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Balducci Levitation
The Balducci levitation is a levitation illusion 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, and David Blaine. 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. Advantages and disadvantages Other methods of levitation allow for greater heights, longer durations, and better viewing angles (see definition of angles from List of conjuring terms) 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 be ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Harmonicats
Jerry Murad's Harmonicats were an American harmonica-based group. Background The band was founded in 1947. Originally they were named The Harmonica Madcaps and the group consisted of Jerry Murad ( chromatic lead harmonica), Bob Hadamik (bass harmonica), Pete Pedersen (chromatic harmonica), and Al Fiore, ( chord harmonica). In 1947, the group consisted of Murad, Fiore, Don Les on bass harmonica, and Cappy Lafell on Polyphonia. They eventually (around 1948) became a trio with Murad, Fiore, Les. In 1947, during the record ban, the group recorded the hit song "Peg o' My Heart" for Vitacoustic Records, which spent 21 weeks on the '' Billboard'' magazine chart (peaking at #1) and sold more than 2 million copies the first year. It was the first record in history to use artificial reverb. Pedersen and Gail Wallace remained contributors to the group throughout its existence, working on arrangements and occasionally recording. During 1949 when Don Les' father died, the band called upon ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
House (TV Series)
''House'' (also called ''House, M.D.'') is an American medical drama television series that originally ran on the Fox network for eight seasons, from November 16, 2004, to May 21, 2012. The series' main character is Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie), an unconventional, misanthropic medical genius who, despite his dependence on pain medication, leads a team of diagnosticians at the fictional Princeton–Plainsboro Teaching Hospital (PPTH) in New Jersey. The series' premise originated with Paul Attanasio, while David Shore, who is credited as creator, was primarily responsible for the conception of the title character. The series' executive producers included Shore, Attanasio, Attanasio's business partner Katie Jacobs, and film director Bryan Singer. It was filmed largely in a neighborhood and business district in Los Angeles County's Westside called Century City. The show received high critical acclaim, and was consistently one of the highest rated series in the United States. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
John Dies At The End (film)
''John Dies at the End'' is a 2012 American comedy horror film written and directed by Don Coscarelli and based on David Wong (writer), David Wong's John Dies at the End, novel of the same name. It stars Chase Williamson and Rob Mayes, with Paul Giamatti, Clancy Brown, Glynn Turman, Daniel Roebuck, and Doug Jones (actor), Doug Jones. Despite its mixed critical response, ''Variety'' and ''Wired'' magazines named it a cult film. Plot David Wong, a slacker, recalls confronting a zombie White power skinhead, skinhead he beheaded one year prior and wonders if an Ship of Theseus, axe that had its handle and head replaced over time is still the same axe. In the present day, he meets with a reporter, Arnie Blondestone, to recount the supernatural events that plagued the small, undisclosed city David lives in. Some time ago, David is at a party with his friend John, with acquaintances Fred Chu, Justin White, and Amy Sullivan, who has an amputee, amputated hand. David learns that Amy's do ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hotel Babylon (BBC Series)
''Hotel Babylon'' is a British television drama series based on the 2004 book of the same name by Imogen Edwards-Jones, that aired from 19 January 2006 to 14 August 2009, produced by independent production company Carnival Films for BBC One. The show followed the lives of workers at a glamorous five-star hotel. The show was cancelled after its fourth series, leaving the series 4 finale cliffhanger unresolved. Cast and characters Main cast * Tamzin Outhwaite as Rebecca Mitchell – (series 1–2) former general manager. * Max Beesley as Charlie Edwards – (series 1–3, guest series 4) the former general manager, former deputy manager, former head receptionist * Dexter Fletcher as Tony Casemore – (series 1–4) the head concierge. * Emma Pierson as Anna Thornton-Wilton – (series 1–4 episode 3) the former head receptionist. * Natalie Mendoza as Jackie Clunes – (series 1–3) the former head of housekeeping. * Martin Marquez as Gino Primirola – (series 1–4) ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Last Man
''The Last Man'' is an apocalyptic, dystopian science fiction novel by Mary Shelley, first published in 1826. The narrative concerns Europe in the late 21st century, ravaged by a mysterious pandemic illness that rapidly sweeps across the entire globe, ultimately resulting in the near-extinction of humanity. It also includes discussion of the British state as a republic, for which Shelley sat in meetings of the House of Commons to gain insight to the governmental system of the Romantic era. The novel includes many fictive allusions to her husband Percy Bysshe Shelley, who drowned in a shipwreck four years before the book's publication, as well as their close friend Lord Byron, who had died two years previously. ''The Last Man'' was critically savaged and remained largely obscure at the time of its publication. It was not until the 1960s that the novel resurfaced for the public as a work of fiction, not prophecy. ''The Last Man'' is one of the first pieces of dystopian fiction pu ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
You Got Served
''You Got Served'' is a 2004 American dance drama film written and directed by Chris Stokes, who was also the business manager of the performers who were the film's main characters: recording artist Marques Houston and the boy band B2K. The plot follows a group of dancers who take part in a street dancing competition. ''You Got Served'' was produced by Marcus Morton, Cassius Vernon Weathersby, Billy Pollina, and Kris Cruz Toledo, and filming took place Between May 1, 2003, and June 25, 2003. The Columbia Pictures division Screen Gems released the film on January 30, 2004—the weekend of Super Bowl XXXVIII. It opened at #1 at the box office during its opening weekend, and grossed $16 million in its first week. Despite negative reviews from critics, the film was a financial success, grossing over $50 million against its paltry $8 million budget. It was followed by one sequel, '' You Got Served: Beat the World'' (2011). Plot In Los Angeles, California, Elgin and David lead their ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Criss Angel
Christopher Nicholas Sarantakos ( el, Χριστόφορος Νικόλαος Σαραντάκος; born December 19, 1967), known professionally as Criss Angel, is an American magician, illusionist and musician. Angel began his career in New York City, before moving his base of operations to the Las Vegas Valley. He is known for starring in the television and stage show ''Criss Angel Mindfreak'' and his previous live performance illusion show ''Criss Angel Believe'' in collaboration with ''Cirque du Soleil'' at the Luxor casino in Las Vegas. The show generated $150 million in tourist revenue to Las Vegas in 2010, but has since been replaced by ''Mindfreak LIVE!'' in 2016 (the show is partly produced by Cirque du Soleil; however, the directive rights are entirely with Criss Angel). He also starred in the television series ''Criss Angel BeLIEve'' on Spike TV, the reality-competition television show ''Phenomenon'' on NBC, and the 2014 stage show ''Criss Angel Magicjam''. He al ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
King Levitation
The King Rising levitation is a levitation illusion developed by and named after Corey King sold exclusively through Ellusionist. The King Rising was the first original magic effect to be released by the company, paving the way for many inventors to come. Some consider it to be a variation of the Balducci levitation. Effect The performer is viewed from the side. The performer's legs may be covered (commonly with a jacket) at the beginning of the effect. At this point the performer may patter, saying something like, “You may have seen other magicians levitate behind a jacket...". This is a reference to the Superman levitation. The obstruction (jacket, etc.) would then be removed. The performer's whole body is clearly visible. The performer suddenly appears to levitate a few inches above the ground. Both feet are clearly seen to be in the air. The levitation usually lasts just a few seconds. When both feet return to the ground, the performer's legs may again be momentarily obscure ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Peter Marvey
Peter Marvey is a Magic (illusion), magician and illusionist best known for his combination of sleight of hand and large-scale stage illusions. Biography In his early childhood, Peter Marvey was fascinated with any form of flight, flying, whether the flight of birds, stage "flying" or aviation. He expressed his passion by creating simple wings made of wood and textile. His parents booked a flight from Zurich to Geneva, for the exclusive reason of allowing him to "experience flight". He was also fascinated by magic. He soon became aware of his talent for this art and invested all his time and energy in it. He was caught doing finger practice under his desk at school. While still in high school, Marvey created his first illusion, a version of levitating girl. Later on he interrupted his studies to concentrate on creating illusions. Magic career Marvey studied, designed and practiced for seven years to create an illusion called "Dream Flying", which made his name in the magic busine ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Acting
Acting is an activity in which a story is told by means of its enactment by an actor or actress who adopts a character—in theatre, television, film, radio, or any other medium that makes use of the mimetic mode. Acting involves a broad range of skills, including a well-developed imagination, emotional facility, physical expressivity, vocal projection, clarity of speech, and the ability to interpret drama. Acting also demands an ability to employ dialects, accents, improvisation, observation and emulation, mime, and stage combat. Many actors train at length in specialist programs or colleges to develop these skills. The vast majority of professional actors have undergone extensive training. Actors and actresses will often have many instructors and teachers for a full range of training involving singing, scene-work, audition techniques, and acting for camera. Most early sources in the West that examine the art of acting ( grc-gre, ὑπόκρισις, ''hypokrisis'') d ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Levitation (illusion)
A levitation illusion is one in which a magician appears to defy gravity by making an object or person float in the air. The subject may appear to levitate unassisted, or it may be performed with the aid of another object (such as a silver ball floating around a cloth) in which case it is termed a "suspension". Various methods are used to create such illusions. The levitation of a magician or assistant can be achieved by a concealed platform or hidden wires, or in smaller-scale illusions by standing on tiptoe in a way that conceals the foot which is touching the ground. Of people Asrah levitation In Asrah levitation, an assistant lies down and is fully covered with a cloth. The assistant then appears to levitate beneath the cloth, before slowly floating down. As the magician pulls the cloth away, the assistant is seen to have vanished. The trick uses a structure of thin wire that is placed over the assistant at the same time as the cloth. The wire structure can be raised while ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
