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the fact that none of the hoops ever passes entirely around him is kind of a giveaway. It’s a very artful, high-tech illusion. I worked with a glitzy high-tech Vegas magician a few years ago (I just played the piano) and he did some pretty mindblowing stuff but it was really all a matter of specialized gear that most of us can’t really get our heads around. It’s been evolving for many many years and continues, just like other branches of technology, and continues to incorporate cutting-edge advances but for obvious reasons it is kept kind of secret. Copperfield just gives it a nice, safe, warm cuddly presentation.
I remember watching this on TV years ago. I figured it was wires until right at the end of the show when he’s standing outside the building in the parking lot with people getting in their cars to go home, giving his post-show “thanks for watching”-type speech to the camera. Once he’s done, the camera cranes backwards and he flies off and the people in the parking lot that notice him start to applaud and cheer again.
There are probably ways of explaining that too, but I don’t think my mind was ever blown quite as much as that day, which is probably why I’ve never forgotten it 🙂
Likewise, I saw this on TV well over a decade ago. And, in fact, I think many parts of the show were more memorable. But I’ll say now what I and my family said then:
Of course, it’s just a standard flying routine. The technology can do it. But David Copperfield did it WELL.
–Rexfelum
P.S.: Ashton, just a note: the parking lot scene is actually the least impressive part. Don’t you find it suspicious that he’s giving a “thanks for watching” speech to the camera, with NONE of the fans in the background mobbing him? That didn’t happen after the show. That was a completely staged scene . . . and one in which you couldn’t see the sky over the “flying” man.
“Between 1:36 and 1:40, you can actually see them.”
No, you can’t. Watch again, and this time keep your eyes on the space at the stage where you “saw them.” What you’re actually seeing is a rippling effect in the curtain at the far end.
And the similarity between that rippling of a curtain and any wavering of a wire is, I don’t doubt, the reason why the rippling is there.
Rex: I figured it’d be something like that, but all I could think of at the time was “He… he just flew out of the parking lot. He just FLEW out of the PARKING LOT! 😯 ”
Seriously, that raptor was an AWESOME touch. Everything was pulled off by basic “flight technology,” yeah, whatever . . . but the apparent ease and clear artistry is still amazing.
A series of delicately balanced wires. Between 1:36 and 1:40, you can actually see them.
COOKIE!
The tank he was placed in had thin holes in the top (think screen door).
It’s a shame it isn’t real; otherwise David Copperfield could go around fighting crime and standing up for justice. 🙁
Someone ask Elijah Snow…
the fact that none of the hoops ever passes entirely around him is kind of a giveaway. It’s a very artful, high-tech illusion. I worked with a glitzy high-tech Vegas magician a few years ago (I just played the piano) and he did some pretty mindblowing stuff but it was really all a matter of specialized gear that most of us can’t really get our heads around. It’s been evolving for many many years and continues, just like other branches of technology, and continues to incorporate cutting-edge advances but for obvious reasons it is kept kind of secret. Copperfield just gives it a nice, safe, warm cuddly presentation.
I liked Andrew’s response better than mine.
Yeah…I just wanted to inspire some yap. Also, I had just watched The Illusionist, and preferred the Prestige far more!
Nobody mentioned the microfilaments on his ‘flight partner’ – there’s no way Copperfield could carry a woman as big as him so easily 😉
yeah, he made that too look ‘effortless’ – after all, it wouldn’t do to have him sweating and grunting while floating so pretty-like, would it?!!
I remember watching this on TV years ago. I figured it was wires until right at the end of the show when he’s standing outside the building in the parking lot with people getting in their cars to go home, giving his post-show “thanks for watching”-type speech to the camera. Once he’s done, the camera cranes backwards and he flies off and the people in the parking lot that notice him start to applaud and cheer again.
There are probably ways of explaining that too, but I don’t think my mind was ever blown quite as much as that day, which is probably why I’ve never forgotten it 🙂
Likewise, I saw this on TV well over a decade ago. And, in fact, I think many parts of the show were more memorable. But I’ll say now what I and my family said then:
Of course, it’s just a standard flying routine. The technology can do it. But David Copperfield did it WELL.
–Rexfelum
P.S.: Ashton, just a note: the parking lot scene is actually the least impressive part. Don’t you find it suspicious that he’s giving a “thanks for watching” speech to the camera, with NONE of the fans in the background mobbing him? That didn’t happen after the show. That was a completely staged scene . . . and one in which you couldn’t see the sky over the “flying” man.
By the way:
“Between 1:36 and 1:40, you can actually see them.”
No, you can’t. Watch again, and this time keep your eyes on the space at the stage where you “saw them.” What you’re actually seeing is a rippling effect in the curtain at the far end.
And the similarity between that rippling of a curtain and any wavering of a wire is, I don’t doubt, the reason why the rippling is there.
–Rexfelum
Rex: I figured it’d be something like that, but all I could think of at the time was “He… he just flew out of the parking lot. He just FLEW out of the PARKING LOT! 😯 ”
Ah, youthful naiveté, where did you go 🙂
No. He can fly ’cause Chuck Norris said he could….
Duh….
I have to admit, that was pretty damned impressive. I know it’s all wires and whatnot, but nevertheless, it’s still a sight to behold.
Like I said.
Seriously, that raptor was an AWESOME touch. Everything was pulled off by basic “flight technology,” yeah, whatever . . . but the apparent ease and clear artistry is still amazing.
–Rexfelum
Believe none of what you hear, and half of what you see.
XD