Digital September 2013 Issue of Genii Now Live

[Richard Kaufman]

The September 2013 issue of Genii is now live for viewing on your desktop and laptop computers.

The version for other devices (tablets, smartphones) will be available tomorrow once the videos have been converted.

Sorry for the slight delay this month, but I was at Magic Live!
If you're not yet subscribing to Genii, you should! Paper issue, digital issue, and all 75 years of back issues for the price of only the paper subscription: $58. We are the only independent magazine that offers this, and you also get free stuff when you subscribe! Plus, we are now the largest, and largest-selling independent magazine in magic.
www.geniimagazine.com

[Q. Kumber]

I went straight to Tom Stone's column to see what you were raving about.

While totally different, the video clip gave me the same feeling I had when watching Yann Frisch's FISM winning act.

[Travis]

Trying to view Tom's piece, but any attempts to play the videos in this issue result in crashing the app. :/

[Pete McCabe]

Travis I think the app version will have videos tomorrow.

[Travis]

I'll try again tomorrow, then.
Sounds like they're working for the poster above me, though, no?

[Richard Kaufman]

You CAN watch the videos on a computer.

You can NOT watch the videos on your tablet or smartphone because they won't be converted until tomorrow. That's why it crashes. Delete the issue from you iPad and don't download it until tomorrow.

[Travis]

Gotcha. Thanks, Richard!

[Bill Mullins]

So Richard is touring the dealer's room at Magic Live in this month's "More Genii Speaks" video, and he asks Joe Stevens for his phone number for those who are watching but who don't have internet access.

Think about that for a second.

Aside from that, though, another fine issue.

[Bill Marquardt]

Now that's funny.

But, if you listened carefully, Richard said he was taping at "Magic Live 2000." I am not sure everyone had internet service back then.

[Jeff Haas]

They've fixed the bug in the Android version, where you had to delete and re-download the app to make the new issue show up. This month, when the app updated, the latest issue showed up on the menu, and downloaded with no problem.

Jeff

[Chris Aguilar]

They've fixed the bug in the Android version, where you had to delete and re-download the app to make the new issue show up. This month, when the app updated, the latest issue showed up on the menu, and downloaded with no problem.

Jeff

Hm, didn't work for me at all all. App didn't update nor is it downloading the new issue. It's a major pain in the ass to have to delete and re-install the app because I then lose all my downloaded issues and have to re-download everything.

I wonder if it's because my tablet (Nexus 7) always uses the most up to date version of android (4.3 in this case).

[Steve Bryant]

I agree, Chris. Major pain in the ass. I had to reinstall the app to get the Caveney issue, and last month had to reinstall it for other reasons. I am using an iPad. Genii deserves a better app.

[Richard Kaufman]

You should not have to reinstall the app each month.
On my iPad, when I launch the app, it automatically looks for the new issue and adds it to the covers already there, then I can download it.

Should be the same way for the Android app, which was fixed months ago.

[Chris Aguilar]

I agree, Chris. Major pain in the ass. I had to reinstall the app to get the Caveney issue, and last month had to reinstall it for other reasons. I am using an iPad. Genii deserves a better app.

It's very odd that it seems to work for some people (like Richard) but not for me, you and some others. I don't do anything crazy with my particular device, which runs bog standard (yet up to date) android.

[Richard Kaufman]

Investigating your problems.

[Jim Riser]

Will not auto update Genii issues on my android tablet or phone. Both running up-to-date android with no problems.
Jim

[erdnasephile]

****SPOILERS AHEAD*****

I went straight to Tom Stone's column to see what you were raving about.

While totally different, the video clip gave me the same feeling I had when watching Yann Frisch's FISM winning act.

I did the same thing--went straight to it.

I found Tom's routine very clever, original and well thought out.

However, I disliked the reveal of the shell.

I wasn't sure if that was an audience of magicians he was performing for, but when the reveal happens you can hear an audible--"Oh.....", which seemed to indicate to me that at least someone was fooled by the shell.

Personally, it seems like a big secret to tip for the payoff. Mainly, because I suspect a very intelligent audience member might think: every time he doesn't spill out a ball out of the vase, that just might be a shell (at the climax, for example). Also, I'm just not sure how deceptive the upright box is--it just sort of makes you think--what else is he hiding back there?

In summary, I admire a lot about the routine, and it certainly gets one thinking of ways to use some of the principles involved. More importantly, I think the routine takes the plot and methodology several leaps forward. Tom's a creative marvel!

[Richard Kaufman]

You're about 150 years too late to worry about revealing the shell in a Ball and Vase to laymen! It's been sold in MILLIONS and MILLIONS of children's magic sets since then.

[erdnasephile]

You're about 150 years too late to worry about revealing the shell in a Ball and Vase to laymen! It's been sold in MILLIONS and MILLIONS of children's magic sets since then.

Fair enough...

but there's at least one dude on that video that got fooled

It is an interesting issue though. What's the first sequence most people edit out when adapting the Vernon routine? Usually, it's the explanation of the false transfer. Yes, it's different: clever prop v. a sleight that will still fool you even if you know how it's done. However, it does seem there are similarities in the aesthetic of a deliberate reveal to gain a psychological advantage.

As I recall, Ken Krenzel had rather strong views on this issue as well.

[Richard Kaufman]

I don't care what Krenzel thought. Everyone in New York loved him, but laughed at him because he would put his hands UNDER THE TABLE whenever he showed you something. Ridiculous.

Most people who remove the French Drop from Vernon's Cup and Ball routine don't understand the misdirection they're taking out.

[Q. Kumber]

Apart from the video, Tom explains his reason for exposing the shell in the intro to the written explanation. He also says that it is a work in progress. Tom's routine will probably be more amazing to magicians than laymen.

I look on the performance and the explanation as simply 'opening a door' to an area previously unexplored.

Roberto Giobbi has written about master chefs creating fabulous dishes but avoiding something as basic as a fried egg.

Inspired by this thought I set to work on the Multiplying Rabbits and I think I have come up with something that will even appeal to the lady, a regular at the Magic Castle, to whom I showed the Slydini Linking Pins, who said, "Thank you for not showing me the bunnies."

There is a challenge in what Giobbi has said and what Tom has done. Take a simple basic effect found in children's magic sets, or generally spurned by the profession and turn it into something marvellous.

[Bill Mullins]

Roberto Giobbi has written about master chefs creating fabulous dishes but avoiding something as basic as a fried egg.

Completely off-topic, but . . .

There is a lovely sequence in the movie "Big Night". Stanley Tucci and Tony Shaloub are brothers who've opened a restaurant, and the stress has made them mad at each other. The closing shot is Tucci (the restaurant's chef) and Shaloub in the kitchen, and Tucci scrambles eggs. They sit and eat together, saying nothing, and the rift is healed.

[Tom Stone]

I wasn't sure if that was an audience of magicians he was performing for, but when the reveal happens you can hear an audible--"Oh....."

Richard wanted a clip of the piece for the electronic edition, so I asked my friend Anders Moden and Axel Adlercreutz to press Rec and watch. The "oh" is Axel being supportive.

[erdnasephile]

I don't care what Krenzel thought. Everyone in New York loved him, but laughed at him because he would put his hands UNDER THE TABLE whenever he showed you something. Ridiculous.

Most people who remove the French Drop from Vernon's Cup and Ball routine don't understand the misdirection they're taking out.

I had no idea about the hands under the table thing. Was that to hide stuff from other magicians or laypeople?

I absolutely agree with your comments on the Vernon sequence. I just pointed it out because most of the variations I have read do away with that sequence.

[erdnasephile]

I wasn't sure if that was an audience of magicians he was performing for, but when the reveal happens you can hear an audible--"Oh....."

Richard wanted a clip of the piece for the electronic edition, so I asked my friend Anders Moden and Axel Adlercreutz to press Rec and watch. The "oh" is Axel being supportive.

Darn! In that case, I was the one that was fooled.

[Marco Pusterla]

The paper version of September Genii just dropped on my doormat...

[Q. Kumber]

The paper version of September Genii just dropped on my doormat...

And here in Manchester.

[Matthew Field]

Likewise, received in Hastings, UK.

Matt Field

[Ian Kendall]

And Edinburgh, along with Japan Ingenious. Lots to read tonight

[Marco Pusterla]

And Edinburgh, along with Japan Ingenious. Lots to read tonight

Haven't received Japan Ingenious yet... hope it will turn up tomorrow...