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When it comes to sleights I always struggle with what's exposure or not - so once again mods i trust you'll zap this if i step outa line here..

I'm working on the strike vanish (in David Williamson's coin from pen cap routine). The explanation I have for the vanish is in Ammar's cups and balls routine. Now I can do the vanish (after picking up my coin from the floor many times ), but I'm still not convinced as to how invisible the 'pass' is (if u know what i mean). I have performed it in front of my QA dept (my wife and parents-in-law) and they were impressed and didn't see how I did it. Do I just need to trust that the specs can't see the move or could it be that I'm doing it wrong. I know that's hard to answer cos you can't see me doing it - but I'm sure if you've worked on the move you'll know what I mean..

I don't know this move but in general I think we often worry too much about whether something will be seen - you only have to refer to the postings on TT's for more of that! As performers, we know what's happening but the specs don't and, if there's suitable patter/misdirection at the right time, they won't notice anything at all. They're looking at the whole effect and will probably just assume you're doing some normal hand movements whereas you're actually doing the skullduggery. If your good lady and in-laws can't spot it, then it probably can't be seen. Perhaps the acid test might be to find a neigbour (or total stranger) somewhere who has a few minutes to spare to watch what you're doing and give an independent opinion. Don't tell them what you're supposed to be doing, just do the effect and ask what they thought. There's one of the well known US Magicians who used to do this using the guy at the local Gas Station as a test spectator - so I'm told. Perhaps a bit scary but it might work.
(PS This was advice I was given once upon a time but I haven't had the guts to try it yet!)

Jay Sankey covers the Strike Vanish in much detail, and it is outlined on the 45 video.

Also, his very memorable 'leaving home' routine relies on it heavily.

The advice of Sankey sticks in my mind, which is that the coin should 'hang' in the air, not be thrown. It's in the speed and timing. And to co-ordinate speed and timing, it will take many hours of coin dropping.

To see how invisible it is, check out the 'Leaving Home' demo vid on Penguinmagic.com.

You will be surprised.

I was slightly worried about this when I first learnt it but tried it on my dad, if he misses it anyone will, and he did so it must be fine. I think the key is to make the actions exactly the same in the build up to the strike if you do that.

Thanks - i appreciate the help

Just had a look at "leaving Home". Not only is it a really good example of the move but it's a really clever application. I like it

rely on the missdirection built into the routine and you wont go far wrong, when doing hold outs and loads which are unseen by the audience we are aware of them but they are not.
if you take a coin in one hand the spectater expects it to be in that hand and dosnt give your other hand a second thought and why should they.

I suffer from the same problem. I think the move was fluffed but in reality no one saw it. But if the routine goes well and your audiences eyes are looking where you want to be looking after the vanish then you have nailed the move.

Although I would say that the Striking Vanish is one of those things that you either hit it or miss it (where the floor and coin make friends in the early practice sessions)

where the floor and coin make friends in the early practice sessions

I'm working on the Sylvester Pitch as well - so I'm getting a lot of exercise at the moment with all the picking up that needs to happen..

taneous wrote:I'm working on the Sylvester Pitch as well - so I'm getting a lot of exercise at the moment with all the picking up that needs to happen..

Hey, you simply would HAVE to film that and post it on the forum - Sylvester is hilarious, and if you can pull that off, I'd love to see it!

One day
I've only seen the demo of his video - and that was quite funny. I'm going off an explanation that i read somewhere and from what a friend of mine at the magic circle (who has the video) showed me. I think i have the basic thing working - but far from performance ready. I believe there's a brief explanation in "On the Spot" by Greg Wilson - which should arrive any day now. If that's not enough then I'm def. going to buy the Sylvester Pitch video.
Do you have the video and do you use the move?

Sylvester Pitch is a great move and well worth learning. There is a nice variation of the strike vanish on the DVD Sweet by Chris Randall. His version is called strike and uses the inertia pitch (I think) instead of Williamsons move. But it's probably better to learn this and the original williamson version.

Craig