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I would not say that parents are the arbiters of good taste. Granted, their house, their rules. But I would look more to people who have a style you admire. So my guess is that you just shotgun your way to gigs without bothering to do any work on finding a target market/demographic. Am I...

The problem with those three questions is it sounds to me like you're trying to square peg your answer into them. You keep bringing up the idea of the vagabond conjurer, but beyond that I'm not really getting a good sense of your character.

The solution to that is to learn how to project. Breathe from the diaphragm and resonate in the chest or head. You won't need much volume because your voice will carry better. If I had to sum it up in a single word, I'd say you were something of a huckster. From the description of your...

Just to clarify, I am on your side. I just find it disingenuous for people to claim that they've never been influenced by another human being. Unless you were raised by wolves, it's not possible.

I fail to see what the hell that has to do with anything I just said. I don't quite understand why I talk about the context of the plot and audiences, and decide to tell me to buy another version because I don't have to put a sharp object in it. Just like every other version of the plot I...

I hate to see this languishing on page 4. Is there anybody out there who would like to open up a description of their style to analysis and critique? You can't improve if you don't ask for help.

Well, since I'm now back, how about some more controversy? I would suggest the root of the problem behind a lot of magicians failing to connect with audiences is because they're just not very interesting people. They don't do anything that would build character or lead to a good story later on...

You could... you could. But that brings up the question of whether or not you should. I never denied that. But it still entitles no one to call themselves an artist. I would suggest the problem with entitlement to a name, what some have argued for, is that it has no value. No worth...

Give yourself a star. I stand by my previous statements.

I didn't want to comment on this thread, but this just stood out to me. Human beings learn through mimicry and imitation. That's the way we are wired. To claim that you have never once in your life mimicked a master in order to learn is either a lie or a grand self-deception. Now try an...

iVanish is his only release so far. This lecture will be the only other material he's ever taught to anyone in the magic community.

Before you put anything into your shopping cart, stop. Take your hands off the keyboard and mouse and lean back in your chair. Now... ask yourself if you will be performing for audiences who would appreciate an effect that involves the potential risk of permanently maiming the performer. If...

On January 17th, Deceptions Unlimited will be hosting a dual lecture at the Monroeville Holiday Inn in the Pittsburgh area. The guests? Ben Seidman (creator of iVanish) and Luke Jermay. The night will be a split between magic and mentalism starting at 7:30. Seating must be reserved ahead of...

As J. Bayme foretold not too long ago, there were calls made, chats were had... Let me say first that I'm very flattered by the support given to me over the last few days. When you stop and consider that my approach to discussion is about as subtle as The Incredible Hulk driving a Harley...

Let's just say I like to know a little bit about a lot. In the grand scheme of things, does it really matter?

If you can't be bothered to read everything in there, you don't deserve the information. That said, this goes to a question I've continually asked a lot of people who asked me for advice in the last few months: What do I as a spectator get out of this? What's in it for me? Pure...

I have a few card tricks I use for strolling magic. I'm not perpetually serious, so when I'm at a bar I show a lighter, sarcastic side to my personality. But honestly, I'm pretty tired of cards. I have about a half-dozen card tricks I do and I have no intention of learning anymore...

Let's just say that I gave that explanation as the opening to a seance I did last Halloween. At the end of the show, several people approached me wanting to talk about strange phenomena they themselves had experienced.

Fewer of us than you think, as some of the answers you're getting have proven. I would not end with a card manipulation act. It's anti-climactic. If you absolutely must use cards, a better transition after all that mentalism would be a variant on the Malini card stab routine. The original...

Imagine that everything in the great tapestry we call reality is only one of many. Imagine if you will that reality is less of a tapestry, and more of an apartment building. Each apartment is another world. The borders between these worlds seem solid and impregnable. One could go a...