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ptbeast Special user Oregon 831 Posts |
For a show that I am putting together I would like to take either a standard travel kennel/cage or a rubbermaid type container and use if for a production device for an animal (a large snake or lizard). Before I try and reinvent the wheel, does anyone know if there is anything like this already on the market?
Thanks, Dave |
WayneNZ Inner circle New Zealand 1013 Posts |
Check Barry Mitchells website.
He used to make something like that. |
ptbeast Special user Oregon 831 Posts |
Thanks Wayne. I checked out the website and didn't find anything along those lines. I sent him an email, but it has not been answered at this point. Anyone else have ideas?
Thanks |
Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
Barry Mitchell has a nice rabbit cage box that acts as a travel case as well as a production.
Dennis Michael
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Drew Manning Special user Dallas, Texas 913 Posts |
In Mark Wilson there is a dove from shoe box prodution that could easily be modified to a rubbermaid container. In fact, I am planning on using that to produce one of our bearded dragons. I was just looking for the right size/ type of box.
Never thought of a small rubbermaid tub Hopefully my idea has helped you as much as you've helped me!
I live my life for a layer of ice
Just like those poured by my bartender vice Any taste of vermouth would be really sublime, When you have a good martini time! -The Reverend Horton Heat |
Spellbinder Inner circle The Holy City of East Orange, NJ 6438 Posts |
Wouldn't it make more sense for a snake or lizard to appear in a terrarium? Unless you have a special reason for wanting it to appear ready to travel, of course! I envision a clear glass aquarium that you place on a table, and then give helpers some sod or leaves or wood chips to scatter on the bottom, and maybe a water dish and a live mouse for dinner. Then have everyone back away as you wave your wand and a huge snake appears inside and devours the mouse on cue... well maybe that part is asking a bit too much of a snake/actor.
Professor Spellbinder
Professor Emeritus at the Turkey Buzzard Academy of Magik, Witchcraft and Wizardry http://www.magicnook.com Publisher of The Wizards' Journals |
just_larry Veteran user 330 Posts |
Yes there is a marketed version.
But.... Larry |
Drew Manning Special user Dallas, Texas 913 Posts |
But?
I live my life for a layer of ice
Just like those poured by my bartender vice Any taste of vermouth would be really sublime, When you have a good martini time! -The Reverend Horton Heat |
ptbeast Special user Oregon 831 Posts |
Spellbinder -- Yes and aquarium would make sens in most contexts, but what I am trying to do as add a little magic into what is basically a reptile show, not a magic show. The animals travel to the show in animal kennels or modified rubbermaid storage bins.
I envision doing a bit of byplay where I open the cage or tub to present the animal and it is missing. After a frantic search and a few nervous moments it is found back in its cage where it belongs. I can think of a couple of possible methods, but wanted to get everybody else's feedback and ideas. Larry -- But there are problems with it or but you don't know where to refer me? Drew -- That is one of the methods that I have been contemplating. If you do produce one, let me know how it works with the Bearded. Do you use any other animals in your show? Thanks guys! Dave |
Drew Manning Special user Dallas, Texas 913 Posts |
Quote:
Drew -- That is one of the methods that I have been contemplating. If you do produce one, let me know how it works with the Bearded. Do you use any other animals in your show? I'm heading to Wallyworld in a bit to get a bin and if I can figure out how the sewing machine works, I'll have one put together by the end of the night, hopefully Right now we're still working on a show, but we planning to do some bird work (have to move out of the apartment first so I have room for the cages) and producing a stack of nested fish bowls.
I live my life for a layer of ice
Just like those poured by my bartender vice Any taste of vermouth would be really sublime, When you have a good martini time! -The Reverend Horton Heat |
Mumblemore Inner circle 1429 Posts |
Mitchell has a great "Presto Production" cage which I bought from the specials link on his website (he doesn't seem to stock them always). It's a killer effect, but I would not recommend it as a traveling container. The best travel containers for rabbits, at least (don't know about reptiles), requires mesh underneath them with a dropping tray below them. If you port your bunny around in Mitchell's cage (or any) with no means for their droppings to drop, you'll be exposing the rabbit (or other small mammals - ferrets, etc.) to health risks. Also, the storage compartment is fine for 20 min, but is not optimal for much longer, and I hear the rabbit scratching around for space. It's an amazing trick, but I wouldn't expect to solve the appearance and transport with one cage. The good news is that wire mesh transport cages are available for about $30 from rabbit breeder websites (PM me if you want the name of one near me in Maryland). Even though the Presto Production cage isn't suitable for pet travel, Mitchell's cage looks like a wood rabbit cage and in that regard, it's wonderful. The flash appearance gets "oohhs" and "aahhs." I'd seriously consider it (about $200 when in stock). I have four rabbit appearance boxes and the Presto's by far the most impressive.
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Drew Manning Special user Dallas, Texas 913 Posts |
Snakes can usually travel in a ventilated rubbermaid bin safely and lizards can perch on you while you drive of go in a cat carrier quite easily. This summer when I moved my wife from Wisconsin to New Mexico, we drove with her dragon sitting on us in the car the whole 1500 mile trip, and he seemed to enjoy it
I live my life for a layer of ice
Just like those poured by my bartender vice Any taste of vermouth would be really sublime, When you have a good martini time! -The Reverend Horton Heat |
ptbeast Special user Oregon 831 Posts |
Drew, very true about the lizards. It is not uncommon for one of us to have a skink sitting on our head while we drive down the road. I have thought about having my boa ride loose around my neck but, knowing her, she would want to help steer.
We have been keeping reptiles for quite a while now. We are up to 11 (along with a few other critters). I have done a few purely educational reptile shows, but now I am trying to up the entertainment factor with a little humor, a little magic, and lots of hands on touching and holding of the critters. Trying to use my experience as a magician to create a very unique show that is quite different from the other reptile shows on the market. Thank you all very much for all the suggestions. If you have any other ideas, I'd be very glad to hear them. Thanks, Dave |
Spellbinder Inner circle The Holy City of East Orange, NJ 6438 Posts |
This may sound like it's off topic, but it's not. On my site among the Dollar Store Magic goodies, I have a trick called Invisible Candy/Cookie Jar. Included with that trick (which is shown in the picture) is a candy bowl for collecting the candy that appears in the jar in the photo. I'm finding all sorts of new uses for the principle used in that part of the trick and I think a snake appearance cage might be one of them. If the rubbermaid container is translucent, it will work. You will be able to show the cage empty and then have the snake slowly or quickly appear inside (the same as my candy does for the trick described).
If I had a brick & mortar shop and you came in, I would let you see the method to evaluate whether or not it would work for you, so send me an e-mail (magicnook@yahoo.com ) and I'll give you the same inspection privledge via Internet. If you think it can be used, pay me the $5, otherwise delete it from your hard drive and forget about it. This free inspection offer is only for ptbeast and not for others.
Professor Spellbinder
Professor Emeritus at the Turkey Buzzard Academy of Magik, Witchcraft and Wizardry http://www.magicnook.com Publisher of The Wizards' Journals |
optimystik New user 84 Posts |
OK check this out..
Rubbermaid storage bins do stack together much like cups and balls. You would use bins that are opaque for this effect. Imagine that you have three bins stacked together and as you unstack them you flip them over and place on floor or table upside down...just like the cups. The first bin you would remove some items from ... emptying it and by doing so suggesting the idea to your audience that bins are EMPTY. All the while talking about how snake is missing. You can use the final "loaded" upside down bin as a display table for something else and then...after some time passes and everyone has forgotten about the lost snake... Suddenly ... you lift the inverted bins and there is your snake. Of course you would have to invert the loaded snake bin over a padded cushion or pillow so snake is not injured when bin is flipped over and snake drops. I work with snakes also in my magic shows ...(not as a reptile show) and use various methods for appearance and disappearance. I think that this "cups and balls" method would be just what you are looking for. No "gimmick" ... just your bins and some showmanship would make it some real magic. Stephen |
ptbeast Special user Oregon 831 Posts |
Thanks for the ideas guys. Keep 'em coming.
Spellbinder - I'll PM you. Stephen - Interesting idea. I might have to play with it a bit. Dave |
Spellbinder Inner circle The Holy City of East Orange, NJ 6438 Posts |
Using the principle I just sent you, you might be able to use Stephen's idea with translucent bins.
Professor Spellbinder
Professor Emeritus at the Turkey Buzzard Academy of Magik, Witchcraft and Wizardry http://www.magicnook.com Publisher of The Wizards' Journals |
Drew Manning Special user Dallas, Texas 913 Posts |
@ PT beast-
Once you've looked over Spellbinder's method, let me know what you think. I have not seen it, so I cannot specualte (for $5 I really shouldn't even care) but if it looks like it might work for a dragon, let me know. I am currently toying with the idea of simply using an undecorated copy box to make my production as it is certainly large enough to use the shoe box priciple and I happen to have a couple empties in my office...
I live my life for a layer of ice
Just like those poured by my bartender vice Any taste of vermouth would be really sublime, When you have a good martini time! -The Reverend Horton Heat |
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