Case studies

Discovery Channel’s ‘Breaking Magic’

‘Breaking Magic’ follows four of the world’s most innovative magicians around the globe as they transform pure science into head-scratching magic tricks.

During the series production, Objective Productions Ltd sought the expertise of Dr Trotta to review some of the scripts, to ensure that the technical explanations of the physics behind the illusions were sound and accessible for a non-scientific audience.

Paul Gilheany, Executive Producer of Breaking Magic comments:

“Our illusionists are world-class, but they are not scientists. Roberto was invaluable in helping us to translate complicated scientific principles to make them understandable in an entertainment context, yet still accurate and informative.”

Sword of Damocles

Based on the legend of the Sword of Damocles, which teaches that with great fortune and power also comes great peril and anxiety, the first episode of the season saw magician Nate Staniforth put his life on the line. A sword was dropped on him from above only to be knocked off course by a basketball launched at exactly the right moment in time by fellow illusionist Billy Kidd.

Dr Trotta comments:

“Nate was in perfectly safe hands and his life guaranteed by Newton’s second law of motion, although of course the audience didn’t know this when they first saw the trick! It was great fun contributing to the show. The series did a great job at bringing the natural laws to life in a very spectacular way. I look forward to seeing the final cut of the rest of the episodes!”

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