Price$40.00
Media TypeDVD
CategoryGeneral
Date AddedMay 24, 2014
The Floating Ball
De Matos, Luis
Essential Magic Collection
(Based on 2 reviews)
ONE MAN OPERATION
NO MOTORS OR ELECTRONICS
NEW 100% ORIGINAL MOVES
EASY, SIMPLE AND QUICK SET-UP
START CLEAN, FINISH CLEAN
9 PHASE ROUTINE
"When I saw Luis' original routine and method I was stunned. You really can't believe the control Luis has created."
- PAUL DANIELS
"The best "one man handling" I have seen. It fooled me."
- CHRISTOPHER HART
"If Luis isn't using remote control motors I have no idea how it is done."
- MIKE CAVENEY
(DVD TUTORIAL + PFB THREAD + PRECISION GIMMICK)
Reviews
(Top ▲)
Random I-Tunes Song of The Moment: Lady of The Lake by Rainbow
The Floating Ball by Luis De Matos Review:
One DVD, a special gimmick, $40 bucks, and whole bunch of other stuff you have to buy after you buy this DVD. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.
Note to Readers
This review has been edited. The written review below has had one paragraph removed due to a mistake on my part. The original rating was 2.5 stars, due to the aforementioned mistake on my part. I've changed the rating and updated the video. Please watch the video. It explains everything regarding the mistake made on the first review.
Effect
Um . . . a floating ball . . . duh!
Method
The method is traditional in the sense that it uses the same thread that all floating balls use. However, this one is a one man operation and to do the method, you are able to do some interesting animations and levitations that are unique and different from what you may have seen. There are plenty of moments in the routine - watch the trailer - that seem impossible to do without off stage assistance, yet it's totally doable. Of course, as with all effects of this nature, lighting is key, and a fair amount of time is spent on this subject in the training.
Ad Copy Integrity
The ad copy doesn't really make any claims other than start and end clean. This is true. The video trailer shows you what the effect will look like. I can't attest to whether it is that clean or not without doing the routine. However, the floating ball is an effect that has stood the test of time and does look clean. What's unique here is the hook up. On that, I can comment. The physics of the hook up are solid and legitimate.
Product Quality
The DVD is produced well and covers just about everything you can imagine. De Matos even created a small scale stage that sits on a table. Using that, he was able to show how everything works and is manipulated. Further, they showed multiple exposed performance angles and shots. Everything you need to know to do this effect is taught. However, you'll need to buy a ball, and some additional hardware to make this all work. What you're getting, other than the training, is the particular type of thread that Luis De Matos prefers to use for this effect and the special "thing" needed to hook you to the thread.
Final Thoughts
Obviously, if you're a close up magician or even a parlor magician, this effect is not for you. If you're a stage magician and are interested in adding the floating ball to your repertoire, this is a great resource for method, history, hook up, set up, one-man operation, and a whole bunch of other tips, tricks and ideas. Just keep in mind that you'll still need to buy some simple and inexpensive hardware, plus a ball.
What you basically get for $40 bucks is De Matos's routine, hook up and techniques, etc. Plus, you get the thread that makes the ball levitate/suspend/etc. In order to do the routine on the DVD, you're still going to need to spend at least another $1000 bucks. On the Essential Magic Collection website, you can see all the thread you'll need (and how much it costs) to do the routine. To purchase the case shown in the DVD along with the ball is 900 Euros. That's $1125 as of the time of this review. Or you can make a ball which is very briefly mentioned in the video.
What it comes down to is you're paying a very modest fee ($40) for the complete routine, handling and presentation of a classic illusion from an excellent magician.
If you want to spend the money needed to put together this illusion, then you'll be happy with your purchase because you'll be learning a very good routine and method.
Final Verdict:
5 Stars with a Stone Status of GEM.
(Top ▲)
Once again, EMC and Luis De Matos have released a wonderful gift to the magic community. The Floating Ball is an hour plus study of one of the classic effects in magic, its history, and how one performer solved the problem of how to perform it alone, without off stage assistants. Yes, it is truly a one-person method.
If you are familiar with any of the EMC products, you know the look and style of the video. If you aren't, its a world class, professional production.
After a brief introduction, there is a performance clip of the 9-phased routine. There are a few remarkable moments where you may find yourself doubting this is a one-person method. The student is then taken step-by-step through all of the elements: the ball, the thread, the set-up and of course, the 9-phased routine. Interspersed throughout are tips, hints and helpers that can come only from someone who has studied and perfected the routine. The DVD finishes with the history of the effect and a discussion with Gaetan Bloom.
Only a small percentage of the magic community will have the wherewithal to perform this. However, I believe that isn't any performing magician who won't be inspired by and will learn from this disk.
The Floating Ball is a treat. It’s gift you should allow yourself to open.
If you are familiar with any of the EMC products, you know the look and style of the video. If you aren't, its a world class, professional production.
After a brief introduction, there is a performance clip of the 9-phased routine. There are a few remarkable moments where you may find yourself doubting this is a one-person method. The student is then taken step-by-step through all of the elements: the ball, the thread, the set-up and of course, the 9-phased routine. Interspersed throughout are tips, hints and helpers that can come only from someone who has studied and perfected the routine. The DVD finishes with the history of the effect and a discussion with Gaetan Bloom.
Only a small percentage of the magic community will have the wherewithal to perform this. However, I believe that isn't any performing magician who won't be inspired by and will learn from this disk.
The Floating Ball is a treat. It’s gift you should allow yourself to open.