Chris Angel / Mind Freak - Levitataion Stunt

asphaltgambler · 09-12-2006, 07:17 AM

Did anyone catch this last week?

This guy "floated" from the rooftop of one building in broad daylight to another rooftop that was at least @75Yds across.

There were people with cameras on both sides, the ground looking up and on each rooftop.

He literally lifted up (feet danling) from the first rooftop and with out any kind of walking motion "floated" to the other rooftop.

I have absolutey never seen anything like it. Any clues?

RickM · RickM's Garage

Here's how he does it on a smaller scale...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRMHmnr4b60

asphaltgambler · 09-12-2006, 08:21 AM

Ok so what did he step on between the buildings? There was no visible rope or support and they showed it from all sides. Plus he was not walking as he 'moved' towards the other rooftop.

The rooftops were 3-4 stories off of the ground

Also I have seen him do that trick on a level surface with no 'box' or anything around him

RickM · RickM's Garage

Are you saying he can really levitate?

I tried a quick search but just came up with the box trick. Same a Blains (sp)

kang · 09-12-2006, 09:55 AM

David Blaine doesn't have a box in front of him:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H91syNqcIp0&mode=related&search=

He also goes higher than you could go by standing on your toes. Plus, you can see under his feet. I don't think Blaine is using this technique:

http://www.magiclearn.50megs.com/photo2.html

Do a google search on balducci levitation for more info.

kang · 09-12-2006, 10:01 AM

I just found this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAcKT4nFR0c&mode=related&search=

Jared at Pelican Parts · 09-12-2006, 10:05 AM

I too would like to know how he does the building levitation trick. Thats pretty impressive

JonT · 09-12-2006, 10:56 AM

I saw that too--incredible.

RickM · RickM's Garage

I wonder how David Copperfield feels about it........

asphaltgambler · 09-12-2006, 02:56 PM

So.........anyone yet figure it out ?? I really do not have a clue.

rammstein · 09-12-2006, 03:31 PM

Here is the vid I just watched:

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

The interesting this is how the people watching are obviously plants. This, combined with the camera angles used, screams of a crane somewhere offscreen. Perhaps two, each a few hundred yards apart, and with some very hard to see cables.

People cannot fly.

M.D. Holloway · 09-12-2006, 03:34 PM

Thats why they call it magic - it isn't real, but an illusion. If you see it in person you might be able to figuer it our provided you have access to all angles. TV magic is simple. All the audience members are actors for the most part and the ones that are not are not given the giveaway angle.

Racerbvd · Racerbvd's Garage

In GA, he would have been shot down, onli birds, planes & ferries fly

asphaltgambler · 09-13-2006, 07:22 AM

So the stunt was highly edited just for TV then?

As in: a crane in the background was ferrying him across?

silver912e · 09-13-2006, 09:25 AM

I think he takes advantage of the magic of television & editing:

http://magic.about.com/od/biosonfamousmagicians/a/012406blaine_2.htm

motion · 09-13-2006, 09:31 AM

Looks like he is straddling/sitting on a wire with a trolley. Notice how his legs are always pointed down, never moving. Then, at the end when he lands on the other building, he very carefully walks straight forward for several feet before turning.

kang · 09-13-2006, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by silver912e
I think he takes advantage of the magic of television & editing:

http://magic.about.com/od/biosonfamousmagicians/a/012406blaine_2.htm

Using television special effects is cheating, in my mind. Plenty of illusionists do some pretty amazing things without special effects. You’ve heard the disclaimer they make at the beginning of the show: “no special effects or camera tricks were used.” Blaine doesn't make this disclaimer, and I don't think Chris Angel does either. But there have been enough magic shows that do, that you take it for granted that they are NOT using special effects.

If you use TV special effects, anyone can do anything. You can jump to the moon and walk around without a space suit. Now doing the tricks that they do without special effects, that takes skill.

RickM · RickM's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by asphaltgambler
So the stunt was highly edited just for TV then?

As in: a crane in the background was ferrying him across?

Yes, it was TV illusion. David Copperfield once described how he made a mountain (or was it a volcano) disappear. This was one of those highly publicized, semi-annual illusions.
IIRC it was accomplished through audience placement and very large mirrors and glass....and of course what you can get away with using TV technology.