Electronic Prop Tips

“Perfect,” I thought. “That’s 21 times in a row.”

I was rehearsing the new electronic coin trick, Emergence.

If you’re not familiar with it, it’s a marvel of modern magical engineering. The little device fits inside a playing card. You load a coin into it and at the right time, this little door opens, and it shoots the coin right into a glass.

So far, it’s perfect every time. And save your hate email for another day. The trailer for Emergence breaks down what the device is and how it works in great detail.

The intention for this little wonder is an incredible ending for a coins across routine.

Me? I’m using it for my Murder By Magic show.

But the point of this issue is a broader discussion of electronic magic. The things that some of these props can do are amazing.

I was talking to a few of my magic friends and commented on how we really are living in a golden age of magic.

Never before have so many amazing – and reliable – magic devices been available to us.

But it ain’t all sunshine and roses.

Let’s start with reliability.

So many magic props (electronic or not) are completely unreliable. And that’s a shame that creators and companies continue to pump out unreliable junk.

There’s a saying in magic, that electronic props will always fail at some point.

So far, I’ve had pretty good luck with most of my electronic props. Oh sure, I’ve forgotten to replace batteries once in a while.

But the larger question is…why use electronic props at all?

If we are magicians, shouldn’t our skill be what allows us to create our miracles?

I don’t feel that way. To me, using an electronic prop is no different than using a Square Circle or Svengali Deck.

We are using a device to help us perform our magic.

But just like skill alone can’t truly entertain our audiences, neither can an electronic prop.

I consider such props merely another tool in the toolbox.

I’ve got electronic props on my brain now because of my spending this year.

I’ve bought a truly embarrassing number of props this year, way more than I normally do.

Most are for my seances. And even though I won’t have a use right away for even half of them, I grabbed these suckers as fast as I could.

Magic props of all kinds tend to show up and disappear quickly, Over the years I’ve missed out on some really cool stuff simply because I didn’t act fast enough.

Electronic props do have that reputation of failure, though.

I’ve got a set list of demands an electronic prop must satisfy before I commit to putting it in my professional shows.

Here we go:

• The prop must do something I can’t do on my own.

This justifies 90% of my electronic prop purchases. To take the chance of putting the thing in my show, it must be something I can only do with the prop.

I don’t work with assistants and never will. So I need to do everything myself.

I remember decades ago when legend John Calvert released his Dancing Hanky routine. The ad copy proudly started, “Only needs one backstage assistant!”

Unfortunately, John’s release came out right around the same time as Sean Bogunia’s Dancing Hanky…which is 100% solo.

Since I wanted to do the Dancing Hanky and I didn’t have backstage assistants, my only choice was Sean’s creation.

• The prop must be easy to set up and charge.

A few years back, I ordered an electronic watch prop. It was a fine product with one very big flaw.

To charge the thing you had to remove the back of the watch and plug in the tiniest charging cord into the tiniest charging port I’ve ever seen.

It was so iddy-biddy that I was sure I’d wind up breaking the thing. Way too delicate for me.

Recently I also purchased the effect Sparkling+. I’m not revealing much to say it too is electronic.

If you haven’t seen it, it’s an effect where apparently using your mind, you cause a cork on a champagne bottle to pop off whenever you want.

Cool effect and definitely something different.

The problem? I brought the charging cord the first time I tried charging the unit.

To be fair, the instructional video warned me to be careful, that it was delicate.

But after watching the video, I likely would never have used the prop anyway.

The setup was very involved and to my eyes very dicey.

Without getting into details, they warned viewers to be very careful when moving the bottle after setup as you might accidentally trigger the unit.

Let’s just say there were some expendable items and processes for this to work that were very finicky.

Nope. I want my props to be like a claw hammer or socket set out of a toolbox. When you grab your tools, you know they are going to work.

• The prop must be from a reputable creator or company.

Some of the best electronic props are built by hand by small companies or single creators. Sean Bogunia, Peter Loughran, Dan Baines, Nick Birch, and a few others put out good stuff.

But I’ll avoid props where I either don’t know the creators personally or can’t find any decent reviews for them.

Last year I was looking for an electronic prop for a spooky PK Touches-type of routine I was working on.

Many reputable companies had such devices, but they were costly. So I went the cheap route. I found a device on AliExpress for about $60.

When it arrived, I tested it right away. It worked! Yay!

But sometime later when I actually needed it for a show, the damn thing wouldn’t work.

New batteries didn’t help. It was (and is) dead as a doornail.

I bit the bullet and ordered a prop from Cobra Magic that was about ten times the cost.

It’s well-built and performs beautifully. I’ve performed with it several times and it’s flawless.

Electronic props can help you do wonders.

But just like sleight of hand or other props, electronic props won’t do the show for you. Consider them as another tool to bring your show to life.

The real magic is you.

Want an amazing routine that is perfect for stage and 100% reliable?

My effect Serendipity takes the plot of a Brian Brushwood effect.

Brian’s routine was amazing. It was a drawing duplication where one volunteer duplicates another spectator’s drawing.

But the props he sold me 100% do not work. It was complete junk.

For $400, it was a rip-off.

I created Serendipity to accomplish the exact same effect with ZERO electronics.

Find out more HERE.

Have a great week!

--Cris

P.S. By the way…whenever you’re ready, here are 4 ways I can help you grow your magic business to book more shows at higher fees:

 
1. Grab my FREE report for professional working magicians.

It’s called “The 2-Word Secret to Eliminate Your Competition & Become Your Area’s Busiest Magician.” This report reveals a strategy that almost NO magicians are using (and the ones who are don’t use it correctly). Get your free copy HERE.

2. Get my website video training for under $10:

 
In this 2-hour video training, I’ll reveal exactly what your website needs if you want to succeed as a professional entertainer in the 21st century. Get all the details HERE.

 
3. Get a complete business-building plan handed to you on a silver platter.

 
Not sure how to move your magic business forward? I’ll analyze your complete magic business (website, market, competition, and more) and give you a complete game plan for getting your performing business to the next level. Find out how HERE.

 
4. Work with me privately.

 
Need help in multiple areas? I can help you with your website, direct mail, email, or other marketing strategies. I also offer consulting services for crafting magic routines or even entire shows. Want to find out more? Shoot me an email at cris@theprofessionalmagicianclubpro.com.

5. Check out my extensive line of magic routines and marketing products

I have several professional routines, marketing courses, books, and other resources to boost your shows and make booking shows easier and more profitable. Check out my line of products HERE.

To find out more how I can help you book more shows at higher fees, click the button below to see my list of services.

© Copyright Cris Johnson, Inc.