Hi all,
This is most certainly an odd post, but I have run out of ideas and wonder if there is someone out there who can help. I have been experimenting with the instant silk vanishing wand. I like the effect, but the silk vanish is strangely too fast. That is, by the time you realize something has happened you have no time to savor it. I know that sounds odd, particularly for me, because I love visible magic, but I have been trying to find a way to give the effect a momentary afterlife.
I have fitted the end of the wand with a small tapered pocket similar to a phantom tube. This still allows the silk to pass unobstructed. I put a pinch of powder in the pocket so that when I snap the wand towards the silk causing it to hook and vanish, a small cloud of "smoke" is left hanging in the air. This adds a really nice visual to the effect, but I am struggling to find a powder that is very light and does not clump. I have tried a few different things including baby powder, flour, fix-all, and a couple of unknown substances found in the bottom of drawers etc. They all work ok, but are not quite smoke-like enough.
Anyway, if anyone has an idea about a very light powdery substance that resists clumping and "floats" in the air a bit I would appreciate the help.
Cheers,
Eric
Help with powder for a poof
Help with powder for a poof
Cheers,
Umpa Duze
Umpa Duze
Re: Help with powder for a poof
"Help with powder for a poof"
Just speculation on my part, but I'm guessing that "a poof" doesn't mean the same thing in the US as it does in the UK?
Dave
Just speculation on my part, but I'm guessing that "a poof" doesn't mean the same thing in the US as it does in the UK?
Dave
- Richard Kaufman
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Re: Help with powder for a poof
Yes, Dave, it means something different.
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- BlueEyed Videot
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Re: Help with powder for a poof
Take the "poof" powder off the wand, and rub it liberally, into the silk. When the silk snaps, the powder poofs.
Re: Help with powder for a poof
Thanks for the idea Richard, I did not think of that. But now I need to find out what Poof means across the pond! I will have to change the silk to a white one, but I will try powdering the silk. Thanks again.
Cheers,
Umpa Duze
Umpa Duze
Re: Help with powder for a poof
Richard, the effect was exactly what I was looking for. Thanks so much for your help.
Eric
Eric
Cheers,
Umpa Duze
Umpa Duze
Re: Help with powder for a poof
For a colored silk, using your original gimmick, try fuller's earth or diatenacious(sp)earth. They use it for movie FX's when they want dust to fly in fight scenes. Although I don't know how it will look live. I've been thinking of trying it for another effect, for reasons similar to yours. It might be available from a pool supply. It is used in filtering systems.
Re: Help with powder for a poof
Thanks Mike,
I will try picking up some of this. Does it come in various colors? It sounds like it would be earth tones.
Cheers,
Eric
I will try picking up some of this. Does it come in various colors? It sounds like it would be earth tones.
Cheers,
Eric
Cheers,
Umpa Duze
Umpa Duze
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Re: Help with powder for a poof
Guys, I'd be a mite careful using diatomaceous earth (DE) in the manner suggested. You should take a look at this before you go powdering up your workplace...
ISCS: DIATOMACEOUS EARTH
ISCS: DIATOMACEOUS EARTH
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Re: Help with powder for a poof
Just so's you won't have to look it up, diatomaceous earth is one of the most insidious abrasives known to man. If you want to kill fleas, sprinkle a small amount in your back yard. It will work its way through the exoskeletons of the fleas and kill them. It can also kill your DVD reader, your CD reader, and you.
Talcum powder or cornstarch is much better. Use just a little bit.
Talcum powder or cornstarch is much better. Use just a little bit.
Bill Palmer, MIMC
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Re: Help with powder for a poof
Fourth Bruce:
Well gentlemen, I'll just remind you of the faculty rules. Rule one: no pooftahs. Rule two: no member of the faculty is to maltreat the Abbos in any way whatsoever -- if there's anyone watching. Rule three: no pooftahs. Rule four: I don't want to catch anybody not drinking in their room after lights out. Rule five: no pooftahs. Rule six - there is no rule six. Rule seven: no pooftahs.
Well gentlemen, I'll just remind you of the faculty rules. Rule one: no pooftahs. Rule two: no member of the faculty is to maltreat the Abbos in any way whatsoever -- if there's anyone watching. Rule three: no pooftahs. Rule four: I don't want to catch anybody not drinking in their room after lights out. Rule five: no pooftahs. Rule six - there is no rule six. Rule seven: no pooftahs.
Re: Help with powder for a poof
Appologies, fullers earth was once a regular fx in film and I experimented with it myself. I plead ignorance.