Ghost Vision Trick by Andrew Mayne

[cj.23]

As a ghost hunter and organizer of occasional ghost nights, and a long term psychical investigator, I had to get Andrew Mayne's Ghost Vision trick. I had visions of a gizmo, like those Ted Serios was accused of using, but was very pleased with the DVD and the very low price. It's agreat trick, which uses modern technology well, and in the right (ghosthunt) context could be superb!

I of course am faced with an ethical issue -- I have to reveal that I played a trick after the event, I can't leave people thinking they have paranormal things on their phone -- I'm not morally bankrupt (Larsen may disagree ) but I need to explain they were fooled. The problem is I can't say how! (I'd never reveal another chaps trick - an ethical issue again!). Still I expect it will get easier with practice, smiling enigmatically and just saying "it was a trick - you work it out". Maybe not use in a "real ghosthunt" environment?

Any thoughts on the ethical issues arising from this? Anyway incredibly good value, highly entertaining - apart from the first minute or so of annoying sound effects and spooky music which made me think it was some kind of infrasound silliness, but might have just been OTT acting and music! I actually feel I ought to send Andrew a few more dollars as the postage to the UK must have taken quite a bit out of his profits, but I would say that its a fun DVD, perfect for beginners, and that those interested in psychical research would also enjoy it, just in case some munchkin tries it on us. I don't think it would fool Vernon Harrison, or Richard Wiseman, but I might try it at the SPR one night!

While nothing one might not develop oneself, the presentation and extras (very simple beginner level) are fun. Highly recommended!

cj x

 

[JonWhite]

Hi cj.

Rather than reveal how the trick is done, you could always just point them in the direction of Andrew's site. His video there should convince them of the trickery and if they were really curious they might want to get the effect for themselves. Your ethics remain intact, the "victim" gets wised-up & Andrew gets a sale - everybody wins!


(incidently there are UK distributors, such as here: http://www.world-of-magic.co.uk/magic.asp?id=17000 )

 

[cj.23]

Thank you - that's a very good plan. I might pop some little slips in my pocket with Andrew's website on, and World of Magic's site, and then if folks enjoy the trick and really want to know more, I can just hand them one. Yes, I think that is an excellent suggestion!

Mike Rose (Magic Circle) was in my psychic research group many years ago, and I was so fascinated I learnt a bit about some common tricks - I love doing spoon bending routines in front of a large audience of believers - and I think its only healthy to learn all I can about the conjurer's art. Furthermore, demonstrating fakery as possible also is useful to the audiences on the kind of events I sometimes work, like ghost walks...

cj x

 

[JonWhite]

I've recomended these elsewhere before, but if you're looking for packet "psychic" tricks then a current favorite is the Beyond ESP 2 zener card deck:

http://www.magicbox.uk.com/shop.php/shop/magic-tricks/mentalism/beyond-esp-2/p_372.html

They are very sneakily marked and it's almost impossible for the untrained to realise that they're gaffed if not used too blatently. It takes a while to get your eye in, but when you've got it then "ESP experiment" routines can be as simple or as complicated as you like. Also - for me - they avoid the assumptions of being a "magic trick" that using playing card decks can have.

 

[Spillage!]

The trick is a bit flawed though, as you can only take pictures or videos against a light background, and you can't execute it directly in someone's face. Without giving the trick away *And I haven't seen it... only a demo on the net from its creator*... I would say that it can be easily made with simple things like a fine line pen and some acetate, or similar.

 

[cj.23]

The trick is a bit flawed though, as you can only take pictures or videos against a light background, and you can't execute it directly in someone's face. Without giving the trick away *And I haven't seen it... only a demo on the net from its creator*...

Well I won't give away how it's done, as that is against forum rules, but yes it is a little obvious - but in the field so to speak I have used it to great effect many times.

There is however a more pressing problem. The new generation of mobile phones have cameras which are so good that the trick tends to fail, as it needs slightly lower spec cameras. I have not experimented much, but of my friends at a recent event, only one had a camera on their phone suitable, and while my old phone bought two years ago worked wonderfully, that died and now my replacement is just too good, and it won't work at all. Maybe I just need to practice more.

I believe US mobile phone handset technology is (was?) seriously behind the European models, so that might explain the difference, or it might just be that a new generation of mega-pixel cameras is rendering this trick obsolete. I would post some photos i took with my old phone, such as the glowing white smoky inverted pentagram in a pub courtyard, or the small ghost schoolboy scurrying through a castle gate in 18th century clothes, but sadly they were lost I believe with my old phone failing. If I ever manage a repair I'll post them though! Fun trick.

Edit: incidentally I took several good ghost photos outside at night, and a a 'haunted' castle at 3am on a ghost event - you don't need a light background, I assume most cameras can cope with the contrast. Set your flash to go off after the shot to allay suspicion (some phones make this hard, but you can usually activate the flash independently.) As to it being obvious, the context, patter and your usual skills come in here.

cj x

 

[cj.23]

I've recomended these elsewhere before, but if you're looking for packet "psychic" tricks then a current favorite is the Beyond ESP 2 zener card deck:

http://www.magicbox.uk.com/shop.php/shop/magic-tricks/mentalism/beyond-esp-2/p_372.html

They are very sneakily marked and it's almost impossible for the untrained to realise that they're gaffed if not used too blatently. It takes a while to get your eye in, but when you've got it then "ESP experiment" routines can be as simple or as complicated as you like. Also - for me - they avoid the assumptions of being a "magic trick" that using playing card decks can have.

Hi Jon!

Oddly one of my parapsychologist colleagues tried this out on me on the weekend and was surprised when I identified how the trick was done immediately. Although I had not seen the product before, I am always watching for issues with zener cards - but I very much doubt anyone not "in the (parapsychology) business" would have noticed this. We actually used them to test fifteen people to keep them occupied during a serious experiment when they were not actively participating, and not one seemed to realise there was anything fishy about the cards.

I like the packaging, it sounds like one of these groups you encounter, and yes nice cards, two decks, one with red one with black backs. Recommended!

cj x

 

[JonWhite]

The trick is a bit flawed though, as you can only take pictures or videos against a light background, and you can't execute it directly in someone's face.

As cj says, a light background isn't really so necessary. Keeping the apparition more "subtle" against a dark'ish background can increase the effect.

Whilst you can't execute it with someone too close staring directly at the camera, just get a bit arty and (ie) position them to be at the side of frame staring wistfully into the distance/at the building/etc (where the "ghost" will miraculously appear)!

 

[JonWhite]

Hi Jon!

Oddly one of my parapsychologist colleagues tried this out on me on the weekend and was surprised when I identified how the trick was done immediately. Although I had not seen the product before, I am always watching for issues with zener cards - but I very much doubt anyone not "in the (parapsychology) business" would have noticed this. We actually used them to test fifteen people to keep them occupied during a serious experiment when they were not actively participating, and not one seemed to realise there was anything fishy about the cards.

I like the packaging, it sounds like one of these groups you encounter, and yes nice cards, two decks, one with red one with black backs. Recommended!

cj x

Hi cj.

Glad that you're having fun with the effects.

If you'd known the ESP card system, you could have completely floored him with your "psychic" ability!

 

[cj.23]

As cj says, a light background isn't really so necessary. Keeping the apparition more "subtle" against a dark'ish background can increase the effect.

Whilst you can't execute it with someone too close staring directly at the camera, just get a bit arty and (ie) position them to be at the side of frame staring wistfully into the distance/at the building/etc (where the "ghost" will miraculously appear)!

I usually start by breaking off in mid sentence,and saying "can you feel that?" while looking at where I will take the photo. "Anyone sense anything, or just me?" - then step back, and let people start to get psyched (and sometimes think they can see stuff). If any one describes a figure, I am now accomplished enough to quickly prepare while "taking notes" on my notepad. Then I make a big deal about having not got a camera on me, and how useless a psychic investigator i am, and borrow a camera phone...

Body language works - tense, shiver, clutch someone's arm. tension builds. Then while they are all watching step forward, take the picture, and hand the phone to someone saying "you look, you look!" Everyone crowds round, and excitement ensues.

Then comes the explanation they were tricked, and the handing out of a little leaflet with details of where they can get the trick if they want to know how!

My best ever was duting a pub conversation on Aleister Crowley, in front of seven witnesses: the white smokey effect was great, as was my "maybe its paredoilia, just cigarette smoke." line as they freaked! I got the white effect by taking a negative image, which my phone allows - play with the settings, and be creative!

j x