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magicinsight Inner circle 4293 Posts |
I used to own the effect where several silks are "tied" onto a wooden bar and the spectators' selected silks would "untie" themselves and drop to the floor. I saw on Hank Lee' site an item called, "The Enchanted Hanger," which is basically the same effect but uses a plastic coat hanger instead of a straight wooden bar.
Normally I like effects that can have a lot or at least some interplay with the children. But I am having difficulty in seeing the entertainment value of this effect. I would appreciate commments as to how one would use this effect, if at all, to entertain an audience of young children, and what theme or story would you suggest, if any? Does this effect have possibilities? Thank you very much. Michael
“Belief matters more than truth. Every moment, belief in imaginary things alters lives while truth sits unnoticed and waits.”
—Hakim, Loreweaver |
NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
The entertainment is in the silks falling off which the children see but you do not.
The MAGIC is pretty weak. |
magicinsight Inner circle 4293 Posts |
Mr. Johnson:
Thank you for your comment. I thought it sounded a bit weak. Thank you for saving me $45.00. Michael
“Belief matters more than truth. Every moment, belief in imaginary things alters lives while truth sits unnoticed and waits.”
—Hakim, Loreweaver |
Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
I've done this using a trained flea to untie the called upon silk. A great deal of by play can be had following this little helper as he traverses the hanger jumping over handkerchiefs to get to the called for silk.
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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magicinsight Inner circle 4293 Posts |
Payne,
It is funny that you mention your trained flea. I have a flea circus and this may be an interesting addition to that routine. As an alternative, if I do not want to carry and set up the entire flea circus, I can just use this effect with a milk tumbler (Tenyo) so that after the trained flea unties the silks, he/she is thirsty and drinks some milk. Thanks for the idea. Michael
“Belief matters more than truth. Every moment, belief in imaginary things alters lives while truth sits unnoticed and waits.”
—Hakim, Loreweaver |
Lyndel Inner circle wrote the theme to the TV show COPS! 1623 Posts |
Great idea Payne!
That just goes to show... It's not the trick, it's the routining of a trick that makes all the difference in the world! That's the great thing about the Café! Brainstorming with people from all over the world to make your shows even better than they already are. It's an awesome thing! Lyndel! |
Rupert Bair Inner circle ? 2179 Posts |
I took this out of my show after realising how weak it is. I might put it back in with added showmanship!
Matt |
Steven Steele Chief of Staff 1868 Posts |
Wow. I must be doing something wrong. I start one of my school shows with it and it plays very strong. The routine is based on an educational message, but the children love it.
That being said, however, I love the flea idea. Glad it works for you and yes, Lyndel, it's the routining that makes the effect; not vice versa.
Coram Deo
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NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
I made a similar point in the Wacky Worm thread...
Why take an effect with weak magic and make it strong with good routining when you can take one of the many STRONG effects and make them EVEN better with good routing. Whilst entertainment is more important then magic, the two are not mutually exclusive . Why not aim high and try and do BOTH? |
Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-05-26 18:19, Nicholas J. Johnson wrote: For a couple of reasons. The first being that many may not feel that the magic is weak. What is so un-magical about having knots in a handkerchief untie themselves of their own accord? Secondly just as even the most serious of dramas needs the occasional comic relief a show filled with strong magic needs the occasional light trick to act as an interlude.
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
1) I've never seen a magician get a strong magical reaction from it. Perhaps they could I don't know
2) This of course contradicts your first point that it is strong magic. Also, in children's magic shows the entire lead up to the effect is usually comic. Often, there are only a handful of actual magical moments in act. Think about all the workers who get 15minutes from a change bag just for one moment of magic where the flag turns out ok....why take the few magical moments there are and make them weak. There is the issue of pacing and peaks and throughs(sp?) but these are dramatic concerns and certainly should not apply to magic. |
Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-05-26 19:47, Nicholas J. Johnson wrote: It is percisely this train of thought that has lead to the stagnation of the performance of magic.
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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The Great Smartini Inner circle 2280 Posts |
To further this discussion on pacing etc....I have to agree with Payne...I'm currently reading Ken Weber's fine book Maximum Entertainment...in his work he talks about every form of drama using a director, script. theatre principles (ie. pacing) and so on and yet many in the magic community don't...Weber, Tamariz and others rightly ask what makes our art form different?...the answer of course is nothing!...always remember that we are actors playing the part of a magician...as such our shows or pieces of theatre require, no demand that we use sound theatrical principles
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magicinsight Inner circle 4293 Posts |
I think that the issue of pacing a show by using different effects and music, etc. is a good topic to have its own thread. Nevertheless, to grab and to maintain an audience's attention throughout a performance require that there are fast and slow paced effects, short and lenghty effects, effects that require talking and effects that require music, effectively distrubuted in the show. These peaks and valleys, fast and slow paced effects, create physical, mood and emotional swings in the audience's minds. They create drama, reflection, silliness, surprise and finality. If a show contains only fast paced productions or slow, drawn out effects, the audience, whether consisting of children and/or adults, will lose their attention and will not be focused. More importantly, the audience will not experience the physical and emotional mood swings that make a performance enjoyable and memorable. The use of different and varied pacings are employed in music concerts, theater productions, novels, etc. This approach should be used in magic performances as well and performers should be aware of it when developing an act.
Best regards, Michael
“Belief matters more than truth. Every moment, belief in imaginary things alters lives while truth sits unnoticed and waits.”
—Hakim, Loreweaver |
Lyndel Inner circle wrote the theme to the TV show COPS! 1623 Posts |
Smartini,
Maximum Entertainment should be mandatory reading for anyone who performs magic publicly as well as Magic & Showmanship by Fitzkee. Huge information in these books and not one double lift (no offence intended toward the cardmen reading this) Magicinsight, Well said! Many years ago, I was flipping through the channels and stopped on a country star doing a concert. I'm not usually a big fan of this genere of music, but I watched for some reason. I'm glad I did. (Thanks Toby Keith!) During his concert, he performed fast paced up-beat "I want to kick someones booty" type songs and then slowed the pace with an emotional tune that elicited actual tears from some of the audience members - only to bring them back up with yet another up-tempo piece. It was during this concert that I realized that I could employee these same techniques and emotional manipulations to make my own show even stronger and more memorable. Peaks and valleys are present in every form of entertainment. Magicians would be wise to follow this proven formula. Lyndel |
magicinsight Inner circle 4293 Posts |
Lyndel,
I could not agree with you more. I think the books you mentioned, especially the books by Fitzkee,(not to mention Magic and Meaning by Eugene Burger)dealing with the performer's demeanor, appearance, stage presence, attitude, movement and style are just as important,if not more so, to the art and performance of magic than any book or dvd dealing solely with effects and/or techniques. Best regards, Michael
“Belief matters more than truth. Every moment, belief in imaginary things alters lives while truth sits unnoticed and waits.”
—Hakim, Loreweaver |
NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
[quote]On 2005-05-27 10:51, Payne wrote:
Quote:
On 2005-05-26 19:47, Nicholas J. Johnson wrote: OOPS - that was NOT what I meant at all! By 'dramatic' I was referring to narrative, character and structure WITHIN a magic show. By 'magic' I was referring to the moments of magic. I just realised it seems as if I was referring to magic in general and not to those specific moments. I strongly believe in the transference of theatrical skills to magical performances. In fact, I have 20 years experience as an actor, director and producer of theatre and live entertainment. My point was that we should not confuse the need for highs/lows, peaks/troughs and silence/sound with a narrative structure with some sort of need for strong/weak magic. IMO, this effect is weak magic and I don't think any magical moment within a show should be weak. |
Alan Munro Inner circle Kentwood, Michigan, USA 5952 Posts |
I perform a version of the effect in which three different colored ribbons are tied onto a black ribbon. In my hands, it's very strong - both magically and from a presentation standpoint. But, it took years to develop the handling and presentation. The ending for the effect was the hardest to come up with - it was developed when I had an idea when performing the effect, a few months ago.
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