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Dennis Loomis 1943 - 2013 2113 Posts |
Charlie Reynolds once referred to an illusion act as "Magic from the land of thick tables!" I almost died laughing. But, the ability to design deceptive bases is important. Unfortunately most of us do not have a static performing venue so that we can really design the ideal base. And bases which are larger from left to right or front to back help to conceal depth. Unfortunately, most magicians have to have illusions which can fit through standard door dimensions and so oversized bases are difficult. Often the setting for your illusion will dictate the look of your props. David Copperfield, in one of his specials, did a scene staged in an attic which was apparently being used for storage. He put the Dekolta Chair on top of a Dining Table and the table served as a base. Because the table was fairly large, compared to the chair sitting on top, it really helped to hide the space concealed in the table.
As far as those venues where the audience sight line is pretty much in line with the bases, then lighting is very important. The old Siegfried and Roy show at the Mirage has fantastic lighting. Lots of special effects, sure, but also great care was take to keep the "weak" aspects of the illusions in relative darkness. The under portion of my Doll House is painted dead black so that it can disappear against a black curtain with proper lighting. Thanks to Eric for his kind comments about my Doll House DVD. We did go to great lengths to share as much information about Illusion design as possible. As to materials for bases: it depends on your building skills. If you're a woodworker, you'll probably work in MDO or Birch Plywood primarily. But other materials like sheet metal can cut down on some of the thickness. The better illusion builders have shops and skills where they can work in wood, metal, plastic, etc. Many illusions require electrical and mechanical knowledge as well. Dennis Loomis
Itinerant Montebank
<BR>http://www.loomismagic.com |
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BRodgers Special user 543 Posts |
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On 2008-10-14 18:08, Loyal R wrote: Thanks! Glad you liked it.
Creator of The Phantom Band 360
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Loyal R Elite user Canada 417 Posts |
How much time a Rand Woodbury's deceptive base would take to build?
Dare to Dream...
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savannamagic New user 12 Posts |
I think you can't go wrong with Rand Woodbury's tutorials on Illussisn building. I have seen some of his illussions close up and they are sturdy and well made. I saw Rand perform 15 years ago and saw him three years ago. His whole approach to magic has changed. Rand is first and foremost a premier showman and entertainer.
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ClintonMagus Inner circle Southwestern Southeast 3997 Posts |
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On 2007-09-16 15:20, Thomas Wayne wrote: I've heard the term "oil can" most of my life as applies to sheet metal, but I have no idea what it means. Can someone fill me in?
Things are more like they are today than they've ever been before...
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EsnRedshirt Special user Newark, CA 895 Posts |
If you've never seen an old metal oil "can" dispenser (such as the one in "The Wizard of Oz" used to restore the Tin Man)- it's basically a flat-bottomed bulb, and the oil is held in by surface tension. You squirt a bit of oil out by pressing the bottom- which warps the metal. The warping, and the distinctive "clonk-clonk" sound which accompanies it, is "oil-canning".
-Erik
Self-proclaimed Jack-of-all-trades and google expert*.
* = Take any advice from this person with a grain of salt. |
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ClintonMagus Inner circle Southwestern Southeast 3997 Posts |
Thanks. That makes sense.
Things are more like they are today than they've ever been before...
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lorenzo-cristian New user 10 Posts |
Everyone here speaking about the Base dvd by Rand Woodbury... so I understeand that is a good dvd.
but can someone tell something about the rest of his dvd's(there are 4 dvds is that wright)?? are those dvds worth to buy? or should I go for books better? if someone that has boots sets, books and dvds.. what would recomand me to buy?? Thanks!! |
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serg Elite user Ukraine 433 Posts |
Hi,Lorenzo-Cristian! The fourth DVD for my opinion only for the collector,you will not find anything useful for building illusions himself. For the understanding how build your own illusions better DVD,but for the new ideas I recommend books.So better way buy all books and DVD,and not only R.Woodbury... Serg.
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flight10 New user 70 Posts |
Rytter & Matt-g . Sheet metal thickness will vary depending of steel or aluminium. It will also vary depending on the length and width of that sheet. Here is a safe bed as I have build many bases over the last 20 years.
1 person - Max weight 75Kgs 1.6 gauge steel or 4 mm plate aluminium. Increase aluminium plate by 1mm to take weight loads above 75kgs to 95kgs. Rectangle shapes that you can work with and be safe are 1. 600mm wide 2500mm long 2. 850mm wide 1250mm long You must screw in at every100mm. I prefer aluminium, as it will allow you to counter sink the screw head giving you a flush finish when you felt the bottom. It will also prevent the tearing of your felt that happens on the screw heads. It is also light weight. No rust. |
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lorenzo-cristian New user 10 Posts |
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On 2010-12-07 17:40, serg wrote: Thanks Serg... I was looking on internet for dvds and what I found was that the dvds comes in 2 sets.. 1st set (dvd1&2) 2nd set(dvd3&4).. so actually you can't buy the first 3dvds without the 4th one. |
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EsnRedshirt Special user Newark, CA 895 Posts |
Where did you find those for sale? The only places I've seen Woodbury for sale have only had his stuff available on video tape...
Self-proclaimed Jack-of-all-trades and google expert*.
* = Take any advice from this person with a grain of salt. |
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lorenzo-cristian New user 10 Posts |
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On 2010-12-10 00:50, EsnRedshirt wrote: here you can gett those dvds: http://www.elmwoodmagic.com/full/dvd-ill......4393.htm |
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EsnRedshirt Special user Newark, CA 895 Posts |
Great thanks! ... Doh! Just when I was going to buy myself a late Christmas gift- "Out of stock"...
Self-proclaimed Jack-of-all-trades and google expert*.
* = Take any advice from this person with a grain of salt. |
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