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Fish Bowl Illusion by Thinking Paradox

Created by: Thinking Paradox

The Fish Bowl Illusion is a captivating close-up and stage magic trick that utilizes the 'Unliftable' gimmick to create the illusion that a fishbowl (or other objects like cards, Rubik's Cubes, phones, and containers) cannot be lifted by a spectator, despite appearing normal and being handled freely. This trick plays with the spectator's perception of weight and reality, making it seem as though the fish inside believes it's a whale, or that the bowl is impossibly heavy. The gimmick is invisible to sight and touch, allowing for high levels of interaction without revealing the secret. It's a versatile illusion that can be adapted to various objects and routines, suitable for magicians looking to add a surprising and interactive element to their performances.

Key features

  • Gimmick costs under $5 to produce

  • Invisible to sight and touch, allowing for spectator handling

  • Versatile: can be used with various objects like cards, Rubik's Cubes, phones, and fishbowls

  • Includes six original routines for both close-up and stage performance

  • Creates a strong illusion of immovability or altered weight perception

Pros

  • Highly versatile and adaptable to different objects and routines

  • Strong visual and interactive impact on spectators

  • Gimmick is discreet and undetectable during performance

  • Includes multiple routines, offering great value and creative possibilities

Cons

  • Requires practice to master the timing and presentation for maximum effect

  • The gimmick, while inexpensive, needs to be produced or purchased

Effect

The Fish Bowl Illusion makes a fish appear to believe it is a whale for a brief moment. The audience sees a fishbowl that seems impossible to lift, creating the illusion that the fish inside has suddenly become incredibly heavy. The effect is surprising and visually engaging, making it suitable for both close-up and stage performances.

Full Details

The Fish Bowl Illusion is part of the Unliftable gimmick system by Thinking Paradox. The gimmick is invisible to sight and touch, allowing spectators to interact with the fishbowl without detecting the method. The illusion works by making the bowl seem immovable when placed on a surface, despite appearing completely normal.

The gimmick is adaptable to various objects, including cards, Rubik's Cubes, phones, and containers. It costs under $5 to produce, making it an affordable addition to a magician's toolkit. The effect is activated simply by placing the object on a table, requiring no complicated setup.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This trick is ideal for magicians who want a versatile, interactive effect that works in multiple performance settings. It suits both close-up and stage performers, as well as those who enjoy visual and tactile illusions. The Fish Bowl Illusion is particularly effective for comedy or storytelling acts, given its whimsical premise.

Difficulty

The trick is easy to perform, with no complex sleight of hand required. The gimmick does the heavy lifting, so the magician only needs to focus on presentation. The hardest part is selling the illusion convincingly, which relies on audience interaction and timing.

What Magicians Say

SaturnMagicShop highlights the gimmick's versatility, stating it can be used with "clear objects like drinking glasses and even fish bowls." They emphasize that the gimmick is "invisible to sight and touch," allowing spectators to handle objects without suspicion. The Fish Bowl Illusion is described as one of six original routines, making it a standout effect in the Unliftable system.

The promotional video suggests the illusion creates a moment of wonder, with the fish appearing to believe it has transformed into a whale. This playful twist makes the trick memorable and engaging for audiences.

What people are saying about Fish Bowl Illusion

SaturnMagicShop says...

The gimmick is invisible to sight and touch and many of the objects could be handled by The Spectator without the secret being detected [...] activating the gimmick is as simple as leaving the object on the table The Spectator will be amazed when he feels that he can move or twist the box on the table but he can't lift it at all and it will always be under your control.

Promotional videos