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Leland Stone Inner circle 1204 Posts |
Hiya, Magi:
I've posted regarding the Clatter Box here before, and have considered and incorporated the kind replies I've received. HOWEVER, I find that this venerable piece of apparatus is simply beyond my ability to manipulate with the desired comedic panache. Frankly, I'm tired of boring audiences with it -- especially when half the kids yawn while the others are shouting "It's gonna break!" Pssst....hey, buddy...wanna buy a gently worn Clatter Box? Leland |
WayneNZ Inner circle New Zealand 1013 Posts |
In the routine "Letter to Santa", the clatter box is designed like a post office building. It makes a lot more sense in this routine. Well worth checking out, if you can find one. There is a rabbit production that goes by the same name, so make sure you find the right one.
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Spellbinder Inner circle The Holy City of East Orange, NJ 6438 Posts |
The advantage to making your own props is that they don't look like any one else's, and so kids don't recognize them. The other solution is to take a standard prop and redecorate it so it looks like something else.
In Jim Gerrish's latest e-book series, "The Hardboard and Duct Tape Magic Show" (on my site), he will be releasing an effect he calls "The Smash Box." It is currently scheduled to be included in Book 3, but that can change. Book 3 is scheduled to be out shortly after Christmas. However, to give you an idea of how Jim has made it different by making the prop himself, his box can be used to vanish, produce, or transform objects in the process of falling apart. I believe he will also be including special effects that can be used with the prop, because I have seen his Wiz Kids using it in performance with flashes of fire, puffs of smoke, and confetti "explosions" for places where fire effects are not permitted. He also combines it with a homemade set of smash plates to add the illusion of sound.
Professor Spellbinder
Professor Emeritus at the Turkey Buzzard Academy of Magik, Witchcraft and Wizardry http://www.magicnook.com Publisher of The Wizards' Journals |
Clownboy Veteran user 355 Posts |
I think the clatter box need's a new design. What about a mail box shaped prop?
Chance Wolf or any other builders out there reading this?
As the Frogs say "Times Fun when you're having Flies"
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Tony James Inner circle Cheshire UK 1398 Posts |
The Clatter Box was put out by Jack Hughes of London a long time back. I've used one since the 60s.
It can be opened and something taken out and then closed and handed to the victim to open and fall apart. Personally, I never take anything out of it. Just hand it over. It needs to fall on a hard surface for best effect and eventually that will knock the corners and edges and will wreck the thing if you don't maintain it. When you maintain it, you decorate it to suit. A set of crash plates - you call them smash plates? - will punch it home because it's that noise which makes the victim jump. Again, you need a hard surface for the plates to sound. Maintain your plates too. They shouldn't but some can lose some of their essential bend, just keep an eye on them in case.If the bend changes it affects the sound.
Tony James
Still A Child At Heart |
Spellbinder Inner circle The Holy City of East Orange, NJ 6438 Posts |
The smash-crash plates are difficult to locate these days. I made my own by cutting up a metal cookie sheet- not the aluminum kind, but one made of steel. To simulate broken glass, I made a set with jagged edges and keep them nicely polished. For use around kids, I just use rectangular plates with smooth filed edges.
Professor Spellbinder
Professor Emeritus at the Turkey Buzzard Academy of Magik, Witchcraft and Wizardry http://www.magicnook.com Publisher of The Wizards' Journals |
mcharisse Inner circle York. PA 1226 Posts |
I have to agree the trick never gets the reaction I hope for. The pieces fall strait down and clatter to the flkoor, but no big whoop. After reading David Ginn's routine, I thought I had a winner, but so far more of a time filler
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Stevethomas Inner circle Southern U.S.A. 3728 Posts |
Somebody was making a very nice clatter box that looked like an outhouse a while back. All wood, too.
I had a fall-apart tray (the kind with the plastic tumbler on top) at one time, but it was spring loaded, and a pain to reset. Well-made, though. Steve |
Tony James Inner circle Cheshire UK 1398 Posts |
Funny. It's one of those props you can either get a lot out of or nothing. It's in the same catorgry as the legs table. All or nothing.
There must be thousands of unused legs tables out there because it seems a great idea when you buy it. the way most people do it only other magicians think it's funny. On this premise I shudder to think how many clatter boxes are out there, unused, unloved, unwanted. All together now - "AH!" No, come on, a big one "AHHHHHHHHH!" That's better. it's not what you do, it's the way that you do it. It's down to anticipation, your gestures, the way you look at it and the audience and above all, the way you combine these elements with the timing. Timing, timing, timing. I'll give you clue. When the box holder opens it - and you determine when because your looks and timing depend on it - when the box is opened and crashes, the holder looks an idiot. Now, think about it. it's a children's show. For best effect, especially with children - who should be the idiot?
Tony James
Still A Child At Heart |
mcharisse Inner circle York. PA 1226 Posts |
That raises another issue with the trick -- mine, putrchased from Tannens (wood/rubber reinrocement around the bottom) has a ver stiff action and the kid must really pulll on it, destroying any sense of accideent or effort at timing. Are some clatter boxes better made with a hair trigger?
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Tony James Inner circle Cheshire UK 1398 Posts |
Yes. The Jack Hughes one. Not exactly hair trigger but loose and easy. That's why I was never comfortable using it to open , take something out and reclose.
It came with a false panel that allowed you to show the inside empty as you removed the whatever but I always thought that was a magicians thing. Show it empty. Don't bother. Slows things. I get on with it. Try others see what they do for you. I'd go to a children's magicians convention and try them all!
Tony James
Still A Child At Heart |
Tony James Inner circle Cheshire UK 1398 Posts |
".......stiff action and the kid must really pulll on it,"
I missed that bit. There's your problem. You don't pull it.You turn it and the spring will jump off. It's a finger and thumb job.
Tony James
Still A Child At Heart |
mcharisse Inner circle York. PA 1226 Posts |
I'll play with mine and see if turning really works -- its been awhile since the boxs was off the shelf...
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Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
Mine's never failed, but I've also never found a routine that works. There is some real potential with the trick; however, mine's sat for years. Clater Box is not for me, but I don't think it's time for it to R.I.P.
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Andre Hagen Inner circle 1432 Posts |
My Clatterbox is gimmicked with a bicycle clip-on red flashing light on the front which flashes when it is pressed and a "reset" button on the back. It's used as a "knot discombobulator" in a cut and restored rope routine (using pop-away knots).
It works on the first knot but falls apart when "reset" for the second knot revealing an old circuit board and a battery hanging from the top which I am holding. Notice I said "I" am holding it. I'd never let the child be the one to make it fall apart.
Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one - Albert Einstein
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Tony James Inner circle Cheshire UK 1398 Posts |
Thanks Grandpa. I was wondering when someone would pick up on the last line of my post yesterday. the long one .
Tony James
Still A Child At Heart |
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