About Magic & Illusion

Mark Wilson Magic University Launches

2009-11-25T04:15:12Z

According to a recent release, American illusionist and television star Mark Wilson has launched his "Mark Wilson Magic University." The new site provides online magic instruction that is based on his best selling magic book, "The Mark Wilson Complete Course in Magic."

The Mark Wilson Magic University is not only designed to be a magic instruction site that is open to everyone, but to also support a magic community. Special promotion deals are being offered for the 2009 holiday season and students may participate in the community for free.

"I believe that instruction from the Magic University will revolutionize the teaching of magic, making it more accessible for everyone," says Mark Wilson in the release. "I also know that protecting magic secrets is much harder on the Internet, because with accessibility comes the danger of wider exposure. That's why I founded the Magic University, to provide top quality magic instruction to those who are sincerely interested in learning our art and who promise not to reveal its closely guarded secrets."

More Reading:
Magic Circus by Mark Wilson
Magic Bingo by Mark Wilson

Mark Wilson Magic University Launches originally appeared on About.com Magic & Illusion on Wednesday, November 25th, 2009 at 04:15:12.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Best Magic Gifts for Magicians

2009-11-23T11:07:46Z

Yes, believe it or not. The holiday season approaches.

If you're shopping for a magician, here are some suggestions for gifts that will be well appreciated. And if you are a magician, these are worthy items for your wish list.

It's all in the new Magic Gift Guide.

More Reading:
Specialty Playing Cards
Magic Books

Best Magic Gifts for Magicians originally appeared on About.com Magic & Illusion on Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 11:07:46.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Pause for Effect

2009-11-21T11:55:44Z

In our magic forum, Christian3 posted some helpful advice for beginners on how to maximize the impact of an effect.

He says: "Pause at certain KEY POINTS! If I am performing invisible deck, I always give a long pause before flipping over the reversed card. If you are performing sponge balls and when they jump to the other persons hand, pause and let the effect and the laughs of surprise go."

You can read the entire post on our forum. And if you ever have a magic related question, you can often find answers here as well.

More Reading:
The Five Biggest Mistakes Made by Beginning Magicians
Guide to Dealing with Nervousness

Pause for Effect originally appeared on About.com Magic & Illusion on Saturday, November 21st, 2009 at 11:55:44.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Disneyland Main Street Magic Shop Reopens

2009-11-19T01:31:54Z

Under New Management

The Disneyland Main Street Magic Shop, run by Houdini's Magic Shop, is now open for business. On initial look, the shop looks a lot like it did before the Houdini's make over with a similar layout as well as product boards and demo counters. The shop opened for business on October 28.

While the shop is filled with the typical tourist-oriented magic tricks that one would expect, I was pleased to see lots of beginning and intermediate magic books, many of them classic titles, which shows that the shop is equipped to fill the needs of those who are serious about learning magic. Overall, the shop is filled with more books and magic tricks than at any other time that I've seen in the past ten years.

When I arrived at the shop, I met none other than Geno Munari, President of Houdini's Magic Shop. I found him to be an enthusiastic cheerleader for magic.

I know that many of you are less than enthusiastic about the Houdini's taking over the beloved Disneyland Magic Shop. But without Houdini's, there would likely be no Main Street magic shop today. And after seeing the shop for myself and watching the courteous demonstrators, I came away with a positive feeling.

I have encountered overzealous salespeople at Las Vegas Houdini's shops, but felt that the new Main Street shop provided a positive magic experience to its visitors. I'm hoping that the Houdini's-branded shop can inspire kids to seriously study magic as the old one did.

More Reading:
Houdini Windows Come to the Disneyland Main Street Magic Shop
A Hit on Disney Magic
Readers Respond to "A Hit on Disney Magic"

Disneyland Main Street Magic Shop Reopens originally appeared on About.com Magic & Illusion on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 01:31:54.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Magicians Help a Boy Who Was Hit by a Car

2009-11-18T00:33:51Z

I know that this mention is after the fact, but I wanted everyone to know about some magicians who stepped up to the plate and used their magic to help others.

According to this article, Allan Grove and Frank Culler of the King Magic Ring in Maryland organized and performed a benefit show to help eight-year-old David Greeley who suffered injuries and had his leg amputated after a serious bike riding accident. The article says that 100% of the show's proceeds were to go to David Greeley's family to assist with his medical bills.

Kudos to Allan Grove, Frank Culler and the King Magic Ring. You are shining examples of those who practice our art of magic. If there are other performers who participated in this worthy effort, please make their names known either through e-mail or comments.

More Reading:
Famous Magicians
Magic Clubs and Conventions

Magicians Help a Boy Who Was Hit by a Car originally appeared on About.com Magic & Illusion on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 00:33:51.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

In the Works: The (W)hole Thing

2009-11-16T00:01:07Z

An Occasional Series About Effects That I'm Working On

I wish that every trick that I learn could become "A" material for my stand-up or close-up sets. However, this is clearly not the case as my office is littered with the remnants of tricks that I've worked up and ultimately gave up. I've even been known to occasionally find in my close-up case a long unused packet of gimmicked cards and had no recollection what trick was associated with them.

With this in mind, I was impressed with Daryl's "The (W)hole Thing," a packet trick of jumbo-sized cards that features lots of fun, built-in wordplay and a crazy progression of events. It's much like a "Sidewalk Shuffle" meets "What's Next?" Only thing is, I get far better reactions performing either classic "Sidewalk Shuffle" or "What's Next?"

In Daryl's hands, the trick is fantastic. As you can see in his video, the clever wordplay involves "hole" cards, jumbo cards with holes in them and "whole" cards, jumbo cards that are whole.

I've been trying this trick out at my restaurants and it's been getting good reactions. However, it falls slightly short. It's hard for me to pinpoint exactly what isn't right when I perform the trick, but the progression of events feels rather forced and I can't seem to get the presentation and timing right to unveil the revelations in a manner that gets the maximum reaction.

So, after some time, I can't seem to get this one to feel right and ultimately "groove" with my audiences. But on the other hand, I'm not sure that I'm ready to give up on the trick either. Perhaps it's time to go back and write a new script with a different tact. Or maybe I'll have to ultimately accept that the trick just isn't right for my performing persona.

More Reading:
Seven Themes to Apply to Your Magic
Dealing with Nervousness
The Five Biggest Mistakes Made by Beginning Magicians

In the Works: The (W)hole Thing originally appeared on About.com Magic & Illusion on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 00:01:07.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Magic and the Brain

2009-11-14T05:12:44Z

Penn and Teller and Mac King are featured in an interesting article that discusses how magic works on the human brain. The research is being conducted by the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona and the results are not only telling, but may one day help to assist in the diagnosis of autism.

According to the article, the researchers concluded that magicians sometimes understand the workings of the human brain better than they did. "The more we thought about it, the more we realized that magicians actually had skills that we didn't have, as scientists," says Dr. Stephen Macknik in the story.

Mac King performed for a subject who's eye movements were closely monitored. The conclusion? "You think you can see everything all at once, when in fact, you can't," says Macknik in the story. "So, the fact is that magicians are able to take advantage of that by knowing that you can only focus in one place while they do something somewhere else."

"We predict that autistics will detect the method in a magic trick better than someone with a Ph.D," Macknik also says in the story. "Autistics are people with deficits in joint attention, so they not only can't pay attention very well to people and where they're supposed to pay attention, but they're kind of repulsed by it.

More Reading:
Magicians Penn and Teller
Las Vegas Magic Shows

Magic and the Brain originally appeared on About.com Magic & Illusion on Saturday, November 14th, 2009 at 05:12:44.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

MindFreak, Season One, Now Free Online

2009-11-12T15:16:05Z

I admit a recent craving for Hulu.com where I've been watching "The Biggest Loser," "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "Family Guy." I recently discovered that the entire first season of Criss Angel MindFreak is now available to watch online for free via Hulu.

It's interesting for me to go back in time and read my thoughts about Angel's first season. At the time, I even interviewed Angel just as the season got underway. This was long before Angel's Believe show in Las Vegas and all the criticism hurled from the magic community.

I reviewed the first two episodes, "Burned Alive" and "Levitation" in a single review.

I said in my review:
"Despite some great effects and Angel's brooding charisma, the show lacks the uplifting feel and impact of Copperfield's best television specials...Overall, Criss Angel Mindfreak was baffling, mystifying and mostly entertaining, which made it good for magic."

I stand by this statement today.

I also commented on Angel's new look and persona:
"I haven't seen Angel's first television special in a long time, but it seems to me that he is wearing less theatrical make-up these days, and, in interviews, is trying to portray himself as more of an average, affable guy that people can relate to. I think he is intentionally toning the down the extreme elements."

Of course, Angel eventually sold the secret to one of the show's levitations to the public on a DVD. You can watch the episodes, "Burned Alive" and "Levitation" on Hulu.com.

I also reviewed later shows in the season including the "Wine Barrel/Nail Bed" and "Prediction" and you can watch these via Hulu as well ("Wine Barrel", "Nail Bed" and "Prediction").

I said in a review of the entire first season:
"The high level of magic that Angel presented in his first season is a testament to his creativity and hard work and the dedicated efforts and contributions of his magic consultants and staff. While I recognized some magic effects, there were many that simply left me fried."

Was I being too nice? Many of you who wrote me thought so. But thanks to Hulu, you can now view the episodes and decide for yourself.

More Reading:
Review: Criss Angel Believe
About Magician Criss Angel
Interview with Criss Angel

MindFreak, Season One, Now Free Online originally appeared on About.com Magic & Illusion on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 15:16:05.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Readers Respond to "'Teach By Magic' Doesn't Make Grade"

2009-11-10T01:05:23Z

I responded negatively to a recent press release that touted a new firm. "Teach By Magic" promises to instruct teachers on how to use magic to enhance class lessons. In my story, I found the quoted statistics misleading and the "lessons" to actually be simple magic tricks, many of which are already taught here for free.

What irritated me most was that I found the concept downright insulting to teaching professionals. After all, what do magicians know about teaching and standing in front of a classroom of students?

Many of you responded with reactions. Thanks to all who wrote in.

To use magic to teach the lesson is ridiculous. It doesn't speak well for you as a teacher if you have to entertain your students to teach them. While education can be entertaining, education is not entertainment, and shouldn't be treated as such. Sounds like these "Teach by Magic" guys are just out for a quick buck. The educators I know would never go for it.
James Jay, October 13, 2009

I think we can add stuff like this as another reason why the art of magic is not well respected. This kind of stuff just cheapens what magicians do (not to mention what teachers do). Anyone can teach. But not everyone can inspire with their teaching. Anyone can do magic. But few can do it well enough to inspire and capture the imagination.
Unmasked Magician, October 20, 2009

I'm a teacher and I can't believe that these magicians think they have all of the answers. Let's see them prepare a real lesson and spend an entire day with the kids and see how far their simple magic tricks take them. I'm also an amateur magician and I sometimes do tricks for the kids as a reward. The tricks I see on the teacher site are ones that I teach the kids. I find that some of the kids already know these when I teach them. I wouldn't want to try and fool them with those simple tricks. As Wayne says, leave the teaching to the pros.
Vbennet, October 13, 2009

Coincidentally enough, during the past year, I've been using magic to reinforce lessons in Alaska history. The classroom and library programs have been popular enough that I began developing a book and a series of magical effects to highlight American history instruction. First, I would NEVER try to tell teachers how to teach. What I would offer would be a series of magical effects specifically designed to help them do what they do best, and that is educating our young people. What I would hope to present is more than just changing the patter slightly to make the trick seem educational, but something that incorporates curriculum values within the script. It's not easy, and not all tricks can be adapted. But that's where the fun and creativity come in. If you're interested in what I'm doing check out my website, and in particular, join the Society of American Magicians in time to read the December edition of M-U-M. It's even available on line!
Jeff Brown, October 23, 2009

More Reading:
"Teach By Magic" Doesn't Make Grade
The Best of the Easy Tricks
The Best Magic Books for Beginners

Readers Respond to "'Teach By Magic' Doesn't Make Grade" originally appeared on About.com Magic & Illusion on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 01:05:23.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Should Magicians Use Themed Cards?

2009-11-08T22:42:51Z

When Ellusionist released the first Black Tiger and Ghost themed decks some years back, I loved the edgy look of the cards as well as their quality and feel. However, at the time, I was apprehensive about performing with cards that were not standard Bicycle cards. My initial fear was that spectators may think that the unusual looking cards were gimmicked or trick cards.

But after several years of popular cards in all sorts of colors and designs, most of them manufactured by the U.S. Playing Card Company that produces Bicycle, Bee, Aviator and all the popular brands, I think that magicians are now free to use whatever cards they wish.

Spectators are accustomed to seeing different back designs and some designs can lend to a magician's persona. In particular, I think the cards are fantastic for extreme card manipulation (XCM) and card flourishes as popularized by Jerry Cestkowski and Dan and Dave Buck.

Arcane, the newest theme cards to hit the market, come from Ellusionist. The edgy-looking and attractive cards come in both black and white versions. I like the reverse exposure face cards, the slightly thinner and quality card stock, the gradient indexes that feature a slight fade out and ultra smooth finish that makes fanning smooth as silk. Like the Black Tiger and Ghost Decks, the Arcane decks are manufactured by the U.S. Playing Company for Ellusionist.

I also like another new and edgy deck called the Karnival Assassins from Big Blind Media and the U.S. Playing Card Company. The cards feature skeletons and like the original Karnival cards, were designed by artist Sam Hayles. In addition to a high grade stock the deck offers features for magicians that include: a subtle one-way back design and card revelations on the box's barcode and on a joker.

In the end, it's all about personal preference and the kinds of card that you like to work with and the design that best supports your performing persona. There are lots of choices out there and you can be free to perform with the decks that you like best.

More Reading:
Karnival Cards
Black Tiger Deck, Gaff Deck & Black Book
Xtreme Beginnerz

The Trilogy (3 DVD Set) by Dan And Dave Buck

Should Magicians Use Themed Cards? originally appeared on About.com Magic & Illusion on Sunday, November 8th, 2009 at 22:42:51.

Permalink | Comment | Email this