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INMOTION Regular user Ohio 167 Posts |
Hello to all fellow magicians! New to the site, and fairly new to magic.
Here are my questions, and I'll do my best to not expose or detail to much. I built my own sub trunk in a crate style last year. Needless to say, it is in my garage storing junk! Why? The size I built the crate was a perfect fit, however when I was in the crate, there wasn't enough room for the top @#$% to swing down. The second problem was after struggling to work myself around that, I found that the crate was just to high, meaning I really had know easy or safe way to get out of the crate and do the switch. It was like I needed a step stool in there with me! Obviously no room for that! Lol I since have purchased from Creative Magic, "Trapless"... I had to special order a size larger than the standard. The Trapless trunk I have now is 36"L x 24"H x 22"W. I fit into this fine, however there is none of the above to worry about since you cannot stand on the trunk during performance, you have to perform standing in front of the trunk... I love the trapless trunk, its innocent look, lightweight, could stand a very good examination if you desired, etc.... My problem is I just don't feel the pizazz performing this illusion, unless the switch is done standing on top of the trunk. With that being said, I have been looking into buying or most likely building another crate.... So the help I need is the following. I am 5'10" medium/stocky build. (I would think I am not the biggest guy performing this illusion.) I have many plans on how to build (top style only), and demo vids of performances, however nothing really teaches me the actual getting from point A to B (inside to outside). I am trying to figure out how to build one that allows me to perform this illusion from the top, without it being so big that I could put a couch into it, as well as not needing a step ladder to get in and out of the crate. I have heard of the @#$% being in the back, however have never seen one. I suppose that could work if I knew how to build... I don't really care about top or back, I just prefer the switch to happen while standing on the trunk/crate. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks in advance! |
Magic Patrick Inner circle Minnesota 1591 Posts |
Inmotion,
Welcome to the Café. That is a great post. I remember a while back someone on the was selling a very unique subtrunk. The trap worked much like the one used in the Palanquin illusion. Kind of like a z fold from front to back. I wish I would have kept the picture. I do have a concept drawing of it from the Palanquin plans I have. PM me and we will discuss offline. Good luck. Another idea would to just buy a professionally built trunk. See my recent post. Take care and good luck in you magic career. BYUDAD |
JayH Regular user Finland 140 Posts |
Hi Immotion!
I suggest that you build more cube than rectangle. Then the "jump in" is much easier and faster. Jay |
INMOTION Regular user Ohio 167 Posts |
There is a bi-fold type on the Magic Auction website, built by custom builder.
The dimensions are actually bigger than what I am currently using. Problem is, I would have know idea of whether it would work or not, and once I buy - I own.. As far as jumping in, I couldn't tell you what that was like, because I couldn't get out of the darn thing.... As far as cubed over rectangular, I don't really understand what you mean. I would assume cubed would be taller? Is there some rule of thumb that once you are in the trunk and stand up, the top/lid should be at your thigh area, waist area, etc? Again, the getting out was my problem... As I was trying to get out, I knocked my assistant off, didn't know which leg first? Pull myself out how? Hands go where? etc... My gut is that is was simply to tall of a crate, regardless I am still curious to know the proper steps for getting out, and her getting in, etc.. I am hoping for something better than trial and error... Thanks! |
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Just a thought here...
Have you tried getting in, rather than out? In recent years, the trend has been to lock the magician inside and the assistant begins outside. I suppose the logic is that the magician gets to take a bow for having escaped at the moment the change is apparent. In my opinion, with Metamorphosis (Sub-Trunk), that is focusing on the wrong aspect of the trick. In the past, the assistant was often locked in first. The magician was the last face the audience saw right before the magic happened... and THEN he was able to be the full center of attention at the finale of the routine. We KNOW that the assistant is now outside the box, but there is still an unanswered question... even if we all suspect the answer... "WHERE is the magician? (Gasp!) THERE he is!" Fanfare, crescendo, applause! If this still creates a problem, it may be that you'd only have to rebuild the top. Just alter the dimensions/position of certain things to allow the space needed.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
Swann101 Special user 558 Posts |
Hi Inmotion, the sub trunk was my firts illusion I owned and I still remember all the sleeples nights I had... My first trunk was huge, and it always bothered me, it just didn't look magical to escape from such a huge trunk. I later made it much smaller with the @#$% at the back and for me that was the best thing ever, I reduced the size by a lot and the switch was much faster. My escape trap is almost similar to the one the Pendragons use, if you know their %$$# you will understand how easy it is to "get out" of the trunk. PM me if you would like more detail.
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Swann101 Special user 558 Posts |
Inmotion, just PM'd you, hope you like the idea!
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devlinn Regular user Orangeville, ON 118 Posts |
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ClintonMagus Inner circle Southwestern Southeast 3997 Posts |
Personally, I don't think the size of the trunk is that big a deal (unless, of course, it's too small for you to fit in). It's supposed to be a packing crate. Something ordinary that looks like it was swiped from a loading dock somewhere and impressed into service. The effect is that you are locked in and magically swap places with someone else.
Unless you are constantly performing before an audience of magicians who want to overanalyze your act and pick apart every move, I think you are safe with a large trunk.
Things are more like they are today than they've ever been before...
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Skypoint New user Dallas, Texas 71 Posts |
Devlinn, these aren't to difficult to make... if you have trouble finding one, you might try scaling Osborne's plan up to the size you need it. I'm a big guy too and would have trouble finding one that worked for me.
Good luck with it. Jim |
EsnRedshirt Special user Newark, CA 895 Posts |
A thought occurs to me Inmotion, that may add the "pizazz" back to your effect. "The Secrets of Houdini", by J.C. Cannell, describes his Metamorphosis routine- and he doesn't stand on top of the trunk, either. His assistant is locked inside, his "cabinet" is shut around the trunk, and he stands to one side of the stage- then dashes at breakneck speed into the curtained cabinet- whereupon the assistant dashes out. It's certainly different than the standard performance, with the performer counting to three and raising the curtain with each number.
I don't know the details of Trapless, so I don't know if it could lend itself to this routine, but I'll definately be looking at this style of performance when my own sub-trunk is completed.
Self-proclaimed Jack-of-all-trades and google expert*.
* = Take any advice from this person with a grain of salt. |
Warlock1 New user 96 Posts |
Just saw a magician in Germany do the packing case version ...Only using a much larger version case had to be at least 34"-36' high.
Thay used the 'wall of fire' methodogy for the switch that has been done by C. Angel among others.......Still effective. Very bad Angles........ wl1 |
Maleficia Regular user Ottawa, ON, Canada 101 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-01-12 19:17, devlinn wrote: I'd be interested as well... I've been pondering such a variation for a little while. |
makeupguy Inner circle 1411 Posts |
I had a trunk years ago.. where the trap opened UP!!
the ropes to keep the lid open when the trunk was being displayed were attached to the trap.. keeping it closed when the trunk was open! during the routine.. these same ropes kept the trap from falling all the way backwards. They also were great to grab onto when you needed to close the trap. IT;s not quite as fast as a standard trunk.. because the curtain can't be dropped before the lid is quite closed.. Now that's thinking OUTSIDE the box! |
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