talkmagic.co.uk

I have been practising spinning a card in between my thumb and middle finger and i can now do it really well!

however, i am struggling to find a place i can put this into any tricks. I do it as a flourish having revealed a card but does anyone use it as part of a trick?

I think presto print uses it but I'm looking at some else as i feel that trick is a bit too much gimmicky... (is that a word?!?)

thanks guys..

I would try to maintain it as a flourish. Card spins and other things like it usually aren't used in a trick per se, as they will tend to complicate it. They're more of an accessory to magic, not as important, but vital.

I suppose you could use it in a moving pips trick with a gaffed card. Ellusionist has a deck that fits the bill, but it's heinously overpriced... I think there's a thread floating around teaching you how to print on blank cards, though.

Ciao,
Rob

I think NUMS has gaff decks at reasonable prices.

Myself, whilst capable of a number of flourishes, try to steer clear of doing them in my magic act.

My thinking is that if you demonstrate openly a real skill at flourishes with cards or coins, then you give the impression that you can do most anything with them.

To me, this detracts from creating the effect of Pure Magic in the eyes of your audience.

I prefer to almost fumble with the cards a little bit, which is harder than it looks! Almost as if I have hardly ever touched a deck of cards before. This way, even though I may be using a number of nifty sleights in the trick, the audience gets the impression that you are truly magic.

I hope I've made this clear. Not sure if I've put it across well, but hopefully you see my point.

Phil

I wholeheartedly agree with mallmagicians point of view, especially if use a little bit of mentalism in your tricks then it makes the effects that more 'magical'

mallmagician wrote:My thinking is that if you demonstrate openly a real skill at flourishes with cards or coins, then you give the impression that you can do most anything with them.

To me, this detracts from creating the effect of Pure Magic in the eyes of your audience.

I feel that flourishes prove just the opposite. I think it shows that you are a true master of cards and the manipulations you do with them are almost magic. I do, however, agree that they do not belong specifically in tricks. That makes the climax less, well, climactic because the flourishes are like their own little climax. A good, occasional flourish in between tricks and at the beginning and end of routines I think makes the experience more interesting without detracting from what you are trying to get: a great audience reaction from an effect.

I see what your you're getting at. And yes, they (flourishes) do have a wow factor, and show something as you describe "almost magical"

However, if you look at practically any trick that has something to do with "flourishable" objects, then the detraction from the magic is obvious. At least in my mind. To flourish cards in the middle of a mental routine, to me, would be a useless show-off gesture. Yeah, it might get a bit of a wow from people, but on the whole, for the effect, it detracts.

At the end of the day, even though we are demonstrating our skill to people, it should never appear so. It should look like magic! Not showing people how clever we are with cards or coins etc!

Phil

I think you're missing my point. I'm agreeing with the fact that you should never do a flourish in a routine or trick as it detracts from the "magic". I think you should put flourishes in between routines as a way to segway into your next one (routine).

I do see your point, but what I am getting at, is to appear as if you are simply using a deck of cards as a vehicle to display your magic powers (for want of a better description)

For me, to demonstrate dexterity and skill with cards or coins, before, during OR after an effect, would detract from the magic. The reason being, that the audience are then aware that you are dextrous with cards, and are more ready to believe that it is this that ultimately provided the outcome.

I know that many people would argue that no-one truly believes in magic anymore (apart from kids), and that my arguement is a moot point. My answer to you (if you are thinking this!) is that it is YOUR job as a magician, to disprove this mentality, and genuinely create a magical experience for your audience.

Flourishes are best left to manipulation routines IMHO.

Just my pennies worth!

Phil

Oh, well. Different strokes for different folks. I'll pursue the argument for or against flourishes no longer.














USE FLOURISHES!

monker59 wrote:I would try to maintain it as a flourish. Card spins and other things like it usually aren't used in a trick per se, as they will tend to complicate it. They're more of an accessory to magic, not as important, but vital.

I disagree! I like conflict me. I ve seen some really good magicians do a spin to reveal a cards the imortal David Stone for one. This allowes you misdirection to do other things with the deck say in an ACR.

Yeah I agree that flourishes used in moderation can be a good way to enhance an effect. Or can be great for misdirections- if your performing a one handed charlier cut with your left hand, your right is free for another 'action'

Wills wrote:if your performing a one handed charlier cut with your left hand

Or better yet, an Erdnase Shift!

Steve

Just asking your opinions guys - didnt wanna start a fight!!

no - thanks for all your views guys!