Trick of the week!
What have I been playing with then!!!
Updated 7 Nov 2009
Hello there
Welcome to my page of ramblings... Here you can find out what I have been playing with lately and find out what I think!
This week...
Since writing the below I have been using this constantly... Often being asked to repeat the trick there and then with a ring being thrust at me! And usually a damn big one!!! Well that's the beauty of this, instantly repeatable and for once probably even stronger with the repeat! Strange how things end up in my act I thought I wouldn't use! What's more... it with me where ever I go, ready for that show me a trick!
I have to be honest this is not something I have played with this week. Oh No... This is the trick that started my fascination with rubber band magic several years ago. However I have just had in a supply of the refills from Alan. I have over the last few years put together a routine of rubberband effects. There are ALOT! To chose from many just ok effects. Amongst them however are a few that still get the the How the...?. And on many occasions I say rather proudly I have had S**T & F**K... Music to ones ears. You hear words like that you know you've got them big time. Shame you can't quote them on your publicity... Well may some of you could, look good for the "Street guys" But maybe not for the corporate workers.
But I digress, something I do all to often... It all began one night at a Naval Ball when I showed a lady "Star Gazer" which she loved and then asked if I could show here the other band trick where they passed through each other... Now as everyone else I know did this I didn't have it in my act but of course could do it with a moments notice providing I had bands which of course I did. So I did it... and considering like sponge balls we consider everyone does it they've all seen it before blah blah blah... It got tremendous reaction which then circulated around the room, hey see this....! That began my journey into rubber band magic. Now a stable part of my close up act Star Gazer being a part of the routine.
If you want the find the trick that gets the rude words look on Joe Rindfleish's Extreme Rubberband magic! Unfortunately currently out of stock...
I have always like ring flights and I think I have most of them pass thru my hands at one time or another most have something that the others dont and vice versa. Many I would not be able to use in the way I would want to work them. Departure on the other hand... Well I always like the idea of Rinky Dinky but heard so many say that it had broken on them... Blah.... It had also the drawback of being in your pocket and there fore needed other keys to weight it down. I thought it would make more sence to put it on a belt clip. I never got around to it! Then along comes Departure! I stick this on my keys and Im ready to go. Oh yes after all these years I have a trick thats with me all the time!!! I wasn't sure how well it would work in a Tux, so I tried it. Strangley no one seemed to look twice at me having keys dangling off my Tux Trousers. And whats more it still got the same great reaction that it always did when I used the key case! You may wish to handle the vanish of the ring differently depends on your style and mode of dress. Then you have a trick with you always! And a damn good one at that
Getting anything out of Rob is a nightmare. The last batch of Dribeck Die's took a year!!! These only took about 2 months. Not Bad. Although I will probably wish I had orderd more. These do sell fast. The effect is very simple, straighforward and direct. You take a deck of cards from a black holder just large enough to hold them. Take one card from within the deck ask the spectator to name a card... If you get lucky (and I did once*) it is the card you are holding! If not you turn it over and say "would have been great if it worked, How about if I make the card dissapear? With that you place it back into the case and place the case into holder. Instantaneously you turn the holder over IT IS COMPLETLY EMPTY!
No skill required whatsoever, yet it gets them everytime!
* I was lucky once to hold up a random card and ask a young lad of about 12 years old to name a card. He did! It was the same card I was holding. I turned it round to show him, his reply was "So what?"... 20 years I waited for that mirical, and I get "So what!" Grrrrrrrrrrrr.
This is one of the most famous tricks in the world of magic. One of the first tricks I got to sell all those years ago. There are a couple of great moves that you can use with this that dont usually appear in most instructions... (I have put in what I can). Over the years I have had a lot of fun with this. Now you can get this from virtually every magic shop in the world. So why the big deal you ask. Well I decided that although there was nothing particually wrong with the onesI was selling, I knew I could make a better one. I have managed to get some very nice "xxxxxxxx xxxxxx" our deluxe model uses this rather than the standard stuff that most manufactures use. The final outcome of this is a higher and steadier "floating match" or ??? Done right this is still a great fooler. Dont dismiss this because of the price.
Card On Ceiling - Michael Ammar
Funny, this is one of those effects that I never saw the point in... I had friends that made a reputation out of it. I herd stories of cards that remained on ceilings for years, virtual shrines that lay people brought their friends to to pay homage to some great magician! Still I wondered why? Fay Presto claims it as one of the two, "best" ever card tricks invented. Still I wondered why? So... I thought I would give it try see what the fuss was all about. having learned to throw the deck properly, I experimented with various waxes. I like many others have discovered the Ammar wax is the most reliable (trust me I tried "Everything") The Ammar wax first try! And has never let me down! The trick. One of the first tries was in a Church hall, VERY high ceiling. I had great doubts as to wether I would get the cards up that high! My wife had not seen the trick at this point so I got her to sign a card. WHAM... Yes there it was stuck on the ceiling. Was she impressed. Yes!!! Although had she known what I was going to do she siad she would not have signed the card!!! I believe to this day the card is still there! I have since performed this for normal people. If you come in the shop you will find several cards stuck the roof here. It does for some reason I still cannot fathom SLAY THEM! This really is a killer effect that will get you a great reputation. However word to the wise if you are posh hotel ask first. I have herd a miriad of stories about this trick!
The out come... I still have no real idea why this appeals to much to lay people but Fay may just be right, this certainly is one of the best card effects ever. (Difficult to do out doors though) But I still argue with her that the "Invisible" deck is better than the "Brainwave"
I have been meaning to get this on out on the shelves for a long time. I used to sell some many years ago. Then recently Murphys magci put something out on the market using this principal but costing rather alot more.
Sooooo pulling my finger out 6 months later here it is! The effect is very straight forward and simple: Whilst their back is turned the magician invites a spectator to choose one of five different coloured cards. In fact the magician can be out of the room... They can then tell the spectator which colour they chose. The magician then repeats the effect, this time the cards are placed in envelopes and mixed up...But still the amazing magician finds the envelope containing the chosen coloured card! Yes that is it very simple premise but everyone I have shown this to has been completely fooled.
This is a killer principal you will love this one.
You may well have missed this...we certainly did. The original description did the trick a real disservice! Ton Onosaka has created some of the real gems in magic. And this is no exception, the English instructions have been written by Phil 'Max Maven' Goldstein with a small idea on the presentation...but you will have no problems coming up with a patter for this!
It is a very clean effect, where there are cards turning over, switching places and even changing colours. Plus you finish clean, which is an advantage that not every packet trick allows. Best of all there is no real knuckle busting moves to get your fingers around, just great visual trick.
This has been one of those tricks that has sold consistantly for me over the years. Because it has been around for some time now it sort of gets overlooked as last years miracle. As do many tricks that when they first came on the market everyone "had to have one" it was "trick of the moment" and with the passage of time it becomes just another trick on the list and you forget the impact it first had... Remember that next time you look through a magic catalouge. There are of course many that just fall by the wayside as "just another ok trick" This howwever is not one of those. I remember seeing it for the first time myself and being blown away... I have since performed this many times... Twice on my wife who on both occasions being the awkward spectator she is, took and handled the gimmick without realising it... Now if it gets past her its got be pretty much fool proof. This really is a fab trick that is one you can work in the real world. And all for £8, far too cheap!
Branded (Mini and Regular Bic Gimmicks and DVD) - Tim Trono
Well once again I have picked up something I didn't think would be me at all and proved myself wrong again! Much of my best material has come about that way. This is not a new effect by any means in fact goes back at leat to the 70s... But all that is explained on the dvd. My initaial though was why do we need another version... Because...This version is by far the most practical there has been. You use it in full veiw of the spectators right under their noses. Looking back I did try Pyro Perception when it came in a few years ago and had, until a few days ago, forgotten the very good reaction that I had recieved from it. So decided to take it out with me last night (wednesday) to one of my regular summer season haunts. A varied mixture of people so it got a good run for its money. Remember also, that unlike my advise to any that ask "Practise it first!" I just jumped in with both feet after spending 5 minutes practicing the handling and formulating a rough routine.
Well it got the sort of reactions that you see on the DVD. Yes, people made audible nosies of amazement. I am impressed. Its very easy to use right under their noses. The shop now has one less on the shelf!
I kept bumping into Joe on and off for many years. He lectured for us down here in Plymouth about a year before his death, in the few days he spent down here I spend a while with him and became quite friendly with him. It was just after this that Joe gave me the rights to this fabulous trick. If I dem it, it sells... Where else would you find a trick that has THREE climaxes... No, not three possible endings but THREE actual finishes. One after the other. Almost like three tricks rolled into one package. One of my all time favorite tricks... Check it out!
Based on Don Waynes - Room Service, which is Koran Medallion type effect where spectators chose a 3 digit number that turns out to be "engraved" on the key fob that has been on display all the time! This is a fab presentation that is as diverse for the original presentation you can get!
The spectators make up a name for your furry pet dog... Then it is disclosed that on his dog tag around his neck... "Engraved" is that very name! John uses the original room service gimmick for this. BUT due to demand has had made these new gimmicks. Basically the gimmick is same as "Room Service" the ONLY difference being that one side has a small bone engraved on it. This however would not stop you taking it putting a key on it rather than a collar and doing the original "key" routine
Great routine. I am not sure yet whether I prefer this presentation or the the original "Room Service" presentation. Still working on that bit. I think I may swop between the two. I'll let you know at the end of the season!
Well to be honest I haven't been playing with this, but I will be! I went to see Fay Presto lecture at one of our local societies. And I was VERY impressed at last a lecture that dealt with things we need to know. Fay has worked 1000's of tables over the years and knows what she is talking about! If you have chance go and and see her.
She closes at the table with Norm Nielsens Bottle thru Table. To see Fay do this is to want to add it to your act.
I have had my lock for more years than I can remember... I think I bought mine from Alan Alan when I was about 19ish... (i'm 45 now!). I have used it on and off all these years. Occasionally in close up, but also as a cabaret item. I actually chopped the original casing up and made a sort of see thru box into which I place my watch which the spectators can win. In this manner the 4 spectators can each try the lock with me a long way from it! Then for the final key I have the spectator come around the back of the box "so everyone can see" and of course the lock opens in their hands, all hands off as far as I am concerned. Packs small plays BIG! You could quite easily grab a cheap music stand and bulldog clip and do the same for the perspex holder supplied and you have great cabaret-stage routine. Or of course it will just slip in your jacket pocket ready to use at the table!
Just what more could you possibly want from a trick!
Having just done another dealer dem this is one of the items that once again I sold out of!!! I think that says it all!
There are of course many other variations on this "7 Keys to Baldpate" trick but I do feel of all I have seen this is the best version there has been! Many of them allow the spectators to try each of the keys in the lock to begin with finding that they do not work, then you produce the key that does. After then mixing the keys a spectator chooses one key... this opens the lock. In fact almost all of the other variations I have come across work on this principal. Theatrically not as good a presentation as working this way around where each spectator get a chance of trying their key and possible winning the ?????
Nielsen Vanishing Bottles® - (UK Exlusive)
I have used this trick for the last 15 years or so on a regular basis. For many years while working the Holiday parks I used the Ketchup bottle. Unfortunately this is now discontinued and I am now using a Budwiser. My routine consists of using a real bottle at first which, having proved it real glass, I place in an upside down bag! Walking by whatever "box" I am using and it drops from the bag into it, with a resounding thud hopefully! Having had the usual round of Boos and Hisses, I explain I have another bottle in the box and will repeat the trick! Which I proceed to do. This time I place the bottle on my hand cover it with the bag and it vanishes off my hand? Still no good... So I screw up the bag and toss it away!
Always got good reaction. For sometime I did try to convince the audience it really was another bottle... Then one day it dawned on me when a young lad was SOOOOO insistant that IT IS THE SAME BOTTLE! I realized the strength of this presentation. It is because people believe it really is the same glass bottle they have just seen. All that hard work trying to convince them otherwise...
The strength of this effect on a lay audience was pointed out to me this week when talking to the compere of the holiday park I am doing weekly! It was, it seems, one of the effects that everyone was talking about the next day!
So despite the fact these two bottles take up most of the room in the prop bag at present I shall of course keep this one in!
Wonder unit update...
In the last week had a play with using an envelope with it! Works well and I am happy with the idea. It does add to the effect, but sometimes I am just too lazy to sit and make them.
Up-up date... Worked this alot over the last few weeks... Going VERY well... Now a permanent part of the act but am working a new presentation...
The Wonder Unit - Jerry O'Connell
A
small note pad which fits easily into the Plus Wallets to add more stunning
effects such as Confabulation and Predicta Lottery Ticket.
Will fit all Jerry's other older Plus wallets too.
Price: £18
Well... I have for MANY years used Alan Shaxons, Confabulation. Great effect, a bit of a pain to set up everytime and I was always a little uneasy about using a "carbon copy". Not that I have ever had a problem with it no one ever questioned it out loud, although once or twice the person reading it out sort of looked at me as much to say.... "looks a bit dodgy". But all in all it always got an outstandingly good reaction, more than worth the trouble to set it up!
Then along came Jerry... He took the idea and made the "Wonder Unit" This accomplishes the same effect without all the hassle. The prediction letter is taken out of the zippered compartment of your wallet rather than an envelope (although if you wish you can still use the envelope idea). And no carbon!
It does come with a couple of handling ideas also for other effects. As with all of Jerry props you can see some if not all the instructions on his website... Jerry O'connell
Do I need an O'Connell wallet to use this... Well, of course that would be ideal, Jerry's wallets are of course the best there are but if you have a card to wallet that you already use then you can use this.
My part in all this... I decided to give this a try a few weeks ago in one of my cabaret spots to see just how well it would play. I wasn't sure about double writing or having just the letter come from the wallet, just how well would it all work. Well of course after all this time I should be able to trust Jerry's judgment especially if Archie Mcintyre has had a hand in it! It did as it had always done... killed them stone dead! The best part is I could leave the letter with the guy to take away, with no fear that they could figure anything out from it! Did anyone care that the letter wasn't sealed in and envelope... NO!
The bottom line... This is one of those effects that require so little work you will wonder just why its so damn good! If you want to add and great prediction routine into your act that can play as big as "a box hanging from the ceiling from the start of the act" type then it just doesn't get any better than this! And all that for £18! Someone needs their head testing.
Yes this is now a regular part of my cabaret!
If you would like to try one its here
Can't see what you are looking for drop us a line !
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