Episode 39 - The Human Blockhead revealed [Discussion]

[lasthand]

Remember Brian sticking a 4-inch nail up his nose? This time he shows you how it works!



Watch or download the episode. (http://revision3.com/scamschool/humanblockhead/)

[murphy1d]

OK, I'm a sucker for a dare...
(video removed because Youtube still hasn't processed it).
PS - I had to go to work after shooting this, so hopefully Youtube has it processed by the time you watch it.

[mccy]

I've known this trick for a while now, but havn't yet got around to doing it with a nail. I normally do it with the inside of a biro pen as I find it goes in further.

It has resulted in a nose bleed many a time but I continue to do it... I think I need psychiatric help...

[uuilliam]

Woot :P my Domain smack was featured :D
(imonthesexoffenderlist.com)

good show but i wont be trying this xD knowing myself, ill probs poke it through something vital

[hayz]

i can get a 3 inch nail all the way in, but im not comfortable with knocking it in yet...on another note, i find the nail more comfortable than the q-tip. and i feel like im breathing better now

[metallicnitro]

Yeah I am not doing that :D:cool:

[rabidbadger]

Ya know what's funny? I've seen Brian, Other performers, and some of you folks do this over and over again, before. But somehow, this version made me queezy. I actually puked a tiny bit. Don't know why. Maybe it was cause of the close ups were just a tad too close? Who knows?

But I'm really starting to like Andrew, gonna start watching his show kinda regular.

[malbat]

Wow, that was easier than i expected.
As long as you don't go up the wrong way everything runs smooth.

Can i join your gang now? ;)

Update:
Hm, i think i maybe already developed an addiction to sticking long things up my nose.

[hayz]

its funny, i showed this to a few people at work, even just pushing it in instead of hamering, they still freaked a bit... :D

[murphy1d]

OK...now I finally got it to work...both on Youtube and in my nose...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3coV9qWOl8&feature=channel_page

[jmp2071]

Video of me pulling it off.... It was quite easy, I didn't have any problems with the nail going in either nostril. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQjgBQkBGGk

[englishw]

I'm starting with a Q-Tip... but I got it!!!

Thanks Brian!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8nadEc7BYI

-Bill

[rabidbadger]

That is just scary.

[patrickd]

I need to buy some nails...

[hayz]

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e17/Zyahtiger/161307.jpg


http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e17/Zyahtiger/160150.jpg

video is on the way if i can ever get it to work right...

[hayz]

as promised, a video, this is my 2nd or 3rd attempt with a hammer and i feel it looks pretty good for a few hours of practice

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_Gtl5TC3js

[sincerelee]

Of all the things I have learned on Scam School, this is the one that I refuse to learn. With my bad luck and klutzy dexterity, I'll be in an ER because I sneezed, slamming my head into the table and ramming the nail into my brain.

[shwooddotcom]

Of all the things I have learned on Scam School, this is the one that I refuse to learn. With my bad luck and klutzy dexterity, I'll be in an ER because I sneezed, slamming my head into the table and ramming the nail into my brain.

Our lawyers thank you for your good sense!

[andrew-bancroft]

holy ballsack, this really happened!? brian, did you roofy me after this?

actually, it was a blast. call anytime you need a guinea pig who works for booze.

and our gang seems to be growing rapidly... you don't need guns when you can shove a spike in your nose to shock and awe your rivals. blizz-ock hizz-eads what WHAT!

[coldv]

Wow great episode! I had a lot of fun watching this one! I have to admit the extreme close-up shots were a little too gross. I am sorry to say I won't be attempt this stunt. :(

I wonder if the editor realises that he missed the first few "shit" and "fuck" during the first half of the episode.

I think Andrew is a lot funnier just being himself. I loved the episode when Brian was on the Digg Reel and this episode of Scam School. I think it is something about the two of them doing a show together. I would love to see them do an episode together again once in a while.

[murphy1d]

Names for "Our Gang"?

"Blizz-ock Hizz-eads"
"Afrin-ators"
"Pinhead's 4-Penny"
"Self-Mounted Insects"
"Nailer...I just met her"
"The Biggest Brads"
"Galvanizzles"
"Cork Boards"


OK..I'm done...lol

[sincerelee]

Names for "Our Gang"?

"Blizz-ock Hizz-eads"
"Afrin-ators"
"Pinhead's 4-Penny"
"Self-Mounted Insects"
"Nailer...I just met her"
"The Biggest Brads"
"Galvanizzles"
"Cork Boards"


OK..I'm done...lol

"I prove to you I am a B-woodie. See this nail?"

[hayz]

more names

"we're hammered"
"we nail ourselves"
"breathe deep"

[peppersghost]

kek7 is probably the best name for our gang

[murphy1d]

kek7 is probably the best name for our gang
Cheese-its already took the name..lol.

[englishw]

Okay... finally got some 4" nails... Here is my nail video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baIfn7tFZpw

I'm having so much fun with this!!

[oldcrows40]

http://www.facebook.com/v/45308181034

[dezrah]

I was doing a lame-ass version of this on my own for awhile, but got some great tips from Brian after a live show that improved it 100%. Then I added a little something of my own...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sdp_9N4CTfw

[rabidbadger]

Awesome dude, fun subtle delivery.

[slidsilver]

Wow, I had to make an account JUST for this. I just watched the Human Blockhead episode last night, and immediately searched my desk for long, pointy objects which I could stick up my nose. (Somehow, that last sentence doesn't make me sound very smart).

So, I took apart a ballpoint pen, and proceeded to stick the ink... thing (you know, the long thin plastic piece with the ink inside) into my right nostril. The first time I messed up, but I got it about five inches in on my second try (I definitely hit the back of my throat with the end). Not having a videocamera handy, I took several pictures with my phone.

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/2266/photo1tw6.jpg
http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/4787/photo2iz2.jpg
http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/8559/photo3dd4.jpg
http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/8011/photo4jo1.jpg

I've never felt so alive!

Now I need to go find a nail.

[deanlol]

The only thing I'm worried about is some drunken wisea** punching me in the nose while doing this. I tried it with a q-tip, promptly sneezed after I got it out and my sinuses felt much better. I think I'm going to try a variation by sneaking a blood capsule into the mix and watching people freak out.

Deanlol

[shwooddotcom]

The only thing I'm worried about is some drunken wisea** punching me in the nose while doing this. I tried it with a q-tip, promptly sneezed after I got it out and my sinuses felt much better. I think I'm going to try a variation by sneaking a blood capsule into the mix and watching people freak out.

Deanlol

Must. Post. Video.

[deanlol]

Must. Post. Video.

My wife and kids don't know I'm poking things in my nose yet so I'm not in a position to do it. I don't want them panicking. If I get the chance I'll give it a shot somewhere public.

Deanlol

[sarax]

This is kinda old, but here's my proof of victory. It was suprisingly easy. I must have supple sinus flaps. I might try it with a nail if I get a chance.

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj166/sglod/blockhead.jpg

[wizardman]

Hey Brian, I am enjoying doing the human blockhead stunt!

I have been practising the straw stunt also with a piece of platic tubing I got from a DIY store. I can see the tube at the back of my throat but I can't grab it with my fingers to get it out. I think the tube isn't flexible enough.

I've seen a couple of people do this with tubes and wondered what kind of tubing should I use? This stunt would really freak 'em out!!

Thanks!

[jasoni]

Amazing I just did it with a Q-Tip my wife is so grossed out right now. Pics and maybe a video to come.

*EDIT* just did it with a nail, photos are up on my new blog http://jasonimboden.blog.com

[mooy]

I haven't tried it yet so maybe I shouldn't come with weard ides. Instead of using a nail. Why not using something smooth and made out of plastic. Like this!

http://www.scandinavianlightstick.se/images/9068015_12_24_p.jpg

http://www.scandinavianlightstick.se/12.html

[shwooddotcom]

I've tried it. They're a bit thick, but they work great!

[metacore]

As for the blood capsule thing, I tried just pinching it in a kleenex while blowing my nose, and it doesn't really look good, so maybe someone has a better idea(or better skills).
I thought about sticking the "nail" through a ketchup packet while going in, to make it look bloody when I pull it out, but I realized I would have ketchup in my sinuses, so I guess that won't really work.

I also wanted to add that I found that first starting out while looking to the side, and pretending it really is a trick before turning while saying something like "looks real, huh?" catches people off guard more than just sticking it in there(I don't think it can beat the delivery of hammering it in somehow, but I'm not quite there yet) and you can also possibly add the fake blood while your head is turned(I figured this would be when I puncture the ketchup packet, but, like I said, ketchupy sinuses are probably bad). The second tidbit was that if in a bar, and you don't have a nail, try to get one of those little umbrellas. It's sharp, the perfect length, and you can spin it in your nose by chewing, which looks sorta cool if you have some gum. The reason it would spin is because you're nostrils should contract slightly as you chew, which should grab onto the sides of the toothpick part of the umbrella and spin it.

Also, I have a really stupid question. Since I couldn't find a 4inch nail, I've been using a bullet I have(not live, don't worry) that's about 4 inches long. It gets the job done, and is a little less conspicuous then a nail, since some people have these bullets on chains or keychains with them. My question is, would it be gross and immature to put the bullet in backwords and shoot it out? Would it even add anything? Since I can completely conceal it, would it be more impressive to just pull it out first, without showing it going in and then preform the trick?

[rabidbadger]

Let's see Brian beat this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OECi7k9ru9E

[nagla0]

i have 3 question
1. can i use any nail or would u recommend washing it and/or filing or sanding down the point?
2. can i use a nail more than once?
3. should i use a smooth nail or can i use one of those nails with the big spirals on it(not a screw)?
thx

[drunknsloth]

I've tried it with a Q-tip but I haven't found a nail to do it with.

Do people actually breath easier after doing it a couple of time's?

[metacore]

Well, I really only noticed it the first couple of times, but since it actually got easier the more I did it, I assume it just helped more but I got used to it.

In short, yes. At least for me.

[drunknsloth]

Well, I really only noticed it the first couple of times, but since it actually got easier the more I did it, I assume it just helped more but I got used to it.

In short, yes. At least for me.

Wait, are you talking about physically being able to breath easier regularly, or not being as nervous when you do it?

[metacore]

I mean it physically became easier to do, since it felt that it can go deeper with less resistance.

[drunknsloth]

I mean it physically became easier to do, since it felt that it can go deeper with less resistance.

Oh, okay. I was wondering about the actual action of breathing in and out, but thanks for your input.

[bryanlok]

it does make breathing easier..
and it may seem scary to try at first.
but i just grabbed a couple qtips. and its so simple.
and yes it tickled my nose so i sneezed a bit :P. but i pulled it out quickly before i sneezed.
good trick :)

[megamamax]

Yes I know this is old, but I find it doesn't tickle as much when you take off all the cotton on the cutip, Its also better for people who are just starting to learn it, and also if you start to sneeze, just stop and breath slowly until your fine, also as I am typing this I have a cutip in my nose

[greymatters]

Even after you get the method down, presenting it is a whole other matter.

For one example, watch Brian's earlier performance video (http://revision3.com/scamschool/NYC1) (starting at about 5:15 into the video).

1) The use of an audience member as their representative
2) The initial insertion
3) The additional insertion for added effect
4) The play-up of the removal
5) The leaving of the audience with a souvenir

For another example, check out Rudy Coby's approach (apparently, people who do this too much wind up with a strange desire to wear their hair straight up):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0IH1iTRaRg

Notice that Rudy Coby and Brian Brushwood's performances are completely different, yet employ similar touches of showmanship. Studying these, and other performances can make you a better performer.

I don't mean to suggest that you should steal other performer's bits, but rather that you should study their performances with an eye to what principles you can learn.