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Im always playing about with my tricks and props and recently I've been messing with my balls.........errr, sponge balls. Any how, I came up with my own utility device.
What do you lot think of this. What audience would you aim it at or could you see it working universally. Can you work out the secret, if yes then what else do you think could be done with it if anything. If the answer is no then which of the ideas I present with it do you think have potential if any.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIQejlZPf0w&feature=youtu.be

Hate to break it to you, but I don't see anything original. I do see someone that needs a hell of a lot of work learning how to do sponge balls, however.

In several situations your attempt at using said device looked very clumsy and too unnatural. Sponge Ball work is smooth and super simple so it needs no form of complication. I've never used a TT or Senada device in 40 years of tinkering with sponge in that there is absolutely no need to do so and these are two gimmicks used regularly with said materials. A pull of any sort creates suspicion. The only exception I've seen involving sponge balls was Jay Scott Berry's vanish in which the hand was left filled with fog/smoke (25 years before all the nifty devices of today).

Learn to do a solid sponge routine, it will take you much further than putting something mechanical into the act or onto the market that robs the routine of its fluidity and simpleness.

This is all intended to be constructive:

I don't really see anything that can't be achieved in a smoother manner with sleights and a h*** o**.
I presume the angles on your pen production are pretty limited (if the "device" is what I think it is).
Re: performance, you really don't need to make as much of a show of your hands being empty- the way you do it on the video invites people to "catch you out".
Obviously the video may not show your performance skills properly so what do I know.
Also, a bit of filming advice, film higher than your waist, having one's crotch in shot the whole time is a bit off putting to viewers

As i say im always messing with things, some ideas bad, some good and this is where to get feedback. As for my skill this video really didnt do it justice.

First, Congratulations for giving it a go, and thinking about things and being creative. I will never, ever knock that attitude. We need that attitude so keep doing what you are doing.

What are my suggestions you may ask?

Well, even if you had invented something you have to be able to perform it. You really need to improve your handling skills. Judging from this video your handling is very choppy and needs to be smooth. Your transitions are not great and it is more of a "How did I do that?" type thing rather than actually entertaining with magic. While it may not be fair to judge off of one video, one performance, that is all that was offered.

In essence I think you are young and eager and off to a really good start. Now just refine things. Relax. Entertain, have fun and keep that creative process going.

And in parting. I really did enjoy the pen thing, but I have to be honest it left me very suspect.

Well Poopy! I just read your introduction and now I feel bad. You are older than I thought, (but still much younger than I) and obviously you do have a good knowledge of magic and you are certainly not a beginner.

So, I still stand by my post as above but I want to add something. You freely admit to not performing well. Unfortunatly there is only one way to learn to perform well and that is too perform.

I'm not a therapist by any stretch of the imagination, (I don't like most people enough to care that much, sad but trueish) Do you have a job? If so, then show a co worker some effects. Start really simple, really basic, store bought perhaps, just something to get you out there. Stop living in the past when you were bullied. I know, easy to say, hard to do. But if you don't then you will never move forward. Trust me when I tell you, go out and show people magic you will improve so quickly and so easily. The basics are there so now it is all about refinement.

And if none of the above pertains to you, then ignore me, perhaps another reading this will stop and think about it.

Its all good.

B

Hmm..

The slamming-down seems very suspicious. So whilst the exact secret may be hidden.. there is a lot of methods spectators would THINK happened (which is good enough for them)

Like, maybe you were just palming, maybe you just threw the smaller ball off to one side.. I'm not saying this is what your doing, but if the spectator thinks it is, then to them, it's not magic.

I'm not sure if I know exactly what your doing, but assuming I do.. (same kind of thing as silk-to-egg) Slow it down, practice handling it so you can have it more visible. Also, relax your `guilty hand`.

Sponge balls, to me, are also close-up, which gives spectators the ability to interfere if you're not careful, so if your method requires palming, I would practice it as best you can!

But I'm really happy for you that you're out there, hoping to create something orginal! If you can create something unique then you can hopefully create your signature trick! - which isn't easy. But work hard!

I wish you the best of luck with it!
- ZigZag

Zig Zag wrote:Hmm..

The slamming-down seems very suspicious. So whilst the exact secret may be hidden.. there is a lot of methods spectators would THINK happened (which is good enough for them)

Like, maybe you were just palming, maybe you just threw the smaller ball off to one side.. I'm not saying this is what your doing, but if the spectator thinks it is, then to them, it's not magic.

I'm not sure if I know exactly what your doing, but assuming I do.. (same kind of thing as silk-to-egg) Slow it down, practice handling it so you can have it more visible. Also, relax your `guilty hand`.

Sponge balls, to me, are also close-up, which gives spectators the ability to interfere if you're not careful, so if your method requires palming, I would practice it as best you can!

But I'm really happy for you that you're out there, hoping to create something orginal! If you can create something unique then you can hopefully create your signature trick! - which isn't easy. But work hard!

I wish you the best of luck with it!
- ZigZag

Excellent advice.