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Legallee Insane
Skeptic Friend
Canada
126 Posts |
 Posted - 11/28/2002 : 19:52:57
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I've always wondered about that magic stuff. I realize that there are all kinds of behind the scenes things going on and that magic shows and things of that sort are simply large productions with special effects that use misdirection and trickery.
But for the love of god, will someone please show me the light and tell me how the hell that David Blane guy does some of that shit. It has to be fake, you just know it, but how does he really do it.
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--"Only the fool says in his heart: There is no god -- The wise says it to the world"
--"I darn you to HECK!" - Catbert
--"Don't worry, we're not laughing at you, we're laughing near you." |
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Kilted_Warrior
Skeptic Friend
Canada
118 Posts |
Posted - 11/28/2002 : 20:18:33 [Permalink]
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For one, It's not magic. He admits its just illusion. But he is damned good at it!
I think his levitations are accomplished by fixing small pieces of plexi-glass with hinges to the bottom of his shoes, thus making him appear to "float" but then become unstable and fall down. The rest is mostly slight of hand, such as the quarter trick and his vast card repitoire. It is all quite possible, but he is very good, so it looks like it defys logic. |
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Espritch
Skeptic Friend
USA
284 Posts |
Posted - 11/28/2002 : 21:33:09 [Permalink]
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Actually, the levitation trick is much more simple than it appears. This subject was discussed at the JREF a while back and someone posted this link explaining how it is done.
http://gcgordy.crosswinds.net/blainelev1.html
Just goes to show you that you shouldn't overthink a magic trick. |
| Edited by - Espritch on 11/28/2002 21:33:41 |
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Snake
SFN Addict
USA
2511 Posts |
Posted - 11/29/2002 : 02:49:08 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by Legallee Insane
I've always wondered about that magic stuff. I realize that there are all kinds of behind the scenes things going on and that magic shows and things of that sort are simply large productions with special effects that use misdirection and trickery.
But for the love of god, will someone please show me the light and tell me how the hell that David Blane guy does some of that shit. It has to be fake, you just know it, but how does he really do it.
I know it's maddening not to know but don't you want some fantasy, some wonder and amazment in your life? I have a good friend who's been doing magic for a while. She tried a slight of hand trick on me. Had me write my name on a quarter, put it in an envelope, seal it, and ....but there it was outside and the envelope was still sealed the way I made it. I'll never know how she did it, she'll never tell, I won't ask. It's great fun.
Lighten up, think good thoughts and go out and solve other real problems that need fixing. |
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filthy
SFN Die Hard
USA
14408 Posts |
Posted - 11/29/2002 : 03:50:56 [Permalink]
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I'm with Snake on this one. I love a good magic show and I don't want to know how it's done. It would take away the fun of trying (and failing) to figure it all out.
Some years ago, I had a JW neighbor, a mostly rational sort until it came to magic. He was convinced that these people were in league with, and got their powers from the devil, and no amount argument, explanations, nor even ridicule would convince him otherwise.
The most fascinating slight-of-hand artist I have ever seen was on a street in Las Vegas. He was dressed in a tight, black, long-sleeved pull-over and wore white, silk gloves. He worked over a small table covered with black velvet. He did his magic with cards, chips and coins, somehow changing one into another, making them disappear, and so forth. All while I was standing only a couple of feet away. He was so good, I left a $20 with him. I would have loved to have had the JW with me that night! 
I'd love to know the mechanics of it all, but please don't tell me.
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"What luck for rulers that men do not think." -- Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)
"If only we could impeach on the basis of criminal stupidity, 90% of the Rethuglicans and half of the Democrats would be thrown out of office." ~~ P.Z. Myres
"The default position of human nature is to punch the other guy in the face and take his stuff." ~~ Dude
Brother Boot Knife of Warm Humanitarianism,
and Crypto-Communist! 
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Gorgo
SFN Die Hard
USA
5310 Posts |
Posted - 11/29/2002 : 05:05:51 [Permalink]
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I watched that series on TV where this masked magician explained all of that stuff, and it doesn't take a thing away from it for me to know how some of it is done. I know that doing most of it in a way that convinces anyone takes a great deal of practice and skill. I'm still impressed, except when they use camera tricks.
I'm also impressed by the way people seem to think that David Blaine has superhuman powers.
If you do a search on the web, most of those tricks are explained. Some of them are pretty old in one form or another, like the ripping the head off the chicken trick. |
I know the rent is in arrears
The dog has not been fed in years
It's even worse than it appears
But it's alright-
Jerry Garcia
Robert Hunter
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