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PirateJohn Regular user Anaheim, CA 156 Posts |
I came up with what I believe is a workable illusion that, to the best of my knowledge, has not been done before. But it would be pretty expensive to do (I'll need to see if a producer friend of mine can find a sponsor) so I wanted to see if this effect has been done before so if I put that much energy into this I don't want to seem like I'm just ripping off something that's been done.
Here goes... A large truck (about the size of a U-Haul) rolls up and the back is opened. The spectators are allowed to look inside and can see the truck is empty. The door is closed and they are then allowed to examine the chassis, etc. to see for themselves that it is an ordinary truck. Four or five burly spectators are brought out from the crowd and attempt to lift the front end of the truck. To nobody's surprise, they are unable to do so. I then step up and, after stretching out and doing a few breathing exercises, lift the front end of the truck all by myself. After milking it for a few seconds, I drop the truck, run around to the back as the crowd is cheering, then once again open up the back to show that the truck is still empty. |
The Donster Inner circle 4817 Posts |
I never seen that done you can do it by yourself. but with video editing and camera tricks.
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The Drake Inner circle 2274 Posts |
Hello John,
Why do you need to show the truck empty? How does that help the illusion? Its a heavy truck after all ..how does showing it empty make it appear less gimmicked? In fact that fact that you are showing it empty, closing the back and then later opening it makes me think of a theory as to how its done. I would not have thought about it if the attention had not been brought to the back of the truck. Best, Tim |
PirateJohn Regular user Anaheim, CA 156 Posts |
Quote:
Why do you need to show the truck empty? How does that help the illusion? Its a heavy truck after all When I initially came up with the idea for this illusion, I was thinking of a school bus. When I mentioned the effect to some non-magician friends of mine, they all basically figured out how it was done (though they didn't realize it). The trick does involve doing some pretty serious gimmicking that can be hidden better in a truck than a school bus. But seeing as this is all still in the brainstorming phase right now -- do people here all agree that showing the truck empty isn't necessary? |
PirateJohn Regular user Anaheim, CA 156 Posts |
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On 2007-07-15 21:35, The Donster wrote: With the version that I have thought of, no camera tricks are necessary. It can be done with a real audience surrounding 360 degrees. But I haven't exactly done all of the design yet so this is all theory thus far. I have a lot more work to do to determine if this is as possible in practice as it is in theory. |
The Drake Inner circle 2274 Posts |
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On 2007-07-15 21:46, PirateJohn wrote: I guess my question should have been more like...." once you show it empty..why do you close it ( hiding something happening inside ) and then later show it empty again." If the back was left open then that would solve the problem but not let you do the effect it its the method I think it is. Best, Tim |
PirateJohn Regular user Anaheim, CA 156 Posts |
That's a good point. Perhaps I could show it empty originally then leave it at that?
Thanks for your help! I only hope I can find a way to make this illusion happen because it's the first one I've ever made up on my own. |
MichaelKent Special user 560 Posts |
I agree - it doesn't need to be shown empty. Are you concerned that this will be received as more of a stunt than an illusion? Some people have no concept of the weight of things and may thing "well, he must be very strong."
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PirateJohn Regular user Anaheim, CA 156 Posts |
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On 2007-07-15 22:05, MichaelKent wrote: That's a good question. I'm not sure yet how I really want to present it. When I initially brainstormed the idea, I had a picture of me using a school bus, going to some high school and packaging the illusion by telling them "the most important muscle is your mind" to make a message about staying in school, etc. But now I do realize a truck would be much easier to gimmick -- the school bus probably wouldn't have worked -- so I have to think of a new way of packaging it. I suppose I could still go to a high school but it would have been nice having a school bus painted to look like one from their school. I think, though, the best course of action is to worry about whether my idea is even physically (and financially) possible, then worrying about how to present it. |
Thomas Wayne Inner circle Alaska 1977 Posts |
And this differs from Criss Angel lifting the front end of a working Taxi cab how?
TW
MOST magicians: "Here's a quarter, it's gone, you're an idiot, it's back, you're a jerk, show's over." Jerry Seinfeld
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PirateJohn Regular user Anaheim, CA 156 Posts |
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On 2007-07-16 01:16, Thomas Wayne wrote: If I pull five guys out of a crowd and ask them to lift the front of a taxi, they'd have no problem doing it. People have been known, in life-or-death situations, to lift the front end of a car by themselves. I'm talking about lifting a several-ton covered truck. |
Thomas Wayne Inner circle Alaska 1977 Posts |
Right. Using a truck instead of a car. So it differs from the Criss Angel illusion in the same way that using different backed cards would make an otherwise identical card trick "original". I'm sure glad to see you're not just some wannabe copycat - lol.
TW
MOST magicians: "Here's a quarter, it's gone, you're an idiot, it's back, you're a jerk, show's over." Jerry Seinfeld
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Supriemer New user South Bend, IN 50 Posts |
John,
Right away I thought of one way that you may be accomplishing this feat. Just because of it's commercial use. Again, I don't know if this is what you were thinking. You could definitely try it out though. I just wonder how many people will figure it out right away. I don't see any reason to open the back. I mean, it's a truck, it's heavy. Unless you were to put things in it, like maybe have some people stand in the back of the truck (with the way I am thinking this is accomplished, this would be possible). As for being "original"...it seems that many people do the same tricks as other people anyway. Just painting the front of their zig-zag box a different color or making their sub-trunk look like a contemporary instead of like a crate. The difference, is going to come from the presentation. A lot of times (as seen on youtube) people mimick the actions exactly of another performer. But if you take an effect and make it your own, that's a greater feat. Kris
"Kristopher Supriemer"
"Good things come to those who wait...but only what's left by those who hustle." |
PirateJohn Regular user Anaheim, CA 156 Posts |
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On 2007-07-16 13:24, Thomas Wayne wrote: Sheesh, is this really necessary? I came on this board to get advice, not to be condescended to. |
PirateJohn Regular user Anaheim, CA 156 Posts |
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On 2007-07-16 17:56, Supriemer wrote: I was thinking, too, that I might be able to do this a bit more subtly. I was thinking I can start off inside the back of the truck, so when it pulls up, the back opens up to reveal me standing inside. That could be a good way to make an entrance while still letting people see that the back of the truck is empty, but without calling attention to that fact. |
Supriemer New user South Bend, IN 50 Posts |
If you wanted to, you could open the back of the truck, show it "empty", and then appear in it. That would be a good entrance.
"Kristopher Supriemer"
"Good things come to those who wait...but only what's left by those who hustle." |
Thomas Wayne Inner circle Alaska 1977 Posts |
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On 2007-07-16 19:51, PirateJohn wrote: Okay. I advise you to think of something original. TW
MOST magicians: "Here's a quarter, it's gone, you're an idiot, it's back, you're a jerk, show's over." Jerry Seinfeld
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PirateJohn Regular user Anaheim, CA 156 Posts |
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On 2007-07-16 22:48, Supriemer wrote: Oh, that's a great idea! I'll have to consider that. Thanks! |
The Drake Inner circle 2274 Posts |
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On 2007-07-16 19:51, PirateJohn wrote: Don't take it too seriously PirateJohn. You started your thread by admitting that " to the best of your knowledge " it hasn't been done before. Those that chimed in were simply stating that it had been done before. Don't let that stop you however as it was being done long before Criss Angel did it on his show and I'm sure he'd be the first to admit he did not invent it nor is the the first to use that method. I heard of this " old movie trick" many years ago. I'm the first to jump in if someone steals someones routine but this " side show effect " is nothing new. Best, Tim |
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