There's a difference between illusions and real magic.

There's a difference between illusions and real magic.

There's a difference between illusions and real magic.

I love this guy....he's no demon just a really good Mind freak......

Some of which are plants; people placed in the middle of the trick acting like they are just bystanders...He relies on plants in many of his tricks. He is just a magician and no more. Just because you cannot figure out how he does his illusions does not make him anything other than a talented illusionist.

The bunny is so right......

And I would like someone to cut out his tongue and bring him to me as a gift.

So true. Of course that doesn't negate the very real fact he's completely "do-able" . Rowwwrrr, Rowwwwwrrrr, magic seXy man! Rowwwrrrr!







edit. it's a riot that the server purifies x x x with *** in se***y man. That's much better. My senses can handle *** before they can, x's.

I think we are going to have to agree to disagree on the last staement...

I've seen the first two seasons, he's a pretty fascinating character.

Ah ha! I knew it!

I already knew he was an illusionist, that's why I said that he uses illusions. Unless you weren't applying that you didn't think I knew, then just ignore that last sentence.

Btw FluffyBummy, could you delete the triple post for me.

Re-read what I asked for.

I know what you "asked" for, but is it what you really want?

"Yep".

Well, you know that cutting out his tongue could kill him in the process. You wouldn't want that, would you?

I love the dead before they're cold
They're bluing flesh for me to hold
Cadaver eyes upon me see nothing
I love the dead before they rise
No farewells, no goodbyes
I never knew your rotting face
While friends and lovers mourn your silly grave
I have other uses for you, Darling
We love the dead
We love the dead, Yeah

I just want him muted. So metaphorically speaking....

You are one weird cat. And Christmas is over you know....



It's not "we" love the dead.

Just listened to a Criss Angel interview on 105.3(Dallas, TX) at 2pm(today) on a radio show called Wild A** Circus.
It will be downloadable within a week or so. He just said, once again, that he does not believe in the paranormal or supernatural, at all. He confirms once again what he does is illusion. He also says he really gets upset that people try to pass themselves off as mediums or psychics.

So EAT on that.

Yeah i have heard him say on more than one occasion that he does not believe in the paranormal, and that everything he does is nothing more than illusion.

Even if he doesn't say it, anybody with common sense knows that everything he does are illusions. Just because he's become famous, gullible people think he's actually supernatural. You know there are so many magicians who are more creative and bette showmen then Criss Angel, why don't people accuse them of being supernatural?

I just like to watch him myself....This is one hot dude.......

I don't care what anyone says. I know for a fact that Criss Angel is the New Jesus or The Anti Christ. He may expose a couple parlor room tricks here and there and downplay his skills, but he is REAL. What would the government or church do if they found out he was real? I guarantee he will be letting the world know his true self soon enough.

So what you are saying is that Criss Angel has supernatural powers?
Criss Angel himself said that what he does are just tricks and illusions and he doesnt believe in the paranormal

Tempted to post a snide reply, but bottom line Chris Angel is no more supernatural than David Copperfield or any other skilled illusionist. Just a normal human with a few skills most don't know. Little more than smoke and mirrors intended to enchant and enthrall us.

Quite correct.
Did anyone see the footage of Chris showing how he levitated using a pair of fake legs fitted to the back of his own legs?
The fake legs remained vertical and straight and he simply stepped out of them on to a higher step, while the fake legs dangled in the air.
To the camera and the audience behind him it was quite convincing, but just an illusion.

He is a mind freak for a reason, he is paid to mess with your mind. And your all buying into, but part of the fun of magic is not knowing how to do it.

Did you see the one where he was dressed like a pregant lady? He gave birth to 3 cigar smoking midgets. I still am laughing over that one, but where did these midgets come from? I have heard of monkey's flying out of someones butt, but this is ridiculous.

Andruzzi Ascending Levitation

Effect:

The magician floats 6 inches off the ground with spectators in front and behind him.

Preparation:

What you need to do, is find a pair of hard rubber shoes. I use a pair of casual Adidas superstars, don't use leather shoes, or the prepared shoe will bend during the levitation.

To prepare the shoe, you need to cut a hole on the bottom of your lifting foot . Make sure that there is about 5mm in the front and back of the shoe left uncut so that you can slip your foot back in after the levitating effect.

I also recommend wearing black socks during the presentation.

Method:

Go out and find up to four spectators. Place two of them behind you at the same angles you would for the Balducci levitation ( See Balducci page for exact angles). Supposing your lifting foot (the foot inside the prepared shoe) is your right. Have the other two spectators stand directly in front of you but a little to the left, but making sure that they can still see both your feet. It's then a simple matter to slip your toes out of the uncut segment in the front of your shoe to do the normal Balducci levitation, come back down to the ground, slip your toes back into the shoe and walk away. Pro Magic Accessories

Practice this trick with a friend until you get the viewing angles right as this is important for the illusion to work correctly.

http://www.free-card-tricks.net

Thanks for exposing an illusion. Can I send you a bill for the money you just cost magicians that perform that illusion? I,myself do not perform that illuision, as it is WAY too lame to perform in public. LOL. Anyway.....Many years ago, all these things were said of David Copperfield, as well. Illusionists, myself included, have been accused of being "supernatural" for a long time. however, an ilusionist worth his price of admission would NEVER claim to be the real deal. This is where Uri Gellar met his downfall. It is human nature to say it's supernatural, as those who label it, have no explanations, and must offer an explanation of some sort. Why everyone is too busy thinking "outside the box", illusionists are performing simple, yet astounding illusions "inside the box". Criss is correct in his statement that what he does is ILLUSIONS. Whether they are accomplished with mirrors, sleight of hand, or camera editing....they are ALL illusions.

An illusionist's best and most used illusion is to make you think the people he uses are in no way involved with his act. For stuff like the building to building levitation and stuff he uses thin wires you can't see from far away down on the street or the wide view of the tv camera. When he levitates the people (who are in on it) he also uses these handy littl wires. Pay close attention to his fingers during the whole illusion and how he carefully steps around. Lastly, magic has been his whole life, he's learned a lot, and is simply extremely good at his craft.

I could easily bash Criss ...but imho .... He is a gifted entertainer.....B




plus hes' WAY metal!







how do you spell double ON-TON-DRA ?

Double entendre.

Agreed. He's a great illusionist and that's why he is famous. Beats traditional stage magicians by a long shot.

I consider myself, and have been called a great illusionist by many, many people, and I'm not that famous. Being great doesn't make you famous..... Being on TV every week does.

Uuuuuh are you guys going mad? Criss Angel hasn't said that his tricks are real has he? Does he not claim to be a magician???

If he could levitate he'd have offered himself up to science by now to prove to the world that--what am I saying? HE'S A MAGICIAN! Why does he know that and you don't?

It reminds me of in pro wrestling, every now and then a technically aswsome wrestler comes along and makes us forget that it's fake. But it is. Nobody is claiming otherwise, including the wrestler.

In fact, here, maybe this will help:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUo1joLcWV4

thanks for the vid val,
I have seen the levitation between buildings thing and YES IT IS AN ILLUSION (notice the camera never pans to high over his head) the appeal of Criss has more to do with his charm and showmanship... notice how the chicks all love him and the dudes all like him???....hard trick to pull off in itself........B


screeeech...what do you mean wrestling is FAKE???

I honestly think that Criss Angel is the worst ever. Also his personality is way too much for me. I get embarrassed for him during his theme song. He tries way too hard to come off as hardcore and metal, but to me he just ends up looking like one of those 12 year old gothic kids you see hanging around the mall struggling desperately to look like they don't care about being cool.
I am surprised that there are people who think his magic is real. I would be surprised to find out that Criss Angel is a real human being and not some sort of complicated puppet, much less a real magician.

I kne a "Gothic" girl who thinks he can really levitate.

Yeah. Back when I was in high school there were a couple kids who claimed they could float and summon demons put curses on their enemies and god knows what else. They were a couple of freshmen witches and everyone, even the other witches, all but completely ostracized them. They eventually outgrew it.

Magicians and Illusionists, like myself, have been performing levitations for years.

I used to watch his tv show and find him very entertaining. I think he's very gifted at magic and would love to see him live someday. Sadly I haven't caught his show on A&E in awhile though. It is still airing on there right?

Unfortunately photographs, just like television, isn't proof of anything. Magicians may have been levitating for years..doesn't mean they did it without help. Anyone who has ever seen a movie learns to understand that even though you saw Actress X shot to death right in front of your face, she's not really dead. It's not magic. It's just show business.
Penn & Teller are my type of magicians. At least they're not complete bulls**t and their show by the same name is pretty entertaining too.

Your post made little sense. Again...the levitations are ILLUSIONS...not real. I never said they were real. However, you are correct about the "magic" of television. Technology today makes anything possible on TV. Magic may be a little deceiving, but camera tricks and doctored videos and pictures aren't my thing. Kinda hard to do that doing a live show, and then try to explain to someone why YOU can't float from building to building or walk across a pool of water.

In my mind, camera tricks (video or any other kind) are cheating...not magic.

What is it with people thinking David Blaine and Criss Angel are the anti-christ!?!?!?!?!?!?!? While they are both very good magicians, ALOT of the effects they do are done with the use of camera tricks and paid actors to pretend to be audience members. THEY ARE NOT THE DEVIL, THEY ARE NOT JESUS, THEY ARE NOT THE ANTI-CHRIST, AND THEY AREN'T PSHYCIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I used to jokingly talk about David Blaine selling his soul to the devil with my brother. Just because of his total lack of emotion of any kind, and that he's burried himself underground for a few days (that's where he made the deal )

Anyways magic is ussually fairly entertaining to watch, with exception of copperfield (wait 28 minutes for a 2 minute illusion). That and I don't get too hung up on the theatrics surrounding the whole thing...I know that setting, dancing girls/guys, lions, ect. is important for the misdirection, but give me a freaking break.

That's the only reason I can stomach Criss Angel, he keeps that crap down to a minimum.

Read this website. There are plenty of those around here.

Quite, but it doesn't explain the "lady split in half in full view trick" or the "vanishing elephant" or the "motorcycle trick where he vanishes into the flames".

Tell us how ya do it, and the majority of people will probably believe you, but, pray-tell, where does witchcraft and the occult truly cross over to majic and illusion?

And Criss can walk down a building.....sorta hard, wouldn't it, to cover a building with wires?

I love watching this guy, I don't care how he does it, Its just cool to see what trick's he's going to come up with next....

This will.

First, I think we can all agree that it's not real? I mean, he obviously didn't really bisect a human being! So, now we're down to how did he make us think he did.

You are assuming everything in the segment was shot in real-time. After having watched the video, and as someone who has worked in the motion picture industry for nearly 30 years, I can assure you it was not. Reference: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ar7jkOpnYMc and I'll try to point everything out for you.

For lack of a more-sensitive term, a "complete" lady is chosen from the "crowd" and lies down on the bench. When the view switches between her right side & left (between 1:10 and 1:11 on the counter), this is an EDIT involving the passage of time. The jump cut (i.e., the edit) is revealed by the changed position of the shadow underneath the bench, as well as the resting positions of both "helpers". Pause the video, and if you manually try to move the slider back and forth between 1:08 and 1:10/1:11 you will easily see the discrepancies between the two shots. Note particularly the change in shadow position underneath the girl holding the legs. This indicates at least a 5-minute progression of the sun.

A legless lady is now lying on the bench, inside a gimmicked costume, along with a small or very young person acting as the legs (note the smaller ankles and slightly-trimmer "mid-section"). The "legs" performer is lying on the ground underneath the bench with her legs held in a sitting position against the edge of the bench, with the prop skirt resting on her shins and concealing her presence. If you pause the video at 1:38, not only will you see the position of the shadow under the bench has again changed dramatically (suggesting yet another edit - possibly to allow the "legs" performer to move to the top of the bench) but the stature of this person can be better seen.

The fact that there are edits which allowed substitution of performers and props further tells us that everyone in the background is either "in" on the trick, or was otherwise distracted by some ruse while the switch was made (which, of course, we're not allowed to see). The women on the bench, and those holding onto them, are most certainly confederates.

When the gag is sprung, notice the accomplice holding the ankles doesn't pull at all, yet the other one pulls the lady fully across the bench, off the end, and gently helps her to the ground - all BEFORE reacting and running off screaming. Another reveal.

This is no different than an effect made for a feature picture, but it's rather unimpressive for a magician's repertoire. Anyone can do anything in editing!

Best,
NYCinematographer