|
|
Go to page 1~2 [Next] | ||||||||||
charliemartin Special user Rapid City, SD 779 Posts |
What do you think the best sucker trick is? I have a concept idea and need some suggestions.
|
|||||||||
pbj100 Special user 516 Posts |
Personaly the best sucker effect is none at all . For me it sets up a challenge even if reversed on the performer it still puts the focus on how its done . That's the opposite to what I want. Magic is challenging enough to an audience . Whilst I know they don't really think its magic . I want them to find it unbelivable. It is for this reason when I work close up . I do not use flourishes and fancy cuts . I do not want people to say " boy you're quick I would not want to play cards with you " I want them to be amazed!
|
|||||||||
Dr. Delusion Special user Eugene, Oregon. 733 Posts |
Hippity hops is one I like to use a kids shows. Goes over really well.
Bob. |
|||||||||
Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
My two favorite are Fraidy Cat Rabbit and Run Dino Run.
|
|||||||||
NeverGrowUpMagic New user 43 Posts |
I use Fraidy Cat Rabbit... it goes over great.
stephen |
|||||||||
RNK Inner circle 7493 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-12-16 05:42, pbj100 wrote: I agree with you on the cards- while it's fun to do manipulations and flourished with cards- I tend not to do them in front of an audience. I agree that after they see all the fancy moves/cuts with the cards- it makes your magic more unbelievable. I saw Daryl lecture once and this was his take on it. Though I do think including a sucker trick in your set is good. It will always get great laughs. I wonder if you would consider Tommy James' Comeback Bee a sucker trick? After using this now I will not leave it out- such phenomenal reactions from everybody! RNK
Check out Bafflingbob.com
|
|||||||||
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-12-16 05:42, pbj100 wrote: For some shows and audiences, I'd agree with you. But for kid shows, I think you are missing a great opportunity to engage the audience. Even sucker tricks can be presented to kids in a way that puts the primary focus on the journey and not the destination... which is what the kids appreciate anyway. Questioning things is natural to kids. Rather than trying to avoid it happening, I prefer to embrace it, and appropriate it for the greater good. But, that's me...
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
|||||||||
gmsmagic1 Elite user 405 Posts |
My favorite sucker trick is Run Cookie Monster Run, which I combine with the Smokey Mountain Magic Pizza Box - except my Pizza Boxes have been converted into Cookie Ovens. The 2 effects are tied together with a great story that has a logical transition.
I understand PBJ100's point regarding the downfalls of sucker tricks that deter from the magical experience and can sting the audience, but I would be cheating my audience if I didn't include them since this is one of the most memorable parts of my entire party. I couldn't have stated it any more perfectly than Michael did above regarding the journey and not the destination being the goal. A great sucker trick in my opinion (like any magic routine) should tell an entertaining story, engage your audience, take them on a roller coaster ride, and leave them thoroughly happy and fulfilled with the outcome. If you achieve these goals, I don't care how you label the effect or what preconceived concepts you have regarding the pros and cons, since you're going to most likely have a very successful show. Focusing on Charlies original posting which isn't questioning the merits of sucker tricks but rather is evaluating what the most successful sucker tricks have in common conceptually, I would say that one thing that the better sucker tricks have in common is that they focus less on the magic and more on the story while animating the characters or objects involved to engage the audience. P.S. - RNK, Comeback Bee is definitely a sucker trick of sorts since the bees keep magically appearing but then fool everyone when they vanish and appear elsewhere. But it's the journey that makes it so much fun, and the sting is literally on the magician. - Gary |
|||||||||
wwhokie1 Special user 512 Posts |
I never single out a person for the sucker trick, but instead, get a response from the whole audience. This keeps someone from feeling bad, and it also gets the entire group participating. The response when they are wrong is just fun, laughter and finally amazement. Kids don't mind being wrong if they are all wrong and its just for fun. When possible I also try to include myself with the audience and act surprised, because I am wrong along with them. It only puts the focus on how its done, when they think they know how it is done. I think the ending takes the focus away from how it is done.
|
|||||||||
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-12-16 15:54, wwhokie1 wrote: This is a really good point. I think there are other types of tricks that are not classically "sucker" effects, but do more damage by "burning" a single spectator... typically one unlucky enough to be onstage at the time. I would consider many of the "spectator fail" tricks to be within that lot. Even things like break-away wands and fans can be misused... and I've seen it done plenty!
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
|||||||||
Danny Kazam Inner circle 1516 Posts |
I do a sucker trick as a game to see if the hands are quicker than the eyes. It's a great bit that I was really glad to add to my birthday shows. Not only is the routine fun, but it's a real fooler with a twist at the end. I use it as my warm up routine, and helps set the pace for the rest of the show. It's all about the attitude you convey in my opinion. I don't perform sucker tricks with the attitude that I am smarter than my audience, but rather as a comedy routine that gets them all laughing and cheering. I performed it earlier today at one of my shows, and I could hear even the teachers laughing and amazed at the ending.
Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.
|
|||||||||
Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
When the sucker trick is against a single volunteer, don't perform it early. The child my misunderstand what it is all about. But later in the show the kids will already know you are all about entertainment and humor. It makes more of an advantage they will go with the flow.
When using multiple sucker tricks for a volunteer, start off with the weaker one. It will make it easier for the next child to understand the next stronger one. For example I perform Nesting Wands as my 6th trick as times. I perform the Break Away Wand a few tricks later. |
|||||||||
pbj100 Special user 516 Posts |
Quote:
Hi, For me it is not the sting as you put it but rather the relationship sucker tricks set with your audience. Sucker tricks create a mind set of "lets see if we can work the tricks out" as the point of sucker tricks is to lead up the garden path. even if its great fun along the way and no sting .... it is still putting the children in a state of mind that I do not desire for my shows. I do not consider Tommy James comeback whatever to be a sucker trick ... the re occurring card has always played well however it is dressed as it is classic magician in trouble phil |
|||||||||
Danny Kazam Inner circle 1516 Posts |
I don't see a negative with the issue of the minset of, "let's see if we can work the tricks out" especially when the children have a great time doing it. This may sound cliche, but it's all in how the performer presents it, and how the children relate to the performer.
I can see sucker tricks being misused, but even Mark Lewis when he uses sucker tricks as a, "Ahah, I got you!" sort of way, still pulls it off. Perhaps sucker tricks are not for every performer. I think maybe it comes down to our style, and what we are comfortable with.
Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.
|
|||||||||
pbj100 Special user 516 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-12-16 20:36, Danny Kazam wrote: Hi, That's cool its down to individual choice . I just throw it out there as it may help some . Particularly those who have issues with control, shouting out . We know kids like and work well to boundarys so for me I am careful the boundrys I set . Phil |
|||||||||
TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
I hate sucker tricks, both as a performer and as a spectator. So I don't use any. Like pbj100 I think the best is none at all.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
|||||||||
gmsmagic1 Elite user 405 Posts |
If I interpreted Charlie's original posting correctly, he already plans to develop an idea he has for creating a new sucker trick. So discussing the merits of sucker tricks in general frankly isn't even relevant to the topic of this thread. He was simply polling us on which sucker tricks we feel are the best among those that are out there today in the hopes that it will help him design his concept.
That said, some of the comments in here regarding sucker tricks have inspired me to start a new thread on this topic that takes a different angle than has ever truly been examined in the Café as far as I know. I'll share my thoughts in a moment in this new thread so that it doesn't distract from the feedback Charlie was seeking. - Gary |
|||||||||
Danny Kazam Inner circle 1516 Posts |
I agree. "Sucker" tricks may not be for everyone, but I have said it before, no magician will ever dictate to me what I should or shouldn't do for my audience. My audience will do that. Many here are successful and use sucker tricks, some are also successful and don't use sucker tricks, and some are not successful because they have allowed other magicians to dictate what they should and should not perform.
Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.
|
|||||||||
pbj100 Special user 516 Posts |
Danny,
You forgot to say that some are succesful because they allowed others to dictate to them! That aside I don't think anyone here is trying to dictate to you or anyone else . Just give a reasoned opinion based on thier experiences I am certainly not trying to dictate . As I stated it is down to individual choice and how you feel it plays and reflects on your show |
|||||||||
charliemartin Special user Rapid City, SD 779 Posts |
Guys, I really do appreciate the comments and theory. But, what I was looking for was some sucker tricks you have worked with. My concept is not to develope a new one but to use it in a very unique way, not for kids. Thanks Guys!
|
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The little darlings » » Sucker Tricks (0 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page 1~2 [Next] |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.03 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |