Levitation

[jasonpatterson]

Of course now that I actually want to use it I can't find it, but I watched an extensive video detailing the video editing that went into having him walk up the side of a building, fly around a bit, then down the building again.

Why on Earth would anyone believe that a televised magician was not using camera tricks, shills, etc? Why believe that the people involved weren't just paid extras? There are some amazing tricks that skilled magicians can do, don't get me wrong, but if you're not actually watching the trick being performed, why assume that there isn't an additional level of deception involved beyond the normal stuff?

 

[IdiotWhacker]

Yes i believe that the film crew could have done a better job by providing the right lighting conditions and camera details from all angles.The problem that i had with the video was the director not saying come to your conclusion instead he basicaly said that there is no tricks attached and the only explanation is levitation. I say to myself many things can be explained but some people just jump to conclusions and say that this is proof of the supernatural.

 

[IdiotWhacker]

Who needs a crane? A sturdy branch and some assistants in the background could do it.

The camera crew is obviously in on it or they would have better footage.

So i am guessing the african shaman has a piece of wood behind his back and the assistants are in the bush. How do you explain the African shaman to actually stick to the wood? I question the lack of footage in the video that is fine, but the question is how this trick can be performed in a third world country? I also question the place where this was performed because the film maker just says Africa

 

[IdiotWhacker]

mod please delete

 

[Orphia Nay]

As someone who has had a lifelong interest in magic, and has worked as a magician, I will say this: Most of Criss Angel's effects can only be done on video. One of the biggest complaints people have with his stage show in Vegas is that he does the same tricks other magicians do and not the one's from his tv shows. Doug Henning, David Copperfield, Harry Blackstone, etc could all do the same tricks from their tv shows on stage and even the tv shows were done in front of real audiences. It's well known among working actors who read the trades that Criss Angel advertises to hire the 'random spectators' for his tv episodes.

Indeed. I've seen Criss Angel explain his levitation trick. Someone put it on YouTube but it's been taken down. You can buy his videos and see how to do it.

 

[johnnyawe]

You know these levitation tricks that guys like Chris Angel do?

How do they do that?!!?

Step 1: Acquire magical powers.

Step 2: ???

Step 3: Profit

 

[Squeegee Beckenheim]

So i am guessing the african shaman has a piece of wood behind his back and the assistants are in the bush. How do you explain the African shaman to actually stick to the wood?

What does he need wood for? A bit of rope tied around his torso would work fine.

I question the lack of footage in the video that is fine, but the question is how this trick can be performed in a third world country?

Rope is relatively inexpensive. Besides which, not everybody in a third world country is poor. I'd imagine this shaman makes his living doing tricks like this, and probably does quite well out of it.

 

[phunk]

I don't think it's rope, the way he hangs there his waistline is held steady while the rest of him moves a bit. I think he's on the end of a boom with a harness around his waist, being lifted from behind. I think it's completely staged and the camera crew is in on it. There's a reason the guy with the camera behind him only shows his head and feet.

 

[Bikewer]

I wonder if any of the believers have given thought to what must actually take place to
achieve "levitation"? Either local gravity must be supressed, in which case everything in the immediate area would likely start floating, including dust and gravel on the ground, or some sort of thrust must be provided from the person to counteract gravity... In which case you'd think there would be rather a lot of junk flying around as well.

I'll leave it to the imagination as to where the thrust might be coming from....

 

[alfaniner]

...but the question is how this trick can be performed in a third world country?...

That's the neat thing about leverage (science). It works everywhere!

 

[Spektator]

Yep, best bet is that his helpers rigged up a sort of extended teeter-totter, with one end attached to a waist harness in the back, just above his center of gravity. In the darkness behind him, they haul down on their end, and his end goes up.

 

[Orphia Nay]

There's a long thread about the african shaman performing levitation already.

Haven't read the whole thing, but the video apparently debunking it on the first page has been 'removed by the user'. LTC8K6 linked to it. I'll PM him and see if he remembers more about it.

 

[Beerina]

There's a long thread about the african shaman performing levitation already.

Haven't read the whole thing, but the video apparently debunking it on the first page has been 'removed by the user'. LTC8K6 linked to it. I'll PM him and see if he remembers more about it.

Priceless.

Note how the camera guy is in on it by focusing on his feet rather than on the wires above his head.

 

[Orphia Nay]

LTC8K6 seems to recall that they used a big see-saw to 'levitate' the shaman.

Makes sense, as he looks like he's trying to balance while sitting precariously on something narrow.

 

[mike3]

As someone who has had a lifelong interest in magic, and has worked as a magician, I will say this: Most of Criss Angel's effects can only be done on video. One of the biggest complaints people have with his stage show in Vegas is that he does the same tricks other magicians do and not the one's from his tv shows. Doug Henning, David Copperfield, Harry Blackstone, etc could all do the same tricks from their tv shows on stage and even the tv shows were done in front of real audiences. It's well known among working actors who read the trades that Criss Angel advertises to hire the 'random spectators' for his tv episodes.

So what then is the dividing line between "magic" and "SFX"/"VFX"? Am I right in believing that there might not be a hard and fast one?

 

[Orphia Nay]

So what then is the dividing line between "magic" and "SFX"/"VFX"? Am I right in believing that there might not be a hard and fast one?

The line may be called "performance".

 

[Malfie Henpox]

Angel was attached to a crane in that one where he floated between buildings. And he was walking on platforms when he walked in water. Everyone present in those recordings is in on it.

 

[Mooncalf]

Well, let's just say that if you witnessed it in real life, you'd not be nearly as impressed.

Also, TV street magic shows have been known to post on CRAIGSLIST asking for actors to be their audience, and overreact when necessary.

 

[Orphia Nay]

Well, let's just say that if you witnessed it in real life, you'd not be nearly as impressed.

Also, TV street magic shows have been known to post on CRAIGSLIST asking for actors to be their audience, and overreact when necessary.

You should de-lurk more often!

 

[Brattus]

100% of everything on TV serves only two purposes.

1. Entertain the viewer.
2. Get the viewers money.

This includes "real" magic shows, political debates, nightly news and all of "reality" TV.