Does anyone know of any good manuscripts or videos on costume quick change methods?

A friend of mine vaguely recalled seeing an ad "in one of the major magic magazines" recently, but can't recall which.

Hi Ronin,

I'm looking for quick-change info too but it's hard to find. There MUST BE something out there.

If someone is performing a quick-change, would you please give us some advice, or a little direction on where to look for help?

Joe Marotta

Ronin and Joe,

I found a seamstress that didn't mind doing what I asked her to do. My Quick change Tux was a size larger as it had to have another costume underneath. Velcro was sewn along the side seams of my pants (kind of like those quick remove snap track pants you can buy) so that a quick tug and they came off. My vest as well as my shirt had the buttons sewn in place and the fronts underneath them were attached by velcro, so again, with a slight tug, they all came undone too.

That's how we did it. Hope that helps,
PSIncerely Yours,
Paul Alberstat

Gerry Frenette from Magicmakers custom makes and designs quick change costumes. Not too sure what they charge.

Im not sure what their website address is but there is a link on the home page of http://www.magicauction.com

Gerry's email address is
gerryf@attcanada.ca

In 2001 Monique Monros published a book + video on quick change methods. This is a good source for all who want to avoid experimentation. But don't expect earth shattering secrets here. Quick Change is a secret art and there are various methods to achieve different results. Velcro & snap fasteners are just the tip of the iceburg
Artists like Arthuro Bracchetti don't use velcro & snap fasteners...

For more info contact me privately.

Ooohh. I want the Monique Monros book! I developed a "Chameleon" act years ago . . . quick changing into 3 different women with 3 different styles of magic - and never felt that it had the benefit of REAL change techniques.

There are so few acts to give one an idea of what is possible. (And it IS a closed society.)It helps if one can see artists who actually perform quick-changes.

Currently, there is a Dance/Illusion-Transformation Act by David (Maas) and Dania (Kaseeva) that would be worth seeing. Their act has some change technique that that goes beyond the most obvious guesses at quick-change tricks. To find where DAVID AND DANIA are appearing, ask a group like Circus Fans Association of America. It may take a while, but it could be worth it to see this quick-change act in person. Do not expect the magic to curl your toes. They use nice catalog tricks, done in a fast circus style. But their quick change will certainly get your respect, and get you thinking.

Remember - I love ya'. Don't ever change (until tomorrow).
pp

Quick Change Smiley

Just a quick heads up to let you know that Kevin James is considering releasing a video on the subject of Quick Change. If it happens, I believe it won't be until some time next year.

--Andi

I had contacted them some time ago and apparently they do not make costumes any more. The video and book cover views on quality and value of costumes (mostly geared to women).

Kevin James' book promises to be the big source on the subject.

Other than that, you find that this type of act appears in the circus, and the traditional methods that don't use the obvious velcro and poppers are handed down from generation to generation, and are kept very secret.

However, if you come across an old Russian act they may be willing to sell you the complete act for a price (and well worth it - the costumes are not made overnight!).

P.S. I found the email from Gerry as follows:
It is true that for awhile we offered quick change costumes for sale, but it is no longer so. These things take too much time to make, and we are very busy making big illusions, which are more profitable.
I am only keeping these original costumes for our own shows.

In a word - Velcro
Velcro works best for me.
Hope this helps.
Gary

Might work well for you Pyro, but it really depends on the situation you are using your quick change in.
Velcro is all very well (but crude) for costume changes within boxes, where the assistant (or yourself) are out of view and have time to rip at the material, but for a visual quick change (in less than a second) Velcro is far too "sticky" and slows down the change too much....

Lee, yes very true, that's the only thing I have found so far. I am thinking for solutions.
Gary

Just a "quick" comment. It took us over a year of experimenting to get our "green dress" costume change down to less than a second. Janet starts in a tiny black,low-cut leotard. You can see the "after picture" at http://www.hallsofmagic.com/costumepicts.htm
Anyway, after all that work, a person doesn't feel much like tipping the various secrets. However I will say that Velcro is not your best friend!

Kevin Hall
Halls of Magic Entertainment

Well said Kevin!

These secrets are really precious and should be kept hidden, otherwise I can see an overdose of costume change on the market, and just like so many other illusions everyone will be doing it - good or bad!

Try magnets sewn into the seams. It will stay but will easily pull apart. Never did the quick change thing, but it's just an idea.

I've purchased Monica Monrose's book and video. She has some very interesting methods of dealing with velcro. I've also purchased a quick change dress from an internet site that isn't quite useable, but gives one an idea of how a custom made dress would work.

Just out of interest Slim King, who did you buy your quick change from on the Internet?
Is it the Indian costume that is advertised on several sites?

Well Lee, I'm not sure if you mean, was the costume made in India, or a costume of an American Indian???? I do think that it was made in India. It is a dress (4) of seveal colors gimmicked with velcroe, but it is just too big and bulky for an average sized girl. I've seen a similar illusion in Vegas a few years back at the Excalibur and it was amazing,but I think that I'll just have to have one made. I'd prefer not to tell you who I purchased it from, although I do feel a bit ripped off.

You certainly have been "ripped off" - just like velcro really!!
(Sorry for the bad pun!).
If you are patient then I would wait for Kevin James book to be published with the "real" secrets ( many different methods work for different people), which will be released next year some time.
(Plug Kevin!)

I'd love the book. Do you know how it will be marketed? Where it will be available? Does Kevin James have a site that I can check out?

http://www.kjmagic.com

It will most probably be available through him direct, but as I said it's going
to be a while. Everyone is pestering him for it, and he is really busy.
I am sure when it is published it will be a best seller...

Slim King tell me about the costume in your avatar?

By the way Slim king you might want to update your profile - you missed out the
"www." bit of your web address - nice site!