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daz222 Elite user Wales 439 Posts |
Hi all. This is my first post in the Grand Illusions section here on the Café.
Me and a stage magi friend are planning a show in the summer and thought it would be a good idea to have one big illusion in it that isn't home built. Well, I wouldn't even think about building this one! He probably would though, he's like that. lol. I have read all of the posts here on the Café about the illusion, at least all I could find, and I need it all cleared up for me. I want to know what the good models are and what the cheap models are and what they both do and how they are powered. I understand that I will not be buying a cheaper one, as they are unsafe, so no need to go over that again, I want the good points. Thanks in advance, Daz |
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magicmarkdaniel Special user Bolton, England UK 831 Posts |
Hi Daz
I used an Impaled for a while. Mine was a Taurus (Derek Lever) model. I aquired it second-hand and sold it over a year ago as the venues I generally perform at such as holiday camps don't deem the Impaled suitable for family audiences. Just a quick point on that note that's worth bearing in mind. These illusions are extremely expensive but you get what you pay for. But before spending this sort of money its worth seriously considering whether you'll get a decent amount of use out of it. I think in total I used mine to the public just over a handful of times over a two year period! But if you still think you'll get your use out of it, I'd recommend the Taurus model for comfort, safety and durability. I've just tried to find it on their website but can't. But here's a link to website if you want to get in touch with Derek. http://www.taurusmagic.net/ Mark
Mark Daniel
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Chezaday Inner circle Naperville, IL 1673 Posts |
If you're just getting into illusions this is not one to start with. This takes a lot of work and it's not very practical. Look at it like buying a car too. The resale value of this prop will not hold up. There is a very limited market for this type of illusion. You would be much better off with something a bit more practical and then if it needs to be sold years later you won't have a problem reselling it. I had an impaled at one point in time... I was so uncomfortable with the prop itself I gave it away. Only the best can be trusted in the manufacture of this illusion. In the states, Owen Magic Supreme makes one of the best on the market. Hope that gives you a little different point of view on the topic. Good luck.
Steve |
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daz222 Elite user Wales 439 Posts |
Thanks for the replies both. I will take everything into consideration. I am looking for the info on which are the good ones and bad ones, what each of them do and how they are powered. The taurus one, is that one of the good ones? Can they spin on them? Electric? Gas?
Thanks again, Daz |
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magicmarkdaniel Special user Bolton, England UK 831 Posts |
Daz,
The Taurus model is electric (powered by battery) and its a perfect height. Many are quite tall and require two people to lift the girl onto the sword. This is around 1.5m so you shouldn't have a problem lifting the girl on your own. Also, the assistant rises up the sword automatically which looks great. I paid £1,500 but new models I believe are around £3,500(?) Mark
Mark Daniel
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Michael Taggert Special user Fredericksburg Virginia 656 Posts |
My thought here is, why an impaled as a closer? I'm judging from your avatar that you eat fire. Is that significant to your show as to why you would end with this illusion? I love the illusion but it doesn't seem to fit at the end but more in the middle to me HUM/
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Lou Hilario Inner circle 2235 Posts |
I've used the Owens "Impaled" model a few years ago. It needs to be charged with compressed air and the batteries have to be fully charged. I don't like the gimmick on the harness.
I also agree that this illusion shouldn't be used as a finale. Perhaps as a middle.
Magic, Illusions, Juggling, Puppet & Parrot Show ^0^
http://www.louhilario.net |
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daz222 Elite user Wales 439 Posts |
Thanks again for the response. My eating fire would not be included in the show, that's not part of 'magic' for me. I do other 'stunts' like this, mainly for gathering a crowd at festivals and such.
I thought to use this as an ending as it would be the biggest illusion in the show, all of the other items would be regular smaller stage items, not bigger illusions. BUT, if we get our act together right, then we could have big illusions all the way through, but not expensive ones. Maybe then we would use it in the middle. But if all the other ones were smaller, normal stage tricks, then I felt this would suit at the end. Thanks, Daz |
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mvmagic Inner circle Has written 1322 Posts |
Much depends on the theme of your show. You feel impaling someone would fit in the show? If the show is geared towards family audiences, Impaled would not fit really well.
The effect- to my knowledge anyway- was originated by Ken Whitaker of Creative Illusions. There is one for sale at Magic Auction (known builder, outside US). Owen's and ShowFX (formerly MagiCraft) make nice models. If you're looking for a great closing illusion, I'd do something totally different, closing with a bang! Impaled is, in my opinion anyway, pretty boring. How about Bumps in the Night? Bill Smith makes a nice model. Jack Murray is a great builder, but I am not sure whether Bumps is proprietary to someone. To me, transpositions, vanishes and appearences are much better at the end than the said illusion or different sawing illusions. Or not neccessarily illusions of said types, but illusions (or illusion sequences) with better emotional context. Impaling, after all, is a pretty cold effect on the emotional scale.
Sent from my Typewriter
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Frank Simpson Special user SW Montana 883 Posts |
Mvmagic has hit upon the most important aspect. The effect that is physically largest is not necessarily the biggest effect. The finale effect should be the one with the greatest emotional impact. (Just look at how many people are ripping off David Copperfield's emotional use of Snowstorm.)
Keep in mind too that you don't want people to leave the theater remembering the prop, you want them to remember YOU! |
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PaxMentis Loyal user Long Beach, CA 239 Posts |
For Lou,
A month ago I met with Alan at Owen. During my meeting he showed me the newest upgrades that were done to the gimmick the girl uses. WOW! There were so many refinements to such a small unit that I was absolutely amazed. We purchased one of the first ones for the Pendragons back in 1984 and there were some shortcomings, but then it was relatively new and over time it would probably evolve into what I saw a month ago. For Daz222, PM me and I'll send you a killer ending if you finally decide to use the Impaled to close your show. Best regards, Bill Thomas
Do not go where the path may lead, but go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.
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Caveat Lector Elite user 493 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-03-29 10:31, Frank Simpson wrote: Not for nothing, but Kevin James was doing the emotional/sentimental snowstorm ending years before DC.
Corrupting the art of magic, one show at a time
www.underworldent.com www.myspace.com/johnshawcomedymagic |
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brandonford1982 Veteran user 304 Posts |
If you do buy it and plan to close with it, impale yourself and leave it at that. Let the curtians draw and leave am impression in the audience minds that you may not have survived. I think it would be kinda cool to see it done that way.
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NFox Inner circle I Do Mentalism Now?! 1101 Posts |
Brandonford1982: That sounds like something Richiardi would have done. Only he would have added plenty of blood spurting out of the "hole."
Personally, I feel that all illusions (and shows) should be looked at with dramatic structure in mind. The rising action usually is in the audience's mind. It is their own anticipation of what is going to happen, as well as the actual events of the illusion. The climax is at the point where (as I say) the magician fights with reality. It is the exact moment before someone begins flying, or just as they fall through the sword. The resolution and falling action is the moment where magic allows the performer to overcome reality (IE: as the performer just lifts off the ground, when the girl is lifted off of the sword and revived). Personally, I feel that leaving someone impaled is not doing the structure and the audience justice. It is presenting them with an unresolved conflict. So unless you want to have an "existential illusion show" I say show the ending... but this is all my opinion you are free to disagree. Variety, after all, is the spice of life. Nick Fox |
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Frank Simpson Special user SW Montana 883 Posts |
[quote]On 2006-03-29 12:24, Caveat Lector wrote:
Quote:
Not for nothing, but Kevin James was doing the emotional/sentimental snowstorm ending years before DC. Very true. I was just pointing out that DC is the one everyone is copying. I doubt that half the performers would have knocked it off from KJ, but everyone seems to think that if DC does something, then and only then is it worh adding to their shows... makes you think! |
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EsnRedshirt Special user Newark, CA 895 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-03-29 14:20, NFox wrote: This whole thing is starting to sound like the magician faking his own death in the movie Lord of Illusions, which is fine, if you want to fake your own death. However, wasn't it Sorcar who performed a "not for the squeamish" version of the Buzz Saw on UK television, and the show ran out of time and faded before he could revive his assistant? The station was flooded with phone calls, and it gave him some great publicity for his live shows, but it would be a mistake to perform the same thing live. With effects like this, the magic is the resolution of the effect, not the effect itself- anyone can saw a woman in half, or impale someone on a big spike; only a magician can do so without severe medical (and legal) repercussions afterwards.
Self-proclaimed Jack-of-all-trades and google expert*.
* = Take any advice from this person with a grain of salt. |
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Caveat Lector Elite user 493 Posts |
[quote]On 2006-03-29 14:45, Frank Simpson wrote:
Quote:
On 2006-03-29 12:24, Caveat Lector wrote: I completely agree with you...pretty sad when I think about it. But back on topic I owned a impaled that was built by Bill Smith and was owned by Alain Choquette and it was just a great piece of magic. I would say that if you are going to add this to your show you should really consider it before you buy one. It is a very impressive illusion to the audience but you are the one who has to troupe it around and that means more stagehands and bigger storage space and shipping space. If I were you I would look at many illusions and see what best fits your needs rather than your wants. Don't just buy one because you see DC or S&R doing it so you think that is what you need to do, there are plenty of great illusons out there that are not as popular but are just as impressive. I would look for something that has not been used in a long time and come up with a great presentation rather than just going for the sure thing. Just my opinion take it for what you want.
Corrupting the art of magic, one show at a time
www.underworldent.com www.myspace.com/johnshawcomedymagic |
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daz222 Elite user Wales 439 Posts |
Thanks for all the responses, guys. Actually, I haven't as yet seen DC do this, lol. I have read and taken into consideration everything here. But my original question still remains......
Thanks, Daz |
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Magicjess76 New user 39 Posts |
Hi Daz,
I currently use Bill Smith's impaled in my show. I perform it by having my two male assistants put me on it instead the traditional version though :b. One word to keep in mind though when perfoming this illusion is "Hammock"...lol It is a strong effect but I feel that it works out better to present it in the middle of the show. I have opened my second act with it many times, when not performing for small children. Hope this helps some, and good luck with your illusion! ~Jess Peterson |
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daz222 Elite user Wales 439 Posts |
Thanks Jess! But still, my original question, which make is yours? What does it do and how is it powered? And would you recomend it? Thanks,
Daz |
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