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Kent Wong Inner circle Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 2458 Posts |
I own and perform this illusion but, I must confess, I'm probably missing some of the subtleties in its design. For instance, I have read that the paint job adds greatly to the deceptiveness of the illusion. This is where my key concern lies. I currently work with a very nicely built illusion with the traditional "female outline" paint job on the front doors.
However, I am thinking of re-staging the illusion. Part of that process would require repainting the doors to make it look more like a "storage closet". Although I can visualize the new presentation in my mind, I'm afraid to repaint the illusion if it will detrimentally affect its deceptiveness. Any thoughts, suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Kent
"Believing is Seeing"
<BR>______________________ <BR> <BR>www.kentwongmagic.com |
Chezaday Inner circle Naperville, IL 1673 Posts |
Yes, the figure on the front is a vital part of the illusion .. otherwise you're giving it away. Maybe you can make the figure more subtle, yet still have some sort of form.
Instead of a storage closet .. maybe a ladies room? Steve |
Sorcerer Loyal user 289 Posts |
Sure!
A human outline is really important to the deceptiveness of the illusion, unless you use any other outline suggesting "presence" who can be "moved" in the middle (you know what I mean) Also important are dark sides. |
Kent Wong Inner circle Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 2458 Posts |
I think I figured it out! I'm going to keep the front of the illusion exactly the way it is. However, the back side of the illusion will be repainted as a storage closet. At the beginning of the illusion, the backside of the illusion faces the audience. My assistant runs and hides in what she thinks is the "storage closet". I quickly lock the doors in place and turn it around (with a malicious grin on my face) to reveal that it is, in fact, the Zig Zag illusion. This way, if the new staging doesn't work out, all I have to do is repaint the back side of the illusion black.
Special thanks to illusionist Sheldon Casavant for suggesting this innovative solution! Kent
"Believing is Seeing"
<BR>______________________ <BR> <BR>www.kentwongmagic.com |
jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
How about putting it between two saw horses and pulling the mid section up.
Up is more work but would look better.
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
You are backwards. Years ago I wrote comedy version (never did it) putting it across two saw horses and the mid section dropped to the floor.
The deceptive paint scheme is the vertical post at the right must be black. Blackstone Jr. had one and it was white. I sent a photo to Harbin and he contacted Harry to straighten him out. (I didn't know Harry at that time or I would have told him).
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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Oliver Ross Inner circle Europe 1724 Posts |
Jay & Pete, wouldn't this be a giveaway to the audience by putting this illusion in a horizontal position ?
Steve, I like your idea by paiting a ladies room on the back of the illusion very much. Why not paint it on the fromt and turn the illusion around for the presentation, once the woman got inside. This could be very funny in a comedy version for this illusion. In the middle of the show, the assistant starts to balance on either feet, because she needs to go to the rest room. Since it'll break the flow of the show you got the solution and push the ladies rest room on stage...Just before putting the center part back in palce a flushing noise is heard and at the end the lady, once released of her human "pressure", steps out of the illusion. Just a presentation idea. Oliver. |
RVH Magic Special user 877 Posts |
Here's a video of Wittus Witt & Roy Gardner's version of the Zig Zag with WC (toilet) ending.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyPOkjQW5bk (zigzag starts at 5.30) |
Terry Holley Inner circle 1805 Posts |
IMHO the best figure is the original. The other problem with many of the versions being performed is that they miss the key ingredient for the middle section. One of the greatest illusions of all time if made correctly and performed correctly.
Terry
Co-author with illusionist Andre' Kole of "Astrology and Psychic Phenomena."
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Marshall Thornside Inner circle chicago 2016 Posts |
Painting a figure or anything is appropriate.
I think on the 3rd zig zig he decided to do that. it was an interesting dimension. Since going thru many photos for my project. I noticed he did something different and interesting in all three of the zig zag's he built for me.
you will remember my name
World's Youngest Illusionista 7th greatest pianist in the world Go Red For Women and Stroke Ambassador www.mai-ling.net |
idomagic Loyal user Denver, CO 255 Posts |
Rhis is an observation not an abmonishment. It seems to me we overthink too many things. This is a classic illusion, it should remain that. The idea of turning it around to be what it really is, is brilliant. It keeps the integrity of the original illusion and allows for the creative story telling. I hope the idea works out for you!
Chad Wonder (Chad Wonder Magic, Inc)
Past President SAM 37/IBM 131 (Mile High Magicians) www.idomagic.com www.iDOMAGIC.dev |
Shane Baker New user nigh on 20 years and I've made a measly 81 Posts |
Hi Pete,
Is this an example of Blackstone's incorrectly colored right post (by which I presume you mean the audience right – so black effect would flatten it out and make it seem to have passed over further)? Starts about 2:50 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCh6rviB1CY |
Alan Munro Inner circle Kentwood, Michigan, USA 5952 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-09-11 01:27, Shane Baker wrote: The sides should have been painted matte black and there should only be one vertical moulding, if any at all, on the shelf side of the illusion. I cringed when I saw that video. |
Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
When I sent the photos of Blackstone's Zig to Harbin he immediately contacted him.
The one super inportant aspect, ALMOST NO ONE GETS is the use of a spectator. Harbin had a woman push the mid section and it would STOP. He'd say, "You know why you can't push it farther? There's a lady inside. He would then insert the blades, and the section being now narrower had the narrow blades make sense. Then, after inserting blades he's have spectator push again and the mid section would go all the way. THE ASTONISHED LOOK ON THE SPECTATOR'S FACE WAS THE KILLER. IT'S ALL IN THE BOOK, BUT FEW READ IT.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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chill Veteran user colorado, usa 385 Posts |
Quote:
IT'S ALL IN THE BOOK, BUT FEW READ IT. terribly hard to get a copy of that book.
I spent most of my money on magic and women, the rest i just wasted
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