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suspectacts Elite user Boston 493 Posts |
Okay, I realize cards across isn't really mentalism, but I am posting this here for 2 reasons:
1. Based on my prior experience, I feel that the most thoughtful people hang out in this forum, and I want thoughtful advice. 2. I am working on a routine that avoids 'magical powers' and instead proposes more realistic explanation - similar to how DB and others have been re-framing mentalism. So here's the dish: I have just begun to develop a cards across and since I already do a watch steal in the show, I am interested in possibly using a faux pickpocketing theme. I believe the entertainment of pickpocketing is when the audience is aware it is happening while you are doing it. The laughter starts once you 'flash' the watch or wallet to the audience. So for this routine to 'work' I want the audience to feel they are 'seeing' me steal the money from one person and put it onto the other person (this is my ideal). The problem is: I'm having trouble imagining how I would create that illusion of being an expert without actually being good enough to get my hand in a jacket or pocket without being caught. With the method of Cards Across I have developed, and most out there, all the dirty work is done during the setup of the trick - "Here are ten cards for you and ten cards for you". Then I announce that the challenge will begin. This means I need to DO SOMETHING that signifies that I have been able to move each card. But what does that LOOK like? I'm not big on declaring I have magical powers, on stage, so I need to create bits of business that look like they are associated with the method - but don't demand that I actually get my hands into the volunteers pockets to have them object or give the audience the sense that they are seeing me do everything, since it wouldn't be much of a trick without SOME MYSTERY. Please let your imaginations run wild peter PS there is already a thread in the pickpocket forum, but I have a feeling very few ever visit it. |
TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
Funnily enough this is how I present the cards across. Once I have seven cards in one pocket and thirteen in the other, I announce to the audience that I will give a demonstration of pick-pocketing.
I then turn to the guy with the seven, put an arm around his shoulder (lots of physical contact in this routine or they will not believe in the pickpocketing) and tell him not to worry, I will only pick his pocket. Not his nose. I then explain that picking pockets is best done in a crowd, where there are a lot of people mingling around and you will not notice if you get bumped. I now bump into the man, then run to the other volunteer and pretend to put something in his pocket. I then return to the first volunteer and tell him that distraction also works. Then I point to a woman in the audience and say: Look, that woman has just taken off her top. I then grab the mans head and force him to look at someone in the audience, while I am standing right behind him. "Of course while you were looking at her I stole another card.@ For the final card I tell him that he knows all my tricks, so he should be ready. I have him face me, both hands up. I tell him that I will go for the pocket and he has two choices - protect the pocket or slap me on the face. After a bit of by-play I dive at his pocket and then run tribumpantly to the other volunteer and pretend to deliver the final card. That's it. I arrived at it after a lot of trial and error and it works for me. I have used it in kids shows, warm-up for my hypnotism act, and on the street. Always gets a good reaction. Tony.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
Tony Iacoviello Eternal Order 13151 Posts |
Peter:
I used this when I was working on a PP theme. But the theme did not fit me. If you want, I can try to dig mine up and send it to you (it could take while it is packed away). I also have the Raffles' DVD I can send to you. http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=7354 Tony |
IAIN Eternal Order england 18807 Posts |
As a reference, there's some "psychic pick-pocketing" routines in basil horwitz work...a lot of his routines involve cards actually...and he's very overlooked...
I've asked to be banned
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qkeli Special user paris,france 792 Posts |
Just an idea, please check Paul Harris las vegas leaper's new version on his dvd set, I think you'll love it and it may give you ideas...
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suspectacts Elite user Boston 493 Posts |
See I knew I came to the right place...
Tony B - thanks for the write-up I love how direct you are - sounds like fun to watch and to perform Tony I - Always so generous - I already have the Burgoon gimic and couldn't find a good use for it either - you want two? I'll PM you about the Raffles Iain & qkeli - Thanks for the pointers. I fell in love with the original Paul Harris routine early on and did it for a while, although I was never happy with the sleights. What I am planning now is a stage version with two volunteers, so the sleights will be different but I will definitely be doing his topper finish. |
suspectacts Elite user Boston 493 Posts |
An Update - After a couple of hours of rehearsal, and script scribbling, I took the routine down to the local Arts Center open mike. I was nervous but the routine went just great and the theme proved itself to be a winner.
thanks for all your help - even those of you who lurked without posting. peter |
suspectacts Elite user Boston 493 Posts |
One interesting note (at least I think it's interesting).
I ended up introducing the routine as double demonstration of pickpocketing but that's all I say. Then I start with volunteer 1. I spend all my time messing with #1 with a couple of 'visits' to #2 to ask her how she was doing. Once the three cards were discovered missing, I then announced for the first time that I was already done with #2 and that I had loaded them onto her. I think it adds a bit of a twist, makes the end a bit more surprising. |
TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
Sounds like you are having fun with this routine. Well done.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
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