My response to using the tilt to much cant be right as its really only used twice.The rest of the time im mimicking the action or placing a card somewhere else as this is actualy cancelling out the method to any close observing spectator.I used to spread cards & pass aswell, but found no need to as i became more efficient at mis direction.Also i like to keep handling naturaly the same which I think allows (in spectators eyes) spectators to really concentrate on what you are doing rather than wonder why does he keep changing.Im almost leading them right up the garden path so they cant come up with any answer to this effect.
My thought for performing this way was to keep focus simple & direct on my handling of the deck.See in magicians eyes it looks like im using tilt to much,but im not.In spectators eyes im just repeating the same move over & over again building to a climax of impossibility & Astonishment.
I have experimented with ambitious for 4 years using different methods,finishes etc, but this simple repetetive method is why they dont see or remember trick as a blur.All they remember is he placed my card in the deck & it amazingly jumped to the top of the deck,then to his mouth,then to his pocket,then to his wallet.The deck vanish is remembered seperatly,almost like a completly different trick.Im still not 100% why it really works as this is my only sane explanation.Just years of trial & error & lots of magicians theory, lectures & chit chat.
I will post a live performance as soon as I get one recorded.Thats the proof in the pudding,so untill then,comment we shall.
Here are some things that I liked about it: I liked that you presented it as though it were a live performance. I liked the line about your shirt (it used to be white). I liked the display prior to the add-on move.
Here is what I would change, just my opinion of course:
1) I agree wholeheartedly with cosmicplay. Mixing impossible location, card to pocket, and ACR will result in the spectator not remembering your effect. They will remember "lots of crazy stuff happened with my card". If you perform the effects separately, the spectator will have a more cohesive recollection of your routines. It also allows for more bang for your buck in terms of available routines (IMO there are better uses for card to pocket and card to wallet). Whether or not you are concerned with what the spectator remembers is of course your choice and not mine however.
Technical stuff and structure:
I think you'd be better off replacing at least one of your tilts/depth illusions with a coverpass or bluff pass for the simple goal of not repeating the tilt as many times as you do./> I would also recommend actually showing the (any) card being inserted into the center (ie show that it's actually going into the middle via hand to hand spread) at least one more time to help cancel out the fact that the majority of your rises are based on the same prinicple/sleight. This, combined with showing their card before it's inserted (via tilt or bluff pass/coverpass) will help to cancel out the method that you are relying on rather heavily IMO.
This is all of course just my opinion, for what it's worth. />Overall, nice video.
Yes again you are right because if you are entertaining them & they are enjoying what you are doing, then thats all that matters.Thats the versatility of ACR.Thats my whole point of why I like this trick the best of all, and why I like to discuss different opinions on magical entertainment.
Lots of magical entertainment contradicts itself,but to me its about what matters to the spectator.Thanks for commenting.Much appreciated.
Personally I like the challenge premise in an ACR routine. In fact, Dai Vernon's ACR is entirely built on the challenging premise you can do with it. If you tell them you will cheat, and they have to catch you, it immediately sets a connection with them. It can be very entertaining. ACR allows for this, cause of its vast array of methods. David Williamson has a similar approach for ACR.
One thing I forgot to mention,is ...Ive tried one trick at a time which I do as my openers, which is good, but I found that the ambitious routine was the killer finish to my card tricks.The one that everyone seems to remember or cares about.I think I've just found something that really works for me.However I will try to stand my ground.
Question.. Have you read MAXIMUM ENTERTAINMENT by Ken Webber?
Yes I agree with the having 3 phases,begining,middle & climax ending,however if you look at my routine,in away it has 3 phases that link together.You have ambitious itself which as long as you vary & people laugh etc then they are entertained.Ambitious itself is a miracle which means only shown once should be enough,however by repeating you are actually arising to the puzzle & challenge situation,which is not magic but catch me out.what you have to do is not pause long enough for people to say do that again,but by automaticaly continueing & change direction each time (again patter plays an important part).You are leading and entertaining together.Just when ambitious finishes & there thoughts are going wild,you change there conceptions again as card to pocket routine is shown (middle phase).You are now toying with any idea they have of how the first part is done.This, in my opinion is a rise in climax,but not the peak.Finally when they think its all over you end with an astonished moment... card inside zipped wallet (or sealed envelope).You've got to remember that close-up is different than sitting down or on stage with an audience spectating.Close-up is faster paced than presenting magic to an audience.
I'm afraid this approach leads to people not remembering what you did. Instead of remembering "he could bring my card to the top of the deck", they will remember "he did something with cards". I understand your concern when working in a restaurant of being interrupted. But ACR in itself is a jazz routine. People like Daryl have come up with 20 phase ACRs, and there is plenty of room for interrupting the routine at any given time. Just my 2 cent. I aim at giving all my effects, as Vernon suggests, a beginning, a middle, and an ending.
They will remember but in an even more amazing way.They will recall days later how the magician made the card jump through the pack ,to his pockets,the deck vanished,the signed card ended in an impossible place within seconds,now thats the magic I want people to remember me by.
Now the proof is in the pudding & when your asked by someone whos seen routine already, and wants you to show there friends, then in my eyes, mission accomplished.
On a lighter note. Entertainment is what close-up is all about,not just magical entertainment but general fun & laughter.
Oh I forgot to add...This long combing routine has its benefits of being able to cut short at any time if intertupted in anyway & still leave them with an amazing experience.Handy for restaurant work./>
I believe you should always string two or three card tricks together,not like a set,but a whole routine which you can cut short at any time.You know where the highs & lows are & you can decide to pause or flow.Its a fantastic position to be in & a confident way to perform.Before you know it your flowing naturaly & perfecting patter & timing between tricks.
Remember you would only get cards out once,not put them away,do coins,sponge,then go back to cards.Maybe the rare exception when people say please show another card trick.As a pro you would kindly say I have to entertain others now but when im finished I will come back & show you some more./>
Could go on forever,but hope you get the idea.
- I would keep ACR and card to pocket 2 separate effects. And certainly don't add card to wallet as a third effect. Those are all strong effects in their own and combining them together dilutes their strength. - Try to ground yourself. You move quite a lot. The deck also moves a lot, while there is no need for this. Try to rock a bit before finding a state of balance. Then stay there. This is an exercise I learned from an actor and I do it before entering the stage. - I enjoyed the fact you worked on your script. It is sad not to see it in a live performance though. I am sure it would be a success.
Thanks for advice on moving around.I will try your way to see the difference.I really need to get some live pro footage to see if I actualy do this out performing as im not sure.As for deck moving around, I dont think there's any erratic movement,thats just my relaxed feel.Again i think im more focused when out professional,but cant comment until I get some real footage.
Mixing card to pocket,wallet etc make for a nice flow to routine which can have many pauses.This means more interaction with lay people.think about it.It has high & low points all through routine which allows people to go on an emotional rollercoaster.Finally finishing with card in impossible location(sometimes in sealed envelope).So really they can be seperated like an interval but only for a few secs to allow them to recover.Its like a long script which you can go in & out of at any time.It allows for reactions from audience & myself keeping it real & fresh as everyone reacts differently.Believe me this works on all levels./>
Im constantly looking at ways to improve my perfomance & appreciate all comments so thanks once again.
