Taiwanese Magician Performs Awesome Magic
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What seems as a series of simple magic trick turns into a mind boggling illusion at the end.
Aug 22, 2011 9:43 PM
Re: Chinese Magician Performs Awesome Magic
OK, so the first part can be explained with magnets pretty easily. How did he do the last bit?
Re: Chinese Magician Performs Awesome Magic
Maybe with precisely formed glass cut-out tapered so the top diameter is bigger than the bottom one to prevent glass to fall through? Sides of the cut-out were probably coated with some transparent gel that works same way some clear oils do when interacting with glass surface, acting as path for light between two pieces of glass creating illusion of uniform surface?
By: flopnik
Re: Chinese Magician Performs Awesome Magic
In addition, the “transparent gel” coating sides of the cut-out shod be soft enough to fill any small air gaps between sides of the cut-out and the hole in the table, otherwise it would not work. I assume glass would be polished enough to prevent any microscopic air pockets. Also, gel should have same index of refraction as the glass table.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anJuZdL_vsw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anJuZdL_vsw
By: flopnik
Re: Chinese Magician Performs Awesome Magic
Hmm...could be. I was thinking maybe one of his confederates sitting behind him helped to slide the top half quickly after he removed his hand, but this could explain why no one saw the opening sliding around. Good call, and thanks.
Re: Chinese Magician Performs Awesome Magic
Yes, the cut-out was nicely placed in his sleeve when he inserted his hand fully in, and he placed it back in when he moved his hand out. I am still puzzled how I can’t notice the round cut-out bouncing @ 3:16. It is low res, but I assume the edges were partially covered by the coins. Since the glass was cut specific angle (tapered), you would not notice significant refraction while his hand was right underneath it (no visual references far enough underneath the table to notice any refraction as his hand was in the way).
By: flopnik
Re: Chinese Magician Performs Awesome Magic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anJuZdL_vsw
I don't understand the chinese but this guy seems to explain the trick pretty well.
I don't understand the chinese but this guy seems to explain the trick pretty well.
By: sammyshogun
Re: Chinese Magician Performs Awesome Magic
whoops my bad..haha just reposted the link above.. here's the right link
http://youtu.be/Z1NJeIsortM
http://youtu.be/Z1NJeIsortM
By: sammyshogun
Re: Chinese Magician Performs Awesome Magic
I have a different theory. What if the transparent material is actually some kind of non-newtonian fluid? It would explain why it would appear solid when significant, instantaneous pressure (such as knocking on the table), but liquid when applying less, more distributed, pressure (a coin, a hand, etc).
By: chronomitch
Re: Chinese Magician Performs Awesome Magic
Short answer: The tabletop rotates.
Long answer: The tabletop actually has two transparent layers. The bottom layer rotates like a lazy susan, and has an arm-sized hole in it. The top layer is thin, and does not move. The purpose of the top layer is just to keep things like teapots in place while the bottom layer rotates.
The table is divided into four panels. The top layer only covers three of these panels. The front panel, where all the magic happens, does not have a top layer. (And you'll notice that no objects are resting on the front panel; he's always careful to place the bowl on the other side of the panel divider, for instance.)
For most of the routine, the hole is hidden off to his left (our right), probably under the teapot.
At 4:41, the camera zooms in so that you can't see the tabletop at all. While it's zoomed in, he rotates the tabletop partway. When it zooms back out, his left hand is somewhat awkwardly concealing the hole. He conspicuously avoids moving his left hand at all for the next 40 seconds.
At 5:23, he rotates the hole into place, keeping it hidden with his left hand. It's also concealed by the camerawork, which switches to a low angle, so that we're looking at the table edge-on, and all we can see is the opaque rim.
When he is ready to bring his hand back out, the camera moves to the same low angle again. The bottom layer rotates, and hole moves back to the right, hidden under his left forearm most of the way. I think you can even see a slight shadow or reflection move across the bottom of his forearm at 6:18, which might be from the hole passing under.
As to why no one else noticed the rotation, I'm not convinced they didn't. But their eyes wouldn't have been focused on the surface of the table; they would have been looking *through* the table at the coins underneath. That might be good enough in person, but it wouldn't work on TV, because the camera has a much greater depth of field, and can keep both the coins and the tabletop in focus simultaneously. So that's why they had to conceal the rotation with special camera angles and zooms.
Long answer: The tabletop actually has two transparent layers. The bottom layer rotates like a lazy susan, and has an arm-sized hole in it. The top layer is thin, and does not move. The purpose of the top layer is just to keep things like teapots in place while the bottom layer rotates.
The table is divided into four panels. The top layer only covers three of these panels. The front panel, where all the magic happens, does not have a top layer. (And you'll notice that no objects are resting on the front panel; he's always careful to place the bowl on the other side of the panel divider, for instance.)
For most of the routine, the hole is hidden off to his left (our right), probably under the teapot.
At 4:41, the camera zooms in so that you can't see the tabletop at all. While it's zoomed in, he rotates the tabletop partway. When it zooms back out, his left hand is somewhat awkwardly concealing the hole. He conspicuously avoids moving his left hand at all for the next 40 seconds.
At 5:23, he rotates the hole into place, keeping it hidden with his left hand. It's also concealed by the camerawork, which switches to a low angle, so that we're looking at the table edge-on, and all we can see is the opaque rim.
When he is ready to bring his hand back out, the camera moves to the same low angle again. The bottom layer rotates, and hole moves back to the right, hidden under his left forearm most of the way. I think you can even see a slight shadow or reflection move across the bottom of his forearm at 6:18, which might be from the hole passing under.
As to why no one else noticed the rotation, I'm not convinced they didn't. But their eyes wouldn't have been focused on the surface of the table; they would have been looking *through* the table at the coins underneath. That might be good enough in person, but it wouldn't work on TV, because the camera has a much greater depth of field, and can keep both the coins and the tabletop in focus simultaneously. So that's why they had to conceal the rotation with special camera angles and zooms.
By: quisph
Re: Chinese Magician Performs Awesome Magic
I'll bet you said dirty words when you saw sammy's link after posting your comment, but thanks, quisph. I appreciate the long explanation and the time it took to write it.
Re: Chinese Magician Performs Awesome Magic
JEBUS HAS RETURNED!!! And who could have guess that he was Chinese!?!
This dude is hilarious! Every time he asks for the dude's right palm he keeps asking him if he has washed them. The joke at the beginning of the final act at the 4.50 mark was even more funnier. While he was wiping the glass with the tissue, he asked the lady host what significance was behind his action? To his reply, he answered "The glass becomes clean when you wipe it.. [audience laugh] Also it weakens the glass." Then the finale follows after that.
This dude is hilarious! Every time he asks for the dude's right palm he keeps asking him if he has washed them. The joke at the beginning of the final act at the 4.50 mark was even more funnier. While he was wiping the glass with the tissue, he asked the lady host what significance was behind his action? To his reply, he answered "The glass becomes clean when you wipe it.. [audience laugh] Also it weakens the glass." Then the finale follows after that.
Re: Chinese Magician Performs Awesome Magic
Able to communicate Mandarin Chinese only yes. Wish I could read and write it tho.
Re: Chinese Magician Performs Awesome Magic
Translation (not strictly necessary I suppose, but what the hell):
Magician: Now the first thing I'm going to do is actually pretty simple.
M: Nice to meet you sir. Can I take a look at your right hand?
M: Did you wash your hands?
M: I'm going to put these coins in your hand. Let's move it over here so the camera can see them more closely.
M: So what's about to happen, I'm going to explain right now. These three coins are going pass through the table.
Woman in Green: Pass through?
M: That's right. Now, watch carefully -- if you could move your hand a little bit this way. Good. Now the first coin...
M: Went right through. Now this is unbelievable. What's unbelievable? That I didn't get any applause for it.
M: So you have two coins left in your hands. Go ahead and toss the this coin into the bowl.
M: Beautiful. So two coins in my hand, bowl has one coin. With this arrangement, this time it's going to happen a lot faster. Don't blink, folks.
WG: This... this is too incredible.
M: Miss, I can tell from your eyes, you have some feelings of doubt. I know what you're thinking. You're thinking, "This black mat looks really suspicious. This mat must have something to do with the trick." That's what you're thinking, right? Say yes.
WG: Yes.
M: Thank you. So next, because of her doubts, I'm going to take away this mat. This way, if the coin can still pass through the table, then something unbelievable will have occurred. Having set it up like this... I'll give it a try.
WG: What's going on here?
WG: What?
M: Miss, once again I can see it in your eyes, you still think this is pretty suspicious. I know what you're thinking. "It certainly looks like there's a coin passing through, but at the moment the coin passes through, your hand is blocking our view. There's something fiddly thing going on with your palm. That's what your thoughts are, right? Please say yes.
WG: Yes.
M: Of course. So because of her doubts, next I'm going to do something even more spectacular. I'm going to have this coin pass through the glass, and I'm not going to need to cover it up. Folks, keep your eyes on the coin as it passes through.
M: But not only that, not only that, I'll let you choose where on this table you'd like the coin to pass through.
WG: Right here.
M: Through that spot?
WG: Yes.
M: Fine. I'm going to put the coins right here. Now, right, center, left: which of these coins would you like to pass through the table?
WG: The middle one I guess.
M: The middle one? All right.
M: Friends. Don't blink. This coin. Right?
WG: Yes.
WG: I can't believe my eyes!
WG: I still don't believe it.
M: What? I didn't even get to ask you if-
WG: You didn't ask, but I already knew you would, and then tell me to say "yes".
M: You're right.
WG: I really, really don't believe it.
M: You know, normally this is when the trick ends. But today, I'm going to do a little bit more. Before I begin, I want you two to check again.
M: Bring the camera in a bit. This is a very solid piece of glass. Solid?
WG: Solid.
M: Try tapping on it a bit. Solid?
G: Solid.
M: Solid, great.
M: Okay, let me borrow your right hand again. Thank you. I really don't know if you washed your hands. Okay, so once again I'm going to put the coins in your hand. Please put your hand underneath the table, right about here. Good, now hold it like that, please don't move from that spot. Spectacular. Now, miss, this is a napkin. I'm going to use this napkin to rub this piece of glass, just like this. By rubbing it, this glass will change. Do you know how it's going to change?
WG: No idea.
M: It's going to become cleaner. Now besides being cleaner, more importantly, this glass will become weaker, right here. Folks, for my final act, in just a bit, I'm going to showing something something truly magical.
WG: Amazing, that's just too amazing!
M: Thank you!
WG: Thank you, Liu Qian, thank you!
M: Thank you.
WG: In the year we haven't seen you, your hand is so much better at money-grubbing.
M: It's too bad that it's my own money!
WG: One more round of applause for Liu Qian, thank you! Thank you for a wonderful performance!
Magician: Now the first thing I'm going to do is actually pretty simple.
M: Nice to meet you sir. Can I take a look at your right hand?
M: Did you wash your hands?
M: I'm going to put these coins in your hand. Let's move it over here so the camera can see them more closely.
M: So what's about to happen, I'm going to explain right now. These three coins are going pass through the table.
Woman in Green: Pass through?
M: That's right. Now, watch carefully -- if you could move your hand a little bit this way. Good. Now the first coin...
M: Went right through. Now this is unbelievable. What's unbelievable? That I didn't get any applause for it.
M: So you have two coins left in your hands. Go ahead and toss the this coin into the bowl.
M: Beautiful. So two coins in my hand, bowl has one coin. With this arrangement, this time it's going to happen a lot faster. Don't blink, folks.
WG: This... this is too incredible.
M: Miss, I can tell from your eyes, you have some feelings of doubt. I know what you're thinking. You're thinking, "This black mat looks really suspicious. This mat must have something to do with the trick." That's what you're thinking, right? Say yes.
WG: Yes.
M: Thank you. So next, because of her doubts, I'm going to take away this mat. This way, if the coin can still pass through the table, then something unbelievable will have occurred. Having set it up like this... I'll give it a try.
WG: What's going on here?
WG: What?
M: Miss, once again I can see it in your eyes, you still think this is pretty suspicious. I know what you're thinking. "It certainly looks like there's a coin passing through, but at the moment the coin passes through, your hand is blocking our view. There's something fiddly thing going on with your palm. That's what your thoughts are, right? Please say yes.
WG: Yes.
M: Of course. So because of her doubts, next I'm going to do something even more spectacular. I'm going to have this coin pass through the glass, and I'm not going to need to cover it up. Folks, keep your eyes on the coin as it passes through.
M: But not only that, not only that, I'll let you choose where on this table you'd like the coin to pass through.
WG: Right here.
M: Through that spot?
WG: Yes.
M: Fine. I'm going to put the coins right here. Now, right, center, left: which of these coins would you like to pass through the table?
WG: The middle one I guess.
M: The middle one? All right.
M: Friends. Don't blink. This coin. Right?
WG: Yes.
WG: I can't believe my eyes!
WG: I still don't believe it.
M: What? I didn't even get to ask you if-
WG: You didn't ask, but I already knew you would, and then tell me to say "yes".
M: You're right.
WG: I really, really don't believe it.
M: You know, normally this is when the trick ends. But today, I'm going to do a little bit more. Before I begin, I want you two to check again.
M: Bring the camera in a bit. This is a very solid piece of glass. Solid?
WG: Solid.
M: Try tapping on it a bit. Solid?
G: Solid.
M: Solid, great.
M: Okay, let me borrow your right hand again. Thank you. I really don't know if you washed your hands. Okay, so once again I'm going to put the coins in your hand. Please put your hand underneath the table, right about here. Good, now hold it like that, please don't move from that spot. Spectacular. Now, miss, this is a napkin. I'm going to use this napkin to rub this piece of glass, just like this. By rubbing it, this glass will change. Do you know how it's going to change?
WG: No idea.
M: It's going to become cleaner. Now besides being cleaner, more importantly, this glass will become weaker, right here. Folks, for my final act, in just a bit, I'm going to showing something something truly magical.
WG: Amazing, that's just too amazing!
M: Thank you!
WG: Thank you, Liu Qian, thank you!
M: Thank you.
WG: In the year we haven't seen you, your hand is so much better at money-grubbing.
M: It's too bad that it's my own money!
WG: One more round of applause for Liu Qian, thank you! Thank you for a wonderful performance!
By: bluemonq
Re: Chinese Magician Performs Awesome Magic
So that's how we got so far in debt to them.
By: the_monk
Re: Chinese Magician Performs Awesome Magic
Amazing. Just one small correction, I believe Lu Chen is Taiwanese.
By: iakovos
Re: Taiwanese Magician Performs Awesome Magic
What I find most amazing is the woman sitting directly behind the magician - she can't see a damn thing and doesn't seem to mind.
By: cthomas
Re: Taiwanese Magician Performs Awesome Magic
The table top does not rotate nor does it have any secret holes in it.
The trick is a store bought one performed with decent sleight of hand.
He has 3 coins 2 of which are legit, and one is a dupe (it is a segmented coin the "top layer" lifts and slides with a spring trigger to appear as two coins, and with impact retracts to appear as one coin)
*** Highly visible at 2:59 you'll see the "two coins" on your right move as a single unit. This is the coin the becomes "one", as he produces the 3rd coin from his palm under the glass.
The trick is a store bought one performed with decent sleight of hand.
He has 3 coins 2 of which are legit, and one is a dupe (it is a segmented coin the "top layer" lifts and slides with a spring trigger to appear as two coins, and with impact retracts to appear as one coin)
*** Highly visible at 2:59 you'll see the "two coins" on your right move as a single unit. This is the coin the becomes "one", as he produces the 3rd coin from his palm under the glass.
By: Violaetor
Re: Taiwanese Magician Performs Awesome Magic
Did you watch through to the end? The hole-y rotating tabletop discussion is about the hand-through-through-the-glass trick. I don't think there was ever a question about the trick coins segment.
Re: Taiwanese Magician Performs Awesome Magic
Actually I did not, got bored after the same coin trick over and over, but I have watched the rest.
My answer is pretty much the same, its a "bought" trick, penetration boxes/tables/etc, are just very expensive ones. The impact is impressive, but the actual technical aspect is lacking.
Anyone with money can have a supercar, but getting a pinto to perform like a supercar takes skill, that's impressive. Same with magic, investing decades so that you can hide anything in plain sight is magic to me, paying someone to do something for you is not. Just my opinion though.
My answer is pretty much the same, its a "bought" trick, penetration boxes/tables/etc, are just very expensive ones. The impact is impressive, but the actual technical aspect is lacking.
Anyone with money can have a supercar, but getting a pinto to perform like a supercar takes skill, that's impressive. Same with magic, investing decades so that you can hide anything in plain sight is magic to me, paying someone to do something for you is not. Just my opinion though.
By: Violaetor
Re: Taiwanese Magician Performs Awesome Magic
Please stick around. We have lots of illusions float through these halls that you can help to explain. Thanks for signing up and commenting.
Plus, if you have found some clips of illusions that have impressed you, consider bringing them. Duplicates aren't allowed, though, so make sure you search first to make sure it's not here already. Submit a YouTube link by clicking on "Submit" above, copying the URL (i.e. "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiMZa8flyYY") and pasting it into the URL box, and then edit the Title/Description as necessary. Pretty easy.
You can message me by clicking on my user name/icon and clicking "Message Me" if you have any questions.
Welcome!
Plus, if you have found some clips of illusions that have impressed you, consider bringing them. Duplicates aren't allowed, though, so make sure you search first to make sure it's not here already. Submit a YouTube link by clicking on "Submit" above, copying the URL (i.e. "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiMZa8flyYY") and pasting it into the URL box, and then edit the Title/Description as necessary. Pretty easy.
You can message me by clicking on my user name/icon and clicking "Message Me" if you have any questions.
Welcome!
Re: Taiwanese Magician Performs Awesome Magic
Very interesting. Glad I plucked this one out Best of Week just now.
