|
Magic Roadshow October 1st, 2006 Issue# 56 Rick Carruth / editor (C)2006 All Rights Reserved Street Magic's #1 free newsletter for magicians, street performers, restaurant workers, close-up artists, and mentalists, with subscribers in over sixty three countries worldwide. _/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ Hello All Welcome to issue 56 of the Magic Roadshow. If you're a new subscriber I want to thank you for taking the time to sign up for the Roadshow. ( If you're looking for the download link to Expert at the Card Table, you'll find it near the bottom of the page.) Life has been so hectic these past few weeks, yet, somehow, I've managed to put together one of my best issues ever. All you Nathan Kranzo fans will be delighted to see an interview with 'Kranzo'. David Breth is back, answering your questions with his typical expertise. And I've added a few little twist of my own.. Remember, if I can assist you with your magic - EMAIL ME.. I'm not going to delay you any longer.. on with the Roadshow.. ------------- In This Issue ------------- -Interview: Nathan Kranzo -Kranzo video's -Nice Box - Classic card to box with a flash! -Ask a Pro -Slight of Cards -Card to Wallet... ( without the Card and the Wallet ) -Flydini video - Steve Martin at his best -Made in Japan - Free effect -Annemann Bullet Catch - rare video ------------------------- "If we were all given by magic power to read each other's thoughts, I suppose the first effect would be to dissolve all friendships" Bertrand Russell (English Logician and Philosopher 1872-1970) "Sometimes I don't want to see the puppeteers, sometimes I just want to see the magic.." Unk. _/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ Nathan Kranzo - Interview Funnyman and magician supreme, Nathan Kranzo has literally toured the world, displaying his unique brand of magic. A featured performer at Hollywoods Magic Castle, Nathan has had his magic on display on the TV series The Virtual Magician, which aired in over forty countries, and served as magic and technical consultant to some of the biggest names in magic. You've seen Chris Korn perform Nathan's effects on Mondo Magic. And if you watched Penn & Tellers Off The Deep End... yep, Nathan was a consultant there as well.. --------------- (1) Tell us about your introduction to magic and your early years. I remember my first real magician but probably my first introduction into magic was my grandfather. He was quite the prankster. Didn't really know magic but played a lot of practical jokes and gags. (2) Who were your influences and did you have a mentor? Early on it was Jim Pavlica. He was a local guy who is and was very talented and well read. He kinda showed me my first real sleight of hand. (3) If perfect practice makes perfect, then how do you practice. Do you involve mirrors or video's. Is there any particular routine to your practice? Yes. Mirror's, video, other people. Nothing beats the camera other than a live person to give you feedback. Both are priceless to improve your craft. (4) How long would you work on an effect before adding it to your routine? How long would you work on an original effect before releasing it to the public? It could be three years or three days depending on the effect. The great thing about having a regular place to perform is you get to test out new material instantly and you also need a place to "be bad" or work out kinks. As far as releasing an effect is concerned I try and research everything about it even remotely related. Sometimes the research take longer then working on the actual effect. (5) Cards or Coins? Which do you prefer and why? I started with cards and spent quite a bit of time with card magic. Most people call me a coin guy. I really don't perform much coin magic but what I do perform has taken me years and is very polished. Peopl have an inherent interest in money so it's always good to know some coin magic. (6) Which three card sleights and coin sleights do you consider absolutely essential? Cards - top change, palm, force Coins - Fingerpalm, French Drop, Retention Pass (7) An effect like 'Stick 4' from "Things with Cards" uses a gaffed card. What are your thoughts on gaffed cards and/or decks, and do you use gaffs in any of your performances. I love gaffs. Gaffs combined with great sleight of hand can be deadly. Combining methods and techniques is always the best way to conceal the method. I use gaffs whenever they help me achieve a more magical moment. (8) I watched Chris Korn perform your effect, 'Bande Du Soleil', on Mondo Magic, and was really impressed. ( For the uninformed, there's a video on your web site). Tell me something about the creative process of developing a new effect like this. Do you seriously brainstorm, or is it more of an idea or effect slowly morphing into another effect.? In this case it was years of having the idea in my head before actually trying it. I shot myself down in my minds several times thinking "this won't fool anyone", it will be obvious..." But I'm glad I did it! It took a little refining the the basic idea was always there. (9) 'Fire Coins', one of my favorite effects in all the world of magic. The production, vanishing, and then re-production of the three coins, in the midst of fire, is so original it's ridiculous... Is there a history behind it, and where did you come up with the idea..? Yes the vanish sequence is inspired by some of Troy Hooser and Homer Liwag's work. The idea of adding a lighter to enhance the vanish of the coins is something I've always played with ever since I got my first coin gaffs. The idea of the matches was inspired by Derek Dingle. The routine is really a combination of several great ideas strung together. It all fell together after years of playing with different effects and moments with the coins and fire. (10) Restaurant magic is a favorite topic with my readers. How would you go about approaching a restaurant? Tips or Salary.. and why? No way working for tips only. Just my opinion. The best way to get a restaurant is to first off actually be good and have something to offer to the restaurant! Getting the meeting can be difficult but I usually offer one night for free as a trial and after that you can usually sell the idea no problem. Look for non-chain restaurants as they don't have corporate to answer to. I have a lot of ideas on how to land a restaurant that will be in an up-coming project. : ) (11) One of my most-asked questions is: From the time you approach a table until you're finished at that table, what is your general routine? How many effects do you perform? Anywhere from 5 seconds to much longer depending on the situation. The general rule of thumb is AFTER the order and BEFORE the food. That window can be small if you have approached the table just before the food arrives. It's good to have routines that are quick and modular. EIther they are fast and don't take much time, or each phase of the routine is strong enough to end on if need be. (12) Do you find card tricks easier or harder to perform in a restaurant than coin magic, and do you use utility devices? (thumb tips, coin benders, wallets, thumb writers, etcs.) I use any utility device necessary! No mercy. : ) I think coins are easier as they involve money (something of interest) where as cards can be intimidating and set pre-conceived thoughts about card tricks. Everyone knows one card trick and they usually think that's all you know. (13) If I approached you after one of your killer lectures and told you of my desire to be a full time professional magician, what bit of information would you send me home with? It's all about entertainment. You don't need many effects, you don't need much props. IF you are entertaining they will like you. Work on how to entertain an audience by watching comedians, actors, and musicians etc. Making them laugh and care about what you are doing is much more important than having an invisible pass. (14) For each hour you spend practicing your magic, how long do you spend performing marketing related task? Do you use an agent? I have several agencies that call me but don't have an agent per sey. It doesn't matter how good you are if nobody know's how to contact you or what your act is about. I spend more time on marketing than I do actually practicing at this point. That wasn't always true. Marketing is so very important. (15) I know your travels have taken you across the country and around the world to places in Europe and Asia. What group or country responds most favorably to your magic, and if your weren't rooted in Michigan, where would you like to go back to? Japan was great. I loved the people, food, culture, everything was great. They really love magic and react great to astonishment. (16) I know you served as a consultant on "Off the Deep End". Aside from years of establishing your reputation as a world-class magician, how do you go about getting the title of 'consultant' for Penn & Teller? Luck. : ) Actually my friend Michael Weber was working with Penn and Teller and Michael suggested my effect for their special. (17) Subscribers who sign up for your newsletter often get fr'ee PDF's that other magicians would charge an arm and a leg for. Are you a really rich guy who doesn't need our cold, hard cash? Heheh... Actually I just really appreciate all of my fans and people who support my magic. It is my way of re-paying them. (18) Personally, I feel mentalism will be the next 'big' thing in magic. What percentage of your stand up and stage performance utilizes mentalism/ mental magic? Do you ever work it into a restaurant routine? My stage show is about 50/50. I have always loved mentalism but always had difficulty pulling it off because I'm not a REAL serious performer. My character is humorous and that can be difficult in mentalism. BUT it isn't impossible. I have spent that last few years trying to equal out that balance of comedy and mental routines. Most of the material I perform in my act was worked out in the restaurant in some way. Some of the effects are too big to perform or just rely on too many people for you to duplicate it in the restaurant. Luckily most of them CAN be scaled down and rehearsed in the restaurant environment and I'm lucky to have that. (19) Creative license allows me one dumb question per interview. You've been to Chicago to lecture. You're headed back out I-94 toward Kalamazoo and one of those lake effect blizzards strands you at a cheap motel. Only problem is... you have to share the room with three magicians who were headed west. Who are you shacked up with and why? I'd be shacked up with Sean Bagunia because he lives nearby and I would probably be giving him a ride home. The other two would be Lee Asher and Aaron Fisher. We always seem to end up in crazy situations and chances are someone woud either end up in the hospital, or jail that night. (20) Last but not least.. I could hardly wait to ask you to confirm the rumor I've heard through the magic underground that you're releasing an effect called BOX MONSTER that's going to... well, to use an old cliche, blow everyone away. Why should I want it, and when can I get it? You should want it because it is one of the strongest effect's possible with a deck of cards. Here is what the dealer add would look like: Borrow ANY deck of cards. Two cards are selected. Both cards are separately shuffled back into the deck in a very open and fair manor. The cards are placed inside the box. You snap your fingers and the box pops open by itself. This looks so cool…. You snap your fingers again and the first selection slowly rises out of the deck where it can immediately be handed to the person who chose it. The deck is spread on the table…and with one last snap of the fingers, one card slowly crawls out of the spread revealing itself (this is the part that scares people). The card is turned over and of course it is the second selection. The deck can be handed out for immediate examination. Clean. Strong. Scary. Practical. It is a monster. AND it will be available October the 8th. The ads just came out in this months Genii and Magic magazines. You can watch online for a teaser in the next couple of days, or go to http://www.hismagic.com and sign up for my newsletter. Not only will you receive free effects and other great information BUT you will also be the first to see the trailer for my new effect 'Box Monster'. ...Nathan, thanks for the great interview. I appreciate it, and I know my readers do too. ------------------------- I encourage you to go to Nathans site and sign up for his newsletter. Unlike many magicians who use newsletters strictly to sell their products, Nathan gives away killer free pdf's to his subscribers. http://www.hismagic.com/?page_id=21 Get a quick look at Nathan performing three different effects on these youtube video's... Invisible Elasticity 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nusfXC9-yY The Big Push http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOvE6EMr96w Credit Card Vanish http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddEuj6SmnS0 ------------------------- Nice Box - Classic card to box with a flash! Nathan Kranzo Nathan has graciously offered this free effect to readers of the Roadshow. It's a pdf file, and you can right click and 'save as' to your desktop. A card is freely selected from a shuffled deck in use. The card is lost in the deck and the nearby card box is tossed into the air. As it hurls back towards the Earth it lands in the deck sandwiching itself right in the middle of the cards. With a snap of the fingers the box squirts back out of the deck and into the air where it is caught in the right hand. The box is shaken and there is something inside. You pull out the signed selection to their amazement. http://www.hismagic.com/magic/Nice_Box.pdf =============================== Ask A Pro Now, YOU can ask David Breth any question that you would like an honest, professional answer to.. If your question is selected as one of the questions answered, then YOU will receive a free copy of one of the classic books, in ebook form, in all of magic; The Royal Road to Card Magic... Don't miss your chance to add a copy of this classic to your library. Email your question to: Ask a Pro ------------------------------- David If I am presenting a magic trick surrounded by many people, what are the factors to take note of while carrying out acts of misdirections and not be suspected? Thanks Mason ----------- Mason, Great question. The answer to this is not "what are the factors to take note of while carrying out acts of misdirection." Mason, the true factors have to be taken note of long prior to attempting to carry out any acts of misdirection. You have two factor to consider when you are preparing to perform for a 'live' audience. Practice Rehearsal Practice is what you do from the moment you read the book, watch the DVD, take the trick from its package and read the instructions that came with it. Webster's unabridged dictionary defines practice as: prac·tice (prkts) v. prac·ticed, prac·tic·ing, prac·tic·es v. tr. 1. To do or perform habitually or customarily; make a habit of: practices courtesy in social situations. 2. To do or perform (something) repeatedly in order to acquire or polish a skill: practice a dance step. 3. To give lessons or repeated instructions to; drill: practiced the students in handwriting. 4. To work at, especially as a profession: practice law. 5. To carry out in action; observe: practices a religion piously. The above definition typed speaks loads of valuable advice to you, me and all that desire to become the best performer they can be. Practicing your craft if vital, this is where you want to lock yourself in your quiet place and do just as Daniel Webster suggests in his dictionary To do or perform (something) repeatedly in order to acquire or polish a skill: practice a dance step. In other words, practice the "move", technique, your banter so that you do it verbatim every time and without the slightest hint of reservation!!! Rehearsal is defined this time from Noah Webster's unabridged dictionary as: Rehearsal n 1: a practice session in preparation for a public performance (as of a play or speech or concert); "he missed too many rehearsals"; "a rehearsal will be held the day before the wedding" Rehearsal on the other hand is the visual and audible effect from the practice you so feverishly employed. To attempt to execute a 'move' or even a self-working 'trick' without proper practice will show in diverse situations. The flip side is also true that if you are walking out into the real world and are going to perform without rehearsing what it is you have been practicing is merely a trick, or even a puzzle that receives a question mark from your audience, bewilderment, and or they walk away confused, due the fact you just presented something that was so mechanical in the working of it that the real reason for doing what you were doing (behind your back, etc.) leaves a really foul taste in their mouth. Those that try and perform a 'magical' feat without adequate practice, not only make them selves look foolish and ill prepared, but give the real workers, the professionals a 'bad' name as well. If you are not willing to invest your valuable time into the beautiful art form we call magic do not show it to others and give me a bad name. This said to be sure not to be detected while performing make sure that you place the much needed time into practice and rehearsal!!! David Breth http://www.magictainmentshow.com =============================== Slight of Cards Slight of cards features several different effects, displayed on video and aimed toward magic newbie's. You can access the following video's free: The Card Roll The roll lets you switch cards face up to face down with 1 finger Simple Color Change Change a card in your hand to a different color and suite! Riffle Shuffle Learn to shuffle cards, riffle style! Mind Flipping Magically flip a card in a deck with your mind! http://www.slightofcards.com/ ================================ DO YOU? Do YOU have the tools to become the magician you truly want to be? Do you have the absolute World Class instructions that turns wanna-be's into professionals. If you have the will-power, I have the way... Click Here ================================ Card to Wallet... ( without the Card and the Wallet ) This is just like the card to wallet effect, but without the card or the wallet. Huh? Don't ask questions guys, just follow along... Take a small, blank piece of paper and write the name of your favorite card on it. Now, take this piece of paper and put it in a card box, along with a deck of cards. Make sure to put the paper in the box so the deck can be removed and the paper left in the box unseen. Have a small piece of double-sided tape on one side of the card box. Now, you're set to perform. Remove the deck from the box, leaving the paper in the box. Set the box casually to one side, as if it has nothing to do with the trick. You don't want anyone paying any attention whatsoever to the box. You can now flip through the deck in order to remove the jokers, and bring the card you've wrote on the paper to the top. Or, you can already have the chosen card on top of the deck. Either way, you can now shuffle the deck a couple of times, leaving the top card in place. Spread the deck and ask the spectator to remove one card from pack and place it on top of the pack without looking at it. Openly set the deck on the table. Tell the spectator that you have made a prediction, and that with any luck, your prediction will match their chosen card, as you pick up the card box and set it on top of the deck with the double-sided tape down. Make SURE you set the box on top of the deck very squarely. Talk for a moment or two about the odds of what you are about to do, or talk about the weather or the Carolina Panthers ... whatever.. just talk! Reach down with your left hand and pick the box up with two fingers by pinching it on the sides, near the top flap. Bring it straight up, carrying the top card off the deck.. stuck to the double sided tape. Quickly move it into the palm of your right hand and close your fingers around the box, both concealing and securing the card that's attached to the box. Open the flap with your left hand and let the prediction slide out. Hand the prediction to the spectator as you set the box to one side or drop it in a pocket. By verbally focusing on the prediction and asking the spectator to focus on the prediction you are taking the box out of the equation. Now, allow the spectator to both open the prediction and turn over the top card of the deck, which, of course, will match your prediction. You can just as easily use a wallet for this effect, if you want. Or, use a book in which you've placed your prediction. If you use a book, you can place the book on top of the deck without making any mention of the prediction. Once the book is on top of the deck, THEN explain what you are about to do, opend the front cover of the book and remove the prediction, and then lift the book ( and the top card ) with one hand and set it to one side. The size and weight of a book makes this is a super easy ... R.Carruth ================ Flydini My friend, James Bower, recently sent me this wonderful little video of Steve Martin performing onstage as FLYDINI. Why Flydini? Watch and it will be evident. Did you guys realize Steve Martin used to be a magician of sorts in his earlier days? One of his first jobs in Hollywood was at Disneyland in the Magic Shop on Main Street, USA. He still maintains a love of magic and the 'bizarre'... Although the video is really more about entertainment than magic, you can learn much by watching Steve as he performs without uttering a single word... Click Here -------------------------- MortoMagician To get a look at Steve's slightly bizarre side, check out this widely distributed cartoon video of Steve Martin as MortoMagician http://www.funnyheck.com/mortomagician.html ================ Made in Japan This is a nice little free effect provided by 5fingermagic. Watch as a prediction of a chosen card, written in Japanese on the back of a card box, magically changes to the correct card with a little jiggle of the box. Click on the Quicktime or Windows Media Player icons to watch the effect, and then click 'Free Solution' to view the solution.. http://www.5fingermagic.com/ ================ Annemann Bullet Catch No one has had the influence on the world of mentalism as that of Theo Annemann. Although he only lived to his mid thirties, his influence has surpassed that of any other mentalists. I dare say that he has sold more books in the past twenty years than during the span of his lifetime, and he passed in the 40's! Here is a historic video of Annemann performing his renown bullet catch in New York state. Although you won't discover any deep dark secrets here, this is a good video to add to your collection.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OehGgeNLqZg =================== Expert at the Card Table - free download Here's the download link for new subscribers.. http://www.301url.com/erdnase =================== Bless you for making it this far.. I sincerely hope you've taken something of value with you. I know I learn something from each newsletter, simply through the process of scouring the web, looking for resources... If you know of any magic related resources on the web, share it with me so I can share it with others.. Again, If I can help you with your magic, Email Me --------------------- Remember to visit some of my other sites at: http://www.StreetMagic.info http://www.MagicRoadshow.com http://www.Mentalists.info http://www.StreetMagicSecrets.info http://www.BellaOnline.com/site/shareware http://www.StreetMagic.info/blogger.html And if you have a web site, visit my latest blogs at: http://www.MadMarketing101.com http://www.AdSenseSecrets101.blogspot.com ----------------------- Wishing you a wonderful week... Rick Carruth... editor/publisher =============================== |
Sign up for the Roadshow - get FREE bonuses!