Search results

I'll be honest.. The "DON'T" was meant to provoke a response. To make people uncomfortable. To challenge people's views. To make people think. TokyoUW, I'm glad you responded and did so in an intelligent and respectful manner. This discussion is much better because of your response. You...

The difference is a matter of degree. Both require some level of fundamental knowledge to be able to do them effectively. The more knowledge and skill, the easier it will be. I did make some assumptions and if I'm wrong, I apologize. But rereading the original post, I think that I'm...

I told him not to waste his time trying to create an effect - there is a difference between trying to create and being creative. Think of it this way, what would you tell someone who has never cooked before (except making macaroni and cheese) and who wants to make a five course gourmet dinner...

I'll even go further than Christopher and Rick... DON'T. If you are a card guy, have you worked through RRTCM, ECT, Erdnase, and LePaul - or the Card College series? Do you know who John Bannon, Brother John Hammond or Larry Jennings is? If you are a generalist, Have you worked through...

Use a 10 to 20 Force (see Mark Wilson's Complete Course). Ask them if the number is a single digit (it will be, but asking indicates that it is possible to have any number). If the answer yes (if it's no you've got a problem), then have then double the result. Depending how you are doing the...

Now, those of you that know me, know that I am strongly influenced by Burger, Neale, Parr, Haas and others who think similarly about magic and meaning. I am also influenced by Tamaritz, Giobbi and others that were influenced by Ascanio. To be an entertainer means to entertain. So that means...

Enter a children's magician. A magician that performs for children. Not a children's entertainer that is a clown (sometimes literally) and that uses "magic" (and I use that term loosely) as part of their show. A magician, first and foremost. If that didn't cue you in to what is coming, grab...

I have to strongly disagree with this. Yes, you can tie several mentalism effects together as "things I do with my mind", but unless you have a developed theme and character it becomes a bunch of "tricks I can do that you don't know how." Routining is more than following one trick with...

People will waste hundreds of dollars on DVDs and books in an attempt to improve their magic, and ignore priceless advice given for free.

If you are looking for short visual tricks, Dan and Dave's Trilogy has a lot of them. Also check out the Art of Astonishment books and True Astonishment DVDs. Recognize that a lot of that material is not for the beginner.

So much for summer vacation. Sounds like an awesome, but tiring day.

Well said. I would only add that there is value in reminding others thorough our magic.

Option 1: Card Splitting using The Gaff Factory or The Art of Card Splitting Option 2: Make Your Own Playing Cards Option 3: Get 5,000 Mandolin Back Gaffs for $300

I keep everything in a closet with shelves. Top shelf is books, second shelf is DVDs, third shelf is more books, fourth shelf is small plastic boxes (containing decks and small props) on larger plastic tubs (containing larger props) and on the bottom are larger plastic tubs (containing larger...

Every magic shop I've been to has a demonstrator. Some better than others and some amazing (e.g. Magik at Fantasma).

Ashley: I'm a moderator on the Ellusionist forums. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. There are a lot of folks who are on multiple forums. Each forum has a different feel to it. Some may prefer one to the other and some may like both. It's all OK. The goal is the same: to...

Don't get too caught up in the method, focus on the effect. That is, the important thing is what the audience sees not what you know you are doing. As an example, one of my favorite effects lately is Jim Steinmeyer's Magician Who Fools Himself. In essence the spectator unknowingly performs a...

1. Find new strong effects. 2. Find new spectators.

"You've seen that one already, let me do something that none of you have seen." "That is one of my favorites too but I really like this one... let's see what you think." "Do I look like a trained monkey that does tricks on request? I didn't think so. But I'll do it again for you if you give...

Get the book "How to Talk to Anyone" by Leil Lowndes. It has great practical advice on, well, how to talk to anyone.