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The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The workshop » » Metamorphosis (Sub Trunk)?? (0 Likes) Printer Friendly Version

inneradiction87
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scottsdale AZ
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Hello All

I was planning to use this illusion as a talent in my school's competition (Mr.Pinnacle). I thought it would be a great crowd-pleaser, and no one in my school has ever used magic as their talent before. So what I am asking for is good plans to build this trunk, also I wanted to ask what you thought of this idea, any suggestions? Any illusions you think might be better? Any feedback is appreciated.

P.S- If you happen to know of anyone in Scottsdale or Phoenix Az, that could possibly help that would be awesome.
Frank Simpson
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SW Montana
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For ease of building the Paul Osborne plans are hard to beat. It can be built for relatively little money, and it does play extremely well. Mine is now 23 years old, and still trouping strong.

One questions I might ask is how much time do you have to prepare? Beacuse once the illusion is built you need a LOT of time to rehearse and perfect every move. Your assistant(s) have to be drilled to the nth degree so that nothing is left to chance.

If you do not have a long lead-time, you might consider something that is simpler to perform. If you have ample prep time, I think that Metamorphosis is about as great an illusion as any, and in my show it has never failed to get gasps from the crowds. Just make sure of two things: do it well, and do it fast!

Good luck!
61magic
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Take Frank's advice.
There is a pretty good magic shop in Phoenix, and a really good one in Tucson that may be able to help out.
Cost-wise building the trunk is not too bad, but the price does add up once you get material for the curtain, bag, and a set of cuffs etc...
There also is a "walking thru a mirror" effect by Andrew Mayne that is really good, doesn't need an assistant, and is not too costly to make. I think it was in his book Solo-X.
Call the shops in your area, talk to them. I'm sure they would be willing to lend a hand. Also ask them about the magic clubs in the area some of the members may be willing to pitch in to help.
Good luck.
Professor J. P. Fawkes
revlovejoy
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I'm a soon-to-beginner-at-illusions too, so let me say tht the above advice may be hard to take, but follow it. Don't jump into something you don't have oodles of time to rehearse.

Metamorphosis is an amazing illusion. I've seen the Pendragons do it live, and it inspires me. Not just the magic of it, but the athleticism needed to do it as they do.

But it's not the kind of thing you set out to do as your first illusion, IMHO.

Here are two illusions I am considering building and using this year as my foray into illusions.

#1 - Andrew Mayne Spectre cabinet. Supremely easy to build, very very inexpensive. Does need a consideration of coloring on the stage setup. It may not be a great one-only illusion, more of an opener, but you could appear that way and do manipulations. (plans are less than $20 at his website)

You will see the plans and say, that's it? But the light and shadow effect make for a strong effect - forget it's a PVC pipe frame.

#2 - Through a one inch hole. A box sized illusion similar to metamorphosis, but not as difficult to perform. Your assistant has a rope around her waist, which is threaded through a hole in a large box which is padlocked. The routine includes inspection of the locks, which is not something I've seen done with metamorphosis. A curtain goes up, and she is pulled into the box "through the hole"

Pros - audience participation, get the skeptics and tough guys in school to check out the locks. It will help generate more buzz when people not in the know are on stage and see the thing.

The plans and description are in Jim Steinmeyer's "Device and Illusion" which is a great book to have anyway. It's less than $40 if I remember, on his website.
cardcaptor
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tagaytay, philippines
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I have a sub trunk and I only built it, I use the Paul Osborne plans for the design but I also use my specially figure out gimmick, my sub trunk has two gimmicks.. its good thing to have a sub trunk in your show... its a classic, you cant beat the thing... haha!

thanks!
ILLUMINATI: Brotherhood knowing to be unusually enlightened with regard to the art of magic.

in memory of... SWIFTSHIFTER

"The art that purports to control or forecast natural events, effects, or forces by invoking the supernatural"
Frank Simpson
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Revlovejoy-

I agree that "Through a One Inch Hole" is certainly mechanically simpler to perform than Metamorphosis, but I would have to say that presentationally it presents a set of challenges all its own. To a degree, it requires stronger acting skills to effectively "sell" the effect to an audience.

Dramatically speaking, it would be more effective in the middle of a larger program, once a magician has been "established" in his show. While it would certainly stand on its own I just belove it would be much stronger later in one's program.

As for audience participation, I have always used volunteers to inspect the crate, lid, cuffs, locks, etc. when I do metamorphosis. I then have them stand upstage of the trunk during the changeover which functions as a convincer that the illusion cant be viewd from all sides.

The Device and Illusion book really is a gem, and it is positively filled with good, usable material. I also ecommend Mr. Steinmeyer's book Art & Artifice which is not so much about how illusions work as it is about why they do... or do not.
Dave Dorsett
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"One Inch Hole", if not properly sold, can leave a real dead spot in your show. It can be a GREAT effect but without a really, really solid presentation it can also be problematic! Frank is right that if you do only one, this is probably not the one.

There are several other illusions that can be made to replicate the Metamorphosis effect but, being less familiar, don't come with the lightning quick standard to live up to. Assistant's Revenge comes to mind, I used to do the venerable Pillory escape as a Metamorphosis but all take a great deal of rehearsal.

61magic's advice to seek out the local club members is good on many levels. When I lived in Tucson years (and years) ago the scene was pretty happening and I would think there may be some support there. Break a leg!
Dave Dorsett
Douglas~Wayne Illusioneering
revlovejoy
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Listen to Dave and Frank - I'm a newbie, so my opinion was based only what I saw on the page.

I don't mean to threadjack, but would either of you give me some further insight into what is needed to "sell" the illusion?
Dave Dorsett
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You can find a number of different opinions here-
http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......;forum=7

http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......;forum=7

http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......;forum=7

http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......;forum=7

I used to thread the rope through the hole and attach it to a large stuffed animal or doll, committed the "sin" of saying what I was going to do and had the animal/doll slam into the face of the box. Then move onto the assistant. We had also built a kicker into the illusion where one of the assistants' hands was still sticking out of the box and you push it through in front of the audience with no cover, leaving the One Inch Hole in the center.

If we want to follow up on this, maybe you will want to resurrect one of the other threads.
Dave Dorsett
Douglas~Wayne Illusioneering
cardcaptor
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tagaytay, philippines
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What do you need to "sell" this illusion?

...assistant
...large clothing (to cover the thing)
...good presentation
...good lighting and sounds

Just my two cents..

Thanks
ILLUMINATI: Brotherhood knowing to be unusually enlightened with regard to the art of magic.

in memory of... SWIFTSHIFTER

"The art that purports to control or forecast natural events, effects, or forces by invoking the supernatural"
Dave Dorsett
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Macomb, Illinois
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Well, true but...
I believe that whole "good presentation" thing might be what he's asking about.
Dave Dorsett
Douglas~Wayne Illusioneering
DanielSteep
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Inner circle
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I'm also planning on using a subtrunk in my town's talent search!
inneradiction87
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scottsdale AZ
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I have a good chunk of time to practice metamorphosis with my assistant. I'm also wondering how much will it cost to build?

One more thing. Is there a difference between the quick easy-build metamorphosis and the regular sub trunk? I saw that in Paul Osborne's books (easy build illusion).
jkesler
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Check around for a used Sub Trunk... It may be cheaper in the long run, by the time you invest material and time. You can pick up a used trunk for a couple hundred dollars. But if you must build, then I wish you all the best.

I should mention that I built my first Sub-Trunk for less than $200 in material, however later I purchased a used trunk for around $400.00.
Best Regards,
James
MagicFingers
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Orlando, FL
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I am going to be building a sub trunk in the next month or so. I need to have the "double gimmick" set up as I plan to do the switch lightning fast (using Pendragon/Copperfield type handling).

Does anyone know of any good plans for this version? I know Paul Osborne's plans are masterful, and I have many, but I specifically need this trunk to have the double gimmick. Paul doesn't say on his website if his is built this way or not.

You can PM me if you want to talk specifics. Thanks!
Julian Bond
Musician / Magician
Frank Simpson
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As far as I know there are no provisions for a "double gimmick" in the Osborne plans.

I trust you are aware that you would need to secure permission to use the Pendragon handling. You'll notice that for "Cocoon" David Copperfield credits The Pendragons, as he used with permission.
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