It's like they read my mind...

And by mind I mean the Magic Cafe...

Almost like magic...

I wonder if this is how some people feel when we try to show them a trick we "invented".

He's not heavy, he's my table...

Ok I want to have a very Frank discussion. It's about Losander's floating table. I know you do it. Don't try to hide it. It's ok, I know it's easy, amazing, and readily accessible. I know you don't think you need to do anything with it right out of the box and that it seems to be one of those "self-working" effects you hear so much about on the news nowadays.

I have some notes...

I'm not going to start out by saying, "Stop doing it!!!" (I'm going to end that way) However I would like to point out that I am sick of seeing it done with no kind of thinking behind it or customization. The two best FT I have seen are done by the guy who created it and Dan Sperry. Losander because, well he invented it, and Sperry because he treats the table like it's a cumbersome heavy object, made it match his look and gave it his own motivation. (Also he does the turn around move off to the side which looks less awkward)

So how do we fix yours? Well we can start with the easy stuff. The look. I'm not saying you should revamp the paint job (even though that wouldn't hurt). All it would really take is to have the table cloth remade to match your own personal look. Take it to someone who knows how to sew and have it recreated in a fabric that matches the rest of your props.

Speaking of the rest of your props, if you have the table on stage with a bunch of other tables you better have a DAMN GOOD EXCUSE as to why you are not floating those other tables too. Don't just pull the table out and do it without motivation.

Now here is something that will take a bit more effort on your part. Go move a HEAVY table for once in your life. The magic in the table, much like the original zombie ball, is in the fact the object is cumbersome and heavy. Put some tension in your arms when you need to pick it up. When you scoot it across the floor, use your foot to push the bottom and well as your hands for the top. This is how weighty objects operate, especially top heavy ones.

Many of these simple yet difficult tips will help make your floating table that much better. (You know aside from the obvious ones like make up your own routine, learn how to float it straight up and not at an angle, etc) Also don't EVER buy a knock off from China. I don't care how cheap you can get it. You get what you pay for.

Oh by the way, JUST STOP DOING THE DAMN THING!!!

Control yourselves...

Oh what a wondrous time it is for magicians in this day and age. If only I was young again and could sit in my bedroom on mom and dad's dime and practice card sleights until I came up with something I could sell to idiots my fingers bled.

Was it Vernon who said that sleights are not tricks? (Correct me in the shoutbox if I'm wrong) So many of these things are flashy and elegant but A: They look like moves. Like you're hiding something II. They are putting the focus RIGHT on the moment of technique.

I don't care how invisible the move looks (on or off camera) it still looks like a move. You might as well just drop the card on top and do some fancy false flourish. I guess what I am saying is it's not for me, but if it works for you go for it. Just remember that fancy pasteboard handling is no substitute for a personality or presentation.

"Watch" is not patter.

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.

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.

Pillow fight!

Watch this, then stick around for some commentary...


I liked every bit of that until the production of the girl at the end. It's the same reason I dislike the shadowbox illusion (as well as a few others). Magical unexplainable stuff is happening and then a girl appears which can explain away so much of the actual magic. I think bringing an inanimate object to life is far more impressive than producing some rent-a-chick (or girlfriend/wife/relative) so why bother?

Bimbo is not always better...

Full steam ahead...

I wouldn't say T11 is trying to capitalize on a trend, but the guy in the video is the farthest thing from steam punk they could have gotten.

It's almost insulting to those who actually embrace the style.

You can decide for yourself.

A warm moist opening...

I always laugh when someone calls a chair or broom suspension a floatation. To me they are more of a puzzle than any other illusions out there. Kind of like some of my ex's. Nice to look at but they're not fooling anybody.

I also like the fact Jay Sankey thinks about magic. This means he is not afraid to experiment and figure out the hows and WHYS of something. Despite the fact he does flood the market a bit from time to time with product, he tends to know his shit for the most part.

A new Product Demo I saw recently addresses something I agree with. A good opening to your set, routine, etc doesn't need to be anything but visual. Something to set the tone and mood and character of what is about to happen following it. I also believe suspensions are not magic. They are not a trick in themselves. They are a quick visual that is a layer on top of the rest. Effects like Jay's or Rick Lax's Vertigo are a great way to get people's attention and introduce props or ideas you are about to utilize for actual magic.

Suspend your disbelief my friends...

With fans like these...

I'm kinda glad I'm not famous...

You're welcome...

In a few more sentences I am going to give you a gift. It's nothing tangible. Nothing you can hang on the wall. It's an idea. It's a GREAT idea. You can start thanking me now.

As many of you who perform "Easy Money" (Hundy 500, Prophet, Extreme Burn, etc.) the trick has some fundamental flaws. (Except for the original one that turned pieces of paper into money, that just make sense) The biggest one of course is why would you EVER turn them back into a lower denomination. I don't care what your patter it, it's dumb. The other is you can't hand the bills out (yes I know a few have come up with ways to do it but that's not the point).

I was in a restaurant last night and came upon a saying I have never heard before. It read as thus:


I then realized by quoting this line, (especially good here in Las Vegas), you not only have a reason to fold your money in half to execute the change, but you have the perfect motivation to just put it away in your pocket and move on.

Everything is now justified by just that one line alone. This my friends and readers is my gift to you. The gift of "Helping Your Magic Make Sense".

Now go forth and multiply!

PS: If you can't get enough of my ramblings, I did a guest column Over Here.

Knocik it off....

A message to all the younger magicians out there:

Hey kids, I know it's a catchy tune and all but for the love of all that is holey, please stop using that damn Fireflies song. It's annoying.

Thanx,

The mngmnt.

Round and round...

Tomorrow we release our new training video! Do you want to teach your sponge balls some new tricks? Then go to www.spongeballbreeding.com and learn more!

Rattling the chains...

So my previous post tught me two things. 1. Andrew Mayne reads this (waves hello the Andrew) and was kind enough to offer a counter-point to my ramblings. And B. I need to be more specific in this thing sometimes.

Sometimes I start with an idea and I forget to actually point something out that inspired it, be it tongue-in-cheek or not. When I said I was happy about my stuff being ganked I should have elaborated a bit. (keep in mind this is half-sarcasm coming up) It's nice to see my stuff is good enough/liked enough to be ripped off with the likes of people like Andrew, Garcia, and many others who are revered for their material.

Does this make it right? That's up to you. As stated in another post this kind of stuff doesn't bother me. It's the world we live in now.

Kind of like a Genesis song...

We have arrived...

Recently I discovered some of my magical offerings for download on a magic torrent site (No I won't give you the link). Believe it or not I am actually glad about this. Hell, I might very well be the only magician in the world who is. Crazy you say? Probably. Eating tacos right now? Definitely!

If you got to the big green bean you can find a lot of people in the ethics section bitching an orange streak about how they have been ripped off and pirates are the scourge of the this that or the other. Regardless of where you sit on the subject matter, one thing is for sure, those people are greedy.

If you sell to Murphys Magic then you have made a pretty good penny already off their initial order. (If it's a popular product you have no worries) If it's a download you are of course subject to overnight uploading, but the people who download it are unlikely to buy it anyway or even have the money to do so.

The way I look at it is thus: I would rather have people know my name and like my product to possibly buy future releases. If they like you and what you do they will show it to others and tell them about you. If you are just going to be captain bitchy-pants they will steal from you out of spite.

So be happy they found your items to have the value enough to steal. Then you can release something that ISN'T a damn DVD that they will be forced to buy.

Mmmm tacos.

Judge Dread...

I need to stop watching youtube videos of magicians because it makes me realize that if I was ever asked to judge a magic competition and give my feedback, I might make someone cry.

and a drop of self-promotion...

As many of you know we have been working with Sponge Balls for the last few years. We have collected quite a few rescues and learned a lot about these little fellas. With that in mind we decided to release a training DVD. Want to learn more? Head over to Sponge Ball Breeding dot com.

You'll be glad you did...

Open says me...

Finally, something for the alcoholic creepy magic uncle for x-mas. The self opening liquor bottle!

That's not He-Man!!

I am glad there are others out there keeping an eye out for magic demos that are faked because of some insipid reason or another.

Some of you may know that I will raise some hell about people trying to pull the wool over the eyes of magic consumers. I really want to interview these people and get their take on why exactly they would resort to this kind of chicanery but none of them will own up to it.

I think if they just went "Ok yes you got me. I'm sorry", they might have respect instead of trying to cover their ass.

Don't support these people. They don't deserve it.

Boo this man!

Russian Attack...

So I was reading a review for the X-men First Class film and came across this bit of text:

"Having been in the writing game for a decade now, I can tell: you can indeed produce something good in a rushed fashion, if the deadline demands it and you have the focus; however, something great absolutely requires time for a creator to be able to step back, assess his/her work, and decide what improvements should be made. Revision is the key to brilliance. You take away that time from any creative artist, and the art is ultimately going to be diminished. First Class was no exception."

It reminded me of much of the magic released today. It is given very little time to sit and stew in the minds of the creators. "Hey it works on video and it fooled my mom. I think I will sell it on teh interwebs". The only difference between the above scenario and magic is that there is NO deadline for creativity in magic products other than the one you place upon yourself... which seems to be a few days in some cases.

So I put this challenge to anyone who is thinking of releasing an effect for sale only a few days after creating it. Give yourself a deadline. One that prevents you from releasing something before a certain date. Give it ample time to be played with, researched, and tested in front of real people.

Let's call this deadline "Shower Time". Decide how many showers it will be before you release the trick into the wild. This way it gives you time to think about the effect without props in hand. Let your mind solve the problems or ideas in a secure and relaxing place. Only then can you put out your latest "master" piece.

Just don't get shampoo in your eyes...

What has been seen...

Cannot be unseen...

What about now?

Walking in Brussels, Belgium tonight I had something run naked thru my head.

Forget everything you know about magic competitions, conventions, and really any performer no one outside of magic has heard of.

Now list me off ANY modern magicians that are well known who perform card manipulation in their shows… aaaaaand GO!

(Jeopardy theme plays)

Times up!! I can see your answer clearly in my mind. It's... Lance Burton!

How did I know that? Simple. There are no grey elephants in Denmark! It's also because he is the ONLY correct answer in the last 40 YEARS!! (also he is no longer working so there really is no answer)

So think about that a bit. Could it be it's a form of amusement relegated to magic competitions to fill time and scores? Might it be anachronistic and out of place in modern society? How about it makes NO DAMN SENSE!

Now to be fair when people see it done right (I can only think of two people who this applies to right now) they seem to enjoy it but on the whole there is a reason you don't see it in ANY Las Vegas shows right now...

Aside from the fact it's also hard as hell to do it well.

In yo face!!

I am going to make a video journal about this and go into more detail. For now I just want to ask all of these younger magicians if they know the companies who release their magic are screwing them over on the recognition factor?

Think about it: They put THEIR logo onto it and your face is rarely seen. No one knows who you are or what you look like!!

Something to chew on...

Vogue...

It's no secret I really dislike photos of magicians with other well known magicians on working websites. No one cares ok?

Second, and this is for the pros, do something interesting in your photos people take with you other than look goofy and half smile. Sure it's a hassle to you but at least make some effort to make something that looks better than some half-assed yearbook snapshot.

You don't have to mug but at least stand up straight and pose a little. Grab a prop. SOMETHING!

This message brought to you by the internet on a train to Belgium.

Giraffed...

I was hanging out with Alex Kolle in Nurenburg the last couple days and we did something kinky... we shared gaffs.

I carry a cadre of weird (mostly) card gimmicks with me in my close-up bag. (yes the stage magician had a close-up bag. Get over it.) It was a lot of fun because a hadn't messed with a number if them in over a year or two. Many of them just sit there to show friends or toy with when I am bored.

Alex has some pretty kool ones. Just ideas he made but never did anything with because he had no reason to use them.

I then had a realization about all of this. Serious performers know the difference between a gimmick and magic. There are far too many idiot kids out there releasing untested or unnecessary tricks into the world just because they are "cool".

Listen, creating is fine and dandy if it's for you but selling something to the mass heard of magic sheep just because you know it will sell makes you an evil fuck in my book. Collect these ideas and make a DVD with the ideas, or lecture notes, or Anubis forbid a book (gasp!)

Stop cluttering our vision with your inventions. Just because T11 gives you a place to sell it doesn't mean you should do it.

We need a magic "Better Business Bureau".

Just do it!

No I am not having a psychotic episode that causes me to title my posts with old Nike slogans. I am merely giving you some advice.

Last night after my lecture in Frankfurt, I had a lengthy conversation with a magician about creativity and the like. In the middle of the talk I had a revelation and want to share it with you my demented disciples.

It is thus: The best way to be creative is to create. Don't be afraid to fail. Keep working til you get something!

As someone who comes up with ideas in various mediums I can tell you that they often do not look like what I want at the beginning. No matter how much I may doubt it I ride it out to see what's going to happen.

Sometimes when you make a new effect or move it might not do what you want but DO NOT stop. Keep making that prop or working on that slight until you get something usable!

Of course there are the times it won't work and you have to start over. Just make sure starting over us the only other option. On the upside you now have narrowed down one less thing NOT to do. Sometimes setting it aside and coming back to it is the better solution. Think of attacking it from a different angle.

Creating isn't easy but don't let if get you down. Never give up.

Never surrendeeeeerrrrr!

Under the wires...

Hey Google wised up and finally made a Blogger app. This way I can easily update from wherever I am, which in this case is Switzerland.

I have been keeping tabs on the new Theory11 idea that sat dormant for many years. It was such a source of speculation for so long it could have been a photo of two rhinos getting jiggy with it and the kindermagi would have been happy as punch.

Despite what I am pretty sure it was gonna be and what it became is neither here nor there. It is now here... For better or for worse.

This is yet another addition to our instant gratification consumer society. I believe with the ease and speed at which magic effects can now be released for a nominal fee it will drive the value of unpublished material way up.

Something that cannot be easily attained will be that much more clamored for. Along the same vein the low price of much of the glut of current effects released will cheapen the material made available due to the law of supply and demand.

So while any number of vapid 15 year old wannabes who could only amuse their mildly retarded housepets fill our lives with their "new" magic, I think I will just travel the world and spread my creations the old fashioned way...

Like Cain from Kung Fu.

Ear Regular

So a Japanese company has put out a deck of "Irregular" playing cards. My first thought was "Big deal Bicycle cards already come like this sometimes".

You may think that is a joke, but the last deck I opened, one of the joker's back design looked like I was about to do Luke Dancy's "Misprint" trick.

Still kinda cool.

Leaking from the ears...

Today was a strange day on Facebook. Various friends posted three different articles on "creativity". While I disagree with a few of the things they suggest, I found one that amused me and thought relevant to this journal in particular.

And I quote:
"Cohen once showed a card trick to TV magician David Blaine. Blaine loved the trick but hated the presentation, saying it seemed too rehearsed. "People should feel like you're talking to them for the first time," Blaine told Cohen.

Polish your pitches until they're perfect, then add sprezzatura--the Italian concept of studied carelessness. Find ways to come across as organic and accessible, not canned and mechanical.

The poet James Dickey said he prepared 150 drafts of each poem--the first 100 to get it perfect and the last 50 to make it sound spontaneous."

A lot of performers suffer from too practiced. They do something so much it becomes as annoying as whatever phrase restaurants make people who answer the phone say. "Hello my name is so and so, thank you for calling Bob's House of Pork home of the Big Red Monkey Beat Down. How may I begrudgingly help you?"

Don't you hate that? How do you think your audience feels? If you are just going through the motions, stop using those motions... or that script... or that trick. If you are bored with it, they are too.

60,221,211 Italians can't be wrong.

Greetings Earthlings

In half an hour (7:00 PST Wed.) we will have our first Live Why Am I stuck In Magician Hell video Broadcast. Where? Here!

Thanx for watching. The plan is to do one every Wed. if I can help it. If you missed it, you can see it on the channel. If you have any ideas or requests let me know!

I am the Martin Luther King of Love tonight...

So tonight, I had a bad set with a routine I haven't been entirely happy with. I been racking my smooth brain about how to make certain aspects make sense and to make everything work smoothly. Well I am here to tell you a secret. Something that will help you in the future.

Pay attention to your screw-ups!

It is said that you learn more from failure than success. Tonight for me was a testament to that saying. After I got offstage I was going over all of the ways to fix the rough spots in said routine. I then hit on an idea to move the props to another receptacle (one that made sense) and fixed some inner workings. I am almost certain to say this will make the routine stronger and easier to perform. None of which would have occurred had I not been so upset about the performance.

So heed my advice: It's ok to get mad about a bad show, but think about what went wrong and FIX IT!!

Now I can relax...

Guess what...

Who do you want to be today?

I was talking with another magician at a party recently and we both came to the agreement that you need to be a person first and a magician second. Magician is a vocation, not a personality trait. Mind you some people try to substitute one for the other and it don't work like that folks.

Take away their deck of cards and some guys become a two dimensional cardboard cut out. No depth, nothing to say, and is about as useful as a used prophylactic. Here's a tip, get your head out of youtube and take a look at the world around you.

This also applies to those not able to "turn off" the douchey magician personality. Some guys are just egotistical nutsacks who really need a swift kick and reality check. Card tricks don't make you better than anyone. If you really must feel superior to people just buy a Macintosh computer (No that wasn't called for. yes I had to say it.)

So the moral to my story is thus: Be cool.

I love it...

when magicians keep links to their websites online in various places and the link doesn't work anymore. Makes me wonder if they work anymore....

It's shake and bake and I helped...

Someone told me about a website where you can get all sorts of crazy stuff done for only $5.00. The idea of this amused me so I went to take a look and realized how bad an idea this is after I did a search for the word "Magic".

Undercutting people in price is an American tradition, but this is ridiculous.

You think there are people out there trying to teach others ballet or painting for 5$ to pick up chicks? Is it any wonder we are a joke to people?

Anyone? Bueller?

The cost of living...

So this isn't so much a post as a question for some research: How much is too much to pay for a good magic DVD? Email me your answers (Smappdooda@hotmail.com) or just throw it up in the shout box.

Thanx.

Is it live....

First off:


Second, should I do a live video version of these posts? Would anyone watch or care? Tell me in the shoutbox to the right.

Just a Friday post...

Hey did you know we have a new DVD coming out? Well guess what...


Now yah do!

In my pants...

What the hell is wrong with us? What happened to holding on to something and putting it on a video compilation, in a book or in some notes. Why do we feel the need to fill the marketplace with these one trick items that only work for a handful of people.Things like this bottle production that fat guys could NEVER do.

Let's leave the stuff with limitations in the lectures ok guys?

Hey big spender...

So today I needed to make a prop more visible from stage, however I needed something that would be flexible and durable. I only needed maybe a shot glass full but had to buy a large container to get that shot of yellow goo. So 9$ later my prop is finished and I have a huge container of tool dip that I have nothing else to do with.

This is the joy/pain of creating your own stuff and trying to make the magic better. However I am here to say to you now: Don't be afraid to spend the money on something you need!

Do you only need an 1/8th of a can of spray paint in a color you won't ever use again? Will it be worth it or make a prop better because of it? If so, BUY THE DAMN PAINT! It might seem like a waste to you, but it's actually an investment (and tax write off) that will make you look better in the end. O course if you don't have the funds to grab simple stuff like paint or whatnot, ask some friends. You never know what they have lurking in their garage. Also check online for cheaper prices.

Sometimes however, spending the money can't be avoided so you just have to save up to get that part you need. Just make sure you know FORE SURE it's what you need. It sucks to buy something that you can't use.

So the next time you grimace at that 5$ you have to drop on some bauble to improve a prop, just remember it's all worth it in the end....

Maybe.

Now hear this!!

Are you sick and tired of sound men blowing a cue so simple as "Pause"? We all suffer from this affliction. However there is a product I have found (and successfully used) that will help alleviate all of this. It's called Ijet. If you own an ipod, iphone or an itouchmyselfwhenIthinkofyou then this is a must have to those who have music or cues in their act.

Now back to the show...

Snip, snip....

Dear magicians,

Please stop using your fingers like scissors to "cut" rope. It's insulting to the audience's intelligence and gives away the method. Find another joke that is not so tired and over-used.

Thanx,

The mngmnt.

PS: If I went back in time and Killed Tabary, what do you think modern rope magic would look like?

Who was that masked man?

I was recently at Magic Live talking with Steve Brooks (Yes THAT Steve Brooks) about the silliness of magicians and anonymity on the internet. Anyone who has been reading this thing for.. however many years it's been now, knows I will gladly own up to anything I say and defend it. If I didn't mean what I say, I wouldn't say it. Sure it might not make me many friends but if someone is going to get in a snit over something someone says about them on the internet, I don't want to be friends with those people anyway.

On the flip side, there is a certain bit of truth in being anonymous. (Just ask those anti-scientology people) You can find out just how they feel and get a better truth when they are protected. In some ways it's the only way for some people to be themselves... by NOT being themselves. It's an odd dichotomy. The main drawback of course is that if you get too mouthy and then found out, you can have a world of hurt brought down upon you.

So for you magi out there who think yer hot shit because you are a faceless entity in cyberspace just remember there are people smarter than you with better toys and if you push the line too far, you just might be in a bit of trouble for a while.

Now here's Tom with the weather...

Fly you fools!!

Before I toddle off to my (very) late night gig, I want to share with you one of the thoughts that crossed my mind at the recent PCAM/CAM convention (Which was killer might I add).

I have talked about how we know the end of the trick so we forget that the audience doesn't also share this arcane knowledge. This fact tends to put us into a rut of crap performances and I hit upon a reason why...

We forget to make the journey interesting because we already know the destination.

we just want to get to that wow moment. Like an over-zealous teenager who tries to undo that bra too soon, we jump the gun and just leave the best moments flapping in the breeze as it were.

A lot of times stepping back from out material and looking at it as if we had never seen it before can be beneficial. Look at the build up (if there is any) as if you didn't know the end game. You might find some ways to make the outcome more interesting and the ride there more exciting. Let's face it...

Getting there is half the fun.

Resist!!

In my lecture this weekend I tried to hammer home the ability to be creative is to put restrictions on yourself. If you have read my Creativity Notes then you know what I mean.

As an example, have a look at This. The makers of the short films were allowed to ONLY use the same 6 lines. This makes them focus on how to tell a story without saying too much.

As magicians we tend to be wordy bitches and rely and over-explaining things. Why not limit yourself to as little dialogue as you can and see if you can tell the same story. You never know...

It just might change your life.

Pick one please...

Hey, female magi, do me a favor. Please stop putting your "modeling" shots into your promo material. I know someone with a camera said they were gonna make you look purty.. and they most likely did but leave the non-magical shots on your facebook page or make a separate site for modeling stuff ok?

We get it. We know you have breasts and you are attractive. That will only get you so far... well in magic anyway. In life it will get you everywhere...

What was my point again?

Mod and Fab...

So I have removed the polls featured and decided to try out a little tagbox on the right side. For those of you watching us from an RSS feeed, come by the real site and say hello.

More blather soon...

Are you threatening me?

Some of the best creative innovations start out with "What if?"

I'm surprised...

Roland hasn't posted this before me...

Remember VHS?

I had a realization in my kitchen. No matter the format, there have always been mediocre magicians putting out shoddy videos just because they had access to the equipment. The only difference now is the cameras are nicer and the output if higher.

The moral of the story is magicians have sucked for a very long time.

Like yoda only cheaper...

Have you ever seen someone who advertises themselves as "So-and-so: Master Magician"? Of course after you watch their act you realize they are under some sort of delusional alien influence?

Here is a little something to gnaw on in your brain kiddies: A true master never says that he is.

This thought brought to you by Kung-Fu Panda

Den of...

As I am preparing for my lecture in Tuscon tomorrow and looking over random notes, I came upon a thought I had jotted down in my phone.

Thieves are not competition.

Anyone who would purloin someone else's art will never be in your arena to pose a threat to you IF you are a true professional and truly want to make something of yourself and your career. If someone steals from you make sure they know you don't like it, but move on and become bigger and better than them. There is no better revenge than success...

aside from having sex with their girlfriend of course.

Isn't that my couch?

Dear magicians,

If you dress in an eccentric costume or play and eccentric character outside of the norm, please stop doing fucking card tricks. It's anachronistic. It doesn't FIT. You can probably use tarot cards or maybe cards made of wood or metal if you insist but they are out of place with a style of dress that is already out of place.

Thanx,

The mgmnt.

Waxing poetic...

I wish I could quit you...

Yo mama...

I think magic inventors charge so much for their products merely out of spite. Dealing with some of these people just makes you so angry you want to put them in the poor house for revenge.

Just sayin'...

Silver spoon and a paper plate...

So while I troll the cafe looking for amusement I came across This Thread.

After reading it I agree with a few of the other people on there. Let me quote a bit: "You want your magic spoon fed to you on a silver (expletive deleted) platter. He shows so many different effects and possibilities on the demo, you didn't actually think that's what you were buying is it? It's a utility gimmick and I got that right from the demo watching it ONCE. Have we become so reliant on other people just handing us a routine that we can't think for ourselves anymore? Maybe you should just step away from the "Buy Now" button if you are gonna just take your ball and go home when you have to think for yourselves every so often. Oh "boo hoo" I can't do this one thing. DO YOUR OWN THING!!"

I don't think I could have said it better. Have we really become this co-dependent? Who is to blame? The creators or the consumers? Fuck it, let's just start making up excuses so we don't have to take responsibility for our own stupidity. The sun was in our eyes, my parents didn't hug me enough, my parents hugged me a little TOO much, the dog ate my homework, I'm a bi-polar manic depressive anti-social midget albino! I CAN'T THINK FOR MYSELF!!!

I hope I made my point...

Old busted hotness...

So in an effort to spice up your lives, my store front has undergone a new look. It also has it's own home too at www.Bizzar-O-Matic.com. (Mobile version coming soon)

Also, don't forget, Helter Shelter; The Movie is STILL only 10$ until the end of May... so hurry up and buy it already!!

Phear...

I used to say I weep for the future of magic. I have come to realize that magic will be fine. There are some very focused on magic only youngsters out there. Mind you they have no other interest and just create magic for the sake of magic. I now am afraid for the future of not magic... but entertainment.

Thankfully every so often I meet a youngin' that restores my faith in the fact that being a performer means something and that there is still hope for not just magic but the art of mass amusement as well.

So for those magical Che Guevaras of you out there, I salute you.

Produce

As a magic product releaser type person, I sometimes feel a twinge of guilt. If I could just will these products into being without any overhead, I would likely give the ideas away because I like to think they are good and that good magic should be out in the wild.

It's such a slippery slope I am on with my beliefs on magic capitalism and the product I release. I am in a love/hate relationship with the fact that this is how I make my living right now. It's great to have your stuff appreciated but on the other side of the double sided two-face coin, it kind of sucks that this is what it takes to get noticed in magic.

I have been at two magic conventions this week. I noticed something strange. If someone show you a sleight you have never seen, you don't ask them if they sell it. You might ask to learn it or if it's published somewhere. However, if you show someone a tangible toy that fools them and they have never seen, then they ask if it's for purchase. This is kinda fucked up if you ask me... which you didn't.

Isis forbid you do something killer that you aren't willing to part with for a tiny bit of your soul and some cold hard cash. In this day and age, everything is for sale and when it's not, people look at you like the RCA dog.

Just something to think about...

New version...

Dear magicians,

can we stop putting 2.0 next to every release you put out because you realized yer original sucked? Why not wait a while before you release it so you don't have to pretend yer a computer programmer?

Thanx,

The mngmnt.

pee ess...

I feel this way about the magic cafe sometimes...

Hidden in plain yogurt...

There is a concept in magic that I think takes more skill than any manipulation. It's using comedy as a subtlety.

If you find yourself trying to accomplish a move or maybe needing to get one object somewhere else all sneaky like, why not hide it in comedy.

Sometimes an idea requires something a little sneakier than just plain old misdirection. Sometimes it requires bawls. Having the confidence in yourself and your material to just blatantly make a joke of it. It's not a talent you can buy or learn from any book. It's just good ol' fashioned experience. So the next time yer stuck, make it funny.

Helps with sex too...

Quothe Jimmy Walker....

"KRYP-TO-NITE!!"

Ok so maybe I am paraphrasing a bit. I have been sitting on this thought for a while and since I haven't said much in a while, (and I am reorganizing my character and creativity lecture soon), I thought I would finally hash this ramble out.

Jon Armstrong has a concept he spoke about in (I think) Genii magazine a few years back and I also believe it's part of his lecture. He speaks of trying to figure out your super power. What can you do better than anyone else. You shouldn't be able to do everything on the same level.

While I like the concept I think it is going in the wrong direction... at least for me.

One of my creativity tenets is "magician, restrict thyself". So in the yin to Jon's yang (That sounded less dirty in my head) I offer this thought. Decide what powers you DON'T have.

I will start. I am not a levitator. I do not make things rise in the air. Plain and simple. I don't float shit... in any way. Not with my mind nor with some mysterious spooky powers. Period.

This concept will not only allow you to work on the things you can do, but help you filter out the stuff you won't do. Decide here and now if you don't play with fire... or multiply things... or possibly bend helpless flatware with your brain. Make the decision that you don't create life or pluck paste boards from the air now!

This line of thought is not meant to be an opposing view but more as an addendum to an already solid concept. They are essentially the same thing. One gives you options and the other hones those options to a fine point. The rest is up to you.

Anubis help us all.

I get by with a little...

So one of our fellow amusing wordsmith of the magic variety has a contest like thing going on and has asked me to help spread the word like an STD.

So watch the video and give it a thumbs up will yah? You'll be glad yah did.

Words of wisdom... now in song form!!

Yes I realize the irony of this video on this journal. Shut it.

Create?

Can't find what you are looking for?

Make it.

With the proper amount of force...

As I get older and work more and more on stage doing stand up I find that some things in my perspective change.

Such as card forcing. If you can't do a classic force, then maybe you shouldn't be doing a trick where forcing a card is required. On stage I think the force has to come off as fair and open as possible. Slip force, hindu, or any other convoluted cluster fuck card handling just won't do.

Close-up is a different animal because you can still misdirect in close quarters. However if you work stage, you need to make sure it looks like you have little to no control over the pasteboard proceedings as possible.

Just a thought...

Puff, puff, bitch...

Someone pointed something out to me today that is very amusing. Humans are, by nature, contrary beings. We love hypocrisy even when we can't spell it.

The entertainment world (as well as the world in general) is full of people who do illicit things. Many of them indulge in some recreational cigarettes that johnny gubmint isn't too keen on. Mind you these are the same people who don't condone piracy because it's "wrong and illegal". I got news for you boyos who do this, you can't really pick and choose. You will, but then your argument will become invalid.

So the next time someone is waxing poetic about their loathing of people who download magic off torrent sites while passing around a spliff, call them a hypocrite and tell them to stop bogarting that shiz.

Then go pirate something of Eric Mead's just to piss him off.

Turn on the angry music...

Sometimes it irks me when people I know full well hardly do gigs and call themselves a "professional" this or that. In the states, I have heard the status of "pro" is defined as someone who makes most if not all of their living from some form or something or other. So I suppose if you do nothing with your life and do a performance once or twice a year and they pay you, that definition holds true. Ah loopholes.

In other places, I have seen it referenced that if you are proficient at something you are a pro. I know many people who are great technicians with cards but can't entertain a thought let alone a group of people. Does this make them professional? I say no. I'm not saying you need to be a ninja master of what you do, but you need to be coherent in as many of the aspects of what your job entails. (This of course is mostly geared to the entertainment business. Not a lot of lawyers or accountants throwing this term in front of their monikers.)

I believe it is up to you to decide but you need to be honest with yourself. Just because it sounds good on a business card doesn't make it right. Sure, you can lie to yourself but eventually you will be found out. The proof is in the pudding... or the yogurt or wherever it's supposed to be.

Put that in yer pipe and smoke it.

HI PIG!!

I saw this on another magic blog and really liked it.

On another note: I am glad to see so many liberally minded magicians speaking their mind on the internet nowadays. I don't mean those armchair asshats over at the green weenie either. I am talking about people who don't like their language watered down. The ones who see something wrong around them and aren't afraid to stand up and tell someone about it... even if that someone is the internet. In some small part of my brain I'd like to think I helped someone realize they had a place to say what they wanted to online instead of some crappy forum full of amateurs and douche canoes™.... much like how the Magic Circle jerk originally opened my eyes to this zany outlet lo those many years ago.

One for my homies...

Clever title goes here...

Two things,

One: If you are into weird presentations for magic and possibly sacrificing rubber ducks to Charles Nelson Reilly, then check out this e-zine, Bizarro. I have nothing to do with it, I just find it amusing.

Bee: Someone named DJ just emailed me about the hidden cash post and my junk mail folder ate it... so could you please resend yo. Thanx!

As you were...

Can I get some change?

There are some plots I am not into in magic. The bill change is one of them. Seems like a waste of power. However, much like Tommy Wonder, if I get to thinking about something I will work on my own touches for it. In an attempt to make a more foolproof version of the old 2$ to two 1's effect, I came up with an idea I think is of my own design.

Since I will probably not do this in my day to day routines, I am going to proposition you my dear readers. ("20 bucks, same as in town") I need some people to go out and test this in real world conditions and report back to me. So the next 5 people who email me will get an explanation of how the bill change is done BUT only if they will go out and see how it plays for real people. Free magic and all you have to do is perform? That's right, I am a kind and benevolent dog.

So hit me up before this offer ends.

Operators are standing by.

I just happen to have...

Remember a while back when I talked about how illusions were getting passe' for the modern audience? How they might be fooled but they just don't care? Well I think I stumbled upon another area of stage magic where the world might have just moved past it all.

Prediction effects

I have always said I don't believe coincidence is magic. It's too perfect if you will. "I just happen to have your card TATTOOED on my leg!" I think when you bring out some bring pop where you made a "prediction" ahead of time and the props look like they have been professionally made is just not believable.

Oh sure, just like the illusions they may not know how it's done and clap at it, but do they really care? Sure there are exceptions. However on the whole, I think we live in a more jaded educated world where we are no longer burned at the stake for being witches and people know what we are doing is mere trickery.

If you want to argue with me that people still come up to you and believe you have spooky mind powers go ahead. Those same people prolly go to psychics and believe fairies carry electricity into our light bulbs to make them illuminate. Sometimes, you have to look at the source.

I think it's more powerful to write the "prediction" down in front of them. That whole "before the show" shit has to stop people. It's just insulting to the audiences intelligence. If you are looking for filler and have to resort to mentalism, then you just aren't trying...

or don't care.

Flawed Logic...

Earlier today an associate and I were talking about how if a performer is TOO nice, he has little to no authority over a crowd and can be easily overtaken. The performer could be very edgy or authoritative off stage, but if he is a push over in front of s crowd, it can backfire.

No one on this PLANET is 100% shiny happy people. Everyone has flaws. It's why we tend to like some people. We can relate to someone who has some rough edges. We like that.

Magicians try so hard to be above everyone else sometimes that they become off putting and unrelatable to the people watching.

Even the nice guy needs an edge. Not necessarily being a dick onstage, but being a little mischievous or having a slight twisted sense of humor. The audience begins to like you more because you are like their friends. A little... off.

So if you wonder why you might not be getting that reaction you want, maybe be a little snarky from time to time.

Sometimes being bad can be good.

What's Japanese for Umbilical?

Be amused people!

This title is for Andrew...

Anyone who knows this journal will know I am a big proponent of females in magic. Well Paper Crane has finally done something interesting. So good on them.

Spread the word and let's see what comes of it.

Mars Needs Proofreaders!!

Alright, well maybe not proofreaders per say. However I am looking for some very brave souls who are willing to go thru the last 7 years of this journal and tell me their favorite posts.

I want to compile a "Best Of" and make it into something that resembles a book (Along with some other bonus stuff nyuk nyuk)

Anyone who wants to undertake this can just email me the dates and/or posts they find to be their favorites. It could be because they are funny, informative, or thought provoking. In return you will get a free copy when it comes out and even your name in shiny letters somewhere in the collected tome.

So step to my literate minions!

Choice of a new generation?

Jeff McBride hosts a weekly online session thingy every Monday. On there was someone I have known for longer than I want to reveal. He was asking people to suggest how they can get a younger crowd to come out to the magic conventions.

here is my suggestion: Get rid of the close minded ass clowns that you have booking the acts!! Far too often some has-been or wannabe magician has been put into a position of power and, as most do, abuse it by hiring the SAME DAMN ACTS YOU SEE AT EVERY CONVENTION!!

"I am hiring this act because I want to see him live." or "This guy is my friend. I should do him a solid."

These are the two scenarios that make the most sense to me because mental illness or retardation seem only slightly less logical. Hey, want to bring in a younger crowd? Here is an idea: Hire people you don't see at magic conventions!

Don't believe me? Let me paint you a picture. Last week of April, 2010 - Magic vs. Science at the castle (Or Magic Woodstock as some have started calling it). Rudy Coby brought in acts that had never or hardly worked at the castle and guess what? They had the highest growing April IN CASTLE HISTORY! Read that line again. Highest... Grossing.

So instead of blowing your budget on a few "names" why not line up some unknown talent. People on their way up in the magic world? Maybe some guys that the young kids want to see... gawd forbid.

If this is a trend you keep seeing and are sick of it too, let your voices be heard. Email, call, morse code your feelings to someone who might listen. They can ignore 1 or 2 angry letters but 100... 1000? That's a little more difficult. (I doubt there are even 100 people who read this, but you get my point)

So if some of you convention bookers happen upon this article by some chance, such as some disgruntled convention goes trying to open your eyes, don't ignore it. Look outside your own little close-minded tux and tails kinda world. Find out what the current generation wants to see and don't dismiss them because they are a bunch of youtube using window lickers (Even if they might be). They are paying customers you are IGNORING! Don't be that guy.

You know who you are...

Damn the man...

Fight the power!

(Real rant coming soon I think)

So, you didn't believe me when I said dancing cane was dead hunh? You scoffed when I insisted that it had been adopted by ravers and hippies hunh? Well here is proof that even your grandfather can do it.



Yah and guess what? They are being marketed to the general public as a "Flow-wand". Dancing cane is over. It's done. Snap yours in half. Point the blame at whomever you wish.

Besides, they are all better at it than you are.

Nice to see something different from time to time....

Magicians don't exist....

Just got done watching the movie L'illusionniste. It's a cute but depressing little film especially if you are an entertainer. It shows the decline of the variety arts in the start of the 60's. Back when live theater had to vie for attention against rock bands and TV.

Struggling is nothing new to someone who wants to be an entertainer full time but as I tend to say... The only ones who fail in this business are the ones who give up.

Our good friend Christopher Lyle, who you might remember from his cameo role in our PSA video, shared a story on the big green.

Tis' amusing.

PS: (Stole this from WMF) This is retarded.

Eat me/ Drink me

I believe that a lot of magic creators are not the best at performing their miracles. As someone who makes stuff I can attest that sometimes you get narrow minded about the one or two things it can do and you just kinda stop because it "works".

The reason I being this up is because I like magic with soda. Mostly canned drinks. So despite what Roland might think of him, Michal P. Lair has some clever stuff from time to time (And yes some of it isn't so much).

The first two things on that demo video I just linked to I like quite a lot. Very subtle and in the right situation can be very fooling. The rest... I'm not so sure about.

"In the right hands, that could be a miracle" - Roger Klaus to Steve Bedwell

Hey what's going on in France right now?

Dear magicians,

To those of you who think you can just get by on using animals and having money instead of cultivating talent...

Die in a fire.

Thanx,

Bizzaro.

Illusions of grandeur...

Looking at a photo of a "new-ish" illusion and I came to the realization that I think a good chunk of the public is over it.

I think magicians are, as usual, holding on to a tired concept for dear life in hopes it will bring them fame and fortune. All the while the rest of the world has moved on and left us in the dust. They want "reality", (or at least what they are spoon fed as reality), not big shiny boxes that take some suspension of disbelief on their part to make it work.

They want personalities to watch. They want to see stupid drama or interesting characters. People performing vivisection on themselves in some plywood prop just won't, pardon the pun, cut it anymore.

But I hear you clamoring, "Bizzaro you magnificent bastard, people still clap, ooh and ahh and even say they have no idea how it's done." Yah well most people don't know how a microwave works. You don't see them jumping to their feet when someone makes a pot pie do you? Getting a Pavlovian reaction from people and them actually enjoying it are two different things.

So sell those bulky boxes and spend that money on some acting classes or hire a director to make you more interesting. Still want to do illusions? Find a way around the box syndrome. Find a way to make YOU shine thru.

This... I command!