I can't look away...

Laid back...

We rely on card tricks too much. There I said it.

There is a lot of card magic out there.. and why not? They are portable and there are so many options literally at our finger tips. However, for as much card magic as there is... there is very little good card magic.

Oh but I hear you bemoan, "My card tricks are good. My mother tells me so!" yes yes that's all fine and good, but really. Think about how many BAD card tricks you have seen compared to how many actually looked and felt like magic.

Card tricks can be inelegant. A throw away if you will. However they can be amazing and memorable. It's when we stop relying on them as a crutch, onl then can we focus on the good stuff.

Here is an exercise: Try to create 15-20 minutes of magic with ONLY one card trick in the entire set. (None would be preferable but I'm not that mean) We get lazy and sloppy when we create because it's just SO... DAMN... EASY to plug a deck of cards into an idea. How about this... instead of someone picking a card, why not have them select a soda can? Need to force something? Try a book with pictures in it. Let the cards inspire you but then look beyond what they are and what your magic could be.

Oh and as for that one card effect I allowed you? It better be damn good. I don't wanna see an ace assembly in there or some half-assed card force revelation. I want to see something unique. Something that fits who YOU are. It's not that hard. You just have to think about it. Look outside the magic world for your answer. it's there. You just have to search for it....

I will however permit an invisible deck. That's just good magic.

Slow magicians at play...

For those of you who know the more recent trends of the Asian magicians to be speed demons with their magic it's nice to see one slow down to Shimada-like proportions.

What's in a name?

,In today's magic marketplace there are many factors that will make or break your product sales. One is a good demo of course. The other is to make sure any video looks like it was shot competently (even if it wasn't). A big one of course is the product name.

There are some tricks with some terrible and/or unoriginal names. Much like promo material, you want something that will draw them in to see more. On top of that, do your research for previously used product names. Someone could look for your item, find someone else's that sucked and think it's yours. Now two people have lost out on a sale. You and the person who was going to lose it anyway.

When picking a name make sure it's something YOU like as well. You will be stuck with it the rest of your life if it's a hit. You don't want to be like the Goo Goo Dolls do you? So get creative and do your homework. People will show their appreciation by buying your products.

You don't want to be left with a bunch of these laying around do you?

The wrong company...

Here is a fun fact you might not know. Corporations don't care about you.

Do you know why someone incorporates? So if they screw up, the corporation takes it in the ass and not the person running it. They are not held accountable. (usually)

Here is another tidbit. They are in it only for the money. This holds true everywhere including magic. Theory 11, Ellusionist, Penguin, Murphy's and most any big time magic retailer, they are all out to get your money. Have been since day one. They don't care how good your magic is. They don't give a fuck about your "art". They want your money. They will be nice to you so they can take advantage of you. When you have outlived your usefulness they will move on to the next bigger and better thing.

You.... are... expendable.

PERIOD.

Oh sure they can spin it anyway they like. "We help the community, we give them what they want. We help blah blah blah" It's all two-faced BS. So why not stop giving these ass clowns your money and spend that money making yourself a better performer? BUYING THE NEWEST MAGIC DOESN'T MAKE YOU AN ARTIST.

Don't get me wrong. There are many fine tricks released by individuals who truly want to contribute with something unique and supplement their lives a little bit when things are slow. Support the little guy and go right to the source and buy from the creators. Don't support the worshipers of mammon any longer. (Sorry I have read too much Hellblazer lately I think)

Oh sure, you will read this and think "That's cute. The angry magician is ranting again. I wonder what's on Netflix." Well that's fine. This is my place to vent and always has been but hopefully this will reach someone's ear and enlighten their brains.

I gotta be me.

I'm chargin' mah Laser!!

Ok so I just saw this on the big green machine and quite frankly I am a bit pissed off.

As someone who creates magic I don't like to see other performers with unique aspects to their act ripped off. Theo Dari was (and is) the original Laser Man. A few people have ripped him off since he appeared, but this is a DIRECT insult. The fact this a-hole admits it's part of a bootlegged act is just appalling. Selling it is even worse.

The reason I bring this up is to spread the word NOT to support or buy this. Aside from the obvious, it looks like crap and obvious. If you watch the REAL Laser Man act, you can see how sad an imitation this other guy is.

If you see anyone wanting to buy this trick, shy them away from it. If YOU buy it I will find you and put my foot where the laser beams don't shine.

Support artists who work hard... or else.