Mr. E. Takes A Stroll

[inaciolino]

"Mr. E. Takes A Stroll" is a wonderful effect and really made me thinking. After too many hours studying this effect I developed my version of it. It's totally impromptu, instant reset, can be done FASDIU and every time is different. Sorry I have not used a spectator, but I do not know many people who speak English!!! In fact, my English is terrible, I'm sorry about that too!!!

[video=youtube;AyXdrUXtkOQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyXdrUXtkOQ#t=0[/video]

P.S.: I really thought I had created a good effect but I didn't! In fact I re-created Jack Carpenter's routine Mysterious. But it's still a good trick!!!

 

[inaciolino]

Come on guys!!! Give me you thoughts!!!

 

[WitchDocIsIn]

If you insist.

First, read the "How To Improve Your Videos Overnight" thread in the General Forums. I just watched you perform a whole trick and I have no idea what you look like.

Second, the trick doesn't make sense. What's the point? The "Mystery Card" is referenced several times, it's clearly important, then it is simply gone. It was never seen, it really didn't serve any logical purpose, other than to facilitate the method.

Third - at about :29 you really manhandle that deck to control that card. Due to the limited framing of the shot (See my point about the Video thread) it's very obvious you're doing something there due to the rushed nature of the movements and the telltale 'hiding' of the deck (bringing it back toward your body). Later in the video you flash a double. Should have reshot at that point.

Fourth - Your script. Or lack of script. You're just saying what you're doing, which is boring. It makes us ignore your words and focus on your hands/sleights - which makes even small mistakes seem obvious. Also, given the lack of logic in the trick that I already pointed out - you really do need some kind of presentation to go along with it.

 

[Steerpike]

can be done FASDIU

What does that mean? I don't speak in acronyms.

Anyway, that was mechanically clumsy and the presentation left no drama, no excitement. There was never any doubt you'd produce the card, the "mystery card" was obviously part of the set-up because you never offered any explanation for it being there, and you're delivering was just one long unbroken string of telling everyone what you were going to do and then doing it. Your acting was wooden and unconvincing. The fact that I never once saw your face doesn't help.

 

[WitchDocIsIn]

FASDIU - From A Shuffled Deck In Use

Fancy way of saying borrowed deck.

 

[Steerpike]

Pretty sure there's no way I could say that out loud without feeling like a rampaging wanktitan. I never really understood the obsession with borrowed decks. I've never met anyone who randomly happens to be carrying a deck of cards on them. It never comes up.

 

[WitchDocIsIn]

Pretty sure there's no way I could say that out loud without feeling like a rampaging wanktitan. I never really understood the obsession with borrowed decks. I've never met anyone who randomly happens to be carrying a deck of cards on them. It never comes up.

Wanktitan. It may be the beer talking, but I love this word. I'm going to steal it.

I only know two people that are pretty much guaranteed to have a deck of cards on them. Guess what they do? That's right, magicians.

I understand it on one hand. It's not necessarily that you will borrow a deck - but that you -can-. Much like the obsession with everything being 100% success rate, angle proof, iron clad bullet proof never going to fail tricks. Basically an expression of most magicians' utter fear of screwing up.

 

[krab]

Pretty sure there's no way I could say that out loud without feeling like a rampaging wanktitan. I never really understood the obsession with borrowed decks. I've never met anyone who randomly happens to be carrying a deck of cards on them. It never comes up.

Same the only time I have ever used a borrowed deck was in someone home when asked to do something or at a Ring meeting.