What are you working on?

WitchDocIsIn

Elite Member
Sep 13, 2008
5,900
2,951
I always thought this was a classic?

This is the difference between a "trick" and a "plot". It's a classic plot - smash and stab. Which was later called Russian Roulette by a lot of people, though technically it's only Russian Roulette if you're using a gun.

There are many, many methods to do this with varying degrees of true danger being involved. The Pain Game is 99% safe, and Nailed It! is 100% safe. Which one you choose is really down to the specific performer.
 

CWhite

Elite Member
Jul 22, 2016
798
972
Noticed a lot of talk about 'Nailed It!' I checked my local magic shop and it retails for $345, far too expensive for this guy.
Hope it works out for you guys getting it.
Cheers!
 
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Jun 14, 2017
2
4
Working on some mentalism stuff, getting back into it all, so rereading all the classic books; Corinda, Annemann, Cassidy etc. Working on the billet stuff (Cassidy's person, place routine) and thinking about a persona.
 
Oct 19, 2015
317
220
I too struggled getting a clean routine on Sponge Balls! Since my focus was to primarily do kids shows, call me Grandpa. My thinking was that Sponge Balls would be a real good routine for kids. I have since learned a good routine is good for everyone who loves magic...

My breakthrough came when I discovered that learning a basic 'hand and disappear' technique did not require some fancy impossibly fast move. The move is more misdirection that quickness....! I learned this from watching a DVD from Michael Dardant, called Intro to Sponge Balls, from SYSTEM6MAGIC.COM. I am not affiliated with them in anyway and honestly cannot say how I found this DVD. I also have Steve Dacri's Spongeball Toolbox, it too is good and have some great routines. But the one that was my 'breakthrough' was the first one. Good luck
 
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Apr 2, 2017
95
49
California
I too struggled getting a clean routine on Sponge Balls! Since my focus was to primarily do kids shows, call me Grandpa. My thinking was that Sponge Balls would be a real good routine for kids. I have since learned a good routine is good for everyone who loves magic...

My breakthrough came when I discovered that learning a basic 'hand and disappear' technique did not require some fancy impossibly fast move. The move is more misdirection that quickness....! I learned this from watching a DVD from Michael Dardant, called Intro to Sponge Balls, from SYSTEM6MAGIC.COM. I am not affiliated with them in anyway and honestly cannot say how I found this DVD. I also have Steve Dacri's Spongeball Toolbox, it too is good and have some great routines. But the one that was my 'breakthrough' was the first one. Good luck


Thank you for the response I will definitely check it out! unfortunately I am traveling for the next two months before I have a DVD player :( so if it is a digital download I might just grab it. I really want to be good at sponge balls mainly for me since it was the first magic trick that blew me away as a child. It does help that laymen love sponge balls haha.
 
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Jan 26, 2017
2,173
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Virginia
Been working on my arch nemesis... Sponge Balls. I know those soft malleable balls of sponge are classics and to some are easy to get right, however I cannot seem to be happy with my performances of them. I have been traveling for the past 4 months internationally making money as I go by busking, so improving my routines overall.

P.S. My double lifts as well :)
There was something I did that helped me get my sponge ball routine down pat. Before I had ever bought any sponge balls, I started doing the trick with Paper balls. Yes, paper balls, about the same size as a regular sponge ball. I did this for a while, and it hurt like hell and I got caught a couple times, but when I finally did buy some sponge balls, my manipulation on them was very clean. I recommend you try something similar.

*I didn't perform this too much, just practiced, and a few performances for my friends & family.
 

CWhite

Elite Member
Jul 22, 2016
798
972
There was something I did that helped me get my sponge ball routine down pat. Before I had ever bought any sponge balls, I started doing the trick with Paper balls. Yes, paper balls, about the same size as a regular sponge ball. I did this for a while, and it hurt like hell and I got caught a couple times, but when I finally did buy some sponge balls, my manipulation on them was very clean. I recommend you try something similar.

*I didn't perform this too much, just practiced, and a few performances for my friends & family.
How did it "hurt like hell"? Where were you putting the paper balls???!!
 
Jan 26, 2017
2,173
1,339
24
Virginia
How did it "hurt like hell"? Where were you putting the paper balls???!!
lol
The paper balls would have pointed and jagged parts that would sometimes get stuck under the side of my nail and start to pull them upward. Not to mention the amount of paper cuts...

Oh and closing your fist around them sometimes sent one of those edges into your palm.
 

RealityOne

Elite Member
Nov 1, 2009
3,749
4,080
New Jersey
I have been trying to learn 'Linking Rings', I have a small set that have the normal 'gimmick' and as many of you know this takes practice to do it correctly. I have read about some newer versions of linking rings that have a new gimmick that takes much less skill. The only ones I found on line were very expensive....so, alas I will work on this until I have it!

I suspect that the "new" gimmick is somthing that has been around for a while. My sense is that it just makes it harder to flash. If the "new" gimmick is what I think it is, it actually is more difficult to handle.

Sometime I'll have to post my Ninja Rings routine... you will swear that I have some sort of newfangled gimmick... I don't.

Been working on my arch nemesis... Sponge Balls. I know those soft malleable balls of sponge are classics and to some are easy to get right, however I cannot seem to be happy with my performances of them. I have been traveling for the past 4 months internationally making money as I go by busking, so improving my routines overall.

Try practicing the move you want the audience to think you did and then mirror the move that you are doing after what you whan the audience to think you did.

My breakthrough came when I discovered that learning a basic 'hand and disappear' technique did not require some fancy impossibly fast move.

It really isn't a function of speed, but more of timing and fluidness. Actually, I think that the retention vanish is one of the moves that is usually poorly taught (especially in sponge balls but also in coins).
 
Oct 19, 2015
317
220
I suspect that the "new" gimmick is somthing that has been around for a while. My sense is that it just makes it harder to flash. If the "new" gimmick is what I think it is, it actually is more difficult to handle.

Sometime I'll have to post my Ninja Rings routine... you will swear that I have some sort of newfangled gimmick... I don't.

...RO....thanks for the feedback! From what I could tell on the sales information was that these new 'gimmicked' Rings had some type of 'mechanical method' yet they claimed it could be "inspected by audience"! They were excessively expensive, I seem to recall around $350...other then price, I concluded that anything that sounds that good, is probably to good to be real....! I would love to see your routine, the more I work with the 'Rings' the greater appreciation for the talent good magicians display!


Try practicing the move you want the audience to think you did and then mirror the move that you are doing after what you whan the audience to think you did.



It really isn't a function of speed, but more of timing and fluidness. Actually, I think that the retention vanish is one of the moves that is usually poorly taught (especially in sponge balls but also in coins).

You said it better than I.....'timing and fluidness'! Good Stuff this is.....THANKS
 
Jun 18, 2017
104
77
Today was getting the pinky count down now that I have the necessary strength and working on the hot shot cut.

I've also been drilling my double lift with the pinky count. Yeah I'm a relative beginner, although I've known the theory of these techniques for years I've only just started taking it seriously. Three months off work for the summer - perfect time to get this down.
 
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