Hi tor.
Iam not sure why this kind of thing happens, but I uploaded the real media version to another server for those who had problems.

Try this link http://cooper.freespaces.com/laser.rm

Sorry for the troubles, but if anyone has any ideia why this happens you could PM me

Thanks

I could't view the avi movie too. Many thanks to Gosman!

Tony

This is only tangentially related, but...

Those clips are the first I've seen of the famed laser illusion, and after watching them I have to say... that's what all the fuss is about? I mean, it's definitely unique and cute, but does anyone find it remotely deceptive? Yes, I know, magician's eyes vs. laymen's eyes and all, but I really think I could have sussed that one by age twelve (and I still don't know how most stage illusions work). I feel strange saying this about an effect that Copperfield liked so much he wanted it all for himself, but... I hope the self-vanish is more convincing than that!

I was fooled when I first saw the laser. I don't know about anyone else here... but when I saw Copperfield do it I was definitely fooled. It took me quite a long time to figure out how he might have been doing it too...

Hopefully the vanish will be very convincing though. We'll see within 4 days!

Ian

What?????????????

Quinn

Ironically enough...

After 27 years of magic, I know how most, although not all, illusions work. Moreover, over those many years, I was never particularly impressed with them, always finding close up was a heck of a lot more interesting, and typically better received; i.e., who hasn't had a spectator note their preference for the in-the-hands stuff?

I've watched most, if not all, of Copperfield's specials over the years, seen him live a couple of times, and have never really been terribly impressed by the stage stuff other than appreciating the tremendous amount of work and creativity that goes into putting it together.

I always look forward to the close-up segment since he typically showcases something pretty strong, regardless of what anyone might think of his close-up technique.

Over those many years, I have twice been absolutely blown away by Copperfield. Stunned, really. It wasn't his material, but it was through him that I first saw these two tricks showcased.

The first time was during the Statue of Liberty special, a thousand years ago, when he performed Paul Harris' Immaculate Connection. I was totally baffled. Imagine my surprise, after buying the Stars of Magic manuscript, when I discovered how simple the IC concept is. Painfully simple. I instantly became a Paul Harris disciple and have never looked back.

The second time was a couple of years ago when I saw Copperfied perform Fearson's illusion for the first time during a TV special. It was absolutely baffling. I recall dropping off the couch, onto my knees, and pounding the floor with my fist, all the while laughing out loud. My wife probably thought I was losing it.

It was beautiful magic.

When the special was over - we were taping it, so I couldn't watch the illusion again until some time later - I sat and watched the Laser segment again a few times. The workings became obvious.

The point is, it took nothing away from how staggered I was seeing it the first time. The first time. There's nothing like the first time; and this obviously can be applied to all sorts of things. In the magic context, that first time is the one time you want to capture.

I suspect - let's face it, I can't speak for you - the circumstances under which you were exposed to the illusion - a short, repeating clip - may have jaded the impact.

JD

Well, I think we can only HOPE for that..or have to pay a million to Fearson for that. Everythime I watch the lazer illusion again I can't stop admiring how real the illusion is. Deceptive or not? I personally think it is no less deceptive than cutting a person in half inside a box.

Magic was certainly never meant to be studied on video.

VCR's may have been the beginning of the end. Streaming demo loops are wrong. Since when do we perform a trick more than once?

1. A good magician never reveals the secret
2. A good magician never repeats a trick

I don't think there is now, or ever has been a better illusion than that. I saw this performed live at the MGM in Las Vegas and there was a woman literally SHRIEKING in the front row when he approached the edge of the stage. It was like she was being murdered. At least 10 to 15 blood curdling shrieks. I lost count.

Fearson's performance is flawless, better even than Copperfield's. I really don't think anyone could detail the method from simply viewing the trick once, the way magic is meant to be viewed. They'd be too busy picking their jaw up off the floor..

Dr Magic
:carrot:

Well, several incredulous posts and PMs later, it appears I have to consider the possibility that I'm just a weirdo for thinking the laser illusion isn't deceptive.

I can live with that.

JD, you're right; seeing it out of context, after having heard about it for so long, probably had an impact on my perception. But for the record, my opinion was formed while watching the clip (Fearson's version) for the first time, not after repeated viewings. (Coindicentally, the only time I've played "rewind detective" to reverse engineer a method was about a thousand years ago, when Copperfield completely rocked my world with Immaculate Connection. I wore out my parents' Beta VCR figuring that thing out.)

For the record Quinn, you are not the only one. I saw DC perform it live. I thought it was clever and, fun but not amazing. Thought of it more akin to something like Coby's handling of the 4 legs. So did many in the audience who saw it that evening.

I think we magicians get caught up in the novelty of it, rather than look at it critically. It was not the most talked about effect from the lay person's p.o.v. that evening.

Now, I have seen him do it on TV as well, and in that case I will say it looked MUCH better.

I have to disagree with Quinn and truthteller. I sent the video of the laser trick to a non Magic friend and he said "How did he do it?!!!"

Any updates on his Self Vanish illusion ???

None from his site!

NIVA,

Note: I was referring to DC in PERFORMANCE, not on video. There are differences.

New post in Fearson's blog, but it didn't mention the vanish. Let's leave it at that

Ian

Hey let's not make any assumptions here Ian

Update: We will have to wait more time !

Check at his blog http://www.downloadmagic.com/blog/


Best

Only a week or so... he makes a good point about us magicians. We want a new effect every week... so will this trick just get pushed to back eventually? I understand his thinking. He wants it to be popular and make money, but he also wants people to recognize this as one of the best tricks ever... we'll be the judge of that, but I have a strong feeling this will be the next floating cig/laser illusion. I hope know one buys this for 50,000. Then we would have to wait at least 1 year, or maybe it would never come out... what types of methods do you guys think this effect could use? I was thinking about this trick I used to do when I was younger... I would pull the blanket up infront of me, throw it up in the air alittle, and run behind a wall or something. corny I know. Or maybe its like the vanishing leg that DC did... ps: does anyone have info on the method for this one... when I watch him do both legs, it looks like hes kneeling on a m******. ill always remember that one...

For all of those wanting Steve's "Goodbye Vanish" ... too late... I just sent Steve a PayPal for $50,000.00 , so it's all mine!!!

I wish!

I was all ready to send him his $50,000, I clicked his paypal link and thought to myself "it's all mine!!! no one else will ever have it!!!" and then like a jet with no engines my hopes plummeted into the ground as I read the words, "Sorry, changed my mind."

I suppose I'll have to allow steve to share with us all.