COLOR PREDICTION

PERFORMANCE:

THE SECRET

The magician uses an iOS shortcut running on their phone to secretly create the matching image. The shortcut operates in one of two ways:

• Remote Mode: The performer uses a hidden volume control to input the colors.

• Manual Mode: The performer manually enters a sequence of numbers (from 1 to 5) corresponding to the order in which the stick figure items were colored.

The shortcut generates the image and saves it to the photo gallery, assigning a prior date and time to make it appear as though the photo was taken earlier.

THE SHORTCUTS

INSTALLATION AND SETUP

1. Download Supporting Files
   Download the necessary files from here. Place the zip file into your iCloud Drive using the iOS Files app. 

   • Create a folder called magic shortcuts and move the zip file into that folder. 

   • Uncompress the file to create a subfolder called Color Prediction, which will contain all required files.

2. Install Shortcuts
   Use the provided links to download the four shortcuts.

3. Configure Colors (Optional)
   If you're happy with the default colors (red, dark blue, dark green, purple, and yellow), you can skip this step. Otherwise, run the COLOR PREDICTION (CONFIG) shortcut to customize the colors.

4. Enable Notifications (Optional)
   Open the COLOR PREDICTION (REMOTE) shortcut in the Shortcuts app and scroll through the comments section. 

   • You’ll find options to enable pop-up notifications or have the colors spoken aloud. 

   • If you choose to use spoken colors, you can also set the Bluetooth device (e.g., smart glasses with a speaker) for the audio.

   • Before performing see the section on Testing the shortcut. You want to make sure you go through a test performance a few times to make sure the shortcut has been granted all the permissions it needs to prevent it popping up a question during a performance.

5. Install the Actions App
   To expand the capabilities of your shortcuts, install Actions from the App Store:

   • Search for "Actions" (developed by Sindre Sorhus) and download it.

   • Launch the app after installation.

   • Restart your device to ensure the actions appear in the Shortcuts app.

PAIRING A BLUETOOTH SELFIE REMOTE FOR REMOTE MODE

To perform the remote version of the effect, you'll need to use a Bluetooth selfie remote. Here's how to pair it with your phone:

1. Activate Pairing Mode:

   • Turn on the Bluetooth selfie remote and press the pairing button (refer to the remote’s manual for details).

2. Enable Bluetooth on Your iPhone:

   • Open the Settings app and select Bluetooth.

   • Toggle Bluetooth on if it isn’t already activated.

3. Select Your Device:

   • Locate the name of the selfie remote in the list of available devices and tap to pair.

   • Once paired, the remote should appear under My Devices.

For an inexpensive Bluetooth selfie remote, you might consider this example on Amazon (note: verify availability and reviews before purchase).

PERFORMING THE EFFECT

REMOTE VERSION

1. Run the COLOR PREDICTION (REMOTE) shortcut, which will wait for input.

2. Present the volunteer with a picture of a stick figure and 5 colored markers. Explain that this is like the old paint-by-number sets. Number the stick figure as follows:
   
   

   • 1. Balloon 

   • 2. Hair 

   • 3. Dress 

   • 4. Hands 

   • 5. Feet 

3. Each marker corresponds to a number (default is):
   
   

   • 1. Red 

   • 2. Dark Blue 

   • 3. Dark Green 

   • 4. Purple 

   • 5. Yellow 

I find it easy to remember RBGPY using a pneumonic Ruth Bader Ginsberg PY (no political comments here).

As the spectator colors each section, press the volume up button the number of times that matches the color chosen (e.g., 3 for dark green). Pause briefly between each press. If notifications are enabled, you’ll see confirmation for each color entered.

4. After the 4th color, the shortcut automatically determines the 5th color, so no further input is needed. 

5. If after entering the 4 numbers you realize an error was made during entry, you can press the volume down button, which will take you to the MANUAL entry shortcut as a failsafe. 

6. Once all colors are entered correctly, press the volume up button one last time to create the image.

MANUAL VERSION

1. Run the COLOR PREDICTION (REMOTE) shortcut. After the 4th item is colored, you now know the complete sequence of colors. Press any volume key. 

2. Enter the 5-digit number corresponding to the sequence of colors chosen by the spectator. For example:
   
   

   • Balloon - Dark Green (3) 

   • Hair - Yellow (5) 

   • Dress - Red (1) 

   • Hands - Dark Blue (2) 

   • Feet - Purple (4)
     The sequence would be 35124. 

3. Once entered, the stick figure is created and saved into the photo app.

TESTING THE SHORTCUTS

1. Run the COLOR PREDICTION (REMOTE) shortcut. 

2. Simulate the input:
   
   

   • Press the volume up button 1 time and pause. 

   • Press the volume up button 2 times and pause. 

   • Continue this process, increasing the number of presses each time. Perform this for 4 colors. 

3. Observe the shortcut’s behavior. It should process the inputs and create the predicted image. 

4. During testing, allow any pop-ups requesting permissions (e.g., access to photos or files) by selecting "Always Allow".

5. You will also need to run the MANUAL version of the shortcut.  At some steps selecting Always Allow may take up to a minute to respond and may require running the shortcut more than once to complete.

MODIFYING THE SHORTCUTS

If you’d like to experiment with customizing a Shortcut but are concerned about making irreversible changes, consider creating a duplicate first. Here's how:

1. Duplicate a Shortcut:

   • Long-press on the Shortcut you wish to modify.

   • Select "Duplicate" from the context menu to create a copy.

   • Rename the duplicate Shortcut to something like "TEST" for clarity.

2. Experiment Safely:
   Now you can make changes to the "TEST" version without worrying about impacting the original Shortcut. Once you’re satisfied, you can apply your edits to the primary Shortcut.