The Magicanada Project

Ben Train · Joined: 03 Jul 2008 Posts: 268

I did a lecture last night and in it I stumbled, for a moment, when I realized I had laid the cards down in the wrong sequence. I begged people's forgiveness, then re-dealt and moved on.

But I don't like that happening. EVER. I want my magic to be bulletproof, for there to be no chances for mistakes.

So, here is how I solved the problem. The laydown involves 4 pieces of a business card. I will now be pencil-dotting the bottom two corners, which lets me know, with a simple glance, whether they are in the right or wrong positions or whether I have to make any corrections.

I'm excited to know that mistake will NEVER happen again. So, what do YOU do to make your magic bulletproof?

I look forward to hearing some responses!

Michael Kras · Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 11:09 pm Post subject:

I tried making 52 tiny bulletproof vests for my Jerry's Nugget deck, but that didn't work out and the cost was through the roof.

At this point, I have tiny, tiny little things I remember about something to remember which is which (I mean, in a routine of similar structure to the one Ben described. Whether it be distinct tears, nail nicks, markings, or I simply rehearse just that one "touchy" procedure literally over and over and over again until I know for a fact what does what and what goes where... so much so that I can do it almost without thinking.
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BrianMillerMagic · Joined: 14 Aug 2007 Posts: 543 Location: New York State

The key to bulletproofing for me is doing what Mike said, rehearsing the moves until you can do them without thinking. In other words, I want all of the sleight of hand, moves, sequences, etc to be completely muscle memory. That way my hands and body just do what needs to be done and I can focus on the presentation, comedy, etc.
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LIVR · Joined: 29 Aug 2008 Posts: 52 Location: Ontario

For a trick which invovles a key card, I've actually worked into the routine three separate times when I look at the card. Once when the cards come out of the box, once on a gesture and once on a joke.
When you do the same trick over and over again, you can start accidentally look for the key card from three tables ago.

Ben Train · Joined: 03 Jul 2008 Posts: 268

Hey guys,

great responses.

Keep in mind though that sometimes rehearsal ISN'T enough- the more you perform magic the more chances you have for something to go wrong.

"Troubles of any kind are seldom conquered before real damage is done unless there has been thorough preparation to meet every expectable hazard."*

For instance, suppose Brian you are holding your break and someone walking by jostles you. You lose the break. What happens now?

At this point we can either admit defeat or use an "out", generally involving changing the effect- although only we know it- so that we finish on a successful note.** We lose the break so we ask them to name the card. They do and we tell that it couldn't be the one they picked, as it was in our pocket the entire time (locate, palm, produce).

But what if we had strategies in place to prevent the need of an out. For instance, what if we take their card back and hold a break, but ABOVE the break, and the selection, is a key card? This way if we lose the break we can still locate the card, simply by looking for the key card! Or, what about forcing the card at the beginning? This way even if we lose the break we can still locate the card!

Obviously there are other problems- what if we think our force hit, but later in the effect it turns out we missed? It does happen. Etc, etc, etc.

LIVR,
I would love more info about the routine you describe. It sounds very interesting, and I like the numerous check situations. I'm sure you've thought about this though, but if it's possible how about always having the same key card? This would eliminate the need for some mental work every time!

So, what do you other people do to make your magic bulletproof?

Ben
*Charles Hopkin's, "Outs, Precautions, and Challenges"
** If we get 10 people to comment on this thread then I'll post a routine that one could use when an unknown selection is lost!

Michael Kras · Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 6:47 pm Post subject:

What Ben said, about producing the card from your pocket as an out, is EXACTLY what I do if I somehow lose a card, or my break somehow shifts and I lose it... or even if I somehow recover the wrong card. I always spread the deck, accompanied by "so out of ALL 52 cards, you chose ______"... as I spread, I locate the selection, cull, and top palm... I reach into my pocket while saying "That's not possible... that's the one card I DIDN'T want you to choose, so I stuck it in my pocket at the very beginning".

Tried and true!

I love your idea of a "back-up" such as the key you mentioned. I never thought of that... it's either one or the other for me.

If, for some reason, I feel uncomfortable with holding a break (maybe for some reason my hands are incapable of holding one properly) I'll always use a key.

Over-practicing, as you mentioned, is also a huge factor sometimes. In my cases, the worst occurs when I get "cocky"... I think I know the routine top to bottom, I don't need to focus... then BAM, my shift somehow fails and the card is lost in God knows what part of the deck.
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Ben Train · Joined: 03 Jul 2008 Posts: 268

Allow me to clarify-

An "out" is NOT an ideal situation! The trick you had been planning on doing, that went amiss, should have been much better- otherwise, you would have just done card to pocket!

So, lets find ways to ensure we never have to use an out!

Ben

Michael Kras · Posted: Mon May 25, 2009 3:00 am Post subject:

Making magic "bullet-proof" is no easy task... in some cases, is it even possible? There's room for error in virtually any effect, from self-workers to knucklebusters. Other than outs and overpractice, is there any real general way?
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James the pickpocket · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 4 Location: Barrie, Ontario

Practice in front of a mirror only gets you so far. Reading books about what to do if a trick goes bad only helps if you read it over and over, usually the day before the performance helps too.

The best teacher is experience. Although she isn't a kind or fair teacher, you will get better because of her.

What do you do if you lose a break? If I didn't force the card before hand, didn't peek the card after it was selected, or controlled the card quickly enough (Not doing the technique fast mind you, just controlling it to a manageable position right after the selection has been made).

If I lost a break, numerous ideas prop up.

Since I don't carry an invisible deck with me.....

I can ask them to write it down on a business card, center tear it and read their mind,

I can lay one card on the table ask them what the card was and have them tell me, cull it, then either pick up the card and add it to the top of the deck and dl it.

Or ask them what the card was, reveal it to be wrong and either do a top change on the laugh, or do the Munoz turnover to change the card to the right selection.

If your trick messes up, then the trick has now turned into a jazz situation.

Readers of the trick that cannot be explained will know of outs that will work in their favor.

If you haven't studied this trick, then its an excellent lesson in being a boy scout.*

* Always be prepared.

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