Balducci levitation

The Balducci levitation is a levitation illusion that was first described by Ed Balducci. Its inventor is unknown. It is an impromptu magic trick, which has been popularized by many magicians, such as David Roth, Paul Harris, Alex Magic, and David Blaine.

Balducci levitation,
named after Ed Balducci

Effect

The performer stands at an angle facing away from the spectators. The performer appears to levitate a few inches above the ground. The effect generally does not last for more than five seconds. The performer's feet return to the ground, and the effect is complete.

In & Outs

Other methods of levitation allow for greater heights, longer durations, and better viewing angles* for performance; however, most of these methods can only be performed on a stage because they require special equipment or setups (such as wires). The Balducci levitation requires no preparation of any kind, and so it can be performed impromptu - anytime, anywhere. Although variations have been made to improve the illusion of genuine levitation, they are generally harder to perform, and some require gimmicks or setups that make them less practical than the Balducci levitation.

• See definition of angles from List of conjuring terms

Subtleties

Like many magic effects, this illusion relies mostly on subtle misdirection and acting on the part of the performer.

These psychological subtleties increase the probability that spectators will believe the illusion:

• The spectators are informed ahead of time that the performer intends to levitate.
• The performer pretends to put a good deal of care in choosing a place to perform the levitation.
• The performer acts as if performing the levitation is difficult and physically straining.
• The performer emphasizes the fact that there are no gimmicks (wires, etc.) used, and encourages that the area and the performers clothing be examined.

These physical subtleties make the levitation seem more amazing:

• The spectators are misdirected from the performer's method because they are concentrating on the movement of the feet and the space that appears between the feet and the ground.
• When "landing," the performer will make a point of hitting the ground hard with the feet, and bending the knees to convince the spectators that the performer's feet were higher in the air than they actually were.

The effects of these subtleties can be seen in David Blaine's television performances of this illusion. For example, one spectator is asked how high Blaine levitated. She gestures a height that is obviously a few inches higher than the illusion is capable of producing, demonstrating that subtleties can often cause a spectator's interpretation of an effect to be better than the effect itself.

How it works

The magician positions himself at an angle to his audience from a distance as little as 2 feet as much as 6 feet away from his audience. Making sure to keep the audience small (under 5 spectators) and keeping them grouped close together, the magician puts his feet together at an angle to his audience and stands on the tiptoes of his far foot and completely lifts the close foot off the ground making sure to keep his ankles together. Google video has a demonstration of the Balducci levitation available.

The reverse Balducci illusion is similar to the Balducci illusion, but the magician faces towards the audience at a 45-degree angle rather than facing away. The magician slowly stands on the heel of his far foot as he lifts his near foot up. To improve the appearance of the effect, the magician will try to maintain the near foot parallel to the ground.

Credits

Ed Balducci published the first known description of the illusion in July 1974 in The Pallbearer's Review, (Volume 9, Number 9, pp 755) under the name "Impromptu Levitation." Balducci ended his description by saying, Originator unknown. It was shown to me many years ago by one of the Harmonicats, a cousin of mine, Erwin Levine, known as the Baron.

Despite Balducci's disclaimer, the illusion has since been known as the "Balducci Levitation."

Known variations

• Antigravity boots by Peter Marvey
• Elevator levitation by Peter Loughran
• King levitation by Corey King
• Sooperman by Paul Harris
• Zero Gravity by Mike Bent

Appearances in Popular Media

• The Balducci levitation was performed by Wade's crew members in the film You Got Served
• The "Reverse Balducci" was performed by Wade's crew members in the film You Got Served
• The "Reverse Balducci" is mentioned in an issue of Y - The Last Man

External links

• http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2039444152948635316&q=levitation A performance of a variation(Google video)]
• How to Perform Balducci Levitation