Howdy everyone, Would you guys review my routine for me? Ive been piecing this together for about a year now, its going to replace my old act - Provide feedback.

1. - Strat-o-sphere
2. - Zombie
3. - Cups and balls (gazzo)
4. - Instant Art
5. - Coloring Book
6. - Ultimate Ace Assembly (jumbo)
7. - Torch to Rose
8. - Magicians Nightmare
9. - Daryls Fooler Doolers (rope)
10. - Square circle deception
11. - Finale' - Dove Production

That's a lot of magic (not just to watch... but to transport as well.)

Curious: Have you tried doing that set on in a street situation?

I'd think 3-5 of those routines would be plenty.

I'd pick:

Torch to Rose (for a crowd draw... fire draws in the specs like moths to a lamplight.)

Daryl's's rope stuff (packs small, plays big.) I haven't seen the fooler dooler vids... but if it's his 'great white rope' routine, you can't go wrong.

Optional: either the Jumbo assembly
or the zombie (make sure your zombie cloth will withstand backlight/sun and that the routine can be performed surrounded. Also: be prepared for grabby speks)

Then...

Cups and Balls (IMO, Gazzo's routine should be left alone... plenty of others to pick from... or heck, make up a sequence of your own.)

and to finish (if you're willing to put up with the pain of toting livestock) The dove production will guarentee a decent hat.

Those are my suggestions...
Regards,

Doug (who should be working right now... but got sunburned yesterday) Conn

TR,

I gotta agree with Doug on the amount of stuff there.
I'd say 3-5 maybe no more than 6 effects. You don't want to be doing an hour show.

As for Cups & Balls being Gazzo's routine and as Doug says to, "leave it alone."

Doug, if Gazzo didn't want his routine performed by others, he shouldn't have put it for sale on a video.

Anyone who buys that tape can perform the routine. Now Gazzo does say on his tape that he doesn't recommend doing his lines, nor does he 'give them away' on the video.

Buying that video teaches you his handling and manipulation sequence and also allows you to perform Gazzo's Final Load sequence.

I bought the tape because I wanted to do that final load sequence.

And one final note to Twisted Reality: Even Gazzo himself says this...remember you're performing for lay people. If they enjoy your show, more power to you.

Just make sure you're legit about performing Gazzo's routine and buy his 'On the Cups' tape if you can find it. Otherwise, don't perform Gazzo's moves.

Robert Bloor

This. In this order. (you will tire quickly of using lighter fluid on the street... you'll see)

7. - Torch to Rose (these roses catch fire from time to time so be ready for it. They are made to use once then dry out and are not made to use over and over, several times per hour. If it happens smother with a cloth and remark about those roses not handling re-enty to our dimension or something similar)
8. - Magicians Nightmare
6. - Ultimate Ace Assembly (jumbo)
3. - Cups and balls (gazzo)

If you do these very well, have the patter and hat lines down, can banter with the audience and make friends,and find a high traffic pitch, and draw in a crowd........You should make money.

Leave the rest of the store at home.

If you must, throw some card and coin stuff and odds and ends in a drawstring bag and hang it off the back of the table, or scatter a few things through your pockets.

Robert,

You wouldn't be biased because you perform Gazzo's routine eh? Regardless, you're right... Gazzo put it "out there" and he/you/we are free to use it (-minus lines.)

Point taken.

I hope my point (of developing an original sequence) will be taken as well.

thanks for the 2 cents,
Doug Conn

If I catch you using my routine I will kill you all. Know I will. Make you watch Gary animal..... know danny hustle ......know Kosmo ... yea... Kosmo

Doug,

Call it a bias if you want. Although I don't perform his full routine...just the load sequence - which frankly the only similarity is the hat load.

As for the sequence of Cups & Balls. Mine is rarely the same sequence in back-to-back shows.

Honestly though, is developing an 'original' sequence even possible?

But you're right, Doug, minus Gazzo's lines.

And as for Gazzo killing people for using his routine...what can I say: Never ***** off a Brit with and attitude & magic stick.

Cheers!
Robert Bloor

Robert Bloor says
Honestly though, is developing an 'original' sequence even possible?


YES I DID IT

I wouldn't do gazzos routine, he's the only one that can, trust me...

gazzo, you love it...admit it...

koz

Gazzo,

I stand corrected.

Robert Bloor



All these expert opinions over who can & can't do Gazzo's Cups sequences is ridiculous.

Anyone who purchases Gazzo's On the Cups video or manuscript has the right to perform it - move for move as illustrated in print & video. Period.

It's no different than someone purchasing Kevin James' Floating Rose video and performing that piece move for move, or Doug Malloy's Lemon Game.

These routines are available for purchase for a reason.

Robert Bloor

You can and have the right to do any or all of anything that gazzo put on that video, NO QUESTION, but can you get away with it? I told gazzo before he did the video that when it comes out don't be ***** when the world starts doing his show because he sold it.

I use some of gazzo's stuff, but I have expanded on it, and it's downright funny! But gazzo's delivery of those lines are perfect—for him, not me. His accent, his appearance, the way of him makes him special.

Know this—there is no one better than gazzo, NO ONE! He's the very best at what he does just like Cellini is the best at what he does and Dante is the best at what he does and Doug Conn at what he does. And none of them do it the same. No one can do my routine better than me, because it's mine. Know you can take it and make it your own, and that might be better? Likely you could, because I'm not gazzo or Cellini or Doug or Dante, and I certainly should not be mentioned in the same sentence, but I'm good enough to make a living which makes me pretty good—and happy...

koz

Greetings and Salutations All,

As an unmitigated street poser, I'll not even mention those greats who I admire and study -- so as not to attempt to elevate myself through association to their status, however, I have to chime in.

Robert and Koz, you are both absolutely correct. When a magi sells his stuff, the buyer can use it as is, word-for-word, and move-for-move. On the other hand, using the stuff word-for-word and move-for-move lowers the buyer to the level of the Blainiacs.

I have borrowed shamelessly (and learned) from those who have gone ahead of me; why should I attempt to reinvent their perfectly good wheels? If I were to perform side-by-side with those that I have studied, I don't believe anyone could accuse me of ripping off those masters. One, because they're so far ahead of me as to be passing me; two, I have cherry picked what suits me from mulitple sources; and most importantly, three, my act is my act, and is not their act. I can't be them, and by the same token, they can't be me.

So, yes, if you can buy a magi's act you can use it in toto, but you can't buy the magi's personality which cannot be sold and only poorly imitated. Something, it seems, that the Blainiacs will never learn.

And that's way more than my $.02 (USD) worth.

Have fun playing in the streets.

Joe in KC

We do not stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing!

Sorry, Greetings Again,

As to the original post. Twisted, I'm familiar with most of the items you have cited. Several are angly at best, the zombie for instance, or defy easy and quick resets, the square circle.

Unless you have a stage and a guaranteed audience, I'm thinking that I, too would pare down your set list to three to six effects, i.e., the cups, cards, and ropes. Why hump all that other stuff around?

Now that's about $.02 (USD) worth.

Joe in KC

Kozmo,

Maybe I'm coming off the wrong way in my posts. I really think if we talked personally I would be able to communicate what I'm saying better.

From the above quote...you'll get NO argument from me.
Not now.
Not ever.

The reason I don't use Gazzo's lines...seriously: Because I'd get shot, mugged, beaten, gang raped, and probably have my cups stolen.

Gazzo can get away with it. There is more psychology behind his routine than you'd learn with a Masters Degree.

Koz, I really think you and I are fairly similar in thought here. Use what works for your own act.

I've heard great things about all the names you mention, including your own. I'm really looking forward to catching your act this fall.

How long do you plan to be down in the Big Easy?

Take care!
Robert Bloor

I don't know, I will be there and then not, but I like going to New Orleans. I have friends there, so it's a kick to visit them. I don't ever really do my act there though.

My act is more of a circle act then anything and it doesn't work all that well there. I make money with it there but I do sidewalk stuff there cause there's no competition for space. I don't like waiting aroung to be able to work. I prefer to do a lot of little shows by myself. So you would likly find me on a sidewalk someplace...

As far as anyone saying good things about me—well, thank you. But I know my place and it's not next to any of those others there. I'm so humble...

As far as my last post, I ramble, so take nothing personally brcause it's never meant to be. Or at least if it were, you would certainly know it.

See you down there.
koz

Well maybe if you're around this fall we can grab a bite.

I'm looking forward to getting down to the coast.

Catch you later.

Robert Bloor

TR:

1. Performing the Zombie outdoors can lead to exposure of the gimmick if the wind blows.

2. One of the important lessons in the Gazzo tape is NOT how he performs the C&B. It's the structure of the act. You will notice that Gazzo does not follow his Cups routine with another effect. Your act must always build, and you must end when you peak!

Twisted_Reality, it depends on how you perform the rountine. Record yourself on video and show it to a few members of The Magic Café. That way you can't loose in getting our opinions.

Ok,

My street stage is a trunk - I have a car and I have performed this routine before - And yes, I am capable of handling Gazzo - er, his routnie Lol Kidding Gaz. However, I do agree that it is a lot to carry around; however- I perform the show all day long in the down town sector which is always busy, I perform them in 4 trick sections - I.E - 4 tricks per show, simply mixing them up so know 2 shows are the same, also, I am covered from angles as I perform in front of a building which a "alcove behind me"

Hope this helps./

TR,

Is performing different shows actually helping you make money?

Performing all those various effects I think will ultimately hurt your hats.

Go for one set with only slight variation. Learn it. Master it like it's part of your body. Then, big hats will you have.

Say, "Yes Master Yoda."

Good luck!
Robert Bloor

I have mastered all of the tricks, I simply move them around, it has actually helped improve my hat loads