Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Vinnie · 05-24-2002, 10:17 PM

I'm not sure if this thread belongs here or not. Anyone here about him? Some girl where I work came in claiming he is a demon. Its said he pulled his heart out on tv or something and I've heard people ran from the studio.

The lady was very obstinant in her belief that this man really pulled his heart out and put it back in. I actually got a good laugh at work because of this. I only bring it up because he seems to have reached the limelight in the last few days. Whats the deal?

Vinnie

Toto · 05-24-2002, 10:36 PM

David Blaine is a magician. Some of his tricks are done with stooges and false camera shots (like his levitation.)

Vinnie · 05-24-2002, 10:39 PM

Those are my general thoughts. The girl at work practically threw a fit when I said she got bamboozled though

One can stage people running out of a studio as well, or one can probably act so good as to cause this

[ May 24, 2002: Message edited by: ilgwamh ]

not a theist · 05-25-2002, 02:39 AM

Here's how he does one of his tricks:

<a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&q=balducci+levitation +blaine&btnG=Google+Search" target="_blank">Balducci Levitation</a>

Douglas J. Bender · 05-25-2002, 02:48 AM

I've seen David Blaine levitate on camera, and unless the camera shots, and the people's reactions, are edited and faked, then the "Balducci Levitation" does not account for his levitating, as in several cases he is squarely facing the people on the sidewalk.

In Christ,

Douglas

Daggah · 05-25-2002, 02:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Douglas J. Bender:
I've seen David Blaine levitate on camera, and unless the camera shots, and the people's reactions, are edited and faked, then the "Balducci Levitation" does not account for his levitating, as in several cases he is squarely facing the people on the sidewalk.

In Christ,

Douglas

More proof that Dougie is just plain gullible.

Mendeh · 05-25-2002, 03:11 AM

The idea that the site above presents is that there are really two separate illusions going on; one for his street audience and one for the home viewer. The street audience are treated to the Balducci illusion, and then shots taken by fixing him to a wire on a crane are added in the editing studio to enhance the effect for the television.

Marduk · 05-25-2002, 06:20 AM

Mendeh is correct, I saw the Fox show on how street magicians do their tricks. I was very disappointed in Blaine for stooping to using camera tricks, editing and stooges.

NeilUnreal · 05-25-2002, 09:55 AM

David Blaine is an illusionist and an entertainer and has never claimed to be anything else (claims made while "in character" excepted). He's extremely good at both, but not perfect. There are lots of very good street magicians who are less well known.

When you've watched a lot of magic, it becomes pretty easy to figure out how most tricks are accomplished. You start to appreciate things like finesse, and the ability to read and "work" an audience. David Blaine is a master of his audience, with or without setups and stooges. IMHO, David Blaine without camera tricks would be more impressive to aficionados of the art. He does himself a disservice in this respect.

-Neil

p.s. I sometimes feel like a professional magician -- I have no problem making my paycheck disappear!

[ May 25, 2002: Message edited by: NeilUnreal ]

Viti · 05-25-2002, 11:14 AM

Douglas...are you serious? Do you think David Blaine (or anyone) can actually levitate?

Vinnie is a theist and he seems to realize that this is not the case...why are you always so quick to jump on the "supernatural demon" bandwagon? I am very concerned about an adult who thinks this way.

edited for redundancy

[ May 25, 2002: Message edited by: LadyShea ]

05-24-2002, 10:17 PM	#1
Vinnie Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Waterbury, Ct, Usa Posts: 6,523	david blaine I'm not sure if this thread belongs here or not. Anyone here about him? Some girl where I work came in claiming he is a demon. Its said he pulled his heart out on tv or something and I've heard people ran from the studio. The lady was very obstinant in her belief that this man really pulled his heart out and put it back in. I actually got a good laugh at work because of this. I only bring it up because he seems to have reached the limelight in the last few days. Whats the deal? Vinnie

05-24-2002, 10:39 PM	#3
Vinnie Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Waterbury, Ct, Usa Posts: 6,523	Those are my general thoughts. The girl at work practically threw a fit when I said she got bamboozled though One can stage people running out of a studio as well, or one can probably act so good as to cause this [ May 24, 2002: Message edited by: ilgwamh ]</p>

05-25-2002, 09:55 AM	#9
NeilUnreal Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: USA Posts: 77	David Blaine is an illusionist and an entertainer and has never claimed to be anything else (claims made while "in character" excepted). He's extremely good at both, but not perfect. There are lots of very good street magicians who are less well known. When you've watched a lot of magic, it becomes pretty easy to figure out how most tricks are accomplished. You start to appreciate things like finesse, and the ability to read and "work" an audience. David Blaine is a master of his audience, with or without setups and stooges. IMHO, David Blaine without camera tricks would be more impressive to aficionados of the art. He does himself a disservice in this respect. -Neil p.s. I sometimes feel like a professional magician -- I have no problem making my paycheck disappear! [ May 25, 2002: Message edited by: NeilUnreal ]</p>

05-25-2002, 11:14 AM	#10
Viti Contributor Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Down South Posts: 12,879	Douglas...are you serious? Do you think David Blaine (or anyone) can actually levitate? Vinnie is a theist and he seems to realize that this is not the case...why are you always so quick to jump on the "supernatural demon" bandwagon? I am very concerned about an adult who thinks this way. edited for redundancy [ May 25, 2002: Message edited by: LadyShea ]</p>

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05-24-2002, 10:36 PM	#2
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	David Blaine is a magician. Some of his tricks are done with stooges and false camera shots (like his levitation.)

05-25-2002, 02:39 AM	#4
not a theist Regular Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Not in Kansas. Posts: 199	Here's how he does one of his tricks: <a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&q=balducci+levitation +blaine&btnG=Google+Search" target="_blank">Balducci Levitation</a>

05-25-2002, 02:48 AM	#5
Douglas J. Bender Banned Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Elkhart, Indiana (USA) Posts: 460	I've seen David Blaine levitate on camera, and unless the camera shots, and the people's reactions, are edited and faked, then the "Balducci Levitation" does not account for his levitating, as in several cases he is squarely facing the people on the sidewalk. In Christ, Douglas

05-25-2002, 03:11 AM	#7
Mendeh Regular Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: London, England Posts: 302	The idea that the site above presents is that there are really two separate illusions going on; one for his street audience and one for the home viewer. The street audience are treated to the Balducci illusion, and then shots taken by fixing him to a wire on a crane are added in the editing studio to enhance the effect for the television.

05-25-2002, 06:20 AM	#8
Marduk Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: the 10th planet Posts: 5,065	Mendeh is correct, I saw the Fox show on how street magicians do their tricks. I was very disappointed in Blaine for stooping to using camera tricks, editing and stooges.

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