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Kuba_PL New user Poland 10 Posts |
Do you use this levitation often? What are reactions of audience?
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Danny Hustle Inner circle Boston, MA USA 2393 Posts |
The Balducci levitation is not much of a trick for the street. David Blaine doesn't do "real" street magic.
Most of the stuff Blaine did in his special doesn't play very well for people trying to make money on the street. You might find more information in some of the other areas on this site, like the party strollers area. The Balducci is an excellent trick, but its angle problems make it next to useless in a street performance. Same goes for King's levitation. Best, Dan- "MT is one of the reasons we started this board! I’m so sick of posts being deleted without any reason given, and by unknown people at that." - Steve Brooks Sep 7, 2001 8:38pm ©1999-2014 Daniel Denney all rights reserved. |
Kuba_PL New user Poland 10 Posts |
OK, I'll move it to Party stollers.
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DeadRinger New user long island 55 Posts |
In Blaine's special he only did the Balducci method in some of the clips. There were edited bits with him using other non magical methods which they didnt talk about.
*POOF*
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CardSharp Regular user Philadelphia 105 Posts |
Ok. No mater what these guys say I still like the Balducci levitation but I wouldn't do it on the street. I usually do it for friends and family. If done right I can be a real knock-out But it's easy to mess up.
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Whit Haydn V.I.P. 5449 Posts |
Back in the late Seventies, I used to do the Balducci levitation only under certain conditions. I would wait at a party until I got into a conversation with a guy about magic. I would lead the conversation into levitations, and then admit that I had been working on the effect of self-levitation for some time.
I always talked about the difficulty of knowing how I was doing, since I might just be hypontizing myself into believing I was lifting off the ground. Eventually, I would get my victim to volunteer to watch my "meditation," but only after agreeing in the strictest terms that whatever happened, he would not ever mention it to a soul. We would retire to the hallway where we could be undisturbed. After much concentration, and stalling until just before the victim lost interest, I would float into the air. His amazed gasp would cause me to "break concentration" and land heavily on both feet. I would beg to be left alone for a minute to "refocus." When I re-entered the party, eveyone would be listening to him, and suddenly turn to look at me. I gave the victim a "dirty look" for betraying my confidence and our agreement, and would then leave the party in a "huff." It would be the talk of the party for the rest of the night. This kept me from having to repeat the effect for anyone, and my denials and sidestepping of questions made the victim's story seem more and more plausible. |
MOTO42 Loyal user Whitehouse Texas 225 Posts |
LOL, I love it that routine, Whithaydn.
When I first found out the Baulduci method (About 20 minutes ago) I thought "No, people couldn't POSSIBLY be fooled by that..." I give humanity in general way to much credit. *Adds the Balduci to his list of things to practice.* I wear boots all the time, would this hinder me?
"One man's miracle is another man's warm-up"
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nitram Veteran user London U.K. 308 Posts |
I first saw the 'Blaine' levitation and had no idea how it was done. I bought the levitation video in Florida on Holiday.When I realised that he used TV tricks to show the result I was a little disappointed. However I followed the instructions and tried it. The reaction from people was amazing. I was working in london a few weeks later and showed it to one of the removal men (who I know) at a large office block that was being emptied. For nearly 2 hours after that, I had a steady stream of people coming up to me asking to see the illusion. I played this up a lot teasing them etc before I showed some of the people individually. People who tried to explain to others what I was doing were dumbfounded when they actually saw the illusion for themselves. Not one person got the slightest idea how to do it and I even got one guy who begged me to show him how to do it so he could impress the girls at parties. I declined.....WHAT POWER EH?
If this is done correctly this is a reputation maker. If it is done incorrectly, it is also a reputation maker !!!!!!! |
sebastian New user 14 Posts |
I have to admit that even though I consider the Baulduci levitation to be kind of corny (I used to do the Baulduci when I was a kid but didn't know that that was what I was doing) it does get attention. When someone mentions that I'm a magician someone else will say "He levitates!" I'll deny it and say how crazy they are. If they want to see some magic I'll show something else. Then later if the situation arises where there is just one person around I'll levitate and the person goes running off trying to find someone to tell.
I am Sebastian, a sixteenth century pirate.
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Great Domino Special user Canada 545 Posts |
I like the Balducci but I find it better if the spect. is standing at 7 o"clock rather than 5 o"clock.
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xplosvmonkey New user 4 Posts |
Thats the way I have done it in the past... I would do it for one or two people and they would go crazy and then tell everyone and ask me over and over to show this or that person it and I would tell them they were crazy until again I had them alone... Its a lot of fun that way. the only thing is I had myself found out a few times and that really stinks when that happens so I kinda got discouraged and haven't done it much ever since.
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Ross W Inner circle UK 1778 Posts |
The only problem with the Balducci is that EVERY kid in the country knows it now, and (I find) way too many adults as well. Blaine's "levitation" (har har) had such great word of mouth that once a few people knew the method (OK, a method) then it was bound to spread.
Typical conversation: "Hey you're a magician? Can you do that levitation like that guy on the telly?" Second spectator: "What's that?" First spectator: "Here I'll show you." (Performs Balducci levitation really badly) "There! Can you do that?" Me: "Er...yeah, I guess..." (Proceed to card trick instead...) |
Ben Cummings New user 66 Posts |
I would agree that the Balducci is VERY limiting in terms of angles and possibility of being busted - but - it's a great on the fly 'guerrilla magic' effect.
What I prefer vastly more is Mike Bent's "Zero Gravity" that allows the same levitation effect of a few inches off the ground - but - is pretty much angle proof.(There are certain angles that you MUST be cautious of, but not nearly as restrictive as the classic Balducci.) I believe that Zero Gravity can be purchased for under $20 from Hank Lee (www.hanklee.com) You probably WILL have to modify the instructiuons slightly (I had to) but this enables you a more reliable and, in my opinion, more fool proof method for the self leviation. Hope this helps.
Author of "Conversations With Mind Readers"
Over 40 hours of interviews with thirty-two Top Mentalists & Mind Readers. For more info email me at bencummings1@yahoo.com and I will email you a detailed Prospectus. |
xplosvmonkey New user 4 Posts |
Ya know, I bought that zero gravity way back like about 4-5 years ago just before I quit magic. I never did put it together (ya know what I mean), and I musta lost the instructions but I still remember the basic concept of how to do it. I think I'm gonna give it a try... thanks for reminding me about it...
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JSMagic Loyal user Boston 202 Posts |
I don't have too much luck with the ballduchi-Maybe my angles aren't right?
If a magician is not intending to "trick" a spectator, why is every "trick" called a magic "trick"?
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Ellen Kotzin Loyal user UPSTATE, NY 280 Posts |
I think the angles are tough too!
Ellen harryandersonfan.com New Orleans or BUST 2003! |
Graham_Salisbury New user UK 68 Posts |
Quote:
I've found the following to be a very fun way of presenting the levitation which keeps control of the angle problem. OK so this won't help you to perform it on the street or in a show, but I find it produces a most pleasing reaction from the spectator(s). Here in Britain most houses are designed so that the kitchen window overlooks the back garden. Even more convieniently, the kitchen sink is placed right in front of the window. The upshot of all this means that whenever one or more people are using their sink (it will never be more than two) they are always in a fixed postion as regards the garden. You will also find that people rarely look out of their kitchen window *unless* they are at the sink. You can use these facts to your advantage when you are round anothers home. One way I like to use it, is to make some excuse to go out into their back garden alone (need air, feeling unwell etc.). You can then take up your position and keep an eye on the kitchen window for your "audience" to appear. You can enhance this by performing some Tai Chi (or any strange moves and meditative poses) whilst in the garden as a prelude to levitating if circumstances allow. Just listen for the screams... The beauty of this is that you can perform it both at house parties or just round a friends. You have the control over the "audience" and the angles. Fellow levitators - it looks like Peter Loughran's New 'Elevator' Street Levitation will be worth checking out. It sounds exactly the sort of thing I'm looking for. See his posting in "The good, the bad, and the garbage" Forum or have a look at the product page on Hocus Pocus: http://www.hocus-pocus.com |
JoshBlum New user California 47 Posts |
I wouldn't use it on the street because it's angle problems make it so that someone just walking by could see it and point it out to your spectators. I usally only use this with family and friends.
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