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MagiCol Special user Dargaville, New Zealand 929 Posts |
The past few days I've been thinking, "Wouldn't it be great to sprinkle some dust over an item used in magic, and the dust twinkled as it dropped from the hand down to the object?" Initially, my thinking is that it could be some chemical mix that somehow is started by finger-rubbing as it is released. But since I don't want to work with any fire or naked flame, I have moved to thinking that it could be simply little confetti/dots/squares cut from silvered chocolate paper and lit from the side of the magician by, say, a narrow beam of a hidden flashlight shining onto the "dust". Meantime, this dust that I imagine: I am calling it "twinkle dust". Any ideas of creating such an effect, without using fire, would be appreciated.
The presentation makes the magic.
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Destiny Inner circle 1429 Posts |
Sch -
Glitter will look magical, even with normal stage lights, when dropped from the hand because it's moving and so constantly presenting different angles to reflect the light. But we're magicians, so enough is never enough. I do the same effect with diamonds (well, more honestly cubic zirconias). I present it not as a special effect but as a magic trick - like a Salt Pour. I'm not sure if you have Tandy, Dick Smith, or Radio Shack over there across the Tasman Sea, but at those shops you can buy 3 quite powerful connected LED lights that run off a USB. You can choose from red, blue, or clear light. They are for people who light up their computers. The same company also sells a battery holder for a small A23 12 volt battery, which will also power the lights, and a connection you can add in to make the flights flicker or chase. The lights are a little shorter and a little wider than a cigarette butt and transparent, so easily hidden - perhaps built into a prop or sewn into a costume with easy access to the on/off switch. Another alternative is sold by florist wholesalers. It is a green battery pack, containing 2 AA batteries with a few green strings or wires coming away from it. At the end of each of these is a clear pinhead LED light. I went with the first alternative because I could have the on/off switch well away from the lights and not be noticed turning them on. While the lights themselves are not a trick, the less mundane things we are seen doing the better. The light has its greatest effect when it comes from in front of and just below what it's lighting up. I also considered a solid beam when I first thought about this, but the moving light is far more magical. Silvered chocolate paper will not reflect the light very well. You need to spend a dollar on glitter; not the fine dust-like glitter, but the chunkier stuff. It sparkles like a fairy tale night sky. Drop it slowly - practice letting it trickle from your hand. The slower it drops, the more it will sparkle. Best of luck, Destiny |
MagiCol Special user Dargaville, New Zealand 929 Posts |
Hi,
Glitter. "Help is not far away" - just across the ditch!! You suggest some very practical ideas; much appreciated. Regards, Colin.
The presentation makes the magic.
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