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Hey folks, I just got a shell, but I'm not totally impressed with the quality and just wondered who does the best in uk currency? Seems a little hard to find!

I have a 10p but the edges are very rounded and it's just way too shiney, I'm not sure whether I can scuff it up. Any tips or advice?

Cheers

Hmmm here's a tip...

Give the top a little rub down with some light sandpaper

Also try it on some folk and they'll just think you're doing some very clever palming...

Excellent

It's good not to be too sceptical about props until you've tried them out, fooled a few folk and realised you could be using half a chocolate money wrapper for all they care

MrCat wrote:Hmmm here's a tip...

Give the top a little rub down with some light sandpaper

Also try it on some folk and they'll just think you're doing some very clever palming...

Excellent

It's good not to be too sceptical about props until you've tried them out, fooled a few folk and realised you could be using half a chocolate money wrapper for all they care

Like

You can age coins by burying them in a pot of garden soil for a few days. Not sure if that's OK for shells though...

MrCat wrote:
Also try it on some folk and they'll just think you're doing some very clever palming...

So I just re read this and realized what you said. This is not good, clever palming is not magic. If they are thinking this its not good. May as well show them the shell because as long as they think you are just being clever, then the magic, and the point is pretty much lost.

Ahhh bmat, you've just hit on a point there. I was talking really about my girlfriend on whom all the magic is pretty much lost as she likes to think she knows what's going on. She was very impressed and put it down to clever palming when trying to work it out. Round here I only ever get (as yet) a chance to show my stuff to friends and people who know me to some degree. So I guess it's a bit different but I totally know what you mean.

I've not got my full routine down with this shell yet as it's quite a confusing number I'm trying to learn, but I do 'metal sheep' with some 10p 2p coins which people love. I've always been a bit chicken to show just a ten and and a 2 in one hand tho using these coins, then take one out and put it in the other hand, only to show that the coins are in the opposite hands they should be as I thought it might blow it and make it obvious, that said tho it's about as obvious as 'what card is in the box with a DF card in my pocket. Same thing really. I guess I'm still learning just how far you can push it amungst inquisitive friends!

But also, can't clever palming have exactly the same effect and be magic too if they've no idea how it's done beyond that assumption at the end, provided they can't see the moves. I kind of thought that meant one had done well if they're not assuming any funny money involved

It doesn't matter if they can't see the moves. If, in the end they are not just accepting the entertainment value, if they are working it out and rightly or wrongly they decide it is just a clever move, or a gimmick then the magic is lost. And no, it doesn't matter if they think something and they are wrong because they think they are right, what possible difference does it make to them at that point? You have been foiled because you can say they are wrong to your hearts content. Until you show them how it is done they will think, even if only privatly, that they are right. And it doesn't make a difference because what you have now shown them is a puzzle and not magic.

Now to back up. They know it is not magic. They know you are doing something that they can't see. But your magic, should be such that, they don't care. You want them lost in the performance, the story, the romance. The method doesn't matter because they shouldn't care, they should enjoy it for what it is, and if it is magic, they shouldn't be looking for the method. They want to be entertained. They want to be 'fooled' (but not to be made a fool of). They know what it is, but really they don't want to believe it, they want the magic. Work to bring it to them.

And I know it is all a difficult concept because magic is inherently a look what I can do type thing. But it doesn't have to be. The "How did you do that?" question should be a gut response not a 'scientific' response if you get my drift.

And really, it shouldn't matter in the least if 'they' are family and friends. That line of thinking is kind of a cop out. Yes it is harder to perform for them because they know you. So your job is to rise to that challange. Is it going to happen over night? Nope, Should you stop performing until it does? Nope because then it will never happen.

So keep doing what you are doing. Just keep all this in the back of your head. They think it is cleaver palming? Excellent learning point. Figure out when in the routine they think this, then you can change it up and show, or make them think you have shown your palms empty at that point, it will eliminate that question. Still having problems, same method to knock the next one down. Take it in steps. You will get there and get rid of any attitude on your part that says to the audience. 'hey wanna a see a trick?" and work on an attitude that lets them enjoy and be part of the magic.

bmat, you are a star, I'm going to read this several times, not tonight, but yes I catch your drift and I like it a lot. Your philosophy rules.

Cheers.