PRODUCTION BOX
MANIPULATION BOX
PRODUCTION
FOLDER
By Richard Robinson
The sudden appearance of solid objects from a space that could not possibly
contain them is a mysterious event that is magically perplexing. The Mirror Box
production enhances the effect since the magician seems to be conjuring up a
quantity of solid blocks made of mirrors.
The mirror boxes described here can be used in various pieces of traditional
production apparatus, from under a cloth stealing from a body load or using a
simple book-like folder.
Construction Materials
The Mirror Box is a square block made of card
stock. The box will collapse flat and can be held in
that state under a slight pressure. When the
pressure is released the box will spring open and
appear solid.
The materials needed to construct the box are
card stock, a length of black elastic cord, adhesive
backed tape and a sheet of adhesive backed
The expanded mirror box. Note that on
the two sides that fold diagonally one
mylar.
Insert the ends of the cord elastic through the two in through the two folding sides and
holes on one hinged side. Run the cord elastic
then knotted inside of the box.
across the inside of the box and thread one end
out of one hole of the opposite hinged side and
then back in to the box through the other hole.
Pull the ends of the cord elastic until there is enough tension to hold the hinged
sides against the box proper. Then double knot the cord elastic and trim away any
excess cord above the knot.
The exterior of the box is now decorated by sticking squares of mylar to the
outside. Note that on the two hinged sides the mylar is also cut into sections on
the diagonal so that it will not interfere with the hinging action.
Handling
Properly constructed, the box has two states: collapsed and expanded. When
collapsed the box obviously has to be secured in some fashion to prevent a
premature appearance.
The easiest way to do this is to use the Production Folder described in another
article in this series. In this scenario, the boxes are produced from the folder,
with the folder being shown 'flat' between productions.
To produce the boxes from other props it is necessary to either wedge the
collapsed boxes into the load chamber in a manner that allows them to be
removed easily and individually. This may require adding some interior 'stops' to
the load chamber depending on the prop used.
For a body load, the boxes can be held collapsed using what is called a 'banker's
clip.' This is a flat strip of spring metal folded against itself and usually several
inches in length. The strips are pulled apart and the collapsed box inserted.
Performance Notes
The only real issue in using this type of prop is to ensure that the moment of
'expansion' is not seen by the audience. The boxes should come into view fully
formed so the spectators presume that this is their normal and only state.
The production sequence can be enhanced by placing the boxes on a tray or
table top so that they are piled one on top of the next to further reinforce their
solidity.
By Richard Robinson
The magician displays a flat, two panel folder bound along one edge. The folder is
opened and the empty interior shown to the audience. The folder is then closed.
The folder is then opened again and a solid silver cube is seen to be resting on the
folder panel. The magician removes the cube and places it on a table or tray.
Again the magician shows the folder empty, closes it and on reopening it another
silver cube has materialized. This is repeated until a quantity of silver cubes have
made their appearance.
Construction
The Mirror Box Production Folder is a number of
cardboard panels bound together along one edge.
To make the working clear in the photographs, a
thick cardboard has been used. However, the
panels should be cut from thin black 1/16 inch
thick (2 mm) 'illustration board,' the same
material uses to make up the production boxes.
Illustration board is very sturdy, has a slight flex
and black throughout.