The zombie effect is one of magics illusions which could be performed even if the audiance has an idea how its done.

Its such a gracefull routine if done right.

As said by an earlier post its about acting. choreography , mime , movement and dance skills might help also in your body coordination.

For those who are interested click HERE to see Dirk Losander performing his standard zombie ball routine. This is the basic routine he teaches on his video and on the video he also shows you how to make his modified gimmick. One of the great things you can learn in watching Losander is how he creates a disconnect between himself and the ball by keeping his hands/wrists very still when the ball moves , and also how he constantly maintains very deep "valleys" in the cloth covering the ball , so the way the cloth hangs off the ball does not show any straight lines from the ball to his hand . This is very important. Many performers are not careful about this detail and they stretch the cloth taut over the ball so that the folds don't hang down , and there is too much of a straight line from the ball to the hand and it makes it look like the hand is manipulating the ball. Losander's use of the deep folds in the cloth help to sell the floating action of the ball. Losander's "covering move" is great , where the ball is up on the edge of the cloth, then he pulls the cloth up and over the ball to cover it. During this move the ball appears to hang in space , not moving, while the cloth is drawn up and over to cover it . Master that move and you're on your way to a very convincing floating ball.

A lot of the moves come from Al Schneider's book "Al Schneider on Zombie" via Tommy Wonder who mastered Schneider's zombie moves and taught them to Losander . Losander in turn has boiled down the moves into a very elegant routine with a very convincing illusion of floating. The acting and the body language are still 95% of the illusion, but Losander's modified gimmick does help. Watch the initial rise of the ball from the pedestal : Losander's hands are very still while the ball rises up. You can't do that with a standard zombie gimmick.

I own two 8" Owen Zombie Balls. I ordered a unbent gimmick and made my own Losander style gimmick. You can also put a bend in the regular gimmick to allow deeper valleys in the cloth and reduces the appearance of those pesky straight lines. I have also heard Gen. Grant makes a great Zombie and gimmick, and it's probably a tad less expensive than the Owen.

Get a morressy zombie. Morressy and the General came up with them years ago and they are fantastic

Excellent post David!

NOTE TO EVERYONE: Read David's post, it is vital if you perform/ever consider performing the zombie. He has pin pointed why Losander's routine looks so magical.

Thanks David!

As far as Gold or Silver. It all depends on the mood you which to give. Silver is cold and gold is warm. I have seen gold items used in magic acts. It takes a lot of lighting to show off the gold to good effect, like a spot light.

More silver is sold because dealers do not carry the gold as a standard item.

If you are just starting out with a zombie, I would suggest purchasing a practice one from ebay. It is economical and this way you can ding it up and have fun with it. I have several zombies and I think an important thing to consider is the size of the ball and the weight. The standard gimmick can wreak havoc on your hand, especially during early marathon practice sessions, when you're getting a feel for it. One of the coolest things I've seen is the flash finale vanish, which is a modified gimmick, battery powered to ignite flash paper, available from Theatre FX. When you come in for a landing you can vanish the ball in a flash of fire, and ditch it behind your table. Like McBride says, it's really more like puppetry than magic; you have to give it life, let it breathe, give it personality. Correctly done it is the stuff of dreams - wrongly performed it is a ball on a stick. Just some thoughts....

I attached a hook on my gimmick and at the end of the routine hung the G on the back of my leg until I could re-get and ditch.

I prefer a silver ball which matches all the props I have in the show. It also seems to catch the light a little better. I use a g*****k designed by a friend of mine and I make myself. I do not need a bend for the routine I do but in my old routine I did have a bend. I like the feel of the Morrisey ball as that is the one I learned with. Yes, get two: one for performance and on for practice but be sure they are identical. Also do finger strenghtening exercises; you'll be glad you did once you get the hang of it. The zombie is one of my audience's favorites and I can always hear the "wow" from the crowd. I get sponatneous applause throughout the routine. It's a great routine if done properly. Good luck.

Just a note of caution- the Losander gimmick sold by Encore is the one he does zombie with, but IS NOT the same as the Wonder/Losander sphere. Just a note in case someone was confused.
David

If you use Al Schneider's method, you will probably NEVER drop the ball. It cannot fall off the gimmick.