What did you think of Angels Implosion Stunt?

[Timothy Drake]

Hi Taylor,

Yeah... I think we've all experienced that. I find its mostly teens who say it but I've had people say...." Criss Angel can do it higher, better, longer...whatever." I understand where you are coming from. If someone where to tell me that Copperfield flies ( levitates ) better than me or that the Pendragons do the Sub Trunk faster than I ever will be able to then I'd have to say..." Yep.. You're right" they are at the top of the magic field"

Criss however is not really performing but instead letting camera edits do it for him. That is what bothers me. Kudos to him for being smart enough to know that there is a market for such cheap fakery. He struck gold and I have to give him that... Just don't expect me to respect his magic.

Best,

Tim

[Kipp Sherry]

Magi,

I would just like to pass on a word of concern. I am not proposing censure, but I am proposing professionalism.

We do not want this site to end up like others that you have left before, therefore I would like to suggest that we don't turn this forum into a slam fest. Differences of opinion are healthy but slamming other magicians just isn't very professional.

We have invited a lot of professional magicians to this site to help each other out, not tear each other down. We should, as professionals, grant each other professional courtesy. Also, we should set the example for the younger magicians on how we would want them to behave. Professionalism is caught, not taught.

If we really want this site to set a new standard, then it begins with each one of us setting that new standard. If you fall back into old habits that were practiced on other forums, then we will just end up like other forums.

Where is the line between "voicing your opinion" and "destructive commentary"? That is best left up to you to decide. Where is the line between "exposing rip-offs" and "exposing secrets"? That is best left up to you to decide. I just hope our decisions are better than we have seen on other forums.

Please help us make this forum a unique experience of magicians helping magicians in a professional matter. Don't tear down others so that you rise to the top. Instead, rise to the top on your own accord and take others with you. That is the true spirit of mentoring.

Personally, I can think of a lot of bad things to say about Criss Angel, and I can think of a lot of good things to say about Criss Angel. I try to follow the old rule of thumb "If you can't think of something nice to say then it is better to say nothing at all".

I too have had people ask me to do something that Criss Angel has done. My reply is: "Pay me what Criss Angel gets paid and I will do it for you". Most people are not willing to cough up that kind of money, so my second reply is: "Let me show you something Criss Angel can't do." then I floor them with one of my own. I am building my own reputation.

Until we appear again,
Kipp Sherry

[Jim Neff]

Liked the little extra turn, stare was great.

[Jim Neff]

Kipp,

Good to know someone is here beside me

[Taylor Warren]

Originally Posted by Kipp Sherry

Magi,

I would just like to pass on a word of concern. I am not proposing censure, but I am proposing professionalism.

We do not want this site to end up like others that you have left before, therefore I would like to suggest that we don't turn this forum into a slam fest. Differences of opinion are healthy but slamming other magicians just isn't very professional.

We have invited a lot of professional magicians to this site to help each other out, not tear each other down. We should, as professionals, grant each other professional courtesy. Also, we should set the example for the younger magicians on how we would want them to behave. Professionalism is caught, not taught.

If we really want this site to set a new standard, then it begins with each one of us setting that new standard. If you fall back into old habits that were practiced on other forums, then we will just end up like other forums.

Where is the line between "voicing your opinion" and "destructive commentary"? That is best left up to you to decide. Where is the line between "exposing rip-offs" and "exposing secrets"? That is best left up to you to decide. I just hope our decisions are better than we have seen on other forums.

Please help us make this forum a unique experience of magicians helping magicians in a professional matter. Don't tear down others so that you rise to the top. Instead, rise to the top on your own accord and take others with you. That is the true spirit of mentoring.

Personally, I can think of a lot of bad things to say about Criss Angel, and I can think of a lot of good things to say about Criss Angel. I try to follow the old rule of thumb "If you can't think of something nice to say then it is better to say nothing at all".

I too have had people ask me to do something that Criss Angel has done. My reply is: "Pay me what Criss Angel gets paid and I will do it for you". Most people are not willing to cough up that kind of money, so my second reply is: "Let me show you something Criss Angel can't do." then I floor them with one of my own. I am building my own reputation.

Until we appear again,
Kipp Sherry

Not trying to be sarcastic or anything Kipp, but I am not professional. But other than that you are totally true.

[Timothy Drake]

Here is the video for those who missed it.

YouTube - Criss Angel Implosion Attempt

Sorry but the dramatic stare down happened before this clip. LOL

[Kipp Sherry]

Thanks for the link Tim.

Until we appear again,
Kipp Sherry

[Timothy Drake]

Originally Posted by Kipp Sherry

Magi,

I would just like to pass on a word of concern. I am not proposing censure, but I am proposing professionalism.

We do not want this site to end up like others that you have left before, therefore I would like to suggest that we don't turn this forum into a slam fest. Differences of opinion are healthy but slamming other magicians just isn't very professional.

We have invited a lot of professional magicians to this site to help each other out, not tear each other down. We should, as professionals, grant each other professional courtesy. Also, we should set the example for the younger magicians on how we would want them to behave. Professionalism is caught, not taught.

If we really want this site to set a new standard, then it begins with each one of us setting that new standard. If you fall back into old habits that were practiced on other forums, then we will just end up like other forums.

Where is the line between "voicing your opinion" and "destructive commentary"? That is best left up to you to decide. Where is the line between "exposing rip-offs" and "exposing secrets"? That is best left up to you to decide. I just hope our decisions are better than we have seen on other forums.

Please help us make this forum a unique experience of magicians helping magicians in a professional matter. Don't tear down others so that you rise to the top. Instead, rise to the top on your own accord and take others with you. That is the true spirit of mentoring.

Personally, I can think of a lot of bad things to say about Criss Angel, and I can think of a lot of good things to say about Criss Angel. I try to follow the old rule of thumb "If you can't think of something nice to say then it is better to say nothing at all".

I too have had people ask me to do something that Criss Angel has done. My reply is: "Pay me what Criss Angel gets paid and I will do it for you". Most people are not willing to cough up that kind of money, so my second reply is: "Let me show you something Criss Angel can't do." then I floor them with one of my own. I am building my own reputation.

Until we appear again,
Kipp Sherry

Hi Kipp,

I'm in agreement with you for the most part. You'll note that nowhere in any of my posts have I ever criticized another performers style, costuming or personality.

By the same token I don't think it right to remain silent when bad magic is promoted as good nor to pretend that video effects are the same thing as a magic performance.

Part of helping other magicians is to speak the truth. If a base is too thick and not fooling anyone ( and the performer doesn't know it) then I prefer to tell the performer ( in a nice way of course) , If I see him/her repeatedly flash a gimmick then they should know that as well.

One problem I see these days is the artificial heights that Criss sets using camera tricks and edits. He performs tricks the he can't really do. LOL Camera edits are nothing new. The could have been used ( and sometimes were) in the past but for the most part we as magicians respected the art and other magicians and stuck with the real performance art. In the past such dependence on Camera edits would have had the performer laughed out of the business. Today however we live in a " reality TV world" and Criss was smart enough to blend the two and do quite well for himself.

I was never a follower and just like the little boy in the story. If I see the Emperor walking down the street naked and everyone is pretending he is wearing clothes I'll not be afraid to say..." The Emperor has no clothes."

I think this style of magic a dis-service to other performers who admire his effects and feel inferior because they cannot perform such illusions. They of course shouldn't be intimidated because Criss doesn't either. When a performer spends countless hrs perfecting a routine and masters a performance its not right that his/her hard work is overlooked when compared to artificial preformances.

So please don't take me wrong. I am not attacking Criss personally but I am attacking the methods of artificially replicating an art form such as magic that we all love and aspire to get better in.

Best,

Tim

[Daniel Steep]

I tuned in for the last five-ten minutes.. and all I can say is who DIDNT see the thing at the end coming? I kinda thought right from the start they would portray that he didnt get out alive, and he would appear..

Thought he would appear in a better manner though... Like driving the helicopter.

Daniel

[Kevin Fleetwood]

I don't watch mind freak anymore , i quit watching about 2 seasons ago when alot of his stunts (not magic) were exposed he uses people who get paid to react to his stunts and too much T.V. editing and pre-tapeing.I've lost all intrest in him and his stunts.