Balducci levitation

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).

Like many magic effects, this illusion relies mostly on subtle misdirection and acting on the part of the performer.

The hidden part of the "far" (upstage) foot supports the weight of the magician as they appear to levitate one or two inches.

[1] There is a principle in theatrical magic that "the audience will often remember or describe an exaggerated effect"[citation needed] – so the audience members may not notice the increased height caused by the "faked second shot" (if the additional height is not more than a few extra centimeters) when watching the combined footage later, believing that they are seeing a genuine recreation of the performance.

Ed Balducci published the first known description of the illusion in July 1974 in The Pallbearer's Review (Volume 9, Number 9, pp 755) under the name "Impromptu Levitation".

It was shown to me many years ago by one of the Harmonicats, a cousin of mine, Erwin Levine, known as the Baron."