Rice Papers Effect Descriptions
Hi everyone,
I always believed there was a fine line between showing too little and showing too much - wether it's a magic trailer or a movie trailer. Show too much and people will just recreate the tricks themselves (even in their heads) and there is no mystery. Video never quite represents being fooled "live in person", especially tricks that require misdirection in timing. You can't pause a live (in person) performance in front of you. But, at least I can describe the routines for you here:
1. Body Contact: In between tricks, the magician acts apparently annoyed with one of his contact lenses. The magician reaches up and "mimes" removing a contact lens from his eye. The invisible contact lens "appears" at his fingertips. After a bit of byplay with the lens it is put away in his pocket. Without warning, a pair of eyeglass appears between his fingertips. The magician puts the eyeglasses on and continues his business.
Note: The appearance of the contact lens is similar to Michael Ammar's cup and ball move where the ball magically appears on top of a cup, seemingly never coming close to it. There are a few variations taught, depending on the size and personality of the crowd. In impromptu situations, a couple of ideas are explained if you don't have a giant contact lens on you. This is a quick, simple gag to fill the space between longer tricks in your set.
2. Fogged: A card is selected and placed on the bottom of the deck. After breathing on the selected card, it is shown to have become blank. The next series of changes happen one after the other. A thumb is wiped across the blank card and a portion of the selected card slowly appears. The card is then rubbed against the palm and more of the card appears. Finally, the card is passed over with the other hand, where the rest of the card appears, revealing the selected card.
Note: A couple of variations are taught and the cards can be easily made at home. The method is open to your own additions and variations.
3. Marksmanship: During a routine where an object needs to be signed, a strange looking marker is brought out. This oddity looks like a marker cap with the marker jammed inside it, with only an inch or less sticking out. The magician magically pulls the marker out of the cap, allowing the spectator to use the marker in a normal manner. The marker is then shown to jam all the way into the cap once more, then pulled right back out. Explaining that this is a "ball point" marker, a giant ball bearing is dropped from the writing end, much to the surprise of the spectators. The magician now mentions that the marker is a "convertible", which, at that moment, turns into your cell phone!
Note: Variations taught including impromptu versions using objects found at home or in a restaurant. The final transformation object can be a variety of things, from your cell phone to a pair of chopsticks, to a pair of glasses stolen from a spectator's pocket!
Hope these descriptions help. These routines have given me much performing pleasure over many years. My favorite is Marksmanship, because so much seems to happen with the most innocent of objects - a Sharpie. Although everything is relatively easy to learn and follow, most of your practice time will be devoted to timing and misdirection. Knowing the basics of sleight of hand and performing in front of real audiences (not youtube) is recommended.
Homer
