How is this magic done???

yairhol · 4th September 2007, 11:07 PM

Hi to all the magicians here,

Does anyone know (and can share with us) how THIS is done?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXB1m...%3DeIEIaE_Ti1Y

Is he using mirrors?
My jaw dropped when I saw this

Regards,
Yair

DJM · 4th September 2007, 11:43 PM

We can't really expose secrets here, but there are no mirrors involved.

By the way, this effect is not for sell. So baisically everytime you see a magician does it (like the magician from the Next Big Thing), Copperfield can go and sue them. But he doesn't. That's why the creator of this, Steve Fearson, has literally lost his mind and calls himself a unicorn.

Garrette · 5th September 2007, 05:50 AM

Okay, that became very impressive when he came down the stairs off the platform.

I can make some very incomplete and amateurish speculations, but that's it.

DJM: What's the Fearson tie-in?

Azrael 5 · 5th September 2007, 05:53 AM

Fearson invented it and "Lent" it to Copperfield for some money when he was broke.Fearson subsequently went a bit barking and ended up in an asylum.
Telling the warders he was friends with David Copperfield and could fly sadly only made things worse!

Garrette · 5th September 2007, 07:50 AM

Originally Posted by Azrael 5

Fearson invented it and "Lent" it to Copperfield for some money when he was broke.Fearson subsequently went a bit barking and ended up in an asylum.
Telling the warders he was friends with David Copperfield and could fly sadly only made things worse!

Thanks. I didn't know any of that.

My first ITR video was Fearson's, and I learned a lot from it. Sad to hear this about him.

Did Copperfield rip him off, or is his continued use of it legal?

DJM · 5th September 2007, 09:14 AM

Steve made a deal with Copperfield, which he regreted later on. Basically it prevented him from selling it to the public, which could have been a great thing for him. Part of the deal was that even Steve himself can't perform it anymore. But he's a grown man, no one put a gun to his head.

Actually I think he's the one who's ripping people off with all the nonsense he has published recently, such as the Goodbye Vanish and Station Manager.

JonWhite · 5th September 2007, 10:38 AM

Cool, thanks for the link. I'd not seen this before.

My vaguely educated guess is it's a very clever up-date of a very well established effect. Nuff said!

Garrette · 5th September 2007, 10:49 AM

Thanks, DJM.

Originally Posted by JonWhite

Cool, thanks for the link. I'd not seen this before.

My vaguely educated guess is it's a very clever up-date of a very well established effect. Nuff said!

Well, now. Why didn't I think of that? It's all so clear to me now.

{Actually, I was trying to work out how to do it with an established effect/method. Then he came down the stairs. It's probably still the same thing, but I'd need someone with better engineering skills to design it for me.}

DJM · 5th September 2007, 10:57 AM

Actually it's not that hard to design, once you know the extact details. Though it could take awhile to do it.

Garrette · 5th September 2007, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by DJM

Actually it's not that hard to design, once you know the extact details. Though it could take awhile to do it.

I believe you. But I still can't do it.

JonWhite · 5th September 2007, 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by DJM

Actually it's not that hard to design, once you know the extact details. Though it could take awhile to do it.

No kidding. The way he comes "out" of the effect is genius.

aofl · 5th September 2007, 06:56 PM

Originally Posted by DJM

Steve made a deal with Copperfield, which he regreted later on. Basically it prevented him from selling it to the public, which could have been a great thing for him. Part of the deal was that even Steve himself can't perform it anymore. But he's a grown man, no one put a gun to his head.

Actually I think he's the one who's ripping people off with all the nonsense he has published recently, such as the Goodbye Vanish and Station Manager.

I always thought Andrew Mayne invented this, at least I seem to recall seeing an ad or something of his that looked very similar. Something like he chopped himself in two and put his top half on a table.

Anyway, hope Steve is feeling better.

A

Brown · 5th September 2007, 08:33 PM

Originally Posted by aofl

I always thought Andrew Mayne invented this, at least I seem to recall seeing an ad or something of his that looked very similar. Something like he chopped himself in two and put his top half on a table.

Here's a YouTube video that shows something similar.

If memory serves, I've seen several old variations on this effect, including some performed in the '60s. In those days, however, one had to be careful about portraying anything too gruesome. Cutting a lady in half or stabbing her with swords had to be done with a box or cabinet hiding the supposed blood and guts. Today's illusions, by contrast, try to show dismemberment, impalement and bodily harm more out in the open.

Bob Klase · 5th September 2007, 09:14 PM

Originally Posted by Brown

If memory serves, I've seen several old variations on this effect, including some performed in the '60s. In those days, however, one had to be careful about portraying anything too gruesome. Cutting a lady in half or stabbing her with swords had to be done with a box or cabinet hiding the supposed blood and guts. Today's illusions, by contrast, try to show dismemberment, impalement and bodily harm more out in the open.

I think the need for boxes and cabinets was dictated more by the methods available than anything else. Richiardi was pretty gruesome with his buzz-saw cutting in 1/2- I know he was doing that in the early 70's, but don't know about the 60's.

firecoins · 5th September 2007, 10:12 PM

I am still impressed that a magician has beatiful women dancing in his show. Once that happens, I am not interested in the magic.

Garrette · 6th September 2007, 06:29 AM

Originally Posted by Brown

Here's a YouTube video that shows something similar.

I think this version is more impressive than Copperfield's.

yairhol · 6th September 2007, 07:33 AM

Originally Posted by DJM

We can't really expose secrets here, but there are no mirrors involved.

O.k. fair enough but I'd like to ask you this: Can this trick be performed in front of a live audience or is it pure computer editing?

Regards,
Yair

Garrette · 6th September 2007, 07:58 AM

Originally Posted by yairhol

O.k. fair enough but I'd like to ask you this: Can this trick be performed in front of a live audience or is it pure computer editing?

Regards,
Yair

Copperfield's audience was live in the link you posted. The audience was also live in Brown's link, though I admit there was one suspiciously timed camera cut.

Bob Klase · 6th September 2007, 08:03 AM

Originally Posted by Garrette

Copperfield's audience was live in the link you posted. The audience was also live in Brown's link, though I admit there was one suspiciously timed camera cut.

There may have been a suspicious looking camera cut, but Kevin does that in his live shows. The cut was not required and I'm sure it was an editing decision by the director or editor and not dictated by the trick.

yairhol · 6th September 2007, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Copperfield's audience was live in the link you posted. The audience was also live in Brown's link, though I admit there was one suspiciously timed camera cut.

Simply unbelievable...There is no where for cooperfield's body to be hidden. I thought about a midget in the pants (*not what you think*) but then where would copperfield's lower body be?
I'm going crazy over this.

Regards,
Yair

yairhol · 6th September 2007, 08:27 AM

It's not a matter of blue or green screen behind which he is hiding right? because it's in front of a live audience.
On the other hand, how can you guys be sure there was a live audience there? just because you heard them? The camera never shows them...AHA...maybe I'm on to something...

Regards,
Yair

DJM · 6th September 2007, 08:47 AM

Yair, it's also possible to do it on the street in front of people.

Here you can see an Israeli magician stealing that act in video 5.. is the crowd fake there too?

http://www.reshet.tv/content_page.as...ic_page_id=322

In fact most of his acts are Copperfield rip offs, while Nimrod sometimes takes stuff from Derren Brown. We can be very proud..

Garrette · 6th September 2007, 08:48 AM

Originally Posted by Bob Klase

There may have been a suspicious looking camera cut, but Kevin does that in his live shows. The cut was not required and I'm sure it was an editing decision by the director or editor and not dictated by the trick.

I wasn't trying to suggest he couldn't do it live; I just thought it fair to admit the cut exists.

yairhol · 6th September 2007, 08:56 AM

Originally Posted by DJM

Yair, it's also possible to do it on the street in front of people.

Here you can see an Israeli magician stealing that act in video 5.. is the crowd fake there too?

http://www.reshet.tv/content_page.as...ic_page_id=322

In fact most of his acts are Copperfield rip offs, while Nimrod sometimes takes stuff from Derren Brown. We can be very proud..

That's exactly the same as Copperfield!!

But very nicely done also.

I'm speechless...I have no speech.

Clue anyone?

Regards,
Yair

DJM · 6th September 2007, 08:58 AM

Clue: There are no midgets involved.

ChristineR · 6th September 2007, 09:02 AM

http://www.downloadmagic.com/steve_fearson.htm

Steve Fearson taking credit for the effect.

Richiardi was using fake blood and guts back in the 1940's and I doubt he was the first. Goldin had assistants dressed up in nurse's uniforms, and he had a pretty good claim to having invented the trick.

yairhol · 6th September 2007, 09:06 AM

Originally Posted by DJM

Yair, it's also possible to do it on the street in front of people.

Here you can see an Israeli magician stealing that act in video 5.. is the crowd fake there too?

http://www.reshet.tv/content_page.as...ic_page_id=322

In fact most of his acts are Copperfield rip offs, while Nimrod sometimes takes stuff from Derren Brown. We can be very proud..

He has some other very nice magic tricks. Very nice!!

Regards,
Yair

DJM · 6th September 2007, 09:06 AM

Steve Fearson was indeed the one who created this effect.. no one had done it before him. At least not this way.

Brown · 6th September 2007, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by Bob Klase

I think the need for boxes and cabinets was dictated more by the methods available than anything else. Richiardi was pretty gruesome with his buzz-saw cutting in 1/2- I know he was doing that in the early 70's, but don't know about the 60's.

I should perhaps clarify. When magic got popularized by television, television was pretty squeamish about what could be shown. Before the advent of TV, some stage performers depicted graphic beheadings or other mutilations in their acts. (You can see some of these bizarre effects depicted in old conjuring texts.) Some of the methods were primitive by today's standards, and some methods (e.g., "black art") appeared to show the gruesomeness in sickening detail. Some performers used copious fake blood and brandished severed heads and all that, causing ladies of gentle disposition to swoon.

This sort of shock was not deemed suitable fare for TV. Mark Wilson's brand of illusion was more to TV's liking, and although he put his wife through all sorts of harrowing apparatus, she smiled sweetly as if to reassure the audience that there was no real harm was going on. (That is not to say that all of Wilson's illusions were harmless. Wilson himself has since acknowledged that some of them were indeed pretty dangerous, although not in the way the audience may have perceived.)

yairhol · 6th September 2007, 09:21 AM

I think he has his pants cut in the back and along the sleeves of the pants right? so his feet stay in the pants all the time but only at the bottom of his legs and inside the shoes. But then, his upper body goes in one direction and his lower body in the other direction and the only part where the two overlap is in a small area not big enough to get the rest of the body (the mid section) in.

Am I getting closer?
(or is it a midget?

)

Regards,
Yair

DJM · 6th September 2007, 09:24 AM

Ok, here is the secret and I hope the mods won't ban me.

SPOILERS SPOILERS

It's a real laser.

yairhol · 6th September 2007, 09:28 AM

Originally Posted by DJM

It's a real laser.

So where's all the blood? And how did he get himself in one piece again after that?
I don't think it was a real laser. Well it was a laser but not a powerful one to cut up a person.

Regards,
Yair

DJM · 6th September 2007, 09:37 AM

Well obviously it's the special laser that Fearson created.. it can cut you without actually hurting you. Why do you think the laser is there, just for the presentation?

But seriously, you should be thankful that you don't know the secret, because that way you will still be amazed every time that you see it. Secrets always ruin the whole illusion.

Sometimes I wish I could forget all I know about magic and be amazed again with things like that.

Zep · 6th September 2007, 09:47 AM

I'm certainly no magician nor do I play one on TV, but if you think of the physics of what SHOULD happen during the effect then the trick becomes trivially obvious. So I'd like to see him touch his toes after the trick is over but before going offstage.

Garrette · 6th September 2007, 09:52 AM

Originally Posted by DJM

Well obviously it's the special laser that Fearson created.. it can cut you without actually hurting you. Why do you think the laser is there, just for the presentation?

But seriously, you should be thankful that you don't know the secret, because that way you will still be amazed every time that you see it. Secrets always ruin the whole illusion.

Sometimes I wish I could forget all I know about magic and be amazed again with things like that.

No you don't. Compared to most folks, my magic knowledge is encyclopedic. Compared to many on here, I'm still a rank amateur.

When I see this kind of thing, it amazes me, but only partly in an enjoyable way. Mostly it's a I-know-so-much-but-these-people-keep-showing-how-little-I-really-know-I-have-GOT-to-find-out-how-that's-done! way.

Aagh.

Bob Klase · 6th September 2007, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by yairhol

On the other hand, how can you guys be sure there was a live audience there? just because you heard them? The camera never shows them...AHA...maybe I'm on to something...

I can be sure because I've been in a live audience when he's done it.

Bob Klase · 6th September 2007, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by yairhol

So where's all the blood?

Lasers cauterize as they cut, so there is no blood.

Originally Posted by yairhol

And how did he get himself in one piece again after that?

That's the magic part.

Bob Klase · 6th September 2007, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by yairhol

I think he has his pants cut in the back and along the sleeves of the pants right?

Personally I never answer questions like that where it turns into a game of 20 questions. You make a guess and someone (or everyone) says "wrong". Then you keep making guess and people keep saying "wrong". And eventually you get something right and the people that have been saying "wrong" either have to lie or they have to give up the secret.

yairhol · 6th September 2007, 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by Bob Klase

Personally I never answer questions like that where it turns into a game of 20 questions. You make a guess and someone (or everyone) says "wrong". Then you keep making guess and people keep saying "wrong". And eventually you get something right and the people that have been saying "wrong" either have to lie or they have to give up the secret.

That's the whole point

And if two wrongs make a right, then after the first two wrongs I know I'm on the right track.

Regards,
Yair (the starting magician)

Yes, I've become obssesed with magic and I'm gonna buy a book about it. Any recommendations for a beginner like me?

Garrette · 6th September 2007, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by yairhol

That's the whole point

And if two wrongs make a right, then after the first two wrongs I know I'm on the right track.

Regards,
Yair (the starting magician)

Yes, I've become obssesed with magic and I'm gonna buy a book about it. Any recommendations for a beginner like me?

Nope. None. No one here has ever thought about it or answered the question a hundred times before in this very sub-forum...

That said, you will get several recommendations, but the top few will include these:

Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic

Magic for Dummies.

I appear to be the only one to recommend Harry Lorayne's The Magic Book, but I recommend it very strongly, even above Mark Wilson's book which I also highly recommend. It is more accessible. More of an actual read, and helps you begin to know how to narrow down your focus.

4th September 2007, 11:07 PM	#1
yairhol Graduate Poster Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,251	How is this magic done??? Hi to all the magicians here, Does anyone know (and can share with us) how THIS is done? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXB1m...%3DeIEIaE_Ti1Y Is he using mirrors? My jaw dropped when I saw this Regards, Yair
yairhol Graduate Poster Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,251

4th September 2007, 11:43 PM	#2
DJM Muse Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 783	We can't really expose secrets here, but there are no mirrors involved. By the way, this effect is not for sell. So baisically everytime you see a magician does it (like the magician from the Next Big Thing), Copperfield can go and sue them. But he doesn't. That's why the creator of this, Steve Fearson, has literally lost his mind and calls himself a unicorn.
DJM Muse Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 783

5th September 2007, 05:50 AM	#3
Garrette Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 7,964	Okay, that became very impressive when he came down the stairs off the platform. I can make some very incomplete and amateurish speculations, but that's it. DJM: What's the Fearson tie-in?
Garrette Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 7,964	__________________ My kids still love me.

5th September 2007, 05:53 AM	#4
Azrael 5 Illuminator Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Yorkshire,Uk Posts: 4,220	Fearson invented it and "Lent" it to Copperfield for some money when he was broke.Fearson subsequently went a bit barking and ended up in an asylum. Telling the warders he was friends with David Copperfield and could fly sadly only made things worse!
	__________________ "I achieve these results through a mixture of magic,misdirection,suggestion and showmanship"-Derren Brown Photography here

5th September 2007, 07:50 AM	#5
Garrette Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 7,964	Originally Posted by Azrael 5 Fearson invented it and "Lent" it to Copperfield for some money when he was broke.Fearson subsequently went a bit barking and ended up in an asylum. Telling the warders he was friends with David Copperfield and could fly sadly only made things worse! Thanks. I didn't know any of that. My first ITR video was Fearson's, and I learned a lot from it. Sad to hear this about him. Did Copperfield rip him off, or is his continued use of it legal?
Garrette Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 7,964	__________________ My kids still love me.

5th September 2007, 09:14 AM	#6
DJM Muse Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 783	Steve made a deal with Copperfield, which he regreted later on. Basically it prevented him from selling it to the public, which could have been a great thing for him. Part of the deal was that even Steve himself can't perform it anymore. But he's a grown man, no one put a gun to his head. Actually I think he's the one who's ripping people off with all the nonsense he has published recently, such as the Goodbye Vanish and Station Manager.
DJM Muse Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 783

5th September 2007, 10:38 AM	#7
JonWhite Muse Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: London Posts: 603	Cool, thanks for the link. I'd not seen this before. My vaguely educated guess is it's a very clever up-date of a very well established effect. Nuff said!
	__________________ "In cases where prior knowledge is available, the alternative to 'an open mind' is not 'a closed mind'. It is 'an informed mind'. In such contexts, any appeal to 'keep an open mind' is an appeal to prefer ignorance over knowledge" Ian Rowland

5th September 2007, 10:49 AM	#8
Garrette Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 7,964	Thanks, DJM. Originally Posted by JonWhite Cool, thanks for the link. I'd not seen this before. My vaguely educated guess is it's a very clever up-date of a very well established effect. Nuff said! Well, now. Why didn't I think of that? It's all so clear to me now. {Actually, I was trying to work out how to do it with an established effect/method. Then he came down the stairs. It's probably still the same thing, but I'd need someone with better engineering skills to design it for me.}
Garrette Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 7,964	__________________ My kids still love me.

5th September 2007, 10:57 AM	#9
DJM Muse Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 783	Actually it's not that hard to design, once you know the extact details. Though it could take awhile to do it.
DJM Muse Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 783

5th September 2007, 11:03 AM	#10
Garrette Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 7,964	Originally Posted by DJM Actually it's not that hard to design, once you know the extact details. Though it could take awhile to do it. I believe you. But I still can't do it.
Garrette Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 7,964	__________________ My kids still love me.

5th September 2007, 11:08 AM	#11
JonWhite Muse Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: London Posts: 603	Originally Posted by DJM Actually it's not that hard to design, once you know the extact details. Though it could take awhile to do it. No kidding. The way he comes "out" of the effect is genius.
	__________________ "In cases where prior knowledge is available, the alternative to 'an open mind' is not 'a closed mind'. It is 'an informed mind'. In such contexts, any appeal to 'keep an open mind' is an appeal to prefer ignorance over knowledge" Ian Rowland

5th September 2007, 06:56 PM	#12
aofl Critical Thinker Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 306	Originally Posted by DJM Steve made a deal with Copperfield, which he regreted later on. Basically it prevented him from selling it to the public, which could have been a great thing for him. Part of the deal was that even Steve himself can't perform it anymore. But he's a grown man, no one put a gun to his head. Actually I think he's the one who's ripping people off with all the nonsense he has published recently, such as the Goodbye Vanish and Station Manager. I always thought Andrew Mayne invented this, at least I seem to recall seeing an ad or something of his that looked very similar. Something like he chopped himself in two and put his top half on a table. Anyway, hope Steve is feeling better. A
aofl Critical Thinker Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 306	__________________ Have you ever considered the cesspool of your minds? The best thing is not to be born. But who is as lucky as that? To whom does it happen??!! An evil mind is my only consolation! - Theodore When you're out of slits, you're out of pier. - Crow

5th September 2007, 08:33 PM	#13
Brown Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Twin Cities, Canada Posts: 9,118	Originally Posted by aofl I always thought Andrew Mayne invented this, at least I seem to recall seeing an ad or something of his that looked very similar. Something like he chopped himself in two and put his top half on a table. Here's a YouTube video that shows something similar. If memory serves, I've seen several old variations on this effect, including some performed in the '60s. In those days, however, one had to be careful about portraying anything too gruesome. Cutting a lady in half or stabbing her with swords had to be done with a box or cabinet hiding the supposed blood and guts. Today's illusions, by contrast, try to show dismemberment, impalement and bodily harm more out in the open.
	__________________ Klaatu: I'm impatient with stupidity. My people have learned to live without it. Mr. Harley: I'm afraid my people haven't. I am very sorry. I wish it were otherwise. -- The Day The Earth Stood Still, screenplay by Edmund H. North "Don't you get me wrong. I only want to know." -- Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, lyrics by Tim Rice

5th September 2007, 09:14 PM	#14
Bob Klase Master Poster Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Largo, FL Posts: 2,445	Originally Posted by Brown If memory serves, I've seen several old variations on this effect, including some performed in the '60s. In those days, however, one had to be careful about portraying anything too gruesome. Cutting a lady in half or stabbing her with swords had to be done with a box or cabinet hiding the supposed blood and guts. Today's illusions, by contrast, try to show dismemberment, impalement and bodily harm more out in the open. I think the need for boxes and cabinets was dictated more by the methods available than anything else. Richiardi was pretty gruesome with his buzz-saw cutting in 1/2- I know he was doing that in the early 70's, but don't know about the 60's.

5th September 2007, 10:12 PM	#15
firecoins Illuminator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Nyack, NY Posts: 3,065	I am still impressed that a magician has beatiful women dancing in his show. Once that happens, I am not interested in the magic.
	__________________ NY Paramedic, skeptic, 9/11/01 Reality-ist. I am both right wing nut and left wing lunatic. Deal with it.

6th September 2007, 06:29 AM	#16
Garrette Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 7,964	Originally Posted by Brown Here's a YouTube video that shows something similar. I think this version is more impressive than Copperfield's.
Garrette Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 7,964	__________________ My kids still love me.

6th September 2007, 07:33 AM	#17
yairhol Graduate Poster Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,251	Originally Posted by DJM We can't really expose secrets here, but there are no mirrors involved. O.k. fair enough but I'd like to ask you this: Can this trick be performed in front of a live audience or is it pure computer editing? Regards, Yair
yairhol Graduate Poster Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,251

6th September 2007, 07:58 AM	#18
Garrette Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 7,964	Originally Posted by yairhol O.k. fair enough but I'd like to ask you this: Can this trick be performed in front of a live audience or is it pure computer editing? Regards, Yair Copperfield's audience was live in the link you posted. The audience was also live in Brown's link, though I admit there was one suspiciously timed camera cut.
Garrette Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 7,964	__________________ My kids still love me.

6th September 2007, 08:03 AM	#19
Bob Klase Master Poster Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Largo, FL Posts: 2,445	Originally Posted by Garrette Copperfield's audience was live in the link you posted. The audience was also live in Brown's link, though I admit there was one suspiciously timed camera cut. There may have been a suspicious looking camera cut, but Kevin does that in his live shows. The cut was not required and I'm sure it was an editing decision by the director or editor and not dictated by the trick.

6th September 2007, 08:25 AM	#20
yairhol Graduate Poster Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,251	Quote: Copperfield's audience was live in the link you posted. The audience was also live in Brown's link, though I admit there was one suspiciously timed camera cut. Simply unbelievable...There is no where for cooperfield's body to be hidden. I thought about a midget in the pants (not what you think) but then where would copperfield's lower body be? I'm going crazy over this. Regards, Yair
yairhol Graduate Poster Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,251

6th September 2007, 08:27 AM	#21
yairhol Graduate Poster Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,251	It's not a matter of blue or green screen behind which he is hiding right? because it's in front of a live audience. On the other hand, how can you guys be sure there was a live audience there? just because you heard them? The camera never shows them...AHA...maybe I'm on to something... Regards, Yair
yairhol Graduate Poster Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,251

6th September 2007, 08:47 AM	#22
DJM Muse Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 783	Yair, it's also possible to do it on the street in front of people. Here you can see an Israeli magician stealing that act in video 5.. is the crowd fake there too? http://www.reshet.tv/content_page.as...ic_page_id=322 In fact most of his acts are Copperfield rip offs, while Nimrod sometimes takes stuff from Derren Brown. We can be very proud..
DJM Muse Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 783

6th September 2007, 08:48 AM	#23
Garrette Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 7,964	Originally Posted by Bob Klase There may have been a suspicious looking camera cut, but Kevin does that in his live shows. The cut was not required and I'm sure it was an editing decision by the director or editor and not dictated by the trick. I wasn't trying to suggest he couldn't do it live; I just thought it fair to admit the cut exists.
Garrette Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 7,964	__________________ My kids still love me.

6th September 2007, 08:56 AM	#24
yairhol Graduate Poster Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,251	Originally Posted by DJM Yair, it's also possible to do it on the street in front of people. Here you can see an Israeli magician stealing that act in video 5.. is the crowd fake there too? http://www.reshet.tv/content_page.as...ic_page_id=322 In fact most of his acts are Copperfield rip offs, while Nimrod sometimes takes stuff from Derren Brown. We can be very proud.. That's exactly the same as Copperfield!! But very nicely done also. I'm speechless...I have no speech. Clue anyone? Regards, Yair
yairhol Graduate Poster Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,251

6th September 2007, 08:58 AM	#25
DJM Muse Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 783	Clue: There are no midgets involved.
DJM Muse Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 783

6th September 2007, 09:02 AM	#26
ChristineR Illuminator Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 3,071	http://www.downloadmagic.com/steve_fearson.htm Steve Fearson taking credit for the effect. Richiardi was using fake blood and guts back in the 1940's and I doubt he was the first. Goldin had assistants dressed up in nurse's uniforms, and he had a pretty good claim to having invented the trick.
ChristineR Illuminator Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 3,071	__________________ Avatar (c) Neopets.com

6th September 2007, 09:06 AM	#27
yairhol Graduate Poster Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,251	Originally Posted by DJM Yair, it's also possible to do it on the street in front of people. Here you can see an Israeli magician stealing that act in video 5.. is the crowd fake there too? http://www.reshet.tv/content_page.as...ic_page_id=322 In fact most of his acts are Copperfield rip offs, while Nimrod sometimes takes stuff from Derren Brown. We can be very proud.. He has some other very nice magic tricks. Very nice!! Regards, Yair
yairhol Graduate Poster Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,251

6th September 2007, 09:09 AM	#29
Brown Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Twin Cities, Canada Posts: 9,118	Originally Posted by Bob Klase I think the need for boxes and cabinets was dictated more by the methods available than anything else. Richiardi was pretty gruesome with his buzz-saw cutting in 1/2- I know he was doing that in the early 70's, but don't know about the 60's. I should perhaps clarify. When magic got popularized by television, television was pretty squeamish about what could be shown. Before the advent of TV, some stage performers depicted graphic beheadings or other mutilations in their acts. (You can see some of these bizarre effects depicted in old conjuring texts.) Some of the methods were primitive by today's standards, and some methods (e.g., "black art") appeared to show the gruesomeness in sickening detail. Some performers used copious fake blood and brandished severed heads and all that, causing ladies of gentle disposition to swoon. This sort of shock was not deemed suitable fare for TV. Mark Wilson's brand of illusion was more to TV's liking, and although he put his wife through all sorts of harrowing apparatus, she smiled sweetly as if to reassure the audience that there was no real harm was going on. (That is not to say that all of Wilson's illusions were harmless. Wilson himself has since acknowledged that some of them were indeed pretty dangerous, although not in the way the audience may have perceived.)
	__________________ Klaatu: I'm impatient with stupidity. My people have learned to live without it. Mr. Harley: I'm afraid my people haven't. I am very sorry. I wish it were otherwise. -- The Day The Earth Stood Still, screenplay by Edmund H. North "Don't you get me wrong. I only want to know." -- Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, lyrics by Tim Rice

6th September 2007, 09:21 AM	#30
yairhol Graduate Poster Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,251	I think he has his pants cut in the back and along the sleeves of the pants right? so his feet stay in the pants all the time but only at the bottom of his legs and inside the shoes. But then, his upper body goes in one direction and his lower body in the other direction and the only part where the two overlap is in a small area not big enough to get the rest of the body (the mid section) in. Am I getting closer? (or is it a midget? ) Regards, Yair
yairhol Graduate Poster Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,251

6th September 2007, 09:24 AM	#31
DJM Muse Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 783	Ok, here is the secret and I hope the mods won't ban me. SPOILERS SPOILERS It's a real laser.
DJM Muse Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 783

6th September 2007, 09:28 AM	#32
yairhol Graduate Poster Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,251	Originally Posted by DJM It's a real laser. So where's all the blood? And how did he get himself in one piece again after that? I don't think it was a real laser. Well it was a laser but not a powerful one to cut up a person. Regards, Yair
yairhol Graduate Poster Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,251

6th September 2007, 09:37 AM	#33
DJM Muse Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 783	Well obviously it's the special laser that Fearson created.. it can cut you without actually hurting you. Why do you think the laser is there, just for the presentation? But seriously, you should be thankful that you don't know the secret, because that way you will still be amazed every time that you see it. Secrets always ruin the whole illusion. Sometimes I wish I could forget all I know about magic and be amazed again with things like that.
DJM Muse Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 783

6th September 2007, 09:47 AM	#34
Zep Guest Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 24,230	I'm certainly no magician nor do I play one on TV, but if you think of the physics of what SHOULD happen during the effect then the trick becomes trivially obvious. So I'd like to see him touch his toes after the trick is over but before going offstage.
Zep Guest Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 24,230

6th September 2007, 09:52 AM	#35
Garrette Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 7,964	Originally Posted by DJM Well obviously it's the special laser that Fearson created.. it can cut you without actually hurting you. Why do you think the laser is there, just for the presentation? But seriously, you should be thankful that you don't know the secret, because that way you will still be amazed every time that you see it. Secrets always ruin the whole illusion. Sometimes I wish I could forget all I know about magic and be amazed again with things like that. No you don't. Compared to most folks, my magic knowledge is encyclopedic. Compared to many on here, I'm still a rank amateur. When I see this kind of thing, it amazes me, but only partly in an enjoyable way. Mostly it's a I-know-so-much-but-these-people-keep-showing-how-little-I-really-know-I-have-GOT-to-find-out-how-that's-done! way. Aagh.
Garrette Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 7,964	__________________ My kids still love me.

6th September 2007, 11:29 AM	#36
Bob Klase Master Poster Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Largo, FL Posts: 2,445	Originally Posted by yairhol On the other hand, how can you guys be sure there was a live audience there? just because you heard them? The camera never shows them...AHA...maybe I'm on to something... I can be sure because I've been in a live audience when he's done it.