I only sell the gimmicks custom now and the price is kind of high to keep them out of the hands of the purely curious. That and they're such a pain to make That said, I'm always glad to take orders. My Zombie Re-Animated DVDs are still available as well.

I'm also doing a workshop this August in Colin Michigan during the Abbott's get-together where I'll be showing off some new techniques and gimmicks I've devised in the last few years. I'll look forward to seeing everyone there.

Jeb

http://sterlinimagic.com/viewitem.php?productid=769

I have done it outside and I would NOT recommend it. First off, the lighting is bad and the bubble is almost invisible. Second, even the slightest breeze could mess up the trick.

Jeb… sadly it’s Colon Michigan, not Colin, which would be open to less interpretation…

So happy your DVD Set (people forget it’s two volumes” is still on the market.
There is no finer source for Floating Ball routining and technique.

Magically, Walt

Walt,

Serves me right for posting late at night.

Jeb

This is a good topic. I mostly perform at standard gigs, where is nice conversation after each show, so I really have to think when I float the table or not. I usually end up with Losanders table when there's an opportunity, so it would be the best.

Nowdays I try to search more different objects, more real and ordinary so people can examine the props. I have started to be afraid with the table, because the spectators will usually ask, is the table solid? I have thought I should store my props on it during the performance, but I only can carry envelopes, ropes and perhaps deck, but nothing big, which is no good, because it is designed for big stages. That's the reason I have thought this same question, what would be the best object - haha - zombie floater?

It really depends of the show, style and performer, but in my opinion, something real. Even if it's an apple, it is something real. Apple would be the next, because you could take a bite after the effect to cleanup the hole of the gimmick.

And because there's a chit chat after show with people, I do the table switch and switch it to real table. It's eclipse-style solid copy, permission asked from Losander. And it really helps selling the effect, because they can check the table afterwards.

With proper gimmick, you can take more than 1,5 kilograms of weight, so just upgrade your gimmick and use your imagination.

Best regards, Aaro Sorva
P.S. Sorry about my bad english.

Looks like I'm going to have to spring for those two volumes. I'm no floating ball expert, but I think I have a handle on it after more than 30 years! LOL!

Myself, I just need a decent ball. I ain't payin' $400 for it though. I can make my own gimmick and find my own Foulard. I'm thinkin' that Viking might be good. RnT's is too expensive and so is the Owens.

I really need to get Jeb's DVD's though.

Doug

I’ve been working with a very high end, very high quality magic company to produce my entire Zombie Set.

Specially designed innovative, Ball, Foulard, Gimmick, Levitation Chest, and a few other extra props, along with extremely detailed instructions and resources.

It won’t be cheap, but it will be fairly priced, we’re still in the planning stages, but I can keep everyone posted as the project progresses,, so no idea of cost yet. Another top-end manufacturer agreed to do it, but they kept it on the shelf for two years and it was time to transfer the rights.

I’m hoping this will be the ultimate, last word, in one-person floating/levitating balls.

For a traditional ball, I still hold that the only correctly made professional quality ones made now are from Viking Magic and he imports them from Italy. Do a Café search if you want my detailed opinions and the why/how of these.

By the way, I’m in a funding campaign, if you’re interested in helping me network check it out right now at http://tinyurl.com/MagicParlor .

Magically,
Walt

Wow a 3 hour lecture on Zombie. That sounds pretty intense but oddly cool. Will you have any dream gimmicks there Jeb?

Wow! What a campaign! I wish I had money...I would give to this...Gosh, I miss San Francisco! That's where I'm from!

Doug

Giving the dream gimmic a workout
http://youtu.be/FEwOKTngm-0

That looked great and the best part? It was short.

Great workout Jon…
like a gym “24-hour Magic Fitness” <grin>
Love to see someone doing it other than Jeb.

I like that the routine is on the short side too!

As an experiment, would you try that routine,
but at exactly h-a-l-f the speed?
I think you’ll make an exciting discovery.

PM me if you’d like.
Magically, Walt

Stucky,

The Dream Gimmick and more. I've got a number of new gimmicks I'll be showing off only to the workshop. That and a brand new hook-up.

Jeb

Someone sent me a PM.
They are thinking of making an Astrosphere, or Zombie Ball, or Okito Ball, and they wondered what color would be best to use.
This is what I suggested:

Decide "what the balls are" first.

...Are they solid, or are they bubbles, are they hard or soft, or light/heavy?

…Are they kids play balls, or from an alien planet, or a wizard's orb?
Is the personality mysterious, or impish, or scary, or happy, or mean?

…Why do you have the ball? Where did you get it?

…How can it defy gravity? Does is float, or levitate, or dance, or a combo?

…What is your mood and the balls mood. How/why are you interacting with it?

…What is the (unspoken) story you want to communicate, why are you showing us this?

If you can get your head around these questions--
then the color of the ball will organically and intuitively appear.
A theatrically stronger and more interesting way than just "picking' some color.

This not only goes for their question of “choosing a color for a ball” but other aspects too:
foulard, costume, presentation, music, performance, style, etc.

My two-cents on the topic.
Walt

Walt - You make some great points! As with all routines - you should carefully think about every aspect of the effect your are presenting. Style and character are everything. You have to decide the character of the ball and the routine will fall into place. Its sad that many of us dismiss the zombie as an old effect, but put in the right hands with the right presentation it can really entertain the audience.
Brad

Good points, Brad. Something I'll be going over at my workshop is how too many people look at Zombie as a cheaper, lesser version of other floating balls. In reality, it is very much its own illusion with its own advantages and disadvantages and is even a better illusion in certain respects.

Jeb

I think the Zombie is just great, I've been rebuilding my routine and reworking the equipment.

The updated gimmick uses a TT which allows for lots of new possibilities. For one, you can get lots of movement with the hands completely still. This is getting closer to the Tommy Wonder capabilities for floating with the ball really detached from finger movement.

In a previous Café discussion about zombie on july 27, 2010 I wrote:
-----begin quote-----
Also, I personally still prefer Lance Burton's original zombie routine. A floating silver sphere has more appeal to me than a floating bird cage. Bird cages aren't supposed to float. But silver spheres have a mysterious quality to them. And give the audience credit. If they've seen one object floating around on a foulard, they've seen 'em all, whether it's a violin, a bird cage, a mask, or a stalk of celery. Besides, with the bird cage, you lose the deceptive strength of a sphere that has no identifying characteristic that betrays its angle of tilt.
(Retrieved from http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......tart=30)
-----end quote-----
I beleve Becky Blaney also presented a zombie routine. I can't remember the specifics, but I think she used a toreador cape as the cloth.

As I said, I still prefer the classic zombie because... well, it's classic.

----- Amado "Sonny" Narvaez

Here's one more floating zombie object:
http://www.daytonamagic.com/products/ZOM......ULB.html
I remember demoing this effect at Earl Edwards's Magic Shop in Norfolk back in the 60's and 70's. I don't think it cost $150.00 back then, though. Must be a collectors' item.

----- Amado "Sonny" Narvaez

A bit of spook show levity...