Elora, ON - On October 15, 2020, Guinness world-record-holding escape-artist Scott Hammell was suspended upside-down over the Elora Gorge bound in straight-jacket and over fifty feet of chains. The stunt was secretly filmed for an upcoming Halloween magic show Livestream event airing October 31st at 9:31 pm on magicfestival.ca
“It’s a fitting time of year to film this stunt and tribute to Houdini,” says Scott Hammell, “he died on Halloween.”
This stunt is among a long-list for Hammell that includes World’s Highest Suspension Straightjacket Escape suspended 7200 feet in the air and World’s Fastest Moving Card Trick performed while skydiving.
“Houdini’s message was ‘regardless of constraint and challenges, it’s our human will and determination that’s unstoppable’,” says Hammell. “It’s a fitting message for today.”
The livestream includes an all-star Canadian line-up of magicians filmed entirely in the Township of Centre Wellington, an Ontario destination well-known in October for Monster Month, Elora Gorge and it’s stunning autumn scenery.
“We aligned Scott perfectly down the centre of the Elora Gorge where the height reaches 80 ft and spans 200ft wide,” says Frederick Schuett, fellow stunt man and owner of One Axe Pursuits that operates the zipline over the gorge. “Our biggest challenge was weather, and that was entirely out of our control.”
The escape-stunt at the Elora Gorge was filmed for a thirty-minute Halloween themed magic-show produced by the Ontario Week of Wonder OWOW Magic Festival and will broadcast free on the festival’s website.
“There are very real dangers performing a stunt like this,” says Hammell “but it’s one of the best views I’ve seen, upside-down.”
Tune in live on October 31st at 9:31pm EST on https://magicfestival.ca
Photo Credit: MagicFestival.Ca
Contacts
Scott Hammell (Escape Artist) scotthammell.com
Ryan Joyce (Producer, OWOW Magic Festival) magicfestival.ca | ryanjoyce.com
Frederick Schuett (One Axe Pursuits) oneaxepursuits.com