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Beaudini Magic Loyal user Ohio 259 Posts |
Hello,
I am looking to purchase a light bulb through girl illusion. It is the one which four showcase bulbs are pushed through your dancers torso, via a small stock around her waist. A friend of mine purchased a version from a certain dealer, calle "Light Fantastic," but it arrived late, shorted out, and had to be rebuilt upon arrival. This was up to par with what I have heard of this certain builders reputation. So my question is, is what models are out there, who makes them, and if anyone on the Café has a used one for sale, I would love the oppurtunity to purchase it. I need it to fill the spot of another illusion, which I can no longer use, in a big show I'm doing in may. Thanks For Your Help!
-Beau Alexander
"Make the Path, Others will Follow" |
Michael Messing Inner circle Knoxville, TN 1817 Posts |
The model you are referring to is built by the person who originated it (Jim Sommers.) There is another version built by Owen Redwine (Redwine F/X), although I don't think it's still being made.
Owen's version is much nicer, but much more expensive version of it and it's called the Electric Incisor. He said he had permission from Jim to build it. I owned one of the Sommers' version for about 8 years and then purchased the Redwine version to replace it. Besides the quality difference, you need to keep in mind one thing: the Electric Incisor is meant to be used with a small-waisted assistant (a typically thin dancer.) As I do this routine with an audience member, that was a problem for me and Owen had to re-work it to make it usable with average-sized women. I have seen at least two of these for sale on Magic Auction in the last 4 years, but not recently. PM me if you have specific questions about the Electric Incisor. Michael |
Chezaday Inner circle Naperville, IL 1673 Posts |
Owen made the last run of that illusion almost 10 years ago ... you'll be lucky to find one used. It's always been one of my favorite "pack flat, play big" illusions. In fact it's always in my van ready to go.
Steve |
cfrye Special user Portland, Oregon, USA 940 Posts |
Jim Steinmeyer's "Neon" is somewhat similar, though you need to build two six-foot tables with a wide channel and a frame into which you slide a guillotine-like neon "blade." You put your assistant on a rolling tray and slide her through the neon bulbs. It plays well surrounded.
I believe the illusion is published in _Device and Illusion_. |
chmara Inner circle Tucson, AZ 1911 Posts |
Like the energizer bunny my lights through by Sommers keeps on going. I use it with an exploding mad scientist stand I have crafted--two sets of light thru balloon --
AND I HAVE ALWAYS USED AUDIENCE ASSISTANTS. Jim does a fantastic job of building servicable props. I have refinished mine using mylar chrome and replace the star traps occassionally. I believe Jim can only be reached by phone -- although Klamm magic represents his line.
Gregg (C. H. Mara) Chmara
Commercial Operations, LLC Tucson, AZ C. H. Mara Illusion & Psychic Entertainments |
Michael Messing Inner circle Knoxville, TN 1817 Posts |
Gregg,
I'll admit that my "Light Fantastic" was serviceable but I had to rework it a lot to make it work consistently. I had to enlarge holes for the lightbulbs to go through cleanly and Jim Sommers had to repair a socket that broke in normal use. (It wasn't used improperly or stressed excessively.) The "Electric Incisor" is built much better and has required almost no adjustments to make it work consistently (that is, after Owen enlarged the opening for me to use it with audience members). The stock for the "Electric Incisor" is much smaller also but it weighs more because it has a plastic laminate (Formica ®) finish. If I hadn't bought an "Electric Incisor," I would still be using the "Light Fantastic." I love the routine I have for it. I just wanted a better built one. Michael |
Marshall Thornside Inner circle chicago 2016 Posts |
I'm not a fan of that illusion. It seems so weird. But Jim Sommers still makes them. If you need his info I can get that for you. He lives only 20 mins from us and stops by from time to time. He has this wonderful binder full of photos of everything he has built. I am encouraging him to allow me put a cd gallery together.
If you really want something spectacular you should think about finding if the Reveen Light Bult Cabinet is still available. I understand the bid is at $6600 now. One of 7 built by my dad. Worthy option and well built, after all, he was a perfectionist illusion builder.
you will remember my name
World's Youngest Illusionista 7th greatest pianist in the world Go Red For Women and Stroke Ambassador www.mai-ling.net |
gulamerian Special user 581 Posts |
I have been using Jim's Light Fantastic for years.
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extremagic New user 29 Posts |
Owen Redwine is the one to talk to for a quality prop!
He does an excellent job with this Illusion. |
Brent W Regular user Ohio 123 Posts |
I owned the Sommer's version, and I too had to invest more time and money into making it work every time.
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chmara Inner circle Tucson, AZ 1911 Posts |
Hmm-- I have not -- in several hundred performaces had any trouble in using or mainting the Sommers rig. As I said above -- I always use audience members.
I have redecorated it with Chrome plastic paper and replaced star traps == but I consider that normal maintenance. Jim's work is practical -- and works. SOME is not as pretty as others -- but I have yet to get an illusion from ANYONE that does not require modification and maintenance.
Gregg (C. H. Mara) Chmara
Commercial Operations, LLC Tucson, AZ C. H. Mara Illusion & Psychic Entertainments |
Chezaday Inner circle Naperville, IL 1673 Posts |
The only version of this illusion that is still available is build by Sommers. As far as I know, Owen Redwine is not currently working on illusions. If anything ... my friend Terry Evanswood and Erick Olson worked wonders with the Sommers version. Both performers have used his Light Fantastic in hundreds of shows ... it's inexpensive and it works.
Steve |
rocky clements Regular user 110 Posts |
I noticed that some performers mentioned using spectators from the audience. I have done that occasionally, but am a little concerned about the safety. Since the bulbs actually push against the belly of the assistant, I have always worried about one breaking. That could be a severe injury from everything from the glass to the electricity to the burn. At least with my assistant, I am not quite as likely to be sued! Does anyone have a comment as to the safety of doing this illusion with a spectator?
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floridamagic Regular user lakeland Fl 157 Posts |
I Had Jim Sommers like Steve said and I Used It for 6 months 7 nights a week in Japan with no problems, but the light bulbs are so expensive now. $10.00 a bulb.
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Michael Messing Inner circle Knoxville, TN 1817 Posts |
Hey Florida,
Try this company for a good deal on bulbs I bought 8 bulbs from them a couple of years ago and I was really pleased by the quality. (They may have changed suppliers since then so I can't vouch for current quality.) I liked that the bulbs had the bases attached fairly straight rather than the crooked ones I got from GE. Also, I didn't have any problems with the filaments stretching and touching the inside of the glass. The GE and Sylvania bulbs had a tendency to do that and, of course, they would short out. |
Kramien New user 9 Posts |
Somewhere in our warehouse is the bulb illusion you are looking for, I will look for it next time I go out there, and put it on e bay,,,it would be easy to ship. Stan Kramien
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