Get More Magic Gigs:

This month we have an audio interview from my good friend and local full time magician, Dan Paulus. We spend some time talking about negotiating fees and trade. Dan has tons of tips and insight that can only be offered by a real working pro. We have a lot of fun discussing the variety of items Dan has traded magic shows for. Enjoy!

Take a look at Dan’s website and you’ll quickly see that we’re getting the expertise of someone out there in the trenches. Also, you might recognize Dan’s name as the creator of, what’s been called, one of the greatest self-working card tricks ever: Blind Luck. Here’s a thread on the The Magic Cafe about it.

Credits

Bumper Music:

“Ouroboros” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

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]]> https://www.stonecoldmagicmagazine.com/roots-and-branches/my-cards-lie-bleeding-in-my-hands/ Sat, 20 Apr 2013 00:03:03 +0000 http://www.stonecoldmagicmagazine.com/?p=4563 I’m a huge Bon Jovi Fan. I have just about everything they’ve ever released, including Richie Sambora’s solo stuff as well as Jon Bon Jovi’s solo stuff. Like I said . . . big fan. My absolute all time favorite song from Bon Jovi is My Guitar Lies Bleeding in …

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I’m a huge Bon Jovi Fan. I have just about everything they’ve ever released, including Richie Sambora’s solo stuff as well as Jon Bon Jovi’s solo stuff. Like I said . . . big fan.

My absolute all time favorite song from Bon Jovi is My Guitar Lies Bleeding in My Arms. It might possibly be my all time favorite song from any band ever. It’s definitely in the top five.

Here’s a live performance of it:

Take a moment to listen to the whole song all the way through.

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Larry Hass Reviews Stone Frixion Fire

At this point, you’re probably aware (since I announced it in a separate email) that Larry Hass, Ph.D. gave a glowing review of my Frixion book. You can view that review by clicking on the video icon. In honor of his glowing review I’m offering a 33% discount on the e-book that expires this Wednesday (9/14/11). Check it out here: Stone Frixion Fire

The post Glowing Review by Dean of McBride School of Magic and Mystery appeared first on Stone Cold Magic Magazine.

Just one more reason to read Roots and Branches, a column dedicated to taking a Magical Root and Teaching you how to use it to Branch out in your own magic.

Joe: Man the other day I saw a magic show. It was awesome.
Jeff: Yeah . . . what was the magician’s name?

Joe: Harry Houdini
Jeff: Really!? Cool . . . he’s a friend of mine.

Joe: Cool. He was really good. He did this one trick where he totally screwed it up. I was almost starting to feel bad, but then suddenly everything turned around. Then I realized that he didn’t screw up. It was all part of the effect. He tricked us into believing that he messed up. He was totally convincing. It made the ending that much more amazing.

Jeff: Cool.

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Stone Frixion Fire is Unstopable

The Tarot Book broke some serious records in just one week. But it still hasn’t been able to surpass the ubiquitous Stone Frixion Fire. It’s still the all time number one best seller. Check out what Dr. Lawrence Hass the Associate Dean of the McBride Magic & Mystery School had to say about it:

Jeff Stone’s Stone Frixion Fire is currently the definitive source for learning how to create magic with the new Frixion pen. It offers a careful analysis of previous tricks with the pen, essential tips for using it deceptively, and over twelve magic effects to perform with it. One of Jeff’s tricks immediately went into my professional repertoire.

The trick he’s referring to that went into his repertoire was the free trick of the month, Money To Burn, in the July 2009 issue.

You can additionally see Dr. Hass’s Review on McBride TV. Click the Link to the left and skip ahead to minute 57. After watch/hearing was Dr. Hass has to say about Stone Frixion Fire, you’ll order it today!

The post Frixion is on Fire appeared first on Stone Cold Magic Magazine.

You heard right folks. In the January 2011 (The Houdini Issue) Issue of Genii Magazine published my effect Burnin’ Time from Stone Frixion Fire. The write up, By David Acer, is on page 22. If you don’t have that issue, get it: Genii January 2011.

Discontinuing E-Book – HUGE Discount

As of January 7th, 2011 the Stone Cold Magic E-book will no longer be available individually. You will only be able to get it with Stone Cold Magic DVD. However, until the 7th, I’m offering it for nearly 70% Off!

You can get it now for only $4.95. That’s the best price you’re ever gonna see on this product. Get it now, because after January 7th, 2011, you won’t be able to get it at all (unless you buy the DVD).

Or order the Stone Frixion Fire E-Book and get the Stone Cold Magic E-Book For Free!

Brand New Version of Stone Frixion Fire

The Stone Frixion Fire e-book has been updated and is now on its third edition! In the past, the printed version of the book (sold at my lectures and retailers) was a bit different from the electronic version. It keeps on selling out, so with the last wholesale reorder, I totally revamped the book and decided to make the electronic version and the printed version the same. The electronic version now has:

• A ton of updated content
• Brand new effects from Mike Skutt, Chris Kavanaugh and Dan Paulus
• Forewords By Jay Sankey and Brad Gordon
• A ton of other things

Those of you who have already purchased the e-book (from me, Lybrary, Hidden Bookshelf or Elmwood) can log in to your accounts and re-download the book for free. Unless you bought it within the past 2 weeks, you’ve got the older version, so you’ll want to update it for free.

Everyone else who hasn’t ordered it already, now’s the time folks: Stone Frixion Fire E-Book. If you order it now, you’ll get the Stone Cold Magic E-Book for FREE!

Order Now!

A New YouTube Video Every Day!

Many of you know my friend Eric LeClerc. He was one of the guest artists (along with myself and Joe Diamond) on Jay Sankey’s Underground Jam. Eric is hosting a brand new show on YouTube . . . Project 365. He will be posting a brand new trick on YouTube every single day for the entire year of 2011! Check out his new channel and subscribe to it: The Lecleric Show.

Secrets Revealed

Last month, the Roots and Branches article was all about secrets. If you haven’t read it yet, make sure you do. It’s a great Q&A session with Me and Brad Gordon: Secrets. At the end, I told you to stay tuned for the December issue where I would reveal the biggest secret of all . . . where here it is. My wife is pregnant with #5. It’s a girl, and she’s due on April 15th, 2011. How’s that for an awesome secret.

The post Secrets Revealed appeared first on Stone Cold Magic Magazine.

If you’ve done any amount of performing at all, I’ll bet you were nodding your head in recognition on at least a half dozen of these. In my 20+ years of performing I have had at least half of them come up myself, and I’m sure that the only reason that the other half hadn’t is because I had the foresight of another performer’s experience to help me avoid them.

The more you learn from your own experiences the more you realize that when most of the these unexpected little challenges arise, it’s your fault! Oh, you can blame the moron who was in charge of the event, I know I do, but the truth is that many bad situations can be avoided with a well-written contract.  And if you’re one of the many, many performers who say that they never use a contract then here’s my first word of advice: always use a contract!

Contracts won’t scare away anyone, not even a nervous mom at a birthday party. If anything, a contract gives them the peace of mind that you are a professional, and that you will show up on time and conduct yourself professionally. If the word “contract” scares you, replace it with “Performance Agreement.” It sounds friendlier, but be aware that it is equally as binding. An easy to follow “Letter of Agreement” that will suffice for many programs can be found in Francis Marshall’s Success Books.

Your contract should, at the very least, have the following information spelled out:

• Name, address, and phone number of the company or organization that hired you.

• Name address and phone number of the venue.

• Agreed upon date, start time, and duration of your show.

• The fee for your show and when it is to be paid.

• Any travel costs billed to the client.

• Your cancellation policy.

• Stage, sound, and lighting requirements.

• Your name, phone number, and address.

• The type of show they are booking. (One man stand up? Two person illusion? Close Up? Etc…)

For almost all shows I also insist on a 50 % deposit with the return of the signed contract, and payment in full the night of, and prior to the show. You will be amazed how many companies will send the payment in full when you ask for a deposit. When that happens, make sure you keep track. It’s a bit embarrassing to ask for your check when they were nice enough to pay you in full weeks before the show!

For birthday party shows, family picnics, or church shows, I’d take a chance and do not collect payment until after the show. The odds of your getting an extra $20, $50 or $100 as a little bonus will go up if they pay you after they’ve had a great time!

Now I am fully aware that just because you’ve spelled out your needs in detail with a contract that it is no guarantee that everything will be done as agreed upon, and I’ll talk later of what to do when it doesn’t, but without the contract you are begging for something to go wrong.

Along with a contract I, and many other magicians I’ve talked with, include a “Helpful Hints” page. I’ve used one for years and it can help a lot with things that may sound too petty to include in a formal contract. My helpful hints page includes:

• Asking for the wait staff not to clear or serve during the show (if it’s an after dinner show)

• Have management on hand to quite or in worse case remove drunk or disruptive audience members. (When the boss asks you to stop, you stop!) When I did birthday parties I insisted that an adult that represented authority was always present.

• Do not announce the death or serious accident of a co-worker or family member before the show. (Yup! It happened to me… twice! After the second time I put it in the hints page.)

• The show will not start any later than 15 minutes past the agreed time. (Less leeway if I have another show following it.) A variation on this that I have seen is that the show can start later, but will be shorter, and end at an agreed time.

• The client is to check all sound equipment before the show. (I’ll double check it when I get there, but it saves time and helps insure that the microphone is set up and ready to go when I arrive.)

There’s more, but you get the idea. Now, what do you do if in spite of all your efforts something happens that could ruin the show? First of all I strongly recommend that for all your shows you arrive 30 minutes early. That is 30 minutes earlier than you need to set up. The old axiom “If you’re not early, you’re late!” applies even more in show business. Very often you’ll find that many corrections can be made just because you are early. If everything is running smoothly, use the extra time to meet the boss, the vips, or the hotel manager. Do a little shmoozing.

Next, stay calm and take control. They may be the one who signs your check, but this Is your show! And it‘s your reputation on the line. Your confidence in asking for what you need will be seen as professionalism by your client! Trust me, this works far more often than not. Preface your request by telling the client that, “We want your event to go as smooth as possible, and more important, that everyone has a great time.”

Now hit them with your changes! Here are some of the changes that I have been able to get. Notice that I always frame my request as being in the best interest of the audience, which of course it is. The tone of the request is always helpful, not demanding. When I first adapted this attitude, I thought some of my requests were quite ballsy!  But by displaying the attitude of a professional who wants what’s best for the client, you’ll be surprised at what you can get:

Problem: No microphone, or the mic’s not working:
Tell the client, Since there’s no mic, and we want everyone to be able to hear the show, let’s move the two tables closest to the stage to the back of the room, and have the participants move their chairs right up to the stage after dinner.

This works very well and is one of my favorite solutions! The tight fitting audience always seem to have more fun, the laughter rolls like a comedy club atmosphere, and no-one chit-chats because everyone can hear them!

Problem: The stage is set at the end of a narrow room:
Tell the client, If we move the entire stage over to just off center the room, more people will be able to see the show.

That’s right! I got them to move the entire stage!

Problem: The audience is much smaller than expected, and spread too thin.  This is bad, too few people spread out in a large area makes your show seem small and insignificant. Picture 40 people in a theater that seats 300. Yuck!  But herd those people into a smaller section of the theater and it will rock! I‘ve even moved everyone right on to the stage before!

Tell the client, “Since there are so few audience members, why don’t we invite them all to come up close and I’ll come down and perform right up by the tables. I’ll even mix in some fantastic close up magic! “

Problem: The room you are to perform in is horrible in just about every way!
Tell the client, I noticed that the room down the hall would be perfect and would create a better atmosphere for the entire show. If it’s not being used, why don’t we switch rooms.

This happened to me at a college where many events were going on all over campus. My show was going to be at eye level with no stage with over 300 people attending in a narrow room. Because I was there early I took a look around and found a lecture hall that would work better, and we moved the show.

Not so hard is it?!  Use a well written contract and hints list, arrive early, and be willing take control and make demands, I mean “suggestions”, and you’ll avoid many pit falls.

One more suggestion, and this may seem to contradict everything I’ve said in this article, but it doesn’t really, and that is to Stay Flexible. Sometimes you just have to deal with what’s handed to you and make the best of it. In such cases I smile at the client and tell them, “We’ll make it work!” And if it doesn’t work, if they didn’t listen and the show went south fast, try to laugh it off… all the way to the bank to cash their check!

Have fun!

Dan Paulus

copyright 2008, 2010 Dan Paulus  all rights reserved.

Please take a moment to reply to and “like” this article

The post Take Charge appeared first on Stone Cold Magic Magazine.

Yep. You read correctly. You want a free copy of my latest DVD, Stone Frixion Fire? It’s yours. Of course there’s a catch, but it’s easy. All you have to do is post a review of the DVD.

1. Order the DVD from Stone Cold Magic.
2. Post a review on the Review Page.
3. I’ll reimburse you the entire cost of the DVD.

In fact, I’ll extend that offer to anyone of the following products:

• Stone Cold Magic DVD
• Stone Cold Magic E-Book
• Gemstones DVD
• Stone Frixion Fire E-Book
• Stone Frixion Fire DVD
• Underground Jam Download 4 Pack (You must review all four effects)

That’s it. The “fine print” is simple:

1. The product(s) must be ordered from Stone Cold Magic.
2. The product(s) must be purchased on or after May 31, 2010
3. You must post the Review by 11:59 PM MST on June 30, 2010
4. Does not apply to Brad Gordon’s New E-Book, Room 538.
5. That’s it!

If you buy all of the products above and you review them all by June 30, 2010, then you will be reimbursed for every single product. I will extend this offer to as many people who choose to participate. There are no restrictions to the number of participants. There’s no reason not to do this folks. Especially when you combine it with the following offer.

$10 Off any purchase over $29!

Use the coupon code below before June 5th (this Saturday) and receive $10.00 off on any order over $29. Now is a great time to get a couple of DVDs or a couple of e-books, especially considering that if you review them you’ll get your money back anyway. Coupon code for $10 off:  JuneTen$OFF

Brand New From Brad “Scarnecky” Gordon!

Brad’s latest e-book, ROOM 538, is a must have for any serious student of the mind and/or human behavior as it relates to magic and mentalism. As you read the presentations found in this book, the thought of serenity and peace will constantly enter your mind. These presentations are magical in and of themselves. This is a perfect insight into the mind of Brad Gordon. You’ll find some old classics from his past works, Troika, Envisage, and Clever 8 along with some amazing new effects and presentational ideas. You don’t want to miss this e-book gang. 94 pages of pure genius! ROOM 538 – ORDER IT NOW! Don’t forget to use the coupon above.

Will Jeff Ever Actually Release the Tarot Book?

Yes! I promise. Recently my basement got flooded by the City Sewer System. Luckily it was the city’s fault, so they’re paying for everything. However, it’s turned our life upside down. My kids are all living in the upstairs family room while the basement is out of commission, so needless to say, the Tarot book took a small hiatus. But we’re not far . . . hang in there.

Stone Cold Genii?

Nothing’s set in stone yet, but David Acer has asked for permission to publish an effect from Stone Frixion Fire in an upcoming issue of Genii Magazine. The who, what, when, where, why and how has yet to be determined. I’ll keep you posted.

Stone Frixion Fire Secret Site

Remember that if you order Stone Frixion Fire you get access to a secret website with extra bonus content. Recently I’ve added some new material to the site . . . contributions by:

• Mike Skutt
• Brad Gordon
• Dan Paulus

If you own the DVD and haven’t gone to the site yet, what are you waiting for? It’s free! If you don’t own the DVD, get it! It gives you access to the site. That’s a lot of news folks . . . Enjoy the rest of this issue . . . see y’all in a month.

The post Free Magic DVDs and E-Books appeared first on Stone Cold Magic Magazine.

Introduction

This is yet another effect that takes advantage of the new Bicycle card boxes. This is an idea that Dan just came up with off the top of his head over pizza one day. The guy is a genius.

Effect

The pasteboard prestidigitator shows gives the audience a brief lesson in the history of cameras via the use of – you guessed it – playing cards. First a blank card (representing old-school Polaroid film) is shown on both sides and placed in between a red back Joker and a blue back Joker. The three cards are then placed inside the camera (card box).

A card is chosen. The magi/photographer aims the camera card box at the selection and the box clicks (snaps a picture). The “film” is removed from the box to show that a picture of the card has developed. The blank card is no longer blank. Next the freelance photographer points out that today, we use digital cameras. He then points the card box at the three cards (two Jokers and selection) laying on the table and “shoots” a picture. The card box is then shown to have actually printed on the card box an exact copy of the cards as they lay on the table. The card box has a permanent picture of the cards that were laying on the table, and the card box is examinable.

Props

• The New Bicycle Standard Style Card Boxes
• A red backed Joker
• A blue backed Joker
• A blank backed Ten of Hearts

Note

I recognize the fact that a Blank Backed Ten of Hearts isn’t exactly the easiest thing to get a hold of. The best thing I can tell you is either order a blank back deck (they’re about 8 bucks) from your favorite magic dealer, or make one by splitting a blank facer and a Ten of Hearts, then putting them together. There are many resources for splitting cards. I teach a very basic partial splitting of a card in my Gemstones DVD, but you’re likely better off getting a Card Splitting DVD such as The Art of Card Splitting.

As for the deck of cards, below are images of what they look like. Click on an image to enlarge it.

When I published Diamond Jim’s Effect, The Standard, in the April 2009 issue, I got many emails saying that people could not find the cards anywhere. Here in Salt Lake City, Utah, I can’t find regular cards. I can only find these new ones, so if you’re having a hard time finding them in your area, you can now purchase them from my site for $9.95.

Method/Performance

The method should be pretty clear at this point. Inside the case you have the red backed Joker, the blue backed Joker and the blank backed ten of hearts between them. The case is “ten-side” down. The only thing in the box is those three cards. The deck is out of the box, and you will use it to force the Ten of Hearts. Lay the Ten face up on the table.

Remove the three cards from the box. Remove the Ten blank side up with the right hand. As you set it on the table for a brief second (so that you can display the two Jokers – one in each hand), do a false turn-over move to apparently show both sides of the blank back card as if the card is blank on both sides. If you are not familiar with the false turn-over move, then go talk to you magic buddies or go to a magic club meeting and ask someone. Get off the dang computer and interact with some humans!

With one Joker in each hand show them and claim that these Jokers represent the chemicals used in old Polaroid cameras and that the blank card on the table represents the Polaroid film. Place both Jokers face up in the left hand. Place the Ten (blank side up) in between the two Jokers.

Place the three cards back in the box. Hold the box with the long end parallel to the floor, with the back of the box toward you and out of the spectator’s line of vision. Aim the box at the forced Ten on the table and click the box just like you would if you were clicking to take a picture (a Fism flash would be a nice addition here if you’ve got one).

Open the box and remove the three cards and remove the Ten from between the Jokers to show that you actually took a picture of the card on the table. Casually toss the newly created Ten on the table face up, then seemingly casually place the red and blue Jokers on top of the face up ten so that it looks like the picture on the back of the box (see the image above).

Then as an afterthought, you mention the fact that these days, people don’t use Polaroids. Everything is digital, and you can preview the image even before you decide to print it. Then you point the box at the tabled three cards. This time you are holding the box with the short end parallel to the floor. The back is still toward you. You then pretend to snap another picture after which you reveal the back of the card box to the audience to show that you captured the picture of the cards as they lay on the table.

Extra Ideas

Idea 1:
Rather than using Jokers, you could use a red blank facer and a blue blank facer. This is a little more complex, but it gives you a really nice show of a blank card on both sides. Here’s the set up: place the two blank facers face to face. Then place the Ten face down (blank side up) on top of the two face to face cards. You can now do a block pushover double to apparently show both sides of the blank card as being blank. Once you’ve done the double turnover, you’ll be left with the Ten sandwiched face up between the two face up blank facers.

You will not, of course, reveal this. However, you will turn the entire three card packet face down and perform the glide to apparently place the bottom card on the table. However, due to the glide, you will will end up placing the Ten blank side up on the table thus leaving you with the red and blue cards face down in your left hand. From the audience’s perspective, you’ve just shown a card to be blank on both sides and placed it on the table. Next show the red and blue cards, one in each hand and proceed as in the original version.

Idea 2:
Another little tip you can do that will add a little depth to the effect is cover the back of the case to hide the picture of the Ten. To do this, when removing the cellophane wrapper from the deck, just remove the top portion and leave the bottom portion in tact. If you remove the plastic right at the pull strip, you will find that you can leave the cellophane wrapper on the bottom 3/4 of the box.

The wrapper will come right up to the bottom of the half moon on the back of the box. Next, slip the red backed Joker (or blank facer if you are using Idea 1 from above) between the cellophane and the box with the red back showing. This will make the box look like an ordinary Bicycle box.

Then place the other two cards inside the box. Now the box can be shown freely on all sides. In performance, show the box around (casually), and rattle it as you deliver your presentation. You rattle it so that the audience can hear that there is “something” inside. Hold the box close to them so they can see both sides. You might even say something like, “There is something inside. Can you hear it? It’s inside, not here on the outside and not here on the outside, but here, in the inside.”

As you say the words “not here on the outside” point to one side of the box. Then as you say those words again, turn the box over and point to the other side of the box. Later they’ll remember that they saw both sides of the box. In order to remove the card, simple open the box (moon side down), and when you pull the two cards out of the box, also make sure you grab the card on the outside of the box and  let it slide along the other two for the ride.

By the way, in order to pull this steal off effectively, you’ll need to make sure you’ve removed the half-moon sticker. So that’s it; I hope you enjoy this effect. It has a lot of presentational potential and is a good effect to really allow your performance personality to flourish.

Please Take a Moment to Reply To and “like” This Effect.

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