|
|
Go to page [Previous] 1~2~3~4~5..13~14~15 [Next] | ||||||||||
Larry Davidson Inner circle Boynton Beach, FL 5270 Posts |
I suggest that you not judge this or any other effect by how magicians view it, unless you perform for magicians vs. laymen.
|
|||||||||
magicinsight Inner circle 4291 Posts |
I agree with Larry. I have not performed this effect for magicians. Why should I? If you want to show your magician friends the latest pass or double lift or coin slight to fool them fine. I purchase magic tricks or learn new effects to entertain people, not to please or fool magicians. I have performed "Shattered" for "lay," regular, non-magician people and they all loved the Shattered effect. I bought mine directly from Scott and Denny & Lee in Vegas. It came with the complete set up, including the hammer. It is a terrific effect and it always get an extremely strong reaction and it is 100% safe.
So what if YOU knew how it was done while watching the DVD. There is no way that "lay, regular, non-magician people will know how it is done unless it is peformed incorrectly and sloppy. Sometimes we focus too much on whether a particular effect or "move" will fool another magician when we should only be concerned about whether the effect will entertain an audience."Shattered" will entertain an audience. Period. Best regards, Michael
“Belief matters more than truth. Every moment, belief in imaginary things alters lives while truth sits unnoticed and waits.”
—Hakim, Loreweaver |
|||||||||
George Bleeks New user Belfast, Northern Ireland 94 Posts |
My post seems to have been misinterpreted. I am not suggesting for one second that non-magicians will view the effect in the same way as my friend and I did. I do think that this is a great idea but I am not personally comfortable with it and therefore I don't think I could do it justice.
I thinks what is at the heart of my discomfort is highlighted by the comparison to Larry Becker's Russian Roulette routine. If at any point during the Becker routine a spectator were to lift any of the guns the mystery would still be intact. I like to have this comfort when I perform a trick. By the way, I have also seen Larry Becker perform his RR routine a number of times and it also made a huge impact on me and I also know the method. In fact, after I learned the method, it probably had an even bigger impact the next time I saw it. I think you know what I mean. I think that it's because there is only one secret and if that secret is discovered by whatever means, then the whole effect is blown. A powerful effect like this needs to have a completely unfathomable method so that the danger element can be really played up otherwise it just becomes another one out of four trick. The method, whilst a quite brilliant idea, just doesn't give me the comfort I need. I am sure there are many of you will have great success with this trick but it's just not for me.
George Bleeks
|
|||||||||
magicinsight Inner circle 4291 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-11-10 12:09, George, I certainly appreciate your honesty when you say that this effect may not be for you. Not every trick is good for everybody no matter how "good" the trick is. I don not think that any effect, including this one, has a completely unfathomable method. We can only hope that with layers of subtlety, psychology, skill and a bit of luck and chutzpa (that is New York for nerve), the method will not be focused on but only the result and effect. You can prevent a spectator from picking up the broken bottle with a little audience management. I can assure you that no one wants to get cut by a piece of broken glass and you can use this to prevent the spectaotr from attemtoping to pick up the bottles. Of course after the effect is done, all of the props should be carefull but promptly be put away...for the safety of yourself and others. But again if this effect or any other doesn't suit you, then go with your gut instinct and try something else. Best regards, Michael
“Belief matters more than truth. Every moment, belief in imaginary things alters lives while truth sits unnoticed and waits.”
—Hakim, Loreweaver |
|||||||||
George Bleeks New user Belfast, Northern Ireland 94 Posts |
Michael,
Thanks for your comments. I think you understand my point of view. My original intention was to suggest to people to have a look at Scott's DVDs to help in their decision to make the investment and, in doing so, they would pick up plenty of good magic. I agree with you that no method can be completely unfathomable. It's just that this one probably has too few layers for me but I can see that others will not view that as a problem and I fully respect that view. I also agree with you in terms of audience management. I perform many effects where good audience management is paramount to their success but, as I said before, my lack of comfort would just not allow me to perform this effect with the conviction it deserves. George
George Bleeks
|
|||||||||
magicinsight Inner circle 4291 Posts |
George,
Very well put. Best regards, Michael P.S. My favorite 21 year old single malt Whisky is Glenlivet. Do you agree? Do you have any recommendations?
“Belief matters more than truth. Every moment, belief in imaginary things alters lives while truth sits unnoticed and waits.”
—Hakim, Loreweaver |
|||||||||
bloodyjack Veteran user Seattle WA 343 Posts |
I performed this at the my local magic club and it fooled a number of very clued up magicians even though I got the method and chuckled watching the dvd.
I don't understand your point of view, why would a lay person expect anything to be under the other bags?
"sir i sent you half the kidne i took from one woman prasarved it for you tother piece i fried and ate it was very nise i may send you the bloody knif that took it out if you only wate a whil longer"
|
|||||||||
Dan Watkins Inner circle PA 3028 Posts |
Okay following up on the post I made Nov. 8, I digitized the video from the show, and asked Scott if it was okay to share it with the masses.
I edited it down to highlight the reaction of the spectators. Especially watch the reactions of the two ladies helping me. Even putting saftey glasses on was funny to the audience for some reason. Click Here for the video. |
|||||||||
magicinsight Inner circle 4291 Posts |
Dan,
I liked your video clip and your use of thesafety glasses. You certianly picked tow very outgoing spectators to assist you. My only negative comment, if you will, is that I saw a number of very young children in the audience amused by your performance. I would be concerned that some youngster would try this at home with their own bottles. The rest of the spectators certainly enjoyed your show. Try using a blindfold next time. I think it would add to the drama. Best regards, Michael
“Belief matters more than truth. Every moment, belief in imaginary things alters lives while truth sits unnoticed and waits.”
—Hakim, Loreweaver |
|||||||||
rowdymagi5 Inner circle Virginia 3615 Posts |
In Scott Alexanders DVD performance, I think that leaving the labels on the bottles would have improved the effect. I know he explains what to say should anyone ask, and it is a great effect. I had my wife watch the performance part, and she said "Something isn't right with the bottle, is it a real bottle?" I think most would think it is a gimmicked bottle of some sort. However, leaving a label on would probably dispel that thought. My opinion anyway.
|
|||||||||
Dan Watkins Inner circle PA 3028 Posts |
I agree Michael - I did not plan for kids to be put up front there. The room was primarily adults, they sent their kids up to the front for the close look at the beginning of my act.
In retrospect, in the future I plan on requesting that parents keep their kids with them instead of letting them crowd the front. I only showed an excerpt of the performance, you did not see my admonishment to the kids, but I did explicitly tell the kids, "I am a trained professional, DO NOT EVER try this, NOT EVER." Regarding the bottle labels - I wasn't asked, but I would simply tell them that the bottle doesn't break as clean with labels on - I don't want small stray pieces of glass stuck to the labels falling out onto the table. |
|||||||||
Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
Great clip... terrific item.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
|
|||||||||
Steve Hook Inner circle Raleigh, NC, USA 1266 Posts |
Love this routine, Scott and Dan! And I just thought of something else:
An additional, classic dynamic going on in the performance is the audience's empathy with the situation the two helpers are in. Dang, this gets better all the time!
Like Bonnie Raitt said, "I miss Little Feat more than I miss being 8 years old." Thanks for the concerts + recordings, Lowell, Richie, and Paul!
|
|||||||||
MentaThought Special user 615 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-11-18 15:54, Dan Watkins wrote: Watching and hearing the reactions of the audience as seen in that clip gave me the heartiest laughs I've had all day! Great show! Thanks for sharing it, Dan! In fact, it was EXACTLY so that we could enjoy watching many more performers than just the "big names" performing that months ago I suggested here at The Café that mentalists in particular put videos of themselves performing onto the Internet. I can honestly say, as one who's spent a fairly large amount of money on commercial mentalism and magic videos and DVD's, that I enjoyed watching Dan Watkins' performance of Scott Alexander's "Shattered" effect just about as much as anything I've seen performed by most of the "big name" performers on their comme3rcial releases.
"A good mentalist ... will teach you a miracle because he understands the subtleties ..." -- Banachek
"If this works it'll be BEAUTIFUL!" - The Amazing Kreskin on a stunning effect he performed on his 1970s television series (PS: it worked) |
|||||||||
Michael Dustman Inner circle Columbus, Ohio 1220 Posts |
Ditto that. I am actually building the routine right now, and Dan's performance still had me leaning forward in anticipation.
Great routine Dan. Makes me yearn now to see your full stand-up act. You can work the audience my friend. Michael |
|||||||||
matite New user Australia 62 Posts |
I also just watched the clip and laughed myself silly... the spectators reactions are priceless!
In future I suggest you carry one of those new Phillips defibrillators as the lady on the left looked like she nearly had a heart attack! (www.heartstart.philips.com) |
|||||||||
rexgetz New user Manhattan, Ks. 84 Posts |
I really liked Dan's video clip and my question is what did you use for a table surface--the problem I have with the banquets I work seems to be that a separate table is needed to do this one effect. Any ideas?
|
|||||||||
Dan Watkins Inner circle PA 3028 Posts |
Keyboard Stand: $24
Piece of cut 3/4" composite wood table top: $7 Black 90" round table cloth: $20 I also have a Dean's Pad for my table surface, but I did not use it for this routine. For more on my table click HERE |
|||||||||
rexgetz New user Manhattan, Ks. 84 Posts |
Thanks Dan for a great idea! What do you use to pack the prop for this one effect or don't you worry about particular care of the bottle?
|
|||||||||
Dan Watkins Inner circle PA 3028 Posts |
I pack the bottle in a small box with the blocks, bags, saftey glasses, and hammer.
|
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Tricks & Effects » » Review of Scott Alexander's "Shattered" effect (1 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page [Previous] 1~2~3~4~5..13~14~15 [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 < |