By: Dennis
Hi I'm trying to research different ways to scale cards into the
audience similar to what Julianna Chen or Jeff Mcbride do in their
manipulative acts. I'm pretty convinced there is no written material
on these methods (I think), but I was wondering if anyone can tip me
to where I can find out more about these card scales. Any help will be
greatly appreciated.
By: Dan Rasmussen
ONe resource is Ricky Jay's "Cards As Weapons" although I don't own
it, i've heard it is a good resource. I'm pretty sure Jeff McBride
uses the same method as GreG Wilsons's Boomerange Card of Death to
fling cards into the audience...a long time ago a source told me that
McBride 'cheats' a bit to shoot cards...he uses a special thumb tip w/
friction on it to get the card to shoot out further...juliana chens
method is very unique...i've never seen this done or in print before
anywhere.
By: Olde Rabbit
the easiest method is using a rubber thumb tip. Or, you could also put
on what is called a "finger cot", and is a sort of fingertip made of
rubber, sold in office supply stores, used by postal workers and
others who sort mail and pieces of paper.
At one time, in office supply shops, there was also a little rubber pad you'd stick to the tip of your thumb, for sorting, then peel off and throw away when finished. this would work for short periods.
Julianna Chenn does not use anything other than incredibly muscular thumbs, which she built up specifically for the effect. Murray Hatfield, who toured with her for a season, said her hands and thumbs were incredibly powerful. He also mentioned she used completely plastic cards for this part of her act.
There is a description of card scaling, along with diagrams, in "Now You See It, Now You Don't!" by Bill Tarr, available thru magic dealers, non-magic bookstore chains, and probably Amazon.com. The book Dan mentioned is long out of print. But basically you provide the leverage with your thumb, and sail them out sort of as if a frisbee.
By: Frank Yuen
Card scaling can be found in a few sources. The book "Cards as
Weapons" by Ricky Jay is out of print and, when it can be found, sells
for an exhorbitant amount. The particular method that McBride uses is
called the Audley Walsh Spinner. A description can be found in "Korem
Without Limits" and also in one of the Tarbell volumes. Perhaps the
best place to find this information however, would be Jef McBride's
Card Manipulation series of video tapes.
By: Dennis
Is the Audley Walsh spinner the spin he demonstrates on his
manipulation tapes? Or is it different? I'm interested in the one he
does in his manip act which isn't explained in his videos ...
By: Dan Rasmussen
Dennis, the card spinning thing he does on his manip videos ( i
believe on the videos he only flings the cards a short distance into a
top hat if i remember right) is the exact same version Greg Wilson
uses for Boomerang Card of Death. If you use the method mcbride
teaches on the video you should be able to shoot cards into the
audience just like he does by applying more thumb pressure and
flinging your wrist (just watch his WGM performance)...you can get
even further distance with a special thumb tip.
By: Nick W
Check out link below.
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