Bowl-a-rama

The performer walks out carrying a thin sketch pad. Flipping back the front cover he writes bowling ball and sketches a picture of one. The performer closes the pad and holds it out in front of him. From within the pages of the pad falls a giant bowling ball that crashes on the stage, proving its real. When the performer opens up the pad, the picture of the ball has vanished, leaving only the words "Bowling Ball."

This is a fantastic effect by Kevin James that I've used to open talks on creativity for teenagers and talks on pitching for digital industry professionals.

Not only is it a stunning effect in its own right but the meaning of the effect - something on a drawing board becomes real - is great for starting any discussion based on creativity.

The real secret to the effect is in the animation. By this I mean the handling of the props in a natural manner. It is also best done in silence.

On the TV show Monkey Magic they did a version when a live duck was produced. Very nice.

This effect should never be revealed of course because it is a commercial effect. If one were to teach it it would be under a strict code of silence.