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konjurer Veteran user Iowa 395 Posts 
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Has anyone thought about using Bruce Kalver's Shrinking and Growing Head Illusion in a bizarre or mentalism show? I was cleaning out my magic closet of old crap I don't use anymore and found this. I think it may be more appropriate for a mental show than a magic show. It is never presented as magic but as an optical illusion. In case you don't know what this is, it is a spinning hypnotic looking disk about the size of a small pizza. The audience stares at it for a minute. Then your head shrinks or grows depending on the direction of the spinning disk. It really gets some great reactions from the audience. Seems very appropriate for a mentalism act. Has anyone tried this?
Tim
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kannon Inner circle BCN 1025 Posts
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I haven't, many have.
My work and the Mtangulizi here http://kannonsworks.weebly.com featuring work on drawing duplications, a fiddle-free billet tear, bar mentalism, pendulums
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C_Biskit New user United States 82 Posts
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It could be worked into a mentalism routine but I would think it would be an ice breaker or opener for stage illusions.
Andy |
Mind Guerrilla Inner circle Queens, NY 2670 Posts
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It could be used as an intro to a routine (or act) that is based on the premise of altered perceptions.
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mindpunisher Inner circle 6132 Posts
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I think it could be a good opener or maybe second "effect" for a mentalism show. Talking about perception and how it can be easily manipulated and what we see or perceive may not be reality....
I think it could work nicely. |
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Mindpro Eternal Order 10606 Posts
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I can see how it could be twisted as described above for such a slant but why? It's time consuming, because of it's setup it a longer, weak opening, and it simply is not mentalism. An opener sets the pace for the show and allows an audience to make their first impression of you. You've got seconds to win them over. With that in mind, this wouldn't be a choice or consideration for that.
It seems even more pointless for anything later in the show. Maybe as a second effect to reinforce altered perception. I guess I could see it , but my question would be why? More mental magic than mentalism. |
Stephen Young Inner circle Thought Illusions 3933 Posts
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Just my opinion...... but for what this effect could achieve for you I think there would be better effects to do.
I can see how it may be a light hearted interlude between more serious stuff, but again I would say there were better effects for this also. steve |
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John C Eternal Order I THINK therefore I wrote 12968 Posts
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Good opener. I use it. Fun, funny, and even, amazing. After that they'll be interested.
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Greg Arce Inner circle 6732 Posts
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When Marc Salem first came onto the scene, in a NY Broadway show, he opened the show that way. As he was being introduced the audience was staring at a giant hypno-disk that stood on stage. So when he came out, we all saw his body undulating.
Greg
One of my favorite quotes: "A critic is a legless man who teaches running."
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts
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A large version was used to great effect on Broadway by a very good mentalist friend of mine. It's excellent in a properly lit theatrical context.
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mindpunisher Inner circle 6132 Posts
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Quote:
On 2014-01-02 11:53, Mindpro wrote: Its not mental magic its a genuine demonstration of perception being manipulated. My "shows" tend to be more than shows and usually are slanted towards performance enhancement for business and sport. I can see it as a great way to illustrate a point about reality and perception and tie in to having the proper mindset needed to see opportunities etc. I think it would go down well with a corporate audience with a good message as part of a whole. My shows have a lot of experiential stuff this would fit in. It would also be so different from the normal training they get. |
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konjurer Veteran user Iowa 395 Posts
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Great feedback everyone. I think this might be a good transition effect between moods and pacing within the set. After thinking about your feedback I like either of these two ideas:
* transition back to humorous from the more serious material in the middle of my set * or after the opener which is currently humorous and engaging but less than cerebral If I think about this effect, it generates good laughter, but it is a laughter that comes with the WTF moment. When I used to open my magic show with it, the spinning disk got fabulous reactions but seemed out of place because it was clearly not magic. People always shout "do it again!"
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts
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Quote:
On 2014-01-02 12:36, Greg Arce wrote: We posted within a minute of each other and I didn't see yours first. But, yes, I, too, was referring to Marc Salem. |
Vlad Grigorescu New user Romania, Bucharest 95 Posts
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The growing/shrinking head is more like a gag or "interesting stuff" and those are things that must find their way in shows. They get the attention, they get laughs, they interact with everyone in the room at once and so, they add entertainment value to the show.
I really see names like Derren Brown find a place, a way or a reason to put this in their show. I don't think it could be a strong particular piece but a condiment to something bigger. |
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waldorf New user 16 Posts
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Has anyone discovered this (spiral motion) as a mobile app? Could be good for walkaround and for small groups. I guess I could try to make a clip for my phone.
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| The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Penny for your thoughts » » Shrinking and Growing Head Illusion appropriate for a mentalism act? (0 Likes) | |
Posted: Jan 2, 2014 04:10 pm 
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