Gimmicks: What if They Ask to Examine It?
Ace's New Dilemma
Lately, I've seen a lot of really useful gimmicks, especially the ones by Sans Mind, but I'm speaking generally here too. Gimmicks create astonishing, exciting, and sometimes even impossible reactions, whether they're Flaps, Wow, or anything else. But what happens when you use a gimmick, and right after you finish the effect, they ask to examine it???
Personally, I'm not a huge fan of using gimmicks; at most, I use Flap cards and Gaff cards. However, I've seen some really impactful effects using them, and it makes me wonder what to do when a spectator asks to examine one. For example, with a Torn & Restore gimmick, right after finishing the effect, they ask to examine the card. I'd love it if you guys could help me figure out how to deal with these situations. What occurs to me would be to do a card switch or something similar. But what if the spectator doesn't give you time, or it's a much more complex gimmick where there's no way to do a switch? What can we do in these cases?
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You say, "Sure, here you go..." and as they reach out to grab it, you tell them, "Nooooo, you'll break it... or get it dirty... or whatever."
You come up with a gimmick for the gimmick where it quickly vanishes or hides.
You do a switch. Use a misdirection, like dropping something on the floor...
You tell them... "Who's the magician here?"
Practice with kids; they're the most challenging spectators, and with them, you'll have no choice but to come up with ways to get out of a jam.
Cheers!!
Alright, I'd written a ton, and then all of a sudden, for some reason, it all disappeared on me. 🙄 😔
Man, was I pissed off, ugh.
So now I'm going to keep it short.
@magicamente:
1st - Aside from family and friends, who we tend to overwhelm, especially when we're starting out, for the rest of humanity who does that to you...
JUST IGNORE THEM AND DON'T DO MAGIC FOR THEM, simple as that.
There are plenty of people who DO want to be amazed. Don't even bother with the rest.
2nd - @elayudante has given you some excellent advice.
3rd - The problem with gimmicks is when you only do one trick and it involves a "heavy gimmick" (that's what I call a gimmick that's hard to conceal if a spectator grabs it).
You should perform routines with linked effects, so that you use the heavy gimmick in the second or third trick of the routine, making it easier to conceal due to previous actions.
I had described one of my routines in detail (but right now I'm too lazy to rewrite it all) in which I use a color change on a spectator-chosen card, previously signed before it changes color (that card is already a T&R gimmick fastened with anti-slip material to a double-backer) then I tear off a corner (the spectator is the one who finishes tearing the corner), restore it, and without any pause, hand it to the spectator for examination.
(Right as I'm typing this, the power just went out in my entire neighborhood 🙄🙄🙄, and I was on my home PC, whose UPS is out of order. Today is really getting on my nerves 😓.
Luckily, this conversation saved, and I was able to finish writing this from my phone).
Anyway, I'm not going to write anymore, lest my phone explode now 😂😂😂.
Have a great day!!!
@Zeta:
We'll wait until your break so you can get back to it and share your fantastic ideas!! 😄
Hey everyone!
@magicamente:
Saying "A Gimmick" isn't really specific enough, and let me explain.
It depends on the gimmick; there will be one way or another to hide it, switch it, or simply not have to show it anymore and just not draw attention to it.
Each gimmick has its own routine, already designed specifically so the spectator doesn't notice it.
If the gimmick itself is a gaffed card, then obviously (if the spectator can't see it) there will be a moment for a switch (for example, a Top Change and you're good).
But I'll also tell you that it's all very generic, since it depends on each gimmick and its routine.
@magicamente:
I must have more than 10 different ways to do it in my repertoire, with a signed card, and that can be handed out without ANY problem.
And without a signed card, many, many more.
Again, it depends on which one you do (whose trick it is); it has its own gimmick and routine.
To use gimmicks, you really need to learn the routines well; that way, you won't worry about them asking to examine anything, and you won't care at all.
What's more, before they even ask, you'll show it to them without any problem.
All the best and happy conjuring!!!
I get it; I think I phrased my question poorly. Since it's such a broad topic, I'm more wondering what to do when a spectator doesn't give you any time to perform anything and just goes straight to examining things. A lot of spectators are like that – they don't even say anything, they just dive right in and want to examine everything. Is there anything you can say to them, or any excuse you can give that doesn't sound weird? Or how do you even deal with those kinds of spectators?
Hey everyone,
Ace, if your effect ends with the gimmick in your hand or the spectator's, then your effect is incomplete.
You need to incorporate some activity, distraction, joke, accident, or whatever it takes to end clean.
If the instructions for your gimmick don't include this final step, you need to create it and add it to your presentation.
Only by anticipating all the possible ways you could get busted or the method could be exposed will you avoid these problems and truly elevate your magic.
Just as you look for the right angles so you don't get flashed on a Double Lift, a Top Change, or a Palm, you also need to find your clean out.
Keep pushing forward!!!
Thanks everyone, that really clears things up for me on what I need to do.
I'll keep all your advice in mind when using Gimmicks.