Ellusionist

Today I am going to share with you one of my most prized secrets in magic. No, its not the secret of an illusionist, but rather a secret of one Ellusionist. Some of you may not know this, but the infamous Ellusionist actually keeps two servers on the internet. One, Ellusionist.com, which you most likely allready know, and the other, much more discreetly, is where they appear to keep allot of their media files. On this alternate server is a plethora of some really great digital media and if you know what your looking for, you may just dig up a surprise or two. In the past I have found high-resolution images of many of their original gaff decks as well as hi-res images of the “stained skin tattoos”. I’ve even come across an early look at a promo video or two as well. All of which I will provide you with links to along with my methods of search so that you may start pillaging through the server should you feel so inclined. Now there is really no reason to have a link referral show up in their server logs, so I will be posting everything in plain-text and its up to you to populate your bookmarks with the locations. Ok on to the goods.

The server in question?

• elusionist.com

Yup, thats it. Notice only one “l”. Now just going to this server will only display a “we have moved” page but as Exo artists, you know better than to be fooled by appearances. So how do we find the goods? Thats where Google comes in. If you are a savvy surfer, you will already know that google has a feature under the “advanced search” link that allows you to search within a site or domain. For those that have never done so, simply click on “advanced search” to the right of Google’s search box, and when the next page comes up, you should see a box towards the bottom called “Search within a site or domain”. Go ahead and pop the url mentioned above in there and you are ready to begin your excavation adventures (you can also just do a regular search with “site:elusionist.com” at the begining). One more quick tip, try leaving the search criteria blank, hit the search button, and when the search results come up, click on the “show options” link towards the top of the page just under the search box. On the left you should see some options, and you can now filter these results by date to see whats been posted or updated within a certain period of time. I like to set it to “Past week” and check in once a week. Do this and you will never be out of the loop. You may also wish to do some manual exploring by clinking on links and subtracting the html file at the end of the url and do some parent folder snooping. Enjoy Exo brothers and sisters and be sure to share your findings in the forums.

Here are the links I promised.

• UltraGaff: http://www.elusionist.com/galleries/UltraGaff_Gallery/
• Black Ghost 2nd Edition: http://www.elusionist.com/galleries/BlackGhost2/
• ShadowMasters: http://www.elusionist.com/galleries/shadowmasters/
• Stained Skin Tattoos: http://www.elusionist.com/galleries/stainedgallery/

-Mat

I recently found a great app for my iPhone. I know many of you have one and you probably love your iPhone as much as I do.

For people who don’t have jailbroken 3G or 2G phones, video recording was just a dream. Then 3Gs came out with the feature. Now…there’s an App for that too!

This app, iVideo Camera is only .99 and makes your 3G and 2G iPhone record video and sound like a 3Gs. (Why upgrade now?)

I purchased the app, assuming the worst that could happen is that video quality would be crappy.

To my surprise, it’s a great app that has good sound and camera quality. It has a lower definition and a higher definition setting. A wifi enabled share feature and a supposed 1 min length in film. (I haven’t checked yet.)

According to the developers they are working on an update which will improve the video quality and also the frame rate.
Currently the application only captures about three frames per second.

So now you call can record yourself doing your amazing Street Magic! Or when you’re out to eat! So go record your life and post it up for ExoMagicians to see!

Check out the great, must have, .99 app HERE.

First, adding the Premier App Store to you iPhone if very easy. You go the www.premierappshop.com and sign up to have them send you a link on your iPhone. Follow the easy instructions and BAM. The Store is on you iPhone. They offer both HotTrix and Ben Harris Applications.

Between the two are 5 applications in the store.

MONiCLE

MONiCLE is suppose to be a new specialized X-Ray application for your iPhone. You open the application and get a nice how to video that explains the whole application.

The idea is you touch the screen and this magical all seeing “x-ray bubble” (aka monocle) pops up and starts to see through your phone, a little at a time. Starting from behind the screen at the micro chips, then the back of the phone, and then your hand.

The big advertised selling point is the ability to “Wiggle” your fingers. No, you will not be able to wave your hand or flip anyone off from behind your phone though. But there is an optical illusion built in to so that the moving monocle will give the appearance of moving fingers. You will need to hold the phone a certain way to allow for your digits seen.

The application also have the bonus feature of X-Ray Powers! (so to speak.) The application also has the ability to be turned and allow the monocle to r-ray yours or a friends hand.

The Graphics:

As advertised, the graphics deliver! They do not look like fake home screens nor are any of the pictures distorted. The x-ray with “gamma” radiation is neat and the Monocle follows your finger perfect.

One issue we did come across was the flipping of the phone to activate the x-raying/bone mode. There is a slight flash and screen shift, also the clock doesn’t always follow.

Also, while x-raying, you will come across words at the bottom of the screen, saying “X-ray Buffer Overload” and then a black section of screen.

How does it work on an audience?

There has been much debate about performing Magic on your iPhone, but lets assume you like iPhone Magic.

If you take the time to perfect using this application, you may be able to wow some people. The people I showed it to, seemed to take it as a “nice piece of programming.” The magical element is a bit…gone. “It’s technology looking through.”

You could structure your patter around the idea of opening a portal to the other side and seeing through things. But this still seems like a gag. Or a great conversational piece for the dinner table while talking about Magic. Ben himself has labeled the x-ray feature as a Gag.

Final Thoughts

The application does what is says and the video is pretty accurate at showing you what you will see during the effect. The X-Ray app is nothing revolutionary, but this version is fun, easy to use and shows off Ben’s Programming Teams talents. This definitely makes me want to look more into the custom programming option that Ben offers.

It also raising more interest in the CrossRoads for the iPhone. So check both of these out! We definitely will be!

MONiCLE by Ben Harris: A technological piece of art. 5/10

But not just ANY iPhone Apps. These applications are “Signature Ben Harris Applications.” Here is what they are:

The CrossRoads for iPhone

Direct, knock ‘em in the head IMPACT. A single ON SCREEN playing card is displayed, and the iPhone tabled. Someone calls a number, someone else decides upon a suit. Let’s say “7″ and “Hearts” are nominated. A SPECTATOR taps the onscreen card which then gracefully flips over to reveal a MATCH.

Featuring:
* Stunning Graphics
* Multiple Options for Back Designs and Performing Space
* You are ALWAYS 100% CORRECT
* Cutting-Edge Programming
* FOR SERIOUS MAGICIANS ONLY!

The X-Ray MONiClE

YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE YOUR EYES. This is an amazing, interactive optical illusion created by Ben Harris. APPARENTLY SEE RIGHT THROUGH your home screen to your fingers below. You can even WIGGLE YOUR FINGERS AND SEE THEM MOVE BELOW THE IPHONE! Bonus option allows you to X-RAY a friend’s hand: exposing BONE!

Featuring:
* Amuse yourself for hours
* STUNNING GRAPHICS with Flashing Gamma Boost
* Cutting-Edge Programming
* Unique and Original “Opti-illusion” created by Ben Harris

And to go WITH X-Ray MONiCLE:

Tunnel Vision

MIND BENDING VISUALS! Use the iphone to X-RAY the deck revealing a freely chosen card. 3D PSEUDO-OPTICAL ILLUSION gives the impression of VISUALLY PENETRATING through the card’s back to the face. Multiple card options. You can even email an image of the X-RAY-D card as keep-sake.

Featuring:
* Multiple Card Choices
* Multiple Back Choices
* Email X-RAY IMAGE to your friend
* INSTANT REPEAT with another card

Each one of these Applications can be bought at The Premier App Shop. You will need to add the store to your iPhone before you can buy the effects.

Ben is also offering to create you a CUSTOM Application using his development team for you! You can read more and contact Ben about the custom Application process here.

ExoMagic recommends you definitely check out the Cross Roads Application. Make sure you discuss it on the ExoMagic Forum and let us know what you think!

Pretty sweet. I spent the money of the App and here is what I have to think!

The application can defiantly be compared to the “Rising Card” App by Kenner at Theory 11. (If you have the Rising Card app, think about how it works. Watch the Video above and you will catch a glimpse.) But this one dose have its own features where Kenner’s left off.

First, you can customize the screen your looking at and make choices from, no worries of being caught now. The selection process is also MUCH nicer and “smooth.” And the best part? The cool idea of TEXTING Penn & Teller for help! They also allow you to customize your responses you receive from them also.Imagine getting a number, a color, or anything revealed in what seems like LIVE text.

They also use your name or even the “victims” name. Making it seem that more real or surreal in this matter.

The choices and cool features this app allows makes this THE BEST iPHONE APPLICATION FOR MAGIC that I have EVER seen and used! Reactions are great and you get to name drop Penn & Teller. The app does magic with sass and jokes!

It’s simply a MUST HAVE iPhone Magic Application. Hands down. Great Job P&T! I’ll Text you about it!

Go ahead and check it out HERE.

Screen shot of effect.

Theory 11: Rising Card App

Created by Chris Kenner

The Effect:

A spectator freely names any card. You whip out your iPhone/iPod Touch and point out the “Rising Card” application on your handy dandy device. You then hand the device to the spectator and have them select the application. An image of mysterious hand holding a ” Bicycle’s Guardian Deck.” You instruct the spectator to SHAKE the phone, and they’re card magically rises out of the deck. Just like Magic! (only virtual!)

The Review:

If you are an everyday iPhone/iPod Touch user or addict, then this application will be a great little effect to add to your arsenal.

The secret is very simple yet well designed. It’s super easy to do after about 2 minutes of practice. The application comes with written instructions and a Theory 11 video with Chris Kenner that you can view on you iPhone.

The Downsides:

If you own a jail broken iPhone/iPod Touch, this may be difficult to perform on your friends. (Remember, that jail broken iPhones/Touch can have many issues with many different applications.)

ALSO, if you own an iPod Touch, it will be more difficult to do this effect. As long as you are careful, it shouldn’t matter, but there is a possibility that the inherent nature of the app will “give away” the effect. (Part of the secret lies in the fact of the PHONE feature and NO its not voice recognition-that is asked a lot, even by spectators!)

Final Thoughts:

This effect is obviously marketed for the iPhone rather than the Touch. It’s not a huge deal, but the least T11 could have done was make a different app for both types of gadgets or optional views.

I have had a few problems because of the fact that the “virtual” deck of cards is facing “face” out. (With the ace of spades looking out.) But Chris Kenner goes over a way to cover this in the video. Also, there seems to be some kind of graphic error in the program. Due to serious exposure, we can’t say where, but we believe its there.

Over all, if you want a cool trick for the iPhone, go for this one! It will work as an awesome conversation piece for your magic when out with your friends.

Rising Card App: Vital Phone Magic. 5/10

Suggested Retail Price: $2.99

Buy from Apple Here.