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Lyndsy M. New user Ontario, Canada 6 Posts |
Heya guys,
For those that don't know me, I am Peter's much better half. I am sure I have talked with a lot of you either on the phone or through email as I handle the administration part of the business. I haven't been here in awhile since we had our son who was born a couple of years ago. He has kept me very busy. Now he is getting a little older(he will be 2 in March)I am getting some more free time again. Can't wait to get back to the stage aswell. Anyway the Gremlins is my favourite trick Peter has come up with yet. Its such a cute and funny routine. When he first told me about it it sounded weird, but after him demonstrating it for me I thought how great this will be for kids and adults. Mr. Piers is right, you do need some time to sit down with it. I know, Ive seen Peter locked in his shop practicing with it all the time. He is also trying to come up with new stuff to go with it for you guys, and from what I have seen they are hilarious. Peter is building some right now as we speak, I help a little but its mostly Shawn(one of his builders) and Peter who sit for hours hand making these things. I know Peter is happy that you guys are enjoying this prop so far! Love ya all, Lynz XO XO
Check out Peter Loughran's newest illusions:
www.masterofillusions.ca |
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The Mirror Images Inner circle Michigan/USA 1980 Posts |
Wow the Gremlins are making you work now. To funny.
Welcome back to the board. It is great to have you back. Tell the guys to keep up the good work. Cheers
Steven and Michael, The Mirror Images
The MOST Identical Twin Illusionist http://www.themirrorimages.com Check out our latest new effect - Liquid Steel NEW - MotoBox NEW - MotoMation NEW - Voyager |
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Potty the Pirate Inner circle 4632 Posts |
Review:
Peter Loughran’s “Gremlins in a Box” finally arrived the other day, and I opened the package with more anticipation than usual for an International Delivery. The package was small, about 8”x6”x7”. Knowing that the unit is small, I wasn’t surprised. Inside, I found the box and a CD Rom along with several pages of instructions and warnings everywhere not to play with my new toy until I fully understood the operation. Of course, I couldn’t resist looking at the box, and one’s initial reaction is likely to be mildly disconcerted. The box is designed to look the way it does, like somebody knocked it all up in their garage. Inside, the workings actually continue that theme, you may be forgiven for questioning if your hard earned dollars have been spent on something very Heath Robinson. At the same time, you will notice the simplicity of the mechanics, the whole construction, and if you’re a working performer, you will recognise the value of having a prop that is so easily repaired. You could re-create the whole box yourself with a bit of effort. Watching the DVD and reading the instructions, I quickly became familiar with the operations of the unit. It is very simple to programme. However, it soon becomes apparent as soon as you start to programme your Box, that there is a bit of time required of trial and error, learning to create the perfect programme for your routine. Once you have the programme, make sure you write down every step, with timings, so that you can re-create it if it ever gets erased by accident. The box cannot be looked into directly. It’s a shame in a way that Peter didn’t put this on the label - something like: “Do not look directly at the Gremlins, as they emit radio inactive light and may hypnotise you.” In order to cover audience angles, I plan to place the box on a high stand at the start, after reading that it should be kept out of the reach of small children. Nice bit of “look don’t see” at the start of the animation, when the box starts to vibrate. Not mentioned in the demo, the box actually WALKS while it's vibrating. This provides a lovely bit of business as the box walks away from you every time you're not looking. Reacting to the kids' shouting,you look at the box, and of course, it's still as a rock; you bring it back to your side of the table. Again, when you look away, it shakes around and walks away... Very easy to load a signed card to be lifted, whilst placing the deck into the box with one hand. The lid shakes nicely to accentuate any movement of the box. There is a very mild talking issue, but I feel that for most performances there will be sufficient background noise to cover any talking. For more intimate performances, (and why not? This plays great for everyone), a bit of background music would work. Any ideas for a good backing track? The unit works like a dream with the Intercessor. I just have it in the box, and I put the deck in there; when I remove the deck, there’s the Intercessor on top, I don’t have to think! Loading additional cards for production could be an issue for some folks, but all I can say is, give yourself a motivation for reaching into the box, and do what you have to do whilst getting your finger nipped (squeeker), or trying to “pet” the Gremlins. This routine needs all your acting skills as well as your ability to create suspense. In fact, I’d suggest your success with Gremlins in a Box will be all down to your acting ability. You have to believe in them Gremlins. Of course, you can create another whole meaning for the box, but I have to say, I love the premise of the Gremlins, and wouldn’t change them for the World. Overall, having played around with the unit for a few hours, I feel pretty confident with it. But it needs a fair bit more practise and handling before I use it. This is kinda like the old “Snake Basket“, but also has something of a hint of “puppet” about it. Like a colony of ants, those gremlins appear to have real personality. A personality which each performer will create by what he tells his audience about the gremlins. I also detect a “Flea Circus” here. Things are seeming very entertaining. I love the spirit writing part, for me, probably the part that will actually fool folks the most. I have made an “Instruction sheet” for my Gremlins, which provides me with my lines as well as giving the impression that this is “straight out of the box”. I even plan to initially remove it from the box it was actually shipped in, there’s just enough room to put a deck of cards, Sharpie, and any other props you might want to include. And the addition of the Intercessor immediately gives you a proper fooler - folks will NEVER guess how you managed it! The Gremlins will start off with a comedy intro (look don’t see), next find a signed card from a deck; then, the corner is torn off and kept by the spectator, the remainder of the card torn to pieces, which are dropped into the Box of Gremlins. The Gremlins restore the card, then finally sign it for the spectator to keep along with his signed piece! And the Box of Gremlins takes a bow! Whoa - that’s really some routine! On the negative side, I found there were several things about the box which I had to modify. I’ve emailed Peter about these, as I think the build design of my unit had a couple of fairly serious flaws; but these turned out to be very simple to deal with, and now my unit is in perfect working order. To be fair to Peter, I did ask for my unit to be shipped asap; I’m sure future models will work perfectly as mine now does. In summary, a very funny and clever piece of kit. A great comedy premise, and several different animations. You should appreciate the simplicity; there’s not much to go wrong. The basic routine as supplied is very good, but can also be used to create miracles. Is it a trick? Or a puppet? Or is it a Snake Basket? Or a Sefalaljia? A Ouija board on Whizz? The creative ideas you’re given are at least as valuable as the prop. Peter is really showing us all how to expand our magical thinking. Just lots of fun to play around with, and sure to make a big impression on all ages. 21st Century Magic at it’s best, I love this one, thanks Peter! |
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Tony Chapparo Special user Albuquerque, NM 704 Posts |
Review:
Peter Loughran’s “Gremlins in a Box” First off let me just say WOW! I just did a show today and The Gremlins slayed 'em! I was able to work out my own routine with Peter's easy to follow instructions on the DVD included with this awesome little illusion. I worked this into my act in a little over a week, performed it today and the reactions were priceless. I got a solid ten minute routine out of the little bits of business and magic I was able to easily able to program into the unit w/ time delays and all. I was able to include a powerful give away with a very high percieved "emotional value" at the end of the performace that will in time more than pay for the cost of the illusion in additional bookings. The unit is well made and will last a lifetime with reasonable care, it is easy to program and the included DVD is easy to follow and has tips for programing your own custom routine. Overall, this is a winner, it is versitile, entertaining, magical, funny, interactive and visual. What more could you want? Great job Peter! I could not be happier with my purchase. Best, Tony
Tony Chapparo
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