The Mathematics of Whip Cracking

I was discussing "whip cracking theory" with my Fiance, and I think I'm on to something.

In my experience and from what I have seen in other whip-crackers, there is a psuedo "formula" to creating a successful crack.

The "formula" I have figured is as follows:

Effort+Speed+Timing=Crack, where the amount of Effort=Speed  and Timing=Effort.

All three of these elements are incredibly important and must weighed the same.  They can all increase or decrease, but they all must be equal in order to achieve a crack.

For example, to put it into numbers:

1+1+1=3

You can also do:

2+2+2=6

But you cannot have:

1+1+2-=3

because then the equation would be wrong.

It may not be the perfect analogy but I think there is something to it. You need to put in the right amount of effort/strength, with the proper timing and speed.

There are other components (such as body positioning and the like) that do play a part in getting a crack, but as I said before, it's not a perfect analogy.


Anyway, just a thought I had and wished to share.

Until Next Time,

Signed,
Your Scarlett SnapDragon

Three Heads are Better then One

As I have mentioned in earlier posts, I work at a Renaissance Faire where I do some whip cracking.

Myself, along with two males, were asked to do a whip "solo" for the big end of the day dance spectacular. This is what we three put together:

Even though most of it is basic crack, I think it looks pretty cool. It would be more fun for us if there were more tricky combos going on. But, then again, most audience members wouldn't know the difference anyway (emphasis on MOST haha). The field we do this in is pretty large too. So, from far away, I imagine it looks a bit epic

Hope you enjoy!!!!

More soon!

Until Next Time,

Signed,
Your Scarlett SnapDragon

Around the Hoop and Back Again

So remember how I told you I was experimenting with various costuming obstacles? Well here's another! A hoop Skirt..A Big. Bad. Hoop Skirt. It's huge, it's wide. and god know it's in the way.

At any rate, here is the video:

I'm not too sure why, but I look insanely peeved in this video. I want to say that's my "I'm concentrating face" but that would be a lie. I have no excuses aside from: it's just the look on my face haha!

It wasn't as difficult as I thought is was going to be. Which is the good news. I do figure that if I were wearing a skirt on top of the hoop, I'd have a much more difficult time due to snagging and all.

Perhaps for another time?


More soon!

That's all for now!

Until Next Time,

Signed,
Your Scarlett SnapDragon 

My first BullWhip

I am very excited to announced I have officially made my very own BullWhip for the very first time!!!!....with some help.

As I mentioned in a previous post, Adam Winrich posted a youtube video on how to make a whip. I decided to try it out. Here is the result:

Pros: The whip is load and pretty fluid. Not to mention, super inexpensive and simple to make. Take about 30-45min depending. And it costs about 25$ to make per whip.

Cons: Volleys are kind of difficult to do on it because of the structure of the whip (or at least I think it has to do with the structure).  Also, I can't imagine it'll outlast my nylon ones...but then again there is a humongous price difference and..this is my first whip I've ever made. Sooooo yea.

Anyways, overall I am very happy with it. Thought I would share :)

That's all for now. More soon.

Until Next Time,

Signed,
Your Scarlett SnapDragon 

Moving on Up

Hey everyone!

New videos very soon, I promise!

At any rate, I have been stupid busy with my day job putting on several shows over the past few weeks.

The good news is Bryan and I have been playing with making rope whips (ala Adam Winrich, if you are interested check out his youtube video on it) and I have to say I am very pleased with how these whips are coming out.

They are not excellent whips...not by a long shot. However, they are definitely decent. They make good sound and honestly, when they cost only $25 a whip, you can't really ask for much more. I can't attest to how long they last but, like I said, they are cheap and relatively easy to make so for someone who needs a whip right away and doesn't have $150 (give or take) to spend, I'd say go for it. It would definitely get the job done.

I'll post a video soon of me using one and you'll be able to see it in action!

Bare with me folks!

That's all for now.

Signed,
Your Scarlett SnapDragon

Howdy Y'all!

Hey Everyone!

So I'm super excited to announce that I have officially booked my trip to go to the Texas Renaissance Festival! Why would this be exciting you say? Well, this happens to be one of the festivals where Adam Winrich performs at!!! (Which means I get to meet him in person, in case you haven't put two and two together yet haha)

I cannot wait!!! I'm going to try and shoot him a message beforehand, just sort of to give him the heads up that I would love to speak with him once he has a spare moment.

Soooo...Yea!

More exciting news is that I have a Whip solo at the Faire I work at which is cool. Yay!

I have to say, I am super busy/tired/crazed running around as much as I am but I think it's so going to be worth it.

As far as whipping, I am going to continue my work with different types of dresses/costuming but I also have some other things I hope to work on in the next months or so.

Stay tuned!

Until Next Time,

Signed.
Your Scarlett SnapDragon

Whip Meets Skirt

So, rumor has it that "You can't whip in skirts!!!"....yyyeeaa...Let me explain something to you all. When someone tells me "you can't", my usual response is "watch me". I've never liked being told I couldn't do something and am always determined to proving those "nah-sayiers" wrong.

That being said, I've decided to shoot a small serious of videos of me whip cracking in different levels of skirt. This first video is of me in an A-line prom tulle prom dress that I used when I was in high school. I was shocked that it fit (if not a size too big) and found it only mildly challenging to whip crack in. The biggest challenge was making sure the whip did not snag in the skirt. But since my whip was dry and the tulle of the skirt did not really catch the nylon of the whip, I was more or less in good shape.

What you'll also notice is I added a veil more so for the added fun/challenge. The veil definitely limited my viewing capabilities...but that being said, this only poses a slight extra challenge.

Here's the video with my Bullwhip:

Here's the video with my Double Stocks:

I'm super happy to be working on this and am rather enjoying playing around with various  elements of costuming that may prove difficult. Each outfit I whip crack in add a new element of challenge (in a sort of manner anyways!)


I plan on doing this in another ballgown I have that is more flowy and a hoop skirt with bum role. I also have some shorter skirts I might add into the mix while I am at it.


Stay Tuned,

Until Next Time,

Signed
Your Scarlett SnapDragon