Pat Fallon wins Merlin Award

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IrishMagicNews
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Pat Fallon wins Merlin Award

Postby IrishMagicNews » September 4th, 2009, 4:54 am

Ireland's Pat Fallon has, just under an hour ago, won the Merlin Award from The International Magicians Society.

Pat and Tony Hassini are on their way over to me to record a small audio piece which will be available on IrishMagicNews in the next few hours.

Congratulations to Pat.

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Re: Pat Fallon wins Merlin Award

Postby Tom Stone » September 4th, 2009, 6:48 am

Irish Magician wrote:...won the Merlin Award from The International Magicians Society.

Is there anyone who haven't won the Merlin Award?

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Re: Pat Fallon wins Merlin Award

Postby IrishMagicNews » September 4th, 2009, 7:43 am

Tom Stone wrote:Is there anyone who haven't won the Merlin Award?


Well Tom neither you or me on the winners page of their site :) so there is at least two.

Joking aside, I really enjoy your articles in the magazine. Really great stuff.

For those interested - I have just uploaded an quick 5 minute interview with Tony & Pat and when it becomes available online I will link to the TV footage of Pat receiving the award.

You can check it out here

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Re: Pat Fallon wins Merlin Award

Postby Richard Kaufman » September 4th, 2009, 10:26 am

I haven't, but Criss Angel has won THREE times!
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Re: Pat Fallon wins Merlin Award

Postby CARL DE ROME » September 4th, 2009, 11:25 am

Yep Pats been slogging his heart out, and working hard for years on his act....
and doing a great Job for magic all over.
CONGRATULATIONS on the well deserved award.

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Re: Pat Fallon wins Merlin Award

Postby Tim Ellis » September 4th, 2009, 6:07 pm

So far this year we've had:

MAGICIAN OF THE DECADE - Criss Angel (USA)
MAGICIANS OF THE YEAR - The Spencers (USA)
MENTALIST OF THE YEAR - Keith Barry (Ireland)
ILLUSIONIST OF THE YEAR (or BEST MAGIC SHOW) - Peter Valance (Germany)
MAGIC SHOW OF THE YEAR - Christian Farla (Nederlands)
EXCELLENCE IN THE IMPALEMENT ARTS - Throwdini (USA)
BEST DESIGNER AND FIRST PRODUCER OF MAGIC ITEMS - Tora (Turkey)
LONGEST RUNNING ONE MAN OFF BROADWAY SHOW - Simon Lovell (USA)
MOST ORIGINAL CLOSE UP - Boris Wild (France)
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR - Brett Daniels (USA)
ILLUSIONIST OF THE YEAR - Lee Alex (UK)
MOST ORIGINAL ILLUSIONISTS - J C Sum & Magic Babe Ning (Singapore)
MOST ORIGINAL FEMALE ILLUSIONIST - Magic Babe Ning (Singapore)
BEST STAGE AND CABARET MAGICIAN - Kubilay "QB" Tuncer (Turkey)

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Re: Pat Fallon wins Merlin Award

Postby Seuss » September 4th, 2009, 6:20 pm

needs more categories.
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Re: Pat Fallon wins Merlin Award

Postby Tim Ellis » September 4th, 2009, 6:32 pm

Categories from last year that haven't been awarded yet include:

Best Female Magician.
Best Comedy Magician.
Best Comedy Illusionist.
International Magician of the Year.
Close Up Magician of the Year.
International Entertainer of the Year.
Magic Shop Owner of the Year.
30 Years of Exceptional Magic Award.
Mentalist of the Decade.
Magical transformations.
World's Fastest Quick Change

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Re: Pat Fallon wins Merlin Award

Postby Seuss » September 4th, 2009, 6:47 pm

wow. You're a hard read Tim... are any of these sarcasm?

;)
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Re: Pat Fallon wins Merlin Award

Postby Tim Ellis » September 4th, 2009, 10:21 pm

Nope, real awards. And those are just from 2008

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Re: Pat Fallon wins Merlin Award

Postby Seuss » September 4th, 2009, 10:28 pm

I remember the first time I saw an ad for the IMS.

Good laughs that day. The statuette seems of the same quality.
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Re: Pat Fallon wins Merlin Award

Postby CraigMitchell » September 6th, 2009, 4:51 am

Image

And if there is any doubt as to just how prestigious an award this is - simply visit their website http://www.magicims.com/ circa 1990.

If you are going to hand out make believe awards at least have the decency to have a website to match. I'd be somewhat disappointed if I was a layperson doing a bit of research to find out that your new superstar magician - recipient of the BEST MALE / FEMALE, STAGE / CABARET / CLOSE-UP, MAGICIAN / ILLUSIONIST / MENTALIST / ENTERTAINER / PERFORMER OF THE DAY / YEAR / DECADE / CENTURY / MILLENNIUM had received a sham award.

Is there a shopping list that one can choose from when deciding what award you want ?

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Re: Pat Fallon wins Merlin Award

Postby Timothy Drake » September 6th, 2009, 8:06 am

It always amazes me how many magicians send out Congrats to winners of these awards actually thinking they are legit.

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Re: Pat Fallon wins Merlin Award

Postby Tim Ellis » September 6th, 2009, 9:06 am

From the IMS front page:

"Did you ever wish you could headline in Las Vegas and use the credits to enhance your career? Now you can!

For more information, please contact the IMS PR Director
Christian Doleshall at lvmagic@sonic.net
or
Tony Hassini at tony@imsmagic.com "

Drop them an email Craig

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Re: Pat Fallon wins Merlin Award

Postby Tim Ellis » September 6th, 2009, 9:24 am

I love this - Earn your 'Doctors of Magic Degree' - $50

http://www.magicims.com/Magic_Shop/DVDs ... _Magic.php

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Re: Pat Fallon wins Merlin Award

Postby Tom Frame » September 6th, 2009, 10:07 am

On the website, we are informed that,

"The Merlin Award to magic is similar to what the Oscar is for movies."

Jeepers, maybe we should take these awards seriously!

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Re: Pat Fallon wins Merlin Award

Postby David Alexander » September 6th, 2009, 10:28 am

Tim Ellis wrote:I love this - Earn your 'Doctors of Magic Degree' - $50

http://www.magicims.com/Magic_Shop/DVDs ... _Magic.php


Actually, the "Doctorate of Magic" requires the prospective suck...I mean student to fork over $350 for the 50 DVD "course" on which the examination is based.

Test payment is a one-time charge. To get to that point the prospective suck...I mean "student" needs to come up with $50 to join the organization (a lifetime membership)...$350 plus shipping for the DVDs....and another $50 for the test...which may be taken as many times as necessary until one passes.

Once you pass you get that neat certificate to hang on your wall to impress all the tweleve-year-olds who come into your house. Does anyone on the Forum know anyone anywhere who took this nonsense seriously and actually calls themselves a "Doctor of Magic"?

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Re: Pat Fallon wins Merlin Award

Postby Roger M. » September 6th, 2009, 10:40 am

Does anybody, anywhere, actually take this boob seriously?
If so, why?

Wouldn't magi be somewhat embarrassed to actually get involved with accepting any of these "awards"?

Serious question.

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Re: Pat Fallon wins Merlin Award

Postby Timothy Drake » September 6th, 2009, 10:45 am

Roger M. wrote:Does anybody, anywhere, actually take this boob seriously?
If so, why?

Wouldn't magi be somewhat embarrassed to actually get involved with accepting any of these "awards"?

Serious question.


I would agree but I think those who accept the awards don't care about what other magi think. Much like they don't care other magi know how their magic is done. I think they only care that they have something to get some PR from in the laymans eyes.

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Re: Pat Fallon wins Merlin Award

Postby CraigMitchell » September 6th, 2009, 11:22 am

There's an argument to be made for the PR benefits ... but SURELY if you are going to have fake awards being dished out - you are at least going to make sure that there is an air of legitimacy to it - at least in the eyes of a layperson.

I'd love to know what the going rate is for an IMS award ... or do you just have to fly Mr Hassini to some exotic locale to hand you the award in person ? Nice job I suppose - free vacations every other month ...

Have a look at this promo video - http://www.magicims.com/magic_you_can_do.php - the eyebrow wiggle at the end does it for me ;-)

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Re: Pat Fallon wins Merlin Award

Postby Richard Kaufman » September 6th, 2009, 6:35 pm

Criss Angel got a lot of PR mileage out of his multiple awards.
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Re: Pat Fallon wins Merlin Award

Postby Tim Ellis » September 6th, 2009, 7:53 pm

I suppose it's better than making up your own awards... like the Australian magician who even had his own trophy made to put he his stand when he sells his services at tradeshows.

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Re: Pat Fallon wins Merlin Award

Postby Magic Newswire » September 6th, 2009, 8:50 pm

I am bestowing a "Knighthood in the Order of the Servante" to anyone that sponsors the Magic Newswire for one year at $20 per month or better. I'll announce the date and location of the dubbing ceremony at a future time. Fancy sheepskin included.

Current locations for the event under consideration are Monkey's Eyebrow, Arizona - Paradox, Colorado - Asylum, Pennsylvania & Boring, Maryland.

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Re: Pat Fallon wins Merlin Award

Postby IrishMagicNews » September 7th, 2009, 4:36 pm

I don't think any of the award winners are under any illusions. Pat has got some nice TV and Radio spots on the strength of the award which of course will raise his awareness among lay people.
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Re: Pat Fallon wins Merlin Award

Postby Tim Ellis » September 7th, 2009, 6:23 pm

Irish Magician wrote:I don't think any of the award winners are under any illusions. Pat has got some nice TV and Radio spots on the strength of the award which of course will raise his awareness among lay people.



So he is aware it's not a legitimate award? He seemed quite moved in your interview with him...

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Re: Pat Fallon wins Merlin Award

Postby CraigMitchell » September 8th, 2009, 2:08 am

Dodd - maybe you can find out whether any form of remuneration is provided to Tony Hassini in return for the Merlin award ?

I'm fascinated as to how the selection process works.

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Re: Pat Fallon wins Merlin Award

Postby IrishMagicNews » September 8th, 2009, 6:02 am

CraigMitchell wrote:Dodd - maybe you can find out whether any form of remuneration is provided to Tony Hassini in return for the Merlin award ?

I'm fascinated as to how the selection process works.


I have just got off the phone to Pat who assures me the award is not "bought".

From talking to Tony when he was here he said - and I paraphrase here - that alot of people were syaing it was only the Copperfields and Burtons of this world that were receiving it and he wanted to open it up and award the journeyman professionals from varying countries who slog away year in year out.
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Re: Pat Fallon wins Merlin Award

Postby Tim Ellis » September 8th, 2009, 9:20 am

He also said there's a Board of Directors who choose the recipients (who are they) and a banquet where awards are handed out every three years too (where is that held?)

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Re: Pat Fallon wins Merlin Award

Postby Tim Ellis » September 8th, 2009, 9:22 am

BTW, Boris Wild received a Merlin this year anf he too assured me it was not "bought". It was very much out of the blue and he was surprised to get it. Especially as the original title of his Merlin was 'Cabaret Magician of the Year'. (It has since changed to 'Most Original Close Up Magic').

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Re: Pat Fallon wins Merlin Award

Postby IrishMagicNews » September 8th, 2009, 10:14 am

Tim Ellis wrote:He also said there's a Board of Directors who choose the recipients (who are they) and a banquet where awards are handed out every three years too (where is that held?)

Tim if your asking those questions of me I have no idea, I just report the news.

Tim Ellis wrote:So he is aware it's not a legitimate award? He seemed quite moved in your interview with him...

I think Pat was genuinly happy he received the award. As I previously alluded to - the publicity he received on TV and Radio could simply not be bought and it enabled him to almost sell out a theatre show he put on last Sunday.

Pat is a previouS winner of The Brittish Magical Championships and a MIMC with Gold Star. It's not like he needs to prove himself to the magic fraternity.

The reason I started this thread wasn't to debate the merits of such an award or the IMS. Everyone will have their own opinions on any awards ceremony and it's merits.

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Re: Pat Fallon wins Merlin Award

Postby Timothy Drake » September 8th, 2009, 10:46 am

I can tell you that the award IS bought. Pat might not have bought it but someone did for him. An agent maybe?

I know people who have bought these. I know them well and trust them when they tell me they have bought them. I won't reveal the names of those people because they don't want to go on public exposing the award as a fake when so many of their professional friends are using it in promotional material these days.

Strange how these awards are supposed to be given out during a dinner but they end up being awarded year round. Must have a lot of dinners I guess.

These awards seem to be handed out around the same time someone opens a show??????? How is that when the dinner is every 3 years?

Some of the recipients are a joke. One of the worst magic builders in the industry just got one for being " illusion builder of the year". When a show opened in Vegas with an Amateur as the star ... as amazing as it sounds .. She won for Female Illusionist of the Year" I think the show had been open a few months only before that happened. Hmmmmmmm? The show closed soon after because she was in fact amateur at stage craft.

I of course expect those who have one to deny they paid for it. BUT someone DID. This award is bought.. plain and simple.

Best,

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Re: Pat Fallon wins Merlin Award

Postby IrishMagicNews » September 8th, 2009, 12:18 pm

Tim,

While Pat works through a lot of event companies he does not have a designated agaent or manager. I cannnot speak for past or future recipients but as God is my witness neither Pat nor anyone assosiated with him paid for this award.

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Re: Pat Fallon wins Merlin Award

Postby Timothy Drake » September 8th, 2009, 12:51 pm

Hi Brendan,

It is not my intent to call you a liar. I believe you when you say you know of no one paying for Pats award. Please believe me however when I say I DO know friends who have paid for them.

It could have be simply an anonymous friend. The Walk of Fame works the same way. Anyone ( agent, fan or friend) can purchase a star on the walk of fame for a price. The only stipulation is that the star being honored must attend the photo op.

Best,

Tim

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Re: Pat Fallon wins Merlin Award

Postby Magic Newswire » September 8th, 2009, 1:11 pm

Don't have a Merlin for your shelf? Why not set your own "World Record!"

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Re: Pat Fallon wins Merlin Award

Postby IrishMagicNews » September 8th, 2009, 1:16 pm

Tim I believe you absolutely.

Unfortunatley if someone now searches for Pat's name and the Award name this thread comes up. It is misleading as some of the comments here might lead one to believe that Pat is not a top class act, which he is. This thread could be interpreted as "any old crap act can buy this award" While I amn't familiar with many of the past recipients acts I bet there mostly good acts.

As the one who started this thread I feel responsible.
Irrespective of whether this award is usually bought or not it makes Pat no less of an act.

I feel a bit like I'm fighting someone elses arguement here. All I really wanted to do was promote Pat and his show and hopefully further the international awareness of Irish magic and show Irish Magic doesn't begin and end with Keith Barry.

Brendan

ps Tim, I have read you on here and the cafe over the years and find your posts informatitive, constructive, educated and prgressive.
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Re: Pat Fallon wins Merlin Award

Postby Timothy Drake » September 8th, 2009, 1:33 pm

Hi Brendan,

You make a very good point. Its sort of like exposure isn't it. This is a public forum so maybe I should keep such discussion among friends and not make it public.

It would suck to have Pats talents ( or any others) that have earned him success be questioned because of an internet search related to the Merlin. I will bow out of adding the a thread that might cause any such harm.

All my best,

Tim

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Re: Pat Fallon wins Merlin Award

Postby IrishMagicNews » September 8th, 2009, 1:49 pm

Tim you are indeed a gentleman.

Regards

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Re: Pat Fallon wins Merlin Award

Postby Brad Henderson » September 8th, 2009, 2:23 pm

I believe Keith Barry spoke very positively and at length about the role Pat played in his own growth and success. Perhaps Keith bought it for him?

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Re: Pat Fallon wins Merlin Award

Postby Matthew Field » September 9th, 2009, 4:46 am

Brad, stop it! You're killin' me!

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Re: Pat Fallon wins Merlin Award

Postby CraigMitchell » September 25th, 2009, 4:15 am

Seems the Vegas press aren't fooled by the Merlin Awards either:

"... Italian magician Antonio Casanova already slipped in last weekend, with an Interstate 15 billboard but nary a listings notice for our Neon showguide.

A YouTube promotional video calls Casanova "the only magician who performs the water torture cell every night."

Casanova, meet Scarlett!

The video also touts the Merlin Awards, which are handed out by a frizzy-haired Marty Allen look-alike named Tony Hassini.

Casanova, meet every other magician in town!

"The Evocative Illusionist" is described as a pianist and opera singer, which does leave some room for originality. The video shows him floating up from a grand piano and playing it in midair ..."

http://www.lvrj.com/neon/construction-- ... 22567.html


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