An Introduction from Bill Abbott:"In 2006 Lou
Leventhal was contributing to an an online forum about a ring flight
routine that he had just performed for over 25,000 people at Reunion
Arena in Dallas, Texas. This seemed impossible to me. I had to find out
what he was doing to make a traditionally close-up effect play in such a
large venue for such a huge audience! I paid Lou a significant sum of
money for a DVD performance of the routine and the right to perform it
in my paid shows. After viewing the performance I realized that I had
just got the deal of a lifetime and immediately started working on the
routine. Fast forward to 2011. I have just returned from a great few
days with Lou at his home in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan where I had the joy
of shooting one of the most incredible instructional DVDs I have ever
had the privilege to produce. If you've ever dreamed of rocking a crowd
of thousands with a trick that fits in your pocket - The Sting is for
you!"
A Message from Lou Leventhal:
"I have been
performing a large illusion program for almost 30 years in North
America, South America, Europe & Asia. There is one routine that I
will always perform at every one of those shows, and that is The Sting.
This routine gives the audience a chance to get to know me, to see that
I'm a fun guy and to interact with a volunteer on stage in a positive
way, that sets a tone for the rest of the show. After all the big
illusions and magic I do in the show The Sting is the one effect that
everyone mentions as being a standout for them after the show!"
The Good News!
The
good news is that you now have an opportunity to learn from Lou's 30
years experience performing this one killer routine! Lou explains every
tip and trick that he has gleaned over the thousands of paid
performances to flatten out your learning curve and get you up and
running asap. Everything from the right clip to use, the best ring
flight device to choose, how to manage the audience volunteer on stage
and how to get the most response from that volunteer and even more from
the audience as a whole. If you are a full-time or part-time working pro
you will be getting a solid working routine to drop into your show
immediately.
What is The Sting?
The Sting is a stage
routine for the classic ring flight effect. What separates this from
other ring flight routines, is Lou's work to make it play for audiences
of thousands of people. Instead of a simple "here's your ring - now it's
gone - now it's on my key case" routine, Lou has weaved a believable
story around the routine that is accessible to every audience. The Sting
is a working professional's detailed information on ring flight not
available anywhere before. And it's worth its weight in gold. 30 years
of advice, direction and intensive instruction on how to bring YOUR ring
flight (you know, that one that's in your drawer!) onto the stage and
in front or your audiences. Where most ring flight routines are a
glorified stunt at best, The Sting is a commercial 5 minute piece with a
script (included), a great premise, loads of interaction, laughs and
all the details that you would expect from a successful professional
routine. Lou introduces a con style premise that leads into a dynamic
game of 50-50 odds with the ring as the 'prize'. In the end the ring
completely vanishes and reappears INSIDE of a zippered wallet and firmly
attached to a set of keys inside the wallet.
What makes the The Sting special?
-The
moment of the ring's disappearance is unlike any I have ever
encountered in a ring flight routine. When the ring disappears the
performer is so far ahead he/she can really enjoy the moment as much as
the audience.
-The routine can work in any environment, up close and
surrounded. Lou once performed this for 25,000 people with video
support at an arena.
-Unlike most ring flight handlings The Sting
has eliminated all of that and makes it easy on the performer, so there
is never a weak or questionable moment. No fumbling, awkward movements.
Just magic.
The Sting Routine Features:
-A natural
hook up that is deceptive and comfortable. Most ring flight routines
have unnatural hook ups that are difficult to do deceptively and leave
the performer looking uncomfortable.
-A great universal premise with
an accessible storyline and accompanying script. Most ring flight
routines are a glorified stunt at best.
-Performable in any
environment and under any conditions. Deceive the audience AND the
spectator on stage - with no angle or proximity restrictions.
-Built
in time misdirection. The 'move' happens so far away from the real magic
moment that the performer can enjoy the entire experience without
living with any magician's guilt!
-Situational humour and laughs are incorporated and carefully placed in the routine for maximum entertainment.
-Set-Up that takes less than a minute before performance
-The real secrets to taking ring flight and putting on stage in front of large audiences.
-The
ability to use almost ANY ring flight device you already own! Lou
teaches you how to use the ring flight you have to accomplish the
routine.
The Instructional DVD Includes:
Over 110 minutes of Performances, In-depth Instruction and Conversation.
A Live Stage Performance
Live
in front of 500 people see how Lou squeezes every last second of
entertainment value out of this routine. The perfect lesson in stage
craft, timing and audience management.
A Studio Performance
Lou
performs the routine a second time to showcase the scripting and
handling. All of the lines and bits of business are included to learn
from Lou's example.
A Personal History with Ring Flight
Lou
shares his influences and lends some historical insight into the effect
known as ring flight and shares his personal journey with the routine
and why he made the choices he did along the way.
Ring Fright!?
In
the hundreds and hundreds of performances Lou has never lost a ring, a
stone or damaged a ring in any way during the performance of The Sting.
Lou has also been using the same reel and clasp for as long as he has
been performing The Sting. Find out why Lou has performed ring flight
with no fear whatsoever for almost 30 years.
How to Choose the Best Ring Flight : Everything You Need To Know
Locking vs. non-Locking, reel vs. reel-less and how to use almost any ring flight device for The Sting routine.
Ring Flight : Clips and Clasps
The
right clip or clasp can make or break a ring flight routine and Lou
tips everything you need to know to get the clasp that is going to make
the technique a breeze and work 100% in every single performance.
Ring Flight : How to Change a Clasp
So
you want to change the clasp without ruining your reel or loosing the
line? Lou takes you step by step through a simple process of getting a
new clasp firmly and securely on your line.
The Wallet In Detail
Lou's
groundbreaking use of a zippered wallet for the routine is showcased
here with no detail left out. A custom manufactured leather wallet is
included with each Complete Pro Package.
The Ring
Literally
any ring can be borrowed and used for the routine, but Lou's advice
about the choice of the 'right' ring can turn the routine from a great
trick into a real showpiece.
The Volunteer
As with the
choice of the ring, picking the right volunteer can make this routine
shine because of the reactions gleaned from the situation. Lou has some
invaluable advice on volunteer selection and management that can be
utilized by any performer to enhance their show's interactive segments.
The Sting Routine : A Detailed Walk-Through
Everything
is tipped here. The walk-through is an intensive step-by-step,
blow-by-blow account of the entire routine with all the handling details
included.
A Conversation with Bill Abbott & Lou Leventhal
Pull
up a chair and sit down with Bill and Lou to learn about some of the
real secrets of professional performance, the issues a pro faces and the
answers that have surfaced after many years and audiences later. Over
30 minutes of hard-earned advice, ideas and words of wisdom.
The Sting Pro Pack, Includes*:
Printed
Script, DVD with Performances and In-Depth Instruction. Get the
complete instruction for the routine plus all the details on the type of
wallet and envelope needed for the routine.
*These packages
do not include a ring flight reel/device. You can use a ring flight
device you already own or purchase the package to get Lou's professional
advice on the best one to purchase currently on the market today.