|
|
Go to page 1~2 [Next] | ||||||||||
magicsavant Regular user Georgia 157 Posts |
Can anything else match the cups and balls for ending a street routine? If nothing else can match it, what's second best?
Note: I'm only referring to traditional magic, so the straight jacket escape or doing a backflip off of a twenty foot ladder while juggling flaming chainsaws doesn't count. |
|||||||||
Jim Wilder Special user Birmingham, AL 954 Posts |
To give a quick, yet sincere answer:
You should read through this forum. This has been discussed in several topics, even recently. Time and time again, the answer and general agreement by those who work is this- there is no doubt that the cups bring something inexplicably extra to even the mediocre performer, but you can close with anything that you can sell effectively to the audience. |
|||||||||
suspectacts Elite user Boston 493 Posts |
Magicsavant:
As someone who has seen a lot of street shows, and done a lot of street shows, it is truly not the trick but the performance and the performer that 'makes' a trick a closer. Before all the hard work that the people like Jim Cellini, Johnny Fox and Gazzo, Nick N. and others put into the cups and ball, changing it from being a piece of slieght of hand into a tour de force of audience involvement, it wouldn't have made you a dime on the street. In fact I have seen it flop on the street when the performer thinks the trick will do the work for them in terms of whiping the crowd up into a frenzy. I think it's Eugene Burger who who talks about tricks that are ultimately " the story of the props in the hands of the magician". The cups can easily fall into this catagory, especially because it traps the performer behind a table instead of out in the crowd. to answer your specific question, I have seen great performers close with burned bill or signed card to wallet, sub trunk, linking rings, hand chopper, livestock production, card flinging. I have also always felt that cards across has the right shape as well. I think the secret is to find a routine where the audience is left with a sense of your skill. If they don't know how you did it and assume it's "just a trick" then you don't really get credit for it. The cups work, when they work, because the audience knows exactly what you've done: you've snuck that fruit under the cups. They just didn't see it, or see it coming, so they have to admit you are really good. If they have any impression that the props helped in the least ("Gee, I'd really like to take a close look at that hand chopper thing") then you will get much less of a reaction. But remember, surprise is part of the delight of magic, so find a routine that doesn't 'look' like other magic shows people have seen. Besides it will help you grow as a performer is you discover some of the secrets yourself, instead of mimicing the solutions others have discovered. Best of luck. Peter P.S. I think magicians have to remember that thier first job is to entertain. If that means learning to juggle or do escapes, that doesn't mean you have stepped away from your craft. P.P.S. Extra credit to anyone who can post what Jeff Sheraton used as a closing routine |
|||||||||
ROBERT BLAKE Inner circle 1472 Posts |
Diminishing cards?
|
|||||||||
Michael Bilkis Special user 728 Posts |
Miser's Dream. Get the money flowing
|
|||||||||
walid ahumada Special user sinaloa, mexico 892 Posts |
I have seen TOM FRANK opening with the cups and balls and ending with the linking rings, I belive it is a matter of taste and indeed the way you perform it.
“Magic becomes art when it has nothing to hide.” BEN OKRI quote
|
|||||||||
RobertBloor Inner circle The Socialist Republic of the USA. 1051 Posts |
D'Lite all the way!!!!
"That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government,"
-The Declaration of Independence |
|||||||||
magicsavant Regular user Georgia 157 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-11-02 14:28, walid ahumada wrote: Wow. That's seems so counter intuitive to me. (The routine, not your thinking.) |
|||||||||
suspectacts Elite user Boston 493 Posts |
Tom is a great example of why general advice can only take you so far; and then it's time to turn to direct experience.
|
|||||||||
Danny Hustle Inner circle Boston, MA USA 2393 Posts |
Peter that was a great post and oh so true!
Peter is one of my favorite entertainers to watch working the street. He is a true Entertainer. Nobody and I mean nobody, gets more out of any trick on the street than Peter. I think I've told this story before but Peter was the first street magician I ever saw working and he held a group of thirty people spellbound one fall evening with a hank, a tt, a few gags, and a ton of experience/talent. He closed with it and made a good hat! Try that sometime! I think Robert hit the nail on the head with the Jeff Sheridan question. I have never seen him work, but if I remember my history Mr. Sheridan closed with the diminishing cards. Best, Dan- "MT is one of the reasons we started this board! I’m so sick of posts being deleted without any reason given, and by unknown people at that." - Steve Brooks Sep 7, 2001 8:38pm ©1999-2014 Daniel Denney all rights reserved. |
|||||||||
TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
I think it is a good exercise to try to determine just how one would close with a hank and a TT. I've stroked my chin and thought about it and I think it really helps get the creative juices flowing.
I sure hope Peter doesn't use the Ursula Martinez method.
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic
Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate, Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder. |
|||||||||
Danny Hustle Inner circle Boston, MA USA 2393 Posts |
You need an abundance of three things Talent, personality, and Bawlz!
Best, Dan- "MT is one of the reasons we started this board! I’m so sick of posts being deleted without any reason given, and by unknown people at that." - Steve Brooks Sep 7, 2001 8:38pm ©1999-2014 Daniel Denney all rights reserved. |
|||||||||
Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
Trip to Boston cancelled, maybe see you next year Danny.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
|
|||||||||
Danny Hustle Inner circle Boston, MA USA 2393 Posts |
Anytime you're in town Pete, give me a holler!
Best, Dan- "MT is one of the reasons we started this board! I’m so sick of posts being deleted without any reason given, and by unknown people at that." - Steve Brooks Sep 7, 2001 8:38pm ©1999-2014 Daniel Denney all rights reserved. |
|||||||||
Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
Your routine is determined by your salesmanship.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
|||||||||
walid ahumada Special user sinaloa, mexico 892 Posts |
Rule # 1: there are no rules
“Magic becomes art when it has nothing to hide.” BEN OKRI quote
|
|||||||||
Faulkner Loyal user New Orleans 249 Posts |
Thought I don't do it so much anymore I do like ending with Annemann's "Magician vs Mentailst" from his "One Man Show". I would do my hat line right before the second revelation. As I got tighter with my act I have learned (am learning) to keep the tention going right to the revelation.
My idea was to tell them what I was going to and have them wait to see if I could. When I did I would just drop my hat out, no time to sneak away. I have to add my favorite quote about street magic is from Bill Palmer (who I don't know but I like his thinking) "You need three thing for street performing, good shoes, lots of water and the balls to get out there" ...or something like that. Thanks Bill, it reminds me to be practical as well as magical. My little pennies to the subject Mark |
|||||||||
Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
I don't know whether I was the first one to say that, but I know it's true.
Different things work for different performers. I would close with the Anderson Newspaper Tear. I do a repeat on it.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
|||||||||
johnnymystic Inner circle North Adams Ma. 1576 Posts |
Wait a garsh durn minute there Bob!
There's a finale other than the CUPS AND BALLS!!??? Lawrda mighty who'dah thunk it??? WHEN LIFE HANDS YOU LEMONS...PERFORM THE CUPS AND BALLS johnny
I drink cheap tequila and vomit
<BR>I cannot eat hot wings...acid reflux <BR>I never inhale <BR>I can put a field dress on a deer |
|||||||||
Mark Rough Inner circle Ivy, Virginia 2110 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-11-01 10:04, suspectacts wrote: While I agree with just about everything you've said Peter, I must point out that the C&B have been making plenty of dimes for plenty of people on the street for hundreds of years. There are documented accounts of street performers doing C&B in markets during the time of the Greeks and Romans. Otherwise. . . spot on! Mark
What would Wavy do?
|
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The side walk shuffle » » A finale other than cups and balls!? (0 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page 1~2 [Next] |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.04 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |