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Flec Special user UK 585 Posts |
I work a lot of formal events (5 course dinners, etc) when I approach a round table, each guest has a plate, three sets of cuttlery on each side, a few wine glasses, a coffee cup n saucer, a plate for bread rolls etc.....the place looks cluttered enough and I haven't even got there.
I have tried adapting most of my effects to stand up, but this doesn't become the strongest magic I have...if anything, it makes my performance weaker, knowing that I could be doing better. What I am tryin to get at is; how do people work around cluttered tables? In a resturant it isn't as bad, it is the formal events, sumtims weddings, masonic ladies evenings etc. Any ideas how to work cluttered tables? Is my best bet to speak to the venue before the event? |
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Magictrickster Regular user UK 114 Posts |
Although I don't perform a great deal in these dituations myself, those I know who do always say that you need to have tricks that don't require putting things on the table. Tricks that you can perform in your hands.
Best wishes, Brian.
Brian
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Harry Murphy Inner circle Maryland 5444 Posts |
Your best bet is to re-think what it is that you are performing. You are not there to inconvenience the guests. You are there to fit into your surrounding and entertain the gathered masses.
As a table hopper/banquet magician, who performs regularly at weddings, I never use the table. Almost everything I perform is done at chest level and is clearly visible to the largest table. Everything involves the audience, questions, signing things, sometimes holding things (a topic for another discussion). Everything I perform is out of pocket (thanks to pocket organizers) and resets itself as part of the routine. All routines were built with pocket management, reset, and visibility in mind. I have had to toss out several pet routines because they required a table and/or me sitting. I have yet to find a venue wherein I can perform a “traditional” sit-down, close-up act.
The artist formally known as Mumblepeas!
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Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
An entertainer is always limited by and benefits by the environment. At a trade show I have table top space I control. For walk-around, my basic assumption is that there is no "safe" table top space available to me. Yes, it changes the act! That can work to my advantage too. One size does not fit all.
Personally, in party and banquet type magic, I dislike the noise level more than the lack of table top space. (I especially like the "no force, force" we get to do when people have full hands so we "help" them make decisions.) Bob Magic By Sander |
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paulajayne Inner circle London England 1160 Posts |
Hi,
One of the skills you pick up in these environments is to read the tables and pick you time to approach them. In between courses, lulls in conversation. If this is difficult I pick a large table and perform BIG to get attention from other tables, they will then call you to them and make room for you. A good in to a tables is when they have children - a balloon animal and a sponge ball routine is used and then I ask would they like to see some "Grown up" magic. Paula
Paula Jay - Magic to Remember -
--------------------------------- I once wrote a book on elephants, I think paper would have been better. ---- |
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A.G. Special user Vancouver- Canada 960 Posts |
After you have just finish a table, during reactions and applause look around to see whose watching, that's you next table/.
Well then...
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magicduro Special user Las Vegas 529 Posts |
Try some mentalism effects where the person holds a pad or piece of paper. Coin effects like Daivid Roth's Hanging Coins work well too. Hollingworth's Twisting the Aces (I think it uses one of his gimmicks called Quarter) might be of interest to you as it is done at chest level. Ammar's Coins Thru Silk is another one that comes to mind.
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Harper New user 38 Posts |
Keep it in your hands and high enough so averyone at seated at the table can see.
I don't recall ever seeing enough table space for magic props at any formal affair. In less-formal banquets, try arranging to perform at the bar area during the "cocktail hour." This would allow some in-hands work, plus you could use a stool as an impromptu table to entertain a very small group of spectators before moving on. |
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magicreza Regular user USA 126 Posts |
Being able to adapt to a situation quickly, is a great skill.
I did an event last night similar to what your talking about. The most effective illusion was an effect where 3 people each selected a random card from a shuffled deck...I then gave a forth person my cell phone, and had them call any person in my contacts list, and ask that person to name 3 random cards.... ....they match each person's card in order. Good trick...but it played well because all the magic happened in their hands, rather than in their meals. Reza |
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BIlly James Special user 991 Posts |
Hi Flec,
You have nailed my problem completely!!!! 99.9% of all jobs I do are big corporate dinners at round tables like the ones you described. Usually the only place you can even lay one card is on the bread and butter plate. I too find it to be a real problem because there are just so many STRONG things you can do if you have a little space to place things down. I've actually been considering trying to rig up my close up case to a light-weight stand (So it acts as a table) so I can move it quickly and easily from table to table. I think this would probably provide the added benefit of making the set a little more like a mini show. As I say it's only in the 'drawing board' stage at the moment, but if I make it up I'll let you know how it works out. Cheers Billy |
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Alan Munro Inner circle Kentwood, Michigan, USA 5952 Posts |
Harry Murphy has the right idea. His approach is similar to what I do.
Here's a list of effects I have performed at tables, that don't require table space: Ring and String, Card to Wallet, B'wave, Bill Switch, Mental Yarn, Mirror Reverse, Gregory Wilson's It, Sponge Bunnies, Sponge Balls, Sun and Moon, Copper-Silver-Brass, Professor's Nightmare, Pen thru Bill, Egg Bag, etc. Other effects that come to mind, that will work for those conditions: Pen Thru Coin, Three Fly, Twisting The Aces, Copper Silver, Card to Can, Color Changing Knives, many TT effects, equivoque prediction using items on the table, etc. |
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LarryTaylor New user Miamisburg Ohio 72 Posts |
A eureka stand and a small tabletop has saved me on many occasions, however I too have been in situations when this is too much hardware. I try not to catch people when they are eating however this can be a problem too especially when they are always eating. When I am in those situations I do a lot of stand up slights with coins like hanging coins or multiple coin vanishes and productions with a jumbo coin production (nothing new to magicians but new to lay people), coins across. When I can find a spot on the table then I go for the tabletop performances.
Magical Entertainer,teacher and creative consultant.
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
Learn as much "in the hands" material as you can. I do a lot of this kind of performance. I have adapted everything to work in the hands. If I do have a bare spot on the table, and the routine permits it, I will use it, but you limit yourself too much if you can't work "in the hands."
Sometimes you think of "on the table" as being stronger, but it may not be. For example -- I use "solid deception" in one of my routines. I used to think it had to be done on the table. Then I was stuck in a gig where even the use of a table such as Larry describes was impossible. I put the deck into the spectator's hand and told her to put her other hand on top of it. A few seconds later, when she tried to cut the deck, she was flabbergasted. It was stronger than the table presentation. Yes, it was riskier. Yes, it required HEAVY spectator management. But it worked. The basic thing is to do the strongest material you can do IN THE PERFORMING SITUATION THAT YOU HAVE.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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Lee Darrow V.I.P. Chicago, IL USA 3588 Posts |
Remember, people can become impromptu tables. When I do the 10 count with sponges, I have two people, one on either side of me, to hold a hand out, palm up, to hold the sponges. The feeling of the nerf ball jumping across the space between the two people seems more magical somehow, doing it like this. Of course, don't do this while they are eating!
Just a comment on how to make some material work in this kind of environment. Lee Darrow, C.H.
http://www.leedarrow.com
<BR>"Because NICE Matters!" |
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wizardofsorts Special user Chicago, IL 935 Posts |
I think Allan's list has some pretty strong magic in it and everyone should look at it closely. I would ad (though not appropriate for large groups) rubber band magic. It is all done in the hands.
Edd
Edd Fairman, Wizard of Sorts is a corporate magician available for your next trade show, hospitality suite, client luncheon, or company event. http://www.wizardofsorts.com
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Scott Wells Inner circle Houston, TX 1025 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-12-15 12:01, wizardofsorts wrote: Edd, Where is "Allan's list" listed? I don't see it on this thread. ------------- Everyone, I used to carry around a small side table with a rabbit design (an Abbott's table) so people could see me coming and they also knew I was a magician. The top of the table is even with the table top at the restaurant where I worked. I now use a more sleekly designed table made by InStand (see the table at http://www.instand.com/CR1/cr1.html ). I prefer to use one of these tables in restaurants but I work out of my pockets at corporate events. There is usually not enough room at those events to carry around a little table. Also, I don't think it looks as professional in a corporate environment for an entertainer to carry around his "stage". yours, Scott
"A magician who isn't working is only fooling himself." - Scott Wells, M.I.M.C. with Gold Star
The Magic Word podcast: http://themagicwordpodcast.com Listen to convention coverage, interviews with magicians, pictures, videos and more. Magic Inspirations website for all things Banachek: www.magicinspirations.net |
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
Alan's list is right here:
Quote: On 2004-10-09 02:54, Alan Munro wrote:
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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Scott Wells Inner circle Houston, TX 1025 Posts |
Thanks Bill,
I guess I scrolled too quickly there. Upon closer inspection, I now see it appearing before my very eyes. (I guess I was doing a quick scan for Allan and not Alan). A good list, too. yours, Scott
"A magician who isn't working is only fooling himself." - Scott Wells, M.I.M.C. with Gold Star
The Magic Word podcast: http://themagicwordpodcast.com Listen to convention coverage, interviews with magicians, pictures, videos and more. Magic Inspirations website for all things Banachek: www.magicinspirations.net |
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Jeff Haas Special user 929 Posts |
Scott,
Those insTand tables look really good! Which one did you get? And what are your experiences with them? They've got a lot of options. Also, since the top is covered with their "Suregrip" material, how does that affect using it? Seems like it would be good for stage shows, but you'd want to add a closeup pad for strolling or parlor. Jeff |
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Ken Dumm Inner circle 1239 Posts |
Jeff,
I recently picked up the in stand plus. (it allows for more extension and a taller table than the original) I can't say enough good things about it. It's super light weight and pretty sturdy. I've used it in strolling and stage work. It's the perfect companion at cocktail parties where tables are not around, for props or for someone to set a drink if they need to use both of their hands assisting. I put an order in on a Monday and the table arrived at my door on Thursday of the same week. The table breaks down very small so you'll carry it to very show you do. Pick one up, Jeff, you'll be glad you did. Ken |
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