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Grasshop34 Veteran user Cincinnati, OH 308 Posts |
I am a big fan of Chance Wolf and currently perform his Wacky Weasel routine in my shows. I recently bought the Chicken Sword as well and am going to perform it for the first time during tomorrow's show. My friend who helps out with my shows feels that both are basically the same effect. A card is selected, lots of comedy, cards shoot out, and the card is found in an amazing funny way. He suggests I should perform one or the other, but not both. He also thinks one card trick is enough for a kid show. I see his points but I feel the entertainment value in both of routines are far more important than the effect. I'll try it out tomorrow and let you know how it goes.
I have been working on Bill Abbott's Chico the Mind Reader routine ever since I saw him lecture in March, but have not added it to my show yet (another card trick). Since I produce a rabbit and perform with Vern the Bird as well, I am thinking about working on a show with an animal theme. I just feel that it's too many card tricks. Do any of you perform both routines in your show? Would you consider performing all three in the same show? Thanks for your help, Jason |
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Harv Inner circle I'm building a fence with 1127 Posts |
Your friend is right.
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Ron Reid Inner circle Phoenix, Arizona 2732 Posts |
Hi Jason:
I think I agree with your friend, too. I don't think it's real good thing to put two card revelations routines in the same show, but it's not a disaster if you do. You're right in that both routines can be very entertaining, and that is the bigger goal in all of this. After your show tomorrow, think real hard about using one (or the other) in your show. Don't let the fact that you've spent a fair amount of money on two excellent props influence your thoughts. On the other hand, if it seems the group is entertained and amazed by both routines, perhaps keeping them both in will be fine. I'm not sure if I've been very clear about my thoughts, but good luck to you anyway. Knock 'em dead! Ron |
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Grasshop34 Veteran user Cincinnati, OH 308 Posts |
The show went great considering it was an outdoor party. I had the two effects spaced out, with the Wacky Weasel near the beginning and the Chicken Sword near the end. The Chicken Sword actually got the better reaction, but then again, about half the kids have already seen my show with the Weasel. I think I might develop two different shows to offer for people who have already seen it.
I am a fourth grade teacher as well, so most of the kids who I perform for are in my school district. It's nice to have the summer off to focus on improving my show. I think now that I have about 30-35 shows of experience I should start thinking about another show I could offer. Jason |
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The Great Smartini Inner circle 2280 Posts |
Jason,
I have the chicken sword and have been thinking about adding the wacky weasal...i would say you have two good closers for two different shows...think repeat bookings...the effects are basically the same...i'm surprised that you got a better reaction from the chicken sword considering you just starting using it...interesting...give me a pm and I can let you know about some science magic that I've used with many different grades between the k-8 range...i'm also an educator and have a masters degree...my research focus was on the use of magic in the classroom...i'm sure we could share some good ideas given our similiar backgrounds...all the best! jeff |
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Grasshop34 Veteran user Cincinnati, OH 308 Posts |
Hey Jeff,
I think I got the better reaction b/c most of the other kids have already seen the Wacky Weasel. It still played real well. I sent you a PM. Jason |
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chris mcbrien Inner circle Chicago 1235 Posts |
Wacky Weasel always gets amazing response from my crowds....I also do a comedic card revelation at the beginning of my show....Both get great reactions and I always get rebooked after my shows with referrals and new jobs to boot. I really think it's what you're doing with the effects that counts here. Although I never like doing the same thing twice in a show generally, for some reason these two tricks have enough differences to play off as almost entirely different effects even though they seem to have the same outcome.
In other words...I dunno, whatever works for your character is what works for your character! Jason, I'm also amazed the Chicken Sword got a better reaction...maybe you played off of it more effectively than the Weasel? I'm not critiqueing you....just asking if you've looked at the "cause and effect" of the routines. Chris |
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Grasshop34 Veteran user Cincinnati, OH 308 Posts |
I've performed Wacky Weasel about 20 times so far, and it does get a great response. Especially the end where I work in a standing ovation. This was my first time performing it for fifth graders.
I think what I need to work on with the older kids is the opening to the Wacky Weasel. My last show was for fifth grade boys (11 years old), and a one boy kept yelling out, "it's just a toy..." I then said, "yeah, he's just a toy, but don't tell him." He still kept yelling it out. What lines do use when a kid yells something like that out? Do you take any pro-active approaches to help solve this? The rest of the routine played well, and still got the kids to stand up and cheer. After the ball appears on his head, I say, "You know you would think Weasels are easy to take care of, but they're not... I do everything for this weasel, give him a home, even though it's a rusted box with barb wire, feed him, and you would think he'd do something nice for me. If only he would have found the card, EVERYONE WOULD HAVE STOOD UP AND CHEERED, (Wesly finds the card, but I don't see it) but he didn't do that and now I'm sad....what...uh...oh you did find the card......." Ever since I've said the above, the kids stand up, cheer and point. Although the Weasel received a great response, it had a week beginning, b/c a kid kept yelling out it was a toy, I thought the Chicken Sword played better overall in this particular show. The card launcher is just so cool. Any pointers are much appreciated, as I am still working out the loose ends of my show. Jason |
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Stevethomas Inner circle Southern U.S.A. 3728 Posts |
I'd have to agree with everybody. I wouldn't do both in one show. In your routining of a show, you have to take into account (no matter HOW great the effects are) sucker effects, "pick a card/find a card" effects, mental effects, silk effects, and different variations of the same ones. You'll only want to include one of each in a performance. I wouldn't do my Khyber Kobra in the same show with a chicken sword or even a Wolf's Magic Jumbo Card In Balloon Wand.
Steve Thomas |
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chris mcbrien Inner circle Chicago 1235 Posts |
Jason,
I've found that I don't have to mention the standing up thing, the kids stand up for me too, and point away! I'ts a great closing effect that if played up will bring downt the house with the "look don't see" principle. That being out of the bag, there is sooooo much you can do with this effect character-wise it's really amazing. I would do this over the chicken sword any day, as I think it can go much farther with it's storyline....as far as the kid yelling out "it's just a toy". You're always going to have the occasional kid who does this. EVERYONE knows it's a stuffed animal, and that it's all in fun...that's why they love it! The kids yelling out the obvious are the ones who want some attention.....so don't give them any! It just slows down your show.... Break a Leg! Chris |
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The Great Smartini Inner circle 2280 Posts |
Jason,
since the chicken sword got the better reaction I think you should stick with it...i'd also like to help you so if you need to unload that wacky weasal I'd also be happy to help take it off your hands...send me your weasal and your paypal info jeff |
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muzicman Special user LaCenter, Wa 989 Posts |
I disagree with most here. I own both the Wacky Weasel and the Chicken Sword. I would never perform them back to back but I seriously don't understand why you wouldn't use them in the same show. Just because the both use cards they really are 2 different routines. Each routine has their own byplay and puns and comedy. The audience has never even hinted that they saw both as the same. I also have the Jumbo Balloon Wand and again it's a card trick with a great revelation of a selected card. I have no problem using all 3 in 1 show. I also have the Wolf Outhouse and again it deals with a selected card. Now that is 4 routines all with cards. Not a problem for me. I just space them out and make each routine unique and the audience loves them all. It's about entertainment and personally I don't think these routines are similiar enough to keep them out of any show.
As a different example, I learned "the pass" years ago. I can do 10 different card effects for the same audience all using "the pass" but because the final revelation is different in each routine, the audience thinks they saw 10 different card "tricks". In reality, it was only 1..... repeated 10 times. |
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The Great Smartini Inner circle 2280 Posts |
Not sure that your "pass" example is the best...consider the Tamariz theory of false theories and any effect using the same method starts to take away from the magic...anyone who has read the book will understand what I'm talking about...an ambitious card routine uses different methods (hopefully) to achieve the same effect and in doing so it utilizes the strengths and weaknesses of each to maximize them all...when a top ch**ge is used then the card can be handled differently than if it were a d**bl* and so on
you're quite correct when you say that it's about entertainment...as for a whole routine of card effects you might consider eugene burger's work where he talks about adding texture to your show...several comedy card routines doesn't sound like, theatrically, it would fit the bill...just my two cents worth and that's without seeing your, I'm sure, very unique handling of each of these fine effects by my hero Chance Wolf |
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muzicman Special user LaCenter, Wa 989 Posts |
My example demonstrates that the audience perception of each effect is unique. My handling for card control is always the same (the pass) and the final revelation is different. The audience believes they saw 10 different card tricks because the revelation is different for each. The selection process by the spec is different in each as well. In reality, it is the same effect...a freely selected card is revealed in a magical way through impossible conditions. I agree that your shows need to incorperate different effects in the audiences perceptions. It's never been suggested that I drop either the Weasel or the Chicken Sword because they are too similiar. Each has their own presentation as I mentioned above and each is unique in every way except they both use cards. I use a variety of props in my shows...coins, ropes, cards, paper, money, puppets, ect. Some may feel the 2 props are too close to perform in 1 show, others may not. I am one of the "may not" crowds because experience has shown me they are 2 unique routines that each have their own themes, music, sound effects, and presentations. They are never performed back to back but they are both in the same show and it's never been a problem. If it works..use it...if it doesn't, don't.
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Magicusa Elite user 478 Posts |
I too have these two items. I don't do both in the same show.
Emmett |
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The Great Smartini Inner circle 2280 Posts |
I now have both the Weasel and the Chicken Sword...still wouldn't do both in the same show...what about the Wacky Worm...heck we could almost do a whole show of card magic using trained animals ie. weasels, chickens, worms and so on
any new thoughts out there? |
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Acecardician Inner circle New Orleans 1390 Posts |
Maybe have multiple selections at the beginning of the show, and reveal each card differently through out the show? That could incorporate several of the Wolf props mentioned. If for children you would have to have a way for them to remember the card. Maybe they keep the card and when you produce their card, say "it is a match". Or a dry erase board, write down their cards. To fit the presentation, you could say, it doesn't matter if I know, but just don't let the animals see it.
Remember the guys who have 10-20 cards picked and reveal them all in different ways for grown-up shows? As we know, every single kid wants to pick their own card. Just an idea. ACE
My Chinese Stick Collection: https://app.photobucket.com/u/ChineseSticks?sort=6
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mjeayres New user UK 94 Posts |
You could always change what the weasel picks out. It does not have to be a card all the time.
Could be a magic word, the name of the birthday child etc, etc. That way you could use both. Also, to be honest,I do not know why you can't use both. Only in our magicians eye is it the same trick. If it is presented differently, as far as the kids are concerned it is a different trick. I used to think the same way, and would never do the Dice Box in the same show as my Run Bonzo Run. As the kids are shouting the same thing "open both doors" etc. Then one show I had a difficult show and found I had run too quickly so had some extra time to kill so I performed the Dice Box too. The kids saw it as a completely different effect, this was a dice not a dog. I certainly wouldn't recommend you put the 2 tricks one after the other. But I cannot see why they cannot be in the same show. |
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Magic Arty Elite user metro Atlanta 443 Posts |
I use the weasel as the opener, fighting the with the bag and all creates an amazing amount of energy to start the show with! I do the routine, and the rest of my show, closing with the chickensword. The chickensword leaves the audience in a pandimonium (spelling).
After the chickensword is put away, I take Wesley out of his cage for a meet and greet. At this time I do the "Rocky" bits, and let kids say hi, etc. I think that even though the theme of "animals finding cards" is in both routines, they are different enough in character and visuals, that if placed with enough distance from each other they both can make a nice framwork for a show! They have for me. Arthur Atsma |
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The Great Smartini Inner circle 2280 Posts |
Arthur,
thanks for sharing your insight with this...I'm thinking that perhaps one could use alphabet cards and another use sight words ie. common basic words...mostly do a literacy show and so I need to have these effects make sense for me...I totally agree with your logic and thinking regarding the energy to start and pandemonium to finish...although with school/library shows I do like to have an effect or two to calm them down a bit before sending them back to their classrooms...teachers out there will appreciate what I'm saying Smartini |
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