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awacs New user SF Bay Area 14 Posts |
Hi— please excuse me if this topic has been bludgeoned to death here. I didn't find much in a site search, so here goes.
When I was young and naive, I used to perform Zombie. Now it kind of scares me. I'd like it to look weird and magical. The potential is obviously there. But the reality of most amateur performances (mine, probably) makes the gimmick too obvious, and probably fools nobody. What are some resources for GOOD Zombie techniques, routines, psychologies... Can anyone recommend a book? Video? Performers to watch and emulate? BTW I am used to the standard gimmick, but hey— I'm open to other methods. Whatever looks good! Thanks much in advance. - Aram (Getting it back, slowly....) |
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-The Scot- Special user 726 Posts |
Losander's video on the Zombie is supposed to be good. I believe he has reshaped the gimmick to allow many more possible moves.
A demo is available on http://www.magicsmith.com It looks really good. Hope this helps, -Kevin- |
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Magique Hands Loyal user Lincoln, NE. 247 Posts |
If you are wanting to perform Zombie, then I strongly suggest that you invest in Losander's Zombie VHS. Tommy Wonder has also made this classic effect into true floating beauty. Seeing either of these two perform Zombie, will definitely spark the desire in you to perform Zombie.
Losander's video describes his new gimmick design (a huge improvement to the norm). Written work on Tommy Wonder's Zombie is in his 'Books of Wonder' books (2 volumes). - - Troy
"If you go around sprinkling Woofle Dust on everything... people will think 'My... What an odd character." www.magicmafia.com
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boltt223 Regular user Arizona, USA 175 Posts |
I agree with everyone regarding Losander's performance. In January when I was with Jeff McBride, Dirk Losander did a lecture and showed how he did the Zombie; it was incredible.
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Cole New user Calgary 63 Posts |
Tim Wright has an amazing Zombie video. He teaches you his routine, what type of silks to use, what kind of music to use, etc... I definitely recommend this video. It has great material.
Cole |
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Luke Sherratt Loyal user The Isle Of Wight, England 246 Posts |
Hi
I would say to anyone who wants the Zombie routine to look weird— buy the Zombie Skull! It's a glowing skull that rotates as well. It's about $35.00, plus shipping. Go to: http://www.kovarimagic.co.uk. I think that's it; if it's not, get back to me and I'll tell you the right one. I use the Skull in my show. I do a Gothic persona type thing, and it works really well. Luke
We're 106 miles from Chicago, we have a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark and we're wearing sunglasses
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David Todd Inner circle 2328 Posts |
Let me add to the recommendations of Losander's Zombie video. (Tim Wright's is very good also, and Jeff McBride's "On Stage" video series has some good work on Zombie).
But for the best work on making the floating look convincing, I would get the Losander video. 95% of it is acting technique, not simply the manipulation of the gimmick. You must believe that the thing is floating and has a life of its own. If you can get the older booklet called "Al Schneider on Zombie" or Tommy Wonder's essential books "Books of Wonder Vols. I and II ", there is good discussion of making Zombie look convincing. (vol. II of Books of Wonder) Down below, in the Secret Sessions section of Magic Café I started a new thread called "Further thoughts on Making Zombie look like Magic" with a link to an article which contains a discussion by Tommy Wonder on the proper way to perform Zombie. |
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-The Scot- Special user 726 Posts |
Can I ask if Losander's reshaping of the gimmick can be done by myself?
Thanks in advance, -Kevin- |
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David Todd Inner circle 2328 Posts |
Yes. He clearly shows you how it should be shaped on his video.
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-The Scot- Special user 726 Posts |
Thanks for the input Dai!
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JamesinLA Inner circle Los Angeles 3400 Posts |
McBride also shows a way to reshape the gimmick. Is this the same as what Losander does?
Thanks. Jim
Oh, my friend we're older but no wiser, for in our hearts the dreams are still the same...
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Magical Dimensions Inner circle 5001 Posts |
To make the Zombie look real requires practice and more practice. As stated above, you must believe that it is really floating and act as if it is!
Learn everything that you can get your hands on. Though practice and time, an act will take shape. Everything that you have worked hard on and will use, place on video. Ray |
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-The Scot- Special user 726 Posts |
Good question Jim!
I would like to hear the answer too— because I know McBride's reshaping. Any input? |
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David Todd Inner circle 2328 Posts |
Quote:
On 2003-04-07 08:47, JamesinLA wrote: No, McBride's suggestion for re-shaping is different than Losander's (and, in fact, the modification for the gimmick that Jeff shows on his video originated with Finn Jon, so it's actually Finn Jon's suggestion for reshaping of the gimmick). Losander's is the more "radical" re-shaping; Losander's design for the gimmick actually has an effect on the way in which one manipulates the ball and gimmick. Finn Jon's is a refinement that allows the ball to rise slightly above the edge of the cloth without flashing the gaff, but the fundamental manipulation of the ball is the same in McBride's handling as in standard Zombie. The Supreme Teach-In on Zombie (by Lewis Ganson, published by Supreme Magic in England) is out of print, but still shows up on used book lists. Definitely worth getting if you see one available and it's not too pricey. The Supreme book shows a subtle reshaping of the gimmick that is similar to part of Losander's reshaping, but not completely. There are actually two things that Losander shows you on his video that cause the manipulation of the ball and gimmick to be subtly different than the standard handling. I usually favour books for learning magic, but in this case I would say invest in the videos/DVDs, especially Losander, because it will be easier to imitate the moves if you can actually see them done over and over in real time. Again, McBride's handling is excellent (in his On Stage video series) and Tim Wright's Zombie video is good. Tim Wright's video includes historical footage of Neil Foster performing Zombie at an Abbott's Get-Together show. Foster is a master of Zombie, as is Dale Salwak. If you can find footage of Foster and/or Salwak performing Zombie, plus the Losander techniques, you will have the right idea of how Zombie should look. Of course, that's like saying that one could get footage of Fred Astaire dancing to see how dancing should look, but one would have to put in the long hours of practice to look as elegant as Fred Astaire. Same thing goes with Zombie. |
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-The Scot- Special user 726 Posts |
Thanks Dai— some very useful information there!
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JamesinLA Inner circle Los Angeles 3400 Posts |
Does anyone have a lead on where to buy a 3.5 inch zombie?
Thanks. Jim
Oh, my friend we're older but no wiser, for in our hearts the dreams are still the same...
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-The Scot- Special user 726 Posts |
Morrisey Magic have a range of sizes available, not sure of the website though.
Can anyone fill me in? (to their website) Thanks! -Kevin- |
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David Todd Inner circle 2328 Posts |
Quote:
On 2003-04-15 06:11, JamesinLA wrote: I think last time I was over at Daytona Magic they had a smallish Zombie ball that might be 3.5 inches diameter (based on comparison to the 5 inch Zombie it was sitting next to). You would have to e-mail Daytona Magic to ask about the exact diameter. I think Daytona makes them in-house, and the choice is between gold and silver. Email them at: magi@daytonamagic.com Actually, I just looked up the web page in their online catalog, so here's a photo: http://daytonamagic.net/customer/index.c......tId=8763 |
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JamesinLA Inner circle Los Angeles 3400 Posts |
Thanks for the lead on the 3.5 inch zombie ball. Does anyone know what size of zombie ball McBride uses in his stage videos? And what size does Tim Wright / Skilldini use in his video?
Thanks. Jim
Oh, my friend we're older but no wiser, for in our hearts the dreams are still the same...
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-The Scot- Special user 726 Posts |
I'm sure the one McBride uses is larger than 3.5". I would estimate 4"+ at least!
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