what are some relatively cheap (money wise) but effective stage illusions for me to buy? Could I make it or would i have to buy it?

You can make a shadow box for $50. Learn how off of Illusion EFX.

I'd recommend Andrew Mayne stuff! His books and DVD's are decently priced and the tricks seem to be pretty good as well, (plus he claims they are inexpensive to make)... so I would check it out!

Illusion EFX, it has 7 illusions, and is the base you may need for developing your own kind of prop.

All of Andrew Mayne's stuff is cheap and most of it is really good. I've become a big fan of his work.

wow... thanks guys for the quick responses. i'll check out illusion efx. thanks again

YES! Score is now Zach: 1, Rest of Penguin forum users: 5,038,763,471.

I'm gaining some ground here .

I reccomend Andrew Mayne's Bisection. You can buy it here at penguin (Get the DVD version because it includes several new ways to perform it.) I used it at my Talent show and I found it very practical. The trick itself is only $15, very good price! But to buy the supplies may take a small chunk out of your wallet. Maybe $40-$50. Well worth it though!

cool thanks you guys , i guess i'll look into andrew mayne's stage effects

Curse you Philal, 5,038,763,472, now I must find a way to get revenge.

buy the video Darwin's inexpensive illusions if you can find it. Alot of it uses black art which can run you up but most of them are pretty cheap done with cardboard boxes. They still play big though. Any of Andrew Mayne's stuff is good too like already stated. I recomend Bisection.

I would highly recommend In Half which can be constructed with cardboard boxes. However, I believe that building a regular prop would make this illusion really shine.

Paul Osborne has a book called easy build illusions. Most of it is stuff you can make for very little money without having a cabinet shop full of tools. Maybe you should check that out.

Ted

Thanks Ted,
I had already been looking at those illusions but I cannot choose one. I am hoping to use it in a kid's show without the use of a planned assistant (I'm a solo performer). I need it to be pretty light and not too hard to build. Do you (or anyone else) have any suggestions. I was looking at the Flying Carpet illusion (http://hamiltonholtinc.stores.yahoo.net ... arpet.html). Do you think that would fit into my needs.
Thanks, Drew

That would probably work. I don't know about the "easy to build" part. It probably involves skill with metals, drilling, welding, that sort of stuff. I can't imagine this effect being reliably built solely out of wood or any other light material. Once you have the plans, you can probably find a welding shop that can do the hard work rather cheaply, leaving you to painting the screens and some light assembly.