Criss Angel Season 4
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Criss Angel Season 4
Criss Angel: Hi, everybody I just wanted to say thank you so very much for your time. I'm very excited about obviously my first live episode after 90+ episodes of Mindfreak, Season Four. Second week will be completely live, it will unfold moment by moment from Clearwater, Florida where I'll attempt to escape an imploding building in three minutes and thirty seconds. And all I can say is that it's - I just an incredible opportunity and I thank you so very much for - for covering it.
I was wondering if you could describe in detail the handcuffs, shackles, chains, that you'll be in. Will they be on your feet, your hands, are they police issued are they made of steel you know, how heavy is this chain? And then once you get through this obviously you have obstacles you have to get up to the building. And I was wondering how high the helicopter is, are you going to grab onto a rope, or a ladder, and then whisk off into the moonlight. Or, climb aboard and then drive off...
Criss Angel: Yes, let me give you all of the particulars, because I just got back to it, and that's exactly what I was doing as I was actually rehearsing you know, this escape.
First off the lieutenant and commander of the SWATT Team and the lieutenant of the police department there in Clearwater, will be providing whatever handcuffs he owns, or he wants to provide and whatever brand they are. I think they are going be Smith and Wesson, and they are police issued handcuffs. As are all of the locks, there is a pair of handcuffs basically that I will be manacled, my wrist will be manacled through the sixth story balcony completely visible to the public and to the camera at all times.
I will have to get out of the handcuffs, I'll pick my way through them. And I will have the picks hanging around my neck, I will also have a stop watch on because it's critical for me to know moment by moment where I am, and how much time I have allocated for each thing just in my head and the way I've been rehearsing.
Once I give the go, the overall running time of this escape is four minutes, but I will have to do it in no less - not a second more than three minutes and thirty seconds and I'll explain why. Once I escape and pick my way out of the handcuffs, I will then have to pick my way or get through four sets of doors.
One directly behind me on the balcony, and once I make my way through that, I will have to tend to another door which is the only entrance and exit into that room to that balcony that will have a chain and a lock that will also be provided by the police.
I will pick my way through that, I will then have to run down the hall, I will have to run up three stories of stairs, they'll be no stairs going down in that building, and that is because it cannot mess with the integrity of the implosion. And that is what is coded in the design of the implosion to allow it to implode within 20 foot - 20 feet of its (unintelligible), because obviously for safety for the public. So, the stairwell has to be removed.
I will have to run up three flights of stairs, once I get through the door to that - to the staircase, and then when I hit the roof, which is nine stories, they'll be a roof hatch that will have two - I think it has a slot for two locks. I will have to make it through both of those locks, open up the hatch, climb up to the roof, go to about the center of the roof where it will be an area that would allow me to grab the 30 foot ladder that would be hovering from the helicopter, which I'd been rehearsing while I was in Clearwater right now at the airport.
I will grab a hold of that ladder, and then be whisked up a 1,000 feet above, we will ascend in 30 seconds, that's why I have to make it to the helicopter to the roof by no later than three minutes and thirty seconds. Because if I get there at 3:31, that helicopter won't have enough time to ascend a 1,000 feet. Once it ascends a 1,000 feet, at four minutes, that building will blow up.
Now my goal is to be at that roof top in no more than two minutes and thirty seconds, that's what I've been practicing in that time zone 2:30 to 2:40 tops. And then I'll have a little time to kill in the event that the helicopter for some reason you know, has some wind conditions or whatever that needs to stabilize and adjust itself, but that's essentially my goal.
Okay, will you be coming back?
Criss Angel: I'm going to be in the helicopter and then they are going to have to go to the - there is a airport that's within five minutes, that I will have to land. Because I don't think they can get a permit to land anywhere near that area, because we don't have the exact numbers of the public and how many people will be attending because it's a free event.
So I will have a clip that will be from the helicopter that I'll clip on to, and hang from - you know, I'll be holding on but I - once I'm on there you know, if I lose my grip - which I won't, but if I did I will - I will be clipped in say (unintelligible).
Okay, so you'll be actually be kind of swinging off.
Criss Angel: Yes, I will, yes I'll be swinging but he's going to - he's not going to be flying you know at a rapid speed. You know I'll be swinging around like - like Tarzan back there - so I'm going to be - he's going to be - we've been practicing that quite a bit over - over at the airport.
And the other concern is weather because you guys no better than anybody, you know Florida has the most unpredictable weather. You could have a beautiful day and the next thing you know, instantaneously that weather just shifts. And it goes from a beautiful day to lighting storm. Which lightning and 450 sticks of dynamite which is what we're imploring to imploring to do this implosion it take down that building, which will be on three levels below me, is not a good combination.
So there is a lot of factors in orchestrating this escape, and it's one of the most exciting, the most challenging the biggest, the baddest escape of my career.
And I vowed to my mother that if I am successful in doing this, that I will retire from doing these things.
So you're done after this?
Criss Angel: This is my goal yes, because I got 4,600 performances to do at the Luxor, and they're freaking out.
So there is no more Season Four after this?
Criss Angel: Well I won't be doing - I don't think I'll be doing things of this nature. I'll definitely be doing illusions you know, walking on water, you know, doesn't have as much risk factor, you know I can swim.
So you're saying that there is no Season Five?
Criss Angel: No, I didn't say that, I'm just saying that I won't be doing things of this danger. You know I will be still be doing what I do, it's in my heart it's in my blood, it's in me and who I am. But I'm just not just going to be dangling you know, a 1,000 feet from the helicopters and escaping 450 sticks of dynamite on a you know - if you just think about it you know, when 450 sticks of dynamite blow up a nine story building, that's 4,500 tons of cement that will be coming barreling to the earth. And my mission is not to be in its path, and it will come barreling down whether I'm in it or I'm not.
What's the hardest part of this escape?
Criss Angel: Well this is the best way to equate and give you a parallel of what this escape is like. Picking locks or handcuffs for me is not really a big deal, I can do it pretty much in seconds, I've been doing since I was 14 years old. I used to sit on my bed as a kid with a pick set and you know just picking locks and stuff, so I'm used to it.
But what happens is you can look at a police officer who goes to the gun range and who shoots a target, and they can be a marksman they can be awesome. The minute he's in a - real combat you know, real life or death situation when somebody is actually firing back at him, the pressure and distress increases the heart rate, and the performance suffers.
Somebody who is a great marksman and is in a combat situation doesn't typically perform anything near what they do when they are shooting at their leisure, because your body goes into a mode. And it's very hard to control you know, just the detail of your movement and the concentration and the focus and to be relaxed, and you're breathing and your heart rate. So, you suffer from that and you know, you hope you don't suffer where your life comes into play and lose it.
For me it's being able to remain calm, cool and collective and do what I always do, and be able to get through the manacled the handcuffs and then obviously the four or five locks that I'll have to pick my way through.
But not only me, what concerns me is that I do beautiful, and for some reason by some freak of nature, 450 sticks of dynamite go off prematurely. Don't know how that could happen, but you know lightning can set can set it off, things - crazier things have happen you know, anything that can go wrong - will go wrong, that's a law.
Or you know the helicopter for whatever reason you know, can't hover maybe the engine fails, maybe the wind factor changes, maybe you know, God forbid the pilot gets sick or you know, who knows.
I mean those are all you know, calculated risk that we take in life. And so for me it's the orchestration you know, between myself and what I have to accomplish and then all of the other people who have to be on time, and who have to do their due diligence and their job to make everything as a plan work together and work 100%.
You were practicing mostly with the helicopter is that right?
Criss Angel: No, I was in that building 'till four in the morning, and I was you know, practicing you know, just - just, they would throw locks, and they would throw just random handcuffs at me, - and I would - I got on that railing I was you know, practicing, I'm not crazy man. I'm you know, I'm you know, I'm an artist that you know, uses what I hope to be is my talent to do this, this is not some just dare devil thing that I'm going to be doing still.
You know I'm like anybody else you know, when you watch it, you know, hopefully you sit there and you'll like oh my God, this is - this is crazy. But you know, this is a highly skilled person that does this thing you know.
And that's what I think make - why people connect to me is because you know, I'm no different than anybody else that watches the show. You know, we all have dreams I'm living mine, and everybody can live their own. I just work really hard at doing my stuff and I'm very, very methodical, I have an incredible team who is helping me train and putting this together and safety even though it seems so unsafe, is the utmost importance in attempting an approaching this. I don't want to die, but I'm putting it on the line.
So you've been talking a lot about rehearsing and different things you've been doing to get ready for this. What other kind of preparations have you taken, like physical preparations, are you working out, are you getting extra sleep, like what are you doing to prepare?
Criss Angel: Well first off, I'm not getting any more sleep. Because I'm concentrating obviously on this Live Ep, and getting ready for it. But I'm also you know, in rehearsals for my live show which will open up in with some previews in September, and then officially the gala event, October 10th. And as I said Cirque and MGM you know, are not happy about my decision to do this, and I understand why. But physically I'm in the best shape of my life, I had to be to really face this challenge, because I don't know what is in store for me you know, I'm expecting the unexpected.
And, at the end of the day not only for that challenge, but for my live show doing 4,600 of them, I have to be physically in the best shape. And, so I'm stronger than ever, I'm doing a lot of cardio, I'm running really fast, so I can get from Point A to Point Z in a timely but fast as possible. And I'm also you know, doing a lot of believe it or not, talking whether it's too myself, or to somebody standing next to me, while I'm - while I'm doing a lot of cardio stuff to really deal with trying to keep my heart rate and trying to keep me really relaxed during - during this because I am going to be exerting a lot of energy and spurts of it.
So, I got to train with that in mind.
Okay, and how fearful are you of this meaning on going the way that you're planning it going - you know, are you having like nightmares at all about you know what could happen?
Criss Angel: Well it's true I always have - I always because subconscious always plays a factor in anything that you know, somebody does whether they have a test the day or whether you know they have a job interview or they have or you know they are getting their brand new car the next day. You know subconsciously that always plays a factor you know, in your sleep and into what you think.
And so what I try to do is I do get things like that and I just try to take that negativity and try to think positively about it and try to figure out okay well, you know, if I'm thinking that how could I address that issue so that I don't have that an obstacle that I - that at least I can get through it.
But ultimately you know, it's like anything it's like a - you know, he's a champion you know, and he has a fight coming up he has to really - he has to not get complacent and he has to take everything that he's doing seriously because it could cost him you know that belt.
Well this could cost me you know, my life. So I take it very seriously and yes, if I wasn't concerned about it I would be a very stupid person.
Yes, and far as Mindfreak stands I mean, obviously they are going to be super excited because it's the first ever live episode. What do you think that they'll be feeling like on a emotional level while we're watching you do this. Are they going to be freaked out?
Criss Angel: Well I know how - and I've been so blessed with such amazing loyal fans all over the world. And here is a show that will also not only be broadcast in the states, but it's also going to be live in Latin America and Australia and you know abroad. So it's very exciting to me to let them see that and how it unfolds moment by moment. I see it you know, it everyone of the almost thousands demonstrations that I've done in the last four seasons. You know as I'm performing it live.
But you know, people at home don't get to see - to be there, you know, they are watching over people react, I'm there all the time because I'm the one who is doing it so I'm very excited about the opportunities that people will see unfold.
And, you don't know what's going to happen, I don't know ultimately what's going to happen you know, the host doesn't know what's going to happen, no one does.
So, I think it's going to be one of the most exciting - one of the most exciting episodes that I've ever done on my Mindfreak, and I'm very excited about this season, because as a whole it's really so diverse there is so many wonderful - some of my best demonstrations of my career and I'm hoping that this specific escape adds to this wonderful season of Mindfreak which has just begun last night.
I'd like to know how do you handle with this pressure, working under this pressure. And if you have some kind of advice or psychological advice or someone that is taking care of you in this kind of Mind thing that you have to be focused on. Do you know what I mean?
Criss Angel: Yes I do, and the only person that really takes of me that way is myself, I don't - I don't like talk to a psychologist or anything, I never have, not saying there is anything wrong with it. But for me I think I'm very - I think my mind my body and my spirit you know, really is in tuned and I just kind of confront in everyday life, you know every challenge, head on. And I take one thing at a time, I don't allow myself to think about all of the things at one time, or else I would lose my mind. I just take each thing. And when I get a little overwhelmed, I take a piece of paper and a pen, and I write every single thing down so I can look at it.
And then I say okay, I'm just going to break it down into - into small challenges, and as I go through each one I check it off and then I address the next one.
And I just, I don't know, I've been very fortunate you know, I might not be the greatest magician that ever lived, or you know, whatever. But what I am blessed with is able to work in very high stressful situation, and really keep my cool, and when things go wrong, I don't panic, I really try to stay focus and - because panicking will just make my situation worse. And If I'm going to have a shot of solving my situation, I have to really look at it and be focused on it, and not lose my cool.
So I don't know, I guess I've been very fortunate not to have to really have problems with that.
Is there a little bit of celebrity because that they have a kind of analyst or charm for the kind of things that they are doing, I'm pretty sure you have something that you consider your charm to emulate.
Criss Angel: I think I'm just, I look at things in a - I'm a simple - I'm a simple kind of guy when I look at something, I'm not - never - went to college in my life, not saying that's a good thing or a bad thing. In high school I wasn't in - I was in the slower classes. So I'm a very smart guy when it comes to you know, this common sense. And basic things, and how I look at things, I know how to analyze things and how to kind be methodical about what I have to do and to try to make it in my mind something that's very easy to understand and easy to kind of look at to accomplish. When other people would look at it as - as something they would get very stressful or they would you know, be in a situation where you know, that they are overwhelmed, I don't look at it that way, I don't know I don't I never did and it's just something that's in need of me I guess.
I know that there is much of your family taking care of you , and they were work you,. I'm not very sure if its your mom or your girlfriend or brother, or someone that the pray or they do something for expecting everything goes well.
Criss Angel: Well I - I certainly believe in my faith and its comes inherently from my family and we all share the same beliefs. So yes, we all do what we believe and you know, it's an important part of the process and that's who are. Whether I did what I did for a living, or not, it's just what we believe.
I want to know what freaks Criss Angel's mind? If someone wanted to freak your freak what would they have to do?
Criss Angel: They have to give me a normal day, a day where I have nothing to do, a day where I probably go out of mind because I would just you know - I'm somebody that has - my life is on a schedule and it's like every moment of every day is a equated for, accounted for.
And you know, I'm so used to going 100 miles an hour in every direction and sleeping you know, two, three hours a night, and that's the way I live.
And, I think for me having that norm would be something like wow I don't know what to do maybe for a little bit it would be very wonderful and something I would very much appreciate and look forward to. But, I might probably be very fearful of having too much free time.
There has to be something out there that you want to perform, but are afraid to do, so what is that?
Criss Angel: Nothing, you know, if you don't fear death then what is there to fear you know. I mean it's really the truth, I don't fear anything, because ultimately what's the worse that's going to happen - I'm going to die. And I've accepted that I've you know, sacrificed my concern to put forth my effort in my art, because at the end of the day you can die from crossing the street you know or not living your life, I want to live my life to its fullest.
Well the only reason then that you're not going forth after this with more...
Criss Angel: My mother.
...(unintelligible) is because of the promise to our mom?
Criss Angel: Well my mom is in her 70s she just - you know, I adore her to death, and she is really - my mother and father are the reason why I had the opportunity to really pursue my dream. And you know I just don't want to put her through the same, because it's very, very difficult. She's actually going go out to Florida with my brothers and watch us live which I wasn't crazy about because you know I just I don't want to put her through that. But she wants to be there and I just decided you know what - I also you know, I have to do my live show, and I'll be the midst of that, and I have to be able to give you know, my live show has a lot of dangerous things in it as well, and I have to really be focused, and I don't want to spread myself too thin.
I will absolutely do television to the day I die as long as I have something to say creatively but I'm just going to kind of hang up the things that are just such a high level. This is the most probably one of the most dangerous demonstrations of my career and I sincerely mean that, there is so many things that could wrong. But something I've always wanted to do and I finally get that opportunity artistically.
So will that be - will that be part of the stress that you were talking about before is that you know, that your mom is going to be there and you know how she feels about it? You didn't necessarily want her to be there.
Criss Angel: No, it's so much difficult when you love somebody to watch them in a situation where you feel helpless. It's easier for me to do what I am doing. It's like you know you ever drive with somebody in the car you know in the back seat, and you don't like the way they are driving, but you can't do anything about it, but it's so difficult because you're sitting there and you're just helpless?
Well you know, it's kind of the same thing I'm the driver, and you know, my mom is riding in the car, and she's all right hit the breaks, I'm not like no let's go faster.
You had just mentioned that the dangerous stunts that you are doing. Do you feel that was this new season that there is a pressure to do things that are just bigger and better and more mind boggling, or do you just think that you personally naturally progressed with your skills to do something this big?
Criss Angel: Well to be perfectly frank with you I never created art or have done demonstrations for anyone before myself artistically. I always do it to try to push my own envelope to be the best I can be. And that's why you know, I have some skeptics out there that say oh that's not real, or that's this or that's that.
And it kind of makes me laugh because they don't realize that I'm not doing it for them, I would never be able to sleep at night, even though I don't sleep much. But I wouldn't be able to sleep at night, what really is satisfying and rewarding and fulfilling for me, is to know - you know it's like being in a - I equate this way, you know if you're in college, you know, you can take a test and cheat and pass with the flying 100%, or you can study and go with through the rigors of you know, of facing that test, and passing it, and having that self gratification that you know what, you really did it, and you feel that sense of pride in what you do.
I wouldn't feel a sense of pride if what I did was bullshit, I feel a sense of pride because you know, I worked very hard at my craft and I think that's why people connect to it because they see it's authenticate, they see that it's real.
And see that I'm out there trying to positive sometimes in a - in not such a positive world.
Many of your performances Criss - a lot of your stunts take real extreme concentration on your end. Is it difficult performing with the shows cameras around you, or have you gotten use to it now that you've you know, done a few seasons and you have a lot of shows under your belt. Do they get in the way, do you ever see it out of the corner of your eye, or anything like that?
Criss Angel: Yes, I mean it's funny because I'm really, really proud and it's a really a testament not to be but to the incredible crew that I have on Mindfreak. You know we've done more hours of this show with magic than any magician in the history you know, of television.
And you know, like walk on water was watched by more I think than 25 million or 24 million people, on just the internet which is the most watched magic clip in the history of the internet. And you know during my experiences with that you know in the beginning you're very contentious about it especially when you hit the camera, or the camera is in your way.
But after a while it just becomes second nature as if it were another person that you just kind of interacting with. And so for me it's really not a - something I think about. And in this season of Mindfreak I think you know, to go to your other question as well a little bit. What I think is so special about this season is yes, I have the biggest, the baddest thing I've ever done with the, you know, building implosion escape. But I also have some of the most challenging things as well when it comes to close up magic.
You know I've explored avenues of my - of my art form that I never did in this season where you'll see episodes that are very different than any other season of Mindfreak because I really wanted to explore all the different possibilities and present things to people that they haven't seen. So I think people are going to see a huge majority, a growth and I think they'll be very engaged by the very diverse episodes of Mindfreak this season.
I want to know why you chose Clearwater as your next location over you know, any where in the world, anything you could have done, why did you chose this stunt and in Clearwater.
Criss Angel: Two reasons, the first one is I spent some time many years ago in Clearwater and Propping Springs. And two, it is incredibly difficult to find an imploding building with all of the different particular disciplines allowing you to put your life in an imploding building with 4,500 you know, tons of concrete that will be come down to the earth. And say okay, we'll sign off on that, and then you just have to sign a hold harmless, you know for the imploders, for the city, for this for that.
So, when I found out that they were willing to let me do it and that this building you know was coming down, and it was the time factor, you know, and it just worked out beautifully.
And I really did think you know after being in Clearwater in that area that it would be a wonderful backdrop. Now Clearwater is known for some of the most amazing beaches. And they - it's really just a wonderful quaint just a cool place that's in the middle of - its own transformation.
They are you know, spending millions and millions of dollars renovating and reinvigorating Clearwater, and it's a very exciting place to be and I thought it was a great landscape you know, to be on the beach for the public to be invited free of charge and witness this. I just thought it was a really great landscape for what is going to be my most challenging escape of all time.
This is probably been a dream come true for you really.
Criss Angel: Yes, my guess yes, it really is, because think about it, you know, it's right on the beach so you have a great vantage point for people to watch this thing, to see it unfold moment by moment.
You know, it's - it will translate great on television because its beautiful. You know it's just, it's just picturesque. And you know, I love doing things that (unintelligible) to opposed positioning, so it's like a (Fellini) movie. You know you have you know, something that doesn't belong in this world, then you know, to see this beautiful beach this building which is you know, imploding and a person in the path of it, it's kind of surreal setting if you will.
You going, take any time to you know, enjoy the beaches while you're here?
Criss Angel: I would love to the only problem is that I'm going to be flying back out on I think Saturday or Sunday Morning. And you know I have to rehearse, so I might have a few hours to on Sunday, so hopefully I'll be able to get a few hours on the beach and just chill before I have madness approaching on Monday.
How did you develop a nature for a rock star and magician at the same time. And did you think get you close to people?
Criss Angel: Well you know I think I'm a product of my childhood and what I've been exposed to. And since I was a boy you know, going back to Long Island, New York I was so influenced by music because I started playing music when I was 6 years old, I played the drums for like 10, 11 years. And I was so fascinated with rock stars and musicians and that culture. And I knew that I wanted to do something you know, different I wanted to - I had a love for the art of magic, but didn't want to present it like magicians did, because I felt that it was kind of hokey.
And so I kind of just allowed myself to present it the way I would want to see it, and I think it kind of connected to people because it was very different as an experience. So, I never said to myself, I'm going to go out and do this because this is what's cool, or this is what I think people want to see. It was just because that's who I was, and that's who I - who I evolved since I was a boy and you know, listening to bands like Aerosmith and you know Kansas and Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, and you know all of that stuff is what KISS you know, it's all of that stuff that probably had a profound effect on me as a kid.
What can you tell us about your music career right now?
Criss Angel: Well I have you know, several CD's out, one of my best friends is Sully Erna from Godsmack - he is Godsmack, and we're going to be working on an album together. My next album I just have to get some time because I'm working on my live show, Mindfreak and a variety of other things that are going on as well.
But I certainly - you know, music is what I've been doing longest, and it's in my blood and I love music it inspires for me so much creatively.
And it also allows you to have that real fusion of visual and audio together to really have whatever you mean in your message to the public come across to make them feel the emotion that you want them to feel especially when you're performing live.
So, music is important and I always make music throughout my career just having enough time to - to get it done.
What is the worst definition - the definition of magic you ever heard about it.
Criss Angel: Well the worst definition of magic to me is when you don't connect to people emotionally. When you present magic as a trick about a puzzle that it's about - when you present magic how did I do that, as opposed to how do you feel when you watch it, that's the worst type of magic for me when it's just a puzzle.
Because magic has been beaten by magicians for so many years, and it hasn't gotten the respect and popular culture. And for me magic is beautiful, it should make people live, and dream and be enchanted like they were they were a child, it should bring out the child in you. And when it doesn't do that, and it's only about a puzzle that to me is horrible.
Same is difficult you know, you know, success definitely does change you for the better and for the worse. And the best thing about fame is to be able to use it as a tool for me, to do positive things for others, that's what can I appreciate about it.
The same is also difficult because you know, it's something that doesn't - that's with you everyday and you know no matter where you go and what you do. You know you have to - you have to appreciate and you have to take time for those people that want to meet you, want to take a picture, want an autograph. And sometimes you have to sacrifice your own time, your own self so that you can give that person an experience and you have to because you know, they put you there. So, that's part of saying what sometimes could be difficult to deal with.
Have you ever thought on your retirement?
Criss Angel: Retirement right like - retirement for me won't be at least until 4,600 performances over the next ten years at the Luxor because that's my contract. So I have to do this for at least 10 years before I can think about retiring.
So I know you were thinking about two different cities in Florida, and so what was some of those cities, and why - what was the (unintelligible) factors to come up with Clearwater.
Criss Angel: Well I just mentioned this that during a building implosion you know there is not a tremendous amount of choices, and timeframes. And when Clearwater came up, I had been to Clearwater previous to you know my visit just yesterday literally I was in Clearwater in Popping Springs, which is a very Greek community and I'm a 100% Greek. You know I was there probably 10+ years ago, and had a wonderful time and loved you know, Clearwater and the beaches are amazing.
And when I found out that this came available, I just thought it was just the perfect place to do this because of number one being on the beach and the vantage point for the public to be able to watch this visibly as it unfolds moment by moment.
And it would just be kind of surreal to have all of the public you know it's open to the public its free, anybody can come and watch this. And to have you know nine story building you know with me literally handcuffed to the railing visible to the audience that are on the beach, it's just a surreal beautiful setting as that building implodes with 450 sticks of dynamite and comes barreling to the earth 4,500 tons of concrete.
You know I just figured, you don't get much bigger than that and much more beautiful than that on you know, some of the most beautiful beaches in the world like Clearwater.
And so then why a building implosion?
Criss Angel: Why not, it's something that I've wanted to do for a long time, it's never been done in this incarnation, and it's for me probably the most challenging escape of my career, and the most dangerous.
I just wanted to clarify when you said you were going to be I - on the handcuff thing is each hand going to be handcuffed to a railing or are you...
Criss Angel: No, what they are going to do is they are going to put my hands through the railing... Then they are going to handcuff me, so basically I create a solid link between my arms and the handcuffs and the bar that's from the railing.
And what about your feet?
Criss Angel: My feet will not be manacled.
Be free.
Criss Angel: Yes.
Okay and these bombs are they timed to go off?
Criss Angel: Dynamite, they are sticks of dynamite that's 450 sticks of dynamite that will be strategically placed to implode the building over three stories below me. The first story, I think it's the first story, the second storey, and the fourth story will be completely spread with sticks of dynamite. And they will go off - it goes off when you hear the one minute buzzer it goes. There is no turning back.
It's not like a loaded fuse (unintelligible).
Criss Angel: Oh no, no it's not a fuse it's programmed, it so sophisticated now. But its programmed, and I basically you know, on live television no matter, that building will implode as soon as hits four minutes, whether I'm in it or I'm not it, that will happen.
Now you were saying that this is one of the most dangerous ones, and I think part of you what you, obviously the weather and you have to trust the people you're with. But you know watching your show, I've seen you have a car driven at you, you know while you were manacled and the call set on fire, I would that kind of ranks up there.
Criss Angel: Oh without a question, when I say it's - it's one of the most dangerous things I've done. It's how do you say you know, one thing is more dangerous than something else when they both can kill you, and the risk factors are so great. I mean when I floated above the Luxor last season in its premiere, if for some reason that didn't work as I anticipated it, you know I would have plummeted to my death.
You know, would have been a spectacular of a death, I don't know, but either circumstance, 450 sticks of dynamite and 4,500 tons of concrete falling on you or falling form you know, the Luxor 450 feet you know, floating above it, I don't know which one is worst. But I know the results of both, so they are equally being (unintelligible). It's like saying you know, you have a you know, one round you know, a 22 caliber gun, or you have a 45 caliber gun you know, if you hit somebody in the right place, you're going to pretty much kill them, one is going to do more damage, but the end result is the same. So they are both dangerous.
Were you practicing up there at St. Petersburg, Clearwater Airport?
Criss Angel: Yes I was.
Okay, now will you be coming into the - this is a question I got from an email, will you be coming into town there is a lot of fans that want to meet you. I don't know if you were going to be around or anything you know doing street magic, or just...
Criss Angel: I'm going to - when I come in which will probably be Sunday, or so, I'm going to come in and I'm am - you know, I am going to just be overwhelmed with the amount of logistics and rehearsals and coordinating. You know, all of the different elements so my time is really spoken for because there is so much at stake.
But every time you know, I'm in that area I'm always you know, always meeting people just when I go out to eat, or you know, I'm walking from Point A to Point B. So I hope that everybody that wants to meet me will come down to the to the site, July 30th next Wednesday and participate in it because you know, I've been known to - I just did the premiere party yesterday and you know, I don't there is tons of people showed up. And I went and just about a hour and 20 minutes with them because you know, lets face it, without those people reading your paper and you know, I wouldn't have a job so I'm very grateful and indebted to those people.
You've had a million interviews over your life, what's the one question nobody has every asked you that you wanted them to?
Criss Angel: That's a great question, and I have to think about that one that's a good question. I don't know the answer to that honestly because I think I've been asked every question, whether personal or not personal or everything you know, from what's your favorite color to what's your political position, and everything in between. So, I can't think of something that I wasn't asked.
Okay, fair enough I'll - well I wish you luck I understand you're going to let a couple people kind of check out the - they'll all put you in the bucket (unintelligible).
Criss Angel: Oh yes, yes, I should mention, that's a very good point, that you can be my assistant here in this demonstration.
Okay, I'll check out the handcuffs if you want.
Criss Angel: Yes this is the thing, we are - we are I'm going to take my wristband, off and I'm going to throw into the crowd. And whoever picks it - providing that they are willing, because there is only one way up to this level, they are going to have to go on the fire truck in the bucket and be you know, brought up to the balcony along with myself, the cameraman.
So, providing that they are okay with that, they are going to get to check and to inspect and to feel everything is on the up and up and be the eyes you know, for the people that are not there, just share to a logistics you know, but - yes.
I'm sure you get super nervous especially you know your life is on the line and everything, do you have any superstitions, rituals that you have to go through or like I don't know lucky underwear or something that you like to wear?
Criss Angel: Again, no, no I have - I am not superstitious guy, I don't believe in any of that stuff, so I pretty much you know, I walk under ladders and I break mirrors sometimes by accident, and I don't have any bad luck.
So, so no I don't really have you know, I just say my little prayer you know, and I just usually always you know, always you know, just kind of kiss and hug my mom and my family and only go when typically when I'm ready to go.
But what another little piece of stress for me is that you know, this I all eyes. And you know I can't sit there and you know, take the time that I need I have to perform when television tells me I have to perform, because there is only you know, certain amount of time allotted for that one hour slot and with commercials and everything like that. So it's like I have to be on my game when I have to be. And you k now, I can't delay it because then the conclusion won't be seen on television.
So that's for me something that I have to really, really be very conscientious about because, typically I don't go until I feel 100% in the zone and comfortable. Now, I don't have that you know, that luxury I have to be in that place in my head when I have to be and when the time says I have to be.
How much did you say for (unintelligible) or something this one in specific, how much would you say is mental strength and physical strength that goes into it - or performance another usually performance aspect as well.
Criss Angel: Yes I think - I think it's, it's certainly a bit of each, I mean physically you know, if I have to you know, break down a door if I you know, whatever I have to do, I'm going to do.
And so, you know, I - you know, I in my head has - I have options, you know, when I do something and say this because magicians would never ever tell you this stuff because they are so you know, guarded about guarding something that's an empty vault. I'm just honest and I think my honesty allows people to really put themselves in my position.
But I'm very methodical I mean, you know, I'm looking at you know, each part of this escape, and I have to have two or three options to get through it, if option one or options two doesn't work.
So you know, I have to really be on my game and really focus on honest.
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