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Both vids are great, good job! I do have to say though, I prefer performance vids that haven't been dubbed over with music - I like to hear the clunks and thunks (or better, the lack thereof).

user24 wrote:Both vids are great, good job! I do have to say though, I prefer performance vids that haven't been dubbed over with music - I like to hear the clunks and thunks (or better, the lack thereof).

I understand what you mean. I was playing with a video editing program that came with my new computer and having fun using various features. Incidentally, after reading your post, I listened to the original clip with a reasonably high volume and couldn't hear my final load at all.

Great job! Seriously great job. I am going to say a few things but please don't take them as put downs, just my view point and perhaps something you may want to take into consideration.

A. First video way better then the second.

B. You performed the vanishes technically very well so I can't critisize the technique, good job with that. And that being said I hated them. Always have. For me there is something odd about holding the ball that way and then grabbing it with the other hand. I much perfer a standard retention vanish, or better yet just tossing the ball from one hand to the other and making it vanish at that point. Not sure of the name but I think it is a Goshman vanish. For my two cents it is just more 'natural' for lack of a better term.

C. The routine went a little too long. You vanished the ball, it re-appeared under the cup, then you did it again, and again, and again, and again. With no story to go with it, it just became very repetative. Was it well done? Absolutly! But repetative.

D. Your final loads were excellent. I liked the production of the large ball and then the blue one. I didn't see either one coming, (except for the fact that I knew that was where the routine was going).

Take my 2 cents for what they are. The real comments you need to pay attention too is the response from your spectators.

Great job, all the best.

Thanks for the feedback! I really do appreciate thorough criticisms since they help me improve, so no worried about my feelings.

May I ask how the first video is better? I made it before performing it very much and did so to see myself on camera rather than video. I performed it for a group of maybe 50+ people for a club and found that slowing down and allowing people time to react (I don't wait for the reaction to die before moving on, mind you; I just give them time to register) helped make it stronger hence a slower second version.

I know what you mean about the French Drop. I've changed my movements a bit since the second video to try to justify the passes better. I feel that compromising a little bit of naturalness for vastly superior visual deception is worth it. That said, I agree that it's unnatural. Perhaps something better will come along in the future.

Though it's repetitive, I tried varying it each time to cancel out people's obvious hypotheses. I cut out the second French drop, so it's currently a hair shorter.

Thanks for the compliments on the big loads

I really do appreciate your feedback, but I don't really know how to apply them at the moment.

sleightlycrazy wrote:I know what you mean about the French Drop. I've changed my movements a bit since the second video to try to justify the passes better. I feel that compromising a little bit of naturalness for vastly superior visual deception is worth it. That said, I agree that it's unnatural. Perhaps something better will come along in the future.

I dont think theres anything wrong with the french drop

Anyway I had another look at the effect, here are a few things you may want to consider.

I understand you have cut out one false pass, which has cut down the amount of hand to hand to hand sequences. Another of these sequences could be cut again by eliminating the first one. By already having the ball there and not having to load it the right hand can simply take the ball from the top of the cup and pass it to the left (false transfer).

The ti* ov** load is best suited when seated, when the hands are already on the table. When standing it doesnt really make sense - if the left hand wanted the ball, why would it go past the ball it wants, then use the other hand to tip the ball into it ? For a better technique to use when standing check out Ammars Cups and Balls performance.

I notice that you dont show the inside of the cup during performance. This could be used to your advantage for final loads

jim

Thanks for your comments, Jim. I never thought about justifying the first pass. I'll work on it when I spend serious time on the routine in the future.

At the moment, after Teller's put-down-and-reveal sequence, I toss the cup and flip it over in the air while revealing the ball underneath. It shows the cup being empty without any need to mention or overtly gesture about the fact.

I'll look up the Ammar technique.

Thanks again.