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tom a seriouse, i can never spell that word, question could this trick be done inside with a spotlamp I'm thinking disco's.
the right presentation can elevate a trick to mystical proportion's if your willing to put in the effort.
you should see what i can do with a humble change bag.

Hi Tom,

I was not disparaging the effect, I only mentioned that I was not fooled (and Craig confirmed my suspicions). It's not something I would ever do, so after seeing the clip I didn't give it much thought. If, however, I did see a way I could use it I would have bought the effect from Ben (to get the performance rights).

Take care, Ian

Tom Lauten wrote:I am becoming dis-heartened and I am seriously considering curtailing my reviews on non-prop based items from now on.

I feel there is an increasing lazy and flippant attitude towards the inventors and thinkers in magic...

I am becomming embarassesd...think on...

I don't see where you get that Tom, it's far more difficult to develope magic that's "hands free" than creating prop-based effects. Too, "Performance Pieces" such as HOLE or PK Touches are really what magic is about FOR THOSE WILLING TO LEARN HOW TO DO MAGIC VS. TRICKS.

The "laziness" here, centers on the "magicians" who aren't willing to add a bit of effort, creativity and discipline into what they do. That's why the greater majority will never go beyond the status of hobbyst or worse, someone riding the current trend for the sake of percieved popularity.

In my side of the craft we willing pay thousands for a sheet or two of paper that explains some very basic techniques for accomplishing effects that are very real in appearance, clean by nature, and practically unexplainable to those outside the "inner circles" as it were. Our goal, at least for most of the more serious involved in Mentalism, is to work as hands free and clean as is possible e.g. a piece that's as unique as HIH lends to us the ability to deliver a devastating miracle vs. a simple trick.

The "Value" of things is based on one's perspectives, character, and performance venue more than anything else. For me the HIPPITY HOP RABBITS is stupid and worthless but to a guy making a living as a kid's performer, they're pure gold.

Just a thought... (hope I've misunderstood where you're coming from with that comment).

Guys, you got the wrong side of the right coin. I agree totally.

My comments were not directed at you...not at all. They hopefully landed where they were intended...the person knows...

It is the mindset I am hating and I have a fear that the more I flag up or contribute to "non-prop-based" magic as a topic, the more it seems to be dismissed and exploited but some.

Hahaha what a joke. Seriously, this is like sqeezing the last cent out of a dollar, getting the last mjau out of the dying cat. How can anyone hype such an effect so much? I guess they spent more time hyping the video and doing the interview than figuring out the effect.

From me to you: if you are rich and have nothing else to do, MAYBE you can THINK of investing in this. If you are a normal person, get a icecream or two instead.

Rune...how is this such a joke?

What are your thoughts on Psychokinetic Touches, the Balducci levitation, Prevaricator, or any manuscript or DVD based effects where it comes to learning a technique or performance/presentation?

we need another big argument on here like a hole in the head...

pardon the pointless pun there - couldn't resist...

i think it's generally easier to watch someone's hard-work then deconstruct it back to the method...yet far harder to come up with the method yourself...

whatever the method - however a 'miracle' is achieved, it shouldn't matter - as long as the outcome is fantastic, who cares? You pay for the time and the idea afterall...

Considering how (relatively) easy a D-lift is, and what you can achieve with one - i bet you wouldnt dismiss that would you...

tsk tsk...support people with an active imagination, or you might find they never release anything again...

Tom,

maybe I was a little bit harch, but even though, I don't like the effect at all. And for some reason, I can't believe it would create much of a response either, but that's me, and I'm allowed to have my opinions. I would never recommended this trick to anyone, neither would I perform it, but you also know what kind of magic I usually do. Though, being basically into close-up, cards and some mental, I am not unfamiliar with psychotekinetic touches, or let's say the balducci levitation. And since you asked for that one in particular, I don't like that one either. Yes, I have seen that it gives HUGE responses, but I just don't like it.

Your feeling for this trick is a 8 of 10, mine is 2 of 10. So, we are on different planets, regardring this trick. I just don't like it. I know that's not much of a argument for not liking it, but, I just don't believe it would give great responses.

Having said that, I just figured that it might be because we never have sun up north. We have darkness. And snow. And polarbears. And pretty girls. But, that's ok with me.

Tell me more about the Pretty Polar Bears......

...i might have to move there...pretty polar bears, and the cover of darkness...hopefully the press arent too intrusive either...

I got to side with Tom - not everyone can do amazing things with a coin or card, and I see this more of intrest to a mentalist type routine than a close up act.

I suppose you could act this up with some spooky goings on, and then do a prediction trick. Look how easily people are fooled these days -for goodness sake people are paying £80+ to watch Madona in Cardiff, so fooling them for a few seconds should be easy!!

Everyones entitled to a point of view, but I get really annoyed when people say something is sh*t and havent even had a look at it.

Oh well, off to calm down
Rob

Rdw1971 wrote:I got to side with Tom

Sorry but the I'm with Rune on the Evil side ..

why a levitation kindof trick can work and have a big impact on an audience : because levitation is a fantasy ! because people 'fly' in their dreams, because levitating is like reaching a different state of consciousness and dialog with the world .. in many many many diff cultures ..

What does a hole in the head represent ? ahum .. it rings no bell ! And worst ! it's not a hole in the head ! it's a hole in the shadow of your head !!! how cool is that ! even hard to explain here ..

Oh ! and the third eye .. wha ! excellent ! so much magic in the story !! come on !!!! Ok I can make that trick work, but I'd need to give people some illegal stuff so they get ready to be freaked out .. otherwise, they will just say : ah ! cool ! nice ! mmm .. I see nothing through the hole .. that says so much about your brain !!


Well .. I'd say that it is better than Melt, but worst than MindBender ..

Oh ! And I can not perform the trick, cause I don't own the gimmick, and I'm not going to put some fakes .. during a whole act just to do that !! and of course people who already know me, will see a BIG change !!



Cheers,
Pierre

..i dont think it was the not-liking aspect that was frowned upon, it was more the harshness and dismissal of the effect out of hand...especially without even owning the thing in the first place...

Oh ! and the third eye .. wha ! excellent ! so much magic in the story !! come on !!!! Ok I can make that trick work, but I'd need to give people some illegal stuff so they get ready to be freaked out .. otherwise, they will just say : ah ! cool ! nice ! mmm ..

If you realize your own limitations as a performer then it is wise to not attempt a piece of this kind that REQUIRES actual showmanship and group control tactics. I have used it and I have had some very surprising results (a bit beyond my own expectations).

Your philosophy within this statement suggests that you are of the belief that a "trick" must be "practical" to you and your way of thinking or it stinks. For me, material of this kind is priceless and as I told Ben (along with others that work this field full time), it should never have been marketed to the general body of magic and kept exclusive to those of us that are serious when it comes to bizarre and paranormal styled performance. We are the only people that really understand and find value in such subtlety and too, we strive to not just do tricks but to actually "perform" and draw our patrons into an experience.

This is not a slam, merely a point in perspective. I applaud you for knowing that you haven't what it takes to make this effect work; few would admit such. But you've proven yourself and even acknowledged your own shortcomings as a performer and that's something that deserves genuine recognition... pat yourself on the back for that

Craig Browning wrote:Your philosophy within this statement suggests that you are of the belief that a "trick" must be "practical" to you and your way of thinking or it stinks.

Nope ! I don't do levitation at all, but I canunderstand that someone loves and performs it..

Craig Browning wrote: For me, material of this kind is priceless and as I told Ben (along with others that work this field full time), it should never have been marketed to the general body of magic

Yes, you have a point here : it is not magic ! it is a special kind of mentalism, sold as a magic trick .. badly marketed, I agree !

and in that case, the deception always comes from : what I get is not what is shown on the box !