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MAGICofSeth Regular user 106 Posts |
Hello everybody,
I am trying to find a great closer for my show, that can be done solo. I have been performing a straight jacket routine as the closer, but I want something larger. I already do a walking through rope, card on seat, and will have a Phantasm III shortly. I guess I'm just looking for that "killer" final effect that will leave the best last impression in the audience's mind. Any ideas? |
61magic Special user Sacramento California 775 Posts |
What conditions are you performing under? Street, stage, surrounded?
Light-tration, or the Great Chain Illusion would have more impact than the rope penetration. Look at the book Solo-X for some clever one man illusions. Remember bigger is not always better...
Professor J. P. Fawkes
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jimgerrish Inner circle East Orange, NJ 3209 Posts |
The "killer" effect you are looking for is probably not in a magic catalog or any trick you can buy. It is what you do with the props that turns it into a killer effect. You could take the Square Circle and turn this common prop trick into a killer effect by producing more stuff from it than its load chamber could ever possibly hold, and then have people and animals hopping out of it left and right at the end. Wham, bam, thank you ma'am! Forget the Square Circle, that effect would be great even if you used an empty paper grocery bag as your prop... maybe greater!
I know you said it had to be done solo, but there are ways of getting members of the audience to act as production items in effects like the above. So design your killer effect in your head first, then decide what stuff you need to bring it about. It helps if you categorize the TYPE of ending you believe to be "killer." A rapid-fire, massive production of lots of stuff, livestock and people. A vanish followed by an immediate reappearance far away from the vanish point. This is even more powerful when done solo. A Transformation from one thing to another of a completely different size and shape. A tragic ending where the audience is sure you have been killed, followed by a reappearance and reassurance that you are alive. All of the above types have been used as "killer" closing effects by very famous magicians at one time or another. As you have discovered, an escape doesn't have the right impact or timing to serve as a good closer. Neither does a penetration or a levitation. Those are mind puzzles which don't make good endings. You want to get an emotional reaction of awe mixed with enthusiasm instead of just a puzzling look. You want them to feel compelled to stand up and cheer.
Jim Gerrish
magicnook@yahoo.com https://www.magicnook.com Home of The Wizards' Journals: https://magicnook.com/wizardsTOC.htm |
Face Elite user 495 Posts |
Firstly, you need to tell us how big is you're budget. Without that it is very hard to recommend something.
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magicleland Regular user 197 Posts |
Whatever you do, if you want to do "snow" make sure you are original not the "when I was a kid I never saw snow" routine. I personally think snow is over worked more now than ever. People just don't take the time to do it right. Bill Blagg is one of the only people I know that can do it well.
zig zag illusion - $3,000
theater rental - $500 geting advice from othe magicians on the cafe - priceless |
Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
First, budget is not the determining factor to me. Knowing more about the kind of show you have could tell us more.
I have seen acts close with a dove pan routine that was as effective as something with props that cost tens of thousands of dollars. One that plays much better than people would ever believe is the simple but funny MisMade Flag. An American flag ending in America is a good ending! Bob Sanders Magic By Sander |
Silvernail Regular user 128 Posts |
TOTALLY depends on your act, venue, and budget
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ReDeFiNe Loyal user Singapore 275 Posts |
Snow storm is a good closer for any show as it fills the stage and creates a visual extravaganza.
For an illusion show , I used to close with the sword basket. After the final reappearance of the girl, I set off a hand held confetti cannon to close the show. Jeremy |
The GodFather Regular user 105 Posts |
Tell us a little more about your show. What effects you do? Which are the 3-4 final effects? What is your opening? What is the strongest effect that you do?
Only with this informations we can help you to find a good closer.
"My goal is to spread around happiness and entertainment, by erasing the illusion of time and live in eternity "
The GodFather Magician |
chmara Inner circle Tucson, AZ 1911 Posts |
How about a way - rather than a trick -- you fill in the blanks.
Judy Garland's live performances ( other great stars,including Wayne Newton, Barry Manilow, Bet Midler) used a technique that involved 2 bits. 1. Big, energetic all out blast the hall big finish number that exhausts the performer. 2. Return to stage (exhausted, sweaty) with a humble, quietand memorable peace "just for this audience" because they have been great and you can pull up a reserve of strength to do just one more. For some time I used a big production that had me dancing around with major garden of flowers (action comedy) then returning on a stool panting - reading sentimental a letter from my dad about getting older -- that is a snow routine/tear jerker. Could well have been an energetic straight jacket then napkin to rose........... The concept -- just one more especially for you. The tricks -- your choice.
Gregg (C. H. Mara) Chmara
Commercial Operations, LLC Tucson, AZ C. H. Mara Illusion & Psychic Entertainments |
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