I wrote about the China's art of "Bian Lian" (Face Change ) before and it was one of the most amazing piece of magic in the world (at least for me).

But recently there was this show on TV which the performer accidentally revealed the secret to it. Let's just say he screwed up in one of the changes. A friend, who was watching the show with me then told me he actually know the secret of the effect years ago and proceeded to tell me about it.

As a magician, I was happy to finally know the secret but on the other hand, I was a bit sad to have another trick exposed and lose the thrill of seeing it.

Is there any trick you all love but would never want to find out how it is done?

Sadly, this depends on your attitude towards magic.

If you see something truly amazing, you'll react in 2 ways:

1) Freak out and be entertained

2) Find out how its done by hook or by crook

For me now, any magic will seem beautiful to me if the performance is good. But there are 2 at the top of my list.

"Seamless" is one of the tricks I love and I'll never forget the reaction I had the 1st time it was on video.

Video link: http://magicbywest.tripod.com/seamless.wmv
(The one in YouTube is not as good as this debut.)

"Silver Dream" 3 coin vanish sequence is also one of the most beautiful coin effects I have seen before it is released.

So far these are the tricks I love. But sadly, I know how both are done.

I agree that Silver dream is nice to watch, but my friend perform it to me everyday so i really get bored of it.i wish i never knew the secret to any levitation, i wan to believe that human can fly like bird. Now i cant!haix

Well, just thank E for releasing it. Honestly I prefer such effects to go underground.

I think mask changing is the most sacred act in manipulation. But sadly, the show, which is channel 8's CNY show, screwed everything up. I thought the family holds a good reputation of mask changing, but the act really disappoint me.

I never know the secret to it and I wish I never had know. (Though we know that accidents do happen). I have to agree with silver dream, its beautifully executed and well done, knowing the secret doesnt stop the amazing part because it take hell long to master it.

Anyway, the effect that I wish it will never be revealed is David copperfield half body effects. Like the Electric Saw, or his split body effect. I hope no one will reveal it at all, though we know that it was not marketed due to its exculsive right to David Copperfield. :)

As for leviation, I think what we saw is only peanuts, those hardcore leviations are the gem of all leviations, those king raising or what ever, due to the marketing style, it destroy the effect totally.

My goodness, I saw that too! I was quite amazed, and everyone was like wow-ing.. All my relatives and such. They were all asking me if I know how its done and how its done.

I told them I dunno, and the moment I did, that guy screwed up! Everyone was like yelling and pointing to the TV, "there there, ta1 shi1 shou1 le4!!!"

And I was smiling to myself, thinking.. "So, thats how its done.. Hehehe."

Lol! :lol:

I believe that knowing is one thing and enjoying is another. You may know the secret to a magic tricks but do you still enjoy people seeing magician do it? The answer should be Yes.
I shall elaborate on what i say. Examples, you know the secret to linking rings, cups and balls, Ambitious card routine, etc..... but still do you enjoy seeing others do that. Different people perform differently, it is from the more we see the more creative we can become and ideas will be generate from there. These is how magician came out new moves.

Ya i agree with you. But that one in channel 8 is a very fatal one.. VERY fatal. But I doubt anyone will remember except a few of the people.

Just hope the performer get over it and practise harder next time.

yes i happened to catch that performance on channel 8 which screened this year.the slow execution by that performer was bad enough but to top of things, there was one part where the mask changer was "stuck" in between the change and that scene stayed on for quite long as he probably took some time to realise it! To me that was the ultimate give away as that showed where the masks went.truly disappointing indeed

I did not watch it cos I don't really like channel 8's new yr programme. Thank god I did not watch it >_<