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Foolzsight, Great post about the David Stone book. That is one of my favorites and packed full of valuable info. Everyone should read this or have it in their library. As a teacher we have a saying, "Be a lifelong learner." This can be applied to all areas of life. Do not stay stagnant or...

Descartes, Great point that you made that I totally agree with. Many self working card effects have a procedure that allow the audience to back track and quite possibly figure out the method. This is not true of all self workers but a good amount of them. For those of you who have...

Has this issue been posted anywhere? I have had other magicians say the same thing at my club meeting that this is way too close to Motion but I have not purchased either so I am not making any points that I cannot back up. Maybe Matt has mentioned this somewhere and I just haven't searched...

You could do something as easy as using a change bag for a funny routine or a rope routine like Fiber Optics. A tossed out deck always plays big as well. Hope some of these helped.

I think one of the best effects I learned as a rookie / newb that was a self working card effect may have been, "Do as I Do" which has occurred in many books and videos. So simple but still blows layman away.

I agree with many of the above posts. For me, going from a beginner to semi-pro was learning theory from books, honing my skills / technique, taking lessons, joining my local ring, attending conventions, and getting paid for my performances. When I was first starting out all I wanted to do was...

I think you are doing a great thing. Many professional and amateur magicians have had mentors and it is great to have the 1 on 1 training. Nothing beats someone being right beside or in front of you correcting and showing your proper technique. It has been the best investment I have made in...

I will second Nick Trost's work. I have two of his lecture note books and there is some great material to go through. I am not sure if you can find them anymore.

Keep in mind that it isn't the "effect" that these magicians will enjoy. They will be looking for the entertainment value and your showman ship as well. Now, that being said if you are new to the group which it sounds like, you may be a little nervous but don't be afraid to jump into character...

If I take your example of already performing for Group A, but a week later am performing for Group B + one or two from Group A, yes...I will normally throw in two or three other effects that weren't originally seen by Group A members but I still use my 2 of my 3 staple effects as well. I hope...

Perhaps you know or are worried about too many effects. It has been my experience that it is better to master 3 hard hitting impromptu effects so that you are ready at a moments notice, borrowed deck and all. When you try to remember 20 effects using your cards or theirs sometimes it is too...

Luis...yes...I saw the clown video and it was VERY disturbing and odd. He looked like a crack addict. Some of his material seems really good and I have used certain effects, but as mentioned, others look like the same tricks from other DVDs only dressed differently. I will say his book...

I would do exactly what foolzsight said if I were in your shoes. I would use my normal killer close up routine and have live camera feed to a projector and screen, two participants on stage. This is what they do at big conventions, Blackpool, etc.

Sure...you can add my question in your thread if you want.

When you perform for audiences enough times...whether it be daily or every other week, eventually you will have a slip up. It could be method number one or it could be method two. I have had both happen as well. They are both embarrassing to say the least. Even the best of the best will have...

That seems silly. I would rather see 3 minutes of insane reactions from one or two effects than a forced hour and a half of effects. I will take quality over quantity any day. Just food for thought.

Kevin James uses it in some of his shows. He sells it at his lectures as well but I thought it was a bit pricey so I didn't get it. I may buy it at a later point in time because the impossibility of the corner and them tearing part of it are insane.

I believe you may be thinking of Jon Armstrong. He has it on one of his DVD's. He did it on TV not too long ago.

I agree with houchini and magicman1999. Nine times out of ten I use the off beat of the audiences reaction. But...certain effects call for the clean up a little sooner and others you can do the clean up 30 seconds after the effect while going to your pocket to get a pen, dollar, etc.

John Bannon's Twisted Sisters hits very hard when done correctly with Elmsley counts. I close my close up set with this. Free Will is a nice three wooden disc routine I use on a regular basis that has a prediction in full view prior and during the effect.