tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61931482024-03-13T18:04:37.875-05:00Why am I stuck in magician Hell?Rants and raves from the master of Demented Magic about the state of the magic world itself.Bizzaro.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14091146022808949244noreply@blogger.comBlogger906125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193148.post-58004444023089831892023-10-01T06:28:00.002-05:002023-10-01T06:30:32.083-05:00Sym-Pathetic Magic.... Thievery in magic is nothing new. Hell, in the world it's pretty commonplace no matter what practice you engage in. I have encountered my fair share of sticky fingered fuckery and it's always amusing to hear the justification for such behavior. Sometimes it's a legit case of independent creation. However, in the this digital age, it's pretty easy to debunk certain claims or at least Bizzaro.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14091146022808949244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193148.post-42278783356766262802023-08-19T17:46:00.000-05:002023-08-19T17:46:14.452-05:00The Departed... The last year or so has been rough for magic to say the least. The world is eating our workers and I want to talk about one of them.An Amazing Guy I met Young Fred Gwynne Thom Peterson early on after moving to Vegas. He and his awesome wife Annabel was visiting and we chatted a bit at McBride's Wonderground. He was from MN and had moved to the UK so it was a rare sighting.Right before Bizzaro.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14091146022808949244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193148.post-25803912952227321222022-12-06T02:10:00.000-06:002022-12-06T02:10:27.766-06:00Not stirred...Today I bring you a pseudo-guest post.This was a previous post elsewhere by Lee Presson of "Lee Presson and the Nails" that I have obtained permission to re-post here. (Also don't forget to check out their music over here if you like bad ass swing music.)Vermouth"This is a tough one to try and describe, but I'll do my best. I've often compared research for any theatrical endeavor to the Bizzaro.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14091146022808949244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193148.post-50412442088719262022-11-16T17:23:00.002-06:002022-11-16T17:24:32.464-06:00The incredible journey... The internet giveth and the internet taketh away. It has enabled some amazing things in our world but it has also created so many voids. For a few years now I have been lamenting the loss of journey and discovery and what it might be doing to future generations.I am the last generation to not have internet and then have it. That means I have experienced wacky things like video rental Bizzaro.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14091146022808949244noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193148.post-20655674215758592512022-05-19T18:31:00.004-05:002022-05-19T18:31:42.547-05:00A flat minor...Truer words... Today I am recovering from MAGIC Live here in Las Vegas. I only got about 20 minutes in the dealer's room to look around but I have seen some videos of random effects popping up. One such video got my usual reaction to the glut of the magic released nowadays... "So what?". There are so many "minor miracles" released into the magic marketplace disguised as this HUGE Bizzaro.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14091146022808949244noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193148.post-36806897360132912082022-05-01T06:29:00.002-05:002022-05-01T06:30:09.918-05:00No respect I tell yah... Some of you might be too young to know, or remember, that there was a time in America where variety acts were well respected. There were TV shows that showcased their talent and didn't treat them like some second class citizen waiting to be exploited for clicks, views, or ratings.Culture tends to be influenced by it's media. Clothing, hairstyles, and other trends come from what we consume. Bizzaro.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14091146022808949244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193148.post-29673568754547795802022-04-07T06:47:00.000-05:002022-05-01T06:30:20.545-05:00First Timers... I often wonder what it would have been like the first time someone saw a Nielsen bottle or Fantasio candle used. Things we take for granted but would have BLOWN OUR DAMN MINDS the first time they appeared on a stage. Now imagine people seeing a trampoline for the first time.Larry Griswold co-created the trampoline as we know it today and used it in his act. Can you imagine people goingBizzaro.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14091146022808949244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193148.post-31856906071819946022022-03-30T04:49:00.005-05:002022-07-01T16:20:48.584-05:00FItzkee was right... Have you ever read "Showmanship For Magicians"? I don't blame you if not. Fitzkee can be a bit of a dense read. (Protip: Just skim the book and read the bolded and ALL CAPS text. It summarizes the important points and saves a LOT of time)In the book he suggests that you watch other performers who are the top of their field. Not JUST magicians, but singers, comedians, actors, athletes, etc. Bizzaro.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14091146022808949244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193148.post-17059416374170073702022-03-09T18:41:00.001-06:002022-03-09T18:41:10.468-06:00End of an Era... While everyone is on social media talking about knowing Amazing Johnathan, let's talk about the man himself shall we?For those who might not know, he recently passed away and it sent a shockwave through the Las Vegas magic world. Most know him for his stand up comedy and magic. A lucky bunch of us got to know him on a personal level. Unlike other celebrities in our profession who kind of Bizzaro.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14091146022808949244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193148.post-60782632799707195642021-12-25T03:05:00.000-06:002021-12-25T03:05:00.751-06:00Social Distortion... Have you ever seen the magic documentary "Make Believe"?If you can't come in first place...For those who have not, it captures the magic convention competition scene in it's death throes. These kids were basically the last generation in the magic competition scene, at least in North America.There was a time when acts "came up together" in the competition circuit. Imagine seeing Juliana ChenBizzaro.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14091146022808949244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193148.post-82764753248504889072021-10-20T17:52:00.004-05:002021-10-20T17:54:02.565-05:00Dying From Exposure...Recently someone tagged me in a post of some asshat revealing one of my tricks on social media. This is not the first time it has happened and it won't be last because there are some who believe magic exposure is "The Future" (TM). I suppose there is a teeny tiny part of me that is flattered something I created is good enough to steal. However, with the rampant exposure and theft on social mediaBizzaro.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14091146022808949244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193148.post-27724883450984728422021-09-29T16:32:00.000-05:002021-09-29T16:32:22.431-05:00Is that my final answer?While I was sitting here packaging up product for my lecture in Atlanta this weekend (not so subtle plug), I had a realization: One of the big issue with magic exposure as a whole is that it requires the least amount of effort. It takes no creativity and, quite frankly, very little brain power. Any idiot can show someone how something works, either on purpose or accident (usually accident). Bizzaro.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14091146022808949244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193148.post-85521728678593081432021-06-17T06:12:00.002-05:002021-06-17T06:12:13.973-05:00Carry your own load (ew)....To give you some advice I need to tell you a story:When I first moved to Vegas I started working with a group called "Short Bus Comics". It was all of the experimental and outcast comedians. The ones doing weird characters or experimental stuff. It was aptly named.Around the same time I saw a post on a forum by a magician lamenting how the video he put up could have been better if the audience Bizzaro.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14091146022808949244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193148.post-76142023636692146822021-03-21T06:16:00.009-05:002021-03-21T06:16:55.267-05:00A prediction...Within the next 10 years, we will see a magic show on TV that is 100% cgi and stooges but presented as real. Think like Zack King but a total sham. It will be justified because it's for "entertainment" and no one will be the wiser.I hope I'm wrong.Bizzaro.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14091146022808949244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193148.post-69352290197542096632021-02-08T06:11:00.000-06:002021-02-08T06:11:05.073-06:00Where do we go from here?I recently went down a rabbit hole listening to old Roger Miller tunes I hadn't heard by way of John Denver. It's interesting to watch live footage of these guys performing. Not only did they tend to write all their own music and songs, they were adept showman. It got me thinking about how far away we have gotten from people like this to where we are now where so many of our musical "stars" are Bizzaro.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14091146022808949244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193148.post-66239018759333104712021-02-05T00:52:00.001-06:002021-02-05T00:53:31.105-06:00When is it ok?Magic has always had it's bouts of "exposure", from Reginald Scot to
Penn and Teller, and it has kept plodding on. Various performers have
exposed magical props and effects over the years. It's usually for
comedic gain or to make a point. Where magical knowledge was once relegated to back rooms of magic clubs or brick and mortar stores, the internet has allowed the widespread exposure of Bizzaro.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14091146022808949244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193148.post-34155505179369604732021-01-04T03:22:00.007-06:002021-01-20T15:03:08.733-06:00Consent is sexy... There is a bit of drama in the magic community as of late (more than usual I should clarify). A known magician who is now part of a cabal of other performers who create "prank" videos for money on fb decided to... I dunno... test the waters(?) of magic as a vehicle for pranks. The problem is, they did such by exposing a well known principle in magic. The magic community at large was up in arms Bizzaro.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14091146022808949244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193148.post-67104963859083356052020-11-28T15:40:00.004-06:002020-11-28T15:40:49.752-06:00Same as it ever was... "Repetition is the death of magic" - Bill WattersonVisual magic seems to be the crack cocaine of the magic world. Everyone is looking for that next fix. That next "hit" if you will. As a consultant for other performers and TV shows, I am often plagued by taking a magical idea and "making it more visual". There are a few problems with this line of thinking however....You chew thru more Bizzaro.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14091146022808949244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193148.post-70387068575214117912020-09-28T22:22:00.009-05:002020-09-28T22:24:44.168-05:00"The death of magicians on the internet..." Some people are catching on. Enjoy.Get this guy a Merlin award.Bizzaro.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14091146022808949244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193148.post-81496909614066496322020-08-29T18:43:00.005-05:002020-08-29T18:43:40.369-05:00Invisible touch...I want to start this post by saying I am not against people trying to improve a magic effect for their own amusement/benefit/style/etc. However, I am against trying to convince people it has shortcomings that it doesn't have like it's fact just to sell it as a product.Why do I bring this up you ask? This recent release caught my eye. Now there have been various "improvements" to invisible deck Bizzaro.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14091146022808949244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193148.post-54745798090320411682020-06-22T20:26:00.002-05:002020-08-29T18:23:24.092-05:00A gift...
For all of my loyal readers, this is just for you.
If you ever need to glue pieces of flashpaper together, use rigid collodion.
It's mostly used nowadays for making fake scars but it can also be used for things like sealing the ends of rope. It also burns up without leaving any residue unlike glue stick or other adhesives you might see recommended online at large green gaudy forums.
Bizzaro.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14091146022808949244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193148.post-60589689022682593022020-06-09T17:11:00.002-05:002020-06-22T20:27:44.537-05:00Comments are disabling...What hurts magic more? Bad magic or people encouraging bad magic?How many times have you seen a photo of a girl online in some very pre-planned pose (and likely filtered/photoshopped) that is meant to look off the cuff but probably asked the person taking the photo to re-do it 5 times to get it just right? Plenty I am sure. Now look below the photo. What do you see? The same one word praise "Bizzaro.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14091146022808949244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193148.post-37659839837486739362020-06-01T04:17:00.000-05:002020-06-01T04:17:18.801-05:00What does a hipster weigh?I swear this journal isn't going to turn into nothing but "look at these idiots on instagram" every post. It just happens to be an easy target for my ire right now.This is a piece of advice for those of you out there who might be new to this racket. When you get a new trick, maybe read the instructions before performing it. It's likely got two backs for a reason and showing people the gaff is Bizzaro.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14091146022808949244noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193148.post-1912936914613265762020-05-12T22:02:00.000-05:002020-05-13T16:50:44.208-05:00Can we just... not?
I know you are supposed to use a metric ass load of hashtags to "get views" on Instagram but for the love of... maybe don't use #femalemagician if there are no performers of the feminine persuasion in it? It's pretty damn sleazy.
(Post edited to make a bit more sense)
Bizzaro.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14091146022808949244noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6193148.post-53862555366910971402020-05-10T23:16:00.001-05:002020-05-10T23:16:37.673-05:00Negative Reinforcement....We all know the internet, and social media specifically, is an echo chamber right? It's a place where people go to justify their bad behaviors and prove themselves right to other people and themselves. We all mostly agree on this correct?Well before social media, to inflict your bad performing habits on others, you had top go to your local magic club or, Zeus forbid, a paid gig. The average bear Bizzaro.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14091146022808949244noreply@blogger.com1