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funsway Inner circle old things in new ways - new things in old ways 9982 Posts |
All magicians like perfectly smooth and solid appearing rings for linking effects. This makes the effect more impossible, right?
but, I question if that is true for lay people as far as appreciating and remembering your performance. True, the wonderful ring can add to the entertainment, but would about the "sense of magic?" Linking Ropes are not perfect and gain from having a spectator tie the knot. Sankey and others have effects using split key rings. In these cases it is not "physically impossible" to link the rings, just "not possible" quickly or within human skill. Over the many years I have experimented with these "exceptions" and suggest that the less perfect rings can create a long-term memory of "so that is what real magic looks like" than the apparently solid ones. Why? When an observer checks a completely solid ring they know that it is impossible for solids to pass through -- so, they know some artifice is involved and watch to detect the trickery. It is not "plausible magic." When it is know that it is physically possible to link the rings, and only functionally not possible to do so quickly, in their hands, etc. -- then it becomes a "plausible impossibility" not requiring higher cognitive powers to accept. The human brain makes a lot of decisions for you at the sub-cortical level based on experienced certainty/certitude or conviction. You can train the observer to accept an effect as "must be magic" on an emotional level, with no need for rational conflict. They just file the experience away with other "inexplicable phenomena" along with the attendant warm fuzzies. The exciting part is that once this pattern is established, subsequent magic effects might be enhanced by proxy. When the observer expects magic to occur, it does! Thus, if you start with a linking effect with split key-rings, then progress to linking on a solid finger ring, then to a finger ring on string routine with the split ring discarded, the overall impact will be more towards Virtual Magic than Theater Magic. Of course, your character and presentation must be congruent with this shift of "what is impossible." Just something to think about. Not the same as the "too perfect" theory, just considering how the observer will tell a story later on. .... continuing for those excited about the practical side of this approach, I have performed many effect with a set of commercial chain links from the hardware store. These some in many sizes in either metal or now plastic. You can cut into lengths of one, two, and longer and perform miracles using standard coin sleights and other well-known methods. Most of the links are welded with an obvious joint. Some are made from wire twisted into a knot. Other are not joined but impossible to pull open. My experience is that the more "everyday imperfect" ones are better than the more expensive, "near perfect" ones. They are also cheap enough to gift out at the end. You can create some gaffs for these as well, but a knowledge of a Utility Switch and False Count with Switches and Steals can accomplish wonders. Once, when I gifted a set of two links combined in a spectator's hand I later overheard, "He magically separated and re-welded one of these in my hand and I didn't feel a thing." Works for me.
"the more one pretends at magic, the more awe and wonder will be found in real life." Arnold Furst
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jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
I have a LR routine that relays on a welded joint as a convincer.
I believe - for this perticular routine- the visable weld adds to the imposdiblilty. That's all I can say for now, wait a few months to see.
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
JNeal Inner circle I used to have 999 posts, now I have 1617 Posts |
Ed Marlo's 'Key ring" for his Poor Man's Linking Ring set was ingenious.
Using a set of cheap Adams 5" rings, he had a new 'key' made (from an extra ring from another set). The 'necessary feature' of the key ring was at a point almost directly opposite of the visible weld. In this way he could demonstrate linking effects where the weld could not be considered a part of the method.
visit me @ JNealShow.com
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
JNeal, that same solution for welds showing on Linking Ring sets was published in Mike Rogers book "The Complete Mike Rogers" published by Magic Inc.
http://www.magicinc.net/specials.aspx This brings up an interesting question, who thought of it 1st, or is it just a question of independent thinking. |
JNeal Inner circle I used to have 999 posts, now I have 1617 Posts |
I didn't know that Bill! I do know that Marlo's ideas were written up in MUM magazine in the mid 1960's, which is where I read it.
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
The Rogers book is all his publications to magic magazines during his life.
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jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
I’ve come to the same conclusion for a particular close-up routine. i’m working on.
By having welds that are visible (in this case), and the working element offset, you are showing where the rings are welded - therefore any other part must be solid.
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
funsway Inner circle old things in new ways - new things in old ways 9982 Posts |
As noted, I have been working on effects/routines using split key rings as opposed to solid rings.
So far I have no problem with the instant link of the split rings as being as magical as the use of apparently solid rings. Having a spectator remove a key with difficulty at the beginning seems to enhance the impossibility. I would be interested in anyone else's adventures in this direction.
"the more one pretends at magic, the more awe and wonder will be found in real life." Arnold Furst
eBooks at https://www.lybrary.com/ken-muller-m-579928.html questions at ken@eversway.com |
tonsofquestions Inner circle 1802 Posts |
I believe Jay Sankey has an entire DVD/routine using them: http://www.penguinmagic.com/p/714
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JNeal Inner circle I used to have 999 posts, now I have 1617 Posts |
In many ways, using split rings from the hardware store to link rings magically,is similar to the Linking Pins effect.
Both are security devices that allow for them to be openly linked and yet they are magically linked without the use of that conventional application.
visit me @ JNealShow.com
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jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
IIf we're going that route
Get three short menu holders from a restaurant - twist one onto a second and you have a linking trick for table hopping And… it doesn’t cost you anything if your sleight of hand is good
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
Mr. Woolery Inner circle Fairbanks, AK 2149 Posts |
I love the hardware store chain idea! I'd like a little bigger, but it sounds like I'm making a trip to the local hardware shop this week!
I think I first read about the visible weld idea in Pete Biro's book on linking rings, but I don't have it with me right now to say who he credits. Regardless, it is a brilliant bit of "throw-off" for those who think they have it figured out. Clearly it would work great with chain that already has that huge ugly weld. Fun thinking! Thanks! -Patrick |
ringmaster Inner circle Memphis, Down in Dixie 1974 Posts |
Everybody has experienced breaking their finger nails trying to open split key rings.
One of the last living 10-in-one performers. I wanted to be in show business the worst way, and that was it.
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John Long Inner circle New Jersey 2826 Posts |
Along the ideas raised by Funsway, I've wondered about linking sections of chain links, but to go beyond just having the weld present. I was wondering about actually leaving a gap in one of the links (before and after the link). My thinking was that people would see the gap, and think about the puzzles where bent nails can be linked together, but unlike the bent nails, this would just be a simple gap in what would otherwise be a link of the chain, and the spectator should see that this is NOT a puzzle.
I'm open to comments on this, I haven't done it yet, but it seemed that it would be a bit of a tease, a source of a false theory, and that in a short amount of time should be seen as absolutely impossible. Would this add to the "magic"? John
Breathtaking Magic;
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funsway Inner circle old things in new ways - new things in old ways 9982 Posts |
By the way, two linked sections of chain look the same as two separate ones when tied in the loop of a cord.
This led to development of a Link-Switch maneuver inspired by an effect by Aldo. After two separate links are explored/handled by a spectator, the loop of a cord is inserted though to form the well known hitch ala Ring & Chain. During this process the two single rings can be switch for two linked ones apparently in the hands of the spectator who is left holding the cord with dangling links to be revealed as linked together at some future point. .... following John's thinking, the two original rings could have separations like the puzzle but impossible to join. So, "to help out" the performer ties them together as a comical solution. When the links are removed from the cord they are found to be linked together but can't be unlinked - possible as a gift to the spectator. Can't say this will be more magical, but could be very entertaining and memorable.
"the more one pretends at magic, the more awe and wonder will be found in real life." Arnold Furst
eBooks at https://www.lybrary.com/ken-muller-m-579928.html questions at ken@eversway.com |
John Long Inner circle New Jersey 2826 Posts |
Interesting idea.
Breathtaking Magic;
Not Breath Taking |
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