Search found 404 matches
- July 31st, 2018, 7:42 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Uppity Vents
- Replies: 4
- Views: 1424
Re: Uppity Vents
Vents are the only people who can be lying when their lips are moving and when they are not.
- July 16th, 2018, 12:00 am
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: USPS CELEBRATES THE ART OF MAGIC
- Replies: 2
- Views: 1635
Re: USPS CELEBRATES THE ART OF MAGIC
Same here, Eric!
And I'll also take "FOREVER USA" as an extra special shout-out to our art in addition to noting the stamp's value as it always does!!!
And I'll also take "FOREVER USA" as an extra special shout-out to our art in addition to noting the stamp's value as it always does!!!
- March 2nd, 2018, 6:54 am
- Forum: Platform & Stage Magic
- Topic: Hmmmmm...
- Replies: 44
- Views: 19626
Re: Hmmmmm...
And to think heretofore many magicians have only done their wiz s(ch)tick figuratively.
- January 6th, 2018, 9:14 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Chris Kenner's Totally Out of Control Has Shipped
- Replies: 3
- Views: 1559
- December 18th, 2017, 10:52 am
- Forum: Light From the Lamp
- Topic: Magic Books 2017
- Replies: 41
- Views: 79094
Re: Magic Books 2017
At the Genii Convention back in October, Asi Wind noted that a book of his magic by John Lovick was due out "around the end of the year." Does anyone (Asi/John/others) have an update on it?
- November 25th, 2017, 11:35 am
- Forum: General
- Topic: Ennobling Magic
- Replies: 622
- Views: 97935
Re: Ennobling Magic
A magician's job is to artfully present illusions for the enjoyment of an audience. An illusion (according to the first online dictionary I visited) is "a thing that is or is likely to be wrongly perceived or interpreted by the senses." A lie is "an intentionally false statement used ...
- October 11th, 2017, 9:39 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Criss Angel leaving Luxor
- Replies: 4
- Views: 1739
Re: Criss Angel leaving Luxor
Consider the magic world rocked - and we're talking an actual rock here.
- October 8th, 2017, 3:55 pm
- Forum: General
- Topic: The Beginning of the Sentence
- Replies: 14
- Views: 3460
Re: The Beginning of the Sentence
My guess for a) (where "effect" = "trick") would be cups and balls - purely based on my observations in and around the convention. If we're talking generic magic effect for a), I'd go with a transformation (changing one object into another, which itself could just be considered a...
- October 7th, 2017, 9:32 am
- Forum: General
- Topic: Genii Convention
- Replies: 46
- Views: 14477
Re: Genii Convention
Not that anyone would not believe the Chief Genii, but Richard said it so much better than I clumsily did in haste from my phone. How could I have omitted the word "rope"??? :oops: Hopefully I'll have a few more minutes to post some other takes during the proceedings ... from my hotel room...
- October 6th, 2017, 3:02 pm
- Forum: General
- Topic: Genii Convention
- Replies: 46
- Views: 14477
Re: Genii Convention
Merlin has only done his lecture so far (a nice range of clever stuff) but his one-man show is scheduled for an hour tomorrow. I can say a lot more after that.
Jim Steinmeyer's tricks lecture is being introduced by Randy Pitchford now ...
Jim Steinmeyer's tricks lecture is being introduced by Randy Pitchford now ...
- October 6th, 2017, 1:10 pm
- Forum: General
- Topic: Genii Convention
- Replies: 46
- Views: 14477
Re: Genii Convention
Loving me some (as in all of) Pit Hartling among many others - scheduled performers (such as J.J. Savert, Bernard Bilis, Jean Merlin) and attendees (like Tom Gagnon and Ricky Smith) alike. Axel Adler was really great during the close-up show which ended a little over an hour ago. With all due respec...
- August 19th, 2017, 2:42 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Big News For The Genii Convention
- Replies: 5
- Views: 2078
- August 11th, 2017, 4:20 pm
- Forum: Alternative Media
- Topic: Magician David Kwong Breaks Down How Illusions Work
- Replies: 18
- Views: 8464
Re: Magician David Kwong Breaks Down How Illusions Work
This is a performing art - the consumer is the audience seeking entertainment. Backstage intrigue and illicit/secret stuff ... meh Then why not post performance-only videos? Or is creating videos exposing to the "method = secret crowd" considered just another way of "performing magic...
- August 11th, 2017, 7:41 am
- Forum: Alternative Media
- Topic: Magician David Kwong Breaks Down How Illusions Work
- Replies: 18
- Views: 8464
Re: Magician David Kwong Breaks Down How Illusions Work
Unfortunately in the minds of those who are the target consumers for this kind of content (and even more unfortunately in the minds of most of the producers of this kind of content) methods = secrets.
- August 10th, 2017, 7:53 pm
- Forum: Alternative Media
- Topic: Magician David Kwong Breaks Down How Illusions Work
- Replies: 18
- Views: 8464
Re: Magician David Kwong Breaks Down How Illusions Work
The digital world and its audiences have an insatiable appetite for content that grows exponentially. And people absolutely love being let in on (or think they're being let in on) "secrets" be they of magic tricks or anything else. Guess how many clicks an article or video would get if you...
- August 9th, 2017, 4:00 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Eugene Burger Has Died at 78
- Replies: 46
- Views: 15637
Re: Eugene Burger Has Died at 78
I just had the pleasure of seeing Eugene this past May at AbraCORNdabra in Des Moines where he was the surprise guest of honor. I've seen Eugene many times over the years going way back to my first Abbott Get-Togethers in the late 70s. His thoughts and philosophies on magic had a big influence on me...
- July 24th, 2017, 9:46 pm
- Forum: Collector's Marketplace
- Topic: Magic Live Tickets For Sale
- Replies: 13
- Views: 3913
Re: Magic Live Tickets For Sale
Mr. Kaufman, I think we all benefitted and are appreciative because you spent your time writing and illustrating magic books rather becoming more knowledgeable about game show trivia. I totally agree, especially since it took me that same amount of time in intensive comparative study to distinguish...
- July 23rd, 2017, 10:30 pm
- Forum: Collector's Marketplace
- Topic: Magic Live Tickets For Sale
- Replies: 13
- Views: 3913
Re: Magic Live Tickets For Sale
Richard Kaufman wrote:... so as Monty Hall used to say, "Come on down!"
Sacrilege! How dare anyone confuse the legendary Monty Hall (host of Let's Make a Deal) with the legendary Johnny Olson (announcer on The Price is Right)!!!
- May 24th, 2017, 3:46 pm
- Forum: Collector's Marketplace
- Topic: STEALTH REVEAL
- Replies: 6
- Views: 2909
- May 24th, 2017, 9:42 am
- Forum: Collector's Marketplace
- Topic: STEALTH REVEAL
- Replies: 6
- Views: 2909
Re: STEALTH REVEAL
I presumed that the name of the card shows up, but exactly what will that look like in performance? For example, does the name of the card appear over the image of the jack, or is the image of the jack temporarily "replaced" by a blank background and the name of the card? Given it's size, ...
- May 23rd, 2017, 8:42 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: I Just Had a Root Canal: How's YOUR Day Going?
- Replies: 20
- Views: 7839
Re: I Just Had a Root Canal: How's YOUR Day Going?
The Dalai Lama always refuses novocaine when he goes to the dentist.
He prefers to transcend dental medication.
(Hope you're feeling better, Richard ... that bad joke notwithstanding.)
He prefers to transcend dental medication.
(Hope you're feeling better, Richard ... that bad joke notwithstanding.)
- May 23rd, 2017, 8:37 pm
- Forum: Collector's Marketplace
- Topic: STEALTH REVEAL
- Replies: 6
- Views: 2909
Re: STEALTH REVEAL
Two questions, JH:
1. Which Jack figure would it be? My own personal interest would be for the head of the Jack of Spades, a one-eyed Jack.
2. Can you tell us a bit more about what the spectator would actually see when the card is revealed?
Thanks,
Brian
1. Which Jack figure would it be? My own personal interest would be for the head of the Jack of Spades, a one-eyed Jack.
2. Can you tell us a bit more about what the spectator would actually see when the card is revealed?
Thanks,
Brian
- May 15th, 2017, 1:58 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Mike O'Dowd Has Died
- Replies: 7
- Views: 8717
Re: Mike O'Dowd Has Died
I'm so sorry to hear of Mike's passing. Mike was always someone I checked with whenever I was looking for hard to find books. I finally met Mike in person for the first time at the 2012 Magic Collectors' Weekend in Chicago. He gave me an absolutely incredible deal on five out-of-print titles that I ...
- April 29th, 2017, 9:32 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Magic v. Math at the Craps Table
- Replies: 1
- Views: 1571
Re: Magic v. Math at the Craps Table
It's just the whims of mathematical probability. Once in a while, you'll get some long runs. And there's nothing saying that a shooter won't experience several long runs reasonably close together. Look at those folks who manage to hit the lottery multiple times in relatively close succession. But th...
- April 14th, 2017, 12:44 pm
- Forum: Mentalism & Mental Magic
- Topic: Tarot cards that feel like playing cards?
- Replies: 54
- Views: 40136
Re: Tarot cards that feel like playing cards?
The "Gypsy Witch" cards look like what you asked about. https://www.amazon.com/Gypsy-Witch-Fortune-Telling-Playing/dp/0880790415/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492185398&sr=8-1&keywords=gypsy+witch+cards I had a deck of those oh so many years ago. But do take a look at the pictures b...
- April 13th, 2017, 11:50 pm
- Forum: Mentalism & Mental Magic
- Topic: Tarot cards that feel like playing cards?
- Replies: 54
- Views: 40136
Re: Tarot cards that feel like playing cards?
I think Tom and Brad are Wright.
The minute I mentally said it in Steven's monotone, I remembered it (correctly.)
The minute I mentally said it in Steven's monotone, I remembered it (correctly.)
- April 13th, 2017, 1:47 pm
- Forum: Mentalism & Mental Magic
- Topic: Tarot cards that feel like playing cards?
- Replies: 54
- Views: 40136
Re: Tarot cards that feel like playing cards?
Who used to say something like "... I accidentally used a Tarot deck for card magic and three members of the audience died"?
I think it was meant as a joke. At least I hope so.
I think it was meant as a joke. At least I hope so.
- April 11th, 2017, 9:03 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Magic Castle Happenings – The Good Stuff (April 2017)
- Replies: 7
- Views: 6262
Re: Magic Castle Happenings – The Good Stuff (April 2017)
And you can always check the current schedule here: http://www.magiccastle.com/now_appearing/ Schedule is subject to change without notice As a non-resident member, I like having your schedules a lot, Dustin, because your schedules show more weeks into the future. Yes, schedules can and do change w...
- April 10th, 2017, 8:01 pm
- Forum: Close-Up Magic
- Topic: "Everyday" objects that aren't any more
- Replies: 58
- Views: 16397
Re: "Everyday" objects that aren't any more
Here is a rather tedious presentation of the trick and I couldn't watch it because I found it hard to keep awake. It is a prime example of why I do not regard magic icons as particularly iconic. I have no idea if he borrowed the coin or the cigarette since I tuned out remarkably quickly. I am sure ...
- April 10th, 2017, 7:59 pm
- Forum: Close-Up Magic
- Topic: "Everyday" objects that aren't any more
- Replies: 58
- Views: 16397
Re: "Everyday" objects that aren't any more
I do of course have one advantage over you apart of course from my vast experience. Don't forget your other advantage too: proving that you can squeeze a gallon of gall into a pint bottle. Perhaps, one of these days many, many years from now when I'm as old and experienced as you, I'll be so lucky ...
- April 10th, 2017, 5:40 pm
- Forum: Close-Up Magic
- Topic: "Everyday" objects that aren't any more
- Replies: 58
- Views: 16397
Re: "Everyday" objects that aren't any more
1. Borrowing things slows up the pace of the trick and makes people fall asleep. Then I'd suggest that you stop doing close-up magic like Cigarette through Quarter in a football stadium since we know how you pack 'em in, Mark, and try doing it in venues where your spectators are a little closer to ...
- April 10th, 2017, 1:38 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Heard some exciting news ...
- Replies: 47
- Views: 18635
Re: Heard some exciting news ...
At the risk of getting my hopes up way too high, and casting absolutely no aspersions whatsoever on our phenomenal authors and publishers nor on my own selfish desire to see more excellent new magic books and updated reprints of long out-of-print magic books released, but I'm hoping that whatever th...
- April 10th, 2017, 1:27 pm
- Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
- Topic: When Have You Disagreed With A Magic Icon?
- Replies: 51
- Views: 15781
Re: When Have You Disagreed With A Magic Icon?
... I'm not so sure about that, Bill. Think of the amount of serious facilitation such a deck would give a magician. ... That's what a lay audience is supposed to think or imagine. The job here is to get ordinary paper cards to present that impression in performance. I totally agree, Johnathan. My ...
- April 10th, 2017, 10:46 am
- Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
- Topic: When Have You Disagreed With A Magic Icon?
- Replies: 51
- Views: 15781
Re: When Have You Disagreed With A Magic Icon?
While this is possible, I doubt you'll ever see such tech in common use. For the same reason robots haven't replaced humans: humans a more fun to produce, and easier to program. The technology to create a color change "deck" not only exists but would be fairly easy to implement at a reaso...
- April 9th, 2017, 10:41 am
- Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
- Topic: When Have You Disagreed With A Magic Icon?
- Replies: 51
- Views: 15781
Re: When Have You Disagreed With A Magic Icon?
Glutton for punishment that I am, Alfred reminded me of another point on which I disagree with many active performers (many of them "icons") who, at least to my pea-brain, are completely missing a point stressed by another icon (who I've disagreed with on other points.) I've seen many top ...
- April 9th, 2017, 9:28 am
- Forum: Close-Up Magic
- Topic: "Everyday" objects that aren't any more
- Replies: 58
- Views: 16397
Re: "Everyday" objects that aren't any more
I have never done cigarette through quarter but I don't see an issue there either. People know what a quarter is and they know what a cigarette is so there really is no problem. And if you can't borrow one then use your own and have it examined later. The point here is not that you cannot do effect...
- April 8th, 2017, 10:34 pm
- Forum: Close-Up Magic
- Topic: "Everyday" objects that aren't any more
- Replies: 58
- Views: 16397
Re: "Everyday" objects that aren't any more
My definition of an "everyday" object hasn't changed in my 40+ years of doing magic. It is and always has been "something that I have a very large chance of being able to borrow from a very small group of spectators, with the odds improving even more the larger the group of spectators...
- April 8th, 2017, 3:24 pm
- Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
- Topic: When Have You Disagreed With A Magic Icon?
- Replies: 51
- Views: 15781
Re: When Have You Disagreed With A Magic Icon?
Sorry, but I think Dingle's routine for "Cigarette Through Quarter" is perfect: because he's already shown a gimmicked coin, it never occurs to the spectators that the second coin might not be ordinary. Every time I've seen someone else perform "Cigarette through Quarter," every...
- April 8th, 2017, 1:25 pm
- Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
- Topic: When Have You Disagreed With A Magic Icon?
- Replies: 51
- Views: 15781
When Have You Disagreed With A Magic Icon?
Spurred by another thread in which I posted that I disagreed with a part of Derek Dingle's Cigarette Through Quarter routine, I'm curious in what other tricks, routines, principles, theories, etc. my fellow forum figures have felt "Magic Sacrilege" by being a mere magic mortal but daring t...
- April 8th, 2017, 12:47 pm
- Forum: Close-Up Magic
- Topic: An Old Favorite and the March of Time
- Replies: 12
- Views: 5354
Re: An Old Favorite and the March of Time
As Brad noted, the rolled-up bill is probably the best option I've heard so far because it will expand to fill the hole just like a poster expands to fill a mailing tube (obviously avoid using ratty bills.) And the bonus of coins and bills both being money makes for well-integrated patter. But even ...