Magic Trick

The Balducci Levitation

noreply@blogger.com (Magic Trick) — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 17:10:00 +0000

A Quick Note About David Blaine

David Blaine is not the originator of this illusion. He has made the illusion popular, once again, with his recent television special, “David Blaine: Street Magic.” The unfortunate reality is, however, that we never really get to see Blaine performing the Balducci Levitation. We watch several times as Blaine performs it for others, but we never get to see it for our selves.

For the television special, Blaine performed the Balducci Levitation in front of several different groups of people, and the camera was there to catch their reaction. The method he used for this is the Balducci method, described bellow. While videotaping these various performances, the producers keyed in on the audience members with the most visual reaction. After the Balducci Levitation, the producers of the show had these same people stand by for another taping of the illusion – this time the camera would shoot from behind the audience members to get a clear view of Blaine in action. The audience members were told that this second performance was to show theme how magicians could use wires to levitate. And this is exactly what happened. A small harness and rig (just out camera view) was set up and Blaine performed a standard wire suspension.

What Blaine did was a camera trick – known as a post-production edit. The audience at home watched the second (wire suspension) levitation performance, with the audience reaction of the real levitation edited in. It was said, in the television special, that no strings or wires were use to perform Blaine 's levitation. This is true, no wire or strings are required. Unfortunately, we never got to see Blaine 's real levitation: WE SAW A WIRE-SUSPENSION

Balducci Levitation – Description

The Balducci Levitation is an illusion that can be performed almost anywhere, anytime. It use no wires, strings, rigs, camera tricks, etc.

The illustrations at the right show you the audience point-of-view.

This is highly restrictive, angle-sensitive trick. You have to practice your angles over and over to get used to them. One bad angle or position and the illusion is blown!

In the television special “David Blaine: Street Magic” they show everyone having “cow” over Blaine 's Levitation. What they don't show you are the countless times Blaine screwed the trick up. It is easy to get a bad angle – even more so when you are performing for several people.

Figure 1 shows the start of the illusion. Stand about 8 to 10 feet away from the audience at a 45° “backward” angle (as shown in figure 1). You pause… and then slowly start to float (figure 2). You rise 3 to 5 inches off of the ground before you suddenly “crash” back down to the ground.

When performed correctly, this is about as close to “real” magic as you'd ever want to get.

Balducci Levitation – Solution
All you do is pretend to “float off of the ground while you tepee-toe on just one foot (the foot furthest from their view) as shown bellow. Believe it, or not, this looks GREAT! The small audience can not see your supporting foot because it is hidden by three things: your pants, the angle of the trick, and your closest shoe (which hides their view of the foot being used to “levitate” you). You might only rise 3 or 5 inches off of the ground…wait just one second and then drop fast. Stay up too long and they will be probably figure it out.

This is what the Balducci Levitation looks like during performance. The position on the left is the start of the illusion. The position on the right shows the climax of the levitation.

Another thing. Don't just walk up to someone and say, “wanna see me float?” You must first show them, say, a bunch of card tricks. This will let you know if you can perform the Balducci Levitation for theme, or not. If they tend grab at the cards or seem to go out of their way to make the magic life difficult for you, then you do not want to show theme this trick. They will blow it for you, and everyone else. The Balducci Levitation requires a respectable, responsive audience – people that like, and want, to be entertained. Part of being a good magician is knowing who not to show a trick to – no matter how much you want to show it to theme. You show theme a few card tricks first (or something of the like). This establishes a “magical” mood, lets you see if they are ‘in the mood' and sets theme up for the big one. After seeing a bunch of “small” stuff they will never suspect a levitation. This is what blows theme away! After a few card tricks, simply have theme stand together and then set up for the illusion. “Can everyone see my feet?” is something good to say as this point. “Everyone watch me while I float!” is probably the crappiest thing you could say. Never tell theme exactly what to do (this way, then won't be trying to figure it out before you even get started).

Practice in front of a mirror, or better yet, in front of a video camera on a tripod. Set the camera at eye level and perform for the camera several times. This will help you learn your angles much faster, and better than a mirror. Better yet, let a friend in on the trick and have him/her videotape your performance.

Twisting Arm illusion

noreply@blogger.com (Magic Trick) — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 16:59:00 +0000

Unleash the power of illusion with this unique free discovery which allows you to master the secret of arm twisting 360 degrees made famous by David Blaine, with incredible results.

Effect:

After asking a spectator to copy the action of you putting your hand on the table, you are able to twist your arm a full 360 degrees while others look at you in disbelief.

Preparation:

Just a long sleeve shirt, everything else is impromptu.

Method:

THE SECRET MOVE (WITH THE RIGHT HAND): on the table, have your fingers pointing towards your body, this may seem a bit uncomfortable, but the effect is well worth it, now, you should have your fingers pointing to the left, now turn your palm up (still having the fingers pointing left) but keep turning the hand over the same way until it is face down again.

With a long sleeve shirt, it looks as if your hand is just turned sideways to the left (in reality. It's twisted 270 degrees to the right).

Method:

Hand on the table (or sidewalk… wherever you want to perform). Tell him to do exactly what you are doing and start slowly twisting your arm counterclockwise.

When your fingers start to point to the left, distract him from what you're doing, say something like “you're doing it wrong; do exactly what I'm doing!” or “maybe you should back up a bit to get a better view of my direction”.

With that, point to his hand or push him away a bit with your other hand, and do the secret move while his eyes are concentrated on himself. When you have the secret move done, it's a simple matter of him trying to do what you're doing again, but little does he know you simply untwisting your arm instead of twisting it like him self.

By putting a plastic cup or hard cellophane tucked under your armpit, you can make a bone crunching noise by pressing gently as you twist your arm to add to the effect.

This trick is very clearly explained in the Twisting arm illusion video of Meir Yedid which can be ordered online. It will allow you to perform this fantastic illusion to great effect very quickly.

The pictures below show the hand movements for this trick. Please note that you can not show your arm while performing to your audience as this would give away the secret to the trick.

String Magic Trick

noreply@blogger.com (Magic Trick) — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 16:57:00 +0000

Effect :
This trick was performed very well by David Blaine. The magician is seen to roll some thread into a ball in his fingers. The thread is then placed in his mouth and he appears to swallow it. The magician appears to be I pain, when he bare his stomach and visibly pulls the thread out from it.

Items :
Thread, you will need two pieces of the same coloured thread.

“New skin” latex clear paint for covering cuts and grazes or other brand of latex paint. This liquid paint is normally available from pharmacies. Make up

Method :
You need to paint a one to two inch square area on your stomach with the latex. When it dries you can pull it gently away from the skin to form a pocket.

Place one piece of thread in the pocket, leaving a small piece sticking out.

Cover the latex pocket with make up match the colour of your skin.

The latex pocket can alternatively be made by attaching a piece of skin coloured latex that has been cut from a Halloween mask. This could be attached by using the latex paint as glue.

The performance is done by the magician rolling one of the pieces of thread into a ball and then either pretending to place the thread in his mouth, retaining the thread between his thumb and finger or the thread can be placed between the gum and cheek. Then he pretends to swallow the string.

The rest of the trick depends on acting, the pain enhancing the illusion that the thread has pushed its way through the magicians stomach.

The thread can then be pulled from the latex pocket.

Psycho Kinetic Time

noreply@blogger.com (Magic Trick) — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 16:52:00 +0000

Effect :
A watch is borrowed, the magician does not carry anything!. After showing the watch to those nearby who notice the current time, you place the watch face down in the spectator's hand. His hand is closed over the watch. The magician doesn't touch the watch again. The magician then asks the spectator to name a number and then to concentrate on that number and the watch. He opens his hand, turns over the watch and sees that the hands of the watch have moved that many minutes!. This trick does not require any gimmicks.

Preparation :
You need to wear a watch of your own with the wrong time.

Method :
Ask your victim for his watch with an excuse like, “I think my time is wrong can I see yours for a second?”
Borrow the watch for a minute and examine it look at it, state what time it has, and say, “is this the right time, I need to know.”

Now glance at the time on your watch, and draw attention to it by setting its time. While they looking at you, set the time on your watch. Your other hand is moving their stem so their time move forward 25 minutes. Now have them sandwich their watch between their hands, and ask them to pick a number from 10 through 30. Most people will pick 25 if they pick 20, they won't notice it's off by five minutes when you reveal that the hands of their watch have moved forward in time….If they pick something below that number, tell them to make it harder, and pick a higher number. It gets them every time… just remember to give a great patter when doing this trick.

Tips :
I recommend trying to do this on nervous or shy people so they don't know what you are doing. The key to this trick is misdirection, but it's very easy to get caught.

Paul Xenon Tax Disc Removal Secret

noreply@blogger.com (Magic Trick) — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 16:49:00 +0000

Effect:
The magician invites a spectator to stand near a car, he then asks the spectator to check that the car tax is inside the windscreen.

The spectator agrees, the magician then places his hands over the disc and pulls its out through the solid glass.

Preparation :
This trick needs a long piece of fishing line, two identical tax discs, a car and a spectator.

Method :
Attach a piece of fishing line to the tax disc inside the car and run it out to the trunk and out to the back of the car. Have your assistant ducking down behind the back of the car holding the line, where the spectator cannot see him.

Palming the duplicate disc, the spectator is asked to check that the disc is inside the car.

With the disc in your hand, cover the tax disc with your hands.

This is you cue to the assistant.

He pull the line and keeps pulling until the disc is ripped of the windscreen and pulled right inside the trunk at the back and out of view of the spectators. Meanwhile, you pretend to struggle to pull the disc from inside the car, hand it to the spectator and casually walk off.

It is good to really look like your putting a lot of effort into getting the tax disc through the windscreen.

David Blaine, Mind Reading Style Trick

noreply@blogger.com (Magic Trick) — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 16:43:00 +0000

”Think of any card,” it's a wild guess but a spectator will almost always think of the Nine of diamonds, Ace of spades, Queen of Hearts or the Six of Clubs. Have each of those cards on you in one way or another and reveal.
“Pick a number between 50-100 with even different digits”. Answer: 68
“Pick a number between 1-1,000”. Answer: 333
Fan a set of cards with one royal and the 4H in the center, nine times out of ten the spectator will pick the four because it's in the center and it appears uncommon. (i.e. 7C,AD,4H,KH,9D)
Borrow a coin from someone, switch it and have them hold your coin in their hand, they bend it with their mind! Just stick your quarter in a vice and bend it ahead of time.

Say things to help your magic like: “Let me show you something strange, I'm going to try something, I've never done this before, It's bizarre, Do you (Did you) feel that? That's crazy. That's scary, Can I try something with you?”

Fly Resurrection

noreply@blogger.com (Magic Trick) — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 16:39:00 +0000

Effect :
You are walking down the street and casually pick any spectator. You ask them to come with you to a nearby car and pick a dead fly off the windscreen. You hold it in your hand do a view passes with the other hand and appear to be really concentrating and the fly slowly comes back to life to the surprise of the spectator.

Preparation :
Freeze the fly

Method :
You need to catch a fly and freeze it which puts it in a temporary coma, this can be done by swatting the fly hard enough to immobilize it then placing it in a small container in the freezer.

The fly then needs to be quickly taken to a suitable windscreen IN THE SHADE and place there. It is important that the car is in the shade to prevent the fly from defrosting too quickly. Then go and find a spectator and take them back to the car which should appear to be randomly picked. The heat of your hand will revive the fly which should soon start to move.

Freezing the fly with dry ice or even one these aerosol canned air products for cleaning computers is a better way of freezing the fly as it is quicker and causes less damage to the fly.

Coin Bite and Restored Coin

noreply@blogger.com (Magic Trick) — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 16:37:00 +0000

David Blaine performed this extremely effective trick where a coin was bitten and a piece removed.

The coin was restored when the missing pieces was seemingly spat out at it.

This trick was used using a very cleverly engineered coin which is available from a lot of good magic suppliers and is switched for the spectators coin.

You can do your own version of the trick by making your own trick coin by looking at the coin trick section of this site.

Coffee To Coins Street Magic Trick

noreply@blogger.com (Magic Trick) — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 16:27:00 +0000

Setup :
Get one of those coffee machine dispensed cups that have the “personal solitaire” graphics on the side. Removed the bottom of the coffee cup with an X-acto knife and place it back, stack the cup three quarters full with odd coins.

Pack the coins in and make it tight, and then pour in a little coffee. Enough to cover the coins completely. Coffee works best because it's so dark.

Performance :
Comment on how the cards on the side of the cup (graphics) are magic.Grip the cup from the bottom and push up on the bottom, and shake the cup.As the coins “unsettle” the coffee will spill between the cracks and the coins appear.

Cigarette Through The Coin Trick

noreply@blogger.com (Magic Trick) — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 16:15:00 +0000

Effect :
David Blaine again used this impressive trick where he pushed a cigarette through a quarter.

Method :
This trick uses a very clever gimmicked coin where the middle temporarily opens to let the cigarette through and later closes so the hole is virtually invisible to the spectator.
This coin is available through all good magic suppliers.

Ace Shake

noreply@blogger.com (Magic Trick) — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 16:10:00 +0000

This trick was performed in David Blaine's second special where he made the spectator sign a card, the card was put back in the pack and was made appear from between two aces.

Secret :
Give the spectator, the two red aces and tell them to hold them.Fan out the deck and tell the spectator to touch a card. Square the deck up leaving their card stuck out to be signed and shown.

This is because you secretly put the card into “palm position” when you square up the deck so you can easily palm the card when you want to.

It must stick out of the lower corner of the pack meeting your inner thumb.

Let them sign the card and then hand them the deck, secretly palming their card.After they are convinced that the card is well lost in the deck, ask for the two aces and sandwich the face down palmed card between the aces, showing only the aces face up.

Tell them to hold the deck openly and start to shake the aces directly over the pack, tell them to watch their card rise from the deck into the two aces, shake a little more loosely and the card will appear to their amazement.