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briansmagic Special user USA 507 Posts |
I am a young magician, 15 years old. I really love illusions but only have a couple because they are so hard to get a hold of and so expensive...that is the main thing holding me back: price.
Does anyone know of a decent builder who builds inexpensively? Or any ideas in general on how to obtain illusions? |
Clarence Regular user Singapore, City Central, Scotts Road 146 Posts |
Stage illusions are never cheap. - Fact number 1.
Do you have the real space to keep your illusions? - Fact number 2. Cheap and good illusions I've came across are about US$1000 - US$5000 dollars at least. The same old honest advice I always give to people. Start from small and work your way up. Start doing little close-up shows and earn your money then invest it back into magic. Illusions are just like setting up a company and doing business. You need a big sum and work very hard when you first start. Once you get well known, alot of money start coming in and you can do the big time illusions. Illusionists usually earn at a much higher scale than close-up magicians. I'm a young 17 year old illusionist as well. I don't know many illusion builders. But the major illusion builders are Bill Smith's Magic Ventures, David Mendoza's MagicCraft and Splashes Creative Productions. I personally get my illusions custom build by my own personal builder here in Singapore. I paid alot less for the same quality of course. Another advice I can give you is perhaps to look for a trustworthy carpenter and get him to build your illusions for you. It should be cheap that way. Better still if you have a friend or relative who's a carpenter. You could also build your own illusions and you can save thousands and thousands of dollars. Start by building the easy illusions that packs small and plays big. Examples - Sub Trunk ( Either for metamorphosis or as an utility device ) 2. - Shadow Box. ( Shadow box is pretty much very easy to build. It plays big with the right music, setting and design. ) 3) - Black art illusions ( LOL. Need I say more? ) 4) - Check out Andrew Mayne's books ( Alot of illusion ideas and concepts that are cheap to build. ) |
Jack Murray Special user St. Petersburg Fl. 773 Posts |
"Does anyone know of a decent builder who builds inexpensively?...Or any ideas in general on how to obtain illusions?"
I'm a small Illusion builder in Indpls. In. My overhead is low, so I can offer both quality and low pricing. Stevens Magic Emporium is devoting a full page in this months catalog mailer to some of my items. My Co. name is Dream Illusions. Feel free to call Stevens, to check me out. I would be happy to speak with you regarding your illusion needs. Maybe I can satisfy your budget requirements. Jack Murray
Jack Murray
http://www.dream-illusions.com |
Kendrix Loyal user 229 Posts |
I can vouch for Jack's illusions. I have a "Fire Cage" and Head Chopper of his. The Cage is great "bang for the buck". The Chopper is made of beautiful wood and looks and works fantastic. I have illusions from Owen, Bill Smith, Owen Redwine, Roy Shank, David Mendoza, Johnny Gaughn, Bruce Chadwick, George Kimery, and Jack Murrray's are as good and much less expensive.
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Jack Murray Special user St. Petersburg Fl. 773 Posts |
Thanks Kendrix for the kind words regarding my work. I'm pleased you are happy with the items you have purchased, and hope we can do something again in the future!!
Jack
Jack Murray
http://www.dream-illusions.com |
briansmagic Special user USA 507 Posts |
Clarence,
Thanks for the reply. I am thinking about having a carpenter build me some things. I had a Sub Trunk built by one and it is alright -- the reason it isn't great is my fault. Poor design. A little too big and I know how to make it much lighter. The shadow box is pretty cool. The shadow illusion I really like is Steinmeyers Shadow Theatre...but that is much harder to make than a standard Girl In Light. When you said you have illusions built for you by your own personal builder, were you referring to someone who does not build just magic?....like an everyday carpenter? Who can I get to finnish my illusions after they are built if I do decide to go that route? Jack, Great, I will get in touch with you. Hopefully we can work something out. |
alexkrey Elite user RUSSIA 411 Posts |
Experiment to a cardboard!
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Alex Tan Loyal user Singapore 290 Posts |
If you are going to build any illusion yourself, it's definitely wise and in the the long term cheaper (after many bad and costly experiences) to build cardboard mockups first, even if you are getting a skilled carpenter who's not a professional illusion builder. If not, trust me, it's better to go to a reputable illusion builder, it might seem expensive at first, but the illusion will turn out more deceptive, lasts longer, have most of the potentials bugs worked out and in the long run, cheaper and have lesser problems.
There's definitely a reason why professionally built illusions command those prices. I used to perform illusions built by carpenters (countless hours supervising and explaining)and they work fine for a while till I started doing more shows. It doesn't take very long before they start giving problems like breaking apart before, during (worst)and after a performance. I have since switched to professionally built illusions. I especially enjoyed working with Chris Murphy of Oz Illusions though most of the others were great. Chris did a brilliant job on both my Spiker and Shrinkboy. The best part is that they both packed really well and are really deceptive during performances. Professional illusion builders spend their time working out your illusions so that you can spend time concentrating on your presentation. Just my two cents... Alex Tan Singapore
Alex Tan
www.alexthemagician.show |
John Taylor Regular user Australia 136 Posts |
Well said Alex,
Chris Murphy from OZ ILLUSIONS does a wonderful job. At the moment I have been in the workshop with him creating a new original illusion of mine, so keep an eye out for John Taylor's DIMENSION. Bill Smith MAGIC VENTURES and OZ ILLUSIONS are my top 2 Builders. John Taylor |
Alex Tan Loyal user Singapore 290 Posts |
Hi John,
Great to hear from you and I will definitely keep a lookout for your Dimension. Send my regards to Chris. Cheers, Alex Tan Singapore
Alex Tan
www.alexthemagician.show |
Joao Miranda Elite user Portugal 441 Posts |
What in the link for that?
Thanks in advance |
Alex Tan Loyal user Singapore 290 Posts |
Alex Tan
www.alexthemagician.show |
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