I purchased Solo-X a few years ago and have indeed built two of the illusions from it...NOT the ShrinkBoy/Compressed though. (Don't want to jump into the middle of THAT battle!)

I did a version of the Techno VooDoo offered in that book with a few improvements of my own, adding interior lights for visibility, making the whole thing fold flat and redesigning it to be worked without a base...I travel a lot. If you like, brief video is included in my "Magic" clip in the Video Gallery on my website unde the name "Peer Pressure."

I also did something similar to the "Box Trick," re-engineering it to be done without a base. (Pretty slick if I do say so myself!) I built mine to be done vertically...while standing inside the box. His method of hiding the gimmick also made little sense to my style, so I came up with a different camouflage. The whole thing also packs almost completely flat in my own version. I'm a bit of a nut about saving space when I pack.

In short, I think Mayne's got some good ideas...but I've never built any of them without a MAJOR redesign.

Dan Wolfe, aka. "The Amazing EARL"
http://www.amazingearl.com

I have the book and these illusions are very heavey illusion worth alot to sell but ther pertty cool

Well it's been a while, and we've all been waiting, but it seems that Dan Summers has nothing more to say on this topic.

I guess he must agree with us now.

TIM ELLIS

I have to say in all honesty you’ve enlightened me Tim! Two years ago you told me you had never seen my ads!!! Now you contradict those earlier statements and admit to seeing them. Very interesting!

Tim unfortunately I can’t sit idly by and allow you to mislead the readers on this particular topic. Mainly the fact that I “go after” people who attempt to build and perform “Shrink Boy”. That is simply not true. For the benefit of the other readers here, I do not, as I have no issue with what is illustrated in that book. My sole concern is strictly with those who (borrow) my design/performance work without asking permission.

I’m sorry but Tim is misguided to think these are the same illusion. First, there is no similarity to my Compressed Illusion regarding size, outward appearance, mechanics / construction or concealment. Second, Solo-X was written for a solo performer. Tim, If you had taken the published design you purchased for $40.00, built a 36” square box and performed it exactly as it was written,(climbed inside and shrunk yourself)… you would not have heard from me. But as you know that is not what transpired.

The device you have built and that you are using, is not representative of Shrink Boy at all. You’re simply using the book as a ruse to mislead the readers and qualify what you did. By your own admission, you examined my published photos of The Compressed Illusion and what is obvious now, made an attempt to copy my design/performance elements that are uniquely my own, and I might ad have a copyright protection.

You mention your prop was different because you use a gear that operates the device without someone inside and that yours can be done surrounded. (YAWN). Those elements were implemented on the very first Compressed Illusion in 1994. And for you to suggest to these readers ten years later that you came up with that one your own is frankly laughable. (Sure you came up with it after you saw my photos)!!

Attempting to solicit support here for what you did sets a poor example for the many students of magic that come to this site. Organizations like the IBM and SAM expect its members to adhere to ethical principals and to educate non-members to the need to adhere to these ethical precepts. One of them being to “Recognize and respect for rights of the creators, inventors, authors and owners of magical concepts, presentations, effects, and have their exclusive use of, or to grant permission for the use by others of such creations.” By trying to tell the readers on this board that these are the same illusion and that it is OK to modify the prop to appear as my Compressed Illusion does a disservice to not only those coming to this site, but to the builders who have been granted permission / license to build my designs as well as the many professional acts who have already purchased and are currently performing “Compressed.”

In closing… Tim this is not about the money for me. Having been in the business for nearly 30 years “The Compressed Illusion” is one of my contributions to magic. Therefore I remain steadfast in my desire to keep the integrity of this illusion intact. I only wish you would have called me earlier and perhaps we could have avoided this exchange and discussion on a public forum and I would have more than likely sent you the plans to help you.

Very Best Regards,
Daniel

Builders for The Compressed Illusion are Bill Smith Magic Ventures, Owen Redwine and can be seen at http://www.gleasonmagic.com

Dan,

You say that I'm "misleading" people??!!

You say "Two years ago you told me you had never seen my ads!!! Now you contradict those earlier statements and admit to seeing them. Very interesting!" How easy you can twist things: I told you that I had not seen your ads until AFTER I had built my Shrink Boy, which is true. WHERE did I contradict myself??? If you chose to debate with me - get your facts right!

You also say: "First, there is no similarity to my Compressed Illusion regarding size, outward appearance, mechanics / construction or concealment." Perhaps other readers like Jeff007 who is familiar with Shrink Boy and Compressed might like to challenge this particular statement.

You also say: "You mention your prop was different because you use a gear that operates the device without someone inside and that yours can be done surrounded. (YAWN). Those elements were implemented on the very first Compressed Illusion in 1994." When Jeff007 said "I have closely worked with one of Dan's Compressed. Shrinkboy (Tim's reworkings/modified version) is an improvement in the way that it does not at all have the angle problems as Dan's Compressed has. To comment on something Tim said however, Compressed now also works with the cranks on the sides without anyone inside." Jeff said Compressed NOW also works with the cranks... Jeff, does this mean that at one stage Compressed did NOT work with the crank?

Dan, as much as you might like to think you are a genius for coming up with gears that work the illusion: "And for you to suggest to these readers ten years later that you came up with that one your own is frankly laughable." When reading Shrink Boy and attempting to make it work with the pulley system Andrew Mayne set out (which constantly jammed) my builder (who is not a magician but builds roadcases, so he's obviously no genius either) and I talked about gearing it so it would really crush someone as opposed to Andrew's design. Surprisingly, we didn't need your incredibly creative input (ie: An ad picturing a prop with what appears to be a decorative and not functional handle on the side of it).

Believe it or not, I've only JUST found out that your Compressed has a big "gear box" hanging off the back of it too. Quite a different concealment system to the one in Shrinkboy (and in my version of ShrinkBoy too).

By the way, thanks for the link to GleasonMagic where we can see the "latest" version of Compressed. I invite readers to compare it to the original ad in MAGIC Magazine, July 1996 Page 11.

Readers can see pics of mine here http://www.magicunlimited.com/squash.htm and here http://www.magicunlimited.com/press.htm

The press clippings are from January 1997 and I'd had the illusion for about a year then (it took a year to build!). So you can compare mine to the original version of Compressed pictured in MAGIC Magazine and tell me if it's a copy.

TIM ELLIS

Correction, I chatted to Sue-Anne and checked all my sources. Here's the history of my Shrink Boy. I got the book in June 1996, the illusion was built July 1996 to May 1997, the press article was January 1998.

Just getting the facts straight.

TIM ELLIS

Andrew explains in many of his illusions books that these illusion ideas described are not full plans. They are ideas, some have been used, others have not. I welcome his ideas and Andrew is making the world of illusion more modern, not only that but you can now perform illusions without having to spend hundereds and thousands of dollars.

Magic is all about ideas and creativity. It just so happens people put them in a book for sale. Nothing wrong with that. I have benefited from his work.

It’s a shame you have no conscience in this matter Tim, and that ethics and integrity appear to mean so little to you. I refuse to stoop to your level and make reference as to your intelligence. However one would have to wonder if Compressed is such a lame idea why are you trying to copy it?


I commend you for your tremendous attention to detail while examining my photos. But then again you’ve had many years to study them! The photo that was used in the first ad was my proto type from 1994 and yes the “decorative” handles DID turn the gears and operate the device and it could be done surrounded. The first beat was showing the compressed figure and the second beat was compressing her all the way. Even though we used the prototype for the ad, the units that the customers received were far superior. Walter Blaney, my friend and neighbor witnessed all the improvements and changes that first year. My 2nd prototype along with a list of changes was shipped to Owen Redwine in 1995 when we decided to put it on the market. Owen was instrumental in getting Compressed to where it is today. Zigmont in Florida purchased the first unit. David Mendoza purchased the second. And the unit your now telling everyone here as the “latest” was in actual fact built by me for Greg over 8 years ago! And no my friend there is not a box “hanging off” the back of Greg’s. He performed this on the apron at the Venetian Hotel Casino in Las Vegas with the front row 10 feet away. You really need to do your homework.

Jeff007: Thank you for your input. We all get inspiration from many sources and you are correct. My inspiration came from Andre Kole’s “Squeeze Box.” In 1993 I was discussing with Andre the possibility of securing the rights to have it built for “Magic Spectacular.” In the process of designing the prop so it wouldn’t look like anyone else’s, plus the fact I was working Revues in Japan where back stage space was limited, I ultimately came up with a new look and methodology.

While I’m discussing Andre, we know he is credited for various versions of “Walking Thru a Fan”. Incidentally that “effect ‘ is offered in the same book as well. I am not speaking with any authority on this but I would imagine if you were to build it as it is described in Andrews' book, you probably would not hear from the Andre. BUT, if you began to make changes and construct a device similar to what Andre is credited with, and perform it in the same manner, then, in my opinion, there may be an infringement. Would you hide behind the book then?

Starrpower : “The Dells”?!! That had to be the early 80s maybe? Are you still in Wisconsin? Pvtme if you have a chance.


Very Best Regards,
Daniel

Dan,

You are good at twisting words. I didn't say Compressed was "a lame idea", nor am I trying to copy it.

You've already said that I have "copied" your Compressed. The only way that could have happened is if I had copied it from your ad in MAGIC in 1996 (when mine was already in construction). Now you are explaining that was a photo of your original prototype, your 2nd one had a lots of improvements and changes to it. There's no way I could have possibly seen any of those improvements or changes. So are you accusing me of copying your original Compressed, or the new version (which you built over 8 years ago, as you are now telling me - and yesterday is the first time I've ever seen it?)

In your original letter to WAM, you said "Although it may appear that his [Tim's] prop does not incorporate the complete methodology, concealment principal or use the many subtleties of my original Illusion, the visual effect Tim is trying to accomplish resembles my ‘Compressed Illusion’ too closely."

For heaven's sake Dan, ANYONE who builds Shrink Boy is going to end up with a prop which looks like yours. To the audience it WILL look like the same trick. You even admit in the same letter: "He had purchased a book with a grossly underdeveloped concept that resembled my illusion." So anyone who builds ShrinkBoy, will have built an illusion that resembles Compressed. Anyone who tries to develop the "grossly underdeveloped concept" by altering the dimensions of the prop to fit a real human being so the trick will actually work is, in your opinion, copying your idea. BUT THEN, in your latest post you said "I’m sorry but Tim is misguided to think these are the same illusion. First, there is no similarity to my Compressed Illusion regarding size, outward appearance, mechanics / construction or concealment." So first you say ShrinkBoy resembles Compressed, then you say it doesn't.

Yet, you give kudos to Andrew Mayne "I don't have an issue with Andrew he is out there creating," (how do you know HE didn't rip your concept off?) "however I do have an issue with a professional who should know better." And then you go on to say that I should know better because "As soon as that book was published and during the time Tim claims to have been constructing his prop. I had placed several paid ads in Magic Magazine clearly stating for the record “‘The Compressed Illusion’ was rights protected”. I have searched MAGIC back issues and I STILL can't find the ads that say that. As I have said before, EVEN IF you said that in the ad, how is a purchaser of the book SOLO X supposed to interpret that?

The bottom line is that you said in your letter to WAM "I do believe Tim when he says he was unaware of my Illusion when his was being built." So unless you have changed your mind... HOW DID I COPY AN ILLUSION I WAS UNAWARE OF? Yet, because it ended up being (in your opinion) too similar to yours, you decided to bill me for $1000.


You finish your last post with an analogy of 'Walking Through A Fan.' Yes, there is a chance that someone might "improve" Andrew's idea and end up building an illusion that is similar to Andre's fan, or Windshear, or any number of fan tricks. Someone might think "Hey, I'll put Shrinkboy flat on a table" and then build an illusion that is very similar to Andre's compressing illusion. You are absolutely right, people do "re-invent" ideas. If someone publishes a book of illusions that are "grossly underdeveloped" versions of existing illusions, then any CREATIVE builders may develop them and end up building things that resemble what already exist - and may feel they have "improved" on what they had been told was "the original". Did they copy? No.

Did I copy you? No.

If you want people to stop building illusions that RESEMBLE Compressed, then get Andrew Mayne to put a notice in his book saying "This illusion must be built EXACTLY as specified (even though it's grossly underdeveloped) or you might end up building something that resembles Compressed." That might be more effective than ads in MAGIC Magazine.

Has abyone built A-frame? If so I need some help? Thanks.
Thayne

A while back I wanted to build it, but pleximirrors are expencive and I cant find a supplier in Norway. I could do it with a reguler mirror, but my god it is heavy and it will break.

Im going to use something else besides a mirror. Maybe some jailcell door or something.

What exactly do you need help with?

Tim,

I would not necessarily get into the middle of an argument, but Tim is correct. He purchased a illusion plan. Worked out a re-design. Did not have any help from Summers inner/outer workings. Great minds can come up with the same ideas separately.

Summers did not see Maynes similar illusion as being his. The fact that Mayne does not make up his illusions has nothing to do with it. He has something in print. Just as the plans will have to be given for a patent.

It is wrong to ask people for money. I think it is against the law. Maybe you should report Summers for extorsion to the authorities and let them handle Summers. You might send the letter of demand to the FBI or your equalivate in your country.

Tim if I may give some advice, do not respond to this guy ravings any longer.

This issue was questioned earlier by Mr. Ellis regarding "rights" in the Compressed ads.
Magic mag. Dec 2001 page 8, full page for Compressed. Bottom of page: "Price includes performance rights. Performance rights strickly protected".
Just for the record.

Jack Murray

Not that I'm trying to help continue the argument or anything, but I'm wondering if someone independently built thier own illusion that they either got out of a book or that they designed themselves thinking it was a original and not realizing that someone else came up with the idea. How would you enforce a performace rights on an illusion such as this situation?

Robert

Thanks for that Magic Magazine date Jack. By the way Dan was talking, I assumed he was saying the "rights protected" bit was in the original ad or one shortly after. I had been using mine for quite sometime by the time that ad came out and, to tell the truth, I hadn't noticed it before. I'll have to start reading Magic Magazine ads more carefully from now on...

TIM ELLIS