On 2004-08-02 15:19, Bill Palmer wrote:
Actually, we are discussing different performing situations here, as well. Minnesotachef is performing for his friends. In this case, rikbrooks is performing for his wife. In my case, I'm performing for an audience, so I would normally be going into another routine during the time that people would be asking to examine the props. Generally, prop scrutinization slows routines down, so the presentation loses its flow, and that's not usually a good thing.

There are a couple of ways to handle "spectator examination syndrome" or SDS. One is to let a spectator hold a prop for a few moments during some part of a routine. The inference here is that since they can hold it, it must be unprepared. This can be risky, but if you watch them closely, you can manage them without too much difficulty.

A second method is the switch-out. I believe in ending routines clean. So I generally will do a switch out whenever I have a chance. I don't do "hot rod" very often any more, but I do have the item, as well as a matching switch-out rod. I'll have a very subtle, tiny, almost unnoticeable mark on both rods, positioned in such a way that the spectator will see it, and it will not interfere with the workings of the routine. When I switch the rod out, I'll put it aside -- not directly into the spectator's hands -- and let it sit in view. They see the mark, so they assume it is the same rod. If they grab it, they learn nothing. I got the idea for the mark from Nate Leipzig's routine with the cap and pence.

The closest thing to "hot rod" that I currently use is a version of the color changing knives, based on Nick Niberco's knife transposition routine. In this routine, a stag handled knife and a pearl handled knife change places, while the spectator is holding the "pearl handled knife" under a handkerchief. At the end of the routine, I wind up with the pearl handled knife, and they have the stag handled knife. When they look at the knife in the handkerchief, I have all the time in the world to switch for the ungaffed knife. I let them hold both knives for a moment before I go into my next routine.

This is very strong, because the magic happens in their hands.

On 2004-03-31 11:49, joeybaron wrote:
If the right hand is displaying the rod or gem stick palm up, which way does thumb move as hand is turned over to show other side? What are your preferences & why ?

On 2004-04-01 06:05, joeybaron wrote:
Thanks guys. While I'm at it, any suggestions for switching an examinable stick in at the end?