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pepka Inner circle Uh, I'm the one on the right. 5041 Posts |
Wednesday night, a large group of us from the World Magic Seminar went to see the show at the Monte Carlo. I had only seen Lance on TV, and a few years ago when his theater was being remodeled, he came east and did a weekend at the Tropicana in Atlantic City. (Obviously, a very scaled down version of the Vegas show.)
I loved the new Twilight Zone vignette, and I was really shocked that he actually utilized a kid onstage and made him disappear. That night, the young man spoke no English whatsoever. One can only imagine what he saw and thought as he "vanished and reappeared." One thing I didn't like at all was the Adam and Eve illusion. This consists of a very big box that Lance gets in, (after donning some Ray Bans.) This box looks like you could use it to produce 6 or 7 sumo wrestlers. A woman crawls from his body, kind of like the Interlude illusion. The other odd thing is that the box has to be turned open side to the back whenver he gets in or out. It was the only low point of an otherwise great show. Has anyone else seen this and thought the same? |
IllusionJack Veteran user Las Vegas, Nevada 376 Posts |
Actually I have some opinions on this -
I don't like the Twilight Zone thing at all. In fact I think its pretty terrible and I don't say that about many things magic! It is not funny, not entertaining, I don't know who all those cast members are that they use, and I don't think the magic is amazing at all. It needs to be removed from that show quick! The Adam & Eve thing is not terribly deceptive to a magician but I think it's a cool enough routine I suppose. What I really wish Lance would do is put this complete FISM dove/card/candle routine back in that was cut short. Always a fun show though, still. --Jack |
briansmagic Special user USA 507 Posts |
I have to disagree, I love the Twilight Zone sequence. It is a little bizarre and not what we are used to seeing but I think it's great, funny: deceptive, and confusing. So much chaos is happening at once that it is impossible to keep track of whats going on.
RE: the interlude type illusion. I think it looked cool once you could see in the box and she was coming out of him, but I do agree that it is a pretty big box. I agree that the longer version of the manips need to be in...that's important stuff! |
pepka Inner circle Uh, I'm the one on the right. 5041 Posts |
Well, everyone has their opinion about the new points of the show. I too would have loved to see the longer manip. routine. Literally that box was so big (How big was it?) You could have produced myself, (big guy) Kevin James, (The actor, and the magician) and S&Rs elephant.
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Farrell Veteran user 371 Posts |
The twilight zone thing is in Tarbell ...
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Chezaday Inner circle Naperville, IL 1673 Posts |
I think you're describing an illusion called Osmosis. It is a big prop .. but a very visual illusion. I saw Lance's show a few years ago .. and he's still one of the very best out there.
Steve |
Jared Sherlock Loyal user Indiana 245 Posts |
Typically though, isn't the osmosis done in which the person disappears into the other? Rather than exiting from the person. Or can it be reversed? Rick Thomas' rendition of it was incredible on the World's Greatest Magic.
Jared |
pepka Inner circle Uh, I'm the one on the right. 5041 Posts |
I know the Osmosis illusion. Lance did it a few years ago. This is bigger, and not as impressive, at least for me. Maybe the laymen loved it, and that's what's really important.
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RVH Magic Special user 877 Posts |
This Illusion is called 'out of emergency' & created by Jim Steinmeyer.
I have seen the prop backstage & it is not as big as the 'osmosis'! |
Illusion77 New user 75 Posts |
What is the effect of "Out of Emergency"?
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kregg Inner circle 1950 Posts |
I think it was originally called "Disembodied Princess."
Pepka, Specifically, what didn't you like about it? Kregg
POOF!
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EsnRedshirt Special user Newark, CA 895 Posts |
Pepka, was this the box with the mechanical talons, where Lance's middle vanished? I saw that on one of his TV specials years ago; it didn't impress me either- I thought it was too mechanical and flashy. But that's probably just me and my own stylistic preferences.
Self-proclaimed Jack-of-all-trades and google expert*.
* = Take any advice from this person with a grain of salt. |
RVH Magic Special user 877 Posts |
No, this is not the disembodied princess !
This is a new illusion : Lance stands in a box & a woman crawls out of his body! |
pepka Inner circle Uh, I'm the one on the right. 5041 Posts |
I've never seen the Osmosis illusion in person, so I may not have realized how big it was. At least in Osmosis, you can see Lance and the girl the whole time, via a scrim. Other than the size, I didn't like the fact that the box was facing the back, Lance got in it, then turned toward the audience, the girl crawls out of his body and then it is turned around again. It just didn't seem rational. I believe that in the disembodied illusion Lance just got in it right? Also, there doesn't seem to be any real reason for the sunglasses. (Other than the fact that they help disguise the method.) After Lance came out of the box, he vanished the girl via the vertical asrah, just like the old illusion. That part, was beautiful.
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Magicjess76 New user 39 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-02-25 20:02, pepka wrote: I was at the same show that night and I have to say that is was awesome. The twilight zone routine was definitely unique, and the osmosis illusion was very well done, but I have to say that the highlight of that show was the guy that Lance picked for the "magic hands" routine! He was an oriental guy who spoke just about NO english what-so-ever! What was great was when Lance produced the dove in front of him and the guy almost cried! ha ha I went with some of my friends after our teen session and we got to talk to Lance the next day about the show. He said that he'd never encountered a guy that perfect for the trick! It was quite amusing! |
pepka Inner circle Uh, I'm the one on the right. 5041 Posts |
That was actually a differnet show Jess. He changes some of the routines on the fly in the show. That night, he picked a little kid from Finland who spoke no english at all and vanished with him and they both reappeared in the chandelier. I don't think Lance would have it scripted that someone in the show doesn't speak English, but it's a funny coincidence that it happened twice in one week.
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Mike Ching Regular user Honolulu, Hawaii 192 Posts |
Hi All
I went around the same time, did NOT see anything like OSMOSIS (or do not remember it). The Vanish of the lady at the end of his DISEMBODIED was the "Mascot Moth" vanish, I think. I can't say I cared for the particular "Look" of the DISEMBODIED prop, but they tried to do something different. Good for them (when you're reaching artistically, not every design will be a homerun). The TWILIGHT ZONE referred to here is a contemporary version of the cabinet act in WIL THE WITCH AND THE WATCH(Man) I believe. I never saw the segment before and thought it was pretty amusing with the jokes and odd characters, but I'm a fan of the original Twilight Z show. This was an ENTERTAINMENT segment designed to breakup the format of the show and keep the audience from getting complacent with any "Format" I think. It was NOT the usual 1-Prop "throwaway" act. Cool, Bravo, Fun. First and foremost we should remember the show is for the entertainment of laymen and not Magicians, I have to keep reminding myself that all the time as a guy who makes most of my living with magic: "Magicians (usually) don't pay me". Why should an "Illusion" be a prop used for a single effect, then "thrown away?" This is not a moving magic catalog for conventioneers. It's a SHOW for "real people". Lance is certainly aware that his show (like others), is a catalyst for getting people to have a good time. Not a place for new and seasoned Magi to show how clever they are by saying they know how every trick is done. Once you "get" the general working of illusions (Takes about 3-5 years for most adults I think) you may want to struggle hard to appreciate the show on a number of levels, certainly your own enjoyment, but be honest with yourself about the Audience's actual Reaction. WATCH them react if you can take your eyes off the stage for a second or two. If your goal is to be commercial you must acknowledge that an Illusion "works" (even if you don't particularly care for it) when the audience goes nuts. For example, I am not a huge fan or "INTERLUDE" personally, though it looks quite cool, definately modern, and audiences seem to respond well to it. There is a definate sensuality to this trick. Just as a matter of personal taste it will not be in my show, though if somebody offered me a 10 million dollar showroom and held a gun to my head, (Is that how it works?) I would find an approach to it. I suspect it should best be done by physically attractive performers who can "sell" it well dramatically. An expression even 1 click "off" when someone is "going through your body" might get a reaction many don't want, I think. The "Uncle Charley" birthday party guy might want to reconsider. I suspect many Female magicians will do well with this one. (Women accept sensuality as part of their appeal, most of us guys don't get as much encouragement to be attractive, and don't have a clue here). It is probably not good for the casual performer of average appearance as the drama in this really needs to be maintained to score it's best. I also think it should look a little More "impossible" than it currently does. (I bet the avg audience adult wonders if there COULD be enough hidden space for someone to squeeze around the performer, really. Strong, not the worlds strongest Illusion, but as a dramatic presentation it works well. But that's totally just my take. |
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