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magicneil Regular user 146 Posts |
I was searching youtube and came across these videos of the Hamners original illusions.
Stargate illusion http://youtube.com/watch?v=ceHBhWXWZs4 Spaced out lady illusion http://youtube.com/watch?v=rIOc3QsZog4 Vertigo illusion http://youtube.com/watch?v=04NgtXUFZ1U I love the Vertigo illusion and Stargate. Hope you enjoy. Posted: Sep 7, 2006 6:09pm ------------------------------------------- What do you think? |
Chris Stolz Inner circle Mississauga, Ontario 1958 Posts |
Vertigo was VERY COOL although I must admit that I wish the lighting was a tad stronger.
Chris Stolz
BLACK ART BOOK: Hiding In The Shadows. |
Flying Magus Loyal user 286 Posts |
I didn't really like Vertigo. I wanted to, but I guess I just didn't believe that there was any real danger involved. I did like the justification for the curtain though.
Magically yours,
Michel Fouché Believe in the Impossible |
Bill Smith New user 41 Posts |
I can't be totally objective, since I built the Vertigo Illusion for the Hamner's,
but you "didn't believe that there was any real danger involved"? You don't think it looks "dangerous" when the trap doors open and she falls? Trust me, it is dangerous! Bill Smith |
Magicque Special user 673 Posts |
Well said Bill!
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collective foundry Inner circle 1404 Posts |
When Spikes are involved there typically is SOME element of danger... Specially when Bill builds things sheesh the guys a nutball (I'm totally kidding Bill) I think its a cool trick. Not for everyone. But a cool piece nevertheless. I always had a horrific feeling I'd be watching Kalin get impaled everytime I watched his table of death illusion. That thing must weigh 800 pounds. (willie kennedy)
Anyone ever hear of someone getting seriously hurt on these things? |
Terry Holley Inner circle 1805 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-09-07 20:35, Flying Magus wrote: I've laid under Andre' Kole's "Table of Death," and believe me - I felt the danger involved! Bill Smith is not kidding. Andre' speaks of the time Bill Bixby used ANdre's "Table" for the TV show "The Magician." If Andre' hadn't corrected something Bill was doing, Bill could have been seriously hurt! Terry Terry
Co-author with illusionist Andre' Kole of "Astrology and Psychic Phenomena."
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ClintonMagus Inner circle Southwestern Southeast 3997 Posts |
My family and I saw this shortly after it was added to their show, and it is one of the more incredible live illusions I have ever seen.
Things are more like they are today than they've ever been before...
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Flying Magus Loyal user 286 Posts |
Bill,
My problem wasn't with the illusion itself, but with the presentation. More specifically, the matter of fact way Dave described the danger element. Also his feigned shock at not being able to get out of the shackles wasn't believable. Maybe it comes off better live. After all, by the time the illusion is performed, the audience presumably "knows" the performers a little better and will empathise with them. Having done some amount of acting, I realise that it is quite difficult to believably act fear without "warming into it". As a result, I believe that magician in danger type illusions can be some of the hardest to pull off - mechanics aside.
Magically yours,
Michel Fouché Believe in the Impossible |
muzicman Special user LaCenter, Wa 989 Posts |
I liked Vertigo but I think it could have had a stronger finale. There was too much time that passed between the fall and the revelation. You need to think quick like subtrunk quick. Maybe even lowering the curtain so you can see him rising as she's falling. In the video, the revelation at the end was the curtain going up slowly from the bottom up. It should be a quick drop down and the audiences eyes would instinctively be drawn to her and then they would discover the magician. In real life it may view different but I first thought she was floating which looked ridiculous. His black pants were like a BA effect against the background. Top down curtains would prevent that and an instant drop vs a slow drop would be in order. I could see variations of this being much more powerful because of the closer moves alone. How about "Snakes in a Box"? The magician emerges from within a pile of snakes to catch his prize.
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ClintonMagus Inner circle Southwestern Southeast 3997 Posts |
This looks a bit different in person, of course, but I don't remember there being this long a delay when I saw it.
Things are more like they are today than they've ever been before...
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Christopher Starr Inner circle Heart of America 1850 Posts |
Actually, I enjoyed the Spaced Out Lady - Geometrix thing the best.
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Chase New user Arkansas 98 Posts |
Ok. I've had the chance to hang out with Dave Hamner and Denise several times. I don't think he'd mind me tipping one tiny piece of the method to you that proves the real danger of the illusion: when Denise falls from the plexiglass platform, Dave really-honest-to-God-truly-completely-scouts-honor CATCHES her to keep her from falling on the spikes. Correct me if I'm wrong Mr Bill, but I believe Denise said that they had tried to build a model with a collapsible spike bed, but it kept falling out of the illusion at during rehearsals, so they finally just welded it in.
I know they had a close call a year or so ago when the plexiglass panel cracked in the middle of a performance. Fortunately Dave had the quick wits to call "curtain" and step into the illusion to help her. Bill... did you build the "Ark of the Covenant" illusion for them? I haven't had a chance to see it yet in the show, but I hear its a beautiful piece! |
paraguppie Elite user Forsyth Montana! 411 Posts |
Wow,
I really enjoyed Vertigo, I like how you can see her fall. If it was a bit faster it would be outstanding. Stargate is okay, but I really liked the spaced out illusion. Cool looking lights! Keith
Check me out at www.magickeith.com
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MagicErik Loyal user Sneek, Netherlands 284 Posts |
I believe Vertigo (or a copy) went to Hans Klok in Europe..
My opinion about it is that I don't like the ending. It is too 'soft' for the big scale of this illusion... EVI |
Christopher Starr Inner circle Heart of America 1850 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-09-09 23:49, Chase wrote: No way! Talk about a "trust fall"....dang! |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Ok let me state this. (Dave has a worried look on his face officially)
Dave, Denise, and Jim Barber are friends of my wife and me. They have been fantastic people and just great to be around since we got here to Branson. That being said I have to be honest as possible. When speaking of Vertigo, you have all missed the point. To YOU there was no element of danger. Sit in the audience as I have done many times. My mom and sister gasped. The music, the presentation and everything make it a fine "edge of the seat" moment. As a hypnotist I cringe when magicians in general "hypnotize" their assistant, but I have gotten used to that. PEOPLE love it. Go see the show some time when they are full. You get screams sometimes. To me the thing they get RIGHT is what most in magic and specifically here in town get wrong. Vertigo is done after a relationship with the audience is established. Nobody wants anything to happen to either of them. The believability is kicked up by the relationship. You LIKE Denise. The last thing you want to happen is for her to be spiked. So many guys do these escapes prior to the relationship being built. Guys open with them, and wonder why nobody cares in the least if they are hurt. The John Carpenter music, the Houdini references, all fantastic. People sit there and say at intermission, "I didn't know Houdini was the most recognized man on the planet". In other words see it in "show context" and you will get the point. The only thing with Stargate is that most people here in Branson have no idea what that stick is he twirls. Too old. Not a problem. As for spaced out lady, just s simple thing of beauty if you ask me. Dave can unclench his but cheeks now. I insulted nobody! In short to get the best effect of the illusion, which is how the audience perceives it, go see them live. Heck go see them live anyhow. They are certainly the best magic show here in Branson by far. Jim Barber is also in my opinion the best Ventriloquist working anywhere today. Matter of fact I will personally give you double your money back if you can find a magic show that I like better.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
Face Elite user 495 Posts |
Anyway ... thanks magicneil ... for posting the links here.
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