Stage Magic

[Jaico]

So...I saw a stage illusionist the other day, and it really got me thinking about a lot of things. First and foremost - how do they do those tricks? I'd just like to throw this out there - if anybody has ideas/theories/postulations/whatever on how popular stage magic/illusions (like the "clearly impossible" illusion) work, I'd like to hear them. I think the real appeal of "magic" (at least for me, anyways) is coming up with explanations as to how things work.

Unfortunately, it's rare to find an actual explanation for a lot of the more complex tricks out there, which brings me to my next point. Do you agree with magicians keeping their tricks secret? Would it enhance or detract from the overall experience if you knew how magicians were pulling off their tricks? Personally, I really dislike how magicians are all hush-hush with their tricks; I'd at least like to be able to check whether or not I'm right. Even if they outright explained how the trick is performed, I think I'd be able to enjoy it better - it's like how knowing what the stars/planets/cosmos are actually makes them more awe-inspiring.

Anyhow, feel free to throw out what you think on either of those two subjects.

 

[Annablueblue]

I think much of what magicians do focuses on distraction, focusing one on some flurry of activity while they set up the slight of hand. As for the woman in the video, if she is petite she may be drawn up in the first box, and the boxes painted to appear as if her entire body is there. I saw a Penn and Teller show a long time ago, and most of their show, if I remember correctly, consisted of them performing illusions and then explaining to the audience how they did it. They didn't explain all their tricks, but the show was enlightening.
As far as magicians like Criss Angel (who gives me a bit of the creeps), I think he may have sold his soul.