10%

"And the audience loves me.
And I love them.
and they love me for loving them... and I love them for lovin' me.
and we love each other... and that's because none of us
Got enuff love in our childhoods.
And that's show biz... kid."

The first act I do in my show here in Vegas was inspired from a certain scene in a movie. A lot of performers have been influenced from various media throughout their lives. From Alice Cooper to Devo. (the band, not the guy with the sword.)

I speak about stepping out of yer comfort zone by going to places you normally wouldn't. This goes for watching and listening to stuff too. Artsy movies and musicals usually have some great visuals and staging. Sometimes, the choreography itself could be the makings of a great act.... with a few prop changes.

So pay attention to things you might not usually. You might just find an answer to the presentation you been looking for.

And all that jazz...

Bizzaro.

Penultimate...

Funny things, most people don't know what this word means. Most times it is used to describe the best or final version of something. Funny thing is it means the NEXT to last. In a way, magic is very much like this. The best of the best version of an effect comes out and then something better crests the hill and previous effect then becomes the penultimate version.

Why do I bring this up? Well because sometimes a previous version of something is the better one. Improving upon something does not always mean better *koff*WiNdOwSvIsTa*koff*. Personally I feel that in most respects, (in regards to audience impact, not magician preference), there are some versions of an effect that will never be topped or needs be modified.

I thought about this while watching some of the Total Astonishment DVD set. (Which I will reserve opinion for until I am done seeing all of it, but so far... I'm not impressed) On some of the disc's there have been "upgrades" of effects from Harris' AoA books. Some of them were not necessary or really that good. On one of the discs there is a version of Reset. Quite frankly I think the best version of reset EVER is R. Paul Wilson's Ricochet. Sure being able to do some sort of reset effect thru sleight of hand is cool and all, but when you want a slap in the face with yer nether-regions to yer audience, then there is nothing better.

Magic is full of stuff like this. It always will be. Don't believe the hype that some new so-and-so in bottle is any better than yer tried and true quarter in bottle that you got for 10$ at the local brick and mortar, non-corporate magic shop. So here are my thoughts and a word for the day. I hope you learned something.

Next time, we will study coitus interruptus.

Bizzaro.

Ever get the feeling of Vu ja de?

Something you wish never did happen? I know every time I see linking rings come out I feel that way. Well apparently I am not alone. Click on This and then scroll down and select "Why must we repeat ourselves."

Listen, laugh, learn.

Bizzaro.

The soul of wit...

Magicians sure know how to DRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAG things out don't they? Now I don't just refer to the cross-dressing types here, I mean everyone. Not only with magic either. Bitching and moaning on websites are prime fare for the proficient armchair magi.

Of course there are those who can use that to their advantage. The king of this of course is Steve Fearson. He can spin hate into gold. However when it comes to magic effects, we just love to marvel at our own magnificence on stage. How many times have you seen a dancing cane routine that would have been much improved by cutting it down to about 30 seconds? How about card manipulation or linking rings or... well most anything considered a "classic". I have said this before and I will repeat it until people start listening. Just because you know every move with a prop, doesn't mean you should DO IT!!

I leave you with a quote - "A lot of magicians have a great 10 minute act, unfortunately it takes them 45 minutes to do it" - Elwood Rabbit

Staple this to yer forehead....

Bizzaro.

Doth mein ears deceive me?

I believe a very underused principle in magic is that of the auditory nature. I don't just mean stuff like the click pass and Gertner's Steel and Silver routine. I mean letting the effect really sink in by showing something supremely solid
and have weight. A good example is the video below.



Yes... I am a whore. Why do you ask?

Regardless, this effect is NOTHING without tapping the card on something or, ideally, dropping it onto a hard surface. (Of which none were available for this video) It's the noise that really fools them. How does it fool them? Simple. People make assumptions. They see it LOOKS like wood and you might say it is, but they don't fully believe it until they HEAR it's wood. There are a few magical items like this out there, that need to be seen to be believed.

A prime example is the Heavy Deck that has been released and knocked off. A huge hunk of metal that looks like a deck of cards, for those who don't know. A card is selected, then found, and then the deck is handed out and found to weigh a fuckton. The rub in this effect is that you drop the deck onto a surface first, especially if you are performing it for a group of people. With one person, you can get away with dropping it into their hand. It will lose some punch, but it becomes more intimate with one person, so the rules change a bit.

If you are however doing this effect for skads of people, dropping it on a table is a MUST as everyone will turn their head as they can't believe what they heard. This is an effect where assumption is reversed. They don't believe what they just heard. Maybe it was you hitting the table or just them having a lapse of hammer and anvil oddity. They will then want, nay HAVE to pick it up to see. When they now feel how heavy it is, they will be fully astounded.

There are a lot of great ways to use audio to your advantage for not only magic but also comedy. We have five senses, let's use them all. I know some of you might be senseless, but in the long run, it only makes sense. If yer lucky it might just make you some dollars and cents. So don't be shy, let em' hear yah commin'.

Aural sex: It's your friend.

Bizzaro.

Play with my....

So I was at the World Magic Seminar this last week. A great time to see old friends, make new ones, and generally embed oneself into magic kinda like.. well.. this.

If magic conventions have taught me ANYTHING, it's that you can do magic with anything. In magic I have seen everything from CD's to spoons to candles appear and disappear and even multiply at will. Last year a kid made card boxes appear at his fingertips. Compact Discs have become all the rage in the last decade as it's a far easier medium to hide in your hands than say... 8 tracks.

This year saw the return of someone I had met last year who had a good act then and this year took second (Who will now be a force to be reckoned with when he moves to the adult realm). His act consisted of bringing about ipod's to the magic stage. Hell even the winner of the International competition was a guy who multiplied cell phones between his fingers. No small feat indeed.

This brings up a good question tho'. To win at a magic competition, do you HAVE to manipulate something? Not necessarily, but let's face it. You see a guy producing CD's and mirror balls and whatnot and all you have is linking rings, yer screwed. However, if yer going head to head manipulation, and your act has a story structure and even subtext mixed with skill, you will kill every time.

The real challenge is making that same act enjoyable to not only magicians, but to non-magi's as well. If you ask me, I'd rather work in the real world.

They need the fantasy more.

Bizzaro.