In your FACE!!

I recently removed a video from my Youtube channel. (No that's not news.) Not only was it on a dated video format, not only was it filmed in my living room, but it didn't show one important thing... my damn face.

We all know YT is chocked to death with crotch shots of magicians of varying ages showing off their headless magic. If you find yourself looking left and right after reading that sentence you might just need this bit of advice.

Rework your routines to be done up by your face. Simple as that. You are selling yourself not your skill. I have new for you there are plenty of skilled people out there and they dress better and don't live with their parents. You better be willing to stand out. Does the trick HAVE to be done looking down? Then at least start and end with your head. That way we know there is a personality attached to those hairy palms.

Let them see your bright smile! (unless you have a jacked up grill then just smirk a little) If you happen to be fugly then take a note from John Merrick.

We'll be glad you did.

Say Anything

There isn't just ONE secret to comedy. Some will say timing but that is just one of the tools at yer disposal. I have talked about ways to create while in the moment. One of the things that helps this along is a grasp of improv. Improv itself has a few extra rules but one that stretches across both genres of magic and comedy is don't be afraid to say anything!

Sometimes you just have to throw caution to the wind and let your mind wander and let your mouth follow. Not everything that falls out of it will be golden, but you'd be surprised what can happen when you just say whatever pops into your head.

This is a great way to build up a rolodex of mental lines and create pure moments of "you had to be there" comedy. The more organic and off the cuff it feels the more they will enjoy not only you but that specific show. When you realize that you can go off-script whenever it suits you and you are invincible, the more your presentations will seem genuine.

Those who keep coming back to see you will appreciate it even more when they feel they are seeing a different show each time.

Now get off my lawn.

Stand firm...

What do some magicians believe in more than money? Head over to www.Bizzaromatic.com to find out.

Damn the pusher man...

I am not sure what cracks me up more in this video. The magician trying to give kids drugs or the kid who somehow knows everything about them...

Box... of... awesome...

I was just perusing the Cafe (My fault I know) in the new releases section. I think I counted the word "box" 5 times in two pages. Holy crap people!! Why are we still making box magic? I can forgive card boxes because what the hell else are they gonna come it? (Hey hand me my card envelope please)

Yes most things come in boxes but don't we have enough problems in magic without adding to it some nondescript cube that no one has ever seen before? Hell let's just paint some Chinese characters on it and be done with it all.

I dunno, maybe it's just too early.

Look over there!

For those of you who might be interested or amused, I have a new journal ranting about the issues I face when making websites. It's called Angry Web Design.

Feel free to follow it if you like coarse language and technical jargon. Otherwise keep just reading this one...

which is also filled with coarse language and technical jargon.

Nightmare in magic land...

I just got done watching the second half of a bio about the history of the Nightmare on Elm Street films. (If you don't know what I am talking about, leave this page, go to Wikipedia, and slap yourself.)

I have a firm belief that a lot of filmmakers who were once so great and are not so much now is because they no longer have to work out problems. Much like in magic, to be more creative, you have to have obstacles to work around to create. Now they can just "do it in post" which makes for lazy films and visuals.

The same happens in magic but not in the way of CGI but a bank account. Magicians who tend to start with money (not their own mind you but mommy and daddy's) don't have to work for their art. They can fall back on whatever prop they desire and not create their own persona/effects/venues. This makes for mediocre magic and lackluster performances.

When all you have to work with is cardboard boxes, some duct tape, and a handful of friends you'd be surprised what you can pull out of your ass (especially if you have a deadline). So my advice to anyone reading this who is just sailing through life on someone else's checkbook is to resist the urg to buy your job title and actually work for it. Spend that money on things you need to MAKE your props.

You'll be glad you did.

Elementary...

Ok so I know a lot of you amateur magicians are also amateur filmmakers now. What with the technology being so affordable and your parents checkbook being so easily accessible. (because who the hell uses checks anymore right?)

Well for those of you wanting some inspiration other than the over done E! and T11 style of filming might I suggest you watch the newest episode of the BBC program Sherlock (And all the others too.)

They use some very simple techniques to make something that is enjoyable to watch and very immersive. Take your magic videos up a notch by NOT DOING ANYTHING THE OTHER MAGICIANS ARE DOING!!

Now bugger off...

Words of wisdom...

From a friend - "I never noticed how facepalm inducing magicians are". We're looking at you Zak.