The singing "frog" from the youtube Del Ray video .

Hello Haven

Once you understand the workings, with a little work you could probably adapt this to another back. keep in mind that materials and surface texture a critical issues here. Which is also one of the reasons for the paper feet. A specific paper is used that has the correct texture for surface tension issues on the bag. We will be including a modified naked little man presentation that will give you the look I think you want. As far as size goes..He can be made maybe a third bigger,but then you have weight and traction issues. I don't know if that's big enough to work in your venue or not.

Truth Teller. Any way you could send us anymore info on Del Rey's effect? I mentioned it to Paul and its the first he's heard about it. Would like to give proper credit and share any details that are available and appropriate.

Janet Harris (AG)

Posted: Jan 4, 2010 8:24pm
Wow, lots of typos in my above post. I've got to get more sleep! Want to be clear that the third-size larger little man will be fine. Its when your start building him larger than that is when you might have issues.

J

PHSIS...can you give us just one haiku?! The demo is a great thing, a haiku is such a small request. Or maybe a haiku from Paul himself?

@David Leon Love the 'Frankenstein' presentation idea, but too bad that I can't affored 'Little Man', yet :'(

Jv

For those who like things that go bump in the night, how about borrowing objects from several folks...with one person also donating a lock of hair, which is kneeded into the clay. Tell a story of the Golem (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golem)...and let the small figure walk past the objects, stopping and turning at the object of the person who was targeted by his maker...

waiting for reviews, but I'm thrilled with what Paul's released...

Good post, Al!

Robert

Like bringing the Chinese Terracotta Wrriors to life. Nice thinking!

Building on Al's great ideas, some good concepts/philosophies can be applied from Jason's League of Invisible Friends in Method Impossible II...

http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......um=159&9

Sorry...Im dissapointed!

Since the other thread got locked I'd still like to know

Can it be done with just the bag sitting on the table or does the container of clay have to be on the table as well?

If so can he walk away from the container or only towards it?

Could the container be replaced with a real can of Play-doh or possibly something a little more thematic than a plastic tub?

I have mixed feelings about this. I think that the animation looks good considering the price but don't like the cluttered feel of the box, the bag and so on. I'd also like to find out more about how much control/options you can have over where/how far the LM can go.

jeff

I'd say he could travel the length of the bag!

Hello Truth Teller

As far as the basic performing conditions go..what you see on the demo is what you get. The clay container is actually a genuine off the shelf plastic container of kids clay..so this is a normal object in the world of kids clay. The size and shape of the container is important so the only change you could easily make to it would be to change the label. Although with work you could probably adapt it to another type of box.

There's also been a few questions about what happens if someone snatches little man in mid walk. This would be okay and not expose anything. Although its not recommended as you've lost control of the presentation and whatever the final payoff might be. So we'll include some presentation tips that will encourage them to let Little Man finish his job.

j

Posted: Jan 5, 2010 12:52am
Hello GreatSmartini

You can stop little man any time you want during his walk. You just won't be able to have him start walking a second time. Also..on the selecto-matic turn option, you can set it so Little Man turns, finds the object, then falls down.

j

Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.

Jeff

Being that I would of been performing this on stage where no one would be examining my props, I was expecting that Little Man would actually walk as in taking actual steps. Or, at least lifting one side and then the other. That was the part that had my original attention and enthusiasm. Capitalizing, "YES, HE ACTUALLY WALKS" is what convinced me that he would actually portray this. Otherwise, the effect can be accomplished with more simple methods to create the same effect of the gliding motion. Hense the reason for my personal disappointment after seeing the demo. (KISS)

I had a whole routine planned out about God creating man, man walking away from God, man falling, and God restoring man. Add background music, lighting effects, the whole works. I can still accomplish this but with another easier and less expensive method. Having Little Man actually lift his feet would of been the icing on the cake.

It would of been an added bonus if I could of had my clay guy actually lift his feet in walking movement, and truly an advancement in the art of magic. But I'll have to do with my original idea using my own method.

I also perform on the streets, but as I have read, that would not be workable due to needing the right type of surface for it to perform on.

I do hope this will work well for those who do close-up in restaurants and other similiar venues where examing the clay and props is essential to getting the strong reactions.

I look forward to one day reading the reviews. I always remain open minded.

Hello Gospel Dan. Appreciate your open mind on this. Just a note, you could do this on the streets as long as you have a reasonably flat surface to place the bag onto.

J

...or, some might say, single-minded! But DG, you have single-handedly caused this thread to be VERY long (and dull). No offense meant, but you might want to consider how many times folks are prepared to re-read the same opinion.
Little Man is everything I expected. It's pretty much exactly what I imagined when I read the ad.
He looks funny, the principle and logic of the presentation is fantastic, and this is guaranteed to play well for kids and family groups. Great, that's my principle audience....and I'll be using mine a LOT, no doubt.
Sure, the method isn't exactly original, but a variation of an already-established principle (see the football game). And there IS a way to have the little feet lifting up, you could even have Little Man do somersaults and everything. Almost exactly the same method, but much more sophisticated (clever construction of e*****o-m******c f****s) - in my wildest dreams I'd never expect to get something that complex for $300.
I'm delighted that this doesn't appeal to everyone - weekend warriors probably couldn't justify the cost - but to workers, this is likely to become a gem. Also, a lovely item to include in a promotional video. The one drawback is that kids will definitely remember Little Man - but will they remember who performed it?
The more I think about the possibilities with this, the more excited I am. What a fantastic way to start 2010!
Potty

Well, I like so many others am disappointed. Little man doesn't walk, he shuffles. Saddly, the over-statment of LM taking "actual steps" was sadly misleading and unneccessary. But the over hype hasn't spoiled it as much as the actual presentaional limitations do. Personally, I think the bag and box of clay set a cluttered and unnatural stage. I think the animation of LM should be the focus of the effect, but perhaps that is too much to ask.

Well, congratulations ro PH and crew. I am sure it will be some sort of success.

Thanks Janet for letting me know about the reasonable flat surfaces.

Janet, is it possible to get John Dough to turn as his first movement? I'm liking the idea that he would turn to face someone, and then walk towards him.