talkmagic.co.uk

Let me start by saying that I am not a massive fan of gimmicks. In my experience many gimmicks are just lazy ways of achieving normal sleight of hand effects. That said I am not totally anti, and I acknowledge there are some incredible effects only achievable via gimmicks.

Rant over... Onto my problem.

I would like to perform an Erdnase style change with coins using a shell coin (for example 2p change to £2 coin). I have performed this in noisy environments, and it goes down a storm - far better reaction than something like a spellbound change. However, I have never been able to perform this in quieter environments for fear of the spectators hearing a clink.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to silence a shell coin (like coating inside with wax etc.)?

In addition when using a shell for more standard applications, I find that they just sound different (not surprising really). Does anyone have any tips on how to get round this?

Technique as well as practical answers would be appreciated, and you never know I may even get to love gimmicked coins!

Hmm...not a problem that's easy (or maybe even possible) to overcome in a quiet environment, I'm afraid.

It's for changes like this that the Raven and Black Widow were invented...but then you're just adding yet another utility into the mix.

That said, I'm pretty certain this is going to be your only realistic option; physically sliding a shell across a coin WILL lead to them talking, and I really don't think there's any solution to that

Alternatively, you could look at something like a Coin Unique, which is just as gaffed as a standard shell, but would provide a more visual vanish of a coin (no transformation though, I'm afraid), and is somewhat examinable too

you could always coat the inside with a round peice of fabric? that would probably help

Don't coat the inside, particularly with Wax.

The wax will harden and will make the coin and shell stick together and once it gets inside of the milling around the edge then it's nigh on impossible to totally remove.

If you're performing in a noisy environment then just don't worrry about the noise. As you've said, it's gone down a storm when performing already so people can;t have picked up on the difference so why worry?

one out i have used to cover the noise for using a shell in the spellbound change, though if i understand you corectly in spellbound position the coins should never actualy meet.
anyway i digress you want to change say a 2p to a £2, using a spellbound change like manover in a quiet enviroment, well why not say as i have done "if you listen very carefully you can hear me streatching the coin, pulling the molecules of the coin so far apart they actualy change into a £2 coin like this".
does this help.
this also works with a standard spell-bound change ala bobo's to say change a english penny into a silver english penny then into a half etc.

Thank you all very much for your responses.

I should point out that the manoeuvre that I am doing is not a spellbound change. The effect looks very similar to an Erdnase colour change in cards i.e. you hold a coin out in the palm of your left hand, rub it with the right fingers, and the coin has magically changed in an instant - it is a lot cleaner than spellbound, and I have never seen anyone but myself do it (though I am sure other people do).

I personally think the effect is very strong, which is why I would like to maximise the opportunities where I can perform it (i.e. both loud and quiet environments).

I like magic to look as if it is happening to me as well as the spectators, as I feel this gives the feeling of going on a journey together. Thus, particularly when doing this type of change I give no build up to it - I am as surprised by the result as the spectators - it is incidental and not really shown as a trick within itself. This means I am unable to use the patter mentioned by magicdiscoman, though I think this will come in useful for other applications of a shell coin, so thank you again for this idea.

After posting my question here, I was inspired to try and improve my technique when doing this change. I now believe that it is possible to lay the shell down with out any clink, whilst looking like you are rubbing the coin. It is quite difficult, so any other suggestions would still be very welcome. In the mean time I will continue practicing!

Thank you all again,

Paul.

I simply put shell coins into a different pocket to normal change and when requiring multiple dumps I simply place the dumper into the pocket instead of a drop.... where i am watched I place in a different empty pocket in a natural way.... no clinks, chings, noise and hopefully just some natural looking body language!

Problem solved!!