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At first glance I'd have to say that you're thinking far too much. . . complicating the simple as Vernon used to say. The "higher purpose" behind magic depends on the performer, some of us have multiple tiers of higher purpose; the amusement in and of its own merits, the moral behind the...

AMEN! This is an irritant brought about by the Internet but likewise (someone's going to hate me for saying this) forums like T-11, Penguin, Ellusionist and Paper Crane (in their early days, I should point out). Young magicians pushing a commercial agenda with their peers and from my own...

As one of those "Old Guys" that supposedly don't share . . . I'm betting you'll find an easy dozen people on this forum that will tell you different. . . It is the obligation of we old farts to pass on what we've learned over the years. It is the oness of the neophyte however, to come to us...

Try doing Psychological Forces to an audience of Psych Majors. . . Thing is, you will run across this kind of jerk no matter what style of magic you do in that this is their mind-set and they love to be the know it all. . . sadly, I've had more than a handful of magicians telling their...

"Mental Magic" is easy to spot in that it typically employs a prop of some sort such as the Mental Epic board, Smash & Stab bits or Larry Becker's Casino Royale. . . all great tricks but a.) they are obvious tricks and b.) so many magicians have/are doing them that it ruins the effect for the...

Damn, you make me smile with such posts, Steerpike. . . ;-) He is correct and more to the point, most forums that do pander to Mentalism and its off-spring (Bizarre Magick) are far more hush, hush and invite only than you'll find with the Magic aspect of things. Mentalism, mostly due to the...

When it comes to "moves" such as a peek, be careful! I just busted someone on the Wire I think it was, for using one of the advanced elements of Acidus Novus and claiming it to be an "original" effect; Millard Longman didn't appreciate such in that this move is part of an existing product (a...

Firstly, stop being a Jack of All Trades and focus! To be a BRAND you have to offer a set package, something bookers "know". The Great Thomsoni or Mr. Electric and Shimada are brand names of old but they stood out because of what they did day after day, night after night, year after year...

But yes, there are A-Holes out there that loathe magicians and deliberately try to mess up your bit. I've watched noted pros have to shift gears because of such crap-attitudes in laymen. . . and I'm talking about 30 year veterans here that know how to spot "the right people" 99% of the time.

If you have a video and resume of your work you could drop it off in hope of becoming part of the Jr Castle Group if it's still going. I Diana Zimmerman used to be in charge of that I have no clue who runs things now days. The area has changed significantly since I lived there but I'd imagine...

I think the old Scarne books on cards, actually had a routine or two that used these "extra" cards as well as jokers (which many do not count as being part of a deck). It might be worth looking at.

I remember a story about Harry Blackstone doing the Floating Light Bulb, one of the key signature pieces of his and the thread broke. Harry's response was "Hey folks, it is a trick after all. . . " Magic WILL fail and you WILL get caught out whether you're doing close-up or big stage. I've...

Sometimes accidents give us wonderful things, like Post It notes. . .

Not to sound like a critical parent (but I will) you need to not worry about magic for a while and learn you English lessons. . . your spelling and grammar are atrocious and the first thing a magician must have is a command of language, so you really need to start there. The other thing I'll...

That's probably better than the sandpaper in that requires a very light touch and very fine grade paper which can still scar the paper. I've never heard of the Rubber Cement technique, will have to check that one out.

Not to side track this thread, but I see the "technicality" as being hair splitting in most instances. For an example, there is a truth about the idea that "all psychic use cold reading" but the reason for this ISN'T the reason most skeptics like to imply, it's the fact that everything (all...

HINT: get yourself some really fine grade sandpaper or a course draftsman's eraser and use this to remove the front printing from the card so you have a blank that can be used in a given routine. . . Practice in how to split cards using these extras, so you can learn to make your own...

"Fraudulent" is a big nasty term, Christopher, and when it comes to magicians & skeptics, it's rarely applied with a fair and balanced attitude. Countless "legitimate" businesses use the same tactics calling it something else and never get as brutalized as people that believe in such things...

Radio Shack! I'm not kidding, that's the type of place the people that come up with these things get their parts. Radio Shack has a small motor that can be had for about $10.00 that can be used as a take-up reel (though you will have to change the gear unit on the end for a guided/grooved...

I watched too many of the "pretty ones" sink into self-destructive paths, especially once the cute starts to wane and age comes into the picture. I had a tough time with this because I was that clean faced (peach fuzz) boy next door well into my late 20s (I was still getting carded in bars at...