Price$200.00
Media TypeTrick, DVD, Computer CD
CategoryClose Up, Stage
Date AddedJan 15, 2009
The Thing Platinum Edition
Bill Abbott
(Based on 1 review)
THING works! Practical, one-man levitations are few and far between. After a decade and a half of research and development in front of real audiences, Bill is re-releasing the routine Genii magazine has called, "The most practical, portable, self-contained, angle proof levitation effect ever."
Routine Description
You show a box made of clear plastic completely empty. The box lid is opened and an empty cloth handkerchief is draped over the open box. Mysteriously a form rises slowly up from out of the box under the cloth continuing up until it is hovering suspended in mid-air.
The audience can have a clear view of the levitation from any angle and can see is no support of any kind. You then lift a corner of the cloth up and over the levitating object only to have it suddenly disappear leaving the cloth hanging empty in your fingers!
By draping the cloth over the invisible object it slowly makes its reappearance in an unbelievably magical fashion. The object can then float up and out of your fingers, shoot on a horizontal plane away from you or out above the heads of the audience. Finally you push the cloth-covered object back down into the box, dramatically close the lid and bow to thunderous applause!
Points to consider
- No threads
- No magnets
- No assistants
- No reset, perform it over and over again without any lighting or staging considerations to worry about.
Hand-Made Gimmicked and Ungimmicked Cloths The New Platinum Edition Thing gimmick is hand-sewn, assembled and each one is personally inspected by creator Bill Abbott. The new light weight components and imported microfiber material make performing this mind-blowing levitation almost effortless and completely deceptive.
Solid Clear View Box
The solid clear view box is made of a lightweight, high impact clear lucite and metal framing, manufactured for a lifetime of use.
The Pocket Thing
Bill Abbott has included a portable box and an all-new handling so you'll be armed with everything you need to perform this angle-proof levitation directly under the noses of your audiences. The new handling enables you to place an clear foldable acrylic box on the open palm of a spectator and have the Thing rise up literally inches from the assisting volunteer.
Walk-around at a party, table to table at a restaurant or out in the open on the street, The Pocket Thing is ready for any environment.
Instructional DVD Includes:
Intensive Routine Training
Bill Abbott conducts an intensive training session unlike any other, to accomplish one goal - for you to perfect the routine! Whether you perform The Thing on stage or up close, the training sequences have been designed to straighten the learning curve so you can perform the world's most practical levitation with confidence and to perfection.
The Wildbaum Sessions
Cirque Du Soleil artist Paul Wildbaum takes The Thing in new directions in studio sessions that cover the illusion of emptiness, body isolation, point fix, resistance, breathing, stage movement, character development and motivation. The Wildbaum Sessions will provide you with the tools you need to take your routine to the next level.
The Conversation
Sit down with the creator Bill Abbott and Paul Wildbaum for an in-depth examination of how The Thing came to be and the history of it's development.
Also revealed are the reasons for the new Platinum Edition, why simple is not always easy, originality, personality, live performance, improvisation, imitation and repetition, natural acting, character, back story, inner monologue, emotional segues and the real secrets of how to connect with any audience.
DVD Running Time Approximately 120 min.
The Workshop Notes
Included on the DVD are Bill Abbott's Workshop Notes that were previously only available to those who attended Bill's exclusive Thing Workshop. The Workshop Notes PDF can be easily accessed by inserting the DVD into any computer (PC or MAC) and opening the DVD-ROM contents from the disc.
Music Themes On CD
The Thing Platinum Edition package features a compact disc with 14 music themes, so you can choose the right vibe for your show. Each theme has been carefully constructed and composed specifically for The Thing and is royalty-free so you can use it in any public or private space, on the web and on T.V.
CD Running Time Approximately 35 min.
The Poster
Included with The Thing Platinum Edition is a glossy double-sided poster with the main routine in photographic sequence on one side taking you step-by-step through the entire performance and on the flip-side is The Pocket Thing handling. Just adhere it to a wall or your practice mirror and begin.
(DVD, Props, CD)
Reviews
(Top ▲)
I still remember how amazed I was when I saw this beautiful effect done live at Bill Abbott’s magic lecture. I also remember being disappointed by not having enough money to buy it. So when the opportunity cam to review the product, I jumped on it. Bill has updated the product to this new “Platinum Edition.” While some of the upgrades could have had more polish, this is still worth your consideration.
You are supplied with everything you need to perform the effect. The gimmick, the extra cloth, the box, and even a CD with fourteen royalty free music tracks specifically chosen with The Thing in mind.
The effect itself is a levitation of ‘nothing.’ I know it sounds strange, but if you just watch the online demo you will see what I mean. The levitation can be performed surrounded, and uses no threads or magnets. This is a very versatile effect that you can use in any kind of show. Kids show, corporate show, the street, there is even a strolling version of the effect taught. There are no lighting restrictions, or anything like that to worry about. You just show up, make it float, get your check, then go home.
The effect does require some work. Those who practiced Zombie in their youth will pick this up faster than others, but it still shouldn’t be that long. It’s not a self working levitation.
You are provided with a practice poster to tape to your wall or practice mirror. The tiny black and white photos are a little hard to see, and for two hundred dollars they could have sprung for color photos which would have been easier to work with.
The training DVD is well paced, and Bill does a great job conveying the information. He is joined by Paul Wildbaum who’s teaching skills aren’t as honed as Bill’s. He is on this project to offer his expertise on mime and movement. He kind of rambles on, and in the midst of all the talk, about 25% of what he says is of real use. The conversation feels like a wasted opportunity, and would have been more insightful if he conversation had an end goal in mind. Again, there is some useful information within these ramblings, but you’ve got to unearth them. In the end, I feel Bill would have done a great job conveying this information all on his own.
The DVD also includes Workshop notes in the form of a PDF on one of the discs. This goes over the routine again and offers some extra ideas and tips.
All this for two hundred dollars? You would normally get just the mime class for two hundred dollars. This effect is a worthy investment for a real world performer.
You are supplied with everything you need to perform the effect. The gimmick, the extra cloth, the box, and even a CD with fourteen royalty free music tracks specifically chosen with The Thing in mind.
The effect itself is a levitation of ‘nothing.’ I know it sounds strange, but if you just watch the online demo you will see what I mean. The levitation can be performed surrounded, and uses no threads or magnets. This is a very versatile effect that you can use in any kind of show. Kids show, corporate show, the street, there is even a strolling version of the effect taught. There are no lighting restrictions, or anything like that to worry about. You just show up, make it float, get your check, then go home.
The effect does require some work. Those who practiced Zombie in their youth will pick this up faster than others, but it still shouldn’t be that long. It’s not a self working levitation.
You are provided with a practice poster to tape to your wall or practice mirror. The tiny black and white photos are a little hard to see, and for two hundred dollars they could have sprung for color photos which would have been easier to work with.
The training DVD is well paced, and Bill does a great job conveying the information. He is joined by Paul Wildbaum who’s teaching skills aren’t as honed as Bill’s. He is on this project to offer his expertise on mime and movement. He kind of rambles on, and in the midst of all the talk, about 25% of what he says is of real use. The conversation feels like a wasted opportunity, and would have been more insightful if he conversation had an end goal in mind. Again, there is some useful information within these ramblings, but you’ve got to unearth them. In the end, I feel Bill would have done a great job conveying this information all on his own.
The DVD also includes Workshop notes in the form of a PDF on one of the discs. This goes over the routine again and offers some extra ideas and tips.
All this for two hundred dollars? You would normally get just the mime class for two hundred dollars. This effect is a worthy investment for a real world performer.