I worked on a Divid Copperfield show for a week in the 90s. I worked on the props. I know how every single illusion was done. Of course, had to sign an NDA, which prolly no longer applies.
Lighting is your best friend.
I think there are pics on your Facebook of that (you doing the lighting/props/etc work) - checked them out from your AH FB page you recently set up. Very cool. Be interesting to hear how his tricks worked, but an NDA is no small matter with someone that popular/big, and I'd stick to what I signed in your shoes too.
I have a neighbor that owns a magic company and does his own shows, his garage is often open (rear garages in our area to the back alley are common), and I've seen him practicing in it when I drive by to park in our rear garage instead of the front one, and I've always wanted to stop and ask him to show me some stuff - but I haven't yet.