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Note from the editor
It's fitting that Brad decided to contribute this effect this month. My father's birthday was this month. He would have been 65. He has the honor of giving me my first moment of astonishment. And it was essentially done with the very trick that Brad's about to make reference to (the quarter from ear). Though my father's was a bit different . . . it was pants tag from mouth. Back in the day, kids pants had a rubber-like tag above the back pocket. Mine [more]
Before we get started today, I need you to take a moment and listen to the song below. It's one you've probably heard a thousand times. The song is Somebody That I Used To Know By Gotye and Kimbra. However, the version below is by a different band . . . I won't share who just yet. It's all part of the plan. So when you listen, really listen. Put on your headphones is you've got 'em.
Close your eyes and take in all the music, the sounds, everything. Absorb it. Focus [more]
Are you after that ever elusive standing ovation? Do you want your audience to love you, remember you, talk about you, etc.? Who doesn't? Well, I won't guarantee a Standing "O" but take a few minutes to watch the following video of Benji Bruce performing. Watch the whole thing to the end. You won't regret it. Before you do, however, if you're not familiar with "Slam Poetry", take a quick moment to read this short article. When you're done, come back and watch this [more]
Remember back in the day . . . Annemann . . . Seriously folks, if you haven't read The Jinx and/or Practical Mental Effects what the heck are you doing reading this rag. Go read that stuff first. Hey! Wait! Come back! I was only kidding! I mean . . . you should read those, but don't leave me . . . I'll be lonely. So to help bridge the gap, I've got an effect taken straight out of The Jinx plus an addition of my own that I hope you'll find valuable. Even if you don't [more]
So . . . I've got an iPhone, iPad, PC Laptop, PC Desktop and and iMac . . . yep, and I use every single one of them on a regular basis. The laptop and my iPhone are the most used. The Laptop is my main computer. It's where I write all my books, keep track of everything, write all of my programs, store my music, etc. The iPhone is with me everywhere and is my personal assistant. I rely heavily on Siri and all things iPhone 5. The desktop is where I do most of my video [more]
Sent From My Oral-B Toothbrush
There's nothing new under the sun . . . you've all heard it, and many (maybe even most) of you believe it. I say . . . B.S.! It's total crap. Things change; the world progresses; we grow. New stuff under the sun appears.
Case in point. I recently got an email from David Acer. His tagline at the bottom of his email was "Sent from my Oral-B Toothbrush." First of all, that's freakin' hilarious . . . secondly, it's full of "new under the sun" [more]
Astonishment comes in many forms. I've been astonished at the clever comedic wit of Ryan Stiles and Colin Mochrie on Who's Line Is It Anyway? I've literally been moved to tears by the astonishing talent of Wayne Brady from the same show as creates, writes and sings a song on the spot with no prep work whatsoever. That is truly astonishing to me.
Harry Lorayne told a story in an interview on Reel Magic Magazine about how astonishing it was to lay people when he did [more]
No Stone Left Unturned . . . it's all about assuming you have a marketable show. Let's say that's true. Then what. That is the question I attempt to answer every month with this column. We cover everything from how to manage your bookkeeping to how to close deals, how/where to advertise, how to upsell, overcome objections, how to get more gigs and repeat customers, etc. I'm by no means the ultimate authority on such a vast subject. However I have at my disposal, [more]
This month . . . Short and Sweet. A cyber-buddy of mine, Paul Watts and I recently had an email conversation about his version of one of my effects, Visa 2.0 from my Gemstones DVD. What follows is an excellent lesson in applying the principles taught in November 2012's Issue of Roots and Branches. If you haven't read that article yet, go back and read it first, especially if you're a Metallica fan.
Root:
Let’s remember our roots. This month’s root is (much [more]
This month's free trick is a free presentation . . . you're welcome . . . trust me. Y'all remember the old Color Vision effect, right? I'm sure the picture to the left jogged a few memories. For those new to this wonderful world of magic, the basic effect is simply this: the audience member puts a cube in the small handheld box with a chosen color face up. Then covers it with the lid. You are able to divine the chosen color.
It's a beautiful effect, but it often [more]
As I've mentioned in the past, I work as a full time web developer at an accounting school. We have training courses on how to start and grow tax practices, accounting and bookkeeping practices. One of the funny little things we do is ask our students this question: "What's the difference between tax planning and tax preparation?"
The Answer: December 31st. Hilarious right!? The truth is, all the bookkeeping/tax work you do before December 31st of any given year is [more]
Some Dude: You're a magician . . . do a trick.
You: Ok. See this magazine on your coffee table . . . Open it to any page you want. Then stare at the page while my back is turned . . . I see an image of fried chicken and another of Rachel Ray . . . then about half way down I see a headline . . . "The Perfect Mashed Potato Recipe."
That sounds like an impossible effect, and maybe it is . . . but maybe it isn't. After all, you're a magician, and you shouldn't be [more]
Wouldn't you know it. Finally someone figures out how to make things appear inside of me . . . then what happens!? I disappear. Bunch of pastry hating union folks . . . Well . . . I guess The Twinkie Picker is a dead effect now and with the death of the Twinkie comes the death of The Saga. It's been a fun 5 and half years and over 60 Sagas . . . but all good things must come to an end, and as we say farewell to Twinkies, let us say farewell to those stories who have gone [more]
Back in the day before I had children (nearly 20 years ago), I used to keep a pack of cigarettes in the house to practice cigarette magic. I had a lot of friends who smoked, so I bought what turned out to be one of my favorite magic books, The Encyclopedia of Cigarette Tricks By Keith Clark. I don't smoke so a lot of the effects were ones I couldn't do because they required lighting and smoking cigarettes, but there were still tons of moves and vanishes and effects [more]
Really? A top Hat and a Cape!?
Does your business card have a any of the following items on it:
Rabbit
Magic Wand
Magic Hat
A Trail of Stars
There are others, but these are among the worst offenders. Let's break the mold folks. I think we're all tired of the cliches and stereotypes surrounding us. It's old and moldy gang. When we break this mold, we'll be ridding ourselves of some mold as well, and a lot of people are allergic to mold, so you'll be doing them a favor.
My plan is not [more]