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What The Audience Sees:
'Today Jamie handed me a deck of cards that he just shuffled and I cut the deck (just like in Poker so that there can't be any cheating) as many times as I wanted. I then took 2 cards and put them into my left and right pockets without looking at them. I then put the deck back into the box. Without touching the deck or anything, Jamie knew what the cards were, and in which pockets! Amazing! Incredible! Astounding!'
How It Went:
I should start off by saying that I'm a big fan of Mr. Osterlind. I've had numbers 1, 3,and 4 of his DVD set for some time but hadn't picked up number 2 because I thought I didn't need it, since I use a Joyal's Six Hour already. I picked #2 up recently, however, to complete my set and once I watched it I was floored. I don't use his BCS, but his effects were astounding. For this effect in particular, I was looking for a certain move and never saw it.
Needless to say, the Magic Friday Crowd loved it. I think I performed it close to twenty times today and every one went perfectly. Even my wife said she had no idea how I did it, which is pretty impressive in itself. I don't know what else to say really- it takes the traditional 'pick a card' to a whole new level and there was something especially dramatic about the spectators not knowing the cards yet either. It was funny to see how people would shove them into my pockets (as if I could see them anyway!). Once they were named and they pulled them out, complete bedlam.
Best Lines:
'Jamie, we've decided that, after that trick, you're a Sorcerer. No I'm not kidding...'
'NO YOU DIDN'T!'
'You are SO Good!'
'There's no way you know what these cards are...You're joking right...#$##!%$@!!!'
Angry Bob Rating:
I have a co-worker (Bob) whose uncle was a magician and thereby has a good working knowledge of how magic works. He's pretty grumpy but likes Magic Friday's because he can tell me how he figured out how the effect is done... A high rating means he'll never figure it out.
5/5. Two weeks in a row of fooling Angry Bob. It's a good life. He had No idea.
My Rating:
10/10. No need to justify it, either.
The JDG Tip:
Make sure you tell people to not look at the cards before taking them, "Now without looking at it, take that card and put it into your left pocket..." and so on.
Also, after I reveal the first card and they pull it out of their pocket, I found that they were so shocked that the second revelation almost became an afterthought. So after I name the first card and ask them to take it out, I follow (after they calm down) with, "Now it's possible that that was a lucky guess. I doubt it, but it could happen. But if the second card is the one that I named- then that would be a miracle..." Of course a miracle would then take place.
Closing Thoughts:
I know there's been a lot of talk regarding st&$!#d versus m##$!^%@$d decks and I won't go into that here. I use the latter but this obviously works with either. And regardless, this effect kills no matter how you do it.
Thank You Richard Osterlind.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE!
Jamie D. Grant
www.whatizit.net
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The Effect:
A signed Post-It Note is torn into pieces only to be restored to it's orinal condition.
How It Went:
Absolutely perfectly! I'm going to talk about a few things during this week's installment but let me first say that this effect is, in my opinion, perfect.
I get the feeling, from reading his posts and from watching his work, that Richard puts a lot of thought into the psychology of his effects so in honour of that I'm going to break down all the aspects of my presentation.
THE APPROACH:
When I went into the first office this morning someone saw me and said, "Magic Friday!" and went and got her co-workers. She then asked me to show one of them who had missed my presentaion of Jay Sankey's DOUGH "that trick with the Post-It Note!"
Now I am a firm believer in not showing people the same trick twice-call me cynical, but I know some people will try to take advantage of the second viewing to try and figure out how's it done. So what do I do? It's simple-I don't do it. I do, however, make sure I can do 2 tricks with any given item/prop. If someone says, "Hey, can you do that elastic band trick where they pass through each other, again?" I will say, "No, but let me show you something with an elastic and a ring." This goes for all magic that I do. It lets them know that I'm in control and that I'm also an Amazing Magician-I mean, only a true magician could possibly know 2 tricks that involve a freakin Post-It Note, right? Absolutely. So first thing this morning I said, "I won't do that one again but I'll show you something else with a Post-It Note. Can one of you sign your name across the Note, please."
THE PRESENTATION:
I do not proceed to rip and restore. I like taking them into the magic slowly (well, as slow as I can within 4 minutes or so...). I want them to be thinking magical thoughts, so I ask, "Do any of you know the most popular magical illusion?" While they're saying their answers, I've already began tearing. After some banter about the Staue of Liberty or whatever I'll tell them my answer. I've done about two tears by this point. "It's actually sawing a person in half." They all nod and agree. "But since I can't fire up a buzz saw here in the middle of your lobby, I'll tear Suzie in half instead. Like so." At this point, everyone's thinking about magic, Suzie's having a good time being the supposed victim, and we're having fun.
THE SECOND HALF:
"Not only will I tear her in half but I'm also going to set Suzie on fire. Does anyone have a lighter?" I put my hand in my pocket to look for a lighter but then pull my hand out and say, "Actually, maybe we shouldn't..." This little saying does more for the presentation than anything else I say. Here's why- It puts us all in a sort of outlaw group (did we almost light something on fire in the office?), it increases anticipation (does this mean he's not going to finish the trick), and finally, it implies a sort of implied magical danger/coolness (was he lighting paper on fire in other offices?)
THE CONCLUSION:
"Instead, let's put Suzie back into her original, beautiful form..."
Gasps. Oohs. Aahs. Groans. Laughter. All from a couple inches of yellow paper.
Best Line:
"Noooooooooooooo!!!!", said in a sort of dying, groaning voice like they simply couldn't take the magic, it was so strong.- during the unfold.
Angry Bob Rating:
I have a co-worker (Bob) whose uncle was a magician and thereby has a good working knowledge of how magic works. He's pretty grumpy but likes Magic Friday's because he can tell me how he figured out how it was done...
2/5. Bob wasn't so angry. He has a good idea of how these things work but no one else apparently does.
My Rating:
5/5. This is my opening effect when I'm working as a magician.
The JDG Tip:
If there's any heat to be had it's during the first tear so Talk to your audience. Don't let them know what you're doing yet.
Closing Thoughts:
There has been a couple of threads on the following topic and I thought I'd give my two cents. When someone asks, "How did you do that?!" which was asked at least ten times today alone, I DO NOT say, "Well, thank you." I personally feel that this is akin to someone singing a song and then stepping up to the mic and saying, "Boy am I Awesome or What?! Yeah!" I find it completely without class. Who are we to judge if we did something well or not? That's not my job. My job is to be entertaining and Magical. The audience decides if they liked it or not (which, luckily for me, they mostly do) and whether I performed well, or not. Instead, I say, "I'm afraid I can't tell you that." That's it. 99% of the people will laugh and say, "Of course, but that's amazing." They know we can't tell them how we do things. If the person is still looking at me with some sort of expectant look, then I'll say, "I'm afraid I can't tell you that. You know how it is, the Magic Club and all." This lets them feel like they're 'in the know' and will leave it at such. Maybe I pull my thumb off at this point and they say, "But I can do that too!" I then say, 'Ahh, but you also need to do this..." and I proceed to do some hand exercises that are too hard to explain here and which they, obviously, can't do.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND !
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