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Which is easier special props or without props. I know when you get specail props it costs more. But are they any easier. If they are eiaser where could I find some cheap stuff in the U.S.Has anyone had bad things happen with props. If you did what were they and what trick.

I'm sorry if this is in the wrong section. Please move it if it is. I don't mean to spam.


Magic_MockingBird:mrgreen:

Which is easier for you? There's YOUR answer.

Even 'props' as you put it need some presentation, practice, etc.

And define 'props'... a deck of cards is a prop. A magic wand is a prop, a borrowed tea cup is a prop.

Andy

Sorry I ment special props. I've never tried them thats why I'm asking you people.

I would say learn slight of hand first and then think about doing magic with special props as you call them.......I am in agreement with Andy, anything can be a prop, or a special prop, card magic with gimmicked cards is so much easier if you know slight of hand to enhance it, coin magic with gimmicked coins is easier when you can palm a coin and you may for some effects, need to use slight of hand to make the magic with the gimmick look that more convincing.

So I say forget gimmicks, until you learn the basics of slight of hand, all I am saying is a general knowledge of slights and then think about using gimmicks, however you may decide by that time that you don't want to use gimmicks at all.......!

By the way I use both, but as far as the audience is concerned I never use anything but ordinary cards and coins etc! I use slight of hand or a mixture of both, it depends on what I want to do or what I want to achieve. Entertainment of the audience is the most important thing.

Even with 'special' props, you will need to learn certain basics, like card control.

Learn some basic moves. The stuff detailed in Mark Wilson's 'Complete Course' should be ample, initially. Then have a think about where to go.

Some magicians think you should almost always use an ordinary deck of cards, and skill, yet our own magicdiscoman makes extensive use of a stripper deck and does so professionally.

I think the answer is to find out what works for you.

Gimmicks don't necessarily make things easier. Most of the time they do, but if your audience is always trying to grab hold of your cards, or coins, or whatever you are using, then having ungimmicked items will end up making your life easier.

It's about you. Your style, your audience and your environment.

There are literally hundreds (probably thousands) of different effects you can order over the internet, ranging from a couple of quid for a special deck, to thousands of pounds for illusions. We can't tell you about all of them, or where the best deals are, or what the difficulties are with each effect.

Think about the scope of what you are asking. Be prepared to do some of the work yourself.

If there's a specific item or magic dealer you'd like to know about, then try us on that.

Someone here might be able to recommend a US dealer, but I never touch them. Yes, they might be cheaper, but to me, getting a decent quality of service is important. I deal with about half a dozen UK companies and, on the rare occasions there's been a problem, one call has sorted it out. I get the items (usually) the next day/working day.

i never use any parts from an aeroplane,(there to heavy) i do on the other hand have many gimmicks lol.no but seriosly,once you can do the basics,the rest will follow. you need to be able to convince your audience.however large or small,that what you are doing is magical and not gimmicked.eg a bite out coin:you bite then show it bitten.then fix it (not magical at all)
on the other hand you borrow there coin. do a swop.then bite a chunk from it (thats magic)show it looking amazed yourself. (like how did i do that or you gave me a chocolaite coin). then spit the peice back on ,well that looks magic. if on the other hand your talking about stage props,then you realy do have to be loud,and gesture like your in a bad school play to get anything from them.someone rip me apart on this if im wrong,im always open for disscusion.

Ok then I will start learning some more basic things. Like some of you said the rest will follow me. That changes my mind alot. Thanks every one.

a gimmick like a stripper or a butter coin is a device to suport your sleights, as said i use a stripper deck almost esclusively but thats mostly because my first deck of cards was a marvins wizard deck stripped and marked, so naturaly when i got my copy of marks complete course i used this deck to practise my sleights.
as a working pro gimmicks help give you a security blanket if you miss a card control or a break which can happen or if your tenkie is just not playing the game, that said a gimmicked set such as hopping halfs or scotch and soda which replaces a whole sleight routine is a boom for a working pro as it gives you time to polish your performing skills.
so as a beginner i recomend you start with the basic sleights and card control then invest in some gimmicks to take the pressure of as you work on your presentation skills, hopping halfs will for example introduce you to two of the best coin gimmicks in magic today and will spark ideas for other routines.

About the only thing I can add to the above is that learning a few basics and general sleights first might help you to decide which direction you may wish to specialise in later on. Coins, Cards, Metalism etc.
Be a shame to spend a fortune on gimmicked coins now to finally decide that you want to be a card genius.

arr but as a dealer i would like to add buy buy buy cos it keeps me afloat (lol) sorry ,amoment of madness there. good point when i started, i baught everything i was a dealers wish come true.all that stuffis stored in a back room now collecting dust .my whole act fits in a briefcase.so be wise and pick smart.(i dont believe i just wrote that.

In my humble opinion the thing which counts is the effect on the audience. It doesn't matter how you achieve a specific effect, but how the audience reacts to it. So the decision on whether to use a special prop or not depends primarily on your your routine.

If the question was about a choice: If you need to choose between using a gimmick or learning a hard sleight to achieve the same effect, start with the gimmick and work on the way you present it. That time is spent much better than learning the sleight to begin with. The experience and reactions you get from actually performing will then tell you whether you need to improve your presentation or can spend the time on learning the move.

Yes, knowing difficult moves allows you to work impromptu - if you don't happen to have your cartwheel of gizmos with you - and gives you the feeling of accomplishment to do really decent magic. Like people said before - you can also hand out your stuff for examination.

So if the questions was whether you should buy gizmos or learn sleights if you have the choice: Although this primarily depends on the routine you are doing, I would rather recommend to limit the use of gimmicks. If you think about embedding a special prop into your routine or use a non-gimmicked one, for the reaons listed above I would recommend you to go with the latter.