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Brian Proctor Inner circle Somewhere 2323 Posts |
Did anyone catch tonight's show? It had to be one of the best so far. Apollo Robbins was the guest this week. He performed a hilarious pick-pocket routine.
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Rick Elite user Va. 452 Posts |
Pretty cool when he heisted them cigs also..lol
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Jaybs Special user 560 Posts |
I liked the first effect when the girl thinks of a card and she slaps the sealed deck and it's in her hand. When she opens the sealed deck, the card she was thinking of is missing. I also liked the bill switch where the spectator thought of a country they wanted to travel to and JB switched the bill its currency. Does anybody know what these two effects are called? I didn't really like his presentation of Hundy 500 though. I kind of like Greg Wilson's presentation better.
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Greg Arce Inner circle 6732 Posts |
I'm sorry I missed this one. Apollo is a friend and one of THE best pickpockets around.
It's a pleasure to watch him work... actually you never see when he puts in the work. The guy's hands should be illegal. Greg
One of my favorite quotes: "A critic is a legless man who teaches running."
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Daegs Inner circle USA 4291 Posts |
I second that, Apollo should be the one with his own special.
Watching him, even late at night at bars,ect is just amazing... He can completly fleece someone in no time and make it super entertaining. here is a short review from memory for people that missed it: Korn did an awesome effect, a borrowed watch disappeared from a napkin and turned into 3 quarters. Then they walked over to a toy machine, put in 3 quarters and then out pop'd a small plastic toy holder, and their watch was inside. JB Benn did a decent effect with horrible presentation using the "slap the deck" effect and a sealed pack. I think that the pre-show work was very poorly disguised as the mark got up out of her seat as soon as he walked up, like she knew she was going to have to tell him the card that she previously wrote down. JB completly misses the effect,(the card pop'ing out through the deck and celophane into his hand) by making them open up the deck and find their card missing. Really, the reaction was sub-par because it was obvious that the card was missing, if he truly pullled it from the case in the first place. Kinda like that Henry Evans Rising card where you completly skip the reaction of the rising card, and have them deal through the whole deck to show there are no gimicks.... If properly performed, you don't have to have them examine things, because it will only kill the reaction. Korn did a pretty nice version of card to mouth. Even though I don't think it was the best version, his personality and presentation won through and made it a killer effect. JB ben should take note of how to actually interact with people, because he doesn't seem to know how. JB Benn does another bad version of Hundy 500(or slow burn). Barely any patter or presentation, basically "How much money do I have? No, how much do I have? 6 dollars, right? Now watch... if I do this, they are 100's". There was a mini-interview with kris and JB ben, about selecting spectators I think. It was pretty boring as they obviously hadn't given much thought to what they were going to say before they shot it. It was mostly "Yeah you look for the energy, and the good reaction, blah blah". Personally while I think they are correct, it wasn't "exciting TV". Finally Apollo did some awesome pickpocketing, stealing cigerettes out of someone's pocket, but leaving the box in. He also loaded a ring-to-keycase case on someone, and had a borrowed ring appear inside the case inside someone else's pocket... I personally hadn't seen apollo do this before, and I think it worked great. He also performed 2 phases out of his "trinity" coin effect. There were also shots of them doing shots(drinks) out of strippers cleavage and some topless shots of them doing magic for strippers. Definatly one of the best, but I think they would be much better if they cut out JB ben and gave Korn the whole show. |
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Brian Proctor Inner circle Somewhere 2323 Posts |
Perhaps just pair up Mr. Korn and Apollo for the rest of the season. It would probably raise whatever ratings they have.
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ralphgironda Loyal user 291 Posts |
Korn, apollo, and shoot ogawa
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Danny Diamond Inner circle Connecticut 1400 Posts |
I thought last night's show was the best, by far. I also agree with the thought that JB needs to work on his presentations. I bought Hundy 500 from a Café member and it happened to arrive last night. I wwatched it before I watched Mondo Magic, not knowing Benn would be performing the effect. So, having watched Wilson perform it dozens of times just minutes prior to watching Benn, it was quite apparent how much impact is lost through poor performance. Korn impresses me more and more each week, with his great people skills. Mondo Magic is giving us a very clear, side-by-side example of why presentation and people skills is so important in performing magic.
And what else can I say about Apollo? This was my first time seeing him perform, and I could have watched him for hours. The guy is so smooth and so confident!
You don't drown by falling in the water;
you drown by staying there. - Edwin Louis Cole |
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Magicbarry Loyal user Toronto 276 Posts |
The Hundy 500 was a bit weak, though it wasn't because of patter. You don't need a heck of a lot of patter for that effect ... in fact, the less the better. The problem came at the moment of magic -- when the bills change. The moment immediately after the turnover screams out for a pause, which we never got. The effect seemed very rushed.
Also -- and perhaps more importantly, because this is an ongoing problem with this series -- the camera work left something to be desired. The TV audience was left out of the moment of magic, because they couldn't see the change. They were, essentially, informed of what happened after the fact. Except, of course, with Benn's second or third presentation of the effect, when, rather than showing his spectators what happened, he immediately held the folded bills up to the camera, leaving the spectators to wonder, for a moment, what was supposed to have happened. The bill change Benn did as the next effect also suffered from imperfect camera work. After a bill change like that, I always feel that it's important to establish that the performers hands are clean. TV viewers were likely thinking that the original bill was in Benn's hands, because the hands were never shown empty. Benn's taking a lot of heat in this thread, which may or may not be fair. Personally, I think he's a good magician who's simply not well suited for television; his understated presentation style, which might be compelling in person, comes out flat on television. I think he definitely deserves some criticism for lack of originality ... the Hundy 500 is a good example. The handling was a carbon copy of Wilson's, and nothing about the patter made it Benn's "own". That's fine for the average magician -- I'm not going to pretend that I've revolutionized the effect -- but if you're going to perform an effect on television, put your own stamp on it. Korn is definitely the stronger of the two magicians, but to be honest, I don't think either one of them is wowing non-magicians ... and those are the people they need to impress if the show is to get renewed. This is partly because of the camera work, which is deadening the moment of magic, and partly because neither one is charismatic enough to win over the plebes. It says something when the guest magicians are blowing away the regulars, which happened again last night. One refreshing change in the last couple of weeks is that we're seeing more of the guys talking shop between effects. Unfortunately, as someone said, they don't seem to have thought about what they were going to say ahead of time, and the dialogues haven't been terribly compelling. Surely these guys have more interesting things to say. Now, here I am being entirely critical, which is a bit unfair. I do like the show quite a bit, and I hope it does get renewed -- it's far better than some of the other recent attempts at putting magic on TV. I'd just like to see them overcome some of the problems. |
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tboehnlein Inner circle ohio 1787 Posts |
I have noticed a lot of people have been quick to nail JB for his delivery, unfortunately he is delivering the material the way the directors & producers want him to deliver it(thanks to Blaine)minimalistic. korn was directed one way Ben another.
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Nash Inner circle Hong Kong ~ USA 1101 Posts |
Finally.. after all the hype I stories about Apollo and his insane (almost scary) pickpocketing ability (the story of what he did to Pen and Teller's pen was funny).... I get to see the man does his work last night (I'm pretty sure he has more to show though).
Everytime he stole something I SCRRREEAAMMEED. He literally tells the audiences that he was GOING TO STEAL THEIR BELONGINGS... and yet he still managed to do it.... unbelievable. Apollo = THE MAN
I teach leaders the magic of curiosity and empathetic communication. keynote Speaker | Seattle magician
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Magicbarry Loyal user Toronto 276 Posts |
Quote: Is that speculation, or inside knowledge? I like Benn, and have seen him come off much better on television, so it surprises me that he hasn't been quite as likeable on Mondo Magic.
I have noticed a lot of people have been quick to nail JB for his delivery, unfortunately he is delivering the material the way the directors & producers want him to deliver it(thanks to Blaine)minimalistic. korn was directed one way Ben another. |
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gdw Inner circle 4884 Posts |
The thing about Ben's work is that it he is GREAT for bars and resteraunt work. His style really works well there and has this whole almost making up as he goes along, which would make it impossible for him to pull off the stuff that he does (in the specs minds that is) Unfortunately it doesn't play well on camera because he sometimes looks like he's just hyperactive and unprepared with what he is goiing to say.
It's a completely different story for the ones who are there seeing him first hand. I know this firt hand as this is similar to the way I perform. I tend to have a sleightly toned down Cardini thing going on. That is that the magic seems to happen around me and it does puzzle me a bit as I'm just not always expecting the card to be where it is sort of thing, but toned down in that I'm not acting really surprised and befuddled ala Cardini. I treat it like it's an every day occurence for my, which it should be if I am a magicican, but I just don't always know what is going to happen or the way it will happen. Granted it works great for those times that you actually do forget something, or what trick you were doing. Gives it a spontainious feel. I'm getting off track here. The point is that I do work with this type of approach to great affect, but I am aware that it will not play as well for the cameras. As such when I do work for film I am aware that I need to alter my approach sleightly. J>B> should be working a bit more like he did on Champions of Magic. Similar but he played it and staged it better for the cameras. He is very good at what he does, Korn is just playing to the cameras way better, which is sad because I have seen Ben do much better then he is.
"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
I won't forget you Robert. |
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gdw Inner circle 4884 Posts |
On another topic, how about some more on Apollo. What is this story of what he did with Pen(n) and Teller?
I wasn't aware that he did Pick Pocketing. It sound like I should have though, he sounds very well known for it. I always wondered how exactly you practise that kinda thing. you have to do it with a volenteer but it would be a lot harder to get anywhere using a friend or family member as you would have to let them know what you are pratising and that makes it a lot hard to pick pocket as it relies a lot on distraction and confussion. Having them not know what is going on exactly.
"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
I won't forget you Robert. |
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gdw Inner circle 4884 Posts |
Sorry one last thing. I usually tape Mondo magic, but Last weeks, in Vancover, I taped it but didn't work for some reason and I missed it.
Could some one give me an idea f what was done and how was the show. There was only like one post in this thread about it, but a whole page for this weeks. When I miss something, I miss it, eh?
"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
I won't forget you Robert. |
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Greg Arce Inner circle 6732 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-11-09 15:59, gdw wrote: Apollo, although young, has been doing this for years & years. He is a master. I've never seen a pickpocket this good and I've seen a bunch. First thing I noticed about his act is he was the only pickpocket I had seen that actually starts the act by saying I'm a pickpocket. Most guys pretend to be magicians and get people up on stage and start their work before anyone knows what's happening. Apollo looks you square in the eye and says, "That's a nice watch and ring... I'm going to take them." and then he does! I watched him work the line at Ceasar's Magical Empire and it was better than some of the shows they had inside. I watched him pickpocket people over and over... and he's also a great putpocket... so the people in line would end up with each other's items or a chicken leg or whatever. I have seen him do impromptu routines with people that would be the hit of any TV show. The only reason I'm a little glad he doesn't have a TV show is that would start the onslaught of "hey, where do I get a pickpocket DVD" thread. I like the fact that he is a one of kind and even in his field he is considered one of the best... I like the fact that he is unique. By the way, he's also a great juggler and you guys have now seen his coin & card work. Greg
One of my favorite quotes: "A critic is a legless man who teaches running."
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tboehnlein Inner circle ohio 1787 Posts |
"Is that speculation, or inside knowledge? I like Benn, and have seen him come off much better on television, so it surprises me that he hasn't been quite as likeable on Mondo Magic"
Inside knowledge per Chris Korn |
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the 3 magi New user 6 Posts |
Apollo, does have a great approach to pickpocketing. I agree with you Greg.
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gdw Inner circle 4884 Posts |
So did anyone catch the show in Vancover, I think it was?
There is I believe only one comment on it in this thread and it doesn't really say anything. I missed that show and am very eager to hear what I missed. Thanks Glenn
"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
I won't forget you Robert. |
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Brian Proctor Inner circle Somewhere 2323 Posts |
Did anyone cringe like I did when Chris impaled his hand into the nail on tonight's show?
Glenn- I can't remember much about the Vancouver show except for 2 effects that Chris did. He performed a bill to orange for a couple of ladies. And then he had a card location trick with a gold fish. It was pretty interesting. |
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