Feedback on my Routine

[Huruey]

Hey guys. I'm looking for some feedback on a little routine I've been formulating. I've never really put effects together like this in hope hope of creating something which flows nicely before (at least not on the same scale as this).

Please let me know what you think.

Part 1
I ask the spectator if they've ever been playing with a pack of cards, then suddenly they realize that one of the cards is the wrong way round in the deck, and they have no idea how it got like that. I explain that being a magician, I obviously deal with cards quite a lot, and sometimes it can get a little out of control. Begin my own 3 phase inversion routine.

Part 2
I then explain that I eventually found a use for this mysterious anomaly, demonstrating through my own triumph effect.

Part 3
I then go on to explain that I have discovered a way of using this to find a card in a deck. I do this by using two cards face up on top of the deck (the two red aces), and with a bit of luck, the spectator's card will appear face down between them. That's where I start my two phase sandwich effect.

Part 4
Moving away from magic, I say that I've recently been trying to do a bit of mind reading. I admit that I'm not very good yet, but I'm learning fast. I demonstrate my skills through my own handling of the biddle trick. When I have narrowed it down to 5 cards, I eventually give up and admit that I cannot work out which is the spectator's card. "I may be a lousy mind reader, but I am still a good magician, so I guess I'll cheat a little bit". The card is found reversed in the middle of the deck.

Thanks for your time.

Huruey

Before replying, please read this...

Thanks for all the comments, guys.

To clear a few things up, this is not intended to be "street magic". I am 18 and my intended audience for this is a group of adults in a close-up setting. I estimate the full show to last about 15 minutes.

Part 1, the the 3 phase inversion routine, doesn't actually last that long. The first phase is in fact very close to what Jay Sankey does in the video aznofspades linked to. It's one of the first card tricks I ever learned when I was about 8, but that doesn't make it any less good. The second and third phases I believe are original, the second phases is simply a repeat, but the card may be pushed into a spread of face down cards by the spectator, and the third phase... I don't really feel comfortable disclosing any information about it here. I have had ideas stolen before, so I'm a little more cautious now. I'll just say it happens in the spectator's hands and there is something else which should make it completely impossible.

He's got a lot of work on the inversion and sandwhich plots which are extremely visual - something your routine lacks right now.

My sandwich effect is something else I do not wish to leave out or change. The second phase is actually a visual rise type effect which is significantly aided by the first phase. It has given me some of my best reactions to date, including one person saying it made their eyes go fuzzy when they watched it.

Mattlee, thanks for your input. Using the biddle trick as a finale was something I wasn't completely sure about myself. I was trying to think in the direction of a card to impossible place, but was also trying to make it fit in nicely. This presentation of the biddle trick is something I have done before, but the main thing I didn't like about it, well... the biddle trick in general actually, is that there is no reason at all for the card to be suddenly reversed in the deck of cards.

After a bit of thought, I decided that appearing in the spectator's hands was as good an impossible place as any, and given the familiarity of the situation when they find the card, I thought it might enhance the impact of the trick, though that is complete speculation on my part.

I am by no means an expert with any of this stuff, I have only been doing magic properly for just over a year and a half, and haven't performed nearly as much as I would have liked in that time.

What do you think would make a good finale?

Many thanks.

Huruey

 

[RichmanMatthew]

It is almost too long. Seems a little dragged out. However, part 1 and part 2 go together very nicely.

 

[al3x:h]

Split it up. 1+2 and 3+4. then you would have 2 routines. The 1 is just too drawn out.

 

[tsarothpaco]

I personally like it.

RichmanMatthew mentioned it being quite lengthy, we are entitled to our opinions so I'll tell mine.

To me a long as in too long effect would be winding up the punch to the effect to long. You have series of 'punches' through your routine, one or a few in each of your phase. I see no difference in performing tricks tied together and performing a bunch of tricks.

Last bit of advise....practice, practice, practice

~PaCo

 

[RichmanMatthew]

I personally like it.

RichmanMatthew mentioned it being quite lengthy, we are entitled to our opinions so I'll tell mine.

To me a long as in too long effect would be winding up the punch to the effect to long. You have series of 'punches' through your routine, one or a few in each of your phase. I see no difference in performing tricks tied together and performing a bunch of tricks.

Last bit of advise....practice, practice, practice

~PaCo

Still, biddle trick alone can be 3-4 minutes long...

 

[Dylan P.]

yeah. split them up a bit. However, if you were dong a whole show then that may be great.

 

[aznofspades]

What age group are you and what's your audience?

I think you should split it up too.

1 2 3 4

All of your tricks have similar themes because they all use cards and have to do with reversed cards. This is good if you get repeat audiences.

Conserve your climaxes, or you'll end up watering down your effects.

And if you're ever feeling lazy show them this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26RFUCWj-Y4

(I add an extra phase that appear more visual involving an ego change)

 

[mattlee]

Good job. Its got good flow, and each phase logically leads to the next - that's what I REALLY really like about your routine.

I'm assuming that this isn't a standup set, or something you rush out into the street and force on an unsuspecting passer by.

You just outlined a card themed 20 min closeup show. (With a consistent theme)

You demonstrate a willingness to think beyond the box here, and in doing so you've come up with something very original.

I don't think length is a problem - most people say the typical ACR should be 3-5 phases. Daryl's ACR is has almost 20 phases and he won a FISM gold medal with it. The question you should ask yourself: Is my presentation entertaining enough to sustain a long routine?

However the biggest problem with your routine seems to be a lack of a really good climax. After waiting for about 20 mins the audience is mentally primed to receive some sort of payoff, if not they will feel cheated. You need a trick that really kicks them in the nuts at the end, and perhaps more importantly, says 'This is the last phase. Please applaud.'

Here's what I would do.
1) Scrap the biddle trick and consider some sort of card to impossible location as an ending. I know it breaks the theme, but its not that bad if you can justify it properly. If you can find another way to end the effect that's really strong, go for it. I would put the biddle trick in the middle or forget it altogether.

2) I would cut the inversion bit at the start to just one phase. OR replace it with the bit that Tommy wonder does where a card keeps reversing in the deck over and over again despite the magician turning it back in the fairest possible manner. Its quick and its a perfect introduction to your 2nd phase. Its in one of his videos on youtube.

3) Consider the work of Zenneth Kok, the inventor of the Zenneth alignment move. Find his youtube vids. He's got a lot of work on the inversion and sandwhich plots which are extremely visual - something your routine lacks right now.

 

[Huruey]

Thanks for all the comments, guys.

To clear a few things up, this is not intended to be "street magic". I am 18 and my intended audience for this is a group of adults in a close-up setting. I estimate the full show to last about 15 minutes.

Part 1, the the 3 phase inversion routine, doesn't actually last that long. The first phase is in fact very close to what Jay Sankey does in the video aznofspades linked to. It's one of the first card tricks I ever learned when I was about 8, but that doesn't make it any less good. The second and third phases I believe are original, the second phases is simply a repeat, but the card may be pushed into a spread of face down cards by the spectator, and the third phase... I don't really feel comfortable disclosing any information about it here. I have had ideas stolen before, so I'm a little more cautious now. I'll just say it happens in the spectator's hands and there is something else which should make it completely impossible.

He's got a lot of work on the inversion and sandwhich plots which are extremely visual - something your routine lacks right now.

My sandwich effect is something else I do not wish to leave out or change. The second phase is actually a visual rise type effect which is significantly aided by the first phase. It has given me some of my best reactions to date, including one person saying it made their eyes go fuzzy when they watched it.

Mattlee, thanks for your input. Using the biddle trick as a finale was something I wasn't completely sure about myself. I was trying to think in the direction of a card to impossible place, but was also trying to make it fit in nicely. This presentation of the biddle trick is something I have done before, but the main thing I didn't like about it, well... the biddle trick in general actually, is that there is no reason at all for the card to be suddenly reversed in the deck of cards.

After a bit of thought, I decided that appearing in the spectator's hands was as good an impossible place as any, and given the familiarity of the situation when they find the card, I thought it might enhance the impact of the trick, though that is complete speculation on my part.

I am by no means an expert with any of this stuff, I have only been doing magic properly for just over a year and a half, and haven't performed nearly as much as I would have liked in that time.

What do you think would make a good finale?

Many thanks.

Huruey

 

[AllanLuu]

Well, where are you planning on performing this? Parlour? Stage? Walk-around? Close-up?

Before anyone can say if it is too long, we should probably know th eneviroment you will be performing.

 

[Huruey]

Well, where are you planning on performing this? Parlour? Stage? Walk-around? Close-up?

Before anyone can say if it is too long, we should probably know th eneviroment you will be performing.

To clear a few things up, this is not intended to be "street magic". I am 18 and my intended audience for this is a group of adults in a close-up setting. I estimate the full show to last about 15 minutes.

It's likely to just be a living room.

Huruey

 

[mattlee]

Mattlee, thanks for your input. Using the biddle trick as a finale was something I wasn't completely sure about myself. I was trying to think in the direction of a card to impossible place, but was also trying to make it fit in nicely. This presentation of the biddle trick is something I have done before, but the main thing I didn't like about it, well... the biddle trick in general actually, is that there is no reason at all for the card to be suddenly reversed in the deck of cards.

After a bit of thought, I decided that appearing in the spectator's hands was as good an impossible place as any, and given the familiarity of the situation when they find the card, I thought it might enhance the impact of the trick, though that is complete speculation on my part.

I am by no means an expert with any of this stuff, I have only been doing magic properly for just over a year and a half, and haven't performed nearly as much as I would have liked in that time.

What do you think would make a good finale?

Many thanks.

Huruey

Suggestions:
1) End with a deck switch and do a color changing deck effect.
2) Or something like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7M4P83tjwEg
You will probably need to deck switch as well.

I do feel that trying to keep strictly within the theme of cards turning over as a finale probably doesn't make for strong magic - my gut feeling is that by the end of the routine, that just won't work. However I would be very happy to be proven wrong.