talkmagic.co.uk

themagicwand wrote:I think that idiots looking for exposure are usually given short shrift on TM anyway. We can form an inpenetrable wall of sarcasm when we put our minds to it.

Good point. it's a shame, though, that most sarcasm is responsive. Now, if we could come up with a way to be preemptively sarcastic, that might get us somewhere

The answer is very simple. Redirect them to: http://www.mallusionist.com
where they can get a whole plethora of magic secrets revealed such as this comprehensive guide ro Russian Roulette.

Russian Roulette

Effect

The magician places three Styrofoam cups and a big, sharp, nasty-looking, rusty nail on a table. While the magician's back is turned, a spectator stands the nail up beneath one of the cups. The magician then turns around and smashes two of the cups with a hand, knowing that a wrong choice means a hand impaled on a nail. Fortunately, the magician's incredible psychic powers keep disaster at bay.

Secret

Before reading about this trick, realize that it is incredibly dangerous; can lead to massive injury, disfigurement, and death; is a pointless display of bravado; can traumatize innocent people; should not be performed by anyone; must be kept out of reach of children; has been linked to cancer in laboratory mice; and is only in the repertoire of magicians who are suicidal, bulletproof, or complete morons. Now, here's how those who perform this effect anyway (either because they value good show over their own safety or can't read) go about it.

There are three levels of this effect.

The basic level is also the safest. For this version of the effect, the magician places the pointy nail beneath the cups without any assistance. A spectator then mixes up the cups (ala the shell game) while the magician watches to make sure nothing tricky is done. The magician then smashes the two safe cups to show that the dangerous cup was not lost in the shuffle. The safe cups are easy for the magician to locate in that they are the white ones and the cup with the nail in it is red. Although this effect can be startling if performed well, the secret is sometimes puzzled out by an observant spectator.

The second level uses three while cups and spectator nail placement, but keeps the magician out of danger. In this variation, the cups are not smashed with the magician's hand, but with a hamster, squirrel, or other small animal. The magician knows where the nail is by observing the animal -- small animals will naturally be annoyed by (and therefore wiggle their nose at) the smell of a piece of rusty metal. So long as a very rusty nail is used, the magician is home free. And even if a mistake is made, at least no people were harmed.

This version of the trick is only seldom performed because certain advocacy groups have somehow gotten it into their mind that a striking feat of mentalism is not worth risking the life of an animal, and therefore they may protest, prosecute, or violently attack the magician.

The third level of this effect is that described under "Effect" above. No gimmicked cups or nails are used. No animals or other surrogates are employed. The magician's own hand is used to smash the cups.

It turns out that there are many ways to discover which cup has the nail under it. For example, if the nail is taller than the cup, then the cup that isn't quite sitting on the table is the one with the nail under it. Or the magician might invite the spectator who placed the nail (or, even better, one of that spectator's loved ones) to smash a certain cup. If the spectator flinches, resists, or says something along the lines of, "My dear God, no!" then you known you've located the cup with the nail. A cup with a nail in it has a higher specific gravity than one without a nail, and water from a cup with a nail in it will probably taste bad. With a little thought, you will see that there are many such methods for the magician to avoid smashing a hand down on an upturned nail and possibly contracting lockjaw, rabies, leprosy, chronic bloody hangnails, or worse.

But none of this is relevant because the magician doesn't really care where the nail is. In fact, there are nails under all three cups.

Before the performance, the magician pokes the pointy ends of three nails half way into the inside bottoms of three inverted Styrofoam cups, causing them to stick to the cups even if the cups are lifted. When the spectator puts a nail under a cup, the result is actually a cup with two nails in it.

While the trap is being set, the magician's back is turned. This gives the magician ample time to palm a fifty-cent piece covered in flesh-colored cloth. When the time comes to crush two cups, the magician slams the hidden coin down on the exact, precise center of the hidden nail with enough force to drive it into and through the table, effectively making it vanish beneath the smashed cup. It is important to note that if the magician's aim is even slightly off, a massive puncture wound or shards of metal flying into the audience are possible, followed by a quick call for paramedics and months of financially draining lawsuits.

The remaining cup is then shown to have a nail under it, various people faint, and the magician's life and health insurance is summarily canceled.

Remember, if you perform, practice performing, consider performing, or watch someone else perform this trick, you are an idiot. Just thought we'd remind you.

Note: This effect is quite old and famous. In fact, there is a popular story told among magicians of a magic student who didn't believe that anyone ever performed Russian Roulette, and would not accept the fact that it really could be performed until he actually touched a puncture wound in his master's hand.End of story

Hmm, i may have to try effect two.

Do you think it would work with little brothers?

Darrel wrote:I feel there should be a new section with the above title. Anybody that wants to find out how certain magic tricks work, would be able to see and post in that forum. No request for help telling them how to do something should be denied.

It should be made so that as soon as the first reply comes in, the thread automatically deletes itself. The rest of us could then ignore that section. It should stop these posts on the other sections, easing the Mods workload.

The other option is that for anybody under 50 posts, as soon as the word "how" is detected in a post, a power surge is directed at the users computer.

how amusing.


oh shi

hclchicken wrote:

Darrel wrote:I feel there should be a new section with the above title. Anybody that wants to find out how certain magic tricks work, would be able to see and post in that forum. No request for help telling them how to do something should be denied.

It should be made so that as soon as the first reply comes in, the thread automatically deletes itself. The rest of us could then ignore that section. It should stop these posts on the other sections, easing the Mods workload.

The other option is that for anybody under 50 posts, as soon as the word "how" is detected in a post, a power surge is directed at the users computer.

how amusing.


oh shi

It works, it works!!



If only you hadn't said ( Please wait while I check my post tally...........)
( It's ok, I have more than 50 ) how for just 36 more posts.

what is so wrong about asking questions the only stupid question is the one that isnt asked did you forget where you started at the begining just like these people asking the questions

magicone,

there is nothing wrong in asking questions at all. This is your second post, both of which I have answered.

It is the fact that some people ask HOW something is done. They want to know the secret of magic.
Your introduction will tell us more, no doubt, but I'm guessing you haven't been into magic that long. I don't know if you have yet had people wanting you to show them how something is done? Remember, people spend time and money creating effects. We spend time and money creating routines. When people come asking to be told for free, that is when we start getting annoyed.

I know you haven't, but just wanted to answer your question.

yes i have been doing magic for along time i have been asked how i do tricks by just regular audience members and of course i cannot tell them I am a member of the IBM sworn to secrecy what i meant to say is when another magician has a question about how he or she can make a better production we as fellow magicians should not turn our backs on them

Nor do we.

It is the "I saw this cool trick, how is it done?" I started this tongue in cheek thread.

Let us know what stage you are in magic, in the Introductions part of the forum, then ask away. We will then either answer, or link youto threads which may have some advice. (Or both)

The search functions helps for lots of things, but if you can't find it, we will try and help.

I know this is completely off topic. But why do I only now find the link to Malusionist? When I have been led in bed trying to sleep for the past 5 hours (of which I haven't).
I read two pages and I was in fits of laughter. Would have kept me entertained during the night!

Anyway. I was wondering. There was this trick on that website that was really cool. Could someone tell me how it was done?

Or is it too late for jokes like that?

AnonymousZC wrote:I know this is completely off topic. But why do I only now find the link to Malusionist? When I have been led in bed trying to sleep for the past 5 hours (of which I haven't).
I read two pages and I was in fits of laughter. Would have kept me entertained during the night!

Anyway. I was wondering. There was this trick on that website that was really cool. Could someone tell me how it was done?

Or is it too late for jokes like that?

Well we're past the point of no return now aren't we. Mods ban him.

Its never impossible to figure a trick out. Unless it is a special skill like muscle reading, you should at some level be able to figure it out. Usually if you can't you need to learn a special skill, or have a certain piece of magic "technology". In eitrher case you would need a specialy made prop or a whole book on the subject of a skill, not just a post.
But if you insist their is a simple impromptu trick, that you just can't figure out, then i see no problem that magicians should have with sharing a trick or two with fellow magcioans. In fact, if they are unwilling, it probabaly is because they feel the knowledge of the trick's secret gives them a certain power over you or other magicians, and they are too selfish to share it. HOWEVER, it may be that they are worried of a leak onto the public. On the other hand I believe that if the public REALLY wants to know how a magic trick is done, they are not entertained by it. Most people who are really ENTERTAINED by magic do nopt truley want to know how it is done. So because overall it is only something that would be strengthening the quality of magic of all magicians, it would be a great idea. I am all for it

magicmindben wrote:Its never impossible to figure a trick out. Unless it is a special skill like muscle reading, you should at some level be able to figure it out. Usually if you can't you need to learn a special skill, or have a certain piece of magic "technology". In eitrher case you would need a specialy made prop or a whole book on the subject of a skill, not just a post.
But if you insist their is a simple impromptu trick, that you just can't figure out, then i see no problem that magicians should have with sharing a trick or two with fellow magcioans. In fact, if they are unwilling, it probabaly is because they feel the knowledge of the trick's secret gives them a certain power over you or other magicians, and they are too selfish to share it. HOWEVER, it may be that they are worried of a leak onto the public. On the other hand I believe that if the public REALLY wants to know how a magic trick is done, they are not entertained by it. Most people who are really ENTERTAINED by magic do nopt truley want to know how it is done. So because overall it is only something that would be strengthening the quality of magic of all magicians, it would be a great idea. I am all for it

Ok, it is just after 7 AM and I got in from a 12 hour night shift 1/2 hour ago. On my second can of Special Brew and struggling with your post. Though I get the

Taking the part that we should all be able to work out how things are done. Personally, there are some things I DON'T want to work out, or even think about. Unless you intend to use that type of effect, why not enjoy the magic, for magic's sake? If magicians anyalize effects that they aren't wanting to do, then why should they get annoyed when others do the same during their performance?

As an example, I watch david Copperfields Buzzsaw illusion the same way as a lay audience. I want to enjoy the theatre of it. Thinking about the workings of it would spoil the whole effect.
When magicians try to learn or work things out, just 'because' they are no better than secret grabbers.
If magicians share some knowledge and tips to help each other, no problem.

magicmindben,
in writing, this sounds like I'm being harsh, but take it the way that you wrote your post, as slightly tongue in cheek.

Also remember I am on my 4th can of Special Brew after a long shift.
Can't seem to find a smiley for HIC!