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Magic Roadshow June 20th, 2007 Issue# 73 Rick Carruth / editor (C)2007 All rights reserved worldwide Street Magic's #1 free newsletter for magicians, street magic performers, restaurant workers, close-up artists, and mentalists, with subscribers in over seventy countries worldwide. Learn free magic tricks online and via video. _/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ Hi All
Welcome to the latest issue of the Magic Roadshow. First, let me WELCOME all the new readers. street magic performers, restaurant workers, close-up artists, and magic lovers in general who have signed up to receive the Roadshow since the last issue.. I hope you find something in every issue to improve your magic. The last two (and a half) weeks have been hectic. Work of various sorts has dictated my every move and prevented me from completing this issue on time. Sorry 'bout that.. I actually put a good deal of effort into each issue, and the time required of me is substantial. So, if you don't see the Roadshow on the 1st and 15th of each month, just know that it's still being 'hatched', and will be along shortly.. Comments, raves, rants, or request ?? EMAIL ME Don't forget that I gladly accept articles and effects from readers. Each article I publish from a reader is one less I have to concoct.. and allows me to spend more time locating resources. When submitting an effect, please make sure it's yours to submit. On with the Roadshow.. ---------------- In This Issue ---------------- (01) Math Whiz 2 - Effect (02) Free Movies & Documentaries - Including magic (03) Quest for the Queen - Free PDF (04) The Astonishment Project - from Paul Harris (05) Ascanio - El Maestro (video) (06) Best Card Trick in the World - Video tutorial (07) Shoot an Arrow Through a Woman - Video tutorial (08) Magic Terms - Bookmark this page (09) MySpace Directory for Magicians - Find like-minded mates (10) The Effect - Courtesy of Subhajit Chattopadhyay (11) Reader Squidoo Sites - Visit ours, add yours (12) Expert at the Card Table - Free Download _/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ Math Whiz 2 I've made my position on mathematical magic clear - I like it if it's a really strong effect. To me, math magic is a very specific genre that has the potential to be boring if the effect isn't strong enough to conceal the method. Unlike conventional magic, the secret behind a math magic effect can be exposed simply through the performance of the effect, regardless of how entertaining the effect may be.. The effect I published in issue 71 fits the bill of the type effect that's not detectable by 99.9% of the audiences. Here's one more I've run across recently, and then the math magic will be put to rest for a spell. Rather than expose the effect, I'm going to reveal the method and let you work out your own effect. Do you know what the following 29 numbers have in common? 872, 278, 773, 971, 179, 564, 366, 168, 762, 663, 960, 345, 741, 642, 147, 840, 543, 657, 558, 855, 756, 954, 459, 681, 483, 384, 285, 186, 780 At first look, nothing in particular.. at least nothing that the average spectator would notice. But they do have one particular mathematical quality... take any five numbers, write them on a card and hand them to me, and I will tell you their sum in less than five seconds. How is that possible? Well, lets pick 5... say 564, 147, 855, 681, and 872. Look at the last number of each three digit number and lets add them together... 4 + 7 + 5 + 1 + 2 = 19 Subtract 19 from 50 (always 50..) = 31 (31) is the first two digits of the sum. The second two numbers are the number you subtracted from 50... (19) The sum of the five numbers is (3119).. How easy is that ??!! Try it with any five of the numbers. I promise, with a tad of practice, you can total any five of the numbers in a matter of seconds. How does this figure into a mathematical magic effect? I can think of a half-dozens different ways to use this method to construct an effect.. As a stage effect, If you have access to about thirty paper medallions of some sort, about the size of a silver dollar, you can have thirty audience members each write a three digit number on a medallion and drop them into a change bag. Now, have someone pick out any five from thirty similar medallions you concealed in the bag beforehand. Since no one in the audience knows any of the numbers aside from the one they chose, no one will be thrown off by the five numbers pulled from the bag. Have the numbers wrote on a board, wrote on a large note pad, or anywhere the audience can see, and you can instantly (almost) give the sum of the five numbers. You can instantly repeat the mental feat a second, and possibly a third time without raising suspicions.. If you are a little bolder, forget asking the audience members to write a number on the medallions and simply take medallions out of your pocket, point at an audience member and say "give me a three digit number". As soon as they do, pretend to write the number on the medallion, which actually has one of the 'special' numbers already written on it, and drop it in... whatever. If you do this quickly, with good paceing, and conceal the medallions in your palm so no one will notice that a number is already written on the medallions, you can pull this off without the need of a change bag, plus, you can use the same medallions over and over.. As a close-up effect, write the numbers on an index card and have someone point out any five numbers, as you quickly reveal the sum.. Utilize a calculator and turn it into a 'race' of mind vs. machine. Write the numbers on thirty sheets of sticky notes, still stuck together. Now, produce the sticky notes from your pocket, hand them to a a spectator, along with a calculator, and ask them to flip through the notes and take out five sheets. Look at all five sheets, mentally arrive at your total as you quickly write it down on one of the sheets, and have the spectator verify the total with the calculator. You can perform this effect six times, if you want, and use all thirty sheets.. I have five dice that have these numbers on them; twenty-nine numbers once and one number printed twice. This was a small, inexpensive packet effect from either Forum or Adams, can't remember which, that I picked up a long time ago. I love going back and looking at old and/or simple effects and thinking of a new way to present it to make it play bigger or stronger than original. I feel than one of the most important things I can do for you and your magic is to encourage you to do the same. "Be creative. And if you can't be creative, at least be different.." R.Carruth ======================= Free Movies & Documentaries Plus cartoons, tv-shows, and music. As all the media is 'streaming media', there is nothing to download or otherwise clog up YOUR computer. All videos are embedded from Google Video, YouTube or similar video hosting sites. Simply pick the video you want to watch, click it, and wait on the video player to open. Now, click 'start' and sit back and watch... Two of my favorite are "The Magic of David Copperfield" (1978). The David Copperfield special from 1978 with Orson Wells. And the " Red Hot Chili Peppers Live at Rock Werchter ".. Thanks to my friend, James Bower, for the link.. http://www.jonhs.net/freemovies ======================= Quest for the Queen - Free PDF The magic man produces four kings and four queens, along with eight empty envelopes. After an appropriate banter with the spectator, the magic man allows the spectator to mix the eight cards thoroughly, and then hand him one at a time, face down, which he drops into individual envelopes and seals.. To complicate the situation, all the envelopes, once filled, are given to the spectator to mix thoroughly. In typical magical fashion, the magic man is given one envelope at a time, which he carefully weighs between his hands, and reveals that the card inside is either a queen or a king.. How does he do it? Find out in this one page ebook sent to the Roadshow to share with readers around the world by our friend.. Subhajit Chattopadhyay. http://www.streetmagicsecrets.info/12-QueensQuest.pdf ======================= Loops Loops are hot.. Although not new, they are going through a resurgence of sorts, thanks to the concentrated effort of three of magic's most inventive minds. I've had the pleasure of sitting in on a loops 'workshop' with one of the three, and some of the feats possible with these little gems are amazing. It's easy to loop a couple around your wrist and have them available whenever needed.. I highly encourage you to visit this web page and watch three different approaches to magic with the same tool.. http://www.301url.com/loops1 ======================= The Astonishment Project I'm sure most of you know Paul Harris, a magician of extraordinary talent and inventiveness. Now, Paul has 'officially' opened the Astonishment Project. Oh, don't know what that is, do you.. ? Think of the Astonishment Project as 'myspace for magicians'. You have a free web page, and the ability to upload info, photo's, video's, and assorted other magic stuff to personalize your site. AP lets you share tips and tricks with other magicians with similar interest, even down to sharing your particular style or type of magic. Although I've been to the site, I have to admit that I haven't had time to actually set up a web page. Not yet, at least.. Thanks to my buddy, R. Trent Codd III, president of my local SAM, for this link... http://www.theastonishmentproject.com/index.php ======================== Ascanio - El Maestro (video) Ascanio es un maestro. Gracias a él y muchos mas yo me inspire. Watch this great video taken from Tamariz TV show featuring Ascanio, performing a variety of mind-numbing moves. I can't be sure of the year, but I would guess around 1987.. YouTube now features an endless variety of pure junk. Kids performing magic that appears is being performed as they read the effect from a book.. Then ocassionally you find a gem.. This is a gem.. To quote my friend PeaceLove.. " I love his casual pacing. Striking. If only I understood Spanish..." A tip of the hat to Tom Frank's 'Reverie' blog also.. http://tinyurl.com/287kra ======================= Best Card Trick in the World - Tutorial OK.. maybe it's not the best trick in the world, but it's interesting. And it also features the performing details.. Remember, I'm not overly impressed with the selection of effects found on most of the video streaming web sites, but I do enjoy watching an effect if it has an actual beginning, middle, and end, and can be performed without coming across as a rank amateur.. Check it out yourself.. http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-do-the-best-card-trick-in-the-world ======================= Shoot an Arrow Through a Woman (Illusion) I've never shot an arrow through a woman, although I have encountered a couple that I .... Oh well, let's let that story lie for another day.. This is a very professionally produced video detailing how to shoot an arrow through a woman. Suited for the stage, this is one of the few effects I would recommend to you guys. I leave the stage stuff to guys much more qualified than I, as many require a great deal of space, and a great deal of money, to perform... This is a pleasant exception.. http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-shoot-an-arrow-through-a-woman ======================= Magic Terms Visit this page and bookmark it.. I, yes, even I, run across a magic term from time to time that stumps me. This is certainly not all-inclusive, but it covers a lot of ground.. Perfect for the magician that loves to impress others with his vocabulary... http://www.magicroadshow.com/terms.html ======================= MySpace Directory for Magicians I received this in the mail from Dale Obrochta, and after checking it out and emailing Dale, I think this would be a worthy project for all you girls and guys with myspace pages... "I would like to pass on some information on to you about an new directory being formed for entertainers who have a myspace.com web site. I found it very difficult to find other entertainers on myspace.com so I made a directory for them to post the myspace web sites. It's free, I have a category for Magicians and thought your list members would like to add their information. Please check it out at.." http://www.mbd2.com/directory/ Thanks.. Magical Balloon-dude Dale http://www.mbd2.com ======================= The Effect A spectator is asked to count off a random number of cards one at a time from the top of a deck. Although the spectator has complete freewill in determining how many cards to remove, you correctly predict the card that will be left at the top of the deck. What You Will Need - A deck of cards, an index card or piece of paper, a marker, and an envelope Patter or Script (the words you use) You'll decide for yourself the best way to introduce and present the trick, but here are a few suggestions: - You could explain that you have double ESP, which is extra, extra, sensory perception. That's the ability to know what someone's going to be thinking before they even think it! It's actually easier to demonstrate this ability rather than try to explain it, so... - You could say that magicians perform card tricks all the time where they hold the deck of cards, but people are always suspicious that they're doing something sneaky while handling the deck, so now you're going to do a card trick where you never even touch the cards! Is that fair enough? - You could say that you happen to know everything about everyone who is in the audience today and you'd like to demonstrate this fact. Is there a volunteer who is willing to help you out? Better yet, come up with your own patter that suits your personality! It will sound the most natural. Preparation Select any card from the deck, let's say the seven of diamonds, and write the name of the card on an index card or piece of paper. This will be your prediction. Put the index card or piece of paper inside an envelope and seal it. Place your selected card face down, hidden underneath the envelope. Don't make a big deal about the envelope though, in fact, don't even mention the envelope until the end of the trick, but keep it nearby.. Performance Step 1 - Select a volunteer to help you with the trick and have him or her shuffle the cards and place them face down on the table. If you haven't already, point out that you're not even going to touch the cards. Step 2 - Ask the volunteer to pick up the deck and prepare to deal off one card for each letter of a series of questions you are going to present to them.. Step 3 - Now, ask the volunteer to spell out the first name of his or her best friend, removing one card and laying it face down on the table for each letter. Step 4 - Good. Now, spell out his or her least favorite food, counting off one card for each letter. Step 5 - You may want to stop asking the spectator to remove cards at this point, or if everyone is enjoying the process, you may want take it further, injecting some humor. "Now, remove cards for the number of times a day you would say your brother, sister, wife, husband, or children drives you crazy. Not more than 10 please! Good. Now take one card off for every time you've been to the bathroom today. Remember, you're on your honor. Perfect!" and so on... Step 6 - Then explain, "You've answered all my questions of your own freewill. I have here in this envelope my prediction of what card would be on the top of the stack when you were finished." As you say this, pick the envelope up slightly off the table with the card hidden beneath it and place it on top of the stack the spectator dealt onto the table. It's important that you do this as casually as possible. The cards on the table were probably not dealt perfectly, which leaves you a little 'wiggle room' with centering the card under the letter onto the top of the stack. Practice.. Step 7 - "I want you to open this envelope now and please read my prediction to the audience." The participant rips open the envelope and reads it to the audience. Step 8 (Final) - "Now I want you to show the top card to the audience." As soon as the card is shown to the audience your powers are confirmed. Accept the applause you so rightly deserve for such a fantastic feat!!!!! Subhajit Chattopadhyay ======================= Readers SQUIDOO sites.. Once created.. send me your website address and I'll publish it in the Roadshow to help the search engines find you, not to mention other readers and potential customers.. http://www.squidoo.com/korath/ http://www.squidoo.com/donmagic/ http://www.squidoo.com/magicalflacoj/ http://www.squidoo.com/street-magic/ http://www.squidoo.com/mentalmagic/ http://www.squidoo.com/metaphysicalmagic/ http://www.squidoo.com/psychological_illusionist/ ================== Erdnase 'Expert at the Card Table'.. Free Download Don't leave without picking up your copy of one of magic's all-time classic books (ebook, in this case). If you have a problem downloading, email me at the email address below and I'll send it to you in an email.. http://www.301url.com/erdnase Enjoy... ================== I encourage you to send any magic resources my way. If you know of a site that has a free ebook or a wide assortment of magic related material, let me know. I'm sure all the other readers will appreciate it.. Email me.. --------------------------- Please don't forget to visit some of my other sites.. see what's new - http://www.streetmagic.info http://www.magicroadshow.com http://www.streetmagic.info/blogger.html http://www.streetmagicsecrets.info http://www.mentalists.info --------------------------- May my next issue find you well.. Rick Carruth / editor ::~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~ |
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