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lithis Loyal user 298 Posts |
I'm somewhat new to the world of coin magic, though I'm well-versed in magic itself. I've just gotten into coin magic (although I've always liked and collected coins) and so far I really enjoy it and it gets great reactions, because people almost always easily relate to money. I have a burning question though. Many people rave about Todd Lassen's gaffed coins. I'm sure they are very fine quality, but I can't begin to work his prices into my budget. The thing is, if I could afford his work, I don't think I'd buy it. From what I've seen, he only uses very old, sometimes rare, and usually unseen coins. In my experience, spectators always want to see these new coins as soon as you bring them out. For gaffed coins, this can hurt the routine. Granted, the coins Lassen uses are beatiful pieces, and probably create more interest in the effect, don't they just ask to be examined. Whenever I show people my coin collection, they always want to look upclose or handle them.
So, after my long-winded rant: What's the real purpose of using fancy coins for magic? While Kennedy halves or quarters may not be as asthetically pleasing, don't they allow for more room to fudge in entertaining the audience? |
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
I choose to use Todds and other folks coins both those in and out of circulation.
I use Franklins so I can do the receeding hair joke. I have one of Todds expanded Franklin shell as well as the shell within the expanded. It is a good utility piece. He also made an E.S. for Australian Penny. I like the kangaroo on the back for patter as well as the fact that I do a lot of work with International Audiences. Those coins as well as the E.S Sterling Realistic Chinese Coins I got from Ben Stone(quite a few years ago)They came from his Bobo Collection. I have two E.S. and they go along way. I also do a lot of work with coins in circulation such as Penney, nickles dimes and quarters. A muscle pass with a nickle seems to impress some magicians and scare small animals. The paying public does not respond any different to when I do it with a quarter, half or silver dollar. IMHO the props are only a vehicle and it is a personal choice on what you use. As AlbertGosman wrote and said The Magic is in YOU.(From forward to Magic by Gosh) Harris
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
Kainoa Elite user NewArk, Delaware 424 Posts |
Your comments about Kennedys are interesting Lithis, since I was just in Covent Garden in London watching street performers last weekend when a chap starts performing a really fun matrix....with Kennedy halves. I thought this was out of context, since I find English coinage so much cooler (because I'm rarely around it). But no one in the audience either grabbed for the coins or asked to look at them (and they weren't all Americans, either).
So while your rant is a good one, Harris' answer addresses what's most important with the coins anyone uses....your ability to define to the audience why you use them and control how they interact with them. Why should one work with halves at all, since some Americans still look at them as oddities or even "ancient" nowadays? Is it just for practical reasons or is about defining your props for your audience? And since I use Barbers (and own Todd's beautiful gaffs, but don't often use them, except for silly magicians....sorry Todd) I encourage the audience to look at my coins....especially after performing 3-Fly.... |
Bobcape Elite user Rapid City, SD 470 Posts |
I have some of Todd's coins as well. One set is a U.S. quarter CSB set. If you visit Todd's website, you will see several examples of "current" coin gaffs displayed. If you talk to Todd you will find that he will make most sets in any coin you would want, the cost is about the same since the labor is the same. Just another opinion.
Bob
Be Amazed! + Enjoy The Magic!
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lithis Loyal user 298 Posts |
I'm afraid that if I paid a ton for a coin set, subconsciously I'd be too careful with the coins and that would affect my performance. I'd just worry about it in the back of my mind, because that's my nature.
I think that (maybe because of my wording), you've missed my point. I just want to know if using odd coins adds enough interest to the performance to compensate for them being odd and the audience's tendency to want to see them, or if it's worth sacrificing this aesthetic appeal for common currency and thus taking heat off of the coins. |
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