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mantova New user mantua italy 31 Posts |
I would like to see braco's floating ball but I cannot find in you tube any clip of this routine. Can anyone help me?
Thank you |
magicians Inner circle Teacher and Legend 2898 Posts |
Try
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_qu.......1.1l3l0 bracco with 2 c"s, the ball might be on the video clips
Illusionist, Illusionist consulting, product development, stage consultant, seasoned performer for over 35 years. Specializing in original effects. Highly opinionated, usually correct, and not afraid of jealous critics. I've been a puppet, a pirate, a pawn and a King. Free lance gynecologist.
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Anatole Inner circle 1912 Posts |
I don't know if Ralf Wichmann-Braco's work is on youtube. His book _The Invisible Thread Manual_--translated into English--is available at http://www.lybrary.com
http://www.lybrary.com/the-invisible-thr......399.html where his name "Braco" is spelled correctly with only on "c." Also, interestingly the name on the cover of the book is not the hyphenated "Wichmann-Braco" but just "Wichmann." You might want to consider the Don Wayne Floating Ball if you can find it. It is a classic piece of magic. David Copperfield used Don's method in part of this videoclip with Loni Anderson from one of his specials: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHjjUbYshes&feature=related The ball that comes with the Don Wayne package is not a multifaceted mirror ball as in the Copperfield presentation, but it is a beautifully made silver ball, larger than a zombie ball but as I said--very beautiful! You can see what the ball looks like at Abbott Magic Company in this clip from Abbott: http://www.abbottmagic.com/Don-Wayne-Flo......ayne.htm but unfortunately they don't demonstrate it, they just show you what the ball looks like. It is expensive--$185.00. The instructions come with the special gimmicks required for the Wayne presentation--or at least did when I bought the ball. And I still wonder what source the pros use for the gimmick. There are moments when the path of the ball passes across the light-colored floor and the white shirts of the people in the scene--and nothing affects the purity of the floating. I doubt seriously whether it is the 000 stuff that the classic books always recommended. (I will say, though, that the gimmick that came with the Creekmore dancing canes was darned good. I used it at a lecture in Norfolk, Virginia where the background was a very light-blue, translucent curtain--and it was totally invisible even from the first rows of the audience. But I used up what came with the cane and it's tough finding a replacement.) ----- Amado "Sonny" Narvaez P.S. It's nice how David combines methods in the video I referenced above. Reminds me of how Kalanag used to combine the chair suspension with the classic levitation. You can see the Kalanag levitation on youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHpB9Ir-rzI where it's called "Kalanag's Amazing Multi-phase Levitation. It was the most beautiful levitation I had ever seen--until Copperfield's Gershwin levitation, which I still think is more appealing than his flying illusion.
----- Sonny Narvaez
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Anatole Inner circle 1912 Posts |
Speaking of levitations--you can see a nice levitation by Winston Freer on some clips from the Miracle Factory "Vintage Magic Films" DVD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zm1SfzdnkKY&feature=related Note his clever use of two hoops to pass over the floating princess. While watching the youtube clip, you will also see Cardini doing what Ganson called "Cardini's Card Production" from _Dai Vernon's More Inner Secrets of Card Magic_. This is a card production that was not included in the Cardini clip from _Festival of Magic_ that was, regrettably, an abbreviated (but nonetheless classic) version of Cardini's full act. In some ways the "Cardini Card Production" looks better than the Perfect Production and better than just about any other card production you care to name. Just my humble but (I hope) erudite opinion. Johnny Hart is the only card manipulator that I ever saw use this method. Burton and Joseph perform a nice left-hand production, but I don't think either one of them use the Cardini production cited above. ----- Amado "Sonny" Narvaez
----- Sonny Narvaez
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mtpascoe Inner circle 1932 Posts |
Quote:
It's been many years ago, but if I remember correctly, I think Abe said to use a silk thread. Okito suggests using brown instead of black. I use to color mine with markers kind of like a camouflage to fool the eye. |
jimhlou Inner circle 3698 Posts |
The reason you can't find any video of Braco's floating ball is because nobody does it. The ones that were unfortunate enough to buy it threw everything away after reading the instructions. If you're interested in doing the floating ball, there's a lot of good information in this thread. Forget about Braco.
Jim |
Anatole Inner circle 1912 Posts |
I remember reading about using brown silk thread in _Okito on Magic_ and I tried that for a while. But I think you would still have to search to find it in the 000 thickness. The classic books used to recommend 000 black silk thread. I bought some once at Kanter's back in the 70's and it was great. But I was never able to find another source for it after Kanter's closed.
"Sew and Sew" in England at http://www.sewandso.co.uk/Products/000--......000.aspx sells a 100m spool of 000 black silk thread for 3.01 pounds. I've never used it so I have no idea if it's equal to what the old-timers used, but I would guess it's worth investigating. I found it by doing a web search on "000 silk thread" ----- Amado "Sonny" Narvaez
----- Sonny Narvaez
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mantova New user mantua italy 31 Posts |
Jim...incredible!!! Thank you for the suggestion...I think i'llnever waste my money in braco's floating ball at this point....
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-01-03 16:45, jimhlou wrote: I believe the reason that this effect got negative reviews was because it was purchased by people, not magicians, who do not understand what may be involved in performing a Floating Ball. It is not a close-up trick you can take out of a box and perform. They probably wondered why they got a very special balloon and some IT. Of course if I was a little kid, I would be disappointed, but now with some knowledge of the performance of magic, I know there has to be a trick to it. Braco had 2 Floating Balls on the market and I am expectation the Floating Glass Sphere any day now in the mail. I do not expect to be able to take it out of the box and walk the streets with a Sphere following me. Braco's Floating Ball was more of a levitation then a moving floating ball, from the description, it was a special balloon ball. Finn Jon also used balloons in his floating ball work. |
SpellbinderEntertainment Inner circle West Coast 3519 Posts |
Wmhegbli, I am sooo sorry for you having ordered his "floating glass sphere" sight unseen.
The "sphere" leaves much to be desired-- the obvious plastic seam, ball heavy weight. And it has far from detailed instructions. It is no more practical for "everyday" use than say the Don Wayne hook-up, stage, lighting, all that are crucial.-- or maybe use it as an Astrosphere. The original Braco Ball was even more of a mess, and impossible to really perform. I understand that a lot of that responsibility was the dealer he sold the idea to, and not him. And, if you search the Café you'll find some three years worth of detailed threads on ALL these versions and variations. Buyer, always, beware. Magically, Walt http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......forum=37 http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......forum=10 http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......forum=37 http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......forum=37 (and/or get my book "Tales of Enchantment" from LeapingLizards.com with an entire chapter –and presentations- on Floating Spheres.) |
SpellbinderEntertainment Inner circle West Coast 3519 Posts |
This will be of some interest on the Braco’s (not Bracco, Ian) floating ball.
http://www.mylovelyassistant.com/products/view/364 Walt |
hugmagic Inner circle 7655 Posts |
I spoke with David Ben who did Okito's routine. He opted to use black thread instead of the brown. Most thread work I have seen done is with Black.
I remember the recently deceased Ruth Fonda Pitts telling me how here first husband Clark would go into different sewing stores and have Ruth hold the thread to see how it would look. One thing he did to hide it onstage was to use and expanded metal front on a table to busy up the background. Ruth was taught the floating ball by Billy Russell. Russell's routine with pictures was published by Donald Holmes of Kansas City. Richard
Richard E. Hughes, Hughes Magic Inc., 352 N. Prospect St., Ravenna, OH 44266 (330)296-4023
www.hughesmagic.com email-hugmagic@raex.com Write direct as I will be turning off my PM's. |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Okay, I just received the Braco Glass Floating Sphere by UPS from Mak-Magic, it was dropped shipped instead of being sent through the magic dealer that listed it on the World Wide Web. This product is being made by Trick Productions in Europe that make other plastic products and a few of old Werry and small Supreme Magic products.
The ball came in 2 halves, it is clear plastic and kind of heavy compared to the say the Don Wayne $175.00 Floating Ball. It was packaged poorly so it has a deep scratch on it and there are some rubbing marks as well. Included is a 14 page manuscript and the black heavy thread for performance. So it is like a 6-5/16" large Christmas ornament. Reason's for the weight of the ball and is given in the instructions which make very good sense. If it were not for the poor packaging, I would say this is an excellent product for the Floating Ball. Being the ball comes in 2 halves, it does have a seam, but it is not facing the audience, so the illusion of a round ball is still upheld. Honestly, I care not if a ball has a seam, this does not detract from the effect at all. It opens up some possible climaxes as well. Instructions are given for a stage set-up to perform the Floating Ball illusion on a Stage. If you do not have access to perform on a stage, then of course as I figured many purchasers would be disappointed in this purchase. This is not a trick you will open the box and start floating a ball. It will take many hours of set-up and practice. What is nice is the instructions explain how to perform this Floating Ball with only one man, no need for off stage assistants. Again, it requires additional materials then is included in the box with the ball. Personally, I would have paid the price I paid for this 'kit' just for the manuscript alone. This information is worth every penny. I see no reason why you cannot paint the ball on the inside or outside with metallic paint and make it a silver, gold, red, blue or whatever color you desire ball. As I thought, those that gave negative reviews of this product, are not magicians that had some idea of what they may have been purchasing when they ordered this Glass Floating Ball. For me this ball and the information contained within is exactly what I have been looking for these many months. For the investment of $30 compared to $175.00 Don Wayne ball or a $700.00 plus Owen aluminum ball is perfect for my needs. I am sure if those same people who dislike the Braco ball, would also dislike the Don Wayne and Owen's as well. It is to bad that the manufacturer does not state this is a "Stage Only" floating effect and that is the major requirement to perform this effect. But then his sales would be fewer then they are presently. Now with this Braco manuscript, Braco's excellent Floating routines book, Burling Hull's Floating Light Bulb book, and Tips on Zombie book that contains Abbott's one man floating ball chapter, I believe I can come up with a very good floating ball routine. I do recommend this product as it is, but caution it is only a stage effect/trick and takes hours of practice. It is not a self working trick and you have to assemble the set-up as well. So if you are interested in pursuing the Floating of a ball, this is a good place to start. |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
I would like to add that you can set this up in your living room, if the wife will let you, otherwise it is the garage for you and the ball, to practice this effect. You don't need a stage to practice the movements and handling of the ball. Any room where you have some open space to move around will let you enjoy, learn and rehearse the Floaing Ball effect. This product will give you hours of enjoyment, if you like to create magic and movements on your own.
I believe I will purchase another ball, as I do not know how long this product will be available on the market, and accidents do happen. |
SpellbinderEntertainment Inner circle West Coast 3519 Posts |
Wmhegbli wrote:
“As I thought, those that gave negative reviews of this product, are not magicians that had some idea of what they may have been purchasing when they ordered this Glass Floating Ball…” I am sure if those same people who dislike the Braco ball, would also dislike the Don Wayne and Owen's as well…” --------------------------- In answer to your statements above: You thought incorrectly. I knoew exactly what I was purchasing, I bought it because I buy everything connected to floating ball effects. My review was only to be helpful. Don’t be sure that just because disliked the Braco Glass Ball, I have a problem with the Wayne and Owen, I own both and have praised them in threads in the past. All these are generally practical only for stage and not for parlor. Sometimes I find your posts argumentative just for the sake of being argumentative, and with oh-so gentle jabs at those who may disagree with you. This is not a pleasing trait to me. I am opinionated, and people may agree or not, but I have no axe to grind... Magically yours, Walt |
Dougini Inner circle The Beautiful State Of Maine 7130 Posts |
As far as floating balls are concerned, I just bought two 6 inch plastic Christmas ornaments at Michael's Crafts recently. I have never had a problem with Sulky Smoke Invisible, especially when zebra-striped with a Marks-A-Lot black magic marker.
Brown carpet thread works for stage, with special lights and all, but my Astrosphere routine works six to ten feet away! Selene & Ernesto do the same routine! Doug |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-01-06 13:20, SpellbinderEntertainment wrote: Dear Walt, I was not even referring to you or you comments. If you remember you listed some sights with reviews. I did not see your name on any of the comments on those sights and others I researched on my own before purchasing. As far as my comments on Don Wayne and Owen's they are what they are, if I was touring a large illusion show, I am sure I would go with one of these products. Not every magic show is for Broadway theaters, that is why there is Off-Broadway theaters. As far as you find my comments argumentative, get over it and yourself, this is an open forum and even you can comment. I am sorry it upsets you that I don't agree with many of your comments, but we are different people with different experiences. You live in California and I live in Indiana, different cultures all together. |
jimhlou Inner circle 3698 Posts |
I think both the Don Wayne version and the Owen floating ball are beautiful pieces of magic. The Braco ball, in my opinion, is a piece of junk. Most people who have purchased the Braco floating ball will agree with me. I live in Kentucky, so that may influence my opinion.
Jim |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Price influenced my decision!
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Paul Jester Special user UK 759 Posts |
Hmmm, I remember looking around for floating balls, getting thoroughly dissuaded by the prices, happily bumping into Tellers description of the Okito floating ball, popping off to the craft shop and making my own! I've made five altogether, two still survive (one melted when I spray painted it! That was an important lesson!). No fancy hook-ups: I attach the anchor off stage with duct-tape! And it does look great, even if I do say so myself! It's one of my favourite effects to perform.
Regarding silk thread, I have a habit of buying a spool whenever I see it! I've done direct comparisons between black and brown, and I have to say I disagree with Okito, black has always proven better, on big and small stages, with different lighting designs. I've lit that thing to be invisible on a parlour stage with an audience about 4 foot away. I would assume that the quality, and so colour, of lighting that Okito was working under is not the same as what we have now. If he was working under gas lights then wouldn't they have an orange tint, which might effect the brown thread? On the flip side of lighting it to be invisible, I hate it when I've had professional lighting guys who've told me they can light thread, and then managed to do the lighting so bad that regular I.T. has been visible! That's happened to me 2-3 times! Now I don't trust anyone else to light it. One guy thought that he'd put a spot directly above me as the sole lighting. Professional? Really? Or just full of talk... Paul |
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