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joshlondon17 Special user San Diego, CA 685 Posts |
What is the preferred device to "lock" myself into the trunk with, handcuffs or the quick release shackles here? http://www.cannonsgreatescapes.com/Shopp......ase.html
I know it's all about the feel of my show and my character, but why handcuffs over the shackles, or vice versa? Josh |
Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
My guess is the audience doesn't care or know the difference. Use what works easiest.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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videokideo Special user 895 Posts |
Use what looks authentic...I like the shackles myself, as so many magicians have proven they can get out of regular cuffs. It never was the cuffs that got me, it was the freakin' bag that sold the illusion. "How do they get out of that bag," I asked myself over and over as a kid? Even stranger, "How did the other person get in the bag and tie it?"
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dlcmagic Special user 887 Posts |
Some performers leave the bag out. I think it weakens the effect. I feel you should use the bag.
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mengst New user Northern CA 74 Posts |
I think the shackles may have more of an "authentic" feel to the audience. And maybe some people will see cuffs and think, "I bet those are trick cuffs." But go with what you find easiest and what looks good to you.
I'm a high school teacher and a reserve police officer, so I own some cuffs. So when two of my students closed their talent show with the sub trunk, I had them use trick cuffs and then had a real pair hanging out of the magicians pocket after the show when kids were coming up and talking to them. It makes for a fun "sell" for the nosy kids. Definitely, use the bag. Mike |
joshlondon17 Special user San Diego, CA 685 Posts |
Since the final look I'm going after for my box is a "burned", yet urban feel, I might go with older style handcuffs like these: http://www.cannonsgreatescapes.com/Shopp......ase.html
Not really sure, though. I am giving my new show (that I'd like to tour with at theaters) some serious thought. It's amazing how one could agonize about the smallest detail! Josh London P.S. What's the best material for the bag? And the sheet to hold up? |
mengst New user Northern CA 74 Posts |
Get material that has a little stretch to it for the bag, and make sure the curtain you hold up won't let any light through. Depends on the fabric, but you can always use a double thickness if you need to. Then, just get something that fits your look.
Mike |
videokideo Special user 895 Posts |
Canvas is good for the bag...it seems to allow the opening to stay formed for the switch, where regular drape material makes it hard to find the opening.
I like those old cuffs. It gives a Houdini feel to the trick. |
Ross W Inner circle UK 1779 Posts |
I'm with Pete: I don't think the audience gives a hoot. I mean, what do they think about when it's over? I reckon it's like this:
"Well, obviously those handcuffs were fake, but how did they change places?" |
Christopher Starr Inner circle Heart of America 1850 Posts |
Something else to consider:
The Pendragons dispense with handcuffs/shackles all together. Jonathan gets into the bag, and the lid is closed. I have to agree that the bag is the most important part. Chris |
rushhour New user 17 Posts |
Hey,
I have a sub trunk. But since 3 years, I don't use the bag in the show (no handcuffs also) because: 1. The illusion is quicker. 2. After the change, when you open the trunk, everyone in the audience thinks, "Yeah, the magician is in the bag." I don't like it when the audience has too much time to think about an illusion, and to open the bag takes time - time to think. Another thing is, if the magician appears in the audience and another assistant is in the bag. But this is only my thinking. In my next show, I will do ropes around the sub trunk. If you can do good motions on the stage, it looks nice...... Best wishes, dennis r. |
fredmoore New user 72 Posts |
We do the sub-trunk in the Outta Control Magic Show, twice nightly.
We don't use the hand-cuffs, either. I think it just slows down the conclusion of the illusion. Once you've opened the bag, the trick's over. Why waste time being unlocked from the cuffs; the other person got out of them, why can't you? Or worse yet, "escape" from the cuffs. This just shows the audience it's easy to get out! The bag: Here's a tip - On the "bottom" of the bag, put duct tape on the edge of it. This makes it easier to find, while you're trying to get into it in the dark. The curtain: Be aware of what your background is. If it's a black backdrop, don't make your sub-trunk curtain black. Otherwise, you've just turned it into a new trick! Hope this helps! |
makeupguy Inner circle 1411 Posts |
Use handcuffs...the audience is familiar with them. And most, if not all, have NEVER seen a set of shackles outside of a magic show.
Also...if you sew a piece of heavy stiff rope into half of the hem of the bag, you can have your assistant set it so that all you have to do is pull the rope over your head and the bag is ON! I learned that from Paul Osborne...and used it in 1500 shows, so I know it works and is efficient. Keep your props familiar to your audience as much as you can...and they'll appreciate your show more. |
John Martin Inner circle 1017 Posts |
Our bag is an open-ended tube. We've stitched two pieces of female Velcro a foot apart on the outside hem of the bottom of the bag. Two male pieces of Velcro are glued to the side of the trunk about 18 inches up from the bottom. Once the lid is closed, it's a simple matter to pull the bag over my head, run the hem through my hand, find the Velcro, and stick it to the pieces on the side of the trunk. All this is done while the trunk is being locked. It only takes about 10 seconds, but saves a huge amount of time looking for the bottom.
John |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Great suggestion, John. Very nice. Thank you for sharing that with us.
Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
b-gann New user 62 Posts |
In my most recent show, I used a straitjacket inside the trunk. I received a lot of positive feedback. This is a little harder than the usual bag or cuffs, but I like the payoff.
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