Dynamo! And the Se7en Illusions – behind the scenes

London’s Southbank was the location for the first shoot.  The day was bright and the skyline looked great (apart from the endless cranes that plague it). We (Stuart and I) arrived early to greet the photographer and to scope out how the day would unfold, as we had to shoot in multiple locations. Also, we’re down-to-a-tee professionals, (insert winky face)……

A few minutes later the man himself, the grand illusionist, magician impossible arrived in a puff of smoke…from the exhaust of the car that dropped him off.  He walked over to us and shook our hands in greeting.  I quickly checked my watch and realised it was missing… then I realised that I didn’t wear a watch so all was well.

We set up the camera and walked over to the first shoot area, where ITV’s This Morning sometimes conduct live weather reports or outside broadcasts.  The first shot showed Dynamo levitating above the London skyline with an umbrella.  The second and third shots came in quick succession; a BMX stunt and one with a paper aeroplane.  We spent no more than 30-40 minutes on each shoot then we moved on to Clapham Common for more great illusions with toy buses and lamp posts.

On the second day of filming, Dynamo got suited up for the swimming pool shots as well as a Pint Size shot in the pub, which we got to have a go at!

He then brought along his famous and huge German Shepherd, Bessie, for the final shot in the park.

I can beguile you with how the shoots looked and how they were set up etc., but that is what the video is for…

It was during the moments off camera, while we were waiting to shoot or having lunch, that I had the chance to have a chat with him about anything and everything.  The burning question that I, and I imagine a lot of you, would have liked to ask was “HOW DID YOU DO THAT THING WITH THE THING AND THAT OTHER THING?!” but I had to put to one side, as I knew what the answer, or lack of one, would have been.

Instead I decided to satisfy my curiosity with more simple conversation and quickly found that he was incredibly approachable and a very nice chap indeed.  We shared pictures of our dogs, talked about the telly and about some of the tricks he did and the places he has been for his TV show.

I also found out that he has yet to see ‘Making a Murderer’! I know, OMG right? I suppose I can let him off as he is currently on a national UK and Ireland tour.

At the end of the two days I asked him for a photo and he was happy to do so, which I added to my collection of photos with illusionists, granted I now only have two but I think it could be the start of a unique, if somewhat obscure, hobby.

It was a fantastic two days of filming and the little genius was great to work with, I might say it was somewhat magical…