Hello to eveyone:
We have posted the new escape video clip of the Compression Chamber. We unexpectadly recieved some controversy regarding mention of the POW's.
Take a look at let us know what you think. It is a new escape presentation taped in Tulsa October 2006. It is in 2 parts the links are here:

part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-EBz6ax-Q4
part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=025rbvlD_88

As always, we welcome any comments and please be sure to visit us at
http://myspace.com/michael_griffin
thanks a bunch

Three things.
1) If the POW's or servicemen/women find it offensive, rethink it. If the general public is giving you the controversy, keep it. It will generate word-of-mouth publicity. As long as you are honoring the POW's as you have in the act, I don't see a problem.
2) Great performance. But I have to tell you, being concealed in the black curtain booth completely kills the effect and bores the audience to tears. Everyone is suspecting you have a helper unlocking you from within the booth. It sounded like two people applauded when you finally "escaped".
3) The guy standing on the stage timing you is a horrible actor (sorry guy on stage!)

Well, you can't do everything out in the open either. That really takes away from the mystery. It's alsmost like a magician show you how he does the effect while hes performing it. Escape illusions are just that illusions. Houdini performed escapes where he would be in his cabinet for almost the entire show just sitting there until people were either sure he was dead or so bored they were ready to leave.. and when that point was reached he would finally come out to receive a standing ovation. Presentation is key, if there was a larger sense of danger or the chamber was shown every 15 seconds up until the final reveal that might add to it.

Also, having a smaller cabinet for the escape, and having the cabinet surrounded by spectators during the actual release (to demonstrate that nobody could sneak in to help), might add to the impact.