I asked my dad about how he learned about costume change costumes and here's what he told me:

He learned on his own and he designed his own costume change costumes.

If there's any specific question you would like me to ask him. feel free. I'll try my best to get an answer that is understandable.

Marshall,

Thanks so much for the information. I just got back from Vegas and the SAM convention. While out there I asked around about information on this subject. It appears that there really is not all that much out there. There is a book and video set out on the market but I am not hearing all that great reviews on it. Some say that the video is lousy quality and most of the information is geared for women.

I may just have to keep my ear and eye open and ask fellow magicians who have tried and are doing quick changes in their own acts. Hopefully some will be willing to share with me their thoughts and ideas.

I would be very much interested in techniques on how to rig up the costumes in the best fashion so they appear normal but the change can be made easily.

What fabric to use?
How to rig uip a shirt or men's outfit for a quick change?
Magnets versus velcro? What works better?

Answers to questions like these is what I would love to find information on. Thanks again all, and I look forward to reading all your posts.

One thing for sure my dad never used velcro or magnets. Magnets can attract to metal (if the illusion has metal) and Velcro is way to loud (no matter what).

It's kind of difficult to explain the way he made the costume without seeing it. But he did use Snaps and Eyes with pull strings.

An interesting design. Like engineering. Once you got the timing of what you did
when and so forth it was easy gliding.

Very few issues with the pull string pants.
Since he had to make the costumes a few times [as i was growing] it became more refined.

The best material to use for quick change is silk satin as it doesn't crush, and packs very flat.

As far as magnets and velcro are concerned, forget them both - listen to Marshall.

Even the Russian methods are geared towards women mostly, and completely different methods are used for men.

The information is really too valuable to be putting out on this board, so I shall leave it to others to do so if they so wish.

Thank you both. I appreciate your willingness to share some ideas and thoughts with me. I like researching topics I am not so keen on. This has been a great journey so far and I hope to learn more along the way.

I can totally understand about wanting to keep family secretes together and intact. That is not a problem at all. I thank you both for what you have shared already.

I am learning that the way to go is a system of snaps and eyes as well as draw strings. I suppose the reason for this is that it works better and with little sound or the possibility of something getting caught on something else.

My main goal is to find ways to do quick changes during an act and also have it geared for a man.

I have thought up ideas where a jump suit type of boring outfit could turn into a lively suit... or even a vest changing colors or a shirt. I will have to experiment with it.

Thanks all.

I don't agree with the satin silk part.
It may pack lighter but its not practical as far as the threading. and it won't hold up. And far more difficult to repaire. You might still have iron it and then there's also burning in that case. And if something caught onto the satin/silk your SOL. You know what I mean.
It might look pretty but from several feet away the audience won't tell a difference.

Regular fabric is fine. Something light like nylon/polyester is better. And nylon and polyester is wrinkle free majority of the time. You need a material that will with hold show after the show. There nothing worse then getting your costumes ready and you find a probelm. And there no time to repair it or its un-repairable. Just like the illusions.

If you are going to sew it together you will have experiment what is best for your own situation.

I still hold out with the silk satin. It has nothing to do with the threading. That is in the eye of the beholder....
It is no more difficult to repair than any other fabric. (I am talking about silk satin not silk). It doesn't need ironing, just hanging and it irons itself. Nylon and polyester are just as easily burnt with the iron!
The silk satin has a specific "weight" to it that helps with speed - nylon is far too lightweight.
There is a richness about the silk satin that looks superb under stage lighting, and it is available ( especially from Italy) in a great variety of patterns and colours.

I do not want to start an argument, but I am just talking form what suits us best.

Thank you both for sharing your ideas here. I am learning quite a lot and appreciate it. Any and all ideas and concepts are appreciated.

Has anyone else does these changes in their own act? What has worked for you and what has not? How did you rig the fascining of the garmet ready for the change? How did the change take place?

Thank you all in advance.

What illusion are you planning to use with the costume change?

Well originally what spraked this idea was the thought of my wife doing a costume change when she reappears out of our modern style sword basket. I thought this wouild certainly add impact and make the illusion that much more entertaining for the audience.

The problem is that she does not have much room in there, and the clothes that she takes off can not hinder her movement or prevent the passage of the swords to go through.

I was initially thinking of her wearing dance shorts of one color and then on top of that have a sort of wrap around skirt of a different color.

My thinking would be that she could easily remove the wrap when the cloth is raised and before she drops in.

Any ways, this sparked my interest to just learn more about the subject as a whole and my reason for trying to learn as much as I can.

I thank you all for taking your time out to share with me your ideas.

I did a costume change with the Hindu Basket. That is why in the thread about it
I linked that photograph. [That was my p's and me in the basket.]

My dad made me all chinese style pajama costumes. Hence the Chinese themes magic show. So the rigging was intracite. It also hid very well.

I had no idea that was your father and you inside the basket. Thanks for letting me know. Ar what point in the illusion did you perform the costume change and was it weasy for you to do? Copuld you move easily in it and were you hindered in any way?

Can you remember how the rigging was done and the process in which you hade to remove the outer garmets? I can certainly understand if you would rather not reveal those family secrets. I just thought I would ask as I am always eager to learn.

Thanks again.

OK....I'm new here, so I was wondering, we're not actually supposed to DIVULGE any secrets on the method or mechanics right? But what if I don't really KNOW the method/mechanics, but simply have a theory? Could I post that here? I mean....I pulled up some vids of these quick-change-acts, and I can think of about 8 ways you could do it...male that is....I don't know enough about ladies' apparel. And no offense to anyone....but from where I'm standing this trick dosen't really take a vast leap of science or imagination....all you need is expendable articles of clothing and some elastic! It took me 3 weeks of trial and (mostly) error, but I've managed to jury-rig a change from bare-armed vest with bermuda shorts & sneakers, to a nice black suit, dress shoes, and even the removal of a 5o'clock shadow, and frizzy-to-styled hair! In 1.034 seconds that is!

You are almost there The Mighty Fool.
There are two youngsters called Jay and Lee in the US who perform magic. They have a quick change in their act. The best however is BRachetti

Impressive, Mighty Fool. As someone who has enough trouble consistently putting my underwear on forwards, I am amazed at that sort of speed. I am most interested in quick changes to abet my story telling: would love to take on elements of both male and female characters as the narrative progresses.
So where does one "pull up" quick change videos? My googling was not very succesful, apart from Brachetti.
Thanks.
Bruce

Just astonished that noone noticed the link below Alex Lees posts - would've answered many of their questions

Something new here is on the horizon. At this time, the web site is still being constructed. The products should be for sale soon at selected dealers and through the web site itself.

http://www.chameleonfabrications.com

All the best,

Rob

Does anyone know of the quality of the Quick Change Dress (for the ladies)as sold by

Daytona Magic.

4 changes are reported on their website.

thanks in advance.


Harris

That's exactly what I was searching for. and OF COURSE..JUST MY LUCK Harris, your question was the end of the thread. I also found one at the "my lovely assistant" website. if anyone has one,or has used this, I'd love to hear a review.

The Dress at Daytona is junk.