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Hilmar New user Hamburg, Germany 5 Posts |
One question about the ethics of magic on TV: Don't you think, people should get on TV what they would see in a theatre? I mean, it is OK to use certain camera angles, but if an illusion isn't fit for being taped (because the secret could be discovered with the slow-motion-button or whatever) then why do it for TV in the first place?
Copperfield's "Tornado of Fire" TV special has just been aired in Germany and I have to say, I'm a little bit disappointed. And I am not only talking about the performance in the open! David has the skills and good illusions that work perfectly well on TV (like "Death Saw" for example), so why doesn't he do that? Furthermore, gaffs sometimes really have been more obvious in his old specials! So why now these kinds of "safety precautions"? And one isn't even done well, arghhh! Could anybody please tell me, which of the illusions can really be performed surrounded like that? "Laser" obviously can't. And I have the strange feeling that with "13" I am also not getting to see the same illusion that is shown on stage. Could anybody confirm that or am I wrong? I don't think that would give away too much. Thanks, Hilmar |
Justin Flom Veteran user 325 Posts |
In MAGIC or Genii magazine (can't remember which) is a review which stated that Copperfield had cardboard figures of people in some of the seats. So his secrets were pretty well kept I'm sure.
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ptbeast Special user Oregon 831 Posts |
Perhaps the secrets are safe, but is it good magic? Can the audience really get lost in the magic if the magician is implicitly telling them this is not "angle proof", it is just a trick to fool you?" Like Hilmar, I find it disappointing.
Dave |
Bill Hallahan Inner circle New Hampshire 3222 Posts |
I think that it's not the method, but the effect that matters. To the uninformed audience, or an audience who is willing to suspend disbelief, Copperfield's performances are awesome. I do agree that illusions that can be performed in person are better than pre-recorded shows, but I am sure David Copperfield uses these shows to bolster his "in-person" persona.
Humans make life so interesting. Do you know that in a universe so full of wonders, they have managed to create boredom. Quite astonishing.
- The character of ‘Death’ in the movie "Hogswatch" |
cardfreakhk Special user Hong Kong SAR 585 Posts |
Even laymen know (think) Copperfield is not being honest to the TV audience this time. He has really gone too far.
Michael Lam
Don't just dream, stay awake and action!
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Blair Marshall Inner circle Montreal, Canada 3660 Posts |
Hi guys, not sure what the question is!!
To be able to be performed live, or surrounded. Alain Choquettes' Jury (sold to Copperfield "13") looks great on stage. I have seen it many times. Was it enhanced by being shown on t.v. surrounded, maybe, but when you see it live, done on a "proper" stage with volunteers to the sides, you are given the impression it is being done surrounded. I think the added kickers the current performers are using in their t.v. work, is only there to help the t.v. audience feel it is more real. Did that sound right??? By having an audience in view ie. to the back, to the sides etc. the t.v. audience feels that nothing could be put over on them. Whereas watching a "truer" version on a theatrical stage leads to more speculation to method, etc. Blair Marshall "ShaZzam!"
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EranRaven New user 53 Posts |
On stage your have wings, proscenium arch, pit, etc. that confine your audience's viewing area. Magicians use that to their advantage, on tv your "stage" is the 4 sides of TV screen. So what is going on off to the sides of the screens is "off stage" and is all fair
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rkrahlmann Regular user 168 Posts |
There's a psycological difference between the wings of a theater, and what's off screen on a television. (Sorry, this is my degree in media studies talking.) In a theater, the audience can see for themselves where the performer is, where the proscenium is, etc. They are also aware of the physical laws, such as size and gravity, which can't be changed. On television, all this is up for grabs. Images are manipulated by camera angles and distance, editing, etc. Unless a magician is confessing they're cheating for entertainment value, (as Harry Anderson did in his "Hello, Sucker" special, and Penn and Teller did when they appeared to make all kinds of objects rise into the air when actually they were suspended upside down and the picture reversed on Saturday Night Live) in my opinion, is unfair to the viewing audience, who are lead to believe everything is on the level. Good entertainment maybe, but bad magic.
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Blair Marshall Inner circle Montreal, Canada 3660 Posts |
Doug Henning was one of the first I can remember (maybe there was someone before)who brought the hand held camera into action, to show behind the prop. Interesting thought though, was nothing was going to happen then anyway!!! But the lay audience thought this was something and it was plaed up!!! No camera tricks, but darn good switching/editing. (Course this was back in the old days when I use to record on my V-Cord).
This sort of discussion can go 'round and 'round! The performers I enjoy watching are those that can then take there act out into the real word and do it! Will Mr. Blaine be appearing in a theatre near you soon??? Blair Marshall "ShaZzam!"
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LeeAlex2002 Inner circle 1007 Posts |
Very interesting thread, with which I sympathise as I have seen the live Copperfield show, and the German tv special in question.
I was shocked at how much Copperfield actually cheated on the television, rather like our friend doing the Balducci levitation or? |
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