Project Urban Legend...

[Luis Vega]

Hello Everyone!!

So this has been on my mind for sometime...I really didn´t have time or moment to actually do it...neither to know if this was actually worth time and effort...until the other night

Basically I went out from my restaurant gig and I was heading my way home..and I saw a little bar in a corner..and since I had my gig look (the one I discussed previously) I decided to give it a try...I went inside and at the moment I step in..everybody kept looking at me...and I just sat down a little bit and then I took a fork (mine of course!!9 and started to play with it..and everybody stared at me...then I did a fork bend...and oh my god!! the reactions where freaking awesome..in less than a minute I had everybody gathered around me and I continue the fork bend...and the reactions kept growing and growing...

Anyway...when I was finished everybody asked me "Who I was?" and then I just drop one bussiness card in a table and everybody just went ahead and try to get it...needless to say, next day I had 10 more facebook friends, 2 possible gigs...and a lot of rumours...about me...

I always wanted to actually get into a place, perform one powerfull trick..and let the rumours begin...but I didn´t wanted to do it because I wasn´t sure about it...now I am...

Basically the project is about quick-unexpected performances in public places (bars, malls, streets, groups of people, etc) with my full outfit (makeup, tattoo, clothes, etc..) and then leave (not without leaving a couple of bussiness cards)...that way I´ll get lots of publicity by word of mouth...also get myself out there...

What do you guys think? suggestions? criticism?

 

[greenstickman]

Great idea, I kinda did the same thing today. I was at school hangin in the cafeteria and well someone saw me playing with cards and asked me to come over to their table and show everyone at the table a few of the card flourishes they just saw me do.. after that I got asked if I did magic. I said yes did equivoque and they all started screaming, but I left to go back to my table before they got a chance to talk to me. When I was back at my table I heard them talking about me for quite awhile after I left. After that on the way out of the cafeteria I passed them said quick pick a card and did the invisible deck they asked me how I did it right as I was trying to sneak away and I yelled back psychology as I rushed to my next class. Their faces were so puzzled it was amazing.

 

[Jenai]

I think its a good idea. I do something similar, but not with the same vibe. Im more of a goofy person. So I sit in school, doing a muscle pass. And sure enough a couple of minutes later theres a whole crowd around me. The first time it happened by accident, but then I did it on purpouse . I didn't say anything, but then I had people nagging me all the time. So I figured I have to tell them SOMETHING. Now, I can do this weird bendy thing with my index finger, hard to explain. But I took advantage of that, I direct attention UP, towards the finger do the bendy thing and then MUSCLE PASS- UP COMES THE COIN. And since everyone's looking there, I can do it surrounded. People concluded that I had a magnet INSIDE my finger. So I just go with it. Don't you just love rumours?

The only thing is- If you do it in a bigger venue, you MUST have something strong and different each time. I would definately like to hear some updates on this and how it works out for you.


- Jenai

 

[Jevonsp]

This happens to me constantly. I was in class and I'd finished the assignment so I performed SMOKE for a friend. Like 5 people freaked out when I let the smoke out of my mouth, but some kid shouted "Hes smoking!" The teacher looked up and saw the smoke. All I did was walk up to her and do the trick. The whole class freaked out. Then I did an ACR I made up and an invisible deck. I got so many compliments and way more people are asking me to do magic now.

 

[Luis Vega]

Hello...

I really appreciate the props!! I love when an idea is good!!

Anyway..I was looking for suggestions on how to approach this project..while I do have some experience, I would love to hear suggestions on tricks, routines, possible scenarios, ways to tackle this..etc...

I am so eager to hear ideas!! thanks again for your time!!

 

[Austin Fields]

Hello...

I really appreciate the props!! I love when an idea is good!!

Anyway..I was looking for suggestions on how to approach this project..while I do have some experience, I would love to hear suggestions on tricks, routines, possible scenarios, ways to tackle this..etc...

I am so eager to hear ideas!! thanks again for your time!!

Awesome story man! Congrats too, I'm sure others might give something like this a shot assuming it fits their character.

Maybe do a bill switch? It seems like the most effective ones are scenario based effects. Even something like a rose production, maybe if the woman is smoking you can ask for her to hold up her lighter and produce a rose from flash paper? Hook things up to an IT from across the table as you sit down, then snap and bring the salt to your hand as you're eating. Manifest money to pay for things? Float drinks to keep your hands free to do something else.

 

[RickEverhart]

Luis...this is the type of stuff I would like to do more of but with two kids and a wife tagging along I don't get too many chances like you have...ha ha.

Can you imagine me pulling the car over off the road...tell my wife and kids, "Just sit tight everyone..daddy...has to go do magic real quick and I'll be right back out..." Ha Ha.

Definitely a good thing Luis. Especially with your character. I would do it like once a week or every other week in a different location around your home town. Then...sit back and let the word spread like wild fire.

 

[Luis Vega]

Luis...this is the type of stuff I would like to do more of but with two kids and a wife tagging along I don't get too many chances like you have...ha ha.

Can you imagine me pulling the car over off the road...tell my wife and kids, "Just sit tight everyone..daddy...has to go do magic real quick and I'll be right back out..." Ha Ha.

Definitely a good thing Luis. Especially with your character. I would do it like once a week or every other week in a different location around your home town. Then...sit back and let the word spread like wild fire.

HAHAHAHA!!! I pictured it in my mind!! and it was hilarious!!

Anyway...I guess I am going to start this week I just need to order my stuff and look for posible places...also A Magician`s Journal will be modified for a while for..."Urban Legend:Chronicles" and also include pictures...you gotta admit...the names I put to my stuff (The Lost Manifesto, The Rage Trilogy, Urban Legend Chronicles) are pretty awesome!!

Awesome story man! Congrats too, I'm sure others might give something like this a shot assuming it fits their character.

Maybe do a bill switch? It seems like the most effective ones are scenario based effects. Even something like a rose production, maybe if the woman is smoking you can ask for her to hold up her lighter and produce a rose from flash paper? Hook things up to an IT from across the table as you sit down, then snap and bring the salt to your hand as you're eating. Manifest money to pay for things? Float drinks to keep your hands free to do something else.

I think you are right...about the scenario based tricks...I also believe floating stuff could work wonders...right now..I am thinking ways to open and gather everyone`s attention....any advice?

 

[Goldmos]

I think you are right...about the scenario based tricks...I also believe floating stuff could work wonders...right now..I am thinking ways to open and gather everyone`s attention....any advice?

Drop your pants down, it will sure draw attention No, seriously, I think fire magic bring the most attention. Flourish maybe?

 

[D ICE R]

With this idea you would need to definately do PK style effects to atleast get the initial interest. I suggest spinning a coin several times and gesturing to try to get it to bend. Do a switch and spin the bent coin and just let it rattle around. I agree with Rick do the same thing at a few different places and let the word spread. When you go back a month or so later I would do nothing by readings, you will get a nice long line of people wanting a reading. The best bet is you can walk away halfway through and it will only strengthen the word of mouth.

 

[mehar]

Possibly to get someone's attention do a coin roll, drop the coin, then do something with it... a retention vanish/superman coin bend/etc..

 

[Luis Vega]

With this idea you would need to definately do PK style effects to atleast get the initial interest. I suggest spinning a coin several times and gesturing to try to get it to bend. Do a switch and spin the bent coin and just let it rattle around. I agree with Rick do the same thing at a few different places and let the word spread. When you go back a month or so later I would do nothing by readings, you will get a nice long line of people wanting a reading. The best bet is you can walk away halfway through and it will only strengthen the word of mouth.

I did start the Urban Legend Project with a fork bend...it was great...also I think is a terrific idea to do readings later...it cannot get any better...I just need to think of ways to introduce that I do readings...

@Mehar: great idea..but the goal is to do a big performance for at least 20-30 people at once, somehow make it bigger...


Also..I was thinking into creating routines using basic concepts like: misdirection, pain, light, skill, motion, mind..etc...I am thinking that for a light concept...using tricks like a floating mini light bulb, d´lites and some flash paper...and use them in a single routine...the same with all other concepts...

What do you guys think?

 

[RikAllen]

I did start the Urban Legend Project with a fork bend...it was great...also I think is a terrific idea to do readings later...it cannot ge
Also..I was thinking into creating routines using basic concepts like: misdirection, pain, light, skill, motion, mind..etc...I am thinking that for a light concept...using tricks like a floating mini light bulb, d´lites and some flash paper...and use them in a single routine...the same with all other concepts...

What do you guys think?

I think anything that will fit your new performing character will work well, d'lites don't seem to fit the mystery enough, however most d'lite performances come off as cheesy and 'gimmicky' - would love to see a routine that incorporates d'lites in a way that comes off more serious.

Floating lightbulb would be nice, a finishing touch would be to have the bulb light up with your touch (or shatter...)

Flash paper is always an attention-getter, flash productions or vanishes are very good for getting someone to look over and then you can hit them with something bigger and more involved.

 

[CasenW]

Here my friend the Product Of Elimination comes in.

You definitely don't want cards in this scenario.

CARDS[X]

Coins are good, but TOO small!

COINS[X]

Fire, visual, and can be pretty large.

FIRE MAGIC [V]


Mentalism, can play HUGE and blows minds.

MENTALISM[V]

Spongeballs, bright and visual, but not exactly great for a bar.

SPONGEBALLS. [X]

Spoon/Fork Bending, as you already displayed, plays large and attracts a lot of attention.

BENDING [V]


Levitations, whether you levitate yourself, or an object, people will be amazed, especially in a bar, people are normally at least 25-50% drunk, so you should get even bigger reactions, your only issue here being people invading personal space, which can happen with drunkenness.

LEVITATIONS. [V]



So there you go, hope that helped.