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James Adamson Special user Deatsville - Holtville - Slapout, AL 945 Posts |
I am interested in Jim Steinmeyer's Thru A One Inch Hole.
Magic Copy reads as: "This entire illusion packs so small you can throw it in the back seat of your car. You can carry it into your show all by yourself, set it up, and you are ready to go. Do it surrounded and even close-up!!! Small and portable enough to do anywhere." Has anyone actually seen this performed and if so what were your impressions? It appears to be pack small,play bid illusion?
Be remembered for performing what looks like MAGIC, not skill.
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briansmagic Special user USA 507 Posts |
It is for sure a pack small illusion: I could carry the entire thing packed down in one arm load. It weighed probably under 35 pounds. But I wouldn't call it a play big illusion. There was a reason I sold it: I just didn't like it. I think it would be ok (and only ok) if you had a HUGE illusion show and wanted to throw it in but don't count on it being a huge show stopper. In my opinion it just isn't that great of an illusion
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Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
I agree ... I had one and didn't care for it; sold it. For my money, the traditional Sub Trunk beats this one hands down. Besides, I found that the trunk acted almost like a sounding board on a piano and amplified the sliding noise of the gimmicked trap, so I wouldn't do it "close up". Of course, it could have been that I was just over-sensitive to it ... Also, because of the method, the curtain has to be almost twice as deep as the trunk itself, making the handling of the curtain a bit awkward.
Take a look at the prop in "Device and Illusion." $35 for the book is better than buying a prop you are unfamiliar with, plus the book is great -- it provides some real insight into illusions. |
HarbinJr. Elite user I only have 450 Posts |
I had this illusion built a number of years ago. My sister was not the petite assistant that others had. It was a puzzling illusion. After the show we would always have people come up and ask how my sister fit inside the box and how she could get in if it was all locked up. I pounded that box all the time to show how strong it was. I wish that we had done more practicing to increase the speed of the effect to match whtat the book said. However it was always somethig that the audience talked about. Interestingly enough, you don't have to have a "major illusion" to really draw a crowd into your show. Sometimes, if you can tap into the crowds imagination then you can make more headway than having the worlds most expensive illusions.
Robert |
Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
I've seen it used several times, and it is a powerful illusions. Simple to build, simple to performe and a great storage box for the rest of your stuff.
As with any illusion, it is how you present it. I am seriously considering making one. James, it is worth the effort to do this effect. the only requirement is that you make it to fir your assistant. The smaller the better for packing small.
Dennis Michael
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Kendrix Loyal user 229 Posts |
I have one. I have only performed it 4 or 5 times because it never got a great reaction. Maybe it is me. I never thought it was that great and perhaps that's why for me it isn't.
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jharness New user St. Louis, MO 2 Posts |
I have one, and I have to say it is one of my favorites. I always get a good reaction off of it, but I do agree that it is in how you present it. I think you really have to "sell" the absurdity and impossibility of the situation. Also, the final part where she is pulled through needs to happen in the blink of an eye.
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Brent W Regular user Ohio 123 Posts |
I have owned literally tons of props, as I changed my act twice a year every year our circus was on the road and I have owned the "one inch hole" prop. It can be worked surrounded if needed and plays well. I must agree it is not a show stopper, but fits in well with an illusion act, and the price is right.
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Chrisdev New user 90 Posts |
Chris Deve
"Designer of Magic Illusions" |
The Donster Inner circle 4817 Posts |
I'm thinking of getting/making this one. What is the best way to present/perform it to get a decent response?
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collective foundry Inner circle 1404 Posts |
Hello everyone. Forgive me. Although I'm aware of the illusion and hear the name often, I'm really not familiar with this effect. Can someone explain the illusion's effect? Thanks in advance.
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David Goldrake Loyal user Las Vegas 226 Posts |
Hello Ryan,
The effect is described in Jim's book "Device and Illusion." I assume you own that book. My schedule does not allow me to give you a full description of the effect. Sorry... Regards, D |
collective foundry Inner circle 1404 Posts |
I don't own the book. I'll contact Jim and ask him what the effect is or contact someone here whose schedule is not so busy. Thanks.
(And I'll pick up the book if Jim thinks it's applicable to what our mission is these days.) Regards. R. |
muzicman Special user LaCenter, Wa 989 Posts |
The effect is simple. A rope is tied to your assistant's waist, then fed into a hole in the side of a square box, then out the bottom and into the hands of one or two audience members on stage. A cover is brought up to cover the girl and the box. The audience members pull the rope and the girl goes through the one inch hole and ends up inside the locked box. The box is unlocked, the girl steps out with the rope still attached to her waist.
I saw this done at the NW Magic Jamboree and it was prepped with a short clip of an old film. It was presented very well. I think if anyone doesn't like this effect, they have not really explored the patter that must be used to make it a believable event and get a great response. It really CAN BE a a powerful effect, and like most effects, depends on the patter and presentation used. |
collective foundry Inner circle 1404 Posts |
Thanks Muzicman,
Sounds like it could be cool. |
Dave Dorsett Veteran user Macomb, Illinois 345 Posts |
Having built a number of these over the years, I agree it depends greatly on what the performer puts into it. We added a "kicker" with the assistant's hand appearing to have "stuck" in the one inch hole that I felt kept the attention on the hole as opposed to "other" places where we didn't want the audience to go.
As stated elsewhere, I would recommend the book highly (especially to builders) as there is a lot of "how to think" in all Steinmeyer books.
Dave Dorsett
Douglas~Wayne Illusioneering |
HarbinJr. Elite user I only have 450 Posts |
When I did it in my shows years ago I would have my sister simply wiggle her finger through the hole in front. It got quite the giggle from the audience as they were trying to figure it out. They never did.
Robert |
GuySavoie Loyal user Tampa, FL 242 Posts |
Robert -
Did you go with Steinmeyer's presentation? If you did, I'm curious if the wiggling finger in the front hole is a "logical inconsistency" since the hands should be jammed tight against the other hole, as the hands are tied and need to be released. My advice for making this as strong as possible: Get a wig that matches your assistant's hair, and cut a piece that BARELY fits through the one inch hole. attach it to a strong, two or three inch length of cord, and tie the other end to the middle of a 3/4" hardwood dowel about 2 1/2" inches long. When your assistant is getting inside, have him/her insert the dowel from the outside. The dowel will level out, and hang inside the box. It will hold the clump of hair in place and act as a pull. The assistant, once inside, should pull the hair against the hole so the cord is not visible. Tell the volunteer(s) to keep pulling as the curtain drops. On the "drop" keyword, your assistant waits a half second or so, then yanks the hair into the box quickly. Of course, the asssistant then pockets the clump of hair before the final reveal. The final "getting sucked through the hole" visual really sells the premise of this illusion. If you have the occasional problem getting the hair through the hole smoothly, you can improve the hairpiece by adding a tapered cone to the join between the cord and the wig section. Duct tape works wonders. Over time, the hairpiece will get frayed, due to the action. Make several from the same wig. It's never happened to me, but the "out" if the hairpiece gimmick broke and the hair fell out onto the floor: the assistant would know when pocketing the gimmick, and upon the reveal, she would hold her head in pain, and angrily give me a shove on the way off the stage. --- Guy |
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