Magic Question - How to Get Started with I.T.

[@magicorthodoxy]

Buy LOOPS here www.penguinmagic.com/p/7814

[@psosna]

Oh boy, thread work is one of the things I love discussing. I could go on for longer than you would like on the subject, so I'll try to be brief...but I can't promise anything. (You asked for it!!). The best lecture notes I ever bought, (from Michael Amar himself, his last copy!), was on the floating bill. This was before reels or even elastic tread. It's the routine he did on Carson, which I'm sure you can find. The thinking behind the routine: making the audience think it's a one ended hook up, then proving their theory false, leaving you free to then switch to using a one ended hook up, since the audience has already rejected that as a method they won't think of it again, is brilliant. That's the reason I don't use ITRs, but regular thread. He also speaks about the right and wrong times to use thread, and it's not just lighting, (fluorescent lighting is deadly), but also your audiences attitude and positioning. In the 40 years I have been doing the floating bill I have never bought thread. One of my assistants, (back when I did illusions), gave me a pair of her old black leotards. I have been teasing the threads out of this thing all these years and I still have plenty left! You pull out a “thread” the length you want, (I use 7 wraps around a card), and you will find you can tease out 20 or more invisible threads from each one. I find these threads better than the thread from a spool because it's not straight, but very kinky so it's much less visible. If the thread is not held taunt it won't glint. Each single thread is wrapped around a card, with a card in between each thread so they don't tangle. For securing the ends I use regular scotch magic tape. You can carry a whole bunch in one card case. One thing I used to have ready, just in case, were a few extra long threads, about 12 or 13 feet. They came in handy on a number of occasions! Many many years ago I was doing a big company party under a tent. The lead table, where all the big honchos were sitting, was right near the center pole of the tent. Before approaching their table I stuck one end of the thread as high up onto the poll as I could, and held the other in my mouth. I walked around to the other side of the table, carefully holding the thread over their heads. I then did my entire table show with the thread held in my mouth, finishing with the floating dollar bill. Because I was able to anchor the thread so high, I was able to float the bill straight up from my hand to higher than the top of my head, much like John Kennedy's brilliant version, (I've never seen anyone who could float a bill steadier, with no bounce or swing, better than John Kennedy). One last thing, stuff doesn't have to float. Sometimes animation is even better and more fooling. Here's a trick that I worked on with a couple of friends, but never performed: I used a bottle of Southern Comfort, because that was what was around, and it had a big cap. To unscrew the cap I would pretend to wind a small invisible key on the bottom of the bottle, causing the cap to unscrew a little with each turn, (pulling the thread in with my tongue). Then I would take the cap off and place it onto the table and try to pour a shot into the cap, but each time it would move away before I could pour. Finally, I would hold the bottle away from the cap and make like I'm about to pour onto the table, but the cap would skitter over to be under the bottle to accept to shot. Give it a try, uses the same 7 wraps!

[@magicorthodoxy]

I hope a lot of people read this

[@marcelstephens8683]

Can we make contact and talk about IT . I need help Marcel

[@murdermuseum8280]

good read. thanks. I used to use strands of my long straight hair, i would attach one part behind my ear and the other on a card then move my hand up slowly with the strand in between my thumb and index finger causing the card to rise up into my hand.

[@JCMagic]

I finally found the trick that was my first live action magical moment. It was a beautiful day in Dollywood Tennessee, and there stood a wizard of unknown proportion. And he had a floating cane. So, I will be attempting to put my spin on a floating cane routine and use it as an opener or an eye opener. And I believe it comes in an "appearing" version. Thanks for the awesome content.

[@magicorthodoxy]

thanks for sharing

[@ByAnyMeansNecessary.]

I used to use loops in bars and restaurants. The lighting was perfect.

[@magicorthodoxy]

LOOPS are awesome !!!

[@artderfall]

The very first thing I purchased on Penguin Magic was The Million Dollar Knot. You get thread and the instructions on how to make your own loops. Do a KZbin search for the same phrase and you will find the instructions. You will also need the harder type of magician’s wax to tie the loop. Maybe beeswax. You will break them in use, but most often you forget that they are on your wrist. You can do more impromptu tricks with the loops. Having your business card rise from the table or palm is fun. Find video ideas for forks moving, etc. With cheap small reels you’re going to have to get good at taking them apart and finding the end of the thread, then the hole it goes through, and then adding a blob of wax. You’ll also fiddle with the tension of the internal rubber bands. Start with loops that you made.

[@magicorthodoxy]

great comment !!!

[@tilkka_]

What IT stands for: information technology, international trade, individual training, income tax, initial test, inclusive tour...ion trap... All the things you never thought to google... Never the less. Great information and tips!

[@magicorthodoxy]

lol

[@Sphyraminx]

Penn & Teller get away with saying it was “sleight of hand” because they indicate that they know which specific moves are being done. Like they’ll say, “ we read that book that has that move” etc. It’s not true that sleight of hand never “fools” them, if they don’t know which sleights were used, or name the wrong sleights, which indicates that they don’t know. But I get your point.

[@magicorthodoxy]

totally

[@alejandrogilrodriguez3941]

Loops Spider pen pro X Tarantula Probably "venom" Gravity reel by Jao Miranda just to name a few. Personally, loops and Spider pen pro X it's all you need. You can't go wrong with loops. I've been working with IT for a long time and I love it. Everything you said is true. Gotta say one of the "hardest" thing to master is lightning. In summer time and during the day you can "flash" your thread even if your spectators are just a few metres away from you. There's also different thickness depending of the thread you might want to use. Yigal's invisible thread is pretty good, thin and almost invisible to see. That's the reason why I love his Spider pen.

[@magicorthodoxy]

Great 😊 comment !!!

[@davidshareefChTPhD]

Standing across an embankment LOL that killed me! Floating a ring LOL

[@magicorthodoxy]

:D

[@JohnGregRivera]

Untouched by Ryuhei is a great resource for a "beginner" ITR routine without anything floating.

[@magicorthodoxy]

great advice !!!

[@TheHobbyistMagic]

Wish I had this video ten years ago. This will benefit folks a lot. It’s so easy to get discouraged early on in IT work, but after taking the time to learn and work with all sorts of IT, I’ve found what works for me. Thanks for your teaching!

[@magicorthodoxy]

Absolutely!

[@Genethagenius]

Really, really enjoying these “How To Get Started…” videos! Even in topics I’m fairly knowledgeable in, I still learn new things and gain a lot from your perspective and experience in these things! For example, I knew of the hook up you mention, but have never investigated it, but definitely will now! And I love pretty much anything by Michael Ammar! Especially his “Easy to Master Card Miracles”!

[@magicorthodoxy]

Great to hear!

[@dmr778810]

I like what you said with performing for yourself back in school. I still have anxiety approaching people, due to not wanting to interrupt them. Now I need to get comfortable using Gravity in general.

[@magicorthodoxy]

good luck

[@photos1now]

Thanks David Great advice My first I T Was PSI I would rig up and hold someone hand and we would point at a beer bottle across the room, and a beer can next to it would fly off the table I would tell them we need to aim better It would freaked them out and they felt like they were part of the trick And even though I messed up I really didn’t it looked more real

[@magicorthodoxy]

thanks for watching

[@michaelprincipato7749]

I still have the wonder bar I got back in the early 80s or late 70s. That was my introduction to the "invisible" thread. I still do not work with it as much. I use loops if I want to do some type of close-up levitation.

[@magicorthodoxy]

nice !!!!

[@hungvu-xc3uf]

I think it’s so difficult to making things levitate now. The right lighting, the right environment. And the first thing audience suspect would be thread or string. With that being said, i love to use loops to do haunted deck and pk touch.

[@magicorthodoxy]

I agree

[@pinballwizard666]

I love what IT can appear to do but Loops is enough for me !

[@samuell.hodgesjr.1577]

This is good. I have not been a thread guy. But seeing this gives me a change of heart.

[@magicorthodoxy]

oh cool

[@thecommonmagician]

Great video David! Man, 4:18 - 6:05 deserves hours of discussion. I think this is the number one reason to be more selective about the material that one does. I find that when I focus on magic that avoids the "rolodex" problem, as you put it... there's only so much worth doing and the remaining material weighs heavily into mentalism. If there must be card magic, it's often better in this regard if it is mentalism/card magic, etc. That's where I am personally in my magical journey right now.

[@dmontes133]

I really like using IT, especially Loops. Loops one of my EDC.

[@davidniederauer1278]

You’re 110% right. IT is difficult! Balancing is the problem i.e. doing every time. Best trick with a reel: Handkerchief thru microphone stand. And floating is weird. IMHO there are only two things that should be floated: One is a lady (or being PC: a person). The other is a match.😂

[@magicorthodoxy]

[@johnholly5206]

Great advice, David. One of your best videos! Starting with a low cost Fearson set-up before progressing to loops and then ITR's will save most beginners a small fortune! I did the same slow progression and I am now loving my Spider Pen X! I also pulled out my old Ammar dvd's as a refresher course in the basics. So, thanks, and please do more videos like this one!

[@magicorthodoxy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@time_machine7013]

I’m so lazy with IT… I just put a few loops around my card pads so I can bring it in and out when needed (like standing card)

[@dereklearnsspanish]

Such good points here about performing when spectators "know" how it's done. I remember watching Copperfield's flying routine and how natural it looked, and when he went through the two rings I thought "no way he could be using wires". Performance and selling is everything in magic

[@magicorthodoxy]

yup

[@bilalturkan8004]

What I usually do as I’m sitting in a cafe or walking I’d “pretend” that I dropped a tissue then I levitate it up “tarantula” wipe my nose then continue with what I’m doing. Sometimes no one notices but I try to make sure I’m being looked at

[@magicorthodoxy]

Great idea

[@d1g1m1]

Hi David - just did the Loops effect floating an Australian $50 at a friend’s 30th birthday last week..! Got the best reaction out of any of the dozen tricks I performed… Loops is the most practical I’ve seen & have used it Many Many times..! Also, have had two versions of Spider Pen & love them; looking to get latest version… Bought Gravity - great device; but couldn’t find a practical way to use in the real world..! 🙏😃🎩

[@magicorthodoxy]

often times simple is best

[@marcelstephens8683]

What part of Australia are you in ? Im in Melbourne and wanna get into invisible thread

[@d1g1m1]

@@marcelstephens8683 Hi Marcel in Sydney/Central Coast Gosford area… All the best 🙏🎩😃

[@karthikchand]

@@d1g1m1 What part of Sydney you are in because I am from India🤣🤣😂😂🤣

[@chetcieliesz]

Very Good you hit the point on It work. One of the Best reviews you did.

[@magicorthodoxy]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@davidmurphy9049]

Absolutely love this. I have IT, but I've barely dabbled in floating for I don't have a mirror easily available to float things. Instead, I make gimmicked cards. Very neat! I do like the grabbing the pen or marker idea for it's just an offbeat sort of trick.👍🤓👍

[@magicorthodoxy]

Thanks for sharing!

[@flowhypno4524]

Thanks, this was just what I needed to hear on a lot of levels.

[@magicorthodoxy]

thanks for watching

[@dmontes133]

For beginners, there some really inexpensive IT devices they can purchase to see if they like it. It may help them decide if they want to spend more money on other devices.

[@Fast_Eddy_Magic]

"It's up his sleeve!" One time, someone said to me "Oh, I know how you did it... it's a trick!" 😄 I'm not kidding.

[@magicorthodoxy]

Lol

[@MisterRobert101]

Levitations are always subject to the audience and performance situation. For example a levitation by Copperfield or Chris Angel on stage. The audience wants to be entertained and they want to believe flying is possible. Thread magic can be very iffy and takes a lot of practice and knowledge of lighting. There are many misleading promotional videos showing thread magic that are not practical in many but not all situations. There is always the possibility of a heckler in the audience in bars or other small venues. You need to prove without a doubt there is no thread involved. My JFK levitation is very compact and easy to perform. Still popular since 1987 with a special arrangement with the incredible creator Ben Harris. Thank you for touching on this topic. Great advice!

[@MisterRobert101]

Just another thought. Entertainment value like David Copperfield performing his floating rose . The audience really don't care how the effect is achieved. A situation that the thread magician has control over.

[@chrisharrelson66]

So you also have a reserve of videos in case you get sick? You are so amazing. Thanks for everything and stop pushing yourself. Get better soon.

[@magicorthodoxy]

No, just this week, filmed it all before I left for vacation

[@DominoAmor]

So much can be done with a simple work badge reel or a sleeve anchor and a little wax on the end of some thin line. I've had interest in dropping the cash for an actual itr but for my own style I can't really think of an effect where I'd suspend anything long enough to warrant the purchase.

[@magicorthodoxy]

great comment

[@blanu2]

Sage wisdom that everyone would do well to learn. I prefer Loops by Yigal Mesika as the starting point, as you mentioned. You can do a lot, and it's quite easy and convenient to get started. I wouldn't bother with anything else unless you are a Loops master.

[@magicorthodoxy]

100% agree

[@karthikchand]

Your comment won my heart because I am a beginner who is looking to get started in Levitation and PK magic thanks a lot.

[@ariesmars29]

I remember DC and his floating "flash paper" that he turned into a rose. He wiggled the paper up and down his arm to hide the bouncing issue. However, when he made the paper rose, it did bounce a bit. It is something that seems very hard to control.

[@magicorthodoxy]

DC is amazing

[@davidshareefChTPhD]

It's called animation when he made it bounce up and down his arm that was animating and I do this affect as well and have been doing it since 1994 it always kills the crowd!

[@karthikchand]

What is DC is that an ITR?

[@ariesmars29]

@@karthikchand DC is David Copperfield.

[@michaelprincipato9980]

You have some very good advise. I have been performing for decades and have used loops but I still have not used an ITR. I do have a few of them but I am more comfortable with loops.

[@magicorthodoxy]

Rock on!

[@reverendgaddy2435]

So true about Genuine LOOPS being the only thing to buy... Once I got a free pack of generic "loops" when I ordered another item from a dealer I know. After working with them for an hour, breaking 3 of them, and realizing how terrible they were in comparison to the Mesika LOOPS, I just threw the rest away. They just weren't worth fooling around with. The current individual LOOPS that I'm working with has lasted about 3 months now....

[@magicorthodoxy]

nice !!!

[@pangea6090]

ITR with a confederate. Someone in the background moving subtly on not-so-much. Not much discussed, but astonishingly effective. Also, David, shout-out for your everyday- carry list. I scoffed at first. But I made my own "obeying ball" pendant (out of plumbers epoxy) and that single addition to the T.T.has turned me from silver to gold. Well, maybe from brass to silver. But still.

[@magicorthodoxy]

nice

[@fernymagic]

I own Leclair's video, and I prefer that hook up over Fearson's, but both are excellent! Also have a Spider Pen, but I always find myself going back to non reel methods. I can walk away and let the IT break naturally.

[@magicorthodoxy]

Thanks for sharing!

[@72A1D372]

Another great video! Keep up the great work!!! I'm one of the people who really only need loops. I keep the inner circle card in my wallet. Here are some great resources for loops: Loops vol 1 & 2 by Yigal Mesika and Finn Jon Guerilla Guide to Loops - Ellusionist vol 1, 2 & 3 Odyssey by Rodrigo Romano vol 1 & 2 Losander's Live Lecture Legacy Collection - Finn Jon

[@magicorthodoxy]

Nice !!!!

[@benagoh74]

Great video and advice on IT. I have played with it but have never found a comfortable way to use it.

[@magicorthodoxy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@MrMcMaN]

GREAT video my friend!! Hope you're starting to feel better!

[@magicorthodoxy]

day by day

[@seanfaherty]

Your thoughts on the way we think of method is profound. For years I have been trying to figure out how Ricky Jay did the “Queens’ Coterie “ with the queens face up like that that. I’ve thought about using a pull, rough/smooth selling my left pinkie toe to a Malaysian man to figure out how to do it. Last night I figured a way with three gimmicked cards and some sleight of hand. 25 it took me I don’t know if I feel smart or stupid

[@magicorthodoxy]

thanks for watching

[@atmovie11]

Great video David, ITR and I don’t really get along. They break and I always have trouble putting it back together maybe because I can’t see that well. I will attempt it once again.

[@magicorthodoxy]

i'm with you

[@karthikchand]

@@magicorthodoxy No you are with me.

[@DJRosen]

I first found your channel when T2 came out. I never use it but I love loops. Im trying to figure out the best way to split some IT I have in the house but I am thinking buying pre split is the way to go. My eyes cant deal with it :)

[@thestreet9537]

T2 is the only it ever dug.

[@karthikchand]

What do you mean by pre-split?

[@DJRosen]

@@karthikchand IT typically comes as a single strand made up of dozens of pieces, you have to split individual strands to use it.

[@jerryRp90x]

have you had trouble accessing mr. mesika's online videos?

[@magicorthodoxy]

nope

[@jerryRp90x]

@@magicorthodoxy I'll try again, maybe the site was down, I used it the first loops I ordered, by the time I got inner circle, the site was not working.

[@ianmaltby6388]

Hi David I would Recommend the Covert reel by Uday Jadugar it’s cheap but it’s very quiet and so easy to repair or the I Boss by Sorcery Manufacturing a little more than the Covert Reel but really good. Shame the original Boss reels aren’t available anymore as for loops if people are prepared to tie their own the best is The cool spool by Roy Zaltsman I’ve tried every available elastic thread on the market and Roy Zaltsman’s is definitely the best by a mile period. Hope this helps 👍👍😀😀😀😀

[@magicorthodoxy]

GREAT POST

[@willswalkingwest7267]

I love IT. I got really proficient with it and used it everywhere. It's one of those things that if it's done badly.....it's BAD. I wish people would PRACTICE AND PRACTICE before they use it in public.

[@magicorthodoxy]

agreed

[@StephenMooreOfficial]

I bought loops and the ones i got were garbage. idk if i got abbad batch but after one use the stretched out to where they were super loose on my wrist and eventually the knot came undone. I think im gonna buy elastic thread and just make my own.

[@magicorthodoxy]

a lot of people do that

[@StephenMooreOfficial]

@@magicorthodoxy do you know what kind of thread people typically use? It needs to be more stretchy than wooly nylon. I guess old panty hose maybe? 🤔

[@honeylovelace503]

Good class David.

[@magicorthodoxy]

:D

[@carlpowers7291]

I really appreciate you doing this video I was thinking of making a purchase myself that was about $100 and I think I may hold off on it for a while so I get a little bit better I am experience with loops and some ITR‘s but I’d like to hear your thoughts on using more than one real at a time and also the different types of threads that you can use thanks again for a great video I appreciate you

[@rosalecca5205]

Thanks for the advice i currently own tarantula and loops but i was looking for something more powerful and i came up with 2 choices and thats venom and spider pen x which choice would be best to get.

[@magicorthodoxy]

I dont think its even possible to find venom

[@RobertBallMagician]

Great information David. The only thing l floated was the Zombie ball that was fun. 👍😊👍😊👍

[@magicorthodoxy]

Thanks 👍

[@youravantgarde]

Great video. I've tried it before but I just keep breaking the thread lol. Not for me. I'll stick to cards.

[@magicorthodoxy]

:D

[@DelahayN]

Love this Video! question... where di you get that shirt?!?!

[@magicorthodoxy]

amazon?

[@jerryRp90x]

Cool shirt

[@magicorthodoxy]

it's one of my Peter Parker shirts

[@riddhipratimbanerjee4449]

Hi.. Can you please make a video on How to get started with Rubber Band magic...

[@magicorthodoxy]

this is a great place to start www.penguinmagic.com/p/12026

[@riddhipratimbanerjee4449]

Thank you... I will surly check this out...

[@jamesmauch8573]

I know this is an older video but I hope you see this comment. Maybe you have already done this, and I just can't find it. If not, I think it's early enough for you to consider before Halloween when everyone puts costumes on and pretends to be something they are not. Since you already have a Star Wars channel, it seems obvious to me that you need to do a Magic for Jedi's video. Darth Vader doing card tricks is a bit too non sequitur, but a padawan floating a cheap crystal thing would make a lot of sense. (Maybe Han Solo doing a gambling demo could fit, but you might want to learn to use sabacc cards.) I think using IT to perpetuate the myth of the Force could be really useful.

[@magicorthodoxy]

that's funny - and yes I do play Sabbac

[@themysteriousmr]

ITR Theory you mean string theory hahaha..so use it in the begining or the end

[@utube3156]

8:10 what's this called?

[@magicorthodoxy]

it's just random footage from an old IT trailer

[@splattered63]

What does I.T. stand for? Not Information technology obviously?

[@magicorthodoxy]

I left it unknown so those who already "know"

[@supremekarate1]

Besides Fearson's Floating cigarette the best levitation with a small object is Kevin James Floating Rose. Because of the animation done in that effect. It looks ok for a crumbled piece of paper to bounce. I use that method for both Floating Rose and Floating bill and it blows spectators away. Forget about using ITR. When ITR breaks it's a bitch to reset. When people say how did you do that? I reply it's an illusion. Nothing was actually floating. I only pretend to make it float. Magicians are actors pretending to do magic. We all know magic is pretend 🙂

[@davidmerlin3344]

In the 90s I used an ITR all the time and was a master with it. I even had 2 on me and I became very quick at fixing a break. I even had the inventor make me a BIG stage version a few years ago. Practice and handling can avoid breaks.

[@kirk4960]

Less is always more with IT. No love for Finn Jon?

[@magicorthodoxy]

great reminder! He's the father of modern levitation magic.

[@skakdosmer]

I've never heard the term ITR before, and I only know IT to stand for Information Technology. It would have been SO nice if early on you had JUST ONCE used the full name rather than the abbreviation! Quite possibly you've explained this in earlier videos, but that's not really helpful for those of us that have only recently found your channel. SO many youtubers love to fling around abbreviations and never reveal what they stand for, and to be quite honest I think it's disrespectful to the viewers. It gives the (hopefully false) impression that the youtuber is only talking to the already knowledgeable viewers - the "insiders". And it certainly means that you, the viewer who doesn't know the terminology, are feeling left out. And quite possibly you begin to wonder if it's even worth your time following the channel.

[@magicorthodoxy]

sorry - I do it to not EXPOSE the method - not to hide it from magicians, but to hide it from muggles.

[@codeartisan]

People tell me how great I.T. can be. I just don't see it...

[@magicorthodoxy]

Lol

[@catholiccrusaderfilms3974]

Itr

[@magicorthodoxy]

👍

[@97015219]

I think this video is great, and I also want to share my Invisible Elastic Band work with you. If you are interested, you can send me a private message. I will be happy to share the teaching content with you!

[@97015219]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHi7l394d5KqkJY

[@magicorthodoxy]

thanks for watching !!!