THE MIRROR BOX

PRODUCTION BOX
MANIPULATION BOX

PRODUCTION
FOLDER

THE MIRROR PRODUCTION BOX

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
mylar.

In the following description I use black 'illustration

board' available from artists' supply houses. This
board is 1/16 inch thick (2 mm), stiff and quite The expanded mirror box. Note that on
the two sides that fold diagonally one
sturdy. The black cord elastic can be had at most section has been cut slightly larger so
sewing supply houses and should be used rather that the corner overlaps the box proper.
than an elastic band which doesn't function as This holds the box square when
expanded and makes it easier to
well. Gaffers tape is used to hinge the sections collapse the box.
together and can be had at both theatrical and
musicians' supply stores. The self-stick mylar is
available from stores selling plastic sheeting.

The boxes could be made out of playing card

stock or other cardboard, hinged together with
clear wrapping tape and decorated in another
fashion. However they won't hold up as well under
constant use.
In collapsing the box, the thumbs
Prop Construction gently pull out the two folding sides
which causes them to fold at their
hinged diagonal and pulls the rest of the
Cut six squares from the card stock. Each square box flat.
measures 2-1/2 x 2-1/2 inches (6.4 x 6.4 cm.)

Cut two of these squares in half from one corner

to the opposite diagonal corner.

Hinge the four squares together.

In placing the tape one square to hinge it to the

next square, a space should left between the two The collapsed box, ready to spring open
joined edges that equals the thickness of the card when not held under pressure.
stock. Tape should then be placed on both the
fronts and backs of the squares.

The easiest way to do this is to place one square

directly on top of another and apply the first
length of tape from one square over the top of the
two ends and down onto the other square. Then
open the two squares, turn them over and lie
them flat before attaching the tape hinge to the Another view of the collapsed box.
opposite 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

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.

The four squares are hinged

together with adhesive tape at
their common sides. The white
rectangles indicate the position of
the tape.

The two sides which are cut and

then hinged diagonally (dashed
lines) each have two holes
punched in them (black dots)
through which the elastic cord is
threaded.

These two hinged sides are

attached by hinges to the four
squares (arrows) to complete the
construction of the box.

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.
MIRROR BOX PRODUCTION FOLDER
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 The folder is displayed to the
material uses to make up the production boxes. spectators.
Illustration board is very sturdy, has a slight flex
and black throughout.

Several panels are needed, the exact number

determined by the number of cubes to be
produced. The panels are 10 inches square (25.5
cm).

In hinging the panels together, a 3/8 inch (9 mm)

It is opened to show that it is empty,
gap should be set between the panel edges before then closed.
the hinge tape is applied. This creates a space for
the collapsed box without causing the panel to
bulge.

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

the inner panels, each tab offset from the next
slightly. Paper clips covered in black vinyl are used
in the photographs. These tabs allow the left
thumb to locate the panels to be 'held back' so When opened again, a solid silver cube
rests on the folder. Note the display
that the folder is opened to the proper panel for position with the back portion of the
any particular production. folder horizontal to the floor.

Handling & Presentation

With the collapsed boxes loaded between the inner

panels, the folder is picked up, shown casually and
then opened so the spectators can see the interior.
The left thumb rests on the tabs, keeping the
inner panels against the back panel of the folder.

The folder is closed, the left thumb moves off the The folder panels are hinged loosely
together to allow for space taken by the
first tab, the right thumb moves to that tab and collapsed production boxes.
pulls the folder cover and panel the tab is attached
to forward. At the same time the folder is turned
so that the surface is parallel to the floor. The
production box expands and is seen resting on the
folder panel.

This is repeated for subsequent productions.

Performance Notes A tab is attached to the upper corner of

This production folder is quite easy to use and a
large quantity of boxes can be produced. The
productions should be made artfully with the
performer registering just as much amazement as
the spectators at the appearance of the solid
boxes.
each folder, each tab spaced a short
distance from the next, so that the
performer can use the tabs to control
which panel(s) are grouped with the
cover when the folded is opened.

The outsides of the back and front panels should

be decorated with a border and center design to
make the panels appear smaller than they actually
are. The interior surfaces of the panels can also
have a design so long as a strong contrast is
maintained between the panel surface and the
boxes being produced.