by seige » Jul 13th, '03, 22:54
Flying shuttle works via two concepts: retention of vision and theatre...
You have to analyse the dynamics of actually what is occurring - i.e. you are only moving 1 coin between the two hands. This is the absolute essence of the effect, and you really have to believe in this.
There is also a great deal of timing involved, because the actual mechanics of the trick demand the spectators eye to be following something which is in fact never moving.
As a magician, with the knowledge of what's REALLY happening, it is sometimes all too easy to forget what the spectator SHOULD be seeing.
This is the basis of most of the problem with this and other sleights - you have to analyse the dynamics step-by-step, and learn it in small parts, rather than expecting the effect to 'just work'.
Practice advice for the flying shuttle:
1: get used to the concealments. It is essential that you are fluid with the way you conceal the coins.
2: The move involving fingertip rest to reveal is possibly the hardest part - practice this on it's own for a while. The easiest way is to imagine a spike through your wrist which follows your forearm - and rotate the hand around this spike. This will give the impression that the coin is literally landing in your palm, rather than just falling there from fingertip rest.
3: practice the second 'steal' move timing.
4: put all the bits together ONLY after you've practised the parts.
Good luck...
PS... sorry for not replying to the PM's... been a wee bit busy.