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Daniel Faith Inner circle Neenah, Wisconsin 1526 Posts |
I somewhat recently wrote a review here on the Café of Jeb Sherrill’s “Zombie Reanimated” DVD’s which I found to be superb. If you are interested in the zombie illusion at all, then these DVD’s are a must buy.
Because of getting to write the review of the DVD’s and having worked with the zombie illusion for about 20+ years now, I was most happy to get to do the review of Jeb’s newest creation, the Dream Gimmick. A wonderful addition to his DVD's. I spent about one month playing around with this new Dream Gimmick and found it fun and challenging trying new and unique moves. When you receive your new dream gimmick, top quality workmanship will be evident. There is some simple preparation that is necessary in order to set it up for your preference of left handed or right handed use. The gimmick uses a rubberized standard size cork. I really liked this feature since the ball is capable of some really erratic moves with this gimmick and the rubber coating does the job in keeping the ball on the gimmick. In addition, the handle of the gimmick is also rubberized to aid in gripping. The handle part of the gimmick is quite different than any other zombie gimmick I have ever used and it took a little work getting used to it. I have always used gimmicks that fit onto one or more fingers so this was a change for me. After a little work I found that this handle enables the ball to be incredibly responsive. One can make huge moves without any detection of hand movement at all. I liked this very much. With this change in handle, the foulard is still very easy to hold with the thumbs. It is recommended that at least a 36” foulard should be used and a slightly oversized foulard would be even better to assist in hiding certain angley moves. The Dream gimmick is slightly longer than your average straight zombie gimmick. This is not a problem but rather enhances the movements of the ball. The shape of the gimmick is totally unique and this is where Jeb’s creativity stands out. It is shaped unlike any other zombie gimmick in existence. I won’t go into the exact shape because I feel that may be infringing on the secret of the gimmick. Most of you may be familiar with the late Tommy Wonders zombie gimmick which was ingeniously thought out, but it is my opinion, that the Dream gimmick is the next generation in zombie gimmicks. No it’s not shaped liked Tommy’s but it takes better advantage of the same principles. The DVD is well produced with Jeb’s touch of comedy throughout. The DVD starts off with a detailed description of setting up the gimmick and some basics. Then, Jeb does a really nice demo using his Dream gimmick and then follows with detailed descriptions of the moves and subtleties. Some of the moves will take a lot of practice but actually so does any zombie routine if done right. One can do many moves with this gimmick that can not be done with other gimmicks and this I love more than any other aspect of this device. You can do moves such as around the body, over the shoulder like you have never seen before. It completely disarms the observer as no logical hook up point reveals itself. In fact, this thing can do moves that are almost spooky! There were some of the classic moves I was not able to do with the Dream gimmick such as putting it up my sleeve to start the routine and the foulard slide down the arm but the new possibilities had me so excited I didn’t care. I understand from the DVD that came with the Dream gimmick that there is a Universal gimmick that can be obtained that will allow you to float just about anything the size of a zombie ball using this gimmick. I didn’t get a chance to try it but it definitely peeks my interest! Overall, I highly recommend the Dream Gimmick with a score of 9.5 out of 10. In addition, I give Jeb a 10 for creativity and a 10 for quality as well. He has demonstrated his expertise on the Zombie Ball with first his DVD's and now and new and exciting gimmick. If you find yourself looking for something different or better than what you have now, I feel the Dream Gimmick is well worth exploring. Best Regards, Daniel Faith
Daniel Faith
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DerZauberer Elite user Southern California 468 Posts |
Well - You sold me! I saw the advertisement for the Dream Gimmick in the December Genii magazine and I was intrigued. I knew that I would find good information here at the Magic Café before I made a decision on this purchase.
Thank You. I am ordering the Gimmick and the DVD's tonight. |
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jimi2040 New user United Kingdom 62 Posts |
Thanks for this great review.
It really help me decide whether to buy both the DVD and the dream gimmick. I'm looking forward to it~ |
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randirain Inner circle Fort Worth, TX 1650 Posts |
Jeb is a friend of mine and a super nice guy.
I have seen his DVD's and the Dream Gimmick. They are both really good. I have a Zombie, but never did it. But after he showed me his videos, it made pull mine out and play with it. Then later he showed me the dream gimmick, which he really did invent in a dream that he had. It was amazing. So, yes... If you do Zombie, or interested in doing Zombie, you need Jeb's stuff. Randi |
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late night diner Regular user 120 Posts |
Is there any footage of this gimmick in actiom?
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rplanet New user 79 Posts |
How does this compare with Losander's gimmick?
Thinking is the best way to travel!
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randirain Inner circle Fort Worth, TX 1650 Posts |
Yes there is a video online.
Hocus Pocus has it. http://www.hocus-pocus.com/static/clips/dgixm.wmv That link should work. Randi |
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RickVancouver Special user Vancouver, BC 697 Posts |
Wow, it was really hard to focus on this video, as the background and foulard were both black.
It still looked like the regular Zombie moves to me. Nothing struck me different. Rick
www.vancouvermagic.com
Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people. |
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randirain Inner circle Fort Worth, TX 1650 Posts |
There are differences.
For One... Notice when the zombie is up on his shoulder, the arm doesn't look like it's about to pop out of socket trying to reach. And like Daniel said... "One can make huge moves without any detection of hand movement at all." I think he says it best. The original video I saw was different than that one. He might have taken stuff out to keep people from trying to make their own. I really don't know though. I have seen it live and watched the DVD it comes with. It's not your standard gimmick. Randi |
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jimi2040 New user United Kingdom 62 Posts |
Such a detailed and helpful review.
I'm looking forward to the arrival of these items~ |
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Dougini Inner circle The Beautiful State Of Maine 7130 Posts |
Not being critical, but...CAN one do this without being dressed in black? The ball bouncing way up over the cloth looks cool! Having a busy-patterned shirt works for me, most of the time, but my regular gimmick couldn't do THAT, LOL!
Jeb does a great performance, that's for sure! Doug |
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MagicSanta Inner circle Northern Nevada 5841 Posts |
The moves are very simular to those taught by McBride on the L&L dvd on the zombie ball. McBride and others are much smother than that fellow on the file provided. The gimmick sounds great but I suggest in addition to this is look into McBride and others work on the Secrets of the Zombie Ball. Also check out what Tommy Wonder had to say about using a black foulard vs a lighter color.
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stringsleights New user 23 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-02-03 12:52, rplanet wrote: One beneficial feature of the dream gimmick in contrast to Losander's is that it is less apt to flash out from behind the right side when the ball is allowed to drop low behind the foulard (of course, Losander never flashes it; each gimmick has its own limits and advantages). The D-gimmick also has an interesting capability of a 3D-ish nature. I know that may sound a bit vague, but it is exhibited at the link provided by randirain. Way cool, Jeb! |
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ryesteve Regular user 196 Posts |
This is probably going to sound like heresy, but when I watch a routine like this, I feel like I'm watching a skilled puppeteer, not a magic act.
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randirain Inner circle Fort Worth, TX 1650 Posts |
Black clothes are definately the best way to go, but I don't know if you really need them.
And the 3D nature... Yes.. meaning the moves of up and down, left and right, and forward and backward are very easy with this gimmick. I'll see if I can't get Jeb here to answer some questions. Randi |
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MagicSanta Inner circle Northern Nevada 5841 Posts |
Ryesteve, I also consider the zombie to be a puppet, that is because it is a puppet. The key is to handle it in such a fashion that people buy into the idea of it being a real object floating. There is nothing wrong with puppets in magic.
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Jeb Sherrill Inner circle Elsewhere 1161 Posts |
There is definitely a black art principal being involved, but it's a very subtle one. You would have to actually play with a Dream Gimmick to understand what I mean, but let's just say it's very different from the way a normal gimmick would behave. You could not for example jump the ball above the foulard with a normal gimmick (as some have suggested) because the flashpoint would be enormous. These moves work with the Dream Gimmick because the flashpoint is so small.
The shoulder moves and the 3D movement spoken of would also not be possible with a normal gimmick. Anyone who's held one knows what a very different animal it is. You really just have to play with one to understand. Jeb
I don't believe in reincarnation, but I may have in another life.
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brycol24 New user 26 Posts |
What was shown in the video is all the moves that the new gimmick can do? Or is there more just not revealed yet?
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Dmann Inner circle Crossville, Tennessee 1683 Posts |
This is a utility device that I recommend to all who have purchased my Kinetic Sphere. It is the perfect addition to any Zombie routine, it will give you more reach and many more moves and sudilties. (SP Sorry). If your serious about Zombie, then you not only need this, but you must have it otherwise you just might get left in the dust by those of us who do.
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Dennis Loomis 1943 - 2013 2113 Posts |
The Dream Gimmick fools me badly... I love it. Congratulations. I just found out about it in April of 2013, so I apologize for resurecting this 6 year old thread.
I do have a comment on something said above. It was mentioned that the gimmick could levitate all kinds of objects besides just a ball. In most cases, trying to do the Zombie with items that are not spherical is probably a big mistake. The ball appears the same no matter what angle it's viewed from. Most other objects don't. I recall that Neil Foster criticized the Zombie done with a plastic skull (which was on the market for a time.) He pointed that the audience could see the slight turn the skull made as it was moved from point to point in space. It's probably best to stick with a ball, although it needn't be chrome plated and can be larger or smaller than the standard Zombie. Dennis "Denny" Loomis
Itinerant Montebank
<BR>http://www.loomismagic.com |
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