The Beginning of the Sentence

Discuss general aspects of Genii.
Jack Shalom
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The Beginning of the Sentence

Postby Jack Shalom » October 8th, 2017, 12:18 pm

At the Starbucks at the hotel where the Genii Convention was held. I heard the following snippet of conversation from someone to his companions:

"...Well, it's the greatest effect in all of magic." I strained to hear the rest of the conversation but I didn't want to be too rude. Especially since it was a famous magician who was speaking.

a) What do you think it was?
b) What is yours?
Last edited by Dustin Stinett on October 8th, 2017, 2:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: [DS]: Edited by request of owner of the original post.

performer
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Re: The Beginning of the Sentence

Postby performer » October 8th, 2017, 12:22 pm

There is no such thing as the "greatest effect in magic". Either a trick suits you or it doesn't. The greatest trick for you may be a dud for me and vice versa. Tricks don't matter. They never have. It is what you do with them that is important.

Bill Mullins
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Re: The Beginning of the Sentence

Postby Bill Mullins » October 8th, 2017, 12:59 pm

Magnetic Scottie dogs.

Leonard Hevia
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Re: The Beginning of the Sentence

Postby Leonard Hevia » October 8th, 2017, 1:37 pm

The Hooker Rising Cards?

What did [that magician] say?
Last edited by Dustin Stinett on October 8th, 2017, 2:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: [DS]: Edited per request of the owner of the original post.

Jack Shalom
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Re: The Beginning of the Sentence

Postby Jack Shalom » October 8th, 2017, 2:14 pm

I didn't hear that part -- that's why it was so frustrating! My pick is Metamorphosis.

Brad Henderson
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Re: The Beginning of the Sentence

Postby Brad Henderson » October 8th, 2017, 2:30 pm

death and resurrection

observer
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Re: The Beginning of the Sentence

Postby observer » October 8th, 2017, 2:40 pm

Has to be ACAAN, going by the volume of verbiage devoted thereto.

brianarudolph
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Re: The Beginning of the Sentence

Postby brianarudolph » October 8th, 2017, 3:55 pm

My guess for a) (where "effect" = "trick") would be cups and balls - purely based on my observations in and around the convention. If we're talking generic magic effect for a), I'd go with a transformation (changing one object into another, which itself could just be considered a vanish and an appearance in the same location simultaneously.) I can't set one effect above all others for all time for b). But I will offer that in magician circles (as in life), a) is very often the effect of fooling yourself, complete with the ironies of not knowing how you did it or even the awareness that you are doing it (despite many others knowing that you are), hence why I won't offer another such b).

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Brad Jeffers
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Re: The Beginning of the Sentence

Postby Brad Jeffers » October 8th, 2017, 10:51 pm

The strongest effect in magic is the creation of life.

Brad Henderson
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Re: The Beginning of the Sentence

Postby Brad Henderson » October 9th, 2017, 4:59 pm

respectfully, i disagree. Only because we see life created around us all the time. the creation of life is not an impossibility. it is essential to our existence. the only difference is the magician uses different techniques than expected. but the effect per se is rather
mundane.

in death lies mystery. and from with the return from death we have magic.

is it a coincidence that the shamanic journey begins with a crossing over and return? the story of the hindu rope trick is the story of death and resurrection NOT mere levitation or animation.

Jack Shalom
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Re: The Beginning of the Sentence

Postby Jack Shalom » October 9th, 2017, 5:02 pm

Care to point to an Our Magic instance?

Brad Henderson
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Re: The Beginning of the Sentence

Postby Brad Henderson » October 9th, 2017, 7:01 pm

i dont understand the request. can you clarify what you mean by that?.

Jack Shalom
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Re: The Beginning of the Sentence

Postby Jack Shalom » October 9th, 2017, 7:56 pm

What effect in the performance of theatrical magic in your experience do you think is the strongest?

What effect impressed you the most?

Brad Henderson
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Re: The Beginning of the Sentence

Postby Brad Henderson » October 9th, 2017, 10:06 pm

death and resurrection. what is the sawing if not death and resurrection? same as the hindu rope. all assistant abuse/dismemberment effects are essentially in the same wheel house.

MagicbyAlfred
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Re: The Beginning of the Sentence

Postby MagicbyAlfred » October 10th, 2017, 2:39 pm

It is a fascinating question, but of course, any opinion is by definition, a totally subjective one, as undoubtedly was the famous magician's at the convention (whatever said opinion might be).

I will limit my own opinion to Close-Up, since that's the branch with which i have the most experience. Impossible for me to pick just one. but I believe the following deserve to at least be in the conversation:

Signed Bill in Lemon (well, that can be close-up, platform or stage).

Bare-handed Lit Cigarette vanish (Roger Clause concurs)

Multiplying Rabbits (Michael Ammar thinks so) (or sponge balls)

Signed Card on Ceiling

Floating Dollar

Cups and Balls (or Chop Cup) with Multiple Fruit Final Loads

Invisible Deck

Signed Card to (zippered compartment of) Wallet

And yes, I get that the skill and personality of the performer is always a significant variable in the impact made/reactions received...


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