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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Maybe not the laziest attempt at producing magic products, but this has to rank up near the top of that list.
http://www.magictrickstore.com/silkcola-chips-p-35182.html
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
AGMagic Special user Cailf. 775 Posts |
Agreed, but the silks ARE included. I wonder if the price reflects the medical costs incurred after eating all those Pringles.
Tim Silver - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Magic-Woodshop/122578214436546
I know you believe you understand what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant. Visualize Whirled Peas! |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
I see this answers those guys who only want everyday objects to perform their magic tricks. This is a good trick for the Flash Silk Vanishing Wand.
Great free advertising for Coke and Pringles as well. Nothing like doing a commercial for free. LOL |
makeupguy Inner circle 1411 Posts |
I get the idea.. but why not use a plastic coke bottle... and where does the silk fit in... and how do you justify it.
If you're going to justify the Pringles and the Coke bottle by "using" them at the beginning of the routine.. (and who is REALLY going to use this as an "opener?"... then you have to justify the silk as well. This is a perfect example of someone NOT thinking a routine through. Does it come with the gimmicked cap? the CAP was an important part of the whole original SILKOLA routine. To do it without the cap is inviting an explanation. This might be nice at a party as a one off trick.. where it can look like it's impromtu (and there are FAR better effects to do this).. but to use in a show? How many other guests at the part will be drinking out of glass Coke Bottles? Unless you do it purely presentationally... it doesn't make a whole lot of sense. There's a FAR better coke bottle trick on the market.. done with REAL plastic coke bottles... (hint hint: http://www.wack-o-magic.com) |
SpellbinderEntertainment Inner circle West Coast 3519 Posts |
But, where's the video? How do we know what it is without a video? How can we justify the money without a video? This has to be a new method right? What color silk is included? Can you use any soda and chip can? Can it be examined? Can it work without a spectator to help? Is it angle proof? And where is a demo video, no one buys magic without a video anymore..
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Chance Inner circle 1385 Posts |
Let's see now...
Coke bottle: $1.25 and I got to dring the soda. Pringles can: $2.20, annnnd I got to eat the chips. Silk: Got that already. 6" dowel rod & glue: .75. Yep, that's worth 27 bucks plus shipping. [forehead slap] Man, am I ever in the wrong business. I actually work for a living.... |
IDOTRIX Elite user Darien,il 467 Posts |
I think it is better then the original for common props. I agree Michael that you need to put a cap on the bottle. Silk could be a napkin to wipe you mouth. I have the original that I don't use because of the canister looks like nothing I can come up with an explanation for.
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Ok, I get it about the "normal" prop thing. In general though, I consider that arguement a load of crap. Magic shows are fantasy. It's ok to color outside the lines!! In a close-up show, magic with objects common and likely at hand makes sense. There is every opportunity in the world to put across the idea that this is an impromptu situation (unless a more formal show is being promoted). But for a parlour or stage show, that is not the case. Any stage presentation is a contrived effort. Impromptu stage shows just do not happen. The use of items that can be found in the trash, or that you apparently walk in with while finishing your lunch is a bum's approach.
Regarding this current product, years ago I worked at a magic shop that manufactured a number of things. Silkola was one of them, and we actually supplied several other dealers with them. As everyone here probably knows, these early versions were made from Pringles cans, but ours were finished with heavy metallic foils with nice embossed designs in a variety of colors. The tops were finished with brass fittings that made it look nice. The bottles had the "special" cap, which as Michael noted, is essential to the effect. Granted, it was an unusual prop, but still a classy looking offering. There have been spun metal versions, too. It is justified as being a cover, even if manufactured for a specified purpose. Not everything a magician uses needs to "belong" to some other purpose in the world. I don't agree that a plastic bottle would be better. Those small glass Coke bottles are readily available at any decent grocery store. Even though plastic is more common these days, you'd have to live under a rock to not understand a plain glass bottle. At the time we made ours, glass was the standard. Plastic bottles were the odd boys in the neighborhood. At that time, they would have been suspect. That is not a shortcoming of the current offering, in my opinion. All in all, I think glass seems less penetrable. It is easy to understand that plastic can be breached more easily... or the perception is of such. If you try to go through glass, it breaks... another fact that anyone can comprehend. Anyway, the point I was making regarding the current Pringle can version, I found myself shaking my head in disbelief that so little effort was being made to put this product on the market. One huge mistake in this version is this... The old version kept the bottle upright, and the cover (also upright) was placed over it. In this version, it would require you to turn the can upside down. But rather than do that, they have you turn the bottle upside down before placing it mouth first into the can. Why??? I mean either way (can or bottle upside down) is odd. The logical way would be to simply put the bottle into the can, both upright... but then the trick would not work, would it? I can only suspect that their presentation keeps things from falling out of the can prematurely. It is also the only way to get the bottle all the way to the bottom of the can. I'm sure this is critical with their version. This means they don't know how to build or work these things, as that issue is easily managed if you know how. This is so close to being a DIY magic trick, that the whole idea could have been published in a magazine, because as Chance pointed out, anyone could put this together for a couple dollars... less if they know how to root through the trash. Instead, this kind of effort is just an indication of someone trying to make money by selling NOTHING... a cheap inferior version of a good trick.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
Full Effect Steve New user NJ 82 Posts |
I actually used this version in my birthday show for about 2-3 years several years ago. At the end as a kicker I would switch the can and when it was opened the can was a full can of Pringles. I always had a great response from performing this routine but like everything we do it is the presentation. I do agree that the Original Silkola has a lot of better workings including the cap and not having to put the bottle in upside down but for a children's party or other type of "family style event" you can get a great reaction out of this version. Audiences don't think like magicians so sometimes things that we look at and think that it is obvious or not the best way to approach a trick is not seen from the audiences standpoint. To them, it was a can or pringles and a soda bottle, two things that they were use to seeing esepcially at a party. I stopped using it because the Pringles Can constantly changes and to do the ending where I would switch the can for a full can would require me to remove the gimmick every 6 months and put it into a "new" style Pringles can. Looking back at it now I guess I could have just always refilled the old "switch" can but I never thought of that when I was performing it! I also have to agree that $29.00 is a high price for this item. I bought 2 sets on clearance from Hocus-Pocus years ago and paid less than $29.00 for the 2 sets.
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SpellbinderEntertainment Inner circle West Coast 3519 Posts |
Hi Michael, I rarely disagree with you, but have to on your "ordinary object" thought.
For many parlor/stage magicians "fantasy" props work find, especially if they have the quality and beauty of yours, as opposed to garish colors and badly silk screened devils. I my particular shows, which are Theatrical/Story in style, and like many "bizarre" magicians having either everyday or theatrically "explainable" and logical props are a necessity. These days I am more likely to buy props at an antique store or flea market than a magic shop, with very rare exceptions. I fully agree that tacky, poorly made, badly designed, lame props for high prices are pretty inexcusable. Magically, Walt |
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-05-27 15:33, SpellbinderEntertainment wrote: Hi Walt, Thanks for your input here! Let's stir the pot a bit, shall we? I don't think we are actually as far apart here as may seem on the surface. Admittedly, I went on a rant about this thing, but reading back over what I said, it's clear to me that I failed to make some distinction, and that I recognize some ambiguity that would lead one to take your position. Chalk that up to me being up all night (shouldn't post when I'm tired) I am not claiming the superiority of using ANY magic store prop (we both recognize the fact that much of that is crap, too). As well, I recognize the logical choice of everyday objects being used in the course of any show that would merit that. For the record, I have used a plain-looking Pringles can, and a Coke bottle to perform this very trick. But when I did so, it was in the course of an Earth Day presentation (Reduce, Re-use, Recycle) in which I was explaining how everything in my show was made from re-purposed things that normally would be tossed in the trash. There was a reason for the usage of such props. They were visual aids for the message. To more clarify my point, my complaint is not against the use of any prop that represents the magician and his show with a certain level of dignity befitting a representative of the art of magic... even if that means using trash. I think Steve Trash is a genius. I recall another magician character that presented himself as a hobo (or a homeless person if that more PC), and created magic with "found" things within his environment. Both are beautifully original acts that I applaud. I doubt that the makers/sellers of this bare bones Pringle can trick intend that to be goal of the target customer's magic show. Instead, it will likely be purchased by many who will use it in the context of a show that smacks of unprofessionalism. In such a case, a trick like this will serve only to amplify that. I think you know as well as I do that it will most likely become part of disjointed programs, and will serve to make the magician look like he has no respect for his audience. If you paid to watch a professional speaker and he entered the stage finishing his lunch, what would you think? To me, the word "tacky" comes to mind. Read the ad for the trick and the presentation suggestion given. More so, I am discouraged by the fact that some magic prop seller decided to sell such a prop... especially at the price being asked. Maybe we can expect mirror boxes to next be made from cardboard boxes, because they will be cheaper to produce, and will line the pockets of the dealer. Oh, never mind... they already have those! But, at least they had the decency to print a big dragon on the box!! I'm happy now... my meds just kicked in... ~michael
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
makeupguy Inner circle 1411 Posts |
Now we need to hear from the guy that builds his stuff out of 99cent store items, PVC and cardboard and duct tape....
because we know THAT makes for especially well built and good looking magic. PS.. Mr. Baker.. I mostly agree with you. Walt: I think your first post was hysterical... |
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-05-27 17:41, makeupguy wrote: I tend to think that the duct tape, PVC magic actually serves a purpose. First, it teaches the magician to be self sufficient. Not everyone will go this route, but the DIY guys can find some useful info here. It seems that many of the "students" of that teacher are kids who are learning how to be creative and resourceful. There is a bigger picture here than the individual props themselves. The world actually needs more of that. Those who purchase these offerings online, regardless of their age, are most likely beginner to intermediate students of magic, looking to expand their knowledge of how things work. If they go on to make the props for use in a show, I'm sure it serves the purpose of their intent. A professional magician would, I suspect, severely upgrade such ideas so that the props at least did not present themselves to the audience as what they actually are. Durability is a relative term. I have made plenty of things (still do) that were intended to last for the duration of the show(s) they were planned for. But, unless closely inspected, they didn't look like the materials used. Think about scenery flats for a play for an example of this line of thinking. I make some pretty nice stuff now, as do you Michael, and I know I would have loved to have encountered such a resource when I was first learning to make my own magic. I would have been even busier than I was! I think the big difference is that he doesn't sell these items as ready made props, but rather he sells the instructions for making them yourself. ~michael
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
magicians Inner circle Teacher and Legend 2898 Posts |
My version (no can required), 4 stars in Genii 1980
Pepsilkola http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huz64a96H5M
Illusionist, Illusionist consulting, product development, stage consultant, seasoned performer for over 35 years. Specializing in original effects. Highly opinionated, usually correct, and not afraid of jealous critics. I've been a puppet, a pirate, a pawn and a King. Free lance gynecologist.
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SpellbinderEntertainment Inner circle West Coast 3519 Posts |
Michael Wrote:
"For the record, I have used a plain-looking Pringles can, and a Coke bottle to perform this very trick. But when I did so, it was in the course of an Earth Day presentation (Reduce, Re-use, Recycle) in which I was explaining how everything in my show was made from re-purposed things that normally would be tossed in the trash. There was a reason for the usage of such props. They were visual aids for the message." -------------- Now, this is the brilliant Michael I know and love. Yes, it's about context, and your context and premise were perfect using "re-purposed" items for Earth Day. That is the level of thought and creativity every magician should give to every effect used in every show, if it is an everyday object, an antique, or a well crafted Okito box. Bravo. I'm touchy on the topic as that's what about 100 pages of my 275 page books is about... magic that has, not everyday logic, but a "magical logic" that has to do with consistency of thought and style, solid premise, focused purpose, and an original persona that pulls all those facets together to make theatrical sense. This is why Wack-o-Magic Michael's new company put out a duck bucket that's a trash can for re-cycle magic, real full coke bottles that can be handed to the participant after the Topsy-Turvy routine, and a wonderful Frankenstein's Monster version of Strat-O-Spheres that brings purpose and logic to the old trick along with a powerful audience appeal and charm. As you know Michael I love your Vampire Block, but that's because it's a lovely well made prop, and I have a flawless story about the legend of Vampires and President Warren G. Harding. So we all agree, more or less, that's so good! Magically, Walt |
Chance Inner circle 1385 Posts |
As a kid starting out in magic I made my own stuff out of round oatmeal tubes and cut up cereal boxes, plus lots of Elmers, tape and even rubber bands. Worked like a charm. Great memories. But even then I had enough sense to know to make the stuff look custom, with nice paint jobs, etc. If as a ten-year-old I knew enough to not have props that looked as thought they were just removed from a trash can, why would I ever do so now?
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makeupguy Inner circle 1411 Posts |
The newest and more correct than most version of this is finally out!
I'm going to have another contest.. pick a number between 1 and 20.. the first person to get it right gets a HUGE discount on this prop!! Contest ends Oct 31st. |
Harry Murphy Inner circle Maryland 5444 Posts |
I'll play my number is: 17 LOL!!
The artist formally known as Mumblepeas!
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stempleton Inner circle 1443 Posts |
18....you're off by one, Harry.
Unless, of course, the choices are 1 AND 20, as can be interpreted in the phrasing, ie, your choice is between (the numbers of) 1 and 20. Inconceiveable! Ok, maybe I'm TOO big a fan of "The Princess Bride." |
Harry Murphy Inner circle Maryland 5444 Posts |
One can never be too big a fan of "the Princess Bride"!
The artist formally known as Mumblepeas!
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