talkmagic.co.uk

And the ironic thing is this is probably one of the most talked about effects online of 2006 !

It is, isn't it! It's bordering on becoming an Internet phenomenon, like that lad with the light sabre.

Good! this should be exposed as a warning

And what is up with his shirt as he steps away from the building?

I have a great song for his next demo. How about "on a rope" by Rocket from the crypt

Well, I feel afraid to step into a coversation with disgruntered enthusiasts. And I defiantely don't want to start with a bad repuatation. But I have a few things to comment about regarding this thread. Please don't thrash my ideas.

First and Foremost this entire discussion and internet debate has arrisen over the supposed invention of a magic trick apparently created by a 12 year old male.

The illusion is so stunning and impossible that many critics have instantly proclaimed it to be a "Scam" or a "Hoax." And many magicians have straight up insulted the boy with comments along the lines of "Lair" and "Cheat". And this has been going on for days and days over many different web forums.

Now who among us was a sceptic when the first saw the Balducci (parden my spelling) Levitation. "It's not possible." or "David Blaine uses several camera tricks and preselected people to help him perform" were rasied about. But once you knew the secret, you were so amazed at the simplicity of it. "Of cousre, that makes so much sense." And this applies to almost any trick. It may look impossible. But once the secret is known, it makes perfect sense. So please consider this when rediculing this young man.

Secondly I would like to refer to fact that this is all being sponsered by a 12 year old. I personally belief that 80% controversy has arrisen simply because he is younger than yourselves. Had he been a professional magician with a very visually stunning web site, I would think that the controversy would be a least halfed.

Now is it so impossible for 12 year old to create a leviation greater than that of a professional? It is so unbelieveable for a child to have their own creative imagination? I don't think their is a law of nature here. I know of a 2 year boy who lives in my city who has acually been excepted as a full memeber into the Magic Castle. He is so good at what he does that he can perform Metamorphis live on stage and not be seen. He's like a junior Copperfield. I know that I'll never be as good as him, and yet he's younger than I am now. Please consider this.

Thirdly (sorry mods is I'm using to much bandwith) I would like to move onto the Leviation in full. The big question is that if this kid really has invented such a leviation than he could literaly go pro now. He could be that creative.But if he doesn't fulfil his promisses to his custumers (truly being a hoax) then he will be rediculed to no end. Can you imagine if Chris Angel messed up a leviation on a street corner? It would be all over the net in days. He could lose his whole reputation and show just like that.

Now let us take a closer look into this remarkable display of magic.
Although we must not reveal magic here I hopefully would think that these "clues" might ease the anger and confusion.

1) Alex advertised his X Levitation on the foundation of two videos. Wether or not this is truly him or not doesn't matter. This is what he claims to be his creation.

2) This is remarkably similar to an illusion that Chris Angel performed on the second episode of his television series. As seen here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwB27PsCluY

3) Both of them show the magician visually lift a considerable amount of the ground. If you watch carefully you can see both of them rock back and forth a little a they lift off. This is a clear indication that the levitation is not oriented around the legs.

4) Both Alex and Chris raise their arms and tilt their head as a way to balance themself while airborn. This indicates that something is supporting their bodies. But as stated by an earlier post on another Forum by Alex, spectators can visaully stare up at and through his legs. This concludes that whatever is supporting them is not located from the base (feet) but instead from the torso or arms.

I'm still not convinced enough by what you are saying to hand over $100. The fact that he is a 12 year old boy does has something to do with it. If it was a proffesional magician making these claims then yes, naturally I would be more inclined to believe it. In fact the only thing protecting this boy from complete ridicule is that fact that he is 12 years old! But he should still be responsible for his actions. As for his website, no, it is not of a professional quality, and for me that is a very good reason not to pay $100 for anything. And yeah why is it pre order?! Why can't he just give it straight away? Hmm maybe coz it's not real!

Have you purchased this levitation by any chance?

Now on the subject of "wires" as has been the greatest controversy.

1) I can tell you that from expirence as a video production specialist it would be very complicated to digitally remove wires from the footage given. I use After Effects for such methods. I plain English I can state that we would be more fooled by there not having been wires than if there was and they were digitaly taken out. Someone whould notice the inconsistencies in the video and be able to spot the place where said wires were "fixed".

2) Although I myself have never been in this situation I would think that I can make a valid statement. Correct me if I'm mistaken. WIRES ARE NOT INVISABLE. There is no such thing as invisable wires. Now please don't PM me on the subject of the Humming Bird card or other light wieght levitations. That is based around "THIN" wires. For any such wire to successfully support a 150 lb body it would need to be far more thick and sturdy. So thick that the naked eye from only four feet away would see it. Also consider the circumstance of Chris Angel, who has demonstated on his second Leviation episode that he can perform this anywhere. Whether is be in a park or in a hotel. It is very unlikely that a support hook is nailed to the side of a building (let alone air). Someone would instintively look up and see one if it was there.

3) We must also consider how the wires would react to the body ond clothes. Say for example Alex was wired at the airpits (as would be a prime place for body support) he would show signs of pain on his face. Also, as the wires try to become straight they would push and pull against his sleeves and shirt collar (which evidently doesn't acure). So I hope its safe to say that the leviation is based around the waist or torso.

And its not just his age, but his past history. He has tried to sell other peoples effects, he has a very bad attitude, he is very unprofessional, he hasnt proved anything, and isnt willing to work with any one to truely prove it.
his videos are just crappy, nothing like angels. angel doesnt rock near as much as alex does in the one next to the side of the house. Even though he said it can be done surrounded, or out in the open. then why the hell didnt he do his best one in the first video.

Now to review how he describes his illusion

FAQ:

Do I need an assistant to perform This levitation ?
Stage version - no it can be performed as a one man effect
Close up Version - no it is a one man illusion
x Levitation 2 - yes, you do need an assistant


What are the angles on all of the levitations?
Stage version - yes you can do it sorrounded and no you do not have to change anything
Close up version - It cannot be done sorrounded but can be viewed from front and bit of sides
X levitation 2 - It can be viewed from the front


What are the costs for the gimmick.
Stage Version - It will cost about 40 bucks
Close up Version - This will cost you about 20-30 bucks
X Levitation 2 - This will cost about 10 dollars


How much preparation is involved in a street setting?
There is no preperation involved in the street setting. Once you have the apparatus on you you are ready to go. There is an instant reset.


How high can I truly go without exposing anything ?
Stage version - About 5 feet
Close up version - About 2 feet
x Levitation 2 - about 2 or 3 feet is fine

Does the DVD video come with all the materials needed?
Unfortunatly not. The DVD teaches how to make everything step by step. The reason the video does not come with all the apparatus is because you have to custom fit the gimmick to yourself.

Are there any weight restrictions?
Stage version - there is a 200 lb weight restriction
Close up Version - no weight restriction
x Levitation 2 - no weight restriction

These are very discriptive clues about this illusive trick. When I read these comments I was sure that this was real. Or at least I hoped someone would not lie this huge.

1) He claims to have three versions of his levitation each one progressively more simplistic than the last.

2) Simply by reviewing his desrciptions I'm am almost certain of how to perform his "Close Up" version without even seeing a video of it. Its quite ingeniously simple and will drive you crazy when you finally solve it for yourself.

3) The grandest of the leviations (stage version) also has a very keen clue. There happens to be a weight restriction of 200 lbs. This is interesting as almost every known street levitation is performed using your own brute stength. This can't be true here. This leads us to believe that there must be a gimick built that can't hold more than this weight limit. This is a valid conclusion as he himself states that a gimick is needed to be built for said levitation.

I do not want to think that a kid hasn't created such a trick when he has such amazing evidence in his FAQ alone.

then you spend your hundred bucks, and review. buy it now, pre order, if you have so much faith. For all i know your one of his groupies.

and those 'FAQS' doesnt mean anything. Just not to long ago, a levitation came out, was supposed to be the greatest. Well many people got skrewed out of their 100 bucks.

His site its worthless to me, I want real proof. A real video and a review by a reliable magician. if it had a good, real video, and if he had craig reivew it and he were to say its real then i would believe him.

Not a list of 'FAQS' on some untrust worthy guys site.