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bojanbarisic Elite user Croatia 462 Posts |
I tried to get in touch with Andrew but since he didn`t reply here is the mail I sent to him. I hope that some of you who perform this illusion can help me out.
Dear Andrew, I have ordered your Voodoo Box manuscript from Hocus-Pocus this week and it came 2 days ago. Today I had boxes made and found umbrellas but now I have a few questions for you. English is not my first language so please excuse me for my English. 1. I have cut L shaped cuts for umbrellas but since cardboard is stiff the flap stays open once the umbrella is pulled out. Don`t you think that X cut would work much better. I have also tried to make circular holes ca. 4 cm and taped another pieces of cardboard 6x6cm inside the box to cover openings. It works as a flap. This would let you use the same box over and over again. 2. Body position in the box on the drawing and photo is not the same. Which one is correct? 3. Do you put all 5 umbrellas from one side following the pattern from the manuscript? I have seen it performed on French Le Plus La Grand Cabaret du Monde and performer placed umbrellas # 1 on each side than 2 and 4 from each side rotating the box and 5 and 3 together from each side. They didn`t use the top umbrella. 4. Looking at your photo in the box I see no way that back umbrella # 1 could be placed in the box. Could you tell me in more details where is each umbrella going around your body. I think it would be much better if you made a clear Fiberglas box and shoot a photo from each side with your assistant in the box. 5. Do I have rights to perform it on national TV by purchasing your manuscript ? |
gsidhe Inner circle Michigan 1725 Posts |
I do this illusion all of the time, and your observations are correct...
The L shaped cuts do pull out, but if you are performing this in the style intended, it is supposed to be a ragged illusion, so that is not particularly bad. Body position...The photo is the one to go with. The drawing is useless. Most people cannot even get in the box in that position, let alone move enough to make it work. The photo is the only way to go. I do follow the insertion pattern from the manuscript, but if I am doing it on stage ( not surrounded), I actually skip the back entirely (As the back center cannot be done without an extremely bad angle on the inserted piece...Looks terrible!) The audience can't see the back, and really it winds up to be a waste of time. If you are doing it surrounded, do the four corners. I did write Andrew about this one as well, and his response was that his assistant was extremely flexible, and could make it work. I have not had this success. I do one thing a bit differently from the original. Instead of the top center, I have modified it so that we use two on the diagonal about 9" from the corners (Looking at it from the back, it would be the back left corner and the front right) Because of the positioning, it is actually easier than the single one in the center, and it looks even a bit more impressive. As for the rights...I have no idea. Hopefully you will hear from him soon. I have done this trick 15 times in the last two weeks without any significant problems, so if you have any further need of help, I'll do what I can...PM me. Gwyd |
Arepsi Regular user Finland 147 Posts |
I've never performed this, but I have my box made of thin plywood and whole box is hinged from each corner (so I can fold box flat). I made five round holes (diameter about 2 in) and I covered these from inside with spandex strips/ribbons. The big holes will increase the illusion about size of the umbrellas.
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gsidhe Inner circle Michigan 1725 Posts |
I have a version like that of the trick as well (Depending on where I am performing and which show I am doing), but I only used 1 1/2" holes. I didn't bother covering them at all. The hinged box is pretty easy to make, and it does fold down quite nicely. Did you use a seperate piece for the lid, or is it attached to the rest?
Gwyd |
magicross New user Staffordshire England 76 Posts |
I also do a variant on the voodoo box known as the hex box
that's right the box is hexagonal it looks tiny |
Arepsi Regular user Finland 147 Posts |
The lid is seperate. Maybe this topic is more suitable to "workshop" area.
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