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karnak Special user Connecticut 742 Posts |
Thanks for all the helpful (and insightful) tips!
For a supernatural chiller mixing magic (prestidigitation, legerdemain) with Magic (occultism, mysticism), check out my novel MAGIC: AN OCCULT THRILLER at http://www.amazon.com/Magic-Occult-Thriller-Reed-Hall/dp/1453874836
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QuailCreek Veteran user McKenna, WA 388 Posts |
I was searching for information on zombie because I wanted to determine which DVDs I wanted to get and which ball to pick up. I have a ball that I bought in a little magic shop in Michigan were I grew up. That was in 1969. It wasn't a big decision I just bought what the old guy, Rommig, sold me. I just went and looked at it and although the ball and the stand are not hallmarked I still have the original box. Ya... I know but I tend to take good care of my props. ;-) Anyway it turns out that it's an original RNT. The box says RNT Zombie-S. Does anyone know what the S stands for? Stainless maybe.
Also Walt, you said earlier in this thread that you suggest getting a gimmick from Jim Sommers via Klamm Magic. I looked but I didn't see the gimmick listed. They have a ball and gimmick for $27. It this the gimmick you're talking about?
Regards,
Silverthorne |
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Wizard of Oz Inner circle Most people wish I didn't have 5145 Posts |
The S may also be for "small" as I believe RNT made more than one size. But, I also think they made aluminum and stainless, so you may be right. This is only conjecture on my part. I know there are some RNT experts out there.
Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.
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QuailCreek Veteran user McKenna, WA 388 Posts |
Thanks Wizard. It's about 4" diameter.
Regards,
Silverthorne |
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Stevethomas Inner circle Southern U.S.A. 3728 Posts |
While not truly a zombie, I think the item being sold these days called "The Thing" is an awesome version.
Steve |
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Fabian99 New user 26 Posts |
The best one is sold by Magic Wladimir great great stuff
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illusions & reality Special user Saskatoon, SK, CANADA 859 Posts |
Hi Tom,
I own several original RNT zombie balls. There is only one size, and they are all aluminum. The "S" stands for silver, as they were available in either gold or silver. I too have my original boxes! . Hope that helps. Lou |
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QuailCreek Veteran user McKenna, WA 388 Posts |
Thanks for the information, Lou. I appreciate you filling me in.
Regards,
Silverthorne |
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illusions & reality Special user Saskatoon, SK, CANADA 859 Posts |
Glad to help.
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Dougini Inner circle The Beautiful State Of Maine 7130 Posts |
Welcome to the Café, Fabian!
Do you own one, Fabian? I see the 7.87 inch one here for 90Eur... http://www.magicshop.pro/oder-salon?product_id=174 ...and the 5.7 inch one here for 60Eur... http://www.magicshop.pro/oder-salon?product_id=181 What make this model the "best"? Yes, facts do help a lot. Doug |
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sirbrad Inner circle PA 2096 Posts |
I have the 2 piece UDAY one and it is great, looks like a solid metal shiny sphere. Great quality the chrome plating feels and looks like metal on the outside.
http://www.penguinmagic.com/p/S2408
The great trouble with magicians is the fact that they believe when they have bought a certain trick or piece of apparatus, and know the method or procedure, that they are full-fledged mystifiers. -- Harry Houdini
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sirbrad Inner circle PA 2096 Posts |
Quote:
On Feb 11, 2014, Rick Fisher wrote: I agree, after 30 years of doing the Zombie people always refer to it as a "shiny metal ball" or "sphere". You can't tell the difference at least not with mine nor do people care. Using a real metal one would be a waste and a lot heavier and more painful to use. To the one who said they can spot a plastic one far away, so what? YOU are a magician looking for it and also aware of how it all works so that is a moot point. Laymen do not care nor are they trying to make out what material your ball is, that is rubbish. In over 30 years I never had any layman ever say it was plastic they also did not discuss or debate it, they simply said "Metal shiny ball or sphere" and how "awesome" it was. This is yet another case of magician over-thinking and OCD that only YOU have, whereas the audiences simply sees a "shiny metal ball." I used to obsess over every thing like that as well, but these days I only obsess about what I know matters, and based on my 30 years of experience the material does not matter in this case and is assumed to be metal or aluminum anyway. And honestly even if they knew it was plastic they would not care, it is still floating around and looks very magical so what it is made out of is not that important. But of course there is always some self-appointed expert on every prop on this forum who thinks theirs is the best, and they are the best using it, and everyone else sucks because they have seen 95% of every zombie routine ever performed. But If that is the case they watch a lot more magic than they perform. Which explains their deep insecurity.
The great trouble with magicians is the fact that they believe when they have bought a certain trick or piece of apparatus, and know the method or procedure, that they are full-fledged mystifiers. -- Harry Houdini
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sirbrad Inner circle PA 2096 Posts |
Quote:
On Feb 12, 2014, Inviso wrote: This is actually the case 99% of the time, or in my case 100% of the time after over 30 years of performing it. No one ever asked me the weight of it. Audiences are perceptive and notice things, but in this case no one seemed to nor would they care. It looks like a solid metal ball floating around. So in this case going bigger, metal, and heavier is not only stupid it is completely unnecessary. The one that I use looks like shiny metal. The theory of "the larger motion covers the smaller one" kinda applies here. People see a ball floating around that is what matters. "It looks like metal, OK even better." So don't run when no one is chasing you.
The great trouble with magicians is the fact that they believe when they have bought a certain trick or piece of apparatus, and know the method or procedure, that they are full-fledged mystifiers. -- Harry Houdini
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Christopher Moro Special user 793 Posts |
To touch on the topic of the foulard, I just got a new one sewn for me today. It is a crepe material as Bill described above. I can't recall where I read it, but I believe this is what Tommy Wonder used. I prefer it to the silk look.
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chmara Inner circle Tucson, AZ 1911 Posts |
I am late to the conversation as I have been putting lists of things for sale down below in that forum of late.
I started doing Zombie more years ago than I care to admit -- and have always looked for great ways to float things. BUT I have learned that to zombie any flotation you HAVE TO BE ABLE TO PANTOMIME WITH YIOUR WHOLE BODY> Yes, there are a great many zombie balls on the market where the magician's needs are not cosidered in weight, finish, hook-up etc. and gimmicks that allow a flash at the end of a routine, boxes to drop the ball into as you ditch, etc. But, for me -- and it is a shame the manufacturing on the original runs was not well done, the Tommy Wonder Ball with its gimbal and semi attached cloth to be crumpled as empty at the end of the routine was the best CONCEPT I have owned and used. That concept then went to Losander's Tables and I had two of them in use when I was actively performing. The concept for gimmick shape allows some very deceptive things to happen without moving your arms -- eliminating the need for big body moves to move the object unless the performer wants them to accent the puck or pull of the object. The Wonder Ball was not cheap -- and had problems creatred by trying to keep costs down -- but, in my opinion, still remains the most deceptive Zombie effect I have ever seen -- followed by Losander's materials at many levels.
Gregg (C. H. Mara) Chmara
Commercial Operations, LLC Tucson, AZ C. H. Mara Illusion & Psychic Entertainments |
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alan1954 New user 43 Posts |
In my experience, the FAB zombies are the best.
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George Ledo Magic Café Columnist SF Bay Area 3041 Posts |
This has been said here mamy times in different contexts, but the prop itself doesn't make any difference. It's what you do with it that either makes an impression on the audience or it doesn't.
Just like with theatre (yeah, yeah, I know... magic is nothing like theatre), you can do a play like Hamlet and knock the audience's socks off or do it and put them to sleep. It's about you, not about the prop.
That's our departed buddy Burt, aka The Great Burtini, doing his famous Cups and Mice routine
www.georgefledo.net Latest column: "Sorry about the photos in my posts here" |
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indomagic Inner circle 1139 Posts |
In term of the gimmick, I like so much the Tommy wonder one.
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Dougini Inner circle The Beautiful State Of Maine 7130 Posts |
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Dougini Inner circle The Beautiful State Of Maine 7130 Posts |
Okay the fine folks at FAB have sent me my Zombie! I heard Rick hurt his back. I hope he's okay!
The first thing I took out of the box was the Gimmick. This is extremely well-made! Not like my rickety home-made one. Then I took out the ball and looked it over. The seam runs vertical. I cannot see it from 6 feet away! It came with a base unlike any Zombie I've ever seen! It's made out of brass, and looks gold plated. Three Dragons holding up a ring, and the ball sits in the ring! It looks like a crystal ball! And 4 in is the perfect size! I'm afraid no one's going to be able to tell me that this looks like it's plastic! A friend of mine came over and I pointed to it on the Shelf. What's it look like it's made out of? I asked him. He said a metal ball, where did I get it, an ornament? Perception. I call it the mysterious metal orb. I love that base it's sitting on! It really adds to it! The cloth. It's a little thick, but that's okay! I like it! Black, and shiny on one side. It is the perfect size! Have my own bright blue Aztec cloth that I use, but there's nothing wrong with the cloth they give you here! It is opaque, and you can do the turn around, showing both sides with that! A really good solid black! I got much more than I expected from this company! I found out that FAB is related to the old Abbott Magic Factory! I am going to do some more research about that. Bottom line. You're looking for a good zombie? You don't want to pay over $100? Check these folks! Doug |
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