stage magic – Page 21 – MagicShow.Tips

Stock Magic Jokes and Gags

Social media has created lazy performers. They crowdsource their research without doing the most basic research first, or worst they crowdsource their show!

Here’s an example of a post recently in a magic group:

First of all…pulling a condom from the ear????? Without context that wouldn’t fly in the USA.

Now let’s get to the meat of what they are saying, they want to put together a list of bits that magicians use. Here’s what’s wrong with that, most of the bits magicians consider “stock” are simply lines that have been stolen over and over again and no one thought to look for the joke originator for permission.

Here’s a publicly posted video from the magician that made that post’s FB page:

Do you think he wrote that joke?

No, he heard someone else say it and he put it into his act. I know the defense is that “it’s so old, no one knows who came up with it“. That’s not true, with a little bit of research the history of that specific joke can be found, it’s a little murky as it has evolved, but some of the history is out there.

That’s all for today, I’ll get off my soapbox.

-Louie

Circus Rings around Russia

I just finished the book Circus Rings around Russia. This book is about how the circus was run in Russia when it was written in the early 1980’s along with some historical context. One thing that I found interesting was that the government used the circus as propaganda, yet there were acts (usually clowns) that would sneak in other political views into their shows. Some of these acts when caught would stick to their message and be fired, others would change.

Also in these circuses the importance of the clown is highlighted and according to the author they were really the star. The book also talks about the difference between American and Russian circuses, which is interesting.

One of the things the book mentions several times is how magicians were looked down upon. I think part of this is that you have high skill or risk act and then a magician, usually someone who does illusions. The magicians was considered a low skill/risk act when doing big box illusions. It’s not that it is low skill, it’s was perceived as that by other acts and show producers.

When I work with circus act, the difference shows in the amount of time warming up. I’ll share a green/dressing/warm up room with them and an aerialist will spend an hour stretching for a 3 minute act, where my warm up is maybe run a few new lines verbally. I can see why a circus act would consider a magician low skilled.

Overall the book was OK, and if you can find it for a few bucks and are into the circus it’s worth a read.

-Louie

Making a Snake Basket…

In the past I’ve tried to learn to use an Arduino to control motors, servos, etc. It was challenging as I never learned to do any programming in high school. None of the books really helped me figure it out. I was working with Greg Tarlin (juggler/puppeter) in the summer of 2024 and we were chatting about it. We worked together again a few months ago and he talked me through the very basics of it, but having a human tell me stuck more than a book.

I took a basic Arduino project kit on the road with me and have been working through the projects, and I’m understanding the code more and more.

The first real project I want to make is a snake basket. I want to combine the two “modern” snake baskets from my teenage years which were Terry Lunceford’s Viper Pro and Collector’s Workshop’s Khyber Kobra.

Here are videos of both of them:

What I want to do is have the snake rise out with the wrong card, then go back into the basket. Then a few cards shoot out of the basket a couple of times, and finally the snake jumps out.

I’m not sure that I want to do it with a snake, I was thinking of having an octopus or Kracken in the container. It sticks out a tentacle or two and at the end doesn’t jump out, but the tentacle reaches out quickly. Not sure if that will work, but it’s not a snake….

-Louie

A Routine in Spanish?

I want to use more Spanish in my show, however it’s challenging. One idea I had the other day was to have a a “live translation” thru Google Translate on my phone.

An idea I like was to have an audio track play and someone from the audience who spoke Spanish could translate it for me. My first idea for the frame work would be Card Under Seat with the repeat after me style presentation. I’m not 100% sure this will play how I hope it would, but I may write up something and give it a try.

Another idea is to use cue cards that are in Spanish and have the person read them.

All of these ideas would incorporate Spanish and be more inclusive to Spanish speakers without me having to be better at Spanish. Yes, I’m still working on being a better Spanish speaker, but it’s just another way to get Spanish into the show.

-Louie

The Crated Coin by Mark Strivings

Recently I came across The Crated Coin by Mark Strivings. This is a coin flip routine where you play “heads and tails” with the whole audience.

I’ve been playing with this premise as part of a larger routine. I’ve played with several other versions of the trick, however the main problem I have is dropping the coin. Mark’s solution, which he says is based on a Gaeton Bloom thing is to have the token put in a case and shaken. That makes it incredibly difficult to drop the coin. You are in 100% control of the result of the flip.

This also has the bonus of the sound factor of the token being shook inside the case. I’m a fan of this method!

-Louie

Be Easy!

I was working at an event with a lot of bands. The tech sheet for for the band had each band tech needs, contact people and number of people in the band. This is helpful for the sound company, so they no what to expect.

This event’s tech needs had a little easter egg to give the sound company a heads up:

I try to be easy to work with, and not to become the act that they put notes about to warn the tech crew!

-Louie

Magic Show Script Writing…

Every year in my library show I try to have at least one trick that has a life larger than that show. Something that I’ll try to put into my main show. One of the new routines that I have been doing in my library shows uses a Cootie Catcher/Paper Fortune Teller.

This routine has been doing well, and it’s a great little solo routine that’s compact a trick that packs flat, but because it’s a three dimensional trick that moves, it has a bit more visual texture than a flat prop.

There’s not a ton to the routine that I’m working on. It’ll hopefully have 6 laughs in two minutes. I’m always looking for solo tricks that I can do without someone from the audience onstage.

-Louie

Vintage Magic!

Magicians always ask me where I get a lot of the vintage magic props. I seek them out while I’m travelling. When I was performing in Napa, CA I found someone with a box of magic from the 1970’s. Here’s a quick video of it:

@louiefoxx Hunting for Vintage Magic Tricks #magictricks #magic #treasure ♬ original sound – Louie Foxx

Honestly, this box was just “meh” for me. There’s one thing that I want for my personal collection.

I am kinda excited to try to 3d print the gimmicks the two die boxes. It shouldn’t be too hard and they’re not complex shapes. The challenge will be making the hinge for the yellow die, but even that shouldn’t be too difficult.

For fun, I had AI make me a painting of the magic props on the desk of my hotel room.

Pacific Coast Association of Magicians convention

I’m honored to be one of the three (maybe four) featured presenters for this years Pacific Coast Association of Magicians convention in October!

You can get more info or register for the convention at: https://pcammagic.com/convention

One of the cool thing they’re doing this year is having the presenters do a full show. It’s a great way to give context to the presenter and personally I think a lot more is learned from a full show than seeing an act.

Here’s info on the three presenters:

James Cielen is one of only eight magicians to win the Gold Medal for Excellence in Stage Performance from the International Brotherhood of Magicians. Even better proof of excellence is the successful career which has followed, including what may be the longest-running contract in the history of cruise ship magicians. We’ll get to see James on his home turf, thrilling audiences in the 890-seat World Stage theatre, plus a PCAM-exclusive talk where we can learn from his experience.

Louie Foxx never stops. He never stops moving, on the road as one of the busiest entertainers in the Pacific Northwest, delighting audiences of kids, families, adults, and seniors in every town along the way. He never stops learning, as an avid collector gaining hands-on insight to the history of magic and magicians through long-lost props. He never stops creating, inventing wildly original tricks grounded in the practical needs of a working pro. Louie will inspire you to get your magic moving!

On a recent Fool Us performance, Penn praises Peter Samelson as “one of the greatest living magicians,” and Jamy Ian Swiss writes “I used to say that Peter Samelson is the most influential magician you’ve never heard of.” Except the secret is now out. From his groundbreaking publication Theatrical Close-Up to producing the longest running Off-Broadway Magic Show in New York City, he shows his commitment to performing magic as an artist. He’ll be teaching us, by example, what it means to experience magic.

To get in on this amazing week of magic and good times, be sure to register at https://pcammagic.com/convention

Backstage Etiquette

When I’m at a fair or event where I’m the only variety act, I try to label my stuff as show props so that people know to not handle my stuff. Many of these bands or dance groups don’t work with other acts and have never had to deal with backstage etiquette. Most of it is common sense, however I’m constantly amazed how how many people don’t have common sense.

I was working with a band and they tried to set up a drum kit onstage while I was performing on the stage! That made me glad I had already put a sign on my gear, as they clearly didn’t know.

Then I got back to the dressing room (trailer) and they had put all of their bags on top of my stuff! What’s crazier is why they would have done that when I took up barely any space!

This is why I assume no one knows backstage etiquette. Here’s a graphic I made for fun and to blow off some steam:

I kinda want to get some of these printed up and put them in greenrooms! Feel free to copy that and put it places!

-Louie