What are the most technically ingenious and impressive illusions you’ve ever seen?

[Jason_Roberts]

This question is largely directed towards other magicians, but non-magicians are strongly encouraged to relate their own experiences.

Eventhough “technically ingenious” is mentioned in the topic, I am assuming that the disclosure of trade secrets can be avoided if we abstain from going into specific details, or from imparting trick mechanics.

So, what are the most impressive tricks you’ve seen, and why?

Mine is “Shadows” by Teller.

The beauty lies in how simple it appears and the kind of importance that is suddenly instilled into the shadow itself. But the real reason why I love it so much is the average reaction of the audience it receives. It’s in their expectant laughter and their enciente supposition that something funny is about to happen. (Penn & Teller are funny guys, right? There’s a gag to this, yes?)

Then the blood comes and in the end they are unexpectedly left with a poem.

The real gag is on them I like to think.

But even the technical aspects are impressive. It has everything for me.



Anyway...

How about you folks?

[tkingdoll]

Teller's miser's dream/goldfish trick. Just beautiful. I was lucky enough to have Teller recently explain to me his philosophy and the history behind that sequence. It's impressive because it's not just one coin here and there, and it's not one coin from thin air.

It's coin after coin out of splashes of water, and handfuls of them that you simply don't see coming, and then...goldfish in abundance!

The idea of turning water drops into coins is genius. And when the goldfish appear, the audience actually gasp.

[Jason_Roberts]

Originally Posted by tkingdoll

Teller's miser's dream/goldfish trick. Just beautiful. I was lucky enough to have Teller recently explain to me his philosophy and the history behind that sequence. It's impressive because it's not just one coin here and there, and it's not one coin from thin air.

It's coin after coin out of splashes of water, and handfuls of them that you simply don't see coming, and then...goldfish in abundance!

The idea of turning water drops into coins is genius. And when the goldfish appear, the audience actually gasp.

I strongly agree.

It’s the only trick I’ve seen that has communicated the idea of what defines “true happiness” and exactly how superfluous the question is in regard to achieving it.

[tkingdoll]

Originally Posted by Jason_Roberts

I strongly agree.

It’s the only trick I’ve seen that has communicated the idea of what defines “true happiness” and exactly how superfluous the question is in regard to achieving it.

Yes, that's exactly what any performance of a miser's dream should be, but so few are. The idea of abundance. And of course Teller performs it so humbly and silently joyfully.

During the same trip as my anecdote from my previous post, I had the mixed pleasure of seeing Hans Klok's show (the one with Pamela Anderson). If we're discussing technical brilliance, he was FAST. Amazing vanishes - sadly I saw the assistant run during one of them but despite the overall naffness of the show, I had to be impressed by how quickly that guy can swap places with an assistant.

He's highly rated as a card manipulator but that stuff doesn't ring my bell because the presentation is always the damn same. But then, I'm not a magician so there's no reason I'd be impressed by mutant backpalming

[Garrette]

Having never seen a good Miser's Dream or any Penn & Teller (other than a few short bits on some specials), I have to go with something a bit more modest.

Card Warp.

I choose it because you asked for things that are "ingenious." Other effects are more complex and perhaps require equivalent or greater skill and insight, but Card Warp epitomizes for me the "Duh, that's so simple and creative" moment.

It is probably the single effect I have used the most. I've had one person figure it out, and he was not a magician nor a skeptic nor an engineer. He was a friend whom I considered to possess "blue collar" intelligence and nothing more, but his natural curiosity and hands-on-fix-it skills got the better of me. I showed him. He went "Hmmm...," took two more business cards, played with them for about 30 seconds, and said "That's pretty neat; here's how you did it."

[Michael C]

I'm not a magician, just someone who loves watching illusions and also loves trying to figure out the secrets. Even if I do know the method, or at least have a very good idea as to how the trick is done, it doesn't diminish my enjoyment. In most cases it increases it.

I agree that Teller's "shadows" is beautiful, but my vote goes to the Penn and Teller bullet exchange. Great idea, great presentation and totally bewildering.

Does anyone have a link to a clip of Teller's miser's dream/goldfish trick?

[Gravy]

Originally Posted by tkingdoll

Teller's miser's dream/goldfish trick. Just beautiful. I was lucky enough to have Teller recently explain to me his philosophy and the history behind that sequence. It's impressive because it's not just one coin here and there, and it's not one coin from thin air.

It's coin after coin out of splashes of water, and handfuls of them that you simply don't see coming, and then...goldfish in abundance!

The idea of turning water drops into coins is genius. And when the goldfish appear, the audience actually gasp.

I want to see that! I didn't find a version online. Teller discusses the evolution of that trick here.

[tkingdoll]

Originally Posted by Gravy

I want to see that! I didn't find a version online. Teller discusses the evolution of that trick here.

Oh fab! Thanks for that link. He told me a much shorter version!

Screw seeing it online, get yourself to TAM6 and see it live at the Rio.

[Azrael 5]

Do we have to pick just one?

I'm not doing!

Here are a few that impress me.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=8gb0hGR3UDk
Just a beautiful illusion

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=4lcbk4VcUwQ
No over large boxes or suspicious places where an assistant could hide,the spectators are right there and yet have no idea.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=DCQiocETD9c
One of the oldest principles in magic and a wonderful presentation/effect.

[firecoins]

Originally Posted by tkingdoll

Teller's miser's dream/goldfish trick. Just beautiful. I was lucky enough to have Teller recently explain to me his philosophy and the history behind that sequence. It's impressive because it's not just one coin here and there, and it's not one coin from thin air.

It's coin after coin out of splashes of water, and handfuls of them that you simply don't see coming, and then...goldfish in abundance!

The idea of turning water drops into coins is genius. And when the goldfish appear, the audience actually gasp.

This was the exact trick I thought of when reading the first post. I love Teller's shadow trick and yes the bullet catching trick is awesome.

Let me add Penn and Teller's flag trick with China's constitution as having an awesome presentation.

Eugene Burger's version of Card Warp is beatiful and pnly when done by him. He is the only one that can pull off his version. Go figure.

ANything Max Maven does pretty much comes to mind. He is simply awesome. Everything he does is so well thought out.

[Stir]

I have found it almost impossible to separate an effect from a routine from a performance from a performer. Seriously, I don't really see how I can answer this ... my judgment always starts with whether (and to what degree) I am entertained, and that's not dependent on the effect alone (or even mainly).

[robinson]

This one impresses me, because it seems to be done without any technology.

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I AGREE

There has to be some slick technology behind this, right? But because it is "on the street", it just seems more amazing. If anybody knows how it was done, can you PM me the answer?

[Azrael 5]

Well robinson I can't see any video so can't comment.But your comment "On the street" makes me think it's either Blaine or Criss Angel.If it is,then it's camera tricks/editing.
Maybe post the url.

[Azrael 5]

Ok found the link when I pressed Quote.Yep its Criss Angel and its camera editing.
No need for a PM.

[DJM]

Originally Posted by robinson

There has to be some slick technology behind this, right? But because it is "on the street", it just seems more amazing. If anybody knows how it was done, can you PM me the answer?

Stooges, camera editing, and bad showmanship.

If that's what you call slick technology, then you were correct.

[robinson]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3f-WPrKnRU

Damn. Don't know why it doesn't show up. It is all one shot, where is the editing? Are you saying it doesn't involve any technology at all?

[robinson]

I watched a video explaining the technology of how it was done. No editing involved, (it really is one long shot, no cuts). So I stand by my point, because it seems to be "on the street", it looks like magic. But it really involved technology set up in advance.

And stooges.

[DJM]

Dude, don't let him fool you with "one long shot." At 1:34 they zoom in to his shoes for a few seconds (while in fact they fast forward it).. that's when the switch happen.

Many of the things Criss does is lame camera tricks.. you must be new to his "work".

[robinson]

Switch? There is no switch. It is after he comes through that we see the glass solid. With no camera cut, or pan away from the window. It is a technology trick. At 3:04 he steps down, then with no cut we see a solid glass window revealed. That is the trick.

I know how it is done, and it used technology set up in advance.

Obviously some people don't like his shtick, (I'm not a huge fan, I just want to know how he does it), but doing it "on the street" makes it seem cooler than on a stage.

YMMV

[Bob Klase]

I have to disagree. There's no shortage of editing to create the magic in Angel's shows, but there's no need in that particular trick. Since the trick could be done with no editing I wouldn't consider the zoom to the shoes as proof since it wasn't really necessary (although it's entirely possible that the 'shoe zoom' was used to make a switch because Angel and his crew were too lazy to do the work without the editing room).

For a good example of editing try here (personally I don't consider this exposure since it's no more "magic" than any movie special effect. Others might disagree):

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=mQeTmq...elated&search=

[robinson]

There is no need for any switch. I wish I could reveal how it is done, but it is pure technology, not camera editing.

I was quite disappointed when I first found out they do indeed use editing for the "street magic" shows, as well as stooges and such.

I find the parodies of Blaine and Angel to be pretty funny however.

[DJM]

Bob, from watching some of his episodes I can say he has the laziest crew ever. I've seen the use of editing even for tricks that you don't need one.. just to make it easier to perform.

I still think it's obvious that the zoom was there for some purpose.. It's not like there's a reason to suddenly show us how he unties his shoes up close.

Take this one for example:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=iRdv_VNPe7g

This is the kind of effect that Copperfield does live on his show.. But criss used an obvious edit to make it seem more impressive.. if you watch close enough, you might see the editing mistake.

[robinson]

I just watched a whole bunch of YT videos showing how he does his tricks. A lot of technology, and editing involved. Combine the two, you get magic.

Meh

[DJM]

I call that a bad Hollywood movie.

[robinson]

heh

[Bob Klase]

Originally Posted by DJM

Bob, from watching some of his episodes I can say he has the laziest crew ever. I've seen the use of editing even for tricks that you don't need one.. just to make it easier to perform.

I agree. But when the trick could be done without editing I wouldn't make a definitive statement that editing was used just because it could have been. It's too easy to find obvious examples of editing that leave no doubt.

[DJM]

That's true. The problem is that I've seem so many effects by him that were done using camera tricks, that now I usually suspect it no matter what.

It's kinda like with the boy who cried wolf.. not easy to trust.

[Azrael 5]

Whilst the trick could be done without editing;there is at least one edit! At 1:50 there is a definite visible edit.
Plus the guy in the store is such a bad actor!

[Michael C]

Here's one with no camera editing. The Scottish magicians Barry and Stuart are a highly imaginative team. You could say that they are Scotland's answer to Penn and Teller. Their tricks often have a dark, subversive quality: they did a tv series where they reproduced "miracles" from the bible, including raising the dead and creating plagues of nasty beasts.

Here they are in a live show, in a routine where impeccable sleight of hand is integrated into a clever story.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Yw7oX5CXhk

[Jason_Roberts]

Originally Posted by robinson

I just watched a whole bunch of YT videos showing how he does his tricks. A lot of technology, and editing involved. Combine the two, you get magic.

Meh

Most of the people who 'debunk' Criss Angel with YouTube videos are not magicians.

Most of his tricks can be done without editing.

A good example would be the roundabout and complicated way they explain his "walking on water" feat. It can be accomplished without any of the things they claim are necessary.

Most of those folks come off as disgruntled, and I don't even have to be a Criss Angel fan to be able to say that.

[DJM]

Which videos are you talking about? Many of the exposures I found on Youtube seem to be mostly correct.. including this walking on water one. What's so complicated about the claims there?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=A4R2d1r8zzM

[Archangel]

Originally Posted by Jason_Roberts

Anyway...

How about you folks?

The brilliant Russian Roulette trick done by Derren Brown.

Do not reveal how tricks are accomplished

Posted By:Jeff Wagg

Just amazing.


*Ducks and Runs*


***
Seriously though, Penn and Tellers: Clear Cups and Balls trick. Even seeing how it's done, it is just wow.

[Archangel]

Originally Posted by Archangel

The brilliant Russian Roulette trick done by Derren Brown.

Do not reveal how tricks are accomplished

Posted By:Jeff Wagg

Jeff that wasn't revealing how the trick was done, it was a reference to the thread
Here and Skipjacks' claims that because the gun went off screen for a second there could've been a second gun.

It was just meant as a joke for some of the participants in that thread, which is why I then gave a serious answer afterwards.

Sorry for any confusion.

[Jason_Roberts]

Originally Posted by DJM

Which videos are you talking about? Many of the exposures I found on Youtube seem to be mostly correct.. including this walking on water one. What's so complicated about the claims there?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=A4R2d1r8zzM

There is a much easier way to perform that illusion and without any of the equipment illustrated.

[Michael C]

Originally Posted by Jason_Roberts

There is a much easier way to perform that illusion and without any of the equipment illustrated.

Surely some plexiglas is involved?

[robinson]

Is posting a link to YouTube, that shows how a trick is done, is that against the rules here?

[robinson]

Because I thought it was, which is why I didn't do it. Is this allowed?

[DJM]

Originally Posted by Jason_Roberts

There is a much easier way to perform that illusion and without any of the equipment illustrated.

The equipment shown in video is pretty much what Criss used, and it seems easy to perform once you have it all ready.

[Michael C]

Originally Posted by DJM

Bob, from watching some of his episodes I can say he has the laziest crew ever. I've seen the use of editing even for tricks that you don't need one.. just to make it easier to perform.

I still think it's obvious that the zoom was there for some purpose.. It's not like there's a reason to suddenly show us how he unties his shoes up close.

Take this one for example:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=iRdv_VNPe7g

This is the kind of effect that Copperfield does live on his show.. But criss used an obvious edit to make it seem more impressive.. if you watch close enough, you might see the editing mistake.

Yes, I can see at least one edit. Would the effect be possible as he shows it without the help of that edit?

Copperfield's version of the death saw certainly qualifies for both technically ingenious and impressive. Everything fits: the technology, the timing, the presentation, the lighting and the music all at the service of an inventive idea.

[Bob Klase]

Originally Posted by Michael C

Yes, I can see at least one edit. Would the effect be possible as he shows it without the help of that edit?

Yes.

Originally Posted by Michael C

Copperfield's version of the death saw certainly qualifies for both technically ingenious and impressive. Everything fits: the technology, the timing, the presentation, the lighting and the music all at the service of an inventive idea.

Copperfield's Flying is also one of the best in all of those areas.