talkmagic.co.uk

Ok, I'm in a rather unique situation in having to get creative and generate an income source that does not require me to "perform" e.g. I'm stirring the grey matter and getting creative (I know, that's a very dangerous thing to do, but someone has to).

At the encouragement of a few friends, I decided to join the "I'm a Sell-Out" club and whore out a few of these thoughts but I want to know what you guys think about certain items... the first is a thing I call THE SCRYER'S SEANCE BOX.

THE EFFECT:
The Medium removes from their satchel a small wood & metal box wrapped in a fine piece of velvet. The antiquity of the box is rather obvious at first sight, but the mystic explains how they happened to acquire this device; a scrying tool used by their mentor’s mentor in days now long gone, for communication with those that have passed over to the other side.

Opening the box, the Medium removes a simple clear bottle, a pendulum and small urn as well as some papers upon which the attending my pose their questions.

The pendulum is dropped down into the small bottle, locked into place by a simple cork.

One by one, the medium drops each slip onto the hot ember set within the urn, the question slowly smolders and burst into flames.

The circle is set, with each participant’s hands set comfortably in about the box as the Séance begins.

Slowly, the pendulum begins to swing all on its own, gently rapping against the side of the bottle, lending reply to the questions put forth.

FAQs
 No thread work
 No Magnets
 The Box, Bottle & Pendulum are 100% inspectable – there’s nothing to be found!
 Can be Repeated; responding to as many questions as you have time for
 Pendulum action is always under your control
 You can do this routine anytime, anywhere, without pre-show or special set-up
 Could be used in a strolling/close-up setting
 Completely Self-Contained!


My question is, do you think it a commercially viable concept and if so, what do you think a fair retail price would be on it?

This effect will come with the wrapping cloth, DVD Instruction & Demo Package and everything you need for doing it. The limited slight-of-hand that's involved is nothing other than Bert Reese 101 (basic billet work) and the rest is so simple a 5 year old could master it in less than an hour's time.

for the best answer youd be better of asking an actual magic dealer..forasmuch as i like the sound of this it isnt "my thing" but i must admit id like to see it performed (i love the idea of seance type effects but dont have the persona to pull them off) you could ask HERE since it sounds right up his street also you could ask Tom Lauten (on this board) about making the props look that little more "gothicy" before asking at blackhart.


Obviously this isnt the exact answer you were hoping for but im just trying to help

I understand what you're saying, I'm trying to get info from the potential market however.

If the feedback is positive then I'll take the next step. Though I've helped build big illusions it's not the same as marketing smaller items.

My question is, do you think it a commercially viable concept and if so, what do you think a fair retail price would be on it?

Hello Craig

Firstly let me congratulate you on your creative streak. Most performers rely on others to do their thinking, so well done.

You have of course asked the $64,000 question.

I'll answer the second part of your question first. It is worth whatever people are willing to pay for it. But, look at the price of most magic effects - just a few pounds.

To answer the first part, that depends on the price!

A sort of catch 22.

You need to ask yourself the following questions:

Where can it be used?
Who will use it?
What do simmilar type effects cost?
How many am I likeley to sell?
What will it cost to make?
What will it cost to advertise?
What profit do I require per item?

If it costs £10.00 to manufacture (in materials never mind your time cost) and sells for £30.00 you have a simple unit profit of £20.00 (I'm not suggesting that this should be the price, it is just an example). However if you advertise the effect and it costs £200.00 per month to advertise you must sell 10 per month just to cover your advertising.

To make matters even more complicated you have to allow for the cost of p&p and also for income tax.

This is why most 'inventors' will sell the rights to an effect to a magic dealer.

You need to remember that a simple packet card trick that costs a few pounds can sell to a wide range of magicians. Something like 'The Scryer's Seance Box' will find itself in a much more limited market. For example it apears to need a 'captive' audience who will sit quietly and listen to the proceedings. So the market is readings and seance performers. They will demand top quality props but will be willing to pay extra for them. But there are a lot less of them.

Well as you can see it is a very wide ranging question that really needs a more complicated answer than I can give you here.

At Black Artefacts we only sell effects that I have developed myself and manufacture myself, so it can be done and it can make a living for you. However you need a whole range of products over which you can spread your advertising and other costs.

Whatever you do with the effect Craig, I wish you the best of luck.

Keith Hart