Mirror Box

8/14/2019 Mirror Box

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THE MIRROR BOXPRODUCTION BOXMANIPULATION BOX

PRODUCTIONFOLDER

THE MIRROR PRODUCTION BOXBy Richard RobinsonThe sudden appearance of solid objects from a space that could not possibly

contain them is a mysterious event that is magically perplexing. The Mirror Boxproduction enhances the effect since the magician seems to be conjuring up aquantity of solid blocks made of mirrors.

The mirror boxes described here can be used in various pieces of traditionalproduction apparatus, from under a cloth stealing from a body load or using asimple book-like folder.
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Construction Materials

The Mirror Box is a square block made of cardstock. The box will collapse flat and can be held inthat state under a slight pressure. When the

pressure is released the box will spring open andappear solid.

The materials needed to construct the box arecard stock, a length of black elastic cord, adhesivebacked tape and a sheet of adhesive backedmylar.

In the following description I use black 'illustrationboard' available from artists' supply houses. This

board is 1/16 inch thick (2 mm), stiff and quitesturdy. The black cord elastic can be had at most

sewing supply houses and should be used ratherthan an elastic band which doesn't function aswell. Gaffers tape is used to hinge the sections

together and can be had at both theatrical andmusicians' supply stores. The self-stick mylar isavailable from stores selling plastic sheeting.

The boxes could be made out of playing cardstock or other cardboard, hinged together with

clear wrapping tape and decorated in anotherfashion. However they won't hold up as well under

constant use.

Prop Construction

Cut six squares from the card stock. Each squaremeasures 2-1/2 x 2-1/2 inches (6.4 x 6.4 cm.)

Cut two of these squares in half from one cornerto the opposite diagonal corner.

Hinge the four squares together.

In placing the tape one square to hinge it to thenext square, a space should left between the two

joined edges that equals the thickness of the card

stock. Tape should then be placed on both thefronts and backs of the squares.

The easiest way to do this is to place one squaredirectly on top of another and apply the firstlength of tape from one square over the top of thetwo ends and down onto the other square. Thenopen the two squares, turn them over and liethem flat before attaching the tape hinge to theopposite side.

The two sets of triangular pieces are also hinged

in the same fashion along the diagonal cut.

Punch a hole in each of the triangular pieces just

off center as shown in the illustration.

These two hinged diagonally cut pieces now form

The expanded mirror box. Note that onthe two sides that fold diagonally onesection has been cut slightly larger sothat the corner overlaps the box proper.This holds the box square whenexpanded and makes it easier tocollapse the box.

In collapsing the box, the thumbsgently pull out the two folding sideswhich causes them to fold at theirhinged diagonal and pulls the rest of thebox flat.

The collapsed box, ready to spring openwhen not held under pressure.

Another view of the collapsed box.


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Pull the ends of the cord elastic until there is enough tension to hold the hingedsides against the box proper. Then double knot the cord elastic and trim away anyexcess 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 onthe diagonal so that it will not interfere with the hinging action.

The four squares are hingedtogether with adhesive tape attheir common sides. The whiterectangles indicate the position ofthe tape.

The two sides which are cut andthen hinged diagonally (dashedlines) each have two holespunched in them (black dots)through which the elastic cord isthreaded.

These two hinged sides areattached by hinges to the foursquares (arrows) to complete theconstruction of the box.

Handling

Properly constructed, the box has two states: collapsed and expanded. Whencollapsed the box obviously has to be secured in some fashion to prevent apremature 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 thecollapsed boxes into the load chamber in a manner that allows them to beremoved 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'sclip.' 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 fullyformed 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 ortable top so that they are piled one on top of the next to further reinforce theirsolidity.


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MIRROR BOX PRODUCTION FOLDERBy Richard Robinson

The magician displays a flat, two panel folder bound along one edge. The folder isopened 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 thefolder 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.


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Construction

The Mirror Box Production Folderis a number ofcardboard panels bound together along one edge.

To make the working clear in the photographs, a

thick cardboard has been used. However, thepanels should be cut from thin black 1/16 inch

thick (2 mm) 'illustration board,' the samematerial uses to make up the production boxes.Illustration board is very sturdy, has a slight flexand black throughout.

Several panels are needed, the exact numberdetermined by the number of cubes to be

produced. The panels are 10 inches square (25.5cm).

In hinging the panels together, a 3/8 inch (9 mm)gap should be set between the panel edges beforethe hinge tape is applied. This creates a space forthe collapsed box without causing the panel tobulge.

Short 'tabs' are placed at the top left edge of all

the inner panels, each tab offset from the nextslightly. Paper clips covered in black vinyl are used

in the photographs. These tabs allow the leftthumb to locate the panels to be 'held back' sothat the folder is opened to the proper panel forany particular production.

Handling & Presentation

With the collapsed boxes loaded between the inner

panels, the folder is picked up, shown casually andthen opened so the spectators can see the interior.

The left thumb rests on the tabs, keeping theinner panels against the back panel of the folder.

The folder is closed, the left thumb moves off thefirst tab, the right thumb moves to that tab andpulls the folder cover and panel the tab is attached

to forward. At the same time the folder is turnedso that the surface is parallel to the floor. Theproduction box expands and is seen resting on the

folder panel.

This is repeated for subsequent productions.

Performance Notes

This production folder is quite easy to use and alarge quantity of boxes can be produced. Theproductions should be made artfully with the

performer registering just as much amazement asthe spectators at the appearance of the solid

boxes.

The outsides of the back and front panels should

The folder is displayed to thespectators.

It is opened to show that it is empty,

then closed.

When opened again, a solid silver cuberests on the folder. Note the displayposition with the back portion of thefolder horizontal to the floor.

The folder panels are hinged looselytogether to allow for space taken by thecollapsed production boxes.

A tab is attached to the upper corner ofeach folder, each tab spaced a shortdistance from the next, so that theperformer can use the tabs to controlwhich panel(s) are grouped with thecover when the folded is opened.


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be decorated with a border and center design tomake the panels appear smaller than they actuallyare. The interior surfaces of the panels can alsohave a design so long as a strong contrast is

maintained between the panel surface and theboxes being produced.

Mirror Box

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