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Rook Special user I went to the Magic Cafe and all I got were these lousy 834 Posts |
Hi, All!
A wee bit of advice would be much appreciated... I've recently acquired a chair suspension, but no actual child with whom to practice this effect. Any ideas/tips on rehearsing this without an actual participant? (e.g., my wife suggested using an appropriately weighted feed bag). Many thanks!
Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.
-Roald Dahl |
stempleton Inner circle 1443 Posts |
That is the same predicament I found myself in when purchasing mine. I'm sure you did your due research before purchasing your particular model. I found the tips in Kyle Peron's ebook to be very helpful in preparing to perform. You can find it here: http://kpmagicproducts.com/Chairs.html
Once I did purchase, I went through the entire routine repeatedly as if I had a child. I know that is substandard to basic conventional rehearsal wisdom, but it did the job. It helped that I also use music only for the performance. Then (and this is supported by some, some not) before the show I went through a basic run with the volunteer-to-be, even with their parent present if necessary. I found this to not only avoid any stage jitters from the child, and also gave me much real life experience in utilizing my preshow prep. As I do only stage work, I don't know if that would work for the birthday party performer. Now I only do a preshow warm up when I feel it is necessary. Of course neighbors and friends will gladly offer up their offspring...but I have no neighbors or friends Good luck in your endeavor! |
Amazing Magic Co Inner circle 1711 Posts |
Make certain you place their head in the correct position ... Otherwise the balance will be off.
Dan. |
jimhlou Inner circle 3698 Posts |
Which suspension do you have? Some are more forgiving than others. Do you work by yourself? My wife helps me and talks the child through the trick as we are doing it. This absolutely works great. However, if you're working alone, you'll have to gain the trust of the child before a successful presentation. It's important that they do what you say - kids a are fidgity and have a tendancy to raise their head. They have to understand to just relax and not move until you let them know it's OK. This is a fantastic illusion and always gets tremendous response, although personally I (and many other magicians think it's a little hokey.
Jim |
Rook Special user I went to the Magic Cafe and all I got were these lousy 834 Posts |
Thanks for the input, all!
Steve: Glad to know that I'm not alone in this predicament! I also picked up Kyle's booklet and am taking it to heart. Alas, my neighbors and friends' children are all much older (and, thus, bigger) than I would be comfortable lying on the thing. I appreciate your experience...it gives me hope. My youngest daughter would be perfect to practice for this, but she's quite acrophobic. Not even my best bribes help. Dan: Absolutely! "Hang your head like you're watching TV upside-down off of the edge of the couch..." Jim: I have the MAK version specified for adults up to 170 pounds. I opted for that one as opposed to the cheaper version to be extra sure of the kids that I would put on it (I plan to go 100 pounds or less) and as opposed to the more expensive versions (Jay's suspension is fantastic, though more of an investment) until I am certain that it fits with me and my act in practice as well as it does on paper. I usually work alone, so it's critical that I become as comfortable as possible with this thing ('cause if I'm less comfortable, the child will be even moreso!). I also agree with the hokey part. I showed several videos to my wife (she's an excellent source of "non magician opinion" and asked her several different ways: "What do you mean, that's great? You can see the method a mile away! Can't you? Seriously?" It almost got to the point that I was badgering her to say that it's as hokey as I thought it was. However, the participant is always right... Again, many thanks!
Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.
-Roald Dahl |
Howie Diddot Inner circle San Francisco & Los Angeles California 3288 Posts |
Quote:
On Nov 6, 2015, stempleton wrote: I am NEVER alone with a child without an adult being present. It's in my confirmation memo that two adults be present during the entire show, or I will stop my show. Just the most innocent mistake with a hand may start an oversensitive child crying and yelling "HE TOUCHED ME" and then the fun begins if the venue manager to protect the venue from a lawsuit calls the police to come and investigate. But during the show I will have the mom standing at the head of a young child to calm and keep the child company while the child lays on the prop. |
Rook Special user I went to the Magic Cafe and all I got were these lousy 834 Posts |
Excellent point, Howie. Thanks!
Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.
-Roald Dahl |
Howie Diddot Inner circle San Francisco & Los Angeles California 3288 Posts |
You're welcome Rook
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stempleton Inner circle 1443 Posts |
Agreed. I didn't mean to imply that I was ever alone with the child...the organizer is always there when I have done the pre-show run thru. Good tip about adding this clause into the performance agreement.
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Howie Diddot Inner circle San Francisco & Los Angeles California 3288 Posts |
Steve.
I will send you my wording it is quite clear. |
misterillusion Special user Roseville, California 748 Posts |
Kyle Peron's book is a must read first of all. Your real training,though, will come during the live performances. I have used this illusion hundreds of times and I am still learning little fine points to make it better as well as safer. My rig is the one which is rated up to 350 pounds, but I do not plan on pushing the envelope on this. I have performed the illuson with adults, but usually with children. When I can choose, I pick the shortest and lightest subject. As has already been mentioned, make sure the subject's head is "hanging" off the end in order to keep the center of gravity corrcct. A couple of other pointers which I have read no where else, but I use all the time are these: 1. Turn your mic off and constantly talk to your volunteer so just she can hear saying "You are doing great" "It is almost over" You are going to be the star of the show". Another situation which I have encountered (and you will sooner or later) is when you place the board back prior to replacing the chair, it is possible that the volunteer will be holding onto the gimmick board with their hands. Some will do this even though you give instructions for them to keep their hands clasped over their tummy. You can't see that they are doing this when you replace the board because the cloth "blanket" conceals this from view. What happens is that you replace the board and pinch their fingers at the same time. I have done this twice and it was very upsetting especially to see the child crying because their fingers hurt. I ceased using the effect until I came up with a brilliant solution. Well, I have to be honest and say that my wife came up with the solution. I have purchased a few dozen plastic magic wands at about $1.00 each and I give one to the volunteer to hold on to. My instructions are for them to hold on to the wand with both hands in order for the magic to happen. So far this has solved the problem. The volunteer gets to keep the wand as a gift.
I hope that helps. |
Rook Special user I went to the Magic Cafe and all I got were these lousy 834 Posts |
Quote:
On Nov 10, 2015, misterillusion wrote: Indeed it does! I hadn't considered the finger pinching problem and the wand idea is inspired! Many thanks and compliments and thanks to you and your wife! I assume that the 350 pound version of which you speak is Jay Leslie's. That's my first choice, of course, but I felt that I should invest in a less expensive model while I figured out whether the effect is as good for me in practice as I think it might be on paper. Many thanks again!
Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.
-Roald Dahl |
misterillusion Special user Roseville, California 748 Posts |
Quote:
On Nov 10, 2015, Rook wrote: Yes, it is Jay Leslie's. The reason I purchased that was I wanted to be absolutely sure that there would be no problems with the prop. It has served me well and was worth the investment. I had a Sommers model first and replaced it with the Leslie model. The illusion has paid for itself over and over again since I upcharge to include the suspension. Audiences LOVE it and it makes a great finale |
Rook Special user I went to the Magic Cafe and all I got were these lousy 834 Posts |
If things go well with this addition to my act, I am certain Jay's will be a wise investment. I've been thrilled with the other things I've purchased from him, and I'm certain that the suspension would be no exception.
Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.
-Roald Dahl |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Misterillusion: Thanks for the kind words on my ebook on this illusion. It is much appreciated. If I can be of help to anyone, please just ask.
Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
Muggins New user 9 Posts |
Hello, I purchased a chair suspension some time ago but haven't used it yet. I am looking to start using it soon. One thing I noticed is that when it is set up before the volunteer comes up the gimmicked board sits above the level of the ungimmicked board. See photo. When the child lies on the board the weight naturally pushes it down level but in the photo despite the cloth you can clearly see there is another board. Any tips for how to avoid this please?
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Howie Diddot Inner circle San Francisco & Los Angeles California 3288 Posts |
Quote:
On Nov 6, 2015, stempleton wrote: If you have no neighbors or friends, you can always drive slowly around your neighborhood with candy in your car and look for young children walking home from school alone; if you see a child call him over to your car while waving the candy in your hands and ask if he wants to be famous as a magician’s assistant and if he does tell him to get into your car and take him home with you to practice the routine by laying him out on the chair suspension. I’m almost positive that the child’s parents will be thrilled when they find out you kept the kid until 10 P.M. at your home practicing your new chair suspension so he can become famous as a magician’s assistant. PS Don't forget to click on "like this post" for a chance to have your publicity photo posted on Megan's List...LOL |
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