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Kent Wong Inner circle Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 2458 Posts |
I could really use the experienced opinions of fellow Café members. I have an opportunity to purchase a Zig Zag Illusion at a very good price (about $1,200.00 US), including shipping. Although I haven't seen the illusion itself, I have known and trusted the magician selling it for years, and he assures me that it's in excellent condition.
As many of you may know, I have been developing my illusion show for the last number of years. I have several illusionettes (ie. Dagger Head Chest, Card Sword, 12 inch Linking Rings, Miser's Dream, Jumbo Square Circule, Head Twister, Dancing Cane, Don Wayne's Floating Ball, Visible Sawing and the full Bogunia Dancing Hank routine are some of the mini illusions currently in my performing repertoire). I also have a couple of larger illusions that I have added to my stage show (ie. Bryce's Screen, Victory Cubes, European Asrah Levitation and a Substitution Trunk). This is just to give you a little background on what I'm currently performing. Now, I'm one of perhaps 2 people in my City who can put on a decent full stage show. On the surface, it seems to be a limited market - but I believe it's limited just because no one has been able to market it successfully. Schools, shopping malls, convention centres and community halls are all potential venues that can easily feature a stage illusion show. Once the "product" has been finalized, I'll put my marketing plan into full gear. The promotional packages and mailouts have all been prepared and the key target clients have been identified. A little fine tuning and I think I'm ready to go. With this information, do you think the Zig Zag Illusion can provide "value added" to my show, or will it just needlessly add to my inventory? Is it relatively easy to set up, take down and transport? Does it continue to have a strong impact with the audience? Can it become a visual selling point in marketing my show? Any advice and guidance you may have will be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Kent
"Believing is Seeing"
<BR>______________________ <BR> <BR>www.kentwongmagic.com |
Chezaday Inner circle Naperville, IL 1673 Posts |
The Zig Zag is still an amazing and practical illusion. Yes, it will add "value" to you're show. There are a couple of things to consider .. who built the prop?? That's real important ... does it break down?? Who knows? Aside from all that .. you'll need a girl, the right size to get in that box .. and that can get expensive too.
I'd get a few more details on the prop itself before I would buy. Over all it's still an effective illusion .. what's old is new again. Steve |
Kent Wong Inner circle Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 2458 Posts |
Steve,
I'll have to check and see who the builder is. I know it breaks down for shipping and comes with a professional ATA case. I'll be sure to bring my assistant with me when I go to take a look at it. That way, I'll be sure she fits the illusion without any problems. Are there any "construction issues" I should look for when I examine the illusion? Thanks. Kent
"Believing is Seeing"
<BR>______________________ <BR> <BR>www.kentwongmagic.com |
Beaudini Magic Loyal user Ohio 259 Posts |
Kent,
I have perfomed my zig-zag routine for the past five years. I am twenty years old now, and own many many illusions. My zig-zag was built by chalet, and I must say, that out of all of my illusions, crystal casket, sub trunk, cat tower, blammo, levitation, the zig-zag is still one of the stongest. Go check it out, if it is nice, then that is a great price. The zig-zag is overlooked by many because it is "old," but it is a classic for a reason. If your assistant doesn't seem to fit, do not get discouraged. It may take a while for her to work with it, but my assistant also thought she did not fit at first. After some coaching and work, she realized she was able to fit just fine. The zig-zag continues to be one of the best illusions today, and would defiantely be a very valuable addition to your show. Keep up the good work, I love to hear more people putting together quality shows. Any Quesions, feel free to ask. Sincerely, Beau Alexander
-Beau Alexander
"Make the Path, Others will Follow" |
Kent Wong Inner circle Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 2458 Posts |
Beau,
Thanks for the feedback and support. Developing an illusion show is truly an evolutionary process, but so much easier when you can turn to fellow magicians for advice and guidance. Kent
"Believing is Seeing"
<BR>______________________ <BR> <BR>www.kentwongmagic.com |
Beaudini Magic Loyal user Ohio 259 Posts |
No problem Kent, best of luck to you. Developing a show is certainly a tough process, but is definately worth it in the end. Once you have completed the monumental task, I hope you have a show that you can be proud of, and be able to say that it is yours.
Sincerely, Beau Alexander
-Beau Alexander
"Make the Path, Others will Follow" |
vj022 Regular user 170 Posts |
Kent,
Make sure the illusion looks like the way you want it to look. I bought my zigzag off of ebay (I recommend never doing this again) because of the price (Only $250.00), not realizing that the wood that it was built with was thin. I had a buddy (another magician) look at it after I recieved it and he noticed the top box shook when it was moved to three pieces, and also a pain in the *** when it broke down and to put build back up. Trust me, make sure it's stable when she's in it and also stable when the middle is slid over. VJ |
Frank Simpson Special user SW Montana 883 Posts |
All of the above advice is excellent. The most crucial thing to look for is quality construction.
A feature to make sure it has is the all-important sliding panel on the middle box. Strictly speaking this is not an essential but it adds exponentially to the effectiveness of the illusion. I have seen Zig Zags that fall into on of three basic categories: those that do not beak down at all, ones that disassemble and partially "nest" (mine is in this category and I've always been able to move it even in a midsize car), and those that truly breakdown. I've seen some that collapse into two suitcase size cases, and when assembled are plenty sturdy. As far as practicality goes, well, that's really the reason I added it to my show. It's never been my all-time favorite illusion to watch, but (well-presented) it is most definitely a crowd-pleaser. I have performed in malls where I've gone in and put the prop together in full view of passers-by with no diminution of the effect. Really, I think the only way you could get "bit" in this deal would be if the prop were sub-standard, or if you were not able to come up with a presentation that's effective for you and your performing style. Beaudini brings up an excellent point in that I have had girls who initially swore that they'd never be able to work in the prop, and after ample rehearsal are doing it expertly. But I've never had a girl be able to do it the first (or even second) time. It does require an acclimation period. Let us know how it goes! |
61magic Special user Sacramento California 775 Posts |
You ask a key question that too many of us forget, "provide "value added" to my show, or will it just needlessly add to my inventory?".
If the prop is quality, and you have the desire to put in the time, and effort to present it well it would be a great addition to your show. The biggest arguement I hear from others on the Zig Zag is over the amount of secret exposure it received. There will be some who watched the exposure shows and remember how it works, but the majority will never remember. Most people have not even seen this performed since it has fallen out of favor with the high exposure performers. The Zig Zag has the added benefit of working in conditions that would doom most illusions. You really can't go wrong provided the construction is well done. I have also seen the junk some people slap together and sell on ebay. $200 for an illusion may sound like a great deal, but you get what you pay for. Good luck.
Professor J. P. Fawkes
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Kent Wong Inner circle Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 2458 Posts |
Thanks everyone for all of the great information and advice. With all of this information in hand, I'll be well armed when I go to inspect the illusion. I'll see if I can post some pictures of it in a few days.
Kent
"Believing is Seeing"
<BR>______________________ <BR> <BR>www.kentwongmagic.com |
ssucahyo Inner circle 1954 Posts |
Classic Zig Zag still will amaze your audince, add with your nice presentation and nice assistant, both will really help entertaining.
Even years ago mask magician reveal the secret, but people just forgot how it is done. |
Chris Murphy New user Brisbane, Australia 64 Posts |
Couldn't agree more, it's still a brilliant illuison, one of the best, and can be made to pack down really small into the bargain. I think people still love to see it too. Hunt down a video copy of Harbin's original presentation (the one from Sunday Night at the London Palladium is in John Fisher's Best of Magic Series), it's not flashy like performers are today, but he really highlights all of the deceptive elements of the effect and milks just about everything possible out of it, I think. Much better than just shooting the illusion off in two minutes and spinning it a dozen times.
Chris.
Chris Murphy
www.sliceofmagic.com |
Terry Holley Inner circle 1805 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-04-04 16:58, Frank Simpson wrote: Although the panel may not be an "essential" to pulling the middle over and completing the division, I feel that Zig Zag is not Zig Zag without the panel. In my opinion the illusion is not complete without it. My advice is if it doesn't have it, don't purchase it. If you can see the two versions next to each other I believe you'll see what I mean. The "tickle door" also gives an added dimension. Terry
Co-author with illusionist Andre' Kole of "Astrology and Psychic Phenomena."
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Kent Wong Inner circle Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 2458 Posts |
I don't think this unit has the tickle door, but I understand it has two rolling sliders in the middle section.
Kent
"Believing is Seeing"
<BR>______________________ <BR> <BR>www.kentwongmagic.com |
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