Make sure to read the iOS pre-requisites page to ensure all shortcuts to run correctly.

THE EFFECT

The performer introduces a fun and interactive magic effect involving LEGO bricks and invites two audience members to join in. One volunteer is handed four LEGO bricks in different colors: red, green, blue, and yellow.

The two spectators are asked to make a series of choices

1. After a series of random mixes and selections, each spectator has two LEGO bricks.

2. They decide the arrangement of their selected LEGO bricks, choosing which one to place on top and which on the bottom.

3. Finally, the first volunteer hands the two groupings of LEGO bricks to the performer, deciding which group goes on top and which goes on the bottom.

Despite the randomness of these choices, the performer reveals a jaw-dropping twist: before the effect began, they had taken a photo of the LEGO arrangement and set it as the lock screen on their iPhone. When the photo is revealed to the audience, it perfectly matches the final arrangement created by the spectators.

THE SECRET

This magical illusion leverages the power of the iPhone's Shortcuts application. The performer has two custom shortcuts installed:

1. Lego Prediction: This shortcut handles the selection and setup of prediction images.

2. Wait for Input: This shortcut allows for discreet communication with the device.

The shortcuts are configured to respond to a series of simple inputs from the performer, using the up and down volume keys on the iPhone. By subtly pressing these keys, the performer can signal the shortcuts to identify which of the eight pre-prepared prediction photos corresponds to the spectators' final arrangement of LEGO bricks. Once the input is received, the shortcut quickly updates the lock screen with the correct prediction image, ready for the grand reveal.

INSTALLATION

Step 1: Create an Alternate Photo Wallpaper

Setting up an alternate photo wallpaper ensures that the shortcut doesn’t alter your personal wallpaper permanently. Here’s how to create one:

1. Choose or take a photo that you’d like to use as your alternate wallpaper.

2. Go to your iPhone's Settings and navigate to Wallpaper.

3. Select "Add New Wallpaper" and then Photos.

4. Choose your alternate wallpaper photo and set it as one of the wallpaper options (you can assign it only to the lock screen or both lock and home screens).

5. Keep your original personal wallpaper intact for easy switching back after the performance.

Step 2: Install the Shortcuts

Now that you’ve completed the preparations, install the two shortcuts using the links below.

Step 3: Verify Settings in the LEGO Prediction Shortcut

After installation, you’ll need to confirm a few settings within the Lego Prediction shortcut:

1. Open the Shortcuts app and locate the Lego Prediction shortcut.

2. Tap the three dots (…) on the shortcut to edit it.

3. Next, locate the comment titled "Set Wallpaper":  Confirm that the wallpaper selected matches your alternate wallpaper. Adjust it if necessary.

Step 4: Test the Shortcut

Once everything is set up, it’s time to test the shortcut:

1. Run the Lego Prediction shortcut for the first time.

2. When you run the shortcut, it will ask you if you wish to continue. This gives you time to minimize whatever screen you kick the shortcut off from before pressing continue.

3. For the test, press the volume up button three times with a slight pause between each press.

4. During the test, you may see pop-up requests for permissions (e.g., to access photos or files). Select "Always Allow" every time a prompt appears.

PERFORMANCE

Step 1: Selecting the LEGO Bricks

The magician ensures that one volunteer ends up with the red and blue LEGO bricks, while the other ends up with the green and yellow. This is achieved using a simple magician's equivocation technique:

1. Hand all four LEGO bricks (red, blue, green, yellow) to the first volunteer.

2. Ask them to shake the bricks in their hands and then place two bricks in each hand, dropping them onto the table.

   • If the pairs are red and blue and green and yellow, you're ready to proceed.

   • If the pairs are mismatched (e.g., red with yellow, blue with green), proceed as follows:

     • Have the volunteer pick up the pair closest to them (e.g., red and yellow).

     • Instruct them to shake the pair and hand one of the two LEGO bricks (e.g., the red) to the second volunteer, keeping the other (e.g., yellow) for themselves.

3. Ask the second volunteer to point to one of the remaining bricks on the table (either blue or green):

   • If they point to the green brick, they take it.

   • If they point to the blue brick, instruct them to push it toward the first volunteer.

By the end of this process, one volunteer has red and blue, and the other has green and yellow.

Step 2: Arranging the LEGO Bricks

The volunteers now freely arrange their bricks as follows:

1. Each volunteer chooses which of their two LEGO bricks they want to place on top or bottom, creating two pairs (e.g., red on top of blue, yellow on top of green).

2. The volunteers hand their pairs to the magician.

3. The first volunteer decides which pair of bricks will go on the bottom and which will go on the top of the final arrangement.

INPUT INSTRUCTIONS

The magician must pass three key pieces of information to the shortcut, using discreet volume button presses on their iPhone:

1. Identifying the Bottom Pair

Red & Blue: Press the volume up button.

Green & Yellow: Press the volume down button.

2. Identifying the Top Brick of the Bottom Pair

The color on top of the bottom pair is signaled alphabetically:

If the bottom pair is Blue & Red:

• Blue on top: Press the volume up button

• Red on top: Press the volume down button

If the bottom pair is Green & Yellow:

• Green on top: Press the volume up button.

  • Yellow on top: Press the volume down button.

3. Identifying the Top Brick of the Top Pair

Again, signal alphabetically:

• Green or Blue on top: Press the volume up button.

• Yellow or Red on top: Press the volume down button.

EXAMPLE

Let’s say:

1. The Blue & Red pair is chosen as the bottom pair.

2. Within that pair, Red is on top.

3. The Green & Yellow pair is on top, with Yellow on top.

The magician's button presses would be:

1. Volume Up: Indicating that Blue & Red is the bottom pair.

2. Volume Down: Indicating Red is on top within the bottom pair.

3. Volume Down: Indicating Yellow is on top within the top pair.

This sequence ensures the shortcut correctly identifies and updates the lock screen with the matching prediction image.