The Skywalker Levitation

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Postby dat8962 » Jul 21st, '07, 22:44



If you can stand in front AND behind the person levitation, then doesn't that make it a 360 degree angle as you would obviously see their sides as well?

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Postby David The Cryptic » Jul 22nd, '07, 00:47

At first many thought it was a reverse balducci, but after a few people bought it... they really liked it. There are some reviews on penguin I think and the cafe.

The gimmick will run you around $20-$30 I hear.

For more info ask some one that has it.

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Postby Mandrake » Jul 23rd, '07, 10:04

IMHO it's not all that impressive. The vid was almost a quarter of the way through before any levitation happened and although some shots, especially those showing the guy's shadow in bright sunlight, were good and appeared to be convincing, I'm afraid just getting 3 or 4 inches off the floor is not what I'd call levitating. Again, it wasn't a full body shot - it might not make any difference to the mechanics of the effect but it would have been so much better if the camera had been a little further away to show all of the performer.

Last edited by Mandrake on Jul 23rd, '07, 11:04, edited 1 time in total.
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Postby seige » Jul 23rd, '07, 10:23

If I'm right (which I usually am) about this, there's no way that ANY of the following:

1. It can't be 360° angle proof unless all your spectators are 4 foot away and are 10ft tall (I'd wager between 90° and 180° max)

2. There's no chance you can get 8 inches of lift, although 3 inches looks huge in certain circumstances (as with the Balducci—body movements and the likes can enhance the perceived lift—or, if you're David Blaine, so can a metal wire ;))

3. I can't see how walking around with the gimmick attached to the shoe will be practical or comfortable. From the early days of levitations right through to this one, there are only 3 POSSIBLE ways to achieve this without wires. This is method No. 2, and it sure can't be comfortable.

I am not trying to slate the effect at all... and I do hope I am wrong and this is the Holiest of levitation Grails. But really—most of this stuff has been covered loads of times before.

Looking forward to some reviews.

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Postby chris2215 » Jul 23rd, '07, 14:51

This looks too obvious to me. The strain on his right foot/leg is not easy to hide.

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Postby David The Cryptic » Jul 23rd, '07, 16:48

seige wrote:Looking forward to some reviews.
Ther are reviews already, just look around at other forums.

Um, why was my post edited. There was nothing wrong with it... I just addressed seiges post...
:x

I wonder who did it. :roll:

I will repost it...



seige wrote:If I'm right (which I usually am) about this, there's no way that ANY of the following:

1. It can't be 360° angle proof unless all your spectators are 4 foot away and are 10ft tall (I'd wager between 90° and 180° max) I dont remember anyone claiming 360


2. There's no chance you can get 8 inches of lift, although 3 inches looks huge in certain circumstances (as with the Balducci—body movements and the likes can enhance the perceived lift—or, if you're David Blaine, so can a metal wire ;)) It says 3 inches, max of 5.



3. I can't see how walking around with the gimmick attached to the shoe will be practical or comfortable. From the early days of levitations right through to this one, there are only 3 POSSIBLE ways to achieve this without wires. This is method No. 2, and it sure can't be comfortable.
It can be taken off and put on. It can be carried in a jacket pocket or just carried around. It is uncomfortable.


I am not trying to slate the effect at all... and I do hope I am wrong and this is the Holiest of levitation Grails. But really—most of this stuff has been covered loads of times before.

Looking forward to some reviews.


Last edited by David The Cryptic on Jul 23rd, '07, 17:02, edited 1 time in total.
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Postby seige » Jul 23rd, '07, 16:59

David The Cryptic wrote:
seige wrote:Looking forward to some reviews.
Ther are reviews already, just look around at other forums.

Um, why was my post edited. There was nothing wrong with it... I just addressed seiges post...
:x

I wonder who did it. :roll:


Hmmm

Not me.

But I will sure find out why!

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Postby dat8962 » Jul 23rd, '07, 17:51

Seige wrote:
1. It can't be 360° angle proof unless all your spectators are 4 foot away and are 10ft tall (I'd wager between 90° and 180° max)


That was exactly my point! The only way you can have a 360degree view is if you could actually levitate unaided.

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Postby Michael Kras » Jul 23rd, '07, 17:57

Well, it looks great and it says the angles are VERY wide... no, it's obviosuly not 360, but I would say around 200.

Regardless of what the gimmick will be, I will just buy it for fun... I mean, it's only $20, so what have I got to lose? I may have a great product in my hands soon.

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Postby Mandrake » Jul 23rd, '07, 18:02

Michael Kras wrote:it's only $20, so what have I got to lose?
$20 is what you'll lose. It's far better to stick with what you already have and work with that, levitations of 3 or 4 inches are just not impressive - if you can find one which will take you 3 or 4 feet in the air for $20 I'd say go buy it pronto :wink: !

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Postby Michael Kras » Jul 23rd, '07, 18:05

Mandrake wrote:
Michael Kras wrote:it's only $20, so what have I got to lose?
$20 is what you'll lose. It's far better to stick with what you already have and work with that, levitations of 3 or 4 inches are just not impressive - if you can find one which will take you 3 or 4 feet in the air for $20 I'd say go buy it pronto :wink: !


Good point!

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Postby Mandrake » Jul 23rd, '07, 18:10

All my points are good :wink: !

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Postby seige » Jul 23rd, '07, 18:15

Just to go over David's reply to mine:

1. Nobody said it was 360°. But that would be nice, wouldn't it! The video demo gives the impression of a very wide angle—using it's stop-frame type animation.

2. If you notice, I did say '3 inches looks huge'. Nobody said 8 inches was achievable, but wouldn't that be nice too!

3. I'm glad you cleared that one up!

I'll re-iterate what I said: I'm not trying to slate this, and look forward to seeing some proper reviews. I've managed to find a Penguin review, but that's about all—and Penguin reviews are pretty much comparible to a joy-rider reviewing the latest Aston Martin.

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Postby dat8962 » Jul 23rd, '07, 19:42

Seige wrote:

I've managed to find a Penguin review, but that's about all—and Penguin reviews are pretty much comparible to a joy-rider reviewing the latest Aston Martin.


Have you seen my new Aston Martin Vanquish Skywalker edition? Wowed the crowds down by the beach - I can tell you :wink:

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Last edited by dat8962 on Jul 23rd, '07, 19:44, edited 1 time in total.
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Postby Michael Kras » Jul 23rd, '07, 19:44

Hehehehe

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