Pulling a woman apart - magic trick

[Quasqueton]

I saw this on snopes.com
http://www.snopes.com/photos/people/pullapart.asp

The basic illusion Criss Angels performs does not necessarily require video manipulation or digital trickery — it can be (and has been) executed live on stage, although some video shortcuts are necessary to pull it off it as an open-air, taped performance as shown in this video clip.

The video of a woman being pulled apart:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v299/oedipa/?action=view&current=Magic-Pullapartgirlwmv.flv

I can think of a few ways this might be done, but I'm curious for more real info. Anyone know how this trick is performed, especially live, on stage?

Quasqueton

 

[hong]

It involves duct tape.


Hong "everything involves duct tape - in bed" Ooi

 

[RangerWickett]

That's hilarious.

 

[Arravis]

When you see the split I always assumed it was simply someone who is... without their lower half. I've known one person that way, and it would be fairly easy to do with their assistance.

 

[Quasqueton]

When you see the split I always assumed it was simply someone who is... without their lower half. I've known one person that way, and it would be fairly easy to do with their assistance.

Yeah, that's the way it looks. But what about the bottom half (with toes wiggling)? And how does the "victim" walk up to the stage?

 

[Ferret]

I assume this would be done the same way that some levitation is done on camera, they film someone being stretched, some illusion that makes it look like they are pulled apart but only about half a foot. Then the film the reaction, and fill in the gap with the person with no lower half, this part is obviously fake but they don't see that part.

 

[Quasqueton]

I assume this would be done the same way that some levitation is done on camera

But the snopes article says this is also done on stage, live. If it was only a camera stunt, I wouldn't be as curious. (And snopes says this video doesn't use camera tricks.)

Quasqueton

 

[Arravis]

Yeah, that's the way it looks. But what about the bottom half (with toes wiggling)? And how does the "victim" walk up to the stage?

The wiggling could involve some sort of anamatronic device. The walking... it could be a simple prosthetic she's used to using, or it could be a short person/kid in a "legs" costume. Yeah... not too solid on that one.

 

[Yellow Sign]

There is a part just before that stunt that the camera focuses on a guy in the audience and then they change to another camera angle. That's when they did the switch. Everyone was in on this stunt.