If you think the torn and restore newspaper involves too much preparation consider Richard Osterlind’s Torn and Restored Post-It note or the Torn and Restored Cigarette paper. There are many sources for the latter, but the work done by Martin Lewis is the best in my opinion.
January 26, 2008 By Leave a Comment
We’ve added the Dilbert…
January 25, 2008 By 6 Comments
AND…. My pants have disappeared
It’s certainly no surprise that Jim Coles at the Unexpected Wonders blog has written another insightful and intelligent post called Avoiding Confusion. 
Jim has hit on one of my favorite themes and one so frequently overlooked by magicians. You know the tricks I’m talking about – your card is the Jack of clubs – which now has a blue back AND now I’m wearing no pants! Huh?!?!
Think of the magicians that made it – especially among layman. Those that became popular because of their magic, generally did so because they practiced effect clarity. Never a doubt about what they did. As an example, take Michael Ammar. He made his reputation on the floating dollar bill, coins through silk, card on ceiling etc. Every effect easily described in a brief sentence or two. [Read more...]
January 22, 2008 By 2 Comments
Two down and 363 to…
January 20, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Bore me once – shame on you
Many years ago, there was a Dean Martin (or Friar’s Club) roast of Johnny Carson. The details escape me, but I vividly recall one of Carson’s come backs at the end of the roast.
One of the Presenters was the great Don Rickles and he had killed Carson – he was at his best. Carson’s comeback was simple:
I’ve always enjoyed Don’s joke.
I feel that way every time I listen to Eugene Burger or watch one of his DVDs. I know it’s not MC (magically correct) to question Mr. Burger, as he has become an icon and the godfather of magic presentation, but I find most of the stuff he does mind numbingly dull.
Light some incense – light a candle – tell some relevant story….. Yawn!
I’ve read his book, seen his DVD and lecture. That’s enough for one lifetime.
Take care………
January 20, 2008 By Leave a Comment
The really incredible…
January 15, 2008 By 3 Comments
The Dick that broke the Genii’s back?
It’s now old news, but on 1/13/2008 at 12:20 PM Richard Kaufman announced that the Genii Forum would no longer be public, but available to subscribers only. He’s given nothing but vague reasons from what I’ve read – it’s his forum and he’s free to do with it as he pleases. Non-subscribers will be able to view but not post.
I’ve been very impressed with his very noble attempts to treat those that buy Genii at a magic shop fairly. I don’t know him, but I suspicion he has a very high level of integrity. I just wish he weren’t so publicly crabby. I can’t believe that’s good for business.
OK – call this pure speculation, because that is what it is, but on the same day Kaufman made the announcement, he published this Apology to Thomas Wayne earlier in ther day:
In a now-deleted thread I made several remarks concerning Thomas Wayne. One of these was that he threatened a moderator on this Forum via e-mail. Unfortunately the hard drive on the computer on which this e-mail was stored has crashed, so we no longer have the e-mails to prove it. Subsequently I deleted that portion of my message.
However, I also stated that Thomas Wayne is “mentally ill.” Since I am not a trained health care professional, I cannot use that phrase since it insinuates a trained opinion.
Thomas Wayne’s ill-mannered behavior resulted in his expulsion from the Genii Forum, so you may draw your own conclusions from that.
Coincidence?
Take care………
Are we afraid to work?
We also discussed the various no tear versions and quick reset versions like the Bauer and Baxt variants. From my perspective, these are just poor imitations and you are better off not doing a newspaper tear than using these. I know, I know they reset so quickly and the Anderson tear is so much work. Yeah it takes some time in preparation and more practice than most realize, but don’t you want to give your audience your best?
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