On May 5, 2015, Montana76 wrote:
Thanks Christopher!
Can I ask you how your EB is set up? Bills to bills? Clippings to bills?
I find it really hard to construct the gimmick..

On May 4, 2015, patrick flanagan wrote:
Montana,
I've talked about this here before. It was common for me to do 25-32 different routines in a 3 hour shift. I had several (10) special pockets put into all my suits. Cost me an additional $100/suit. Why did I do that many routines? Because I could. I loved learning new things and figured if I can do it...I should. Then I got tired of spending the extra $$$ every time I bought a new suit and went with one of those holsters. I can't remember who made it, but I bought it used from a guy (in a yellow suit) here. I used that for more than a few years, but discarded it recently. Now, I just go with the suit as is. And, if something doesn't fit, I don't use it. If I add something new that requires more "pocket", then something else goes out or the new thing doesn't get added.
Another thing, I've never been a fan of having rubber bands on my wrists. I dunno, I think being dressed up in a suit and tie and wearing rubber bands on the wrist just looks badly. My opinion, only. When I was doing rubber band magic, I would conceal them in the cuffs of my rolled up sleeves. I work with my sleeves rolled up over the sleeve bottom of my jacket.
As far as the loads for the chop cup, I'd suggest getting ball holders. They pin on to the lining of your jacket and lay nicely...so no pocket needed. I carry a lime around in that manner. For the Jumbo Coin production, I slide mine under my belt. It is tight enough to stay there and easy to retrieve.
Finally, I always buy dress shirt that have a breast pocket. That helps tremendously.
Hope that helps
Patrick

On Jul 8, 2019, Dannydoyle wrote:
The problem with clothes and pockets is that they are not often meant to have things in them, much less magic effects.

The jacket eventually looks silly hanging on you if it is weighted down with all sorts of things. Jacket pockets are sewn shut usually because in fact they are often intended to be decorative as having heavy things in them tends to break the lines of the jacket. I have seen MANY a magician show up at a table looking frumpy and rumpled because of being loaded down.

I only offer this as perspective and caution, not criticism. Just be aware of it is all I am offering.

On Jul 25, 2019, Acecardician wrote:

Quote:

On Jul 8, 2019, Dannydoyle wrote:
The problem with clothes and pockets is that they are not often meant to have things in them, much less magic effects.

The jacket eventually looks silly hanging on you if it is weighted down with all sorts of things. Jacket pockets are sewn shut usually because in fact they are often intended to be decorative as having heavy things in them tends to break the lines of the jacket. I have seen MANY a magician show up at a table looking frumpy and rumpled because of being loaded down.

I only offer this as perspective and caution, not criticism. Just be aware of it is all I am offering.

I agree and that is a very important point. I agree 100% that appearances are everything. One way to avoid saggy suits is to dry clean often. I have a great dry cleaner that does my suits on site. A good quality suit will hold up to repeated dry cleaning. And then replace it when it looks bad.

And have SEVERAL jackets when you are doing daily shows. Wear a different jacket every day over the course of a daily trade show. It makes each one last a lot longer. Even if you can only get two suits, two suits worn every other day will last longer than 2 individual suits worn one at a time.

I've worn every apron, belt purse, fanny sack, ect over the last 50 years. They looked good at the time. Today they look bad when you are wearing a nice suit. And of course it depends on your character and the type of gig. I am still open to wearing an apron or bag working outside in very hot weather. When it is too hot and humid for a jacket. I just have not found a new around the waist bag that will work for me.

Just from my experience. Dry clean often, buy new often, shine your shoes before every gig, and eat a breath mint before every gig.

ACE

On Aug 2, 2019, Acecardician wrote:
Yes! Thanks Dannydoyle. That is what I meant, "Pressed"! AT the Drycleaners. I only actually "dry clean" every once in a while.

ACE