ska invita
back on the other side
Fun show last night (Night of Wonders) - for me its fun to work out how the tricks are done, though you should just let it lie and enjoy the show. I've worked out how about 3/4 of the tricks are done (i think!)
If you want to know versions, read on...
Likewise, if you have any better theories please post them.
Gorrila trick
This was great, but a quick rewind show how it was done:
he goes over to the board, throws over the flip chart, and at the same time moving to behind the flip chart stand. The audience spends a second reading the revealed sign, not really noticing that he has gone behind the board. A hand immediately appears as on top of the board, giving the impression it is Derren's hand - this is a stage hands hand, who is taking Derren's place.
THe fact that Derren has a mic on means he can talk all the way through, without his voice appearing off stage.
If you see it a second time its obvious. Great old school trick though - I say old school, but Im not sure it could be done wihtout a mic, as you could tell his voice is off stage.
Table Turning
Derren does a lot of hypnosis tricks, and this was one of them. Hypnosis, especially on unsuspecting victims, is very dangerous, and for the record I dont approve!
First off, the hypnosis:
He gets 12 people up on stage, and as they come up one by one he tries a very quick hypnosis on them. This wont work on everyone, but it will on a few. How to check who is hypnotised? Using the dangling string thing...
As they all dangle a string those who are hypnotised will begin to spin their strings using the Ideomotor effect:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ideomotor_effect
The 9succesfully hypnotised) spinning string people are then singled out for the table pushing act.
The key here is having 4 hypnotised people pushing a table around on command. At all times there are commands from Derren, and then later the other members of the audience on stage, telling them where to push the table.
The later floating table bit requires a trick table cloth and the same principle.
...have to do some work now, but more solutions later
P.S> that show The Hiest was not, as Derren pretended, at all to do with suggestion (billboards saying rob a bank etc.), it was all hypnosis.
500 or 5000
Most of this trick is just patter and showmanship - which is enjoyable, and is designed to get the most out of the trick.
Ultimately it is simple: the box is a trick box which can show either 500 or 5000 pounds. Just before he took off the cover his hand linger on the top of the box and looked like it was pressing a button. This makes any necessary switch. Never trust a box in a magic show!
Then he goes to the flipchart and reveals - "Why do men always choose £5000". Its pretty likely that on another page it said "Why do people always change their minds" or whatever.
There probably is an element of steering going on on the chatty bits.
The Dad Phonecall
Here he gets someone to call their dad and guess 3 digit numbers. AS it is impossible to predict what three numbers will be chosen the trick goes "wrong", and Derren fails to guess the numbers.
The serial number on the £10 note that has the correct 9 digit number would have to be made with a fairly simple stamp in the wings. AS the numbers are written up, so they would be added to the note. Then its just a simple task of getting the newly stamped note to Derren.
All through the trick he keeps walking over to the flipchart, fiddling about with the microphone, and generaly acting eratic. This is to distract the audience from the fake note being set up near/on the flipchart.
Derren walks over to the flip chart once after all the numbers are up on the board and pockets it.As its folded up so small it is easy to palm and conceal.
20 Questions
The giveaway with 20 Questions was that the 6 people had to write down the answers on a bit of paper at the back of the stage. One way or another (either using cameras or something under the table on which the notes where written) the information that was written down was noted imediately by helpers off-stage.
THey then quickly write on a big sign 1. UFO 2. WHIP etc.
The 6 memebers of the public are brought to the front of the stage. Derren then makes an excuse to go to the table at the back - at that point he looks off stage to see the sign saying who wrote what. He quickly remembers this and can then fuck about pretending to ask questions, already knowing full well who got what.
If you want to know versions, read on...
Likewise, if you have any better theories please post them.
Gorrila trick
This was great, but a quick rewind show how it was done:
he goes over to the board, throws over the flip chart, and at the same time moving to behind the flip chart stand. The audience spends a second reading the revealed sign, not really noticing that he has gone behind the board. A hand immediately appears as on top of the board, giving the impression it is Derren's hand - this is a stage hands hand, who is taking Derren's place.
THe fact that Derren has a mic on means he can talk all the way through, without his voice appearing off stage.
If you see it a second time its obvious. Great old school trick though - I say old school, but Im not sure it could be done wihtout a mic, as you could tell his voice is off stage.
Table Turning
Derren does a lot of hypnosis tricks, and this was one of them. Hypnosis, especially on unsuspecting victims, is very dangerous, and for the record I dont approve!
First off, the hypnosis:
He gets 12 people up on stage, and as they come up one by one he tries a very quick hypnosis on them. This wont work on everyone, but it will on a few. How to check who is hypnotised? Using the dangling string thing...
As they all dangle a string those who are hypnotised will begin to spin their strings using the Ideomotor effect:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ideomotor_effect
The 9succesfully hypnotised) spinning string people are then singled out for the table pushing act.
The key here is having 4 hypnotised people pushing a table around on command. At all times there are commands from Derren, and then later the other members of the audience on stage, telling them where to push the table.
The later floating table bit requires a trick table cloth and the same principle.
...have to do some work now, but more solutions later
P.S> that show The Hiest was not, as Derren pretended, at all to do with suggestion (billboards saying rob a bank etc.), it was all hypnosis.
500 or 5000
Most of this trick is just patter and showmanship - which is enjoyable, and is designed to get the most out of the trick.
Ultimately it is simple: the box is a trick box which can show either 500 or 5000 pounds. Just before he took off the cover his hand linger on the top of the box and looked like it was pressing a button. This makes any necessary switch. Never trust a box in a magic show!
Then he goes to the flipchart and reveals - "Why do men always choose £5000". Its pretty likely that on another page it said "Why do people always change their minds" or whatever.
There probably is an element of steering going on on the chatty bits.
The Dad Phonecall
Here he gets someone to call their dad and guess 3 digit numbers. AS it is impossible to predict what three numbers will be chosen the trick goes "wrong", and Derren fails to guess the numbers.
The serial number on the £10 note that has the correct 9 digit number would have to be made with a fairly simple stamp in the wings. AS the numbers are written up, so they would be added to the note. Then its just a simple task of getting the newly stamped note to Derren.
All through the trick he keeps walking over to the flipchart, fiddling about with the microphone, and generaly acting eratic. This is to distract the audience from the fake note being set up near/on the flipchart.
Derren walks over to the flip chart once after all the numbers are up on the board and pockets it.As its folded up so small it is easy to palm and conceal.
20 Questions
The giveaway with 20 Questions was that the 6 people had to write down the answers on a bit of paper at the back of the stage. One way or another (either using cameras or something under the table on which the notes where written) the information that was written down was noted imediately by helpers off-stage.
THey then quickly write on a big sign 1. UFO 2. WHIP etc.
The 6 memebers of the public are brought to the front of the stage. Derren then makes an excuse to go to the table at the back - at that point he looks off stage to see the sign saying who wrote what. He quickly remembers this and can then fuck about pretending to ask questions, already knowing full well who got what.
