Hey kids!! Well no one has won the contest... which sucks cuz' I want someone to win so very much. However I am going to Nawlins' this week to do some street magic and have fun. When I come back we shall have the FINAL (And this time I mean it) clue. Redemption is at hand!! Until then keep tabs on our goings on @ http://www.nolamagic.blogspot.com
This sentence is not a clue... or is it?
Bizzaro.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
Clarification..
Got an email from a nice individual today: Bizzaro, I'm a young magician who think that your cloth thru hand trick is really amazing! But then I heard that you might take it to the grave because no one knows how you do it! You should sell the trick on dvd, you'd make alot of money!
My reply centered around the idea of I remember a time when magicians had signature effects and they KEPT them. Norm Nielsen hasn't sold his floating violin (Yet). McBRide doesn't sell "Official Jeff McBride masks (Yet). The world has changed quite a bit sadly. People sell off routines and tricks they developed for their act to people who do not share the same character or motivation.
Sure I could probably bank on it being sold, but then I couldn't do it anymore. You don't have to be the best people have seen... just the FIRST. Because then, if they ever see someone else doing the same effect its all like, "I saw this other guy do this before" in the crowd.
It's better to have some secrets in this world. Some things are more important than money... but you'd never know it by looking at magic on the internet. Sometimes the problem with doing the right thing...
is you do it by yourself.
Bizzaro.
My reply centered around the idea of I remember a time when magicians had signature effects and they KEPT them. Norm Nielsen hasn't sold his floating violin (Yet). McBRide doesn't sell "Official Jeff McBride masks (Yet). The world has changed quite a bit sadly. People sell off routines and tricks they developed for their act to people who do not share the same character or motivation.
Sure I could probably bank on it being sold, but then I couldn't do it anymore. You don't have to be the best people have seen... just the FIRST. Because then, if they ever see someone else doing the same effect its all like, "I saw this other guy do this before" in the crowd.
It's better to have some secrets in this world. Some things are more important than money... but you'd never know it by looking at magic on the internet. Sometimes the problem with doing the right thing...
is you do it by yourself.
Bizzaro.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
REPENT!!
Ok so as promised, albeit a bit late, your chance at the MuThErLoDe contest YET again!! Below is a clue as to what I am looking for. However I refuse to make this stuff easy on you. If you want clues left in photos or books you won't find them here. Instead I make you work hard for the money.. so hard for it honey. You have until Monday. Have fun.
You'll need it.
Bizzaro.
You'll need it.
Bizzaro.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Mucho Thanxo...
As a special thanx to the long-time readers of this journal (And you late comers who just recently started reading) I have a special gift. I did my first magic lecture last week. (In the new format. I did one once before, but it was merely a test beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep)
Before the gift I do want to talk a bit about a way to improve anything and everything you do. it's one simple word. Very easy. Saves a lot of time in the long run. Ready for it? It's called... Research. I don't mean looking up the history of a trick or some shit like that. I mean yah that helps but I mean asking questions. If it's for a trick, ask people... friends, family, complete STRANGERS even. Find out if they saw anything or if they liked it or whatnot. It's ok. They won't think less of you. If it's for a book or, in my case, a lecture then find out what people like. What they like to see. Formats that are preferred. You don't HAVE to adhere to it, but get some insight.
In my case I found out people like free crap at lectures. (Buncha cheap bastards magicians are) So I got to thinking what I could give out. Magic is full of tricks, (I don't mean your ex-girlfriend. I mean magic.), so I didn't feel the need to flood the market with that. I feel magic needs more people with open eyes and I am all for helping jam them babies open like that one scene in A Clockwork Orange (Just without the Beethoven music). Not just takers but contributors. People willing to go that extra distance and further the art. Make it something to be proud of again. Face it we are all champions of a lost cause. (Then again, isn't everybody in some way or another?)
Regardless, I decided to give out a set of notes on creativity, character, and routining. The thoughts are nothing loyal followers of this journal wouldn't already have heard before, but now they are in a handy dandy printable format. So, for those who want them I have The Reality Bubble in pdf format for download for FREE!!
Who do you love and who loves you?
Bizzaro.
Before the gift I do want to talk a bit about a way to improve anything and everything you do. it's one simple word. Very easy. Saves a lot of time in the long run. Ready for it? It's called... Research. I don't mean looking up the history of a trick or some shit like that. I mean yah that helps but I mean asking questions. If it's for a trick, ask people... friends, family, complete STRANGERS even. Find out if they saw anything or if they liked it or whatnot. It's ok. They won't think less of you. If it's for a book or, in my case, a lecture then find out what people like. What they like to see. Formats that are preferred. You don't HAVE to adhere to it, but get some insight.
In my case I found out people like free crap at lectures. (Buncha cheap bastards magicians are) So I got to thinking what I could give out. Magic is full of tricks, (I don't mean your ex-girlfriend. I mean magic.), so I didn't feel the need to flood the market with that. I feel magic needs more people with open eyes and I am all for helping jam them babies open like that one scene in A Clockwork Orange (Just without the Beethoven music). Not just takers but contributors. People willing to go that extra distance and further the art. Make it something to be proud of again. Face it we are all champions of a lost cause. (Then again, isn't everybody in some way or another?)
Regardless, I decided to give out a set of notes on creativity, character, and routining. The thoughts are nothing loyal followers of this journal wouldn't already have heard before, but now they are in a handy dandy printable format. So, for those who want them I have The Reality Bubble in pdf format for download for FREE!!
Who do you love and who loves you?
Bizzaro.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Placeholder...
Just to let you know I have not had constant net access and have been very busy with prepping for shows and lectures. I will post something of substance here soon.... until then:
This will suffice
Bizzaro.
This will suffice
Bizzaro.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Handsome Jack likes Watersports....
Ok ok I know I was supposed to give you guys another chance at that contest thing. Sorry been busy. Was in Californication. So I will regale you with that and try to get to the contest thing sometime this week.
First lemme tell you a story - A year or so back I went into Hollywood Magic and asked them, as a joke, if they had "that book on the razor blades. I think it's called Helter Shelter?" The guy behind the counter, without missing a beat or batting an eyelash replies, "Sorry, it's out of print". Well that was news to me. I just laughed cuz' I didna have the heart to tell him I knew better.
So a few days later I decided to take one of the books I had and slip it in with the rest of their reading material. I've done this a few times since just to amuse myself. This last trip I decided to add Helter Shelter: The Movie to their shelves. It's my secret hope someone keeps bringing this stuff up to the counter and they're all like, "Where the hell does this stuff keep coming from!?" So if yer in the LA/Hollywood area, go in there and pick it up. If they charge you more than 30$ for it, laugh and say you can get it cheaper elsewhere.
Since that was prolly the last time I am gonna do that, I decided to let the secret out to amuse you.. my loyal readers. (Waves to all of you as I am pretty sure the number of people who read this could fit in a small car)
Aaaaaaaanywho, On to the Magic Castle - It was a good night. I have learned, if yer a magician, go there on a Sunday or Wednesday. It's a better time to socialize and see the shows as it's not AS full of drunk idiots. Saw many fine performers. One such had a finale that is.. well hard to describe. Randy Cabral did things with paddle balls that have to be seen to be believed. The MC was spot on, but thaz because it was Simon Lovell. A friend to us here and lemmings everywhere. The closer in the Palace was an illusionist named Anthony Reed. He did something amazing for an illusionist. He came across as a likable guy with a personality. He had a few technical stuff ups, but only things a magician would notice. I enjoyed his performance. (If his name sounds familiar he was America's Got Talent a while back)
I also met a very tall gentleman who had a great character. His name is Phil Van Tee. His delivery was of a sort that when he threw out anything off-colour it was funnier than normal cuz' he countenance didn't suggest he would do it. It's a beautiful thing to see. (Especially at the Castle)
The only other performer I saw was Fitzgerald. (Part of the unholy three who performs regularly at the castle) His humor was VERY non-sequiter. The magic was pretty standard, but it's the presentations that made it good. A mean a rope trick done in spanish? Hilarity!
Right, I'm done for now. I'll be back soon to fill your heads with mindless drivel and useless contests. Hopefully we can get our website back up and running again soon.
Blame Canada!
Bizzaro.
First lemme tell you a story - A year or so back I went into Hollywood Magic and asked them, as a joke, if they had "that book on the razor blades. I think it's called Helter Shelter?" The guy behind the counter, without missing a beat or batting an eyelash replies, "Sorry, it's out of print". Well that was news to me. I just laughed cuz' I didna have the heart to tell him I knew better.
So a few days later I decided to take one of the books I had and slip it in with the rest of their reading material. I've done this a few times since just to amuse myself. This last trip I decided to add Helter Shelter: The Movie to their shelves. It's my secret hope someone keeps bringing this stuff up to the counter and they're all like, "Where the hell does this stuff keep coming from!?" So if yer in the LA/Hollywood area, go in there and pick it up. If they charge you more than 30$ for it, laugh and say you can get it cheaper elsewhere.
Since that was prolly the last time I am gonna do that, I decided to let the secret out to amuse you.. my loyal readers. (Waves to all of you as I am pretty sure the number of people who read this could fit in a small car)
Aaaaaaaanywho, On to the Magic Castle - It was a good night. I have learned, if yer a magician, go there on a Sunday or Wednesday. It's a better time to socialize and see the shows as it's not AS full of drunk idiots. Saw many fine performers. One such had a finale that is.. well hard to describe. Randy Cabral did things with paddle balls that have to be seen to be believed. The MC was spot on, but thaz because it was Simon Lovell. A friend to us here and lemmings everywhere. The closer in the Palace was an illusionist named Anthony Reed. He did something amazing for an illusionist. He came across as a likable guy with a personality. He had a few technical stuff ups, but only things a magician would notice. I enjoyed his performance. (If his name sounds familiar he was America's Got Talent a while back)
I also met a very tall gentleman who had a great character. His name is Phil Van Tee. His delivery was of a sort that when he threw out anything off-colour it was funnier than normal cuz' he countenance didn't suggest he would do it. It's a beautiful thing to see. (Especially at the Castle)
The only other performer I saw was Fitzgerald. (Part of the unholy three who performs regularly at the castle) His humor was VERY non-sequiter. The magic was pretty standard, but it's the presentations that made it good. A mean a rope trick done in spanish? Hilarity!
Right, I'm done for now. I'll be back soon to fill your heads with mindless drivel and useless contests. Hopefully we can get our website back up and running again soon.
Blame Canada!
Bizzaro.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Meh...
So I survived 2008 I think. A lot of folks do their "End of the Year" review. I however think I shall do an End of the WORLD review.
So I've only been alive for 20.. something years. I've been in magic for more of those then I can count on the extremities on my body. (you figure it out) With the alien motherships hovering overhead, I figured the LAST thing I wanted to do was leave a blog post about magic online.
I remember magic when I was a kid. I was David Copperfield. That was IT!! He lasted for 15 years strong. (many of us thought he should have retired and done the odd rolling stones comeback tour kinda thing buuut noooooooo. He's a jew and therefore demands cash. But I digress) Then came the World's Greatest Magic for 5 years. Oh happy days for those of us who were born stage performers. Even the close up magic was on a stage in front of a large crowd. (like a lot of magic conventions. Someone explain that to me please...)
The 90's was a heyday for magic on TV.. that is until the Asshat messed it all up. Now we had street magic AND the internet. Magic shops online were poipping up everywhere like the weeds they were. Ellusionist was ripping people off on a much LARGER scale than any brick and mortar shop ever did. Stage props were sitting on shelves collecting dust. It was a sad time. Then came the Mindflake. (If he was a fish, he'd be the Mindfluke) He was a washed up 80's rocker who wanted some of that David Blaine money.
As 2007 was gearing down, people like Criss Fishing Rod and the Asshat were losing momentum. Online magic shops had platued in their popularity and stage magic was on TV again. You Tube was a place to see headless ass clowns expose sleights and their ineptitude for entertainment. Now you could skip the local magic club to see the same stuff at home and NOT have to talk to them directly. (Kinda like my friend's dating life)
Websites like Theory 11 and bunnyboycollective popped up. Trying to innovate an already desolate wasteland of magic on the int4rwebz. Problem is, we're all just magicians and some of us forget our place in the universe as a bit part.
It's now 2008 and we're all going to die or be slaves for some alien race. I know no one will find this as their death rays will destroy all technology (even the stuff the gubment has hidden keeping track of us all). So it was a long strange trip and I never got to see Paris... outside of Texas that is.
Maybe the Aliens need a court Jester. I could always apply for the job before they fire their las
So I've only been alive for 20.. something years. I've been in magic for more of those then I can count on the extremities on my body. (you figure it out) With the alien motherships hovering overhead, I figured the LAST thing I wanted to do was leave a blog post about magic online.
I remember magic when I was a kid. I was David Copperfield. That was IT!! He lasted for 15 years strong. (many of us thought he should have retired and done the odd rolling stones comeback tour kinda thing buuut noooooooo. He's a jew and therefore demands cash. But I digress) Then came the World's Greatest Magic for 5 years. Oh happy days for those of us who were born stage performers. Even the close up magic was on a stage in front of a large crowd. (like a lot of magic conventions. Someone explain that to me please...)
The 90's was a heyday for magic on TV.. that is until the Asshat messed it all up. Now we had street magic AND the internet. Magic shops online were poipping up everywhere like the weeds they were. Ellusionist was ripping people off on a much LARGER scale than any brick and mortar shop ever did. Stage props were sitting on shelves collecting dust. It was a sad time. Then came the Mindflake. (If he was a fish, he'd be the Mindfluke) He was a washed up 80's rocker who wanted some of that David Blaine money.
As 2007 was gearing down, people like Criss Fishing Rod and the Asshat were losing momentum. Online magic shops had platued in their popularity and stage magic was on TV again. You Tube was a place to see headless ass clowns expose sleights and their ineptitude for entertainment. Now you could skip the local magic club to see the same stuff at home and NOT have to talk to them directly. (Kinda like my friend's dating life)
Websites like Theory 11 and bunnyboycollective popped up. Trying to innovate an already desolate wasteland of magic on the int4rwebz. Problem is, we're all just magicians and some of us forget our place in the universe as a bit part.
It's now 2008 and we're all going to die or be slaves for some alien race. I know no one will find this as their death rays will destroy all technology (even the stuff the gubment has hidden keeping track of us all). So it was a long strange trip and I never got to see Paris... outside of Texas that is.
Maybe the Aliens need a court Jester. I could always apply for the job before they fire their las
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