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Cameron Francis V.I.P. 7025 Posts |
For all of you assembly fans, I've got a couple on sale on my site right now. Site's in my profile.
I agree that in order for an assembly to have impact on a lay audience, you've got to make it interesting at the end. All of the assemblies I've come up with are, I think, pretty interesting in that they end with a surprise.
MOMENT'S NOTICE LIVE 3 - Six impromptu card tricks! Out now! http://cameronfrancismagic.com/moments-notice-live-3.html
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crestfallenLyric Veteran user 307 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-03-04 12:15, S2000magician wrote: I was about to say the same thing! Bannon expressed similar distaste in ace assemblies, and is the reason Bullet Train is so great.
"It is better for a man to honor his profession, than to be honored by it." - Robert-Houdin
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dpe666 Inner circle 2895 Posts |
Here is my version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AryIjKA6oL8
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Chris Westfall Loyal user Toronto, Canada 252 Posts |
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On 2010-07-12 17:28, mtstic44 wrote: although there are many versions, macdonalds aces is amazing! its the classic and it kills I suggest you fry your friends with it first. if you search there are ways to sneak the gaffs out and real in so that its macdonald aces and examinable |
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Cameron Francis V.I.P. 7025 Posts |
Bullet Train is great. He's got a couple of new assemblies on the Bullet Party dvd set that are terrific as well.
MOMENT'S NOTICE LIVE 3 - Six impromptu card tricks! Out now! http://cameronfrancismagic.com/moments-notice-live-3.html
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purre91 New user 8 Posts |
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On 2010-07-12 17:28, mtstic44 wrote: I saw when bill Malone did this trick not sure if it was gaffed deck to. |
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Paul Inner circle A good lecturer at your service! 4409 Posts |
Assemblies play strongly BECAUSE of their repeat nature. They become challenge type effects, because most spectators think if you repeat an effect they will be able to figure it out, and yet despite their watching closely and you performing it slowly and cleanly, they cannot.
Parts of the routine can be accomplished in the spectators hands (an example might be Patrick Page's handling for MacDonald's Aces, see "Pages From Patrick's Notebook" or my Jazz Aces variant in "Still Small, Still Deadly" within the chapter on that plot). But there are plenty of assemblies with unexpected endings, whether it be reverse assemblies, progressive assemblies or routines like Max Maven's "Jumping Bean Aces" from "Focus" ( a fave in recent years)I've always found assembly routines play very well for lay people. Paul. |
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NicholasD Inner circle 1458 Posts |
I've performed MacDonald Ace very often for over 35 years and I have agonized over the idea that spectators conclude ahead of time where the aces will end up. I do three things. I ring in the gimmicks in a previous effect. Each vanish seems more amazing than the last ( I think this keeps them interested in how that next one will vanish and less interested in where they'll end up ). And finally, I always pick up the Ace packet myself ( too perfect theory ).
There will still be those who get caught up in where they'll end up, but I don't think it detracts from the mystery of how. |
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Steven Keyl Inner circle Washington, D.C. 2630 Posts |
I've always been partial to progressive assemblies where each ace is shown in the leader packet after each vanish. To me, it becomes increasingly impressive, even to laypeople.
Of course, I also agree with David Penn from WPR that ace assemblies may not be just for magicians but they are definitely reserved for what he calls "a pipe and slippers moment." When you can put on a smoking jacket and retire to the study and show someone some magic in a quiet and reserved setting. His description seems apt. In any event, here is an assembly that I've worked up that follows this general thought process and incorporates it into the scripting. http://vimeo.com/stevenkeyl/stars-of-magic-ace-assembly
Steven Keyl - The Human Whisperer!
B2B Magazine Test! Best impromptu progressive Ace Assembly ever! "If you ever find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause, and reflect." --Mark Twain |
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Sean Macfarlane Special user 880 Posts |
I really enjoyed that Steven. Thanks!
Sean |
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Andrew Zuber Inner circle Los Angeles, CA 3014 Posts |
My only issue with MacDonald's Aces, and it seems others agree, is the predictability of the ending. I LOVE the trick and have worked on my own variation of it for years. I also love assemblies in general and have had a great time with David Regal's 'Red Streamlined Convertible.' However, the reason I don't perform MacDonald's Aces in the most basic way as that setting the "leader packet" aside, or however you refer to it, instantly indicates that everything will wind up there once the first ace has vanished. Yes it's magical to see them go, and it builds with each vanish, but I feel that the standard ending just falls flat, at least for me, because it's so obvious. It's like watching a movie and being able to predict the ending almost from the beginning.
Perhaps he'll chime in here, as it's something I've always been curious about, but John Mendoza often mentions that he doesn't want the audience to get ahead of him, and if they do, he wants them to be going in the wrong direction, yet his MacDonald's Aces routine basically follows the standard premise, and to me it's one of the easiest outcomes to predict in magic. It could be that Mendoza simply believes in the strength of the trick that much, and doesn't feel it needs the kicker ending. I'm sure there are other versions like this out there, but in the one I've come up with the aces reappear back in the deck of cards. The fourth pile is more of a bluff...I lead them down the road, thinking that's where they'll be, but that doesn't turn out to be the case. It's one of my favorite routines to perform, and I use the gaffs for it. It's such a strong effect that way.
"I'm sorry - if you were right, I would agree with you." -Robin Williams, Awakenings
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*Mark Lewis* V.I.P. 1325 Posts |
For some reason I feel duty bound to give this trick's inventor his due. Regrettably it has always been known as MacDonald's Aces but it really had nothing to do with MacDonald at all except that he used to do it all the time and it was described by Lewis Ganson in one of Vernon's card books as "MacDonald's $100 Routine"
Alas for MacDonald the trick was published and performed 100 years before he was born. The correct title is "Power of Faith" and it was invented by J.N. Hofzinser. |
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Paul Inner circle A good lecturer at your service! 4409 Posts |
Andrew said; "However, the reason I don't perform MacDonald's Aces in the most basic way as that setting the "leader packet" aside, or however you refer to it, instantly indicates that everything will wind up there once the first ace has vanished. "
A simple solution is simply not to place a leader pile to ome side, simply work along the row. WE know what's coming, but there's no reason spectators do because surely it's more logical that you are making each disappear in turn (as happens in Collins's Aces for example). Presentationally making a challenge of it as Nash does in his ungaffed version, wherein he tries to duplicate the effect) is also good. The spectator places her hand over one pile and you are attempting to place a card under, and take one away without her feeling a thing. Rottenegg, whilst this particular version has become associated with Macdonald I'm sure he never claimed it. It was his handling that was associated with it (a one handed placing down of the cards) and marketed at one time, though now it seems all handlings using the gaffs get referred to as MacDonald's and are even sold that way with different handlings. That the basic method is Hofzinser's is no surprise and "Power of Faith" sounds a much better title. Look forward to more of your posts. Paul. |
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*Mark Lewis* V.I.P. 1325 Posts |
Oh, I think Paul is correct. I think MacDonald was dead and gone before his name became associated with the trick. He did do it with one hand but Ganson did not describe this method on the assumption that most of his readers had two hands.
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Paul Inner circle A good lecturer at your service! 4409 Posts |
The handling I associated with MacDonald for the ace vanishes (that I came across attributed to Mac years back) can ALSO be found in Tarbell Vol.5 p.146 which is just headed "The Conjurer's Four Ace Mystery" where Tarbell comments "This method has been quite popular".
Perhaps some thought the one handed handling of the ace packets seemed to eliminate the possibility of sleights, personally, I never liked it and there are far better vanishes. Ganson probably thought it sucked too . |
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Uli Weigel Inner circle Berlin, Germany 1478 Posts |
Here's the bare bones of a presentation to avoid foreshadowing of the climax. Of course, this presentation doesn't guarantee, that nobody can foresee the climax.
Make it clear from the beginning, that your goal is to make ALL the aces DISAPPEAR from their packets. Also point out, that it will be more difficult each time. The first ace disappears using any method. The second ace disappears while being face up in the face down packet. The third ace disappears, notwithstanding the fact that it is outjogged and the spectator even touches it. The final ace disappears, although the packet was in the spectator's pocket all the time (under her hand, in the card box, or whatever). But wait, it's still there along with the other three aces. |
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*Mark Lewis* V.I.P. 1325 Posts |
Incidentally you can double the reaction by getting the spectator to put their hand on the ace pile before you start the vanishing. It is a very powerful addition to do this.
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Andy Moss Special user 713 Posts |
The use of colour in an ace assembly helps to increase visual impact for the audience. Until recently I was using the standard gaffed card approach to the classic 'MacDonald's Aces' but took the time to learn 'Picasso Aces' by Phil Goldstein. I am glad I did.Using sleight of hand makes the effect more interesting to perform for me and the differently coloured aces strengthen the effect.
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Paul Inner circle A good lecturer at your service! 4409 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-05-28 13:34, Andy Moss wrote: But then it's no longer what we think of as MacDonald's Aces/Power of Faith. The advantage over most other ace assemblies is that the aces are face up on the table before other cards are added so are seen up until the last moment. Odd coloured backs also supposedly clarify the aces are where they are supposed to be, but also means extra cards. Yes, it can be presentationally justified (and I've used Picasso Aces myself in the past)but if the 'effect' is to make the four aces assemble why do you really need four other aces? J. K. Hartman for one, has some ungaffed assemblies where the aces start face up on the table, and recently John Bannon has been sharing some neat ace assemblies. Personally these days I rarely use this routine or Picasso Aces preferring assemblies I can get into with any deck. For a 'MacDonald" type routine I carry something like "Monster Mash" in a pocket then it doesn't interfere with my deck use. Picasso Aces clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPtd41cG5ps Monster Mash clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kn4_u-HhQ4E Paul. |
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Jonathan Townsend Eternal Order Ossining, NY 27297 Posts |
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On 2011-05-25 12:56, Uli Weigel wrote: Uli - do you go the deck to look for the aces as if they should appear face up in the center or on top before you show what's in the packet they've had their hand on? Similarly do you use court cards as in the original (Hofzinser) and let them pick their King (how unusual indeed to be able to choose one's King ? Okay... was that approach inspired by Jerry Deutsch? he's a big fan of tricks not quite turning out as expected.
...to all the coins I've dropped here
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