Search found 30 matches

by John Hopkins
July 15th, 2009, 2:25 pm
Forum: Light From the Lamp
Topic: Foundations - Jason England
Replies: 1
Views: 2864

Foundations - Jason England

Has anyone had a chance at viewing Jason England's DVD, Foundations?

He covers some very challenging moves and sleights. I wonder if
someone has opinions on this product. I know Jason is a highly
regarded cardman.

Thanks, John
by John Hopkins
March 2nd, 2009, 12:04 am
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Coin Shell Jams
Replies: 5
Views: 2108

Re: Coin Shell Jams

I don't think the rims are bent (two shells in this set: Cerberus). They work quite well most of the time. The inserts (coins/shells) run freely in a complete circle with no jamming. And then, intermittently a coin/insert/shell gets stuck in its shell. Maybe the answer is a tidy close-up mat. No mor...
by John Hopkins
February 28th, 2009, 3:04 pm
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Coin Shell Jams
Replies: 5
Views: 2108

Coin Shell Jams

I have a problem with shells (for coins)jamming. I know one of the solutions is to expand the shell by using a cloth and inserting the coin into the shell so the cloth is in between the shell and the coin, then working the coin out of the shell by pulling on the cloth. But, I find I am having proble...
by John Hopkins
January 19th, 2009, 3:14 pm
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Hand mucking
Replies: 18
Views: 6388

Re: Hand mucking

Darwin Ortiz has some nice mucks in "Darwin Ortiz on Card Cheating." This is more of an expose than an instructional video.

Also, "Vernon Revelations Vol. 11" has a few good and fairly easy mucks.
by John Hopkins
January 10th, 2009, 3:13 pm
Forum: Magician's Local Hangouts
Topic: Looking for Magic In Denver
Replies: 7
Views: 2604

Re: Looking for Magic In Denver

I think there is a Saturday (noon) session at
Perkins on Colorado Blvd and I-25. There is also a
Monday night session, also at Perkins, which begins
around 9:30 PM (the skill level here is much higher).
You might check with Gene Gordon or Dave Neighbors on
these sessions.
by John Hopkins
December 19th, 2008, 1:24 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Injury During Copperfield Show
Replies: 14
Views: 3652

Re: Injury During Copperfield Show

Perhaps it would have been more appropriate to give him
some material from Ren Lavand.
by John Hopkins
December 19th, 2008, 1:15 pm
Forum: Magician's Local Hangouts
Topic: Portland, Oregon
Replies: 5
Views: 2614

Re: Portland, Oregon

Thanks George.....what time do you meet at the stamp club? And will the next meeting be Jan.3?

John
by John Hopkins
December 9th, 2008, 7:27 pm
Forum: Magician's Local Hangouts
Topic: Portland, Oregon
Replies: 5
Views: 2614

Portland, Oregon

I moved to Portland a few months ago. I emailed the
local S.A.M. club several times (using their web site) but have
received no replies.

Is there anything going on here?

Thanks.
by John Hopkins
November 24th, 2007, 1:52 pm
Forum: Platform & Stage Magic
Topic: Nick Felix
Replies: 3
Views: 3156

Re: Nick Felix

No, I haven't. I was wondering whether it would be worth the effort. I've seen a lot of magic and I don't want to invest an evening of time whatching something mediocre or totally derivative.

John
by John Hopkins
October 26th, 2007, 10:16 am
Forum: Platform & Stage Magic
Topic: Nick Felix
Replies: 3
Views: 3156

Nick Felix

A show called Depth of Illusion is coming to Denver for a month - to a small theater. According to the ad it stars "Master Illusionist" Nick Felix.

I don't know his work. Can anyone fill me in?

Thanks, John
by John Hopkins
August 28th, 2007, 1:26 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Jerry Andrus Died this Afternoon
Replies: 36
Views: 5718

Re: Jerry Andrus Died this Afternoon

There is a little known video on Jerry Andrus (and his brother George) which came out several years ago. It's by an independent film maker in Portland, Oregon. This video may have been shown at film festivals but I don't think it was ever realeased for TV or cinema. It's called A Thing of Wonder . I...
by John Hopkins
January 18th, 2007, 3:42 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Dr. Daley in Time Magazine, October 8th, 1945
Replies: 2
Views: 439

Re: Dr. Daley in Time Magazine, October 8th, 1945

How about, "Cards up the nose"?
by John Hopkins
November 10th, 2006, 11:17 am
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Riffle Shuffle Strip-Out
Replies: 5
Views: 751

Re: Riffle Shuffle Strip-Out

I forgot to mention this tip I picked up at a Steve Draun clinic: when shuffling the deck prior to the push-through don't weave too exactly. Try to shuffle in clumps (in say 5 or 10 card groups).
This will make the push-through (or strip-out) much easier
by John Hopkins
November 10th, 2006, 11:12 am
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Riffle Shuffle Strip-Out
Replies: 5
Views: 751

Re: Riffle Shuffle Strip-Out

I find "airing" is essential and the method depends on how "sticky" the cards are. A new deck should need very little: I just use my two thumbs to raise and then lower the deck prior to the push-through. If the deck is problematic use your forefingers and thumbs to squeeze both e...
by John Hopkins
September 29th, 2006, 11:09 am
Forum: Magician's Local Hangouts
Topic: Saturday at Reubens
Replies: 16
Views: 2868

Re: Saturday at Reubens

I think the move from Reuben's to Maui Taco was written up in the New Yorker a year or so ago.
by John Hopkins
January 4th, 2006, 11:26 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Day Jobs of Famous Amateurs and Semi-Pros?
Replies: 63
Views: 8035

Re: Day Jobs of Famous Amateurs and Semi-Pros?

I believe Jerry Andrus was a telephone lineman.
by John Hopkins
January 4th, 2006, 11:25 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Day Jobs of Famous Amateurs and Semi-Pros?
Replies: 63
Views: 8035

Re: Day Jobs of Famous Amateurs and Semi-Pros?

I believe Jerry Andrus was a telephone lineman.
by John Hopkins
October 14th, 2005, 12:22 pm
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Copper/Silver/Brass routine
Replies: 27
Views: 6163

Re: Copper/Silver/Brass routine

Kaufman wrote: Nothing beats the version by Geoff Latta in CoinMagic. It's brilliant! For clarity, this routine doesn't use the c/s/b gimmick, but the c/s gimmick - so it can be confusing at first if you approach the routine thinking it uses c/s/b - actually it appears from the illustrations that it...
by John Hopkins
September 22nd, 2005, 12:56 pm
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Copper/Silver/Brass routine
Replies: 27
Views: 6163

Re: Copper/Silver/Brass routine

For an off-beat but stunning routine look up Dave Neighbors' "3 Coin Monte" (based on the 3 card monte theme but using coins and employing the copper/silver/brass set.
by John Hopkins
July 10th, 2005, 7:20 pm
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: What's the least number of props you've ever taken to a gig?
Replies: 34
Views: 4743

Re: What's the least number of props you've ever taken to a gig?

I have a Cubio. It packs small. I rarely get a big response.* I had hoped to become Mr. Cubio, and after 15 years developing my "act" I am looking for someone to mentor (if he will take the Cubio off my hands: diligent application of stain remover and a paint job will restore it to "l...
by John Hopkins
January 11th, 2005, 3:19 pm
Forum: Feature Articles
Topic: Vanuatu, A response
Replies: 14
Views: 2299

Vanuatu, A response

My nephew was in the Peace Corps (PC)in Vanuatu for two years recently and so when I read the Genii article I thought he might be interested and sent it to him. Here is his response: Hey John, Thanks for the article, I really enjoyed reading it. It's actually a very accurate portrayal of the Vanuatu...
by John Hopkins
November 29th, 2004, 2:26 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: FAO Schwarz New York opens on Thanksgiving Day. New Fantasma Store within...
Replies: 7
Views: 1506

Re: FAO Schwarz New York opens on Thanksgiving Day. New Fantasma Store within...

Thanks...........I'll be in NYC for about
10 days in December and frequently walk by that
location.
by John Hopkins
November 24th, 2004, 12:13 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: FAO Schwarz New York opens on Thanksgiving Day. New Fantasma Store within...
Replies: 7
Views: 1506

Re: FAO Schwarz New York opens on Thanksgiving Day. New Fantasma Store within...

So if you are visiting NYC from Thursday onwards come and visit the new Fantasma Magic area in the NEW FAO Schwarz.

OK. I tried it again.

Same location?
by John Hopkins
November 24th, 2004, 12:10 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: FAO Schwarz New York opens on Thanksgiving Day. New Fantasma Store within...
Replies: 7
Views: 1506

Re: FAO Schwarz New York opens on Thanksgiving Day. New Fantasma Store within...

It is in the same location or is there a new address?
by John Hopkins
August 31st, 2004, 2:45 pm
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Memdeck + Marked
Replies: 6
Views: 1335

Re: Memdeck + Marked

Thanks, guys. I appreciate the information.
by John Hopkins
August 30th, 2004, 3:41 pm
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Memdeck + Marked
Replies: 6
Views: 1335

Memdeck + Marked

I have been able to find quite a bit of material on memorized deck stacks. I would like
to combine a memdeck stack with a marked deck (reader). I know this is not a new idea.
Do some of you Experts out there in Genii-land know of places in the literature where this idea is explored? Thanks.
by John Hopkins
September 10th, 2003, 11:14 am
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Riffle Culling
Replies: 47
Views: 5102

Re: Riffle Culling

In addition to the major works already cited you might want to take a look at "New Card Control Systems" by Joseph K. Schmidt (Kaufman and Greenberg, publisher). Also, there is some nice work in the "Gambling Routines" section of "Modus Operandi, the Card Magic of Jack Carpe...
by John Hopkins
July 24th, 2003, 7:12 pm
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Gilbreath Principle
Replies: 11
Views: 1654

Re: Gilbreath Principle

In Duffie/Robertson "Card Conspiracy Vol. 1" there is a chapter on the principle and a very clear, simple, explanation. The book is recent and should still be available. It includes effects using the principle.
by John Hopkins
July 18th, 2003, 3:14 pm
Forum: Link Watch
Topic: Todd Lassen
Replies: 1
Views: 617

Todd Lassen

I can't log onto Lassen's web site. Has the address changed? Did he dump it?

Thanks.
by John Hopkins
May 7th, 2002, 12:31 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Ricky Jay:On the Stem
Replies: 58
Views: 6229

Re: Ricky Jay:On the Stem

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/03/arts/theater/03RICK.html">http://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/03/arts/ ... 3RICK.html</a><!-- m --> This is the May 5th review of "On the Stem" in the New York Times. You may have to register to read it, but registration is f...

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