Hole in the Head by Ben Harris
Price: £16.99 Or there about
Available from: Most magic shops
Mentalism / bizarre magic
Ease of use: 2 out of 5
They say:
For centuries rumors have blossomed: tales of gurus, shamans, mystics and the secret powers of the mysterious "Third Eye" have fascinated the populous. But, can the myth's reality actually be demonstrated? Now, Ben Harris brings this fantastic mystery to life—creating a unique, freaky and visually-arresting effect—one slick enough for even the most savvy of today's street-wise performers.
HOLE IN THE HEAD has been one of the art’s most closely guarded secrets of recent times—it has fooled, amused and delighted some of magic’s biggest names. Using no mirrors or reflective devices and no stooges, HOLE IN THE HEAD is a radical and visual NEW PLOT—an exciting piece of street-theatre that simply MUST be experienced live! What’s more, it’s 100% practical! This is a one person—do anywhere—illusion.
In effect, the performer gathers a crowd around himself in a brightly lit, sunny spot. Discussing the amazing legend, he offers to open his own “Third Eye” allowing the sun to shine right through his head. As this would be too dangerous to observe directly, he suggests that everyone focus attention on his shadow. After some concerted effort, a small blob of light appears in the centre of his shadow head. Amazingly, this blob of light then grows larger at his command. To prove that it is no mere optical illusion and that the light does indeed pass through his head, a spectator is asked to wave her hand behind the performer’s cranium. Incredibly, when she does this, the actions are reciprocated in the shadow head—her fingers are clearly visible in the shadow hole! THE CONCLUSION IS INESCAPABLE—THE SUN IS INDEED SHINING STRAIGHT THROUGH A HOLE IN THE PERFORMER’S HEAD! The process is now reversed and the hole slowly closed. YOU CAN PERFORM THIS STUNNER VIRTUALLY ANYWHERE THE SUN SHINES. Complete with bonus handlings and clever ideas by Paul Harris and Michael Weber. YOU CAN EVEN OPEN A SPECTATOR’S OWN “THIRD EYE”!
"Bravo! Mind expanding magic, in every sense of the word!”
- MICHAEL AMMAR
"The rumors are true: Ben Harris does have a hole in his head. And it's surrounded by a brain filled with clever ideas, of which this one is delight."
- Max Maven
“Truly a wonderful thing... a totally original breakthrough plot.”
- PAUL HARRIS
“...situational, astonishing and a devilishly clever piece of magic —the best effect I’ve seen in a long time!”
- Joshua Jay
“Something that’s never been done before using a method that’s never been used before —very cool!”
- RICHARD KAUFMAN
“Fooled me... you could probably start a religion with this!"
- GARY KOSNITZKY
"Just remarkable, I love it!”
- RICHARD OSTERLIND
I say:
I say that THEY say a LOT! HAHAHAHA!
Ok, this is hyper-hype, hyped up to hyper mode, “set phasers to hype” stuff but....and I have a big but...
It works...simple as that, it works.
This effect is very much a performance piece, it lives in the selling of it...in the set up and the acting. Check out the videos of it online. That is what the effect looks like.
The conditions under which you perform will have to be right and this is stressed throughout. You need bright and direct sunlight. We here in the UK will have to be patient but that sunny day will come...honest...eventually!
You will also need to practice to make the effect clear while being subtle in the methodology. You will need an extra something. This something is very much an everyday thing that many, many people already have and use everyday. I can't say what this is as it would give the game away. Those of you who need to get the "something" will have to shell out about £2 - £20 max. I had to buy this thing...in fact I bought four to get it just right and I did the effect, from memory, just outside the shop. It wasn't perfect but it made me smile and I could see the potential.
This will NOT be for everyone. If you want a trick where you buy a jiffy bag and pull out a gaffed "widget" and "start performing in 10 minutes" or want something that is "easy to do" or "takes no practice", then look elsewhere. If, on the other hand, you want an original effect that looks very weird, are willing to practice, set a mood and can sell in a performance, you will have a great bit of "opportunistic" illusion to hand at a (bright and sunny) moments notice.
Ben Harris discovered this effect by accident in a (magically speaking) unusual "Eureka!" moment. This was something he wasn't thinking about but he suddenly noticed the effect and must have thought "WOW! That's pretty cool. I wonder...hmmm."
The DVD comes in a REALLY flashy brochure / folder “thingie” with very clear illustrations and descriptions to take you from your first try right through to the subtleties of a complete performance as well as performance variations. The DVD itself is pretty good but lacks anything profound in terms of a performance. Ben does a good job explaining to camera. He is clear and charming and he obviously loves the effect. He emphasises the need to "believe" the process and to "sell it". He also includes some tips and hints but it is a shame there is no practical video tuition. Still...the effect is easily picked up so maybe it's a good thing...maybe.
Overall:
I think this is a pretty inventive technique to create a weird looking illusion. I like the purity of it. The advertising makes it sound a tiny bit too miraculous and almost without methodology but it is pretty pure in most ways…well, you don’t hide anything and there is nothing gimmicky about the actual “workings”.
Hole in the Head is way too hyped, not that it is a bad effect…quite the opposite in my opinion, it’s just that there has been a tendency lately for putting the latest “have to have” effect on an almost religious pedestal. What “trick” could live up to such a lofty ideal? Careful there distributors…someone’s going to take a tumble. I hope it isn’t Hole in the Head, it’s too good and too much fun for that fate.
Hole in the Head is not a pipe dream. If you perform it like you believe it and want to get the reactions by putting time into practicing the refinement of this kind and style of effect…it’s for you.
8 out of 10
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