chat issue 1
Ollie Mealing
Trick: One-Hander
I’m Ollie, I knew you’d be joining us (tip 1 - take credit for everything)
Position a duplicate card in your back pocket. Force it’s equivalent and allow your spec to shuffle it back in.
If you’re reading this, I assume it’s because you have an interest in card tricks - if not, perhaps my YouTube channel could help (tip 2 - plug yourself at any given moment)
With the deck now squared on a surface in front of you, claim you’re going to find their card in just one hand.
Joking.. I meant to say that this project has not been written with newbies in mind, so sorry if that’s the case, I’ll leave you some good introductions below - but do return once you’ve nailed the ‘avocado super-cut 3000’ (tip 3 - mash the avo, sprinkle with chilli flakes, thank me later) During this project, I’ll be meandering amongst some of my favourite creations in order to form the baseline for this series. I promise an exciting journey on which I hope you'll join… will you join? Because you agreed to join, I’m going to share with you everything. Stories, theories, tricks, ideas, ‘other’… lots of which can be seen via the channel and equally lots that can’t. It’s been a number of years since I last shared anything and I now recognise the importance of allowing yourself that amount of time - you grow, you learn and your material follows suit. So without any further ado, such as unnecessary, elongating filler, let’s 'a minute of establishing shots, a minute of testimonials, a minute of geometric graphics, a minute…' (25minutes later) begin.
Let spec choose which hand to position behind your back and with your remaining free hand, cut anywhere into the deck - allowing spec to turn over the cut-to card. As they do, use this off-beat to retrieve the dupe from your back pocket. Sneaky. (tip 4 - be sneaky) Upon hearing you’ve cut to the wrong card, feign some sort of cry (tears is too far) and then state, that when you claimed you would find it in one hand, you didn’t specify which one. Now quick side-note (sorry to break the flow), if it is correct - obviously return the dupe to your pocket and watch on as the audience spring into a Harlem Shake. In the more common instance of a spec revealing an indifferent card, state which hand you really meant, bringing it forth to thus reveal their selection. Ta-da. (tip 5 - at no point say ta-da)
issue 1
Chat
Hello
Chat
◊ Now
you’ll notice I reduced the explanation to it’s bare bones. This is intentional. It’s because as you continue to read these explanations (tip 6 - use suggestive language) I want you to mentally envisage yourself performing these effects. If I impose too much of my vision then it negatively risks eclipsing you’re own creative input - within which resides the path towards originality and the realisation that you don’t really need to succumb to consumerism. (tip 7 - spend wisely)
◊ Referring
to the participant as a spectator or spec is wrong. I’m simply using the term here for brevity. Reconsidering an onlooking spectator as an involved participant sounds as measly as the flap of a butterfly’s wing, but we’ve all seen the film.. (tip 8 - get Netflix)
◊ Now
& again, offering a trick that seemingly goes wrong is a real crowd pleaser. ‘Sucker tricks’ as they’re known in the biz, not only inherently build dramatic tension but offer a refreshing subtext in contrast to the ‘look how great I am’ type effects. It’s important to recognise that these type of effects can imbue arrogance & superiority and therefore, we must tread carefully to ensure that our performances of them do not. For an audience to respond favourably, we on some level, must perform with them. The concept of a ‘sucker-trick’ achieves this brilliantly, because it reveals a relatable side to the human condition - our vulnerability, this is far more compelling than displays of relentless, conceited excellence. The importance/construction of tension as well as the sensitivity of pitching status, are both topics we’ll be discussing in future issues. (tip 9 create reasons for people to want more)
◊ Should
you chance upon the ‘miracle hit’, don’t follow up with the same effect. Avoiding repetition is of course a general rule, but in this particular instance it would elucidate the miracle.
◊ Has
anyone afterwards ever picked up the deck and tried to find their card inside? No. After the reveal, during the natural relaxation, gather up the cards, ditch the dupe and continue. Providing you use a clean force, the handling throughout is so free and fair that your audience have no suspicion to respond to. Furthermore, the surprise of the reveal & consequent release of tension, detract the audience from fixating on how - which I suppose is a valuable requisite to include in any effect. (tip 10 - it’s ok to make sense of things as you’re going along)
◊ The
inspiration for this effect stemmed from aiming to 'break norms', a thought I rely on heavily in order to create new material. Coincidentally, this same thought was also the springboard behind the next trick we’ll be learning, so I’ll be covering just wtf that’s all about in next week's issue.
◊ The
inspiration for the name of this effect comes from the fact that I find their selection in just one hand look, I never said this would be easy. (tip 11 - don’t take the easy route)
Goodbye If you took something from this, please spread the word. If you didn’t, I’ll be happy to offer a full refund. (tip 12 - be kind) Thanks again for joining, it’s been good to chat, onwards & upwards.
Introductory Card Trick Sources ◊ Jean
Hugard’s, Encyclopaedia of Card Magic
◊ Fredrick ◊ S.
Braue’s, The Royal Road to Card Magic
W. Erdnase’s, The Expert at the Card Table
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