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.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
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.
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.
Saturday, February 18, 2006
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.
"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.
Monday, February 13, 2006
Spook Club has me answering questions on their forum this week so if you ever had anything odd to ask me then head over and fire away. Be warned my repsonses can be wordy as I have a lot to say.
Bizzaro.
Bizzaro.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Well congrats go to Glen in Canada. He won the Sleightgeek Razor Blade contest. He gets a free copy of my Helter Shelter book. Many thanx to Sam Blankenship and chris for having me on their radio show. Hope I didn't prattle on too terribly much.
Also just decided to patronize (I mean buy something not make fun of) the Fearson/Angelo Carbone Shirt Happens effect. It's amusing to be sure but a few of the appications I think would be a litle undesired for those of us out of shape furry types... however it has many other brilliant applications. Color change shirt to name one. The best part is the bonus access to a video on how to make a seance cloth for dirt frickin' cheap. This is one of those "Why didn't I think of that" moments. So for $6.95 it's worth raiding your paypal balance.
Now off to edit footage of a girl who can fit inside a suitcase. Toodles.
Bizzaro.
Also just decided to patronize (I mean buy something not make fun of) the Fearson/Angelo Carbone Shirt Happens effect. It's amusing to be sure but a few of the appications I think would be a litle undesired for those of us out of shape furry types... however it has many other brilliant applications. Color change shirt to name one. The best part is the bonus access to a video on how to make a seance cloth for dirt frickin' cheap. This is one of those "Why didn't I think of that" moments. So for $6.95 it's worth raiding your paypal balance.
Now off to edit footage of a girl who can fit inside a suitcase. Toodles.
Bizzaro.
Friday, January 27, 2006
Just a heads up... the Book we unleashed upon the magic market, Helter Shelter is doing well it seems. So well in fact Bizzaro will be appearing on http://www.magicbroadcast.com Saturday night 10pm central/8pm pacific to discuss it among other things. If you want to get a copy you can get it directly from us Here oooor persuade yer own local magic shop to order it.
Bizzaro.
www.smappdooda.com
Bizzaro.
www.smappdooda.com
Thursday, January 26, 2006
There is talk on and in a few places about "The Underground" which tends to be moves and effects that circulate between close-up guys and are tweaked, toyed with and eventually published. Kickback was one of those effects. It was neet too. Lee Asher was once a prod member of "The Underground" especially with his original Cooking with Lee Asher video. At one point, (When he had hair kinda) Jay Sankey was underground. (Or above ground since he is Canadian) A lot of time when these new guys surface their material they become like bands. "Wow this new band Bowling for Soup is awesome!" Sorry to bust yah bubble but they have been around since the late 80's here in TX. Korn was like that too. Heard about them when I was 16. No one else did till' many years later.
However in yester-year did not have what we have now... Teh Intarweb. Hard to keep a secret nowadays... and much easier to turn a profit. When it was all word of mouth and re-telling about an effect you saw, usually mis-remembered, magic effects were easier to keep hush hush. Now "The Underground" has people like Daniel Garcia in it, (Who I remember from before he was "the" Daniel Garcia), along with a great many others. People like Criss Angel are taking advantage of these unknowns and using their material in his show.. like the guy who developed Coin in Can.
Lecture notes are one of the last bastions of "The Underground". However people are now writing notes ONLY for internet release. Nothing wrong with that... just makes it more accessible. How do you make something underground in today's age? Limited Runs. Hard to think of doing when the almighty dollar is on the line.. but for some.. art is what is more important.(That and the fact you don't want every 15 year old ass klown doing your stuff.. badly)
Just remember. Saying you have kept something a secret from the magic world for X amount of years doesn't mean anything except you just haven't told anyone about it or performed it at a magic convention.
Wanna keep something hidden? Put it up for print in a linking ring.
Bizzaro.
However in yester-year did not have what we have now... Teh Intarweb. Hard to keep a secret nowadays... and much easier to turn a profit. When it was all word of mouth and re-telling about an effect you saw, usually mis-remembered, magic effects were easier to keep hush hush. Now "The Underground" has people like Daniel Garcia in it, (Who I remember from before he was "the" Daniel Garcia), along with a great many others. People like Criss Angel are taking advantage of these unknowns and using their material in his show.. like the guy who developed Coin in Can.
Lecture notes are one of the last bastions of "The Underground". However people are now writing notes ONLY for internet release. Nothing wrong with that... just makes it more accessible. How do you make something underground in today's age? Limited Runs. Hard to think of doing when the almighty dollar is on the line.. but for some.. art is what is more important.(That and the fact you don't want every 15 year old ass klown doing your stuff.. badly)
Just remember. Saying you have kept something a secret from the magic world for X amount of years doesn't mean anything except you just haven't told anyone about it or performed it at a magic convention.
Wanna keep something hidden? Put it up for print in a linking ring.
Bizzaro.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Bizzaro Product Review
Ok so this isn't terribly new but egads what is wrong with this picture?
Well for one it's not MUCH of a color change right? What about the sleeves? What about the collor? What about the fact it costs 175 damn dollars!! This again is an example of the secert does not exceed the pricetag. Someone sure is proud of this idea. Maybe if it wasn't so limiting. I dunno.. just thought I would bitch a bit. I'm done now...
Bizzaro.
Ok so this isn't terribly new but egads what is wrong with this picture?
Well for one it's not MUCH of a color change right? What about the sleeves? What about the collor? What about the fact it costs 175 damn dollars!! This again is an example of the secert does not exceed the pricetag. Someone sure is proud of this idea. Maybe if it wasn't so limiting. I dunno.. just thought I would bitch a bit. I'm done now...
Bizzaro.
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Someone was recently asking for advice on stage magic on one of my fave sites: Magic Video Depot. It's nice to see people still interested in stage magic online with the upsurge of little close-up workers being created by the Asshat and websites like Ellusionist.
Anywho, this is some advice I gave him...
"Glad to hear yer interested in stage magic. Too many close-up magicians. Regardless, when it comes to stage work it helps to know about everything. Make-up, movement, and basic theater like blocking and moving. It helps to have a character or at least a "Reality bubble" to create around. In other words you need a reference as to what you or your character would do and wouldn't do. I would never do linking rings as it doesn't fit my style or stage persona.
Your first effect should establish who you are and what you do. What your motivation is and your personality. You also need to decide is it an all talking show or is there music bits or is it ALL music (Which I suggest. It takes away a lot of the facade and makes you a better performer by trying to express your feelings and self thru movement and acting.. and you can perform it in any language.)
Learn as much as possible about the world around you. Don't stay in the magic world persay but bring magic to otherwise non-magical things.. apples, baseball bats, shopping carts. Use everyday items. The less it looks like a magic prop the more effective something can be. Don't be afraid to try new things and experiment. Just because you haven't seen it doen doesn't mean it can't BE done. The best attitude to have is Nothing is Impossible. Magic itself is a puzzle for the performers of it. "I want to accomplish this.. how do I do it?" and it goes from there. It all really depends on how you want to play it. Stage magic takes time, dedication, and practice. Be prepared."
While writing this I touched one something I want to go more into on here. The "Reality Bubble" concept. It's a place where your own self-imposed reality exists. Where you create your own world and the happenings inside of it all in one nice neat little sphere you control. This bubble comes in various forms for everyone.
Dan Sylvester in his creativity lecture talks about how he has used Sylvester the Jester to create his own reality and therefore his unique magic. The living cartoon persona is HIS Reality Bubble. Everyone's is different. Mine is different from yours. Yours is different from his.. and hers.. and theirs. Just because your view of magic doesn't match up with someone else's doesn't mean it's wrong or you are right. The world is big enuff for everyone's bubbles.. just try not to pop anyone else's. That stuff has a habit to come back and bite you in the ass.
Just like the blog. hee hee.
Bizzaro.
Anywho, this is some advice I gave him...
"Glad to hear yer interested in stage magic. Too many close-up magicians. Regardless, when it comes to stage work it helps to know about everything. Make-up, movement, and basic theater like blocking and moving. It helps to have a character or at least a "Reality bubble" to create around. In other words you need a reference as to what you or your character would do and wouldn't do. I would never do linking rings as it doesn't fit my style or stage persona.
Your first effect should establish who you are and what you do. What your motivation is and your personality. You also need to decide is it an all talking show or is there music bits or is it ALL music (Which I suggest. It takes away a lot of the facade and makes you a better performer by trying to express your feelings and self thru movement and acting.. and you can perform it in any language.)
Learn as much as possible about the world around you. Don't stay in the magic world persay but bring magic to otherwise non-magical things.. apples, baseball bats, shopping carts. Use everyday items. The less it looks like a magic prop the more effective something can be. Don't be afraid to try new things and experiment. Just because you haven't seen it doen doesn't mean it can't BE done. The best attitude to have is Nothing is Impossible. Magic itself is a puzzle for the performers of it. "I want to accomplish this.. how do I do it?" and it goes from there. It all really depends on how you want to play it. Stage magic takes time, dedication, and practice. Be prepared."
While writing this I touched one something I want to go more into on here. The "Reality Bubble" concept. It's a place where your own self-imposed reality exists. Where you create your own world and the happenings inside of it all in one nice neat little sphere you control. This bubble comes in various forms for everyone.
Dan Sylvester in his creativity lecture talks about how he has used Sylvester the Jester to create his own reality and therefore his unique magic. The living cartoon persona is HIS Reality Bubble. Everyone's is different. Mine is different from yours. Yours is different from his.. and hers.. and theirs. Just because your view of magic doesn't match up with someone else's doesn't mean it's wrong or you are right. The world is big enuff for everyone's bubbles.. just try not to pop anyone else's. That stuff has a habit to come back and bite you in the ass.
Just like the blog. hee hee.
Bizzaro.
Monday, January 16, 2006
Bizzaro.'s Guide to Magical Photos
Alright kids time for me to show you the steps to creating the best magic photos you can for use on your shabby frontpage created website or yer favorite webforum avatar.
Step One: Take a photo of yourself somewhere in your parent's house. The bathroom is usually empty. Make sure you outstretch your hand in a mysterious fashion. Speaking of fashion make sure you are wearing your best outfit for this. You know, the one you wear ANY time you leave the house so people will know yer a magician. If you are a mentalist and don't look like a 12 year old better point to your forehead or put some bent flatware in your hands. For now this will do...
If yer a total tool try this one...
It works best when leaning out of a fast sports car you could never afford at a local auto dealership. Make sure you take this photo yourself for that totally hip do it yourself close-up effect.
Step 2: Since Photoshop is so easily accessible ala' any number of downloading programs and any yeehoo can try to use it remove yourself from the background ala' your favorite method.
Step 3: Now to set the mood... mysteeeerious. What's more mysterious than space? That's right NOTHING!! Just ask Gene Roddenberry.. oh wait, you can't HE'S DEAD!! Regardless, put yourself in front of what you have between your ears.. space.
Step 4: Now to add a bit of magic to the mix.. by adding special FX with our magic SPECIAL FX GENERATOR (Lighting thunder muppets etc..)
Step 5: As if that weren't enough, time to add a force of nature and hey, nobody understands lightning right? They're like microwaves. No one really knows how they work right Pinky? (NARF!) So hell why not add some of that!?
Step 6: We're almost done kids. Now to add the often overdone and goofy looking Lens Flare effect. [Filters - Render - Lens Flare]. It says, "Magical, kool, and lazy bastard all at the same time. Much easier than trying to time yer FISM flash just right.
Step 7: To show you are a master of all you survey better put in the all seeing eyes for that touch of creepy. Besides you have to fill in that empty space in the corner. Be proud. You are probably the first person to EVER think of doing that!!
Final Step: Are we there yet? You betcha! Just add that drop shadow to show yer more than just a two dimensional cut out.. even if you are in real life. Voila'! A masterpiece.. a piece of whut I won't say...
So what does this picture have in common with almost every other magic photo online? It tells you absolutely NOTHING about the performer, what he does, or who he is. Looks like every other generic magician out there. Nothing to make it stand out in the minds of the normal public or make them interested in getting to know the person. No real personality or character to speak of. Could be anyone. Hell he could be trying to peddle Scientology on us.
I did this as an example to show you how most magic photos turn out lacking imagination or creativity in the department of selling who you are. Try to find a way to stand out among all of the other balding, heavyset, glasses wearing magi's. (Sorry the long beard and creepy voice are already taken.) Try to find what is unique to you and your character. If you have no character.. or personality then fake it. However holding up a fan of cards or a dove doesn't tell us jack about you. Nor does holding a crystal ball or crouching down outside somewhere by some steps. Be an original and they will never forget you.
Speaking of magic do me a personal favor and please stop making photos of stuff you can't actually do in your act. (i.e.) holding your assitants head with their body in a chair. It is good practice to do as little image manipulation as possible and get it all in studio. When the time comes and you have to perform the person hiring you won't ask you, "So when do you remove your arm and juggle with it?"
I am only telling you this for yer own good. I'm just trying to help...
Seriously.
Bizzaro.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
With the release of my new book I am having a contest at one of the more relaxed and laid back magic forums www.sleightgeek.com. Head over there and you too could win a copy of Helter Shelter for yer very own!
Bizzaro.
Bizzaro.
Monday, January 02, 2006
The Magic Cafe has always been a big point of hilarity and mockery in Blogs since The Magic Circle Joik started. Necessity is the mother etc etc...
It's easy to understand honestly. You put a buncha people who THINK they know what they are doing in one spot and yer gonna get friction. I found someone has posted about the release of my new book. I have never seen a group of people so willing to pass judgment so fast. (Unless you count the xians.)
The DVD that guy is referring to was a fairly shoddy product. I saw it. Very little detail was given about the history or various methods used to achieve the razor blade illusion. We spent a good amount of time researching and accumulating ideas and methods without going too crazy. (There is such a thing as too MUCH information.)
The comment about Jim Rose is fairly true. He does use it quite a bit but that DVD also does not go into much detail either. I mean kudos to these guys for furthering the exposure for this fine illusion but much disdain to the uninformed masses of amateurs who know nothing about magic or it's history.
So in short.. don't be that guy.
Bizzaro.
It's easy to understand honestly. You put a buncha people who THINK they know what they are doing in one spot and yer gonna get friction. I found someone has posted about the release of my new book. I have never seen a group of people so willing to pass judgment so fast. (Unless you count the xians.)
The DVD that guy is referring to was a fairly shoddy product. I saw it. Very little detail was given about the history or various methods used to achieve the razor blade illusion. We spent a good amount of time researching and accumulating ideas and methods without going too crazy. (There is such a thing as too MUCH information.)
The comment about Jim Rose is fairly true. He does use it quite a bit but that DVD also does not go into much detail either. I mean kudos to these guys for furthering the exposure for this fine illusion but much disdain to the uninformed masses of amateurs who know nothing about magic or it's history.
So in short.. don't be that guy.
Bizzaro.
Sunday, January 01, 2006
Friday, December 30, 2005
First off I am gonna PIMP YO' SISTER!!! er.. my stuff.. The new Helter Shelter book is now for sale at Murphy's Magic Supplies. Tell yer fave magic shop you want them to order it.
Now I'll trade you. You make them order my crap, and I'll tell you something useful. Previously a reliable way to create your own custom printed playing cards was either a hassle or fairly expensive. You could order the custom FAK-O sheets. They are good for normal cards. If you are the stubborn bastard type like me who use nothing but Jumbo Index cards or for those of you who are insane and use Lo-Vision cards it might be a bit more challenging.
Recently I found a step by step way to make your own cards on Alt.Magic brought to you by Mr. Ray Haddad. It can now be found Here. It's good solid advice but time consuming. The price of shirt transfers has gone down a bit since then too. I recently found another good shortcut for custom cards I shall now share with you.
Purchase Shipping labels larger than a playing card. (3.5 x 2.5) If you are photoshop savvy and have a scanner yer good to go. First scan the packing label sheet and use it as a template so you know where to position the card graphic. Scan some playing cards and adjust them as needed. Position them properly within the label lines and PRINT THAT SUKAH!!
I hope you bought a deck of blank cards. (Cuz' real cards can be seen thru the thin labels. If in a pinch you can sand off the pips of an ace with fine grain sandpaper) Line up the label as best you can and slap it on the card. Cut around the edges and voila a custom card!! Wait, there's more...
It's gonna have a matte finish (Unless you buy gloss coat shipping labels) so you will also need to use the Krylon Gloss finish to make the surface shiny as well as seal the label on the card.
Let it dry and voila' custom printed playing cards!!
Hope yah have fun with that and don't forget: Nothing sez lovin' like a book about razor blades.
Bizzaro.
Now I'll trade you. You make them order my crap, and I'll tell you something useful. Previously a reliable way to create your own custom printed playing cards was either a hassle or fairly expensive. You could order the custom FAK-O sheets. They are good for normal cards. If you are the stubborn bastard type like me who use nothing but Jumbo Index cards or for those of you who are insane and use Lo-Vision cards it might be a bit more challenging.
Recently I found a step by step way to make your own cards on Alt.Magic brought to you by Mr. Ray Haddad. It can now be found Here. It's good solid advice but time consuming. The price of shirt transfers has gone down a bit since then too. I recently found another good shortcut for custom cards I shall now share with you.
Purchase Shipping labels larger than a playing card. (3.5 x 2.5) If you are photoshop savvy and have a scanner yer good to go. First scan the packing label sheet and use it as a template so you know where to position the card graphic. Scan some playing cards and adjust them as needed. Position them properly within the label lines and PRINT THAT SUKAH!!
I hope you bought a deck of blank cards. (Cuz' real cards can be seen thru the thin labels. If in a pinch you can sand off the pips of an ace with fine grain sandpaper) Line up the label as best you can and slap it on the card. Cut around the edges and voila a custom card!! Wait, there's more...
It's gonna have a matte finish (Unless you buy gloss coat shipping labels) so you will also need to use the Krylon Gloss finish to make the surface shiny as well as seal the label on the card.
Let it dry and voila' custom printed playing cards!!
Hope yah have fun with that and don't forget: Nothing sez lovin' like a book about razor blades.
Bizzaro.
Thursday, December 22, 2005
TOTALLY off topic...
Amusing regardless. More soon after the holidays.
Bizzaro.
My blog is worth $564.54.
How much is your blog worth?
Amusing regardless. More soon after the holidays.
Bizzaro.
Monday, December 19, 2005
Who's yer daddy?
A lot of magicians try to let a spectator perform an effect such as spectator cuts the aces. They feel this makes the helper the star... but let's think about this for a second. Ok sure the person helping will feel good for getting what you wanted right. A person who craves attention or power like a CEO or somesuch will prolly get off on being the center of attention for a moment or two. (A moment is three seconds long in case yah cared)
However in the real world a crowd watching a card handler/magician KNOWS that it was NOT the person doing the magic but the magician being clever enough to set up that instance of entertainment. Now some of the people out there who get easily freaked out by magic will believe anything but on the whole having someone else perform the motions just shows that the performers hands had nothing to do with it but still could accomplish miracles. Saying the spectator did it makes it less pompous.
Whatever gets us through the day hunh?
Bizzaro.
A lot of magicians try to let a spectator perform an effect such as spectator cuts the aces. They feel this makes the helper the star... but let's think about this for a second. Ok sure the person helping will feel good for getting what you wanted right. A person who craves attention or power like a CEO or somesuch will prolly get off on being the center of attention for a moment or two. (A moment is three seconds long in case yah cared)
However in the real world a crowd watching a card handler/magician KNOWS that it was NOT the person doing the magic but the magician being clever enough to set up that instance of entertainment. Now some of the people out there who get easily freaked out by magic will believe anything but on the whole having someone else perform the motions just shows that the performers hands had nothing to do with it but still could accomplish miracles. Saying the spectator did it makes it less pompous.
Whatever gets us through the day hunh?
Bizzaro.
Friday, December 09, 2005
Can we Talk?
Ok so I just had a conversation with an old friend online... this goes to show just how much magic shows (Thru constant bombardment thru repeats) can still be effective and just how much exposure sites and TV shows don't hurt us on a whole.
The following story is true. Some of the names have been changed to protect the innocent. The typos however have been left in.
what is with davis blaine?
smappdooda: David
smappdooda: he's got a good marketing team why?
s: i love him
s: how does he levitate?
smappdooda: the balducci levitation and video editing
s: uh
s: but you can see him going up, and the people are so freaked out
s: you mean it's fake?
smappdooda: don't believe everything you see on TV.. especially by magicians.. ESPECIALLY unscrupulous ones
s: ....unscrupulous? David Blaine? But i love him! How can he be unscrupulous?
smappdooda: well ok magically unethical how's that?
s: ,,,,i am confused
smappdooda: He does a buncha stuff that you could ONLY do with money and a crew.. but I guess David Copperfield has been doing the same thing since the 80's
s: ok you know that one thing where the card the person picks is shoved through the glass and you have to cut the glass to get it? that freaked me out. Are you saying that his tricks are all crap?
smappdooda: well technically ALL magic tricks are crap heh. The methods are SO downright sneaky or dirty that we don't tell how they are done because it makes it go from neat experince to shitty trick
smappdooda: but if you like Blaine check THIS guy out http://www.youtube.com/watch.php?v=TxcOk85GCoc&search=japanese%20magic%20cyril%20takayama
smappdooda: he is the japanese version and BETTER
smappdooda: got a lot of videos of him in a list to the right
s: ok but seriously how does he levitate? can you just tell me?
smappdooda: sure he does a trick called the balducci levitation and then they edit the reaction sounds while he is lefted up on wires. That's all edited he gets the reaction by lifting up only a few inches using a sneaky method
smappdooda: yes the levitation is all edited and fake
s: what is the sneaky trick? does he use a cane or something?
s: err sneaky method
s: "he gets the reaction by lifting up only a few inches using a sneaky method"
smappdooda: it's a trick called the balducci levitation.. lemme see if I can find some footage of it to show you hold on..
s: i know, i googled it, but do you know how they do it?
smappdooda: yah I can do it
s: then tell me how please
smappdooda: well have you seen a video of it yet?
smappdooda: http://www.geocities.com/Broadway/Stage/7308/balducci.html#Solution
smappdooda: there yah go thaz the levitation he gets the reaction with
s: oh.
s: wow ok.
s: pretty cool trick
s: there is a place that charges $20 for a dvd to learn that
s: so i owe ya
s: now what about the card and glass thing?
So yes I told her how it was done. (But not the card glass thing. Yer penetration frames are still safe.) Obviously not that big a loss.. you know how many people expose that trick on the internet? I tend to feel a bit annoyed when asked about the Asshat's levitation. I feel it was a cheap way to go about things and have no problem debunking it. (Not like I am the only one.)
Now up there I am sure you noticed a weblink up there to a japanese magician named Cyril. He does the same stuff Blaine does. Preset up props, stuff you could only do on TV, or have the money to build for TV. (Mind you upon reflection Copperfield has been doing this for some time but these guys take it to the EXTREME) Cyril does something different from Blaine.. he smiles... kidding. He seems to enjoy what he is doing and has style.. maybe even a personality if I could understand japanese.
So what did we learn today bois and gurls? The Asshat is forever engrained into society like the giants he stands upon. Henning, Copperfield, Houdini, and many MANY others. There is no way to avoid it, but let's face it.... if you had a TV special you'd do it too.
Birds do it, bees do it.. let's do it...
Let's do a card trick.
Bizzaro.
Ok so I just had a conversation with an old friend online... this goes to show just how much magic shows (Thru constant bombardment thru repeats) can still be effective and just how much exposure sites and TV shows don't hurt us on a whole.
The following story is true. Some of the names have been changed to protect the innocent. The typos however have been left in.
what is with davis blaine?
smappdooda: David
smappdooda: he's got a good marketing team why?
s: i love him
s: how does he levitate?
smappdooda: the balducci levitation and video editing
s: uh
s: but you can see him going up, and the people are so freaked out
s: you mean it's fake?
smappdooda: don't believe everything you see on TV.. especially by magicians.. ESPECIALLY unscrupulous ones
s: ....unscrupulous? David Blaine? But i love him! How can he be unscrupulous?
smappdooda: well ok magically unethical how's that?
s: ,,,,i am confused
smappdooda: He does a buncha stuff that you could ONLY do with money and a crew.. but I guess David Copperfield has been doing the same thing since the 80's
s: ok you know that one thing where the card the person picks is shoved through the glass and you have to cut the glass to get it? that freaked me out. Are you saying that his tricks are all crap?
smappdooda: well technically ALL magic tricks are crap heh. The methods are SO downright sneaky or dirty that we don't tell how they are done because it makes it go from neat experince to shitty trick
smappdooda: but if you like Blaine check THIS guy out http://www.youtube.com/watch.php?v=TxcOk85GCoc&search=japanese%20magic%20cyril%20takayama
smappdooda: he is the japanese version and BETTER
smappdooda: got a lot of videos of him in a list to the right
s: ok but seriously how does he levitate? can you just tell me?
smappdooda: sure he does a trick called the balducci levitation and then they edit the reaction sounds while he is lefted up on wires. That's all edited he gets the reaction by lifting up only a few inches using a sneaky method
smappdooda: yes the levitation is all edited and fake
s: what is the sneaky trick? does he use a cane or something?
s: err sneaky method
s: "he gets the reaction by lifting up only a few inches using a sneaky method"
smappdooda: it's a trick called the balducci levitation.. lemme see if I can find some footage of it to show you hold on..
s: i know, i googled it, but do you know how they do it?
smappdooda: yah I can do it
s: then tell me how please
smappdooda: well have you seen a video of it yet?
smappdooda: http://www.geocities.com/Broadway/Stage/7308/balducci.html#Solution
smappdooda: there yah go thaz the levitation he gets the reaction with
s: oh.
s: wow ok.
s: pretty cool trick
s: there is a place that charges $20 for a dvd to learn that
s: so i owe ya
s: now what about the card and glass thing?
So yes I told her how it was done. (But not the card glass thing. Yer penetration frames are still safe.) Obviously not that big a loss.. you know how many people expose that trick on the internet? I tend to feel a bit annoyed when asked about the Asshat's levitation. I feel it was a cheap way to go about things and have no problem debunking it. (Not like I am the only one.)
Now up there I am sure you noticed a weblink up there to a japanese magician named Cyril. He does the same stuff Blaine does. Preset up props, stuff you could only do on TV, or have the money to build for TV. (Mind you upon reflection Copperfield has been doing this for some time but these guys take it to the EXTREME) Cyril does something different from Blaine.. he smiles... kidding. He seems to enjoy what he is doing and has style.. maybe even a personality if I could understand japanese.
So what did we learn today bois and gurls? The Asshat is forever engrained into society like the giants he stands upon. Henning, Copperfield, Houdini, and many MANY others. There is no way to avoid it, but let's face it.... if you had a TV special you'd do it too.
Birds do it, bees do it.. let's do it...
Let's do a card trick.
Bizzaro.
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