I saw a post from Craig Browning earlier about levitations, and not just 'standing on your tippy toes'. I have been interested in these kinds of illusions for a while now, and I can't seem to find anything on them. Searching for 'levitation' just yields a bunch of David Blaine and Criss Angel specials. Obviously, many levitations are achieved using wires, but are there any other techniques that are a bit cleaner in order to achieve an old school suspension? Thanks for the input, all!
Actually very few levitations use wires, the only ones I'm aware of current in use is Lance's a.k.a. the Kalanag unit and those that do the Flying, and of course the classic Asrah. Most all other levitations require some rather heavy machinery that either disguised or cleverly hidden.
If you have the money to invest there is the Sharp's Encyclopedia of Levitations & Suspensions that will give you a solid foundation when it comes to this arena (the material is a bit dated but the area hasn't advanced all that much other than better materials for construction).
The question I would have is what kind of levitation effect you would be wanting, if that's your goal? There are many things that must be considered before making such an investment and too, there are ways of saving yourself thousands of dollars if you just use your mind and get a bit creative -- there is everyday machinery you can find at Wall Mart or Sears that will give you a nice 18-30" lift. . . that's not a lot but if set properly it will bring the girl up to shoulder level vs. at the waist, which is where most of the lower end "Suspension" type systems place the levitated young lady.
Some units actually come up through the stage floor while others are suspended from over-head. I once had a special one made that was based on an older principle that I've never seen anyone use in that it comes up through the stage. . . it was a sheet of glass originally but I used clear Lucite about 2 inches thick and five feet long. . . might sound odd but the effect was very cool; my young lady would raise up from the lightly fogged stage floor as an eerie green light oozed out from beneath her. Slowly, as she raised, the green light took shape. . . two translucent demons raising her up for me. It was one of the coolest Halloween season levitations I've ever performed. She only went about 40 inches from the stage floor but the use of the projected demons (Pepper's Ghost) made it priceless. . . but it is not a practical very of the levitation, it can't bee trooped and must be built into the stage (think of the electric windows in a car).
SUGGESTION: If you are looking for a practical levitation for your own show here are a few ideas;
If you have an assistant. . . the classic Super X or Blaney variation are most excellent as is Walter Blaney's or the Harbin Step Ladder suspension. If you want something a bit more dramatic you can purchase a folding Asrah system through Steven's Magic for under $1,000.00. . . that's a far cry from the $10,000.00 price for a theatrical version. I'd advise that you first buy the Asrah Book that offers a fair overview on the illusion and the many ways it has been performed using different types of gimmicks, hook ups, and more. Stevens also has an exclusive on a simple levitation set-up in which the girl arcs around your body and through the hoop for around $3,500.00 which is a most excellent price.
Levitations Cannot, as a rule, be done in the round where the majority of Suspensions can. For someone just starting out I would strongly recommend purchasing a top quality Broom or Sword Suspension rather than a levitation system. You can do either one of these in a living room if you have a well rehearsed team working with you. I've done the Boom in front of the Chinese theater in Hollywood as well as the Siros Suspension. . . this is a levitation type appearance when it comes to the effect; the girl is usually lifted up stiff by two male assistant's and laid into your arms (this can be two guys from the audience) and at your command they step away, leaving her suspended in the air. . . you pass the hoop, etc. and then they pick her back up and sit her on her feet.
This is a very rare and awesome illusion but you must be a big guy with serious strength to pull it off in that you are literally holding the girl up. I saw an ad some years ago that a guy was making these again but I couldn't tell you where or the cost; I've owned two of them (used) and I think the most I paid was $1,200.00
Hope this answers some of your questions.
