I would like to offer a little advice on ACRs which is often overlooked when performing them. This struck me as being very profound when I first read it but it is very true.

"The length of an ACR is not determined by how long your routine is, but how long your audience wants it to be"

I myself have a fairly long ACR however if the audience is getting a little anxious I shorten it because of this information.

We can all get into a debate that a good performers ACR that is entertaining and magical and whatever, runs little risk of falling flat with an audience because of its entertainment value. But sometime an audience just doesn't want to see a card jump to the top of the deck 8 times.

So if your audience seems to becoming unresponsive or bored finish the phase your on and move to another trick if they want to see one.

Hope i helped a little-

Keegan

This sounds like it came right out of Strong Magic.

I couldn't agree more. ACRs are good for on the spot Jazz magic, they are also really good for practicing moves(Ie learning to string sleight after sleight together smoothly) but to an audience they can get really dull unless you have a compelling presentation. I'm never committed to doing every single move of an ACR while performing. If the audience starts to lose interest I jump to the climax.

Never read that but i actually heard this little piece of wisdom in the comment bar on kammagic's channel on youtube. You can find very profound knowledge in the comment sections on youtube.

You should really think about getting this book. The greatest book on magic I've ever read.

Noted I'll put it at the end of my very long, long, loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong list of books to read. Just kidding!

The list isn't that long

another thing that we need to consider in an ACR (i'm currently building my first one.) is pacing. an acr may take up more actual time than say an ace assembly. but an ACR is pretty much solid magic from start to finish hard core, non stop magic. whereas an ace assembly you gotta set up the packets etc.

so the key to a well timed acr is the smooth flow between reappearances of the signed card. while at the same time maintaining a steady build of drama, suspense, all that stuff.

(i just finished this section in strong magic right before i read this thread, it inspired me to finally put an acr together)

(definitely get strong magic.)

Yes I have heard many guys talk about practicing to music to get a good pace.

Yes, music is fantastic since majority of music is in perfect time. I've practiced my LDS to a metronome.