Saturday Night Contest / roundtable + Doug McKenzie

[j.bayme]

Tonight is Saturday, December 6th, and earlier this past week a video was posted in the media section featuring Doug McKenzie in the new show FRINGE on Fox. As producer for David Blaine and close friend of Bill Kalush, Doug sees more magic than just about anyone and has expertise in all areas of sorcery.

Tonight, we'll be holding a special edition theory11 roundtable discussion with Doug. This is our eleventh recorded roundtable discussion, with past discussions available in the archive.

Ask any question you wish - everything is fair game. We will select some of the best questions to be answered live in a podcast posted tonight at 11:30pm EST. Questions should be relevant, topical, and appropriate in order to promote a great discussion on card magic, working with DB, Flicker, New York City, magic on television, coin magic, Flicker, and everything in between. And Flicker.

All questions must be submitted on or before 10:00pm EST. One random member whose question is asked during the podcast will receive a 6 pack of Split Spades, shipped on the house. Ask away, and look forward to having a great discussion tonight.

UPDATE : This roundtable discussion has concluded. Listen to it now at THIS link.

 

[Donald C.]

What got you interested in magic?
What was your first effect?
What inspired you to create Juan bill switch and or phoneomenon?
What is your favorite type of magic? [ card , coins etc. ]
How long did it take you to perfect flicker?
Why did you create Flicker?

 

[Creeper]

Do you flourish?

 

[Jack Webster]

1) what was it like working with David blaine

2) how old were you when you got into magic

3) how did you get into magic

4) who is your favorite magician to watch

5) what is your most valued item in magic

6) what do you think we should use for video chats here other than stickam?

edit:

7) what do you think is wrong with magic

8) cards or coin?

9) whats the favorite trick you have created

10) How was working with Joshua Jackson?

 

[MagicSanj]

*Sigh... another round table? Oh well...

I'll think of some questions later I guess.

Hope you guys benefit from this discussion...

Take care everyone,

-Sanj

 

[Close-Up Expert]

Regarding cards. As anyone that performs knows, it can be more difficult to successfully entertain an audience with cards alone. What, in your opinion, makes an interesting routine with cards? Story line? Certain style of effect? (i.e. full deck story = Sam the Bellhop)

Thanks!
Steve

 

[Sean_Raf]

What is your favourite principle in any area of magic? Obviously don't explain it, but what it allows you to do and why you like it would be awesome.

JB said you have expertise in all areas of "sorcery", what is your favourite area?

Thanks,
- Sean

 

[iwannayoyo]

1. Who was your biggest inspiration on your path of magic?
2. How did magic find you?
3. Did you ever think of doing something else besides magic?
4. What is your favorite effect that you created?
5. What is your favorite effect someone else created?
6. What was the first effect you created?
7. How do you come up with new efects? Do you just jam, or think about it, or something else?

 

[FatalAce]

What is your favorite effect?
What do you do to entertain an audience?
How do you create effects?
Is Danny G a nice guy?
What is your favorite flourish?

 

[TheJoo]

what is your personal favorite card effect that you perform and your coin effect?

 

[copperfield 14]

Does David Blaine create his own magic or does he have his workers do it for him?
How did you meet david blaine?
Who's better me(David Copperfield) or David Blaine?
How is it like working for someone like David Blaine?Is he annoying, he he happy, etc.?
Do you think that David Blaine has faded away in people's minds or do you think he still has a huge rep in the world? Or do you think that Criss Angel wiped him away from people's minds?
If Cirss Angel say he wants to hire you would you accept it?
Do you have any future plans with theory11?

 

[MagicShadow9]

Wow, i really thought the ELEVENTH rountable discussion would feature the head of theory11, jonathan bayme. I mean, it fits, doesn't it? Anyways here are the questions.

-How do you come up with your tricks?

-Whats it like working with one of the most well known magicians?

-What's your favorite sleight?

-What made you start magic?

-How did you start working for David Blaine?

-What do you do when faced with an extremely difficult sleight?

-Why is the sky blue?

-Do you like donuts?

 

[hijackedmagic]

1.) What was the very first effect you created? Also, when did you make it, and when was it (if it was) released?

2.) What/when was your very first gig?

3.) Were you ever teased/made fun of in school for doing magic?

 

[trigun0x2]

Vernon, Houdini, Erdnase and many other are all great magicians. Which magician affect you the most throughout your magic career? And in which way?

If you can go back in time, and undo one thing, what would it be?

Would you rather use a gaff or use hard sleights?

 

[TheoryGV]

Where do you get the inspiration to create does it come from something you see on TV what?
Why did you pick magic instead of o say the drums?
Last one have you ever gotten nerves preforming and if so how did you handle it?

TheoryGV

 

[cbols23]

Why do you choose coins over cards?(or Vice Versa)

 

[RyanOchs]

When will Compression be released?

 

[cm763]

1) What is your creative process when creating tricks? (ie. Do you sit around by yourself trying to think things up just randomly, do you get inspiration from people and things around you and go from there, do you jam with people and develop ideas that way, etc)

2) On a related note, after thinking up an effect you want to do, what are the stages of development for it?

3) Are there any funny stories that happened while with David Blaine that you'd like to share? (kind of like a blooper moment, etc)

4) I realize you've been in magic for quite a while. What keeps you motivated and enjoying magic? Why do you continue to do it?

5) What's your favorite effect out on the market (for cards, coins, mentalism, or anything really) not including any that you were involved in creating?

6) If you could give out one piece of advice to any and all magicians, what would it be?

Thanks!

Edit:

7) Do you have any "horror stories" about performances that didn't go so well that you would like to share? (it would be nice if it had a happy ending, but that's not necessary, haha) I ask because a lot of people get quite nervous when performing for real people--it's nice to see the pros are human just like us, and thus mess up from time to time like we do.

 

[SuicideBoy555]

Snc

What is the best experience in magic that you have every had?

 

[r.zhang]

How did you land the job of being on Fringe?
Who/what are your inspirations?
What got you into magic? How long have you been into it?
Which effect or type of effects do you do or find most interesting?
Can you tell us about the original stunt that was planned for the Dive of Death?
How did you get to work with Blaine and what is it like work with him?
Who are your favorite performers?