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RSD Special user Toronto, Ontario 534 Posts |
So your doing the world famous broom suspension? You hypnotize your subject and lift into the air. You want to walk away from her but no matter what you do you don't hear that ever so wondeful lock clicking noise. Time grows, the audience supects something has gone worng. The lock noise still won't come. What do you do? What's your back-up? How do you cover up?
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rtgreen Inner circle Portland, Oregon 1322 Posts |
I'm not sure how you would cover it. It's very difficult when a mechanical problem happens. You really depend on things working correctly, but problems do happen. I think the solution is to act confidently. End the routine as quickly as possible and move on. Don't make an issue of it. People will probably remember something went wrong, but it won't be the focus of their memories unless you allow it to become the focus of your's.
I remember seeing a magician have the exact opposite problem. He couldn't get the assistant down. He struggled a bit, looked very worried, briefly considered (You could see it in his eyes) just leaving her up there for the rest of the show. Finally, he just lowered the whole thing down and his assistant walked off with the broom sticking out of her side. To give credit to the assistant, she did a very good job of keeping her dignity during the whole thing, but the magician contintued to mention it through the rest of the show. That was probably 15 years ago and I still remember it vividly. I don't remember the details of the assistant's reactions, I don't remember anything else about the show, but I remember the magician struggling very clearly. I think if he would have just gotten out of it quickly and acted as if it never happened I would probably not talking about it today. |
The Mirror Images Inner circle Michigan/USA 1980 Posts |
Maybe you can make a joke out of it saying she forgot to shave her arm-pits and the hair got tangled in with the broom. Yeah it is cornie.
I saw Kerby Vanburch doing his Road Kill Café illusion. Some what like graphity wall from DC. Well anyways when the drop was made it was missed and fell plan as day to the floor. No one really payed any attention cause Kirby stopped the illusion right there like he was just told in his ear that they are having some technical difficulties and they need to shoot the curtains to fix some stuff that way the show keeps going on. Great cover up from Kirby. Hope things work out better now. Michael
Steven and Michael, The Mirror Images
The MOST Identical Twin Illusionist http://www.themirrorimages.com Check out our latest new effect - Liquid Steel NEW - MotoBox NEW - MotoMation NEW - Voyager |
MCM Elite user Minnesota 456 Posts |
Is there a suspension (with broom/rod/etc. under the armpit) where the assistant rises up on their own?
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NFox Inner circle I Do Mentalism Now?! 1101 Posts |
I know one was designed.iI is featured in one of Paul Osborne's illusion books. As for it actually being built, I haven't a clue.
Nick Fox |
rtgreen Inner circle Portland, Oregon 1322 Posts |
There is also the old classic of the magician levitating off the floor while holding onto a staff.
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David Charvet Special user www.charvetmagic.com 501 Posts |
Having performed the illusion regularly for several years (microphone stand suspension) I never failed to hear the all-important "click" - however if I hadn't, I would have simply lowered her down and made the "hanging by one arm on a microphone stand" good enough. Never forget - the audience has no idea what you are going to do. So, unless you panic, they should be none the wiser (although they may wonder what the point of the illusion was supposed to be.)
My prop was built by Bill Smith and never failed. I have never heard of any problems with Gossamer's harness, either. |
paulajayne Inner circle London England 1160 Posts |
Hi
If stuck when levitated - just pick her up off the broom and finish. Paula
Paula Jay - Magic to Remember -
--------------------------------- I once wrote a book on elephants, I think paper would have been better. ---- |
ricker Special user Tampa, FL 914 Posts |
What about having her lift her legs behind her and do a 'hanging by one arm floating'? At least she's off the ground.
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MarkTripp Special user Michigan 618 Posts |
One of the Osborne books, (#4 I think, I am in that one too), tells you how to clean the ratchet to avoid this problem.
If it doesn't "click", you punt... Over the years I have seen people fall off of sword and broom suspensions. A far worse place to be. Tell the audience you are unable to get the focus to do that trick. Tell them the girl is sick, go on to something else and forget about it. However, this is why a show like an illusion show, every prop needs to be pre-show checked to avoid the problem and why you need to select things that never fail and buy them from makers who know exactly what they are doing. |
GuySavoie Loyal user Tampa, FL 242 Posts |
Mark -
You're right, as is often the case. I was a spectator at a Copperfield show a few years back when his "Passion's Prisoner" illusion went goofy. That's the illusion where he has a blonde in white tie his hands inside a "cocoon," it is lifted off the platform, and he does the Pendragon hourglass cloth handling for an instant substitution illusion. Well, on this night, the cocoon was wobbling to one side while she was wrapping his hands - it looked to be off the proper alignment on the platform. I can only guess there were issues inside when starting the method. Within about 3 seconds, he busted the cocoon open, and jumped down - he called for the curtain to close right away. As it was closing, he said "I'm sorry, that trick doesn't seem to be working well right now, and we'll get it fixed so we can do it later in the show." He then hopped over to the light tower on his left and grabbed his Jumbo B'Wave card effect that was waiting there all show. That's right, shudder, he was fully prepared for a mechanical failure! By the time he finished with B'Wave, the backstage crew had the big prop ready to run, and he started it again like nothing had ever happened. Yep, that's right, we're supposed to entertain the audience. The prop is a method to make it happen. If one prop isn't going to do it, then grab one that will, and don't let it bother you. So, I guess the answer to "OK, what do you do now?" Easy. If my broom suspension freezes (and yes, I *do* perform one) then I grab my jumbo B'Wave and entertain the audience like I planned. After the show, I make sure it's fixed properly, assess what went wrong to prevent it next time, then pack it on my tour bus, count my gate, then call my supermodel girlfriend to give me a little solace. --- Guy |
MarkTripp Special user Michigan 618 Posts |
LOL!
But yes, you should have things to fill the time if there is an error. |
cfrye Special user Portland, Oregon, USA 940 Posts |
The live routine from Dennis Loomis' Knot Routine...Plus! DVD was recorded as he made time for his stage crew to fix something that had gone wrong. Very funny stuff, and a very good routine you can expand or contract as needed.
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Dennis Loomis 1943 - 2013 2113 Posts |
Hey, Curt, thanks for the plug. Yeah, the Knots were used for that because the length of the routine was so flexible. We did, however, occasionally put it into the show intentionally.
You can get the Knot Routine DVD from many dealers and directly from me on the Loomis Magic Web Site. Dealers can order it from Fun, Inc. or Murphy's. Coincidentally, our next DVD project is on the way to the replicators today. Denny
Itinerant Montebank
<BR>http://www.loomismagic.com |
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