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'Splain this!

I suspect Angel does a lot of editing with his stuff before it's published.
The people around the stunt are paid to be there and react.
 
911KookDetector said:
LMAO. David Blaine has always been way cooler than this tool.
But just checking...
That was fake. Right?....:rolleyes:
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Agreed, I just saw his [Blaine] recent special and it came off as really genuine [as genuine as trickery gets] the reactions were natural, angel has ceased trying and sticks to stooges and camera tricks.
 
Nay_Sayer said:
Agreed, I just saw his [Blaine] recent special and it came off as really genuine [as genuine as trickery gets] the reactions were natural, angel has ceased trying and sticks to stooges and camera tricks.
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I watched that last night too. It was quite interesting.

Are we allowed to discuss details of it here or is that considered giving away secrets? I know there are rules when it comes to the magicians section and I don't want to say anything I shouldn't.
 
IRT Blaine's special, I thought it was well done, and I enjoyed his effects immensely. I remember thinking though, right around the Harrison Ford effect:

::All this criticism these guys receive for using paid actors and stooges...well, let's just go for broke and make it so over-the-top obvious we are using actors that the audience will never see it coming!::
 
So does that needle have to be really smooth and with a extremely sharp point to go through the soft flesh to not bleed externally?
 
A question for moderators: is mentioning (obvious) video editing bloopers considered to be "exposing" a magic trick?

At least to me, it doesn't seem like there are any real secrets to camera tricks. Especially when it's such blatant in-your-face editing. I would have been much more impressed if the trick had used one continuous video shot, which to me would have made it much more realistic (and yes, the trick could have been done that way -- but might have required considerable practice beforehand). I hated the way the video cuts back and forth between cameras every few seconds -- as the sun's shadows vary from early-afternoon to late-evening (and back again) in a span of three minutes.

And what's the deal with filming the audience? If you were there and a person was being cut in half right in front of you, would you really turn around, and start filming the audience instead of the main event? (I know, every 'live' show these days throws in the obligatory (often stock) audience shots, but I still hate the practice)

I also thought it would have been a better setup if *all* parties wore a wig, hat, and sunglasses - and even heavy makeup. (some people possess keen facial recognition, one of the biggest potential 'spoilers' of these kinds of tricks).

I'm sorry, but the effect just didn't 'work' on me at all. I saw through it much too easily - and that's without even having to replay it. But unlike watching a well-performed sleight-of-hand trick that I know (and can appreciate the skillful execution of) this was more like the "roll-your-eyes-and groan" variety of 'camera' magic.

Honestly, I might as well watch a mentalist who employs stooges. ;)
 
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Nay_Sayer said:
Agreed, I just saw his [Blaine] recent special and it came off as really genuine [as genuine as trickery gets] the reactions were natural, angel has ceased trying and sticks to stooges and camera tricks.
Click to expand...

I haven't seen Blaine's most recent special, and the rules forbid me from getting into specifics, but Blaine has used camera and editing tricks in past shows.
 
911KookDetector said:
But just checking...
That was fake. Right?....
Click to expand...

No, the amputees were real. Or are you asking if the switching back and forth between regular people and amputee doubles was fake? The switching part was not done in front of a real audience so this is not a magic trick.
 
Since hearing stuff like plants/shills are used and camera tricks and editting, i wouldnt even watch such garbage anymore. It makes us out like we are dopes. Its like the show is stealing from us. Stealing our time.
I consider magic as the skill of hand, and/or on-stage illusion, live, as you see it.
 
Iamme said:
Since hearing stuff like plants/shills are used and camera tricks and editting, i wouldnt even watch such garbage anymore. It makes us out like we are dopes. Its like the show is stealing from us. Stealing our time.
I consider magic as the skill of hand, and/or on-stage illusion, live, as you see it.
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I have to agree. Unfortunately most of Criss Angel's tricks on his show can only be done on video (and with actors playing along). If you read the reviews of his stage show most people are disappointed that he does standard stuff like making doves appear and escaping from a straitjacket instead of the more outrageous stuff he does on TV.
 
Iamme said:
Since hearing stuff like plants/shills are used and camera tricks and editting, i wouldnt even watch such garbage anymore. It makes us out like we are dopes. Its like the show is stealing from us. Stealing our time.
I consider magic as the skill of hand, and/or on-stage illusion, live, as you see it.
Click to expand...

I have to agree. There is nothing entertaining about watching an audience of actors and a chain of crappy edits and calling it a "magic trick". It's not magic, it's just bad special effects in a bad movie.
 
When he pulls the woman apart you can see the clothing is solid around the edges of the gap as on a wire frame,the clothing gives it away. As others have said its camera tricks and Jonny Eck did the non edits version first and Kevin James has also a non camera trick version.. Angel is a douche.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxXfGHMwzjw

ETA The "split" woman is at least 10 years older than her solid version ;)
 
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