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Brad Jeffers Veteran user 377 Posts |
Has anyone here purchased one of these? If so, what do you think of it? Is it a good value (for $600).
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davekilpatrick Loyal user Syracuse, NY 295 Posts |
You can see a video of this at http://www.einhorn.co.uk/mainframe.htm. Click on "magicians only" in at the top middle. Select "In Flight" and click the video icon.
Here's my impression which I'd like other magician's reactions to: On one level, this illusion seems great. Packs flat, plays big, can be done surrounded, looks pretty cool, and has to be one of the least expensive stage illusions on the market. What more could we ask for? However, with today's audiences, are they too sophisticated to see a levitation with such a big drape covering the person (I know it's necessary with this method). Granted, you're going to pay $2,000 to $10,000 for levitations without any covers, and they are not practical. But when David Blaine performed "Zero Gravity" on TV, totally without cover, can we go backwards and perform with a big drape? Granted, in birthday party shows, many of the little kids haven't seen Blaine, nor have many adults. Plus Zero Gravity only gets you 4-6 inches in the air–In Flight gets you up a full two feet. And there's something to be said about this happening in your own living room! Bottom line: Do you think the effect will play well given what's out there and how we compete with top Las Vegas acts on TV? I'd love to get this effect, but am anxious about how well it will play. I showed my colleague at work (a non magician) the video on line. He thought it was okay, but said all of my close up tricks he's seen me do were more impressive. I showed my five kids the video (ages 6 to 13), and they real liked it. After writing the first draft of this response, I showed my nephew and neice (ages 13 and 11), and my sister-in-law (age withheld) and they loved it too. So, I guess that is good for we magicians to know. Maybe I should save my pennies . . . |
Saydean Loyal user Omaha,Nebraska 206 Posts |
I was watching the video on my computer when a delivery man came in to our rehearshal hall last week. As he stood in my office to get the required signiture he was burning the demo and without taking a beat said :" Oh he's standing on the *** and theres a ****** frame in the ***. I was floored he figured it out in 10 seconds.
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davekilpatrick Loyal user Syracuse, NY 295 Posts |
Saydean, I am interested in your angle on your comments above. Are you saying that the delivery man is a clever guy or that the In Flight illusion is pretty crummy?
I know you are selling the 3 in 1 Levitation, which is a similar "effect" but without any drapes or covering of any kind. Although both illusions involve a vertical rise from a standing position, they are not even in the same class. I have seen the 3 in 1 video and think the effect is absolutely outstanding. However, I was hoping that the "In Flight" effect could serve as a neat parlor trick—a one man effect for guys like me who typically do kids shows, often in people's living rooms or in their backyards. The 3 in 1 can't do this. While the 3 in 1 is a first class illusion, it will never be in my birthday shows! My whole question is whether In Flight is a strong enough effect to include into any show at all. My unscientific field testing with seven children (my five and my neice and nephew, ages 13, 13, 11, 11, 10, 8, 6) who are quite savvy to magic, suggests that it is strong enough for kid shows. These kids have seen every levitation imaginable on TV, yet they also liked the "In Flight" video very much. They were actually quite enthusiastic in their endorsements (which surprised me). I'm wondering what others think. A related aside: We magicians have to constantly be vigilant about not assuming how non magicians react to things until we actually try them out. What is transparent or awkward to us may be smooth and stunning to the non initiated. Thus, Saydean, I think once you've become acclimated to the 3 in 1, it is hard to "step down" in terms of an effect—in this case adding a suspicious drape. But I am inquiring about the real world challenges of the parlor magician. I would hate to think that someone looking for a stage effect would be deciding between the 3 in 1 and In Flight. That's like deciding between a Lear Jet and a single prop Cessna. Also, the difference in price is not very much at all, so for stage applications, the choice is clear. Once again: the issue here is PARLOR SHOWS! |
Saydean Loyal user Omaha,Nebraska 206 Posts |
Oh no I would buy one in a minute if I didnt have several other illusions thatinvolve levitations already. Perhaps I should clarify the UPS man story he's been coming to our rehearshal space for 3 years to deliver or pick up things,He's just very attuned to figuring out the HOW of illusions and magic tricks the only time I did a trick for him he guessed the seceret at once(Svengali Deck) we have actually started putting the big stuff under a cloth when were not rehearshing because of him and other people who call on us daily , As with all illusions presentation is 99% of the illusion . I think that this "In Flight " is a great starter illusion and as I said I would buy it myself if I did your type of shows. I am always stunned when I see a new illusion for the first time as I am the easiest to fool because I'm so close to magic.
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davekilpatrick Loyal user Syracuse, NY 295 Posts |
It's interesting you say "I am always stunned when I see a new illusion for the first time . . . "
When I saw the ad for this in Genii, I couldn't tell how it was done (rarely you're given enough in an ad anyway). Then, when I saw the video, I really had no clue how he did it. It wasn't until I saw the video a few of times that I got the gist of what he was doing. But hey, that's why we have the unwritten rule in magic about repeating tricks, right? This could be great for my birthday party shows. Now if I could just get over that big suspicious drape . . . |
davekilpatrick Loyal user Syracuse, NY 295 Posts |
Regarding the UPS guy: Since I started in magic 29 years ago, I've only met three people who very often could figure out tricks that were not magicians.
We should do a study on these people! |
David Todd Inner circle 2328 Posts |
We should do a study on those people! It's odd, 'cause one does tend to run into those types now and then.......for some reason they immediately zero-in on the method. Sherlock Holmes redivivus. (eliminate the impossible and whatever remains is the solution)
About "IN FLIGHT": I got into a long discussion about this illusion on another board. My conclusion was that the acting and body language must be totally natural and relaxed or else the method will become apparent. If you're in good enough physical shape to do the initial rising move smoothly , (straight up, with no weaving to the side), then I think the illusion will be very effective. Unfortunately, I think it would be very easy to be careless with this effect and accidently "telegraph" the method. On a smaller scale, Karson's floating ball is similar: if you don't do the float convincingly then the method becomes apparent (the dreaded ball-on-a- _ _ _ _ k -look ). The performer's acting and body language is what makes the Karson ball look like it is floating . IN FLIGHT is a very interesting optical illusion if the initial rising move is done smoothly. |
davekilpatrick Loyal user Syracuse, NY 295 Posts |
I agree, but if you can make a SMOOTH sideways movement, as the video demo does, it almost looks MORE realistic. As if you are FLOATING, not just rising.
Just a thought. |
Corey K Special user Rhode Island 502 Posts |
I'm also really interested in this illusion. I have a few theories on how it could be accomplished, but doesn't seem right for the $600 price tag. Yes, I know it is a small-scale illusion, but still.
Bruce Kalver was talking about it at one of your IBM Meetings and he was saying how much he liked it. He kept saying that it was really clever. As for the on-line video, I wasn't too impressed with the initial rise move, or the last "fall" move (tough to explain! What I mean is when he comes down the final time). But, I still think it looks great, and I showed the video to my brothers, who absolutely hate magic (because they've had to hear "watch this" 800 million times) and they liked it. But, when I told them the price, they said "that's a rip-off". So, I don't know... -Corey
Corey King
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David Todd Inner circle 2328 Posts |
Quote:
On 2002-05-05 15:05, Corey K wrote: Sometimes I think the price of an effect is more to keep it out of the hands of the dabblers and merely curious. At this price it keeps it limited to a circle of more or less professional magicians only. |
Wanlu Inner circle Manila, Philippines 3058 Posts |
I can't seem to find the video...any links please...
Wanlu
"The Old Path"
www.angdatingdaan.org Wanlu's Affordable Puppets http://wanlu.net/ventpuppets.html Wanlu and his Puppets http://wanlu.net |
Laszlo Csizmadi Special user From Hell 868 Posts |
That is an almost 7 years old thread.
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Royston South Regular user Jersey Channel Islands 137 Posts |
Wanlu,
Can not find a link to a video, but Magic Dave does a routine on one of his DVDs. Click on this link and scroll down there is a photo of him! http://www.ipswichmagicalsociety.co.uk/revconv2007.htm Royston. |
Wanlu Inner circle Manila, Philippines 3058 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-01-16 15:27, Laszlo Csizmadi wrote: Oh my!!! It is 7 years old Thanks
"The Old Path"
www.angdatingdaan.org Wanlu's Affordable Puppets http://wanlu.net/ventpuppets.html Wanlu and his Puppets http://wanlu.net |
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