Do You Want to Make Someone Vanish?

Well, now you can for the low, low price of $1,300! Actually, it's $1,375 which makes perfect sense because $1,400 would be way too much for this. Full details here. Go check it out, watch the video, then come back. I'll wait.

Okay, welcome back. First things first, I don't wanna talk shit on this guy on a personal level. I'm sure he's a great guy, talented performer, all that stuff. The thing that I want to know is, what's stopping someone from just performing this on their own without buying the license? The demo video is more or less an instructional video, especially if you've read the Paul Harris idea this whole thing is based on.

It's been a while since I've read that particular Conversation From the Edge, but if memory serves this performance is exactly what PH suggests you do. It's not like there's a whole bunch added here to make it different and worth selling as your own thing. Maybe an argument could be made that the mind reading bit at the beginning is original and, in my opinion, having that helps sell the second effect to the spectator. However, I also think you could pretty much get away with just about any thought transference, mind reading, drawing duplication effect that's currently on the market. Going one step further (and trying to obfuscate as much as I can here) you could probably also take what one spectator has to do for part two of the effect and incorporate that into part one and you're golden. Feel me?

I do have to say, this is something I've really thought about doing over the years. I never have because I'm not performing in the right spaces to pull this off. Watching the video and seeing the reaction this gets (though we have to remember the "real" reaction is from one guy and not hundreds) does make me want to give this a try. Maybe one day I'll be able to. I don't know if I would do this as a closer though, because to me the whole thing ends up seeming like a gag. Apparently it works out for this guy, but I personally would rather end the show on a moment of impossibility for everyone than for one.

- Andster