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Egbert the Great New user 4 Posts |
Recently I saw Geoffrey Durham perform Sands of the Desert on stage and thought it was a fantastic effect. Can anyone tell me anything about it and would they recommend it or not. I have thoughts of using it for both kids shows and cabaret.
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Does this string answer any of your questions?
http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......;forum=7 Or this one? http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......;forum=8 |
hugmagic Inner circle 7655 Posts |
Sands is a messy effect but a good one.
I really would never do it anything except a legitimate stage show because of the mess. I just worked with Charles Bach last weekend doing it. It was nice but I know his assistant was less than thrilled about the sand on her. I remember Blackstone flipping the sand on me as he went for the towel to wipe his hands. It is unavoidable but still a nice effect.
Richard E. Hughes, Hughes Magic Inc., 352 N. Prospect St., Ravenna, OH 44266 (330)296-4023
www.hughesmagic.com email-hugmagic@raex.com Write direct as I will be turning off my PM's. |
MichaelKent Special user 560 Posts |
What I've come to love about this effect is that there really is no waste.
Because of the nature of the sand, I empty the bowl of a bunch of "rainbow colored" sand after every performance. One day, I'll have to figure out a reason to use "rainbow" as one of the colors! haha This trick can be messy, but the reaction it gets is terrific (considering part of the method is sold as a children's toy!) |
edfliss New user St. Louis, MO 58 Posts |
Sands of the Desert does not have to be messy. I prepare my own sand (I get colored sand at Michael's craft stores and sometimes at the Dollar Tree store) following directions in Greater Magic. I have tried several methods and JN Hilliard's principal method works the best for me. It takes some trial and error to get the mixture right, but once you have the mixture your sand will last for many performances.
I use an opaque (copper) bowl and don't mess with the chemicals. I used the trick in a platform show that I did at a Madrigal Dinner (where I performed in medieval robes and a long gray beard) and the audience audibly gasped when I pulled the first handful of sand from the bowl. I don't know what method Kirby Van Burch and David Ben used, but I struck the same sort of pose that they do, letting the dry colored sand fall back into the appropriate bowl. I thought that that trick would be a throw away and instead it killed. I was probably more surprised than the audience. No Mess! Ed |
Egbert the Great New user 4 Posts |
Thanks guys. I take it there's more than one method then? I've heard mention of chemicals, but don't really know the method. The version I saw performed left the magician totally clean - he poured clear water from the bowl at the end.
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chmara Inner circle Tucson, AZ 1911 Posts |
I love Charles Bach's work on this. When I started in 1958 to make my own sand it was a pain --- and still remains such. (Charles says he tries to cook up a year's worth at a time.) He has made it a dramatic piece that is a heart catcher (even though the last time he was here sound was muddled somewhat.)
He is due here in about 7 days for a Gaslight Performance. He tends to use the chemical dark version, while I like Blackstone's Opaque Jar version. It is the script, however that makes the effect more than a high school science experiment. In 1960 I was doing it as the Sands of the Painted Desert. However now I live in Arizona and one of our Navajo Compeers uses that line. So I am moving to an Indian (East) desert --- with Sterl;ing Silver appointments.... Enough said. If you want to come down to Tucson to fry some sand. It is almost hot enough again to do it outside! GC
Gregg (C. H. Mara) Chmara
Commercial Operations, LLC Tucson, AZ C. H. Mara Illusion & Psychic Entertainments |
MichaelKent Special user 560 Posts |
There is NO need to make your own sand UNLESS you need custom colors.
There are plenty of resources out there to buy prepared sand. (From my supplier, it comes in one lb. bottles, which are perfect for traveling) It's usually available in red, blue and green and occasionally you'll find it in yellow, but it's becoming more rare. |
cfrye Special user Portland, Oregon, USA 940 Posts |
Michael,
Who's your supplier? |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-05-05 11:06, MichaelKent wrote: |
Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
I hate to say it, but this is one effect that really doesn't do it for me.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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hugmagic Inner circle 7655 Posts |
There is also method of using a special aquarium sand that does not require the cooking as per Greater Magic.
Abb Dickson told me of an old Orson Welles's idea of using colored condoms to hide the sand it. The sand was dumped in a bunch. He said it was hard to explain why he wanted condoms only in certain colors.
Richard E. Hughes, Hughes Magic Inc., 352 N. Prospect St., Ravenna, OH 44266 (330)296-4023
www.hughesmagic.com email-hugmagic@raex.com Write direct as I will be turning off my PM's. |
chmara Inner circle Tucson, AZ 1911 Posts |
Boston Man for years has recommended clear glass pieces that are like salt gimmicks....AND -- Weller style eggs of easter colors. The latter are in his current set. But I am a traditionalist who is too cheap not to cook my sand -- about $2 a pound in any color I want.......
Heck -- my sterling silver bowls didn't cost me $250 for a set and back-ups.
Gregg (C. H. Mara) Chmara
Commercial Operations, LLC Tucson, AZ C. H. Mara Illusion & Psychic Entertainments |
MichaelKent Special user 560 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-05-06 17:45, cfrye wrote: For the sand: http://www.teachersource.com/ (I don't think they're currently listing green sand on the website, you may want to call and check) For the chemicals: http://www.sciencelab.com/ (I believe for the three chemicals, the total was somewhere around $80) I made my own bowl out of a large punch bowl. I made three partitions in the bottom out of clear plastic that come together at 120 degree angles. |
Joe Mansfield Loyal user 227 Posts |
Jonathan Pendragon's routine is the best I have seen.
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cfrye Special user Portland, Oregon, USA 940 Posts |
Thanks, Michael.
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edfliss New user St. Louis, MO 58 Posts |
Although I do not use chemicals in my presentation I do follow the market in them. Smaller batches (less than $80) of the chemicals have lately been available on Magic Auction.
Ed |
MichaelKent Special user 560 Posts |
Make sure you have plenty of the third chemical. It goes more quickly than the others (I use a lot for a nice, instantaneous change in water color).
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chmara Inner circle Tucson, AZ 1911 Posts |
Specificaly Pete -- why. Have you never made love on a beach -- seen the submarione races in the painted desert == and learned that sand does not have to get into everything if you are properly equipped and have a good line?????? )) GC
Gregg (C. H. Mara) Chmara
Commercial Operations, LLC Tucson, AZ C. H. Mara Illusion & Psychic Entertainments |
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