talking of which....

[darth vader]

How did David Copperfield 'walk' through the great wall of China? How was the illusion successfully performed? (no 'it was magic' answers please)

[treaclefight]

strategically positioned mirrors ( so i heard from a highly disreputable source) :-)

[sft42]

Did you enjoy this Illusion?

I am assuming that you did from your posting the question.

Next point...Would you have enjoyed it anywhere as much if you knew how it was done?

I don't want to appear smug but I have a fair idea how 90% of most tricks are achieved and most bore me now so perhaps it's better to live in blissful ignorance and simply enjoy it?

If not then I think you'll find that Treacle has it nearly but not qute right.

[Twylo]

I heard that by law registered magicians (in America) are allowed to tell fibs on TV like saying "Absolutley NO camera tricks were used during this stunt" even when they are

[darth vader]

Yes i did enjoy the illusion. But (being an intellectual :-) I also realise that it is a trick and not magic, and enjoy trying to work out how it's done. This one had me stumped (barring a con-trick by the camera crew, which i gather is how D Blaine "floats"). Go on then sft, how's it done? (if treacle is not quite right...)

[gilf]

I can do the David blaine levitation trick and its really impressive, theres no camera trick but the cut different reactions in with different levitations. It also depends on the definition of camera trick, is positioning of the camera in such a way that it is unable to see something in the way we would see it a camera trick? Like comedy there are a small set of priciples in magic and all tricks are and extension of these.

[darth vader]

I'm aware there are two versions of the levitation trick - the first one (which you mention is camera trick free) involves being able to balance all your weight onto the toes of one foot, and pivot on it, say for example the left foot. Anyone stood behind and to the right, would not see the foot on the ground, just the right foot which "appears" to be floating, the illusion is that both feet are floating. This is why DB always turns with his back to the watching audience. The 2nd version apparently is just a complete con by the camera - the one where he is a couple of feet in the air - apparently they winch him up and airbrush the cable out later.

[gilf]

I think that is why David Blaine is not taken seriously over hear and also the big difference between American and British magic. Think of all of the british magicians, Paul Daniels, Ali Bongo, Paul Zenon all of the them great but none of them take it totally seriously, its all a bit of a joke (but done brilliantly and professionally) and they can see people enjoy magic for what it is, a trick, a bit of fun. But American magic is all far too serious, David Blaine for example goes round as if he's doing something trully amazing and that people should be amazed and hold him in awe. The Americans lap it up but the British don't take them seriously. Its a shame we dont have more magic on TV, Paul Daniels was top class if you ask me.

[Hippy]

Some of you might remember a thin suave silent magician called "Salvano". He stood beside a waist high champagne glass table thing and proceeded to do one fast trick after another. Silk handkerchiefs, flags of all nations, appearing and disappearing liquids, a flurry of playing card appearances, and so on. Just when you thought, he cant have any more cards hidden behind his hand, he's already produces hundreds, more would come pouring forth.

He was a master at what he did (or does, I'm not sure if he still performs), yet we all know it is a clever trick but exquisitely performed. We acknowledge the skill and practice, and are amazed by our own mundane expectations being dashed by the seeming impossible and are amazed. This is how it should be. Being "in" on the secret can diminish the wow factor of conjuring, but in the hands of a true performer it is magic!

[treaclefight]

after alot more thought, i've decided that it doesnt matter to me if i know how the tricks done or not, it's the skill with which its done that amazes me. my other half can do the levitation trick, and its still makes me gasp even tho i know exactly what he's doing. i think the best tricks are the 'small' ones, the sleight of hand ones that are done right under your nose, everyone knows that cards are palmed etc, the magic is the skill.

[treaclefight]

and i completely agree with gilf on david blaine. the god complex is a bit much for me.

[darth vader]

Gilf, you forgot Tommy Cooper on your list - you can't accuse him of taking it seriously :-)

[honkytonkman]

Basically the whole thing is an illusion.. The cameramen are in on the trick. The point of it all is to make you believe what you saw.. that's the trick. As soon as the opening credits roll on a David Copperfield extravanga I know that whatever I'm about to see is all faked up, to make me believe it happened. At the end of day it's a harmless way of spending 30 mins in front of the TV.

[magicisfake]

umm