame war because Devious called you by your first name and not some stage/forum handle? Good god, man. If you want to get huffy, find something worth the time to read, because this particular horse has already been beaten to death.
What I get from all your posts is that you feel you're not being 'respected'. Well, I haven't seen much to earn that respect. What I've seen is you getting all huffy over what amounts to a tempest in a teapot. I'm certain you have years of experience on the street. I'm sure you've paid your dues and earned your chops. THAT would be worth respecting if you didn't constantly act as though your fecal matter smelled like cinnamon buns.
Respect is earned, not given. Try stepping off that high horse of yours and breathing some of the same air we do.
Devious is a good guy and it's a little tiring to see you going off on him. Lay off, already.
"Magic is found neither in the mind, nor the eye; but in the heart."
http://www.christophe-magic.webs.com
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imgic
Elite user
Moved to Boulder, CO
441 Posts
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Posted: Mar 2, 2012 11:57am
Getting back to original question. In liked The trick and if fits into your Act use if. Just be aware of the good advice offered on water refills. Keep us posted if you use it and how it goes.
"Imagination is more important than knowledge."
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Mystical Matthew
Elite user
Ohio
424 Posts
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Posted: Mar 2, 2012 1:13pm
David's "Plumber's Helper" is a great trick, but I wouldn't use it for busking.
I don't want to go into to many details since this is a public forum, but I think reset would be a pain on the street.
Disclaimer: I have no experience busking, but I do own a Plumber's Helper. My opinion on it's street-worthiness is based on other stuff I've read here on the Café about busking. ;-)
-- Matthew R. Jones --
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Chance
Inner circle
1386 Posts
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Posted: Mar 2, 2012 1:18pm
Ekuth, If you objectively observe the flow of what just took place, you would see that it was Devious that responded to one of my posts, not the other way around. There's definitely some flaming going on around here, but it's not coming from my keyboard.
Using someone's proper name, um, properly, is the most basic form of respect there is. Not just here, but anywhere. But I'm sure you already knew that.
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Devious
Inner circle
CANCER SUCKS!
1692 Posts
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Posted: Mar 2, 2012 2:12pm
Pete Biro contacted me and will be on here later for some added clarity.
Devious Deceptions
Chavez School of Magic Student
Head Shot
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Dr_J_Ayala
Inner circle
In search of Vlad Dracul and his
2062 Posts
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Posted: Mar 2, 2012 3:38pm
I have posted in the thread started by Pete in another section of this forum. As I said, it is unfortunate that this knock-off is not the first time it has happened to Pete. I love the Regal version (I do not own it, but understand its workings and mechanics) and it is the only other version endorsed by Pete to my knowledge, but at any rate, it would not be well-suited for the streets. It is just too big of a prop to haul around when your focus is pack small, play big (or at least it should be). If you really had to have an effect with this theme to use on the street, the Biro version (The Plumber's Pole - available at www.stevensmagic.com) would be a better choice because of its smaller size and lighter weight; it is also easier to reset.
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Zombie Magic
Inner circle
I went out for a beer and now have
6541 Posts
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Posted: Mar 2, 2012 3:53pm
Quote:
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On 2012-03-02 05:37, Chance wrote:
My name is Chance. You wouldn't call me Steven to my face, so please don't do it here.
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Why do you think that?? Are you a violent person?
I have the impression that Devious speaks his mind and will say anything to anyone, on here or to their face. I for one value his opinions and generosity on The Café.
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