Price$99.95
Media TypeTrick
CategoryGeneral
Date AddedApr 23, 2003
Elevator: The Ultimate Street Levitation
Loughran, Peter
Hocus Pocus
(Based on 4 reviews)
First there came the Balducci Levitation. And then came tons of gimmicked versions that claimed to make the Balducci and other levitations easier to perform. The problems with these versions were that you needed a coat, a towel, or other cover to shield how the effect worked. Not with Peter Loughran's elevator!
Imagine, at any time during your act, whether you perform close-up, on stage, or on the street, you simply rise a full 3 - 4 inches above the ground, all without the angle problems and viewing distance restrictions seen in other self-levitations on the market. Heck, you can even levitate over a puddle of water!!! Simply put, The elevator is Peter Loughran's new mechanical marvel levitation device that allows you to levitate while facing your spectators, and it can be viewed from the front and the sides! See the photo above!
There are no special shoes used! In fact, you can even perform the illusion wearing sandals or even barefoot! There are no special clothes or baggy pants required, and you can do this inside or outside on wet or dry land without any special lighting required! And get this, there are NO weight limitations! WOW! What other self-levitation can boast all these advantages?
You do not take your shoes off, nor do you lift up on one toe, and you can even show the bottom of your feet before and after the levitation. Please know that this is not a .pdf file, a mere manuscript, or instructional video; you get a specially constructed mechanical device that allows you to perform this miracle anytime, anywhere!
If you are looking for an affordable street levitation that works for real people in real situations, then be sure to check out this incredible and clever levitation device. The elevator comes complete with special mechanical levitation device, instructional CD Rom, and fully detailed manuscript.
Reviews
(Top ▲)
I guess this is one of those items that you either love or you hate. Well I love it!
I ordered this recently, from Hocus Pocus. I had great sevice from them, and then recieved the same great service from the inventor/manufacturer of the product (Peter Loughran) when I had a couple of questions that needed to answered.
First off the gimmick is really well made. This will never break down on you! And the method is soooo clever.
There is a little misdirection needed for the get ready but if you follow the instructions and practice you won't have any trouble getting off your feet in no time with confidence.
I agree that the picture of the ad does look enhanced, but there is a video available for view anywhere I have seen it for sale. The video is true to life, so if you like what you see, then get it, because that's how it really looks as if you were actually there. The best part is that they show the whole presentation in full, without cut aways, this is hard to find these days in online videos. Kudos to Peter for submitting this even at the risk people may try and watch the video over and over again just to figure it out themselves.
You can do this with people on 3 sides, I know because I work with this in my walkaround shows nightly. It is a strong effect, espeically when your spectators don't know its comming. In the right hands this is a wower!
You get a Cd rom(would have liked to see this on dvd or vhs video) that explains and teaches you the effect in great detail. In addition you receive a 10 page manuscript which does the same with some great ideas and presentations added.
I also received the Elevator Handbook wich has over 25 tips and presentations gathered from other magicians all over the world. This is great learning tool and highly recommended if you are serious about the effect.
All in all I felt that this was one of the best purchased I have made in a really long time. It does take practice but with a little dedication this mini illusion will serve you well.
I ordered this recently, from Hocus Pocus. I had great sevice from them, and then recieved the same great service from the inventor/manufacturer of the product (Peter Loughran) when I had a couple of questions that needed to answered.
First off the gimmick is really well made. This will never break down on you! And the method is soooo clever.
There is a little misdirection needed for the get ready but if you follow the instructions and practice you won't have any trouble getting off your feet in no time with confidence.
I agree that the picture of the ad does look enhanced, but there is a video available for view anywhere I have seen it for sale. The video is true to life, so if you like what you see, then get it, because that's how it really looks as if you were actually there. The best part is that they show the whole presentation in full, without cut aways, this is hard to find these days in online videos. Kudos to Peter for submitting this even at the risk people may try and watch the video over and over again just to figure it out themselves.
You can do this with people on 3 sides, I know because I work with this in my walkaround shows nightly. It is a strong effect, espeically when your spectators don't know its comming. In the right hands this is a wower!
You get a Cd rom(would have liked to see this on dvd or vhs video) that explains and teaches you the effect in great detail. In addition you receive a 10 page manuscript which does the same with some great ideas and presentations added.
I also received the Elevator Handbook wich has over 25 tips and presentations gathered from other magicians all over the world. This is great learning tool and highly recommended if you are serious about the effect.
All in all I felt that this was one of the best purchased I have made in a really long time. It does take practice but with a little dedication this mini illusion will serve you well.
(Top ▲)
I have it and I hate it!
I don't look like float at all!
I look like standing on something... somthing very low.
I don't look like float at all!
I look like standing on something... somthing very low.
(Top ▲)
One should be aware that the picture in the Hocus Pocus ad for Elevator is a doctored "artist's representation", not what the effect looks like in real life. Not even close. To see the real deal, one should log onto the Hocus Pocus website and watch the video clips offered there. If what you see in said videos seems hokey or like something isn't quite right, don't blame it on poor camera work, dim lighting, or anything else; you're seeing the trick in all its supposed glory.
The text of the ad itself plays fast and loose with some terms, and other parts are complete misrepresentations in my opinion. The trick basically can only be done in the viewing position of a Balducci or similar effects, except that in this version, the viewers see the stunt done from the front instead of back. Viewers (I hesitate to call it an audience, due to Balducci-type restrictions) need to be standing and looking down at your feet.
Watch the Hocus Pocus video clips and you'll see the performer stroking his legs and crouching down in a curious manner before doing the stunt. This is a necessary part of the trick, and may not be to your liking. The instructions suggest a method by which the stunt could ostensibly be done on a stage. You could also dance in a tutu on a stage, but would look fairly stupid doing either.
Due to the method, I'm unclear on why the ad text says the trick can be viewed from the sides, unless this refers to an additional suggestion in the instructions where you would perform the trick only for two people holding onto your hands at your sides. These people would theoretically be so close to you that they couldn't look down at an angle which would reveal the method. There seem to be a number of incidents of this nature where claims in the ad text are explained away via near loopholes in the instructions.
Questionable accuracy in the advertising of this item. Check out the video clips first, and ignore the photo in the print ad.
The text of the ad itself plays fast and loose with some terms, and other parts are complete misrepresentations in my opinion. The trick basically can only be done in the viewing position of a Balducci or similar effects, except that in this version, the viewers see the stunt done from the front instead of back. Viewers (I hesitate to call it an audience, due to Balducci-type restrictions) need to be standing and looking down at your feet.
Watch the Hocus Pocus video clips and you'll see the performer stroking his legs and crouching down in a curious manner before doing the stunt. This is a necessary part of the trick, and may not be to your liking. The instructions suggest a method by which the stunt could ostensibly be done on a stage. You could also dance in a tutu on a stage, but would look fairly stupid doing either.
Due to the method, I'm unclear on why the ad text says the trick can be viewed from the sides, unless this refers to an additional suggestion in the instructions where you would perform the trick only for two people holding onto your hands at your sides. These people would theoretically be so close to you that they couldn't look down at an angle which would reveal the method. There seem to be a number of incidents of this nature where claims in the ad text are explained away via near loopholes in the instructions.
Questionable accuracy in the advertising of this item. Check out the video clips first, and ignore the photo in the print ad.
(Top ▲)
Peter Loughran's Elevator is a clever device individually constructed and numbered that will allow the average magician, with the will to put in the practice necessary, a surprisingly good levitation viewed from the front. It's one of those things that once you get the package you'll ask yourself, "I should have thought of that!" or if you're the Tin Man "I should have felt it in my heart!" All kidding aside it is a great trick in the average hands but with presentation and pizzaz it could be a reputation maker.
There are however some down sides to the illusion. First, while there are as per the advertising, no weight restrictions, one must have some flexibility and agility to perform this and do it justice. I am in my early fifties and it is definitely going to take several months before I will be able to get it audience ready. Someone in their twenties or thirties should have themselves "up and running" in a matter of hours.
The second thing to remember is that the bulk of this invention consists of genuine intellectual property. It is not the kind of thing you do poorly and thus give away the secret. Nor is it something one would buy simply to expose. It is in fact a quite elegant solution to the problem given us by Mr. Blaine and his less than honest televised representation of the Balducci levitation. It also is an effect that is just plain fun to do. One of those you may wish to practice in front of a full length mirror just to watch yourself rise and fall at will. What you end up paying for is not so much the device itself as this could be made fairly easily and at low cost, but you are paying for the inventiveness of the device. It solves many of the problems the old style levittions where shoes had to be altered and the audience had to be watching your backside. You are also given full presentation rights for live performances and television. Peter has priced it relatively high for a trick in genral and very high for this type of effect. The thinking is to keep out those who are merely curious. This is very strong magic, just be willing to put in the time to keep it strong and you will wow them. No fair taking credit as a diety.
Finally for those who purchase this illusion and register it with Peter, you will be given an opportunity to purchase a newly released book of ideas, routines, etc from some very good people. It has been promised this book is not for release to the general magic purchaser but is reserved only for those who have purchased the illusion. Since the cost of this booklet is extremely reasonable in price my check is already in the mail. If you have ever tried the Balducci levitation to great reaction, buy this! If you're simply curious give it a pass - you will probably feel disappointed. For those who have already purchased it, please do not expose it by a poor performance give it the respect it deserves and it will serve you well. (Because of the extra exercise this trick is causing an old man I am only giving it four and one half stars, but it probably deserves better.)
There are however some down sides to the illusion. First, while there are as per the advertising, no weight restrictions, one must have some flexibility and agility to perform this and do it justice. I am in my early fifties and it is definitely going to take several months before I will be able to get it audience ready. Someone in their twenties or thirties should have themselves "up and running" in a matter of hours.
The second thing to remember is that the bulk of this invention consists of genuine intellectual property. It is not the kind of thing you do poorly and thus give away the secret. Nor is it something one would buy simply to expose. It is in fact a quite elegant solution to the problem given us by Mr. Blaine and his less than honest televised representation of the Balducci levitation. It also is an effect that is just plain fun to do. One of those you may wish to practice in front of a full length mirror just to watch yourself rise and fall at will. What you end up paying for is not so much the device itself as this could be made fairly easily and at low cost, but you are paying for the inventiveness of the device. It solves many of the problems the old style levittions where shoes had to be altered and the audience had to be watching your backside. You are also given full presentation rights for live performances and television. Peter has priced it relatively high for a trick in genral and very high for this type of effect. The thinking is to keep out those who are merely curious. This is very strong magic, just be willing to put in the time to keep it strong and you will wow them. No fair taking credit as a diety.
Finally for those who purchase this illusion and register it with Peter, you will be given an opportunity to purchase a newly released book of ideas, routines, etc from some very good people. It has been promised this book is not for release to the general magic purchaser but is reserved only for those who have purchased the illusion. Since the cost of this booklet is extremely reasonable in price my check is already in the mail. If you have ever tried the Balducci levitation to great reaction, buy this! If you're simply curious give it a pass - you will probably feel disappointed. For those who have already purchased it, please do not expose it by a poor performance give it the respect it deserves and it will serve you well. (Because of the extra exercise this trick is causing an old man I am only giving it four and one half stars, but it probably deserves better.)