I like the idea of doing a chop cup on stage, but it presents some challenges. The main one is on a raised stage, if you work on a table, and the audience is seated below you it can make it hard for them to see things on the table. My first rule of the routine was that there had to be no table. The next rule was that I wanted this to be a solo trick, so no one from the audience onstage. The final rule was that I didn’t want to (openly) to go my pockets or case during the routine.
The first thing I did was go see what was already out there, however most of the existing routines at some point use a table or pockets. When I mention this to other magicians they always mention Axel Hecklau’s routine, but that uses a table, pockets and a spectator onstage. In the past I had one a Ball and Cone routine for a show, so a phase of the trick was definitely inspired by that.
The routine that I’m currently doing now is my second version of the chop cup that follows the three rules above.
I’ve been doing this a bunch this summer and it’s going well!
-Louie
Tag: magic show tips
Another TV Spot
Here’s another media spot from the 11 days that I was at the Utah State Fair. This video is a little behind the scenes to getting to the TV station, if you want to just ahead to the media spot, it’s at about the 1 minute mark.
This particular news spot I was supposed to have about 3-5 minutes, however it ended up being less than 3 minutes. My initial interview time was 12:10pm, and when I arrived I learned I wouldn’t be on till about 12:40pm. That told me that I probably would have my time cut short. This particular show was interesting as I really didn’t have any idea how long I was going to do, I really had to read the cues from the host.
-Louie
AI still sucks
A few weeks ago I was on Facebook sharing a post about an event I was performing at. At the bottom of the post was a little prewritten question for Facebook’s AI. The question was “Is Louie Foxx a professional magician?”
Here’s what the answer was:
I find it very interesting that Facebook’s AI couldn’t find any info about me as my Facebook page has my public show schedule on it weekly!
Then the logic of me performing “Magic tricks and comedy” suggests that I’m a local performer doesn’t make any sense. This just another reason why I think AI isn’t quite ready for real life.
-Louie
Vanishing Bird Cage in Real Life!
One of the criticism’s of the Vanishing Bird Cage is that it doesn’t look like any bird cage that exists in the real world. Here’s a bird cage I found at a junk shop:
That’s pretty much what the size and shape of a modern vanishing bird cage. So they do exist in the world!
-Louie
Sharing Offstage Space With Other Acts
A few weeks ago I did a post about working with acts that don’t know or understand backstage etiquette. You can read that post here. In that post I made a graphic about 3 rules to sharing an offstage space with other acts. Well I made that graphic into a reality. I had some cards printed!
These are a great way to passively inform people of how to behave around other people’s gear! If you run into me, I will usually have some one me, if you’d like one, just ask and if I have any, I’ll gladly give you one (or more).
It’s really our job to educate people who don’t know.
-Louie
Spiked Punch!
This morning I had an idea for a trick that I think would be called Spiked Punch.
The effect: You show the audience some art you bought. It’s a cardboard box that has a drawing of a boxing glove and spike going through the box. You pull you the spikes and notice the box is upside down. You flip it right side up and remove a full glass of punch!
The trick’s method would basically be like a sword box, with an added bit which is the gimmick from a Wizzy Dizzy Milk.
I think the addition of flipping the box over adds a layer to the trick. Not sure if an audience will notice or appreciate the flip of the box, but it should make it harder to backtrack to figure out the method.
This is something that I’d like to try to make in the future!
-Louie
Not a Good Look…
A few months ago I performed at large event where the headliner was a singer. I don’t know much about him, but he has a pretty big following and the event was well attended it.
After the event he posts this on his social media:
I know a bit about the average pricing/budgets for acts who do events like this. I’m guessing he was paid $40k-$50k for the event, which after everyone and expenses are paid out he pocketed $20k-$25k for the single show.
If you’re making that much, why are you begging for money? It’s not a good look, and how much can the begging really generate? A couple hundred, or thousand dollars? It’s a really short sighted move. If I was the booker and I paid you $40k, and saw you were begging for small donations, I’d think twice about paying you that much as clearly you need money and would be willing to work for a lot less.
At least pitch some merch, so it’s a transaction!
Begging for money doesn’t make you look successful, and when you’re positioning your self as successful it doesn’t help that position.
Something I was told by an agent years ago was that she wants to book acts that are successful, and working. She said to never send her an empty calendar, and if mine was empty to block off some dates to make it look like I was working.
-Louie
Fortune Teller Magic Trick
My routine with a folded paper fortune teller has been a stage trick for the summer. A couple of weeks ago I made one that’s for close up and I’m using it for a card trick.
One of the things I wanted to do was a multiple revelation of the selected card on the paper fortune teller.
The first revelation is the a basic, “this is your card”:
The second is a little bit bigger:
And the third is even bigger:
Logically if the first prediction hit, the next two are just the same thing, and really don’t add anything. In practice, when you keep revealing that card, the trick hits harder and harder each time. I don’t know why that is, but it works!
I’m having a blast with this trick!
-Louie
What to Expect at a Media Spot
If you’ve never done a media spot to promote an event you’re performing at, it can be stressful. I made a quick little video that explains how these typically go:
The biggest challenge is the amount of time you’re supposed to do. It’s can be very fluid to where they say you have 5 minutes and it ends up being a 5 second little intro and everything in between. Personally I carry a quick flash trick that only takes a couple of seconds, a modular trick that can run about 90 second to about 3 minutes and a one-ish minute trick. Between those three tricks I can cover most of the time options given.
Hope this helps you out!
-Louie
The Fortune Teller Card Trick
Currently I’m performing at the Utah State Fair until September 14th, 2025. I did a media spot on opening day to help promote the fair. Here’s the quick trick I did:
The full media spot was 4 1/2 minutes and you can watch it here:
https://www.abc4.com/gtu/gtu-sponsor/magic-music-and-memories-await-at-the-utah-state-fair
-Louie