I am doing the Chair Suspension at a festival: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X4xxir9whI

Hi The only things I would suggest is having the child sit on the board first with her legs hanging over the front. Then pivot her into position. It looks kind of violent the way you pick her up and lay her down. I'd also pick a smaller child so she doesn't tilt so much when she's floating. Love that the board stays up by itself though.
Arnie

True.. Maybe a step stool for them to get up themselves... I also had a child this big and it almost fell over.. Man I looked like an idiot!

So that's where Kyle's chair suspension disappeared to! Well at least somebody did it right this time.

Hi Mike,

You know I love ya bro and you are a good friend but YIKES!!! I have to be honest here and go over a few things in the video and presentation of the chair suspension illusion you did. There were some things I saw in the routine that are incorrect and could be handled much better. These are just pointers for you to get maximum reactions but also topresent it correctly and smoothly.

- I never pick up a kid like you did. In this day and age, it can get parents very upset and can also offend the childas well. this illusion is built upon trust. This is especially the case with kids you are using. They have never done thbis before and they are trusting you. Therfor you build this trust from the start.

- Never pick up the childlike you did and lay them down. This also is not only awkward but it is very hard to get the person in the proper position. You had her to far forward then where she should have been. This is what caused a lot ofyour sag you had.

- To get a child in the proper position, use a step stool. You can get a smallplastic one cheap and it works ideal. Place this in front and do not rush it. The system I use to get them into position is done for a reaosn and works like a charm to 1) get them properly set 2) build trust in you 3) keep them relaxed and 40 gets them exactly in the proper balance point.

- Have them first step up on the stool. Then ALWAYS ask them if it is ok to help them up. Never ever touch a child for this illusion without first asking. Help them to sit on the board with feet hanging over. Then instruct them tolay back so head is one way and feet the other. Then position them gently so their head hangs over the edge of the one chair. The one problem I saw is that she was too far forward and not relaxed enough so she keptlooking upwards at you. This throws the balance off and does not sell the illusion the way it is intended to. Hang their head down back gently. This adds to the illusion and make the balance better and causes less sag.

-Do not rush it. Movements of going too fast (as you did) tend to make the helper nervous or get them to want to see. Take your time with it to let it all sink in.

- Before you wrap them in the cloth, have themplace their hands on their laps with arms crossed. Thsi way it makes it easy for you to cover with the cloth and keeps them from trying to grab the board.

Hope these simple tips and techniques are of help toyou my friend.

Kyle

The above is good advice Dynamike and could save you from an embaressing acident or even injury to the child! Use the advice mentioned and good luck in future presentations!

Thansk starfish for the kind words. mike. Please do not take this as an attack or anything. You know you are a good friend. I just have a passion for this illusion is all and want to see you getting the mnopst out of it that you can. you have a lot down already, but it just needs to be refined a bit. Perhaps some of the ideas may help. =)

Kyle

Forgive the rant here, but this simply needs to be said...

NO ONE GET'S IT!

Those that wish to do this trick need to beg borrow or steal a copy of Robert Harbin's opus book and learn what this effect is SUPPOSED TO BE - you don't need the whole book - just read that chapter!!!

It really shouldn't be a "kiddie trick" - that's simply ridiculous, nor is the woman supposed to "float" for minutes on end, and there is no reason (regardless of the gimmick, etc...) that there should EVER be a "slant" if done properly - and no "proper positioning" has almost NOTHING to do with the trick. The solution is in Robert Harbin's proper ROUTINE & HANDLING - NOT a "better" gimmick. If you are relying on "positioning" to cure "sag" - you don't know how to properly present the effect. When properly done, the woman’s feet are HIGHER THAN THE HEAD.

Read the Harbin book. Any other way is approaching sacrilege.

OK. Rant over. But please guys. Let's use our heads a little and go to the proper source.

I have always felt that this effect did NOT look magical at all - and maybe the reason for that, is that I have never seen it truly done well?

Maybe it's because SO many people perform it poorly, and that is all I've ever seen of the effect, but I have formed the opinion that this trick is not impressive. I'd love to see a great performance of it, that would change my mind about it.

Does anyone have a link that shows (in their opinion) a really solid performance of this effect?

Danny, I feel the same way. Usually this is done so poorly it borders on exposure. Sort of like the Zombi to me.

Yea, right here ... might not be the most "magical", but diffidently the most "entertaining":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_xZNcq0_1c



After that, I would rate this one as a decent performance ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROK1Jd3-UA4

I don't think you can get a decent performance with a volunteer, you need an assistant. That way you know exactly where she belongs on the board, no guess work.

Notice the contrast between the red chairs black board ... I like the way her hair hangs down, that adds to it.

The illusion itself suffers a huge problem found in a lot of illusions, the let down ... you build up to a climax, and then you have to reverse the process and that time frame is just dead time. I like the way Michael Bairefoot solves that problem with his broom suspension.



-JoeJoe

I agree it was performed fast and rough. That is because I was doing it all day that day. I was using it at the end of my street busking act. It is tough being in the blazing sun all day. I am rushing to pass the hat so I can take a break before my next performance. At times I felt like I was going to pass out. My last performances I could barely lift my 10" rings.

Yea, a stepping stool will help take a big load off my back. The only disadvantage is it will more to carry around with me.

I do not use the Chair Suspension for Sidewalk Performance crowds. I just use it for half circle: http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e150/D......pension/ or full circle crowds: http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e150/D......g071.jpg

I just started street busking last year because of the economy plunge. I still have a lot of experimenting to do. Thanks for your time guys.

P.S. Kyle, do you have a video of it? If so, I would like to see it. Thanks, buddy.

Check out the routine in the Berglas Book. One of the most interesting presentations. He shocks the hell out of the volunteer.

"Remember the that chair holding up your feet? HERE IT IS!"