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Bill Hilly Elite user 449 Posts |
I've been searching the Café on the subject but so far what I'm coming up with hasn't answered the question: Which is better / gets a better response / etc.
The premise: A story/lesson for kids from 9 to 12 years old about a dangerous or unknown situation that could turn dangerous. So the routine won't be for comedy but it won't be a "watch us try to cut off Billy's arm type of thing either. It'll be a serious story with a lesson that Billy learned and applied to avoid the danger. I hope that makes sense. I'm wondering whether to use the disecto (with carrots in the wholes) or the chopper with the hand falling into the bag. Any thoughts? Thanks, Beano |
jimhlou Inner circle 3698 Posts |
I have the French Chopper and have used it with much success. To me, the Disecto just doesn't cut it.
Jim |
Matthew W Inner circle New York 2456 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-10-03 17:38, jimhlou wrote: Neither does the French Arm Chopper. If they did, it wouldn't be magic.
-Matt
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Bill Hilly Elite user 449 Posts |
Ha! Good one.
Thanks for the comment Jim. I personally like the look or idea of the chopper better but was also concerned that the subject would trip it too early. I expanded my search a little and found where Bill Palmer came up with a solution to that. The thing I like about the Disecto is the carrots. But maybe I'm putting too much stock into that. When working out new stuff, of course I have to like the idea, but I try not to get so wrapped up in my liking a particular effect, song, or whatever and use what works best for the segment and the show as a whole. Thanks, Beano |
Red Shadow Inner circle 1788 Posts |
I use the French Chopper. I was lucky enough to find a model that can cut modelling balloons. I have had to rebuild and repair it several times, but all my replacement models couldn't cut through balloons, only carrots. Some of them even broke on attempting it.
If you can find a model that cuts through balloons, its make the effect a lot easier to use, and the bang really adds to the effect. Dissecto is too scary for both kids and adults. The french chopper is as far as I am willing to go on that type of effect. |
Bob1Dog Inner circle Wife: It's me or this houseful of 1159 Posts |
Hey Beano, try this, it works for me and may help your danger story....
Go through the DiSecto finger chopper routine; illustrate how the finger chopper can cut a carrot, but not your finger.....play that up..... Then introduce the finger chopper's big brother, the wrist chopper; "hey boys and girls, it works just like the finger chopper but has a different mechanism in it....you really have to be careful on how you set it up, you know, it could be dangerous......" Go through the wrist chopper routine set up, put a fake hand in the bag, then get an assistant to do the deed on your wrist....or do it yourself...either way the expected penetration is not what it's supposed to be, and for one very split second or two or three, you've chopped your hand off, only to reach in the bag and throw the fake hand up in the air......ending it however you want with your story line..... As a prelude to all this you might give a little discussion on the illusionary aspects of magic and that the magician only creates illusions....not real events because the severing of the hand can be quite dramatic. I performed this once with a little girl in the audience about 5 years old (I didn't know she would be there) and she actually started crying.....So be careful, but it can be a great combination of Disecto and Wrist chopper.....have fun and be creative, they're a great combo. Best, Bob
What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?
My neighbor rang my doorbell at 2:30 a.m. this morning, can you believe that, 2:30 a.m.!? Lucky for him I was still up playing my drums. |
Christopher Lyle Inner circle Dallas, Texas 5698 Posts |
The BEST one on the market (if you can afford it) is Choppo by Jimmy Fingers. You should invest in that!
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius For a Good Time...CLICK HERE! |
Julie Inner circle 3936 Posts |
Hello Beano
BOTH are good-- the Disecto seems to be more "magical"-- BUT you need to be very careful to secure the helper from the audience's arm properly to assure you don't really cut him/her! Julie |
randyburtis Inner circle 1256 Posts |
I like disecto better(with the caution to watch their arm so it doesn't get hurt). The benefit of French Arm chopper is you can have someone do it on you, which is a nice twist
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61magic Special user Sacramento California 775 Posts |
Beano go with the Disecto, I've used the French Arm Chopper for kid shows before and kids pick up on the fact the hand falls off but is still on the end of the arm when the person moves.
Kids can be a hard audience and they are more logical than we give them credit for. Disecto is a pass through type of cutting and kids seem to find it more logically complete.
Professor J. P. Fawkes
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Eldon Inner circle Virden, IL 1137 Posts |
One more vote for the Disecto.
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REV BILL Special user Glen Burnie Maryland 799 Posts |
I love the idea of a danger trick but I don't want to create a problem if young children are present. What do you think of this idea? Use an older child, say 12 or older. Better yet a teen. Go thru the whole routine;bits of business etc.Mine is a info commercial for a food chopper with a safety mechanism that the blade knows the difference between cold veggies and warm flesh. Build it up to the end... then say,"Look Even I can do it". Then put your own hand in for the penetration. 'Thanks for volunteering but we are out of time. Give him a big hand since he thought he would lose his own".
Specializing in Family Entertainment,Gospel,Comedy and Educational programs for over 30 years.(Order of Merlin)
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
I have had those props on my think list for quite a while.
My take would be to use it as part of a sock puppet routine. This idea has been gelling for many years, since I read about a performer from the past who used it in his programs. (can't remember the person's name) Can either of these be used by a "one armed" performer? Harris (who would give up his right arm, for the puppet to get the power, and jokes....they get the laughs, I keep the dough....)
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
Michael Taggert Special user Fredericksburg Virginia 656 Posts |
The most amazing kitchen device ever invented its the DISECTO!
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Bill Hilly Elite user 449 Posts |
There are some great thoughts here!
My routine is pretty well set but I see some good ideas I may incorporate. I was looking for how your audiences (elementary grades 3-6) react to the effects themselves. I know the particular routine has a lot to do with reactions, but for general purposes do they "like" seeing one over the other? Thanks all, I appreciate ya, Beano |
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