Earlier today I drove to Shepperton Studios to join in with the filming of a special bit of magic for the BBC's TV series "The Magicians". On arrival I was directed to the studio's multi-storey carpark which was very tricky to drive around. The concrete was crumbling and the turns were ridiculously tight - in fact I saw a small Fiat hit a pillar and virtual pull its rear bumper off! Luckily I managed to park safely and then headed to the "waiting area" where we waited and waited (and waited). Eventually (over two hours late) we were allowed into the studio to participate in a magical spectacular which you will be able to see onTV in the near future.
SPOILER WARNING - if you don't want to know what happened then don't read on! Magician Jason Latimer came on stage and was joined by a special top-secret guest star, who turned out to be David "The Hoff" Hasselhoff! Flanked by two glamorous assistants The Hoff worked the crowd into a frenzy and then started to throw t-shirts out into the crowd. It quickly became obvious that these t-shirts each had one large letter written on the front. Jason then threw ping-pong balls into the crowd and these helped select four random people. They were brought to the front of the stage and Jason announced that their completely randomly selected t-shirts would spell "HOFF" - but they didn't, instead they spelt "KITT", David's computerised supercar from classic series KnightRider. David asked his assistants to hold up a banner they had brought on stage with them and, in huge letters it said "KITT"! Big round of applause. But then they dropped the banner and there on the stage was KITT itself, appeared out of nowhere. Gasps from the audience and huge applause! A great routine and brilliant ending - congratulations to Jason and David for putting on such an amazing illusion. Can't wait to see it on TV.
After the filming I headed back to the carpark, taking in the sights of Shepperton Studios on the way. The studio buildings are huge and I was told that one of them is currently being used to film the new series of cult sci-fi comedy Red Dwarf. I also saw some of the modelling workshops that were busy creating all sorts of props including canoes, trees, medals, laser guns, masks and a 20' long submarine! What an amazing place and I hope to be back soon.
SPOILER WARNING - if you don't want to know what happened then don't read on! Magician Jason Latimer came on stage and was joined by a special top-secret guest star, who turned out to be David "The Hoff" Hasselhoff! Flanked by two glamorous assistants The Hoff worked the crowd into a frenzy and then started to throw t-shirts out into the crowd. It quickly became obvious that these t-shirts each had one large letter written on the front. Jason then threw ping-pong balls into the crowd and these helped select four random people. They were brought to the front of the stage and Jason announced that their completely randomly selected t-shirts would spell "HOFF" - but they didn't, instead they spelt "KITT", David's computerised supercar from classic series KnightRider. David asked his assistants to hold up a banner they had brought on stage with them and, in huge letters it said "KITT"! Big round of applause. But then they dropped the banner and there on the stage was KITT itself, appeared out of nowhere. Gasps from the audience and huge applause! A great routine and brilliant ending - congratulations to Jason and David for putting on such an amazing illusion. Can't wait to see it on TV.
After the filming I headed back to the carpark, taking in the sights of Shepperton Studios on the way. The studio buildings are huge and I was told that one of them is currently being used to film the new series of cult sci-fi comedy Red Dwarf. I also saw some of the modelling workshops that were busy creating all sorts of props including canoes, trees, medals, laser guns, masks and a 20' long submarine! What an amazing place and I hope to be back soon.
