theory11 — Magic Tricks & the World's Finest Playing Cards
Sleight Of Hand Or Gimmick
- Thread starter Deadman
- Start date
As a magician I sometimes like watching card magic that takes technique but since its not about me rather the spectator,AND also me as a spectator I dont care much to see cards simply hopping around. And thats almost ALL you can do with pure sleight of hand.
Its look "here but oh wait now its here" but to me..it could be more magical.
Gimmicks provide a much needed kick to card illusions because in gimmicks/gaffs its not about the cards.
Its about what happens to them.A chosen card eerily rises out of the pack without the magicians touch..The printed pips move on a card(!)..So much incredible magic.
I dont like being credited for sleight of hand. I like to be credited for putting on a good show and making great illusions.
Either way,sleight of hand HAS to be incorporated anyway to the illusion. hiding the gimmick or certain movements to make it work. Gimmicks and sleight of hand arent at odds.Never have been
They are Interdependant.
Its look "here but oh wait now its here" but to me..it could be more magical.
Gimmicks provide a much needed kick to card illusions because in gimmicks/gaffs its not about the cards.
Its about what happens to them.A chosen card eerily rises out of the pack without the magicians touch..The printed pips move on a card(!)..So much incredible magic.
I dont like being credited for sleight of hand. I like to be credited for putting on a good show and making great illusions.
Either way,sleight of hand HAS to be incorporated anyway to the illusion. hiding the gimmick or certain movements to make it work. Gimmicks and sleight of hand arent at odds.Never have been
They are Interdependant.
I prefer using sleight of hand over gimmicks. I have only used gimmicks a couple of times, and doing tricks like the biddle card trick gets the same or better reactions from people, and also I just love practicing sleights all day so that has a lot to do with it.
Theatrics play a big part as well. I think raw sleight of hand with great theatrics is as powerful as any gimmicked card trick. Plus it's great when the spectator accuses you of having trick cards and you hand them the whole deck for examination.
Give me a sealed deck of cards.... And I will entertain for about an hour and a half. Give me a gimmick... I will entertain for 10 mins.
Enough said.
Enough said.
Give me a sealed deck of cards.... And I will entertain for about an hour and a half. Give me a gimmick... I will entertain for 10 mins.
Enough said.
Thats the thing though.
Why on gods green earth would you seperate the two?
Besides,with cards,I dont think anyone could honestly hold an audiences attention for an hour and a half.Save ricky jay and he various types of magic in a show. Maybe Bill malone but that raises another question.
These individuals are praised for their sleight of hand during these demonstrations. Do you want to be seen as a very dextrous person.or an amazing illusionist?
I agree with visual artist on this one. I can grantee you that entertaining for 90 minutes is a whole different monster. Something that I don't see happening with only a deck of cards. I have heard of Paul Brook doing a 30 minute Out of this World effect and after reading a lot of his work I could see how he could pull it off. But that was one whole show and by his own admission he sat back and watched for most of it.
Anyway gimmicks have their place as does sleight of hand. The real decision that has to be made is what is the best method to achieve the desired effect. Whilst gimmicks usually make the effect easier and / or more impossible. It never hurts to have a back up method for especially when working with normal props cards, coins, etc. that if you are thrown on the spot that you can achieve at least a similar effect to the one that required a gimmick.
Anyway gimmicks have their place as does sleight of hand. The real decision that has to be made is what is the best method to achieve the desired effect. Whilst gimmicks usually make the effect easier and / or more impossible. It never hurts to have a back up method for especially when working with normal props cards, coins, etc. that if you are thrown on the spot that you can achieve at least a similar effect to the one that required a gimmick.
I do a lot more than cards bro, that was just my 2 cents. Of course you can mix them, i don't mind lol.
I do a lot more than cards bro, that was just my 2 cents. Of course you can mix them, i don't mind lol.
Oh i know that,ive seen you perform.
My reference was to the people that take your first statement into a full philosphy or something. As if gimmicks are bad and have no use.