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Rook Special user I went to the Magic Cafe and all I got were these lousy 834 Posts |
I'm looking for an effect that I could do with my dove after I've produced him. The problem is that just about every trick I can find on the market is either a production (which I've got covered), or a vanishing or transformation that leaves the dove in some small, cramped place until the end of the show (I frequently work unassisted). LaPaloma looked great, as it packs small and keeps the bird out of those lengthy compressed situations, but it turns out that it's out of stock at Abbot's (I'm currently awaiting the refund).
Unless someone knows of an alternate source for that effect, I'd like to know what your favorite non-production, non-transformation, non vanishing dove effect may be. Bonus points awarded if it packs small!
Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.
-Roald Dahl |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
I use to produce 2 birds, and then just used a wooden hoop to place them on and spin it between my fingers. The birds world flap their wings and was kind of on a ferris wheel. The audience really like it a lot. Abbott's Dovan is a great vanish, and the bird is not left cramped up during the rest of the show. He will stay quiet in the dark.
http://www.abbottmagic.com/Dovan-ABBdovan.htm You an make a nice looking perch and have the bird set during the show as well. When the performing area was really small, I use to put the birds on the top of my Jet Set stand. The people were amazed at how they just sat up there during the rest of the show. I did not do this when there were really high ceiling, as birds do like to find the highest perch point. |
Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
If you just want an effect with the dove and not necessarily a vanish, look at Dove through glass. These are available from most dealers. It's a simple effect. You show a piece pane of glass in a frame to be solid. If you're close to your audience, they can tap on the glass if you wish. The frame is set back in a stand which has a small door in the center. You pass the dove through the glass and this door and then immediately show the glass to be solid again with no holes.
Where the magic begins
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hugmagic Inner circle 7655 Posts |
Ken Klosterman had a pretty little show thing done with the square to circle effect. Put two doves on opposite of the square and twirl it around as Bill described. As it twirls you change to the circle and continue twirling it. Nice little bit of magic. I believe it is written up in the Dove Encyclopedias but I don't know which one.
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. |
Rook Special user I went to the Magic Cafe and all I got were these lousy 834 Posts |
Thanks for the advice, folks! I greatly appreciate the synergistic flow that occurs when bright individuals start sharing ideas!
Bill: Quote:
I use to produce 2 birds, and then just used a wooden hoop to place them on and spin it between my fingers. The birds world flap their wings and was kind of on a ferris wheel. The audience really like it a lot. That sounds very visually appealing! While Harry is a rather relaxed bird, Bess is a little high strung and may not put up with it. Quote:
Abbott's Dovan is a great vanish, and the bird is not left cramped up during the rest of the show. He will stay quiet in the dark. Alas, after the third time (out of about five orders) that Abbot's has waited a week, then told me they didn't actually have the product and sent a refund, I'm going to hold off on ordering from there for a while. Kind of a shame, because it indeed narrows the field a bit. Quote:
You an make a nice looking perch and have the bird set during the show as well. Sage advice indeed! I currently do that (albeit with a less attractive though very functional "percher" brand perch). He occasionally adds to the effect by cooing at opportune moments during the byplay, which allows for the vaguely humorous reaction. Dave: Quote:
If you just want an effect with the dove and not necessarily a vanish, look at Dove through glass Thanks for that! I did indeed look at it, the idea is very intriguing, though I must confess that I don't find it terribly convincing as an effect. Perhaps I'm a bit jaded. Has anyone here used that effect, and what was the reaction? Richard: Quote:
Ken Klosterman had a pretty little show thing done with the square to circle effect. An interesting addition to Bill's idea! Definitely worth looking into to see if I can acclimate Harry to it! I've recently started playing with the idea of having the bird perform the magic trick (perhaps being trained to select a color or a card). Anyone have success doing that with a dove? Many thanks for the help, everyone!
Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.
-Roald Dahl |
MagicalMotivator Veteran user 310 Posts |
One of the dove encyclopedia's by Ian Adair (I am sorry I don't remember which one off the top of my head) had a section on dove stunts (like the ring spin) - I can look it up when I get back to my library and let you know the volume number if you are interested. Let me know.
Also an older booklet TV dove magic by kirk kirham (?) had a few dove tricks with a r dove. Like putting a dove in a collapsible top hat - board on top - another top hat and the dove goes from the bottom hat to the top when the bottom is collapsed down. Dovan is great - mine is about 35 years old and repainted twice. See if you can get your hands on one. Rick |
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
* A Rabbit Wringer can work with a dove. Just make your own flat dove. You can flatten him and them "restore" him.
* Depending on your performing venues, Silvan's Dove Levitation is a visual stunner. You can find the write-up in Adair's Dove Encyc. vol 4. * Without levitating the bird, you can "hypnotize" him. * Zig Zag Dove is another prop idea. * While perching the bird on your finger, have an egg drop into your other hand. Proceed with an egg trick. * Depending on your audience, there is an effect of pulling a dove's head off, then immediately restoring it. * Place him into a hat and switch for a rubber dove that you place into a paper bag. Go through a sucker vanish and then finally crumple the bag and toss it away. The bird reappears back in the hat again. * There are also prop effects (vanishes and/or transformations) that are less cramped for the bird. But, you can always vanish the bird at the very end of the show as the audiences yells, "Good-bye!". If he magically appeared in the show, it is a logical thing to happen. Think Glenda the Good Witch from Wizard of Oz. He should be fine in most any kind of device for that short duration.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
Julie Inner circle 3936 Posts |
I know one magician who uses an original Hamilton Guinea Pig Chest (this model is a tad taller than the Viking/CW design) for the dramatic Harry Andersonesq transformation of a dove.
Julie |
Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
Quote:
Dave: I never recommend anything I haven't used myself. The reaction to this effect depends entirely on presentation. If you just show the glass, set it in the frame and push the dove through, you'll get an minor reaction. You have to play it up a bit, then slide the dove through slowly. The only downside I encountered was that it is a little weighty and sometimes difficult to handle especially if you are working alonge. I was fortunate to have my wife/assistant in the act and she held the prop during the presentation.
Where the magic begins
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Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Hey friend Rook!
I used two doves in the act for about 25 years. The routine began with production of the two. Within a year, I had an eight minute routine of laughs. One bird came out of a dove bag (Torino) and the other from a Neil Foster Harness and a few silks. NO BODY LOADS. I've written up the entire routine in my new book, "Dick Oslund -- Road Scholar" It was all sight gags, bits of business, and lines. The only "big" prop was a 10" "fat" linking ring. I used a girl from the audience. My "girls" lived to a ripe old age!
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Rook Special user I went to the Magic Cafe and all I got were these lousy 834 Posts |
Rick: Thanks, I'd love to know more about the encyclopedia volume of which you speak!
Michael: I hadn't considered the rabbit wringer idea! I wonder what the effect of using a foam dove rather than a flat one might be... Julie: Wouldn't you know it, I just re-homed my guinea pig! I'll have to look for that chest, though. Dave: Thanks for the tip regarding the dove through glass. Definitely worth considering. Dick: Thanks indeed! Going to have to get your book now!
Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.
-Roald Dahl |
JoshRyan Regular user Kitchener, ON, Canda 123 Posts |
I just saw the 'Birds of Prey' show at my daughter's school in June. The Handler walked around the outside of the audience and the birds would fly from his arm over the audience to a perch and back again when signalled. It's not a magic effect but it was a cool experience having these birds fly right over my head. I've wanted to incorporate something similar into my show since then.
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