Slamdown
WARNING: You are strongly encouraged to use dulled, rounded tipped objects under the cups, such as crayons, carrots or raw eggs. Due to the impromptu, ungimmicked nature of this effect ANY items can be used, and any combination of different items can be used.
Although the method is 100% safe when done properly by a sober, accountable individual, no one should EVER use dangerous items for this effect!
This routine is very much inspired by my recent studies of David Hoy, and the way that he made subtlety and words work for him. I hope that you enjoy this and have as much fun and enjoyment as I do when I perform it!
Effect: A borrowed table or board over two chairs has been in view of the audience throughout a performance. 7 ungimmicked cups are standing mouth downward, lined up in a row, spaced about one inch apart (can be done with 4, 5, 6, 7 or more cups, one less sharpened object for each choice). The performer never touches them in any way. He states: “There are 7 styrofoam cups, and 6 of them are covering sharpened objects that are pointing straight upward.”
The sharpened objects are ungimmicked, but they are prepared. They have flat, extended “butts ” or bottoms, so that they can stand straight up while hidden under the cups. The performer takes out a soft nerf ball or rolled up napkin, so that he can throw it into the audience, making a perfectly fair selection. “Whoever catches this will blindly throw it to the next person, who will throw it to the third, final person that will help me...” The third person catches it, and the performer asks him to stand.
“You are going to blindly choose where I will slam my hand down. You will close your eyes to make the choice, because many people believe that this is based on percentages or psychological probability.” The performer begins to move his hands slowly, back and forth over the seven cups, pausing momentarily over random cups. Each hand is over only one cup at a time, and many combinations are seen to be possible. The standing helper is asked to close his eyes, and yell out “stop” at any time. When he yells out to stop, the performer fairly and immediately stops with each of his hands directly over a pair of cups.
With the helper’s eyes still closed, the performer says, “You have a choice, the choice is yours and only yours... Please say one word, left or right?” The helper chooses, the performer verifies that he was not influenced in any way, and there is only one hand left hovering, directly over the chosen cup. The performer asks, “Did you just randomly choose what you did, or was there is a reason?” The helper will usually say that the choice was random. Now, the helper is allowed to open his eyes. “So, it was a totally random, meaningless choice? Yeah, maybe for you!” The audience laughs, anxiously.
The performer slams his hand down through the cup, without any resistance, and the cup is shown empty. The audience expresses an interest in seeing the “sharpened objects.” After some downplaying of the danger, the other, remaining cups are lifted, exposing standing crayons, with their unused, sharpened ends up. The audience realizes that the danger was in their minds due to assumption, but that the magic was REAL!
Two great things about this version of the numerous dangerous montes out there: First, the materials needed cost less than $10 at WalMart. Second, you only destroy one cup each time that you perform this.
Materials needed cost less than $10 at WalMart, and the manuscript won’t cost you much more...
“I really wanted to read and study the materials you sent. I get so much stuff sent to me and often it is either a combination of pre–existing ideas that are not really all that new, or a handling nightmare of some sort. It is very refreshing to get something that really is different and has value. Yours is both! I love simple ideas, and I love SLAMDOWN! You have pretty much duplicated the expensive marketed version with a completely different method. (Specifically concerning using the safe method of choice:) Yes, I like that idea quite a bit. You have my endorsement. Thanks for creating some GREAT material!”
Slamdown
PDF Manuscript, complete with illustrations, script and recommendations.
$15.00 USD
Payable via Paypal
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