I've been working on my Red McGinty routine. Here it is with changes made based on comments from everyone and a bunch more practice. So far I've only shown to magicians - is it ready for a live audiance? I look forward to your comments

Thanks,

Hudson

http://youtu.be/MzVg1NThvts

Hudson-

Wow, you make be commit to more practice! That was very nicely done! Smooth, easy and yet with a nice pace. I would say yes, this is ready for a live audience. Ya' done good, fellow!

Jim

I liked it before but I can see the improvement.

You have a lot more "eye contact" and somehow the story seems more direct as well. I like the 3 white ball ending.

I see a few more smiles but you could use some more. Your smile is like a (hidden) super power.

Every time you do the pensive look, smile instead.

Good work!

-Mary Mowder

Team - thanks for your comments and suggestions. Still more work to do, but I like this routine and will work to find opportunities to perform!

Hudson

Hudson,

Very nice! I think your 3 B-ball ending is very strong! I like Mary's comment. If I can expand on this as a suggestion, you can see if it fits your style. When telling a story I love to separate the characters. Ponder the possibility of using your smile almost with a drunk-like quality when playing yourself in the story. See how it runs? You never know, but it can't hurt to see.

Pete

Thanks Pete,
I've tried a couple of times to 'switch' my personality, one for Red and one for the lieutenant, and do the presentation in the first person, I just haven''t been able to pull it off where my voice/mannerisms are sufficiently different to make a clear difference. I will keep trying, I do believe that you are right and it will make a better presentation ....

Thanks again for the suggestions!

Hudson

Good luck! Sometimes if you can find a certain character feature to trigger yourself when going into it. For example a light cough, a giggle, a smacking of the lips, a sigh, etc. I look forward to future viewings! Please keep us posted!

Pete

I did Picto-Transpo first time in public Sunday.

It was the hit of the show! Several people commented that they loved that one with the drawings.

That's two new effects that had a great launch (book test a couple weeks ago). I would have liked to have tried the book test again but it wasn't the right show for it.

It was a great crowd. Three birthday kids all in the same family. A 16 year old (she helped with the Picto Transpo) 11, (Down's syndrome boy, he had a great time with Sash through Arm) and 9 (she helped with Butterfly Blendo.) I'm not a fan of outdoor shows but this one was really great due to the family vibe, (Grand-Ma helped with invisible Deck). It was followed by 40 mins of Close-Up which I get very little opportunity to perform. I was in heaven.

A great meal sent home and a $20 tip didn't hurt either.

I had a session with my good friend Dennis Loomis the day after on Picto.. and got some tips to make the handling better. I can't wait to perform Picto-Transpo again.

It was well worth the practice. I'd like to thank you all for the encouragement. It helps to know I'll be checking in to say what I've been working on.

-Mary Mowder

Congratulations Mary! Glad to hear your show went so well - really makes the hours of practice worth it.

Hudson

Thanks Hudson.

I've left final choices for the upcoming Contest a bit long due to circumstance so I'm no better than I ought to be in that regard.

Here's hoping I get a little clarity soon.

-Mary Mowder

Hi, Mary-

I am not familiar with picto-transpo but will look it up as it sounds like a winner. I have somehow stumbled into Slydini's knots and am having a great time with that routine although I have not performed it yet. Although it is fairly easy, how you place your hands and arms is very important and I don't want to expose by doing it wrong, as it is right on the edge of being easy for the audience to suss out if it is not done just right.

The book test sounds interesting. I have one I have never used, although it is quite clever. Got to break it out. I recently realized that less than 90 days and we will be into Halloween season, bwa-ha-ha-ha. I usually wait until October to think of this, but I am going to start serious work on getting ready with some spine-tingling stuff. I just love doing magic/mentalism at that time of year!

Hope all of you are well, and continuing to devote SOME PERIOD OF TIME on a regular basis to your magic. I have finally gotten to the place where early morn with my coffee is a fun time to practice or rehearse. Have a little corner with mirror and my busking table (essentially a serving stand from restaurant supply) so I can get right into it. I have found that is important, because if I have to go hunt stuff up, I just read the news instead.

Regards,

Jim

Thankyou, Jim. Hope you are well, too. I do indeed continue to practice regularly. I, too, have a little corner with mirror and busking table, also have a chair and window. I'm performing at the Farmer's Market weekly, going to cut that down to their busiest hour 10- 11 a.m. and try to maximize impact. Fair coming up and White Pine Festival, too.

Check out this thread for Laurie's Photo contest. There are lots of beautiful photos but Laurie's Bee photo is my favorite. No log in needed.

http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......um=32&22

I'm working on Martin Lewis' Technicolor Prediction. (A great package by the way, well presented and explained, with extras).

The handling could be a problem under pressure because that is when my dyslexia can be the worst but with practice, muscle memory is my friend.

Writing is a process because with some writers like Martin Lewis and say Daryl's Amazing Acrobatic Knot for instance it is hard to change their writing for your own which (certainly before a break in period and maybe always ) can seem inferior to their presentation which comes with the effect.

It is hard to want to be original when it is clearly a step down.

Oh well. For a contest I feel I must try.

-Mary Mowder

Mary, how do you do card magic being dislexic? You must be a real magician, lol. Seriously though, I love your fighting spirit, and you're so kind to new members. Your dedication to magic and your willingness to help others is awesome!

Thank you Jason. Not many people commend me on my fighting spirit (especially my Friends and Family).

I really do practice a lot but fortunately I enjoy most practice. Why get a Hobby/Career you don't enjoy?

Actually there are few times that my particular dyslexia bothers me. Like where handling or turning over a card in a certain way could give something away and such, being given directions or giving directions or public situations where I'm asked to do something Right or Left and get hit with the inevitable "Your other Left" (for the record, my least favorite quip).

Like most people, my habits control which hand I use for what most of the time. And since I'm somewhat ambidextrous I often have more choices (not always a good thing) than most.

I think there might be an advantage in dyslexia when it comes to thinking differently.

I 'll bet my spell check has more miles on it than anyone I know though. LOL

-Mary Mowder

Mary - thanks for the heads up on Laurie's photo contest.

Is tha acrobatic knot the same as th jumping knot? I'm working in that now and was thinking of doing that for the competition next year too! That was was favorite bit from his DVDs. I still have a ways to go, stopped to work on my Red McGinty routine.

To all - thanks for your support on Red McGinty. Last night I did the routine for the first time for a real audiance and it went over great. I incorporated many of the suggestions I've received and it is getting pretty good. We (Omaha Magic Society) has an event at Boys Town in a couple weeks and I may do Red there if the setting is right.

Hope everyone had a great weekend! Stay well and keep practicing.

Hudson.

Mary-

What is chell speck??


Jim

Glad you asked Jim. LOL

55Hudson, Yes it is Jumping knot but a little different (a little more). It is a wonderful effect. I still always write Jumping Knot on my show list but I try to remember to use the correct name in posting.

Happy Birthday Laurie!

Hey Jason Johnson, What are you practicing lately. Want to join the group? Read the first page for the rules and jump to the end to join.

Devious posted a link to The Mars landing tonight (here) tomorrow morning some places.

http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......forum=32

-Mary Mowder

Hey, Thankyou, Mary!!!

Mary-

At her age, they are automatically happy. For me, it takes liquor...

Jim