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Ady: I think you are taking the right approach. A lot of people will go out and get tons of stuff and then never use it because they aren't ready or don't have the time to commit to really learn it. We're all not going to be professionals. There is nothing wrong with learning some fun...

First off, a color change in and of itself doesn't blow minds. It is a tool to be used as part of a well thought out and scripted routine. There is only so many times I can watch videos of "pick a card, lose a card, find wrong card and do color change" without losing my mind. That being said...

I don't have any of the Osterland materials, but would advise against getting Banachek's Psychological Subtleties series until you have a strong understanding of the basics which includes performance. I think the best progression is Anneman's PMM, Fulves' SWMM, Cassidy's Fundamentals...

Check out Rich Ferguson's Tagged - it has a lot of good methods even if you don't make the word appear on the spectator's arm. Also, check out Nate Kranzo's Diction - it isn't a force, but you know the word or sentence on the selected page (I saw Nate perform this with two books, the dictionary...

There is a difference between mental magic and mentalism. Mental magic is magic with a mentalism based presentation - mind reading a forced card, B. Smith's Frequency using a dual attention patter, etc. Mentalism is the exploration of the powers of the mind (or as is more recently in vogue the...

I've been to Houdini's, Misdirections, Tannens and Fantasma (also in NYC). I agree about Houdini's - not for you. Misdirections and Tannens are small shops. The folks at Tannens are great. But Fantasma is my favorite. The guys behind the counter are great -- especially Magik. You will find...

I think around age 6 is when kids start to recognize the different types of cards. For 7 and 8 year olds, they recognize cards, but will not be interested in most card magic. As Rick said, you can do some routines with cards that have pictures on them -- Rachel Columbini has a great effect...

It sounds like two factors where at play here. She seems like she was shy and a little uncomfortable being the center of attention from her not wanting to do the other stuff. I think it is great you have those bits because in the future you can use it to gauge your assistant. Second, the...

To me, attributing magic (even card magic) to a skill makes it a little less entertaining. It no longer becomes witnessing the impossible but a demonstration of the possible. Now, I think that a strong routine could be developed where cardistry and flourishes play a part. However, I don't...

I disagree. I'm talking strictly about magic and not mentalism (I think that I agree that there needs to be some explanation in mentalism). First, let's talk about giving methods other than skill. The "giving the audience a method" is frequently poorly done. The "I can sense the DNA from...

If you are getting called out that often, I'm willing to bet that you're being called out has more to do with your performance style than your deck.

The key is that you maintain control over the audience. They shuffle when you want them to shuffle. They inspect what you want them to inspect. You do it on your terms. Build in things that disprove methods into your presentation. This doesn't mean showing them the deck and saying "look...

Scritping Magic by Peter McCabe Transformations - Creating Magic Out of Tricks by Larry Haas Oh No, Not Another Card Trick - Ed Solomon Magic Matters by Robert Neale and Larry Haas Magic Mirror - Robert Neale and David Parr This is Not a Book - Robert Neale Also, check out Exploring Magic...

This effect employs typical illusion principles that are much older than Tarbell, but Tarbell would be a good start. What sells this effect is the way it's presented... that particular magician's use of the classic principles. The way to learn about illusions is to study illusions. Tarbell is...

Just a thought... It seems that the "How did YOU so that?" response comes up more when the presentation is more centered on the magician. If the presentation involves the spectator there is less emphasis on the magician's skill. Also, I think that a logical, well written script also helps avoid...

First off, there are two different ways the expression "how did you do that" is used. The first is an expression of disbelief, translated as I can't believe what I just saw. No response is needed. The second is a genuine question where they want to know the method for what you did. Either...

This is a great example of how great presentation can turn something simple into something amazing. What makes this a great effect, isn't the secret, but Justin's presentation of it. I'm pretty sure that the effect as performed isn't published or taught anywhere, but I'm sure a lot of folks...

To be clear, I think a metaphor or symbolic is only one of many possible approaches. I agree that your approach is equally valid. As long as the the presentation isn't "look at what I can do with cards" but instead goes to something "wider" that answers the question of why the audience should...

Actually, it does stand on its own. You could pontificate about what friendship means to you without a deck of cards. Is my script a little trite, superficial and sounds like a Halmark card -- probably, but as you said it was off the top of my head. The point was to demonstrate a way of...

Good patter isn't a crazy story or a bunch of corny lines. In fact, I think that bad stories and corny lines are bad patter. But let's start at the beginning. "Patter" is best defined as what you say when you present an effect. No matter what, even if you just say "look" you have patter...