I like bowling ball magic. It's a weakness. It is uncharted area in many cases. There are however some great unique effects using these heavy props in the magic world. The most well known of course is the bowling ball from briefcase and Kevin James' version with the sketch pad. I have heard tales of something Shaun Farqhuar does with a balloon popping and a ball falling out of it. I have my own unque creations as well. It's a fun item to play with but a pain in the ass to cart around. A new item hath recently come out and I am here to make you awares.. to take the red pill..er.. bowling ball.

A new effect hit hocus-pocus recently but a talented New Zealander turned kanuk named Paul Romhany. You can see the video it is the production of not only a bowling ball but a bowling pin as well. The price is a tad steep but from what I have gathered from it from material costs it's not too far off.

That is the Bizzaro product watch for today. COme back soon for tips on how to bake a cake in the shape of kansas.

Bizzaro.

I was recently at the local version of Knights of Sleights here in the DFW area. Ran into someone who not only reads this journal but actually LIKES it. Amazing. I have always stated that I started this thing not for my own ego or to get noticed but to try and post my feelings on the magic world at large and have a place to keep them that might help others and give them something to think about. I dunno how many read this crap and I don't care I'm just glad the ones that meander their ways here enjoy themselves as much as I.. um.. enjoy myself.. hmm.. let's move on.. this is going a direction I dun care for...

So at this same gathering I was talking to someone I have known for sometime out here who is damn good at close-up fer shure. He said he's kinda at an impasse with magic. Basically he sees no reason to keep going with it or go thru some of the hassles that come with creating new material or touring seedy night clubs. Now I know that is not for everyone, but it does go along with my theory that you should do a lot of things at least once. Touring is an experience very few have the patience or insanity for. (Why do you think bands take so much drugs and liquor into their body?) However, there is NOTHING like experience kids. It makes you a better performer, more educated in the world around you, and spreads your name to other areas and let's face it.. there's no cream to get rid of name recognition.

If some of you are ever at a point in your life where you fore see you starting to fall out of favor with your chosen love then get out of it, or change your perception. When you no longer do it for love (or ego stroking like for some) then don't harm yourself or your art anymore.

Mind you, inspiration and direction can find you when you least expect it.

Bizzaro.

"I've never been in love, but I stepped in it once." -Undimmed

A week or so ago I posted about something and then deleted it because I felt it wasn't really relevant. The main aggravation of the post was magic demo videos and how as magic consumers we have gotten used to and almost expect to be lied to by dealers and performers. I felt a new product warrants a rehashing of this.

Watch the video for the effect. If you figure it out then you will understand what I am saying, if you don't I'm not gonna tip the method out right. (I already make enough people mad with this journal.) The problems I have with this demo video are the same I have with a lot of them AND with a lot of magic specials. It's not what you see... it's what you don't see.

There is a gimmick involved (It says so in the video) so me saying that isn't gonna tell you much. However the video editing is done much like many others are done. With hip urban techno beats and wild wacky inflatable tube man action!! In otherwords jerky and hard to follow. In this video's case that is to it's advantage. The first effect is nice but he does "ditch" something off camera. Hmm seems fishy. The second effect uses a camera cut to TOTALLY lie to you. The effect the way they are presenting it would be IMPOSSIBLE. (Why do you think it needed a camera cut) aside from the fact that while being magical.. it doesn't make a lot of sense to just "do". On the third I can't even tell what the hell he's doing or what the effect even is.

All in all I cannot say for the price I am impressed since there is so much subterfuge involved with the demo. Sadly this is what we as magicians have come to expect. Dishonesty from those who would want our hard earned cash so we might earn more to waste on products we did not devise ourselves. It's a never ending cycle of lies, laziness, and consumerism. Do I sound bitter? Don't worry I'm not...

On the inside I'm creamy nougat.

Bizzaro.

This is off topic but..not. I saw one of my fave bands tonight. Who might that be you ask? What kind of a thousand monkeys banging away on a thousand typewriters kinda music does Bizzaro listen to? Probably not exactly what you think... or even expect. First off if Cowboy Mouth EVER comes to your town go see them. Even if it's not your bag their live show makes you feel better no matter who you might be into.

Their songs talk of getting over your old lovers.. with a vengeance. Life lessons to be heard in lyrical format and a damn good time. The lead singer, Fred LeBlanc, not only beats the hell out of a drum set but sings like a fiend without losing breath for two hours. On one of his albums he has a song that is my personal anthem. I highly suggest you listen to this song. It's titled Be Whoever you Are and I HIGHLY recommend following that advice in magic. Don't be afraid to be whoever you are. Don't try to act suave if yer not. Don't be something you are not. Just let yourself go and be your own person. You will reap the rewards both on and off stage. (If yer really an asshole, find a way to make that work for you on-stage. Work on it off the stage tho')

That is my little bit o' honey.. er.. advice for you tonight. Be glad to be alive and have what you have. Tomorrow may never come and you don't want your days filled with regret.

Bizzaro.

Some Restrictions May Apply

With the recent post about not doing EVERYTHING an effect can do, let's discuss an interesting way to accomplish this. This idea makes no sense but stick with me. Impose Limits. That's it. By limiting yourself on an unlimited resource you create something at it's base level. You are FORCED to use the most powerful and direct approach. Allow me to explain...

In my multiplying eyeballs routine I can't do all the fancy flourishes and moves that magicians seem to get off on and that can't be seen from the third row anyway. By having a pattern on the balls I use I limit myself to find the best and most visual way to not only show the front and back of all the balls, but also produce them cleanly and clearly. Technically it's also harder to manipulate a ball with a pattern on it... however only magicians would know or care about that. Regardless, I get rid of all the flourishes, confusing repetition of moves, and get right to the point. Remember: I perform for real people, not magicians.

So by limiting yourself, imposing restrictions, and staying in your "Reality Bubble" (Talked about elsewhere in this journal) you can create magic and routines unique to you and the most direct and to the point and even the most logical performances. By telling yourself you won't repeat a move, you have to mix things up. By restricting yourself from doing "Another damn card trick", you will perform something unique. How many guys have you seen do ace assembly's and pick a card-lose it-find it tricks? By ONLY doing more visual magic or off the wall effects you too can become not only a better performer but a unique performer that no none can copy.

The possibilities are limitless.

Bizzaro.

Going out to a few things on the web, first I totally believe in pimping your friends. A good fiend of mine since the summer of 95', Jeb Sherrill is releasing his two DVD set Zombie Re-Animated. It's not a crappy B-movie. For that you need to see Terror Toons. In it you will taken thru Basic, intermediate, and crazy advanced moves including the elusive Foulardless Zombie To see a preview go to Sable Magic dot cawm.

So that being said I wanna say that a woman's place is in the kitchen.. practicing her double lifts. (I think I have seen some soft core porn start that way come to think of it.) Seriously tho' http://www.womeninmagic.com has been established as a place to go for femme fatales interested in learning the magical arts and I for one could not be happier. One step closer to getting away from that crap "Girls can't do magic." Hopefully that site will actually help the La Femme Nakita's of the illusionary realm.

Speaking of which if any female magicians actually read this journal, (You know.. out of the like 3 readers I have), then contact me. I have an interesting idea for a coin miracle that I think a gal could pull off better than a guy. Something I saw in an old Tarbell actually.

How's that for helpful?

Bizzaro.

Sometimes you feel like a nun... Sometimes the pope.

You know it's odd just how un-appreciative some people are in magic. They clamor for a demo of something then they do nothing but bitch cuz' the demo isn't what they wanted. "It's too dark, it's obvious how it's done, it doesn't look like magic". Gimmie a break people. If you can't see past your own ignorance then you need to get out of magic or perform more so you can realize the potential for certain items.

The most recent amusement came from the usual suspects at the magic cafe. (no offense to Kevin Spacey) A recent posted video for an aforementioned new product was chided by some for not showing a "perfected full routine". Instead they opted to show the versatility of the gimmick and some of the many unique ideas you could accomplish with it. Performing ONE routine would not show the diversity of the illusion cuz' you CAN'T shove every effect into one routine, no matter how much some magicians seem to wanna try to.

The other problem with putting up an actual routine on a demo video is that there are some.. ok.. MANY who are too lazy and unimaginative (or believe they are) people out there who will just copy a person's routine and not devise their own. They also tend to think that the routine someone else does or is expressed in the instructions is the ONLY way to do something and only props you can use. YAY!! Let's all be GENERIC!! No not everyone is like that but...

For every one person who sees the light, they leave hundreds more alone in the dark.

Bizzaro.

Modus est in rebus

There is a new effect soon to hit the market. I have had the chance to play test it as one of my friends got ahold of it. It is a variation on an old principle with some new twists. In it indeed a stage effect, but more than that it is a utility device for stage. Now I am not talking about a ball dropper or cigarette dropper.

Is it a hold out? A blackhole? A magnet? Nay it's merely a ball with a unique hook up. Because of it's construction it enables you to do odd and neat things with it. This got me thinking about how too many magicians get a hold of an effect that can do many things and then make a routine that incorporates it all. This is wrong. I'm talking Roseanne Barr in a g-string wrong.

Why you ask? Ever heard the saying, "Once is entertainment, twice is education"? This applies but in a different vein. Take for example a floating effect. Any floating effect. This is the audience chain of thought. WOW what a surprise - that's amazing - I wonder how that's being done - where's the string?

This can be broken down to ever 5 or so second intervals. By 30 seconds of an object being airborn they get an idea, get bored, or get skeptical. Just because something it can DO everything, doesn't mean you should. It all boils down to what works best in the routine, for your character, and for the maximum impact.

So in short when this effect, or others like it, come out don't beat a dead horse with it. Let it be a surprise... not tedium.

There is enuff of that in magic already.

Bizzaro.

In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the moneychangers at their business. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all, with the sheep and oxen, out of the temple; and he poured out the coins of the money-changers, and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold the pigeons, "Take these things away; you shall not make my Father's house a house of trade."

Indeed. It's a merchandising extravaganza!! Many new products in magic come out day to day. Some good, some bad. Whatever ails you, bound to find it on the internet you are.

Let's take a look at a few of the most recent and non-suck offerings. First up one of the best kept secrets in mentalism (until there was more money to be had) is getting weirder and weirder. Cerebro, for those who don't know, is to help you implant messages in people's minds by merely touching them. (not just a snappy name for an X-men toy) You can also receive messages depending upon your use or version purchased. Once omni-directional speakers are perfected it's gonna be a scary mind-readin'' world.

Speaking of technology this goes under the category of "why didn't I think of that?" Well that's an easy answer for me, I don't own a cell phone. However This little toy is a great idea and anyone who knows anything about cell phone toys to keep the bored entertained can figure this out instantly but it is still a good idea.

And now I present to you... Why?

Now for those who know who he is Kozak is a bad ass. His manipulation and magic is (or was last time I saw him) top notch. This DVD is a must have I feel. (Who loves Bizzaro? I have a birthday coming up soon.)

So there are my top picks for stuff you might wanna look into. As my friend is often noted to say, "There are some things people want more than money."

Bizzaro.

Ok this is kinda random I know but bear with me. On the new Mindbender trick being sold on E-llusionist, there is a part of the video where ol' Brado goes off a twinge about how because this is such a good secret and trick you shouldn't be trading it on the internet and whatnot. If it was you, you wouldn't want someone doing that to your material etc etc.

First off if you are just trying to sell something for money and not to contribute to the art that is a crappy attitude to have. Many people in the same field share their tips, tricks, and techniques with people who they feel are worthy. In magic the only test or worth we have is if the check clears. So when these people crow about not sharing stuff cuz' of one thing or another it makes me think about how much musicians get screwed by record companies and the people who really get PO'd are the big businesses who are afraid of losing their parking spots. I'm not saying I am a total advocate of video piracy or sharing but there are a few proven truths that apply here. 1. Truth and upright goodness have been instilled in many of us since our youth. Mix that with the fact that a lot of individuals in the world can barely spell bit torrent or even work it is high and material is relatively safe.

Secondly, you can NOT stop people from trading information. From the moment they invented recordable media, people have been making copies for friends, showing them, sharing, and learning. Books are the early form of the internet. Put them ina library and anyone looking for that information can find it. In today's world, we can just do it a helluvalot faster.

If you don't want to have people not paying for your stuff and giving to other people then consider not putting it out there where anyone can get access to it. (Impossible I know but my point still stands) Channing Pollock died recently by the way.. I am sure he took many secrets with him. With the innovators gone, we are left with nothing but doppelgangers.

I think a plea not to trade magic information would have been better coming from the creator of an effect.. not the guy making money off it's sales... but thaz just me.

Bizzaro. - Alienating himself from the magic world since 2003.

Holy Hell Batman!!

So in an effort to produce a person without a gudy painted illusion, we resorted to a bastardized version of the Victory carton illusion. Many people commented how no one has done it in years or seen it. (We added our own little touches however.) Speaking of old stuff being new remember to look thru them old magic books... and by old I mean Tarbell. I found a few intresting concepts in vol.5 I am gonna toy with here soon.

Remember: Once everyone stops doing something, it becomes new again.

Bizzaro.

I was just thinking about this in the shower. (I know you wanted to hear that) About how a magician will look a trick and sneer and be all like, "I figured that out in 2.2 seconds. Big deal." When Shirt Happens came out a lot of people reacted like that. It still looks cool. Remember, not everyone is as jaded as you are.. or me for that fact. Tee hee.

I sell an effect on my website that, to real people, not those imaginary people, is a frickin' miracle. They love it. Magicians see it and just say "Ooh well I could make that" well duh. You can make a lot of magic but they disregard it since it doesn't fool them.

Think about the first time you saw invisible deck performed... or a thumb tip. I remember the FIRST time I saw an ITR in action. I FREEKED out. Levitation.. who woulda thunk it? I got one and was still AMAZED at the contraption. Over time we forget that feeling and you have to remember how to forget. Forget what you know.. or think you know. (Name that movie quote) Learn to think like a non-magician. I've said this before but hey now I have examples!!

It doesn't have to be magical.. to be magic.

Remember that.

Bizzaro.

A quick bit... some people have never seen the razor blade illusion performed. Tim Ellis has one of the most straight forward versions around. Check it out.

That is all.

Bizzaro.

Squeege that third eye...

Ah I miss Bill Hicks. However don't miss this Unusual idea that wacky Aussie Ben Harris is releasing soon. The claims are you can open a hole in your head that sun can shine thru.. or yer hand, or other body parts. It's not entirely centered, but it is an unusual idea to be certain. I cannot fathom how it works off the top of my.. ahem.. head. For 20$ tho' I am sure it will be all the rage. Congrats to him. Congrats to anyone who gets constant access to sunlight.. like us Texans.

Sucks for people in Seattle tho'..

Bizzaro.

You can't please everybody...

That is today's lesson kiddo's. Now you can aim to please 3/4's of the people by doing the same old trite crap that is proven to sell. That usually works. I know for a fact the things I do don't appeal to everyone. (Magicians especially) Example: Posted on The Magic Cafe by two gentlmen. One I have heard of the other.. well he has a confusing website. (I'll let you figure out who is who)

David Parr: "For some reason, it seems rather difficult to track down coherent and useful writing on this effect. I'm in the process of putting together a review of Helter Shelter, a booklet dedicated to the razor blades, for another Web site. Alas, coherent and useful are not much in evidence in this booklet."

Harley Newman: "It's a mishmash of material, all of which can be found elsewhere, done better. I'm rarely disappointed with books. Even a good rehashing can offer good insight. I usually reread new books a couple of times, and have an ongoing pile of rereads. This went straight to the bookshelf."

Ok now I am all for people having an opinion, and hey I don't care if they dun like my book. Free will and alla that. I could sit here and defend my product but why bother. It's what they think and they are more then welcome to express how they feel. (Just as much as I am to point a big red circle around it and say "Looky here!!") Negative comments are a common thing to hear. .. especially in magic. Now while these two guys didna like my magical offering, I know of many more who did. That's the way it goes when you put stuff out in the open for people to see.

Hell, shows like South Park some people don't like it, but genrally for every one person who dislikes something, there are 10 more who do favor it. See?

Craig Newman (No relation): "I would like to say thank you for putting such a piece of material out for others to enjoy and learn. It was a fun read..."

So if anyone ever gets you down for not liking what you do just remember what ol' Bizzaro sez...

Let's see you do better.

Bizzaro.

(yes yes I know what yer saying. "Gee if you don't care why did you make light of it?" Simple. I'm just a bastard and I wanted to. Don't like it, don't read it. Go read one of the many other magic journals that brings you the latest in up to date magical gossip and foul mouthed ramblings. See? Can't please everyone.. and I don't plan on trying. Thanx - The Mngmnt.)

Greetings kids!! Bizzaro coming to you live from CA. Sitting at my friend's Misty Lee and Paul Dini's hizzouse eating up their floor space and molesting their technology. Regardless, been having fun. I re-uploaded a video I did onto www.magicvideodepot.com and on that site there is a big talk of the use of copyrighted music. That subject can be a HUGE pain in the ass so here are a few tidbits from me about it.

First off there are a buncha royalty free CD's for magic out there. Some REEEEEEEALLY suck while others ain't so bad. Of course one of the more well known is Opus 1. If you wanna go a tad more pricey but a bit higher production value check out Illusionworks (That you have probably heard on ANY major magic special in the mid 90's).

When it comes to using music on stage you are generally safe to use whatever you want unless you are high profile. Then you have to go thru groups like ASCAP and BMI (Or ASScap as I call them). Do yourself a favor and look up copyright laws on music. It's very informative and annoying. If you can have your own custom music done. Jeff McBride did that and he NEVER has problems cuz' he has the rights to use it. Generally the problem comes into play when you are selling something and wanna use copyrighted music. They want a cut too. Not the bands, the company that holds the rights. The bands who perform the songs usually get NIL in a kickback compared to the record labels and whatnot.

One of my fave ways to get usable music is to find local bands who are not signed to a label. Ask their permission to use it and there yah go! Works like a charm.

Anywho, I must away, we have to buy stuff to make props for a show, so be well and remember.. Bizzaro. Luvs you.

But not you.

Bizzaro.

For those of you who care I was opening up for Sylvester the Jester this weekend out here in CA at Theater West. http://www.theatrewest.org/sylvester.html He has added some new material including a bit with a puppet and a rant about unleashing your "Cartoonity". If yer in the SoCal area go see this show! If you dress as a cartoon character or in a costume of some kind you get in for half price. Pass the word around that Sylvester the Jester encourages you to dress up and play along!!

Just what the magic world needs if you ask me.. people to fooking loosen up.

Bizzaro.

(PS: I am still out here in CA till the 21st. Any of you local Magi's wanna hang lemme know.)

Just got this in my Junk Mail Folder...

"The introduction of Heineken Premium Light marks a groundbreaking moment in Heineken USA?s history and also the light beer landscape. To celebrate the arrival of this unique Luxury Light beer, Criss Angel has designed a death defying escape that will amaze and spellbound his audience.

Heineken USA is inviting domestic light beer drinkers to ?succumb to smooth? with the national launch of Heineken Premium Light. The Company has commissioned Criss Angel to introduce the brand to New Yorkers and to the country with a never-before-executed stunt that will capture the ?surprisingly smooth? essence of the brand and leave audiences amazed."

Now I assume the weird question marks are hotmail's doing. However I want to know why in a Criss Angel Newsletter they talk more about the smooth taste of a beer and not the magician. There is a word I am looking for but I'll be damned if I can think of what it is.. *Cough*SeLlOuT*cough* but hey nothing sez let's get drunk and do something stupid like magic.

If you ask me Heineken is just the red neck beer of Scandanavia.

Bizzaro.

A riddle within in a mystery wrapped in a tortilla with some cheese.

Hey it's time for some more kokeyed advice from your truly. A friend of mine and I had been discussing the difference between doing magic for magicians and for non-magi's. One of the major problems with some magicians especially the younger up-and coming ones is they get so into magic they immerse themselves in magic and magicians they forget what the real world thinks.

Real people don't give a damn about how clever your ace assembly is. Laypeople don't call it a coin trick or a rope trick. It's just magic to them. Mundanes won't judge you as a person if yer pass or double lift is shite. As a matter of fact you'd be hard pressed to find a time when someone is REALLY wanting to care about what your doing sometimes. If they are looking at your hands when you do a top change, pass, or whatnot then I have news for you.. it's not them... it's you.

Ahem.. regardless, doing magic for magicians, as my friend says, is a puzzle. Especially in ones in "the know". If you fool them they might enjoy it sure or appreciate it.. but they ARE trying to figure it out. They can't help it. It's the nature of things. Most real people want to figure it out but don't have the knowledge. Their assumptions are based on what little they DO know about magic where a magician HAS the knowledge to figure it out. (And hey possibly rip the idea off from you.)

Now there are a few real people out there that will try to explain everything away. Some CAN figure out puzzles really well and can see thru a lot of basic magic and sleights. There are even those who HATE to watch magic cuz' it makes them mad they can't figure it out. It's ok to let that happen. As a matter of fact if they do watch and you fool them then kudos to you. To fool a know-it-all or entertain an anti-magic is a good feeling. Yer gonna have to bone up on that social interaction thing tho'. Don't be a magician. Be a human. Learn to interact socially without magic. It comes in handy trust me.

Now magicians.. if you are doing standard fare or a store bought or classic effect yer best bet is to not fool them but entertain them. In many cases a lot of magicians will NOT show their original pet effects to other magi's as they do have a habit of stealing moves, handling, and patter. It's just the sad truth. Heck depending where you go some groups of magicians are negative as hell. They will tell (And show) you 10 different ways they already know that's better than that new idea yer working on. Don't listen to those guys. They are bitter hobbyists... usually.

So go ahead and create new tricks and moves that appeal only to magicians if that's yer thing. It helps the pros and ambitious in the long run.

Bizzaro.

I feel it is generally my duty to post about certain new products when they are unusual and especially if they are overpriced. Now I am all for removing body parts but charging 70 bucks for a butcher knife and fake finger... thaz a tad silly doncha think. I am sure this is to keep it out of the hands of the "Curious" but how many people can you see doing this in the kids and church shows.

"Praise Jesus or his thugs might do THIS to you!! If you believe we can restore it like a leper! Pass the collection plate!!"

I'm not saying it's a bad idea.. I'm just sayin'.. that's all.

Bizzaro.