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Mad0hatter Regular user 192 Posts |
I'm the one who said I was 80% happy with this effect on Facebook. First I want to say that given what I know now versus what I did before I'd buy this again.
Looking at the webpage for the zodiac coin I can see the similarity. Beyond the similarities the coin looks like a shiny new coin, the mirror looks like an old mirror. It also includes 27 aged cards. Aging props takes time and time cost money. If you recall the first book of the library Alchemy Moon put out that you had to age yourself was for very reasonable price. While it was a simple self working card trick that a magician might sell for $35 the price Chris suggested that it would be were he to sell it pre-age would firmly place it in the same price range as the mirror. Also there is not an effect with the coin, no interesting character to catch attention, no story designed to build in impact as the hits accumulate. The coin is 100% "hey look what I can do ain't I so clever". These two items should not be compared apples to apples and judged on the price. That said Micucci and his coin are fully credited among others, and one of the main characters is named Richard. I might just get the coin cause I think the mirror would be nice prop for readings but a cheap non-fragile alternative would also be great. For me the single card amid the blanks is not only the strongest part but the only part where my participant expressed being spooked, plus it's got that great line from the script going for it. The word appearing was a complete miss and I think something something like Tagged from ellusionist or the sugar cube trick would be so much stronger even if I was the sort who could make the mirror word hit. I'm still not a huge fan of how the story/routine is presented in manual, but that has more to do with me than anything. Personally I think Crandon killed Anna to prove her psychic abilities and I intend to prove it with Crandon's own tools. |
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reese Inner circle of Hell 1332 Posts |
Hey man, thanks for your honest thoughts & the time you took to write them out. Your post is very informative and useful. (I'm not on Facebook anymore) My intention was not to demean anyone but I also believe that there is no such thing as a Sacred Cow.
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Philemon Vanderbeck Inner circle Seattle, WA 4694 Posts |
I, for one, looked at the mirror and decided that it would make a lovely addition to my séance show. I've been slowing replacing the ESP effects in the first half with more and more bizarre effects.
I'm not particularly crazy about the clock trick, but I realized that it's possible to put my Hand of Cleopatra on top of the mirror. Interestingly enough, I also thought about combining this with Collectors' Workshop's "Zodiac Sensation."
Professor Philemon Vanderbeck
That Creepy Magician "I use my sixth sense to create the illusion of possessing the other five." |
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Mad0hatter Regular user 192 Posts |
Quote: You spent quite a few characters arguing that the mirror is a rip off both of another effect and in terms of pricing, that reads in the inflection-less realm of forums as trying to demean it.
On Dec 13, 2019, reese wrote: Quote: When people say clock trick I think of that thing where they spell their number and a couple follow ups to end up at a force number, which this is not so it causes me a mental misstep when I read it.
On Dec 14, 2019, Philemon Vanderbeck wrote: |
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reese Inner circle of Hell 1332 Posts |
Yes. That was my exact first impression. That the effect might have been ripped off. I asked the question here "was it ?" I got the answer "no". I accept that. Is that O.K. with you? Do you allow me to ask the question in the first place?
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Mad0hatter Regular user 192 Posts |
Quote: You went a little further than asking a question. You flat insinuated that even if it were a dressed up version of the other that there would be no justification for a price tag five times higher. To which I'm arguing there definitely is. You also insinuated that would lie or misrepresent a product and were kind of a dick when called out on it. I'm not the most active on here but in my mind you were the most vocal anti-outlaw poster on here and now that he's gone it seems like you're looking for the next dragon to slay and attacking people that don't deserve it.
On Dec 14, 2019, reese wrote: |
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horus1 Special user 645 Posts |
I bought this. I like the mirror, but really love the beautiful cards and for me, make it well worth the price. I hope Vic does more with these cards and releases a full deck. (count me in for one!)
The basic routines and back story are good, and definitely get the creative gears going as to how one can make this their own. I'm happy and recommend it. |
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Vic Nadata Special user Charlotte, NC 935 Posts |
This thread was a reminder to me of why I never visit the Café any longer.
On Dec 14, 2019, reese wrote: Yes. That was my exact first impression. That the effect might have been ripped off. I asked the question here "was it ?" I got the answer "no". I accept that. Is that O.K. with you? Do you allow me to ask the question in the first place? Reese, what I do not appreciate is that you publicly assumed first that this might have been ripped off. If you had a question about this, then why not email/pm me and ask directly? If you did, I would have told you that Rich and I have been friends for decades. I also would have mentioned that he called me and offered it to Gemini, to which I accepted. To be perfectly honest, I am not sure why I need to explain myself to you at all. I do my best to run Gemini in an honest manner. Online reviews and accusations based on not an actual sale, but a thought, can destroy small home-based business-like GA. Of course, actual reviews and questions are always welcome. You can question the price, method, etc. However, I will say one thing on price. Each mirror goes through a 4-step process. Each single card goes through another 4-step process. For both sides. It takes me hours and hours to make these. While yes you can buy Richs Zodiac Disc (and encourage you to do so if that type of magic is your thing) for $35, there is no manual labor in that product. No high quality double thick hand waxed cards, no aged mirror, no museum type box, etc. The GA disc is also antiqued. Not to mention the hours spent on research and thought on this release. Like others have said before, its not an accurate comparison. If you feel you can produce a finished product for me for $35, Ill hire you tomorrow. Thanks for the interest! |
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reese Inner circle of Hell 1332 Posts |
Honestly, I feel terrible about the whole thing. You are completely right. Often my posts to the Café are impulsive. I didn't consider how the medallions could look so alike. I appreciate most of the product I've purchased from you. Even if it doesn't work for me I see the artistry. I apologize for my reckless stupidity. Through others posts here I found out my mistake. By then, of course, it was a public discussion. I know Bizarre Magic often involves a story, well considered, worked out over long sessions. The cliche of that is: you tell a story and then after an hour... a pencil moves! Moving across a table! And then it falls! Off the table to the floor! I guess I got too much into mocking the whole Bizarre thing. I am truly sorry.
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reese Inner circle of Hell 1332 Posts |
There are only two left at Meir Yedid Magic. They won't be made again. It is a worthwhile prop. But.... you can buy it elsewhere for more.
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Philemon Vanderbeck Inner circle Seattle, WA 4694 Posts |
Mine arrived in the mail today. Wow! that was fast.
For those who are also lucky (and were fast enough) to buy it, what do you think about the "aging" process on the face of the mirror itself? For me, I'm not sure if it reads as authentic, but rather appears like a decal on the surface of the glass. I see some more patterning beneath the glass, and that seems to me to be more of what I would expect. Having seen my fair share of antique mirrors, I guess I was hoping that it would more closely resemble what I've seen in the past; with the glass somewhat foggy, and the silver backing behind the glass worn and tarnished.
Professor Philemon Vanderbeck
That Creepy Magician "I use my sixth sense to create the illusion of possessing the other five." |
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Mad0hatter Regular user 192 Posts |
Quote: I don't think I can really tell anything done to the face of mine. Mine look reasonable enough I doubt anyone would question it.
On Dec 19, 2019, Philemon Vanderbeck wrote: |
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Intrepid Inner circle Silver Spring, MD 1179 Posts |
Quote:
On Dec 22, 2019, Mad0hatter wrote: I think only a very experienced eye would question the aging of the face of the mirror. I'm usually tough to please when it comes to realism, and it looked convincing to my eye. And in a performance people would have even less time to look at the mirror. So that doesn't concern me.
Bob
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Philemon Vanderbeck Inner circle Seattle, WA 4694 Posts |
I guess it's just me then.
Personally, I'm surprised that Vic went with the method he did for aging the mirror. There's plenty of DIY tutorials on the web that show how to antique a mirror, typically using muriatic acid, that looks like the actual antique mirrors I've seen hanging in many a famous haunted location. On the other hand, I find the aging done to the back of the mirror and the cards to be quite acceptable. However, I'm tempted to either sell mine, or else, try prying off the mirror and replacing it with a different mirror. One of my other issues is that the mirror is clearly a craft supply mirror glued to the "coin," and is not inset into the coin, or at least has a beveled edge, as an antique mirror of this type would appear. Anyways, if anyone is interested in purchasing mine (after all my critique) and doesn't want to wait for Vic to make another batch, please feel free to PM me. I'll be more than happy to let it go for what I originally paid for it (plus shipping).
Professor Philemon Vanderbeck
That Creepy Magician "I use my sixth sense to create the illusion of possessing the other five." |
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Damian1031 New user 61 Posts |
I have this and personally, I think Vic did a great job with it - it lends itself to tons of possibilities
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saturnkk Veteran user Commerce Township, MI / Naples, FL 316 Posts |
From the description, it appears that you do not receive any of the boxes that are used in the demo video posted. Is that a correct assumption? Also, did the video use one of the 25 blank cards for his b_day effect? I assume that if you do this you will eventually run out of cards...?
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scolman Elite user Cape Town, South Africa 456 Posts |
Quote:
On Oct 29, 2021, saturnkk wrote: I’m the performer in the video. Given that it was a family birthday I was happy to give away one of the cards. In the ordinary course of performance I wouldn’t give away the card, rather just the note from the box of spirits. You’re quite right that the other props aren’t included but you can use any similar device to reveal the note. The box in the video is Alchemy Moons Little Box of Spirits. Very hard to come by these days. I really love performing with the wishing mirror. Simple and very impactful. |
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balzar Loyal user 206 Posts |
Scolman:
I had missed this performance on the Gemini site. It’s a splendid piece of storytelling and a brilliant and unforgettable way to mark an 18th birthday. Thank you, again, for sharing your performances. |
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saturnkk Veteran user Commerce Township, MI / Naples, FL 316 Posts |
On the surface, it seems quite pricey at $175 for a mirror and 27 tarot cards. I really am interested but just feel a bit reluctant to pull the trigger on this as the value proposition isn't quite there for me yet...
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weepinwil Inner circle USA 3828 Posts |
Quote:
On Nov 6, 2021, saturnkk wrote: Why not? It's a wishing mirror. Buy it and wish you had your money back and POOF! it was free. Can't get any better than that.
"Til Death us do part!" - Weepin Willie
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