Wanna have some fun and kill some time? Hell maybe a few brain cells to boot! Watch some Jay Sankey product demos, without the audio, and see if you can tell WTF is going on.
Lemme know how it goes....
Bizzaro.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Why resort to cheap skill?
What is it with magicians releasing gimmicks which promise you the sun, the moon and a handjob under the table that recreate magical effects that could easily by reproduced by a modicum of skillful practice?
Is it because we love the new and shiny? Perhaps we are just lazy bastards... or.. maybe.. just maybe... some evil fucktards are out there praying upon you like Cosmo magazine which likes to swoops down and pick at the remaining bits of many American females' self-esteem.
Could it be they KNOW you'll see this miracle of modern magical technology and you will then think to yourself, "Self, we need that so we too can be magical with no real sacrifice and perhaps we might just set ourselves up to get some nookie."
I don't know if this is the inner dialogue going on in the heads of either sides of the fence but it sure does make you wonder...
don't it?
Bizzaro.
Is it because we love the new and shiny? Perhaps we are just lazy bastards... or.. maybe.. just maybe... some evil fucktards are out there praying upon you like Cosmo magazine which likes to swoops down and pick at the remaining bits of many American females' self-esteem.
Could it be they KNOW you'll see this miracle of modern magical technology and you will then think to yourself, "Self, we need that so we too can be magical with no real sacrifice and perhaps we might just set ourselves up to get some nookie."
I don't know if this is the inner dialogue going on in the heads of either sides of the fence but it sure does make you wonder...
don't it?
Bizzaro.
Friday, August 21, 2009
If Hasbro taught me anything...
Remember when you were a kid? Ok well for some of you this was a few weeks ago maybe, but that's not the point... You got a new Transformer toy and before you even bothered to find let alone read the instructions, you were already trying to form that little plastic bastard into.. whatever it looked like on the box? Remember that? Hands? Anyone? I know it wasn't just me, c'mon now...
Regardless, you knew better. Sometimes this would lead to accomplishment.. sometimes it would lead to you looking at Jetfire and saying "How the hell does this thing work?" and then you snap his head off because you decided not to follow proper procedure. That sucks... but you knew better right? My gawd is this going anywhere? Yes... I think.
As magicians we buy something, look at the instructions, learn to do a ghost count (If you don't know what that is, slap yourself in the forehead for me) that is done awkwardly at the fingertips. How many people do you know, yourself included, still do the push me/pull me (hadadada) move in color monte because that's how it was written? Next to the double undercut and the glide, it is one of the most useless moves I happen to know how to do.
We don't question anything. Sure some of us do and we flock to their lectures and buy their videos to learn how they have jumped the shark as it were to create something we apparently couldn't achieve ourselves. We get handed a method or moves and told "this is how this goes" and we believe it. We don't question it. We just merrily roll along. Well friends I am here to tell you a little something....
QUESTION EVERYTHING!!!
Do not be content with what you are fed or handed. Look at it from different angles. Thru different eyes. Under a microscope. Hell try NOT looking at it. See what happens. Think to yourself, "Gee, I sure would like to accomplish X without having to do Y. I wonder if I can do that?" YES YOU CAN!! Don't be afraid to try and try again.. and fail and fail again. You will learn a LOT from your screw ups. However, if you don't practice properly, other people will have a lot to learn from yer screw ups as well.
If you just reject what you know.. or think you know... maybe you can create something that hadn't been thought of before.
Something with sponge balls maybe?
Bizzaro.
Regardless, you knew better. Sometimes this would lead to accomplishment.. sometimes it would lead to you looking at Jetfire and saying "How the hell does this thing work?" and then you snap his head off because you decided not to follow proper procedure. That sucks... but you knew better right? My gawd is this going anywhere? Yes... I think.
As magicians we buy something, look at the instructions, learn to do a ghost count (If you don't know what that is, slap yourself in the forehead for me) that is done awkwardly at the fingertips. How many people do you know, yourself included, still do the push me/pull me (hadadada) move in color monte because that's how it was written? Next to the double undercut and the glide, it is one of the most useless moves I happen to know how to do.
We don't question anything. Sure some of us do and we flock to their lectures and buy their videos to learn how they have jumped the shark as it were to create something we apparently couldn't achieve ourselves. We get handed a method or moves and told "this is how this goes" and we believe it. We don't question it. We just merrily roll along. Well friends I am here to tell you a little something....
QUESTION EVERYTHING!!!
Do not be content with what you are fed or handed. Look at it from different angles. Thru different eyes. Under a microscope. Hell try NOT looking at it. See what happens. Think to yourself, "Gee, I sure would like to accomplish X without having to do Y. I wonder if I can do that?" YES YOU CAN!! Don't be afraid to try and try again.. and fail and fail again. You will learn a LOT from your screw ups. However, if you don't practice properly, other people will have a lot to learn from yer screw ups as well.
If you just reject what you know.. or think you know... maybe you can create something that hadn't been thought of before.
Something with sponge balls maybe?
Bizzaro.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Here's a few tips...
1. Doing jazz hands doesn't make you mysterious nor magical.
II. If your magic demo takes more than 30 seconds to get to the point, you've lost.
#. I like bubble wrap...
Bizzaro.
1. Doing jazz hands doesn't make you mysterious nor magical.
II. If your magic demo takes more than 30 seconds to get to the point, you've lost.
#. I like bubble wrap...
Bizzaro.
Sunday, August 02, 2009
Because we have to...
I was just watching Garcia's video "Symphony". He does something that I like, that most videos leave out, but also I find it disconcerting that it needs to be done.
Most magic videos simply explain how something is done and that's it. However, in the era of Youtube crotch magic and "ooh ooh look at my new shiny toy!" it seems we have to hold their hands all the way through the process.
In the video DG not only explains how the effects are accomplished, but also when they should be performed. It kind of bothers me that there needs to be a prerequisite to tell these little puppy magicians who so eagerly pee on the carpet when they learn something new, to hold off and only do certain effects when the need arises.
I understand it's always been like this. When we are young, we want to show off for as long as we can to anyone who is foolish enough to watch. However, in the era of instant gratification magic, we can see ANYONE do it before we actually get it from the proper channels and then just... fugg it up.
Not everyone does this sure, but a lot of warm bodies don't seem to know how to go on the paper properly. I think it's time to whack these people on their collective noses with a rolled up piece of paper...
like a phone book.
Bizzaro.
Most magic videos simply explain how something is done and that's it. However, in the era of Youtube crotch magic and "ooh ooh look at my new shiny toy!" it seems we have to hold their hands all the way through the process.
In the video DG not only explains how the effects are accomplished, but also when they should be performed. It kind of bothers me that there needs to be a prerequisite to tell these little puppy magicians who so eagerly pee on the carpet when they learn something new, to hold off and only do certain effects when the need arises.
I understand it's always been like this. When we are young, we want to show off for as long as we can to anyone who is foolish enough to watch. However, in the era of instant gratification magic, we can see ANYONE do it before we actually get it from the proper channels and then just... fugg it up.
Not everyone does this sure, but a lot of warm bodies don't seem to know how to go on the paper properly. I think it's time to whack these people on their collective noses with a rolled up piece of paper...
like a phone book.
Bizzaro.
Saturday, August 01, 2009
Linux?
Ok so it's been a while since I reviewed anything on this journal. Those of you who know me also might remember I am a fan of contraption in magic. (I don't care what anyone says, Eric Buss' spring snake launcher is awesome!)
There is a new product that came out a bit back by David Stone called Window. This thing is like a Tenyo effect! The way it works just might be cooler than the effect, however the effects you can do with it are pretty nice. Watch the two trailers at the above link and you will see what I mean.
This is an effect I think would be killer on a TV special. Alas, I myself cannot use it as I only use jumbo index red backed bicycle cards. For those of you who are not so stubborn and picky, look into this.
The best part is, (for them), is the fact that even if you are lucky enough to find this as an illegal download, making the gaff might just be next to impossible. So buy the damn thing and save yourself a headache.
Maybe now we can start liking the French....
Bizzaro.
There is a new product that came out a bit back by David Stone called Window. This thing is like a Tenyo effect! The way it works just might be cooler than the effect, however the effects you can do with it are pretty nice. Watch the two trailers at the above link and you will see what I mean.
This is an effect I think would be killer on a TV special. Alas, I myself cannot use it as I only use jumbo index red backed bicycle cards. For those of you who are not so stubborn and picky, look into this.
The best part is, (for them), is the fact that even if you are lucky enough to find this as an illegal download, making the gaff might just be next to impossible. So buy the damn thing and save yourself a headache.
Maybe now we can start liking the French....
Bizzaro.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Unnecessary roughness...
If there is one thing I see a lot of the neo-magi doing on youtube videos nowadays, it's wasted movements.
Don't give me that RCA dog look. You know what I am talking about. Doing in three moves what one could accomplish. (I'm looking, nay glaring at you double undercut using mofos) Stop learning all of the new shiny stuff that comes down the pike and look at the pre-existing routines you already do. See if there is a way to trim away the excess fat from them. Just because YOU can't shed a few pounds doesn't mean your magic can't.
Maybe even take a look at routines you always wanted to do, but shied away because of their abundance of moves. Do what the rest of us lazy bastards do and re-work them to fit your style, handling, and accomplished in as few moves as possible.
Remember what Uncle Bizzaro always sez: "Peanut butter sticks to the roof of your dad's car"... er... I mean, "Magic doesn't have to be hard".
Always make the magic to you, not the other way around. Besides magic instructions aren't rules written in stone...
They're more like guidelines.
Bizzaro.
Don't give me that RCA dog look. You know what I am talking about. Doing in three moves what one could accomplish. (I'm looking, nay glaring at you double undercut using mofos) Stop learning all of the new shiny stuff that comes down the pike and look at the pre-existing routines you already do. See if there is a way to trim away the excess fat from them. Just because YOU can't shed a few pounds doesn't mean your magic can't.
Maybe even take a look at routines you always wanted to do, but shied away because of their abundance of moves. Do what the rest of us lazy bastards do and re-work them to fit your style, handling, and accomplished in as few moves as possible.
Remember what Uncle Bizzaro always sez: "Peanut butter sticks to the roof of your dad's car"... er... I mean, "Magic doesn't have to be hard".
Always make the magic to you, not the other way around. Besides magic instructions aren't rules written in stone...
They're more like guidelines.
Bizzaro.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Darkness, all around me...
I would like to take this moment to talk to my brethren who do Illusions.
I know you want to look cool. I know you want to make a flashy entrance or make something appear somehow or another. However, I would like to point out: Shooting bright lights at yer audience from a darkened stage then turning them on quickly to make something appear... ISN'T MAGIC!!
Maybe now that someone told you, cuz' obviously no one has yet, you can open yer eyes, save some cash, and do something interesting.
Thanx,
The Mngmnt.
I know you want to look cool. I know you want to make a flashy entrance or make something appear somehow or another. However, I would like to point out: Shooting bright lights at yer audience from a darkened stage then turning them on quickly to make something appear... ISN'T MAGIC!!
Maybe now that someone told you, cuz' obviously no one has yet, you can open yer eyes, save some cash, and do something interesting.
Thanx,
The Mngmnt.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
What did you do Ray?
I was flipping thru the old Tarbell books, (full of hidden knowledge, everyone should own them, yadda yadda, etc etc), and in volume two there is a line I couldn't help but love.
"People judge their gods by the miracles they perform."
Man oh man. Let THAT ONE sink in a bit. When you see someone do the 21 card trick, are you impressed? Hell no. Is anyone? Maybe. Then you see someone levitate, turn 360 degrees in the air, explode and reappear elsewhere... well hell, let's start us a religion and go to Waco!
If you want to be perceived as a powerful figure, do powerful magic. If you want to be seen as Fondles the Clown or someone's creepy uncle, then do shitty pasteboard trickery.
Now I obviously don't mean to be taken a deity literally. (unless you want people to go for that) I just mean to be looked upon as someone who might be cooler than them in some way. It's not just your magic either. It's your personality, dress, character, the whole package. (not YOUR whole package. Save that for "private time")
A good example is a recent contestant on America's Got What the Producers Perceive as Talent. His choice of magic was lackluster. His persona was egotistical and uppity. His dress was alright, but a tad common. No one looked upon him as a higher power at all. His miracles... were all store bought.
So remember: When someone asks you if you are a god....
YOU SAY YES!
Bizzaro.
"People judge their gods by the miracles they perform."
Man oh man. Let THAT ONE sink in a bit. When you see someone do the 21 card trick, are you impressed? Hell no. Is anyone? Maybe. Then you see someone levitate, turn 360 degrees in the air, explode and reappear elsewhere... well hell, let's start us a religion and go to Waco!
If you want to be perceived as a powerful figure, do powerful magic. If you want to be seen as Fondles the Clown or someone's creepy uncle, then do shitty pasteboard trickery.
Now I obviously don't mean to be taken a deity literally. (unless you want people to go for that) I just mean to be looked upon as someone who might be cooler than them in some way. It's not just your magic either. It's your personality, dress, character, the whole package. (not YOUR whole package. Save that for "private time")
A good example is a recent contestant on America's Got What the Producers Perceive as Talent. His choice of magic was lackluster. His persona was egotistical and uppity. His dress was alright, but a tad common. No one looked upon him as a higher power at all. His miracles... were all store bought.
So remember: When someone asks you if you are a god....
YOU SAY YES!
Bizzaro.
Sunday, July 05, 2009
Death drop soup...
This Shit just irritates me like wet under wear.
When did the idea of "magical escapes" seem like a good idea. If you scroll down about halfway of that story above you will see an account of Steve Wyrick's supposed "Death Drop". Not only did he FAIL to do what he has been advertising for weeks, he pretty much just insulted the intelligence of an entire crowd of people. We don't live in the dark ages anymore. Most educated people (more than we think believe it or not) know that magic isn't real. They take it for what it is. Entertainment... more or less.
By appearing somewhere else TOTALLY out of congruency with your intended outcome, they KNOW you snookered them and will feel cheated. Not only have you made yourself look like a tool, but ALL magicians.
The sad part is most high profile magic guys have done this lame crap. Lance Burton did it. Criss Fishing Rod LOVES to do it. The only person who hasn't done some totally idiotic escape is David Copperfield. Don't get me wrong; David did do the Imploding building stunt, BUT he didn't just appear on the roof of another building after the building fell. He actually made his appearance magical and interesting. Does that make it necessarily right? No, but it does make it seem interesting and impressive. To make up for it he did an ACTUAL escape from a strait jacket over spikes. Despite how more or less safe it was, that did take some balls.
Appearing at the back of a theater from a flaming or exploding box is feasible. It's theatrics. However, when you come in from a helicopter or appear on a high up building yelling like an idiot, it falls under the too perfect theory and isn't magical at all. You are just showing off and you might as well give the entire audience the finger and yell, "HA HA I FOOLED YOU!! YER ALL IDIOTS!"
I think it's high time to stop these foolish magical escapes and focus on something else.. like I dunno.. MAKING BETTER MAGIC!! It's shake and bake...
and I helped.
Bizzaro.
When did the idea of "magical escapes" seem like a good idea. If you scroll down about halfway of that story above you will see an account of Steve Wyrick's supposed "Death Drop". Not only did he FAIL to do what he has been advertising for weeks, he pretty much just insulted the intelligence of an entire crowd of people. We don't live in the dark ages anymore. Most educated people (more than we think believe it or not) know that magic isn't real. They take it for what it is. Entertainment... more or less.
By appearing somewhere else TOTALLY out of congruency with your intended outcome, they KNOW you snookered them and will feel cheated. Not only have you made yourself look like a tool, but ALL magicians.
The sad part is most high profile magic guys have done this lame crap. Lance Burton did it. Criss Fishing Rod LOVES to do it. The only person who hasn't done some totally idiotic escape is David Copperfield. Don't get me wrong; David did do the Imploding building stunt, BUT he didn't just appear on the roof of another building after the building fell. He actually made his appearance magical and interesting. Does that make it necessarily right? No, but it does make it seem interesting and impressive. To make up for it he did an ACTUAL escape from a strait jacket over spikes. Despite how more or less safe it was, that did take some balls.
Appearing at the back of a theater from a flaming or exploding box is feasible. It's theatrics. However, when you come in from a helicopter or appear on a high up building yelling like an idiot, it falls under the too perfect theory and isn't magical at all. You are just showing off and you might as well give the entire audience the finger and yell, "HA HA I FOOLED YOU!! YER ALL IDIOTS!"
I think it's high time to stop these foolish magical escapes and focus on something else.. like I dunno.. MAKING BETTER MAGIC!! It's shake and bake...
and I helped.
Bizzaro.
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Sorry I haven't been rant-tastic lately. Been busy working and stuff. So to amuse you, click Here.
Tis' Funny!
Bizzaro.
Tis' Funny!
Bizzaro.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Just say no...
I know this might be kind of a "duh" moment for some of you, but I was thinking about it so you get to hear it.
I have spent a lot of time in the alternative sub-cultures. There are a lot of socially awkward, (And possibly mentally disturbed), young kids who get into magic and traipse around doing crappy card tricks they learned off ellusionist, or more likely youtube nowadays, and calling themselves a magician.
So far, nothing out of the ordinary. However, I feel it is my job, nay DUTY to inform some fo you out there that you cannot be a drug addict and do magic. If you are high on meth and trying to do "Street magic" for tips, you will FAIL. Just because you can hide it from your parents doesn't mean that the rest of the world can't tell yer high as a kite.
An 18 year old strung out teenage will NEVER have a promising career as an entertainer. It's that simple. So lay off the drugs, or lay off the magic. Actually, just stick to the drugs...
it's cheaper.
Bizzaro.
I have spent a lot of time in the alternative sub-cultures. There are a lot of socially awkward, (And possibly mentally disturbed), young kids who get into magic and traipse around doing crappy card tricks they learned off ellusionist, or more likely youtube nowadays, and calling themselves a magician.
So far, nothing out of the ordinary. However, I feel it is my job, nay DUTY to inform some fo you out there that you cannot be a drug addict and do magic. If you are high on meth and trying to do "Street magic" for tips, you will FAIL. Just because you can hide it from your parents doesn't mean that the rest of the world can't tell yer high as a kite.
An 18 year old strung out teenage will NEVER have a promising career as an entertainer. It's that simple. So lay off the drugs, or lay off the magic. Actually, just stick to the drugs...
it's cheaper.
Bizzaro.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
bigger = better?
If you have or have ever thought of having a manipulation act, and decide the best way to end your act is to produce a GIANT version of something that makes NO sense... don't.
If it is a prop that doesn't exist in real life, it might be hard for the audience to come along with you in the believability department. Sure I used to produce giant eyeballs in an act at one time. I realize the irony of this post. However, something that abstract can work. Giant pipes or cell phones... not so much. Doing a CD act and then giant CD's is about where the line ends. After that it gets silly.
There are better ways to end any manip act. Sometimes with an emotional hook or maybe bring an everything back around full circle. However, as magicians we do tend to fall back on what we see. We only know what we see. We only know what we read. We really need to know more.
So in conclusion, I would just like to say: If you think ending your magic routine producing giant cock rings is a good idea...
think again.
Bizzaro.
If it is a prop that doesn't exist in real life, it might be hard for the audience to come along with you in the believability department. Sure I used to produce giant eyeballs in an act at one time. I realize the irony of this post. However, something that abstract can work. Giant pipes or cell phones... not so much. Doing a CD act and then giant CD's is about where the line ends. After that it gets silly.
There are better ways to end any manip act. Sometimes with an emotional hook or maybe bring an everything back around full circle. However, as magicians we do tend to fall back on what we see. We only know what we see. We only know what we read. We really need to know more.
So in conclusion, I would just like to say: If you think ending your magic routine producing giant cock rings is a good idea...
think again.
Bizzaro.
Friday, June 19, 2009
A big deal....
Last night I was speaking with some folks at the local Wednesday night gathering and someone turned to our buddy, Scott Hitchcock and told him, with no amount of ego stroking, that he did the best Fizz Master presentation they had seen.
For those who might not know what Fizz Master is (like this young man) it is the transferring of agitated carbonation from one soda can to another. Scott does make quite a production out of it and it's great because of that fact.
I bring this up tonight because we went and saw the new show Freaks, which is a fun romp and if you like midgets and faux clown sex, this show is a MUST see. Most of the things presented are done very theatrically and silent. This not only makes the performers stand out but the effects as well. All are little vignettes that center around one stunt or another.
A lot of times magicians try to stuff as much as they can into one routine. I have been guilty of this in the past and learned to trim things down here and there where it might be necessary. By making a big production out of something simple, you can create an enjoyable theatrical experience for everyone.
Sometimes, a few tiny effects centralized around a certain theme can work well too. However, you have to be careful and not go too far out there so as people can follow you back from the trip you take them on. Otherwise, you end up with everyone getting lost.
Then you end up with a show called Believe.
Bizzaro.
For those who might not know what Fizz Master is (like this young man) it is the transferring of agitated carbonation from one soda can to another. Scott does make quite a production out of it and it's great because of that fact.
I bring this up tonight because we went and saw the new show Freaks, which is a fun romp and if you like midgets and faux clown sex, this show is a MUST see. Most of the things presented are done very theatrically and silent. This not only makes the performers stand out but the effects as well. All are little vignettes that center around one stunt or another.
A lot of times magicians try to stuff as much as they can into one routine. I have been guilty of this in the past and learned to trim things down here and there where it might be necessary. By making a big production out of something simple, you can create an enjoyable theatrical experience for everyone.
Sometimes, a few tiny effects centralized around a certain theme can work well too. However, you have to be careful and not go too far out there so as people can follow you back from the trip you take them on. Otherwise, you end up with everyone getting lost.
Then you end up with a show called Believe.
Bizzaro.
Monday, June 15, 2009
That outta learn yah...
I have been chatting with a very exuberant young lady on a magic message board who says she has been kinda turned off looking for advice on many of the boards because it's full of "little boys and their toys" (more or less). I for one am all for someone, male or female, looking to better themselves artistically. However, in today's world there is a slight problem with that. The Internet.
The problem with the internet is it is NOT a place to learn from. Period. You cannot learn how to perform in front of a live crowd. You can't develop the best patter in social situations, and you SURE as fuck can't learn how to spell, nor use punctuation properly. (even tho' Firefox has this keen little function called a SPELL CHECKER BUILT RIGHT IN!!)
However, if you want to post unpolished material and shots of your crotch, or have your performances lambasted by armchair 12 year olds with mad l33t skills, then the internet is the perfect place for you to be. If this sounds like a good idea to you, please stop reading my journal and beat yourself unconscious with the keyboard or laptop you happen to have in front of you. This way, there will be one less asshat to deal with online and we can get down to a little online Darwinian pruning of the species.
Evolve.
Bizzaro.
The problem with the internet is it is NOT a place to learn from. Period. You cannot learn how to perform in front of a live crowd. You can't develop the best patter in social situations, and you SURE as fuck can't learn how to spell, nor use punctuation properly. (even tho' Firefox has this keen little function called a SPELL CHECKER BUILT RIGHT IN!!)
However, if you want to post unpolished material and shots of your crotch, or have your performances lambasted by armchair 12 year olds with mad l33t skills, then the internet is the perfect place for you to be. If this sounds like a good idea to you, please stop reading my journal and beat yourself unconscious with the keyboard or laptop you happen to have in front of you. This way, there will be one less asshat to deal with online and we can get down to a little online Darwinian pruning of the species.
Evolve.
Bizzaro.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
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