talkmagic.co.uk

Hi!

I am co-writing a TV series and we need to write a magic trick for the final episode where a person disappears in front of a camera. I've been searching for a good idea the whole day (it's been assigned in the morning) and I need to hand it over tomorrow (oh well, that's TV :-) Could anybody very kindly help me with a tip, an idea, a reference or just about anything, please?

Many thanks in advance!

Pavel

SCENE: There is a video camera (home video quality) taping a scene with 3 characters. One of them must disappear so that at least some of it is captured on the camera. The trick can take place anywhere but needs to be simple and cheap enough for the characters to pull it off.

Part of the trouble you'll have is that we aren't allowed to expose any secrets!

Does the person have to vanish immediately (ie is he or she there one second and then gone the next, with no coverings and nothing blocking the camera, like one of the other two walking in between the lens and the vanishing person)?

I've got an idea which could work, but I'm not sure if it's exactly magical exposure. I'll PM Mandrake, as he's a moderator and around right now.

In anticipation of your PM (!) can I suggest you PM Pavel with your idea(s)? There's no secrets restriction on those at all!

>Part of the trouble you'll have is that we aren't allowed to expose any secrets!

I didn't realize that. I certainly don't want to break any secrets.

>Does the person have to vanish immediately (ie is he or she there one second and then gone the next, with no coverings and nothing blocking the camera, like one of the other two walking in between the lens and the vanishing person)?

There is no restriction in this regard.

>I've got an idea which could work, but I'm not sure if it's exactly magical exposure. I'll PM Mandrake, as he's a moderator and around right now.

That would be wonderful! Please PM me if you can!

Thank you :)

Pavel

Just lock down the camera and shoot the scene. Have him step off and edit the seams, it should look flawless.

Someone direct him to the midget gag

Just lock down the camera and shoot the scene. Have him step off and edit the seams, it should look flawless.

You know as far as I am concerned that IS the best solutiion.

This is a tv show, not a magic show - so use some TV tricks. If you want to make it look more like a magic effect then hold a sheet in front of the person first, then when you whip the cloth away - voila - one vanished person. There is absolutely no reason at all why you need to know how a magician would actually achieve this... Use the magic of television...

The original post requested a magic trick. There are a number of reasons why this effect would have to be achieved in such a way, in order to fit in with a possible plotline.