I've heard a lot about the Zimmerman base but really don't know what it is. I've probably seen one before in performance or on television. Can somebody explain what it looks like or, even better, give me an example from a magic special on TV or a picture.

Thanks

http://magicauction.com/Mag_auc/ForeignIllusionsknown.htm

Top illusion.

Michael

If I understand correctly, the Zimmerman base concept is to put a raised platform above a base to make it one step more deceptive?

Redbull: How come there's nothing in your profile?

PS: the zimmerman base Mike posted is more of the modern version if it. the REAL zimmerman base is much much different in its original form

My best recolection of a Zimmerman base is Doug Hennings "Fire Dome". Which he used a few times to produce guest stars on his tv shows. I have not seen many performers now adays using the Z-Base. It it worked for Doug, and looked amazing! Just the right amount of psycological misdirection.

Magically yours,

Matt Kielbiski
Quick Change Artist

I thought the Zimmerman base was counter weighted to move the girl quickly to the top, am I wrong?

If you have video of Doug Henning doing the Fire Dome look at the bottom base right before the cloth comes down and you will see the trap door explode open for a split second. Great trick and super fast.

Yes the Doug Henning fire dome is the actual Zimmerman base. The concept is you have a bottom base then attached to it about 2 feet above it is another platform which is very thin. This leaves a space between the load and the top platform where the girl appears. With proper cloth handling it is a very clean appearance As the audience is left with the "impression" that they could see under the prop the whole time.

Thanks Scott

Copperfield has used the Zimmerman base in several illusions, Blackstone Jr. did also. Dick still collects payments for the rights, and will still supply plans, as far as I know.

This is a good question though, as few newbies do not realise that many of the illusions that incorporate the double level base are in fact rip-offs of the principle, with no credit being given to Dick, and are being published/built without any consent, or of course, credit.

Blair Marshall

I thnk DC's Snow Base is a beautiful one. The simplistic styling of it makes it so undetectable because he stands on the thing the entire time of the "snow from hands" phase (gosh, I got into that dirty habit of breaking down a piece of magic into phases)

I also think his voyeur base is a stroke of genius. That vanish is scary!!!

DC also used it in the "cocoon" and his vertical asrah

In Zimmerman Base is the girl moving unaided?

If I remember correctly a true Zimmerman uses a form of "assistance" to move the assistant with speed and accuracy. It truly makes the performance one to remember.

Nick Fox

NFox: his would be news to me, I am aware that a Mignon uses a "system" but not sure what the need would be for with Dicks' base.

Blair Marshall
"ShaZzam!"


(P.S. Would discuss this in a pm - BM)

I saw Dick Zimmerman make a girl apear in Hoops on his base and it was only covered around 3 sec. don't see how girl could move that fast.

The Mignon uses "assitamce" as you say, Zimmerman base does not. As for the speed you would be amazed how quickly an assistant can move with the proper design to the illusion and effective cloth handling..

Blair, I was mistaken. I wasn't thinking straight, thanks for correcting me. (I really should get more sleep). Sorry for the confusion.

Nick Fox

Thanks for clearing that up for me. The plans that Osborn sell of the Mignon $25 does not use assistance but I have seen a Mignon Osborn Plan in Geni that did.

Thank goodness I am not losing it.

Blair Marshall

Does anyone have contact info for Mr. Zimmerman?