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Ron12589 New user 7 Posts |
I'm advising a summer camp on magic this year and thought it would be good if they could add an illusion a year to their prop inventory. I remember that Super-X wasn't that pricey a product back when and am looking for a used one. Does anyone know where I could possibly find one? I thought I've tried all the usual suspects (i.e.-Magic Auction, Tannen's, etc.). I'd like to find one within the next week the latest.
Thanks. |
Mr.Dennis New user Louisville Kentucky 81 Posts |
Try to contact Scott Carter in Louisville KY. He has a used Super X for sale.
Don't have his # but you might try a whitepages.com search. Good Luck Dennis |
freefallillusion1 Elite user Cincinnati, OH 446 Posts |
Super-X isn't that pricey, but in my opinion, it's way too good to expose at a magic camp fo kids. Honestly, most of these kids won't ever perform this in any real way, but they will have been exposed to the basic secret behind most common levitations. Please don't spoil a great illusion like the kid who built a Modern Art in his wood shop class!
Phil |
videokideo Special user 895 Posts |
I disagree.... kids should learn the basics of magic in all areas. The super x is a basic form of levitation. Although it might use a typical principal, if the newer levitations are built right and performed correctly, the kids will still be clueless even after seeing a super x.
Take Copperfields water levitation, or zaney blaney. Kids wont get it even after exposure. But it is good for kids to see how basic an illuion can be, yet still make the audience believe. An appearance, disappearance, destruction of assistant (sawing, mismaid) and a levitation are good starts to helping them understand that most illusions are simple, and its the performance that makes the magic. I get where you are coming from freefall... but think this is good for the kids. With the internet, they are going to get the info anyway, so it may as well be presented with reasoning. There was a nice super x on ebay last week. You might even think about the simple flying carpet. |
freefallillusion1 Elite user Cincinnati, OH 446 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-06-23 14:41, videokideo wrote: Why teach them something they'll never realisitically use? I have taught many magic camps myself. I teach the kids good material, and done right, it's all a fooler. BUT- it all falls into the category of what the kids will actually be able to do. It is pointless to teach the kids large illusions that they will never be able to actually perform (unless they live in Vegas with a rich dad and access to a theater, in which case...). Isn't this needlessly exposing the secret? As for the newer levitations still being a fooler, I say no way. Any time one of these kids sees the typical "magician standing behind the floating lady" picture, they'll know exactly how it's done once they understand the Super-X principal. As for teaching them large illusions to show them that "it's all about presentation", can't this be taught with a basic card force? There are a lot of self-working tricks out there that don't involve exposing a staple of grand illusion. Please, understand that I'm not trying to be inflammatory here. It just seems that there is still too much needless exposure going on these days. I'm not refering to teaching, which I think is great, but needless exposure. Even though it will likely continue, we can all choose not to be a part of it. Phil |
Ron12589 New user 7 Posts |
Freefall,
I see your point, but imagine my dismay when I heard they already have invisible thread and a knock off of Blackstone's floating lightbulb. (I think there were a couple more effects I thought beyond a low level theatrical class too.) The camp though does want to bump up their magic department and the program is graded across Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced and this addition would fall within the "Advanced" restriction. So it wouldn't be a widespread exposure and only limited to probably less than half a dozen campers. Besides, Super-X is older than the hills. I remember ads for it when McBride was hanging around the magic shop in Middletown, NY, so its old. lol And just maybe a fresh group of kids looking at it can come up with a new angle on the presentation. Who knows. So personally I've done the soul searching and don't consider it a major exposure risk. As Harry Blackstone, Jr. said to me, "One person knowing the secret is tantamount to everyone in the world knowing it." Dennis, I'll have to check up with Scott. VideoKideo, How did I miss the ebay one? What section or search string should I be using? All I keep coming up with is those *** levs mimicing David Blaine's lev. Thanks all! Will be in touch. |
videokideo Special user 895 Posts |
Search STAGE ILLUSION or MAGIC ILLUSION. Make it broad like that and don't focus on the exact name as many don't know how to name illusions properly. I found that one searching Stage Illusion.
For mentalism I just type in MENTALISM. |
jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
A good way to teach a summer camp OR a college class is to have a show as the lesson plan. The students learn every aspect of the show including blocking staging music selection and each takes turns as the performer. The end result is when the parents see a live performance at the end of the camp and everyone involved performs and works behind the scenes.
I like to think of the program as THEATRE. Therefore "Form Follows Function" and the tricks that are taught are selected because they are part of the show. Just my 2 cents worth. I've taught many a class at a community college as a non-credit summer class and the parents love the show at the end of the season. They are also amazed that their child can understand and perform so many different skills necessary to put on a real show.
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
Ron12589 New user 7 Posts |
Jay,
That's pretty much how the program is set up since there is a "parents' show" at the end of camp. To clarify, "I'm" not doing the teaching. Actually, my daughter, who has performed since the age of five - albeit off and on, is conducting the course. When I did similar courses, I would teach with every day objects (George Schindler loves me - lol) that anyone has so that the attendees can always have a "prop" available to them. Besides, the most powerful magic is that done with "ordinary" objects which spectators can hold and examine in thier own hands. Unfortunately, this camp has a different philosophy so the modified course my daughter and I designed mixs some of the items they already have with everyday objects. There's even a couple tricks which they already have props for, but can be accoplished with everyday objects which both will be presented so they get a feel for the difference. The camp is PREDOMINATELY a "theatrical" including music, drama/theater, and even circus. The magic department is something they started last year and want to develop. There is another theatrical camp closer to us which has an even more extensive magic department (prop wise) than the one my daughter is at. So I'm trying to get them to come up somewhat on an equal status with it. So your points are well taken and have already been incorporated. Videokideo, Thanks again. |
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