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Pakar Ilusi Inner circle 5777 Posts |
Posted this in "Secret Sessions" as well. Don't think it'll do any harm here and it's a bigger base (pun intended) of readers anyway. Just that I really need thoughts on this. Especially from the experienced pros here....
Here's the situation. I'm in the midst of making my new illusion. It's a table step-base with a box on top. Question is, I know I can fit in costume into an 8 inch base (tight squeeze but I can). However, I don't at the moment have a fixed assistant. As such, should I just add an inch to the base to compensate for any variables (varying body shapes, costumes, etc.)in the future due to this factor, or shouldn't I? I know where to add it on but it would be so much more deceptive, even close-up at 8 inches imho.... Really, really need opinions on this one guys, especially you guys experienced with illusions... Darmoe? Thanks in advance!
"Dreams aren't a matter of Chance but a matter of Choice." -DC-
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collective foundry Inner circle 1404 Posts |
We have a VERY similiar illusion Called the Revelation. Its got a 10 inch load and fits two.
It was so deceptive we werent quite sure i'd work till the box portion of the base was finished. My advice is this: Make the BASE part as deceptive as possible. be very strict if not anal on the space used in the base porton. If the design allows for it, use the leg structure to add space to the belly of the illusion, then from there you'll have 3 inches allready. From there you have a three inch bevel. Ontop, there is a box. The box sits on a "collar" if you will where the "hole" of the base is. the collar will probably ise about 3 or 4 inches off the base. (collar is usually made of aluminum or steel angle) Painted black. ontop of the collar sits the box. (note the collar is 3 or 4 " but the box axtually sits like 1" off of the surface of the table to maitain a nice thin look overall. the structure of the box is like 2" or three " aluminum or something when the box is folded down or oened, all you see is a 1" lip from the floor of the inside of the box. It works great and CAN BE DONE 10" and still be VERY VERY deceptive. Good luck in your venture, and as always HAVE FUN!! ~R. |
Pakar Ilusi Inner circle 5777 Posts |
Thanks reedrc. I see we've thought of the same things. I have put the majority of the base in the box on top (and it's "collar") and the leg's "belly" as you've said. This I did even with my first illusion. Had a very good model to follow from "Illusionworks"'s "Shadow Dancer" Illusion. The table "top" taper came down to 3 inches (gonna shave it down still to 2.5 inches)at the end but looks like 1 inch. The new one has a 2 inch taper that'll look like three quarters of an inch when it's finished.
The division/distribution/separation isn't really the issue here. I just wanted to know if 1 more inch would really be a big issue deceptive-wise? Appreciate the detailed explanation anyway. Thanks again.
"Dreams aren't a matter of Chance but a matter of Choice." -DC-
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Kendrix Loyal user 229 Posts |
Pakar: I can fit in to my Rand Woodbery "Tilted Cage" and it has an 8 inch base. This is about the maximum IMHO. Otherwise you have to make the base so wide it takes a Railroad car to haul it around. One of the reasons Copperfield's illusions look so thin is they have massive bases. We mere mortals have trouble moving this stuff around.
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collective foundry Inner circle 1404 Posts |
I agree With Kendrix. the base for the revelation is 6ft square....its rather large.... I feel you can add an inch or two and be totally deceptive you'll be fine , but only if you do it right! Good luck let us know how it goes!!
~R. |
Dondrake New user Lompoc California 26 Posts |
Consider this: A good way to add inches to the base of any illusion is to coat the outside edges of the base, with triple velvet,thence you can make it wider and it will be invisible against a black backdrop (yeah, I know, I sound like a broken record sometimes) but this actually will give you a lot more space and still be invisible against the backdrop. The only thing you have to be wary of is to keep your feet on the ends, when you rotate the base. In Sam Sharpe's "Conjurors Optical Secrets" he tells us that black alsways looks narrower than white, so it's best to have white edges above and below the base. Or silver, or gold, etc. But if you do hide extra inches using Black Art, you should only add trim above! Questions? Comments?
Yours in Black Art Magic, DONDRAKE
"Remember, be a MAGICIAN, don't just do tricks!" Alwyn Stevenson, 1960 (RIP) |
collective foundry Inner circle 1404 Posts |
I like and have used Don's meathod, latley I've been trying to design thin bases so you'd be able to walk up and toutch the prop and never know how its done. I had someone want to come backstage and see the Revelation. He was an engineer for a local
areospace company. So I figured what the hell. So he comes backstage,I fold down the box to show the sweet base and an empty interior, hes like how the hell", ah he made my night I love it. These days I'm trying to do illusions just like that, so you can walk up to it, do it surrounded and have no angle issues, and still be deceptive close up. This box was fully contained so it was not hard to trick him but still made my evening, as it was the first night it had been performed. Another instance had to do with blackart. We had done a new Metamorphosis which uses some blackart to achieve its effect (this is before we changed it)This illusion was also a new one, this time built for another magician, which we flew out and helped make sure was working for the first performance. So there is a videographer whom is there for the show and he walks on stage and starts looking at props. (I'm thinking ...grrrrrr) before shewing him away. So the show ends and we are out to dinner with the crew. The videographer just happened to come too. So he's wondering how the metamorphosis is done, I say well he came in from above" There was a special rig suspended high above the stage. (as me and the magician make eye contact laughing inside) The videographer said oooooooooo so that's how you did it.... Made our night and the clients night. As the videographer had been in rehersals all day and actually around the prop he still did not know how it was done......The ONLY time I had gotten a reaction like that from any black art...... Ok enough stories for now.... |
Pakar Ilusi Inner circle 5777 Posts |
Thanks for the advice reedrc, Dondrake and Kendrix. I've decided to play it safe and go with 9" on the illusion just in case I overeat before one of 'em shows!
I'll spread it out on the measurements so it won't really show,I hope...! Will keep you guys informed of the progress but don't hold your breath, it'll be 3 months before it's ready! My carpenter's a little busy... Thanks again everyone!
"Dreams aren't a matter of Chance but a matter of Choice." -DC-
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