Does anyone here at the Café have and/or use Tommy Wonder's Zombie System? I've been reading some of my older MAGIC and GENII magazines, and I see many advertisements for his system. It was about to be released at the time of printing.

Thanks,

- - Troy

I don't use one myself, but a close associate does. This system works wonderfully if you put in the necessary work. Part of the challenge is learning to handle it well. You'll need to build some muscles that haven't been used before. Not that the system requires strength, but does require some getting used to. The places in the routine where the hands hold perfectly still and the ball rises are priceless! Also, there is no gimmick to get rid of at the end. Wonderful illusion.

Where can this be purchased?
Not the ball, but the instructions for that routine?
This 'Tommy Wonder's Zombie System' sounds excellent!

Well, if you don’t want the props and only want to have the instructions (the secret!) then you can go to volume 2 of “The Books of Wonder” (page 260). If you are a skillful metal worker you can even make your own. Jos explains it all from construction to performing there.

Well where can the Ball and instructions be purchased?

From what I understood, 100% of the secret was not revealed in his book. But I'm sure enough is revealed to satisfy the curious.

Just in case anyone follows Mumblepeas advice, but has a qualified metalworker make the gaff -- Be very very clear as to what you need.

I had someone make one up for me and it was "built to last". (Read: It weighed a ton.)

The Levitiation System is no longer for sale. It was limited to 500 units I believe. It is truly great.

Check with:
info@tommywonder.nl
It retailed for about $360.00 just three months ago.

I talked to Tommy about 6 weeks ago and he told me that he was in the process of manufacturing some more. He was going to let me know when they were ready. The price he quoted was 460 Eurodollars. I don't know if that is a firm price or subject to revision once he gets the finished products.

To date I've heard nothing else.


Steven

Hi Steven,
I also had a phone conversation with him about three months ago. At the time, they sold for $360.00.

How is the effect(s) this system creates different from my normal zombie? I want to get a sense of what the audience will experience to help me decide if I would like to pursue this further. Thank you!
Jim in Los Angeles

Jim, this construction allows for additional movement of the ball/object. In answer to earlier questions about the availability of the props, check with Stevens Magic Emporium. They listed it in their catalogs within the past couple of years.

Mr. Wonder does not use the zombie "ball" in his unique act, but instead causes a birdcage to float using his advanced application of the principle.

FYI - the full secret of the Tommy Wonder Levitation System is not explained in his two volume set of books. Part of the principle is there; but not what really makes his system complete. It is a clever system which allows moves not possible with a standard Zombie.
Jim

Sometimes Tommy's Ball shows up on eBay, and when it does it brings top dollar.

I haven't seen Losander's video on Zombie, But I own his two levitation videos. Where you can see a little bit of Losander's Zombie.

I wonder if someone who has seen Tommy's Zombie, and Losander's. Would like to share their thoughts on them?

I've enjoyed reading many of your comments. Thanks! .......... Manyfingers

I know a dealer who still has one for sale. If you're interested, PM me and I'll give you an address. (It's in Holland though)

My .02 based on playing around with different methods:

I have Tommy Wonder's Levitation system and also have Losander's Zombie video. I made Losander's modified Zombie gimmick.

Both are great variations on the original Zombie. (based on the original by Joe Karson)

If you have the acting/pantomime skills to put across the Zombie effect to begin with then you will probably not notice much of a difference in the actual floatation effect between the Wonder system and simply using Losander's modified gimmick.

The great advantage of the Wonder system is that you are able to start and end "clean" with no gimmick to be concealed behind your arm or within the foulard. (Tim Wright has a great method for picking up and ditching the gimmick shown on his Zombie video which also allows you to start and end clean using a standard zombie gimmick.)

I started working with Losander's version of the gimmick after I needed to add a different routine to a seasonal show, but did not want to go to the expense of having a second Wonder-style set up made for the object I was using for one time only.

Instead I used the Losander gimmick. Watching a video tape of myself doing it, I realized that there is really very little difference between the two systems when it comes to the flotation effect. 95% of it is all in the acting. YOU must be convinced that this thing is floating and treat it thus, then the audience will believe it is floating.

If you can afford the Wonder system, I can recommend it highly. If you can't afford it then spend the $25.00 for Losander's Zombie video and study the moves he recommends, to really sell the idea that the thing is floating. His modified gimmick works great.

I would also recommend the Tim Wright Zombie video and the Vol. 3 of McBride's Stage Magic video series. There are good ideas in all of these.

Of course, the best of Tommy Wonder and Losander is seen in the applications of the mechanical plus acting principles seen in Losander's Floating Table. I would love to get one of those Losander Floating Table units, but I just can't afford the expense right now.

Go to the Hocus Pocus web site, look up Losander's Floating Table and download the clips of Losander doing the Floating Table to see what I mean.

Stevens Magic Emporium told me they do not sell them any more. But Hank Lee's does sell them.

"But Hank Lee's does sell them."

I checked their web site and it is not listed. You will have to call to see if they have them, but my guess is they don't as Hank has been aware that I've been looking for it for a year or so.

Steven

I did not see it listed on Hank Lee's web site either. When I called him, he told me he does sell them.

Abracadabra,

Dynamike