Winner Apollo Robbins

It is April. In celebration of this blogs three year existence, the whole month will be winner time. Only the coolest and best members of our elite circle of nerds will be featured. Today: Apollo Robins When it comes to stealing stuff in a magic show it is very easy to become very "invasive". Not so Apollo Robbins Alright. It is very easy to fall back to the classics in magic and not doing your own thing, that most people don't have the guts...

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Random Comic

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Drunk Philosophy

I know that I shouldn't write when I'm drunk. But my head is all spinny and I can't sleep without feeling like on a merry-go-round. So here it goes anyway. Maybe I got it all wrong maybe, just maybe my whole perspective on social behavior is all messed up. For years I've been preaching the value of being humble. That could be all bullshit. Take a look at the folks who are successful. Humbleness is not a character trait that is valuable when it...

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WMF Robin Matrix

A young magician from the Netherlands. His stage name is Robin Matrix. He has a nice looking website and seems like a professional magician. Looks can be deceiving. He is selling magic. That in itself is nothing bad. Nor good. But the material... if it would be his own creations, or his refinements on other's creations all would be well. But this is not the case. He is selling Card Warp (Roy Walton) for instance. !-- _evpInit('a2FhcnQtb21kcmFhaWVuLTEuZmx2[evp-e223a07e57f96267ac461c17dedbfe32]');// --> Or...

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Random Comic

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And then there was this!

If you don't like long posts, here is the summary: "I think Steven Youell is a dick!" Hi Steven, I'm sure you are reading this. So this is directed towards you. I'm sure you will read every last word of it. I think you are a dick. A bad person and an overall despicable human being. But I'm getting ahead of myself. When it was obvious to me that you had to be Jerry Lukins, I knew that a shit storm would start once this surfaced. I knew that Andrew...

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The Final Countdown... AND A COMPETITION!!!

Just click on me, folks! ...

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Quote of the Week

"FISM 2012 was the worst magic congress I have ever attended. Now that statement is going to get me banned from ever going back to Blackpool...oh wait I was already banned. It was poorly planned and executed. This is not a personal attack on any one individual. Many of the workers of the congress were delightful. It was the entire event that was lacking. I would never have uttered a word if it had not been for the disgusting display of the fat...

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Hello Magic Makers

If you gonna put out miniature cups, at least make them so they stack. This is just pathetic. Seems like the guy stealing designing those didn't do a good job. Don't they have quality control? Someone who checks the basic function of the magic product. And what the hell is this children's version of the C&B doing in the vid...

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Stats

I never posted stats. Never saw the reasons to post keywords and all of that. But in the light of recent events here are a few. 800 views per day. That's nothing! About 600 of them are looking at the post about Sathya Sai Baba. That means that only 200 are looking at something else. That's even less then nothing. So whenever you feel I destroyed your life, please note that I did not destroy it, unless of course all the 200 views would lead to...

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What the hell is wrong with Tora Magic?

Their demo videos are a riot. How come they cannot do a decent video demonstrating an effect? It so weird watching them. Every single demonstrator they have. Am I missing something about how magic is presented in Thaila...

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Audio Rant #15 Role Playing

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Farewell

Some of you may have noticed that Andrews blog is missing. Well he has taken it off. I asked him why and I got this email. (making sure he has no problem with me publishing this). It will explain why he is suddenly gone from the magic community. Please read the whole thing. ------------------------- R.I.P. Ye Olde Magick Blogge, 2005-2012 ------------------------- With regards to what you asked for, Roland, here it is. Midway through...

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A Tale

"What a shitty day! Can't wait for it to be over" said Charlie. It was a typical Tuesday. Typical fall. Leaves blowing in the wind, a storm front passing slowly through the suburbs. The sun has not been seen for days, hiding behind clouds, as if being ashamed of the world, refusing to shine. Charlie looked away from the window. "Where are you goin'?" his wife asked. "Cigarettes," he replied "we're all out!" As he pulled the door shut he heard her...

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Mentalism made easy!

I always wonders when this sort of PSA would come up. I like it though. Sparks off many new ideas.  ...

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The Angry Man of Magic - Kids magic sets

Most magic is a rip-off. Either it's a one trick DVD that covers a routine from Tarbell that 'the kids' are too lazy to read, or a gimmick from some five and dime store they still want to charge $25 for, even as replacement when they've muttered some trite about 'charging for the secret'. But surely the biggest rip-off has to be kids magic sets. (Chad Valley - I'm looking at you!) Although the box proudly claims "100 tricks included" the reality...

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About Fictional Characters

Coming up with a fictional character has different reasons. The most common example is this "friend" you have that has experienced something totally relevant about the current discussion. The friend is not real. He is a placeholder for a story that you heard somewhere that you want to tell, because it fits the discussion. But you need to justify the story. So this is when you friend comes in handy. This is the most common example. But the Internet...

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Quote of the Week!

"Another thing I find interesting about bullies is that they seem to always go after someone in a group. Several against one. At least that has been my experience and in my opinion. That is why I enjoy writing a blog and I turned off the comment section. My blog is a no bully zone. " bishthemagi...

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Another shitty ad!

Is it so hard to do a decent advertisement video for a trick that could be interesting? Seriously... Just show the damn trick in it's full length. Otherwise I suspect some bull shit that makes the trick a piece of ass. "NO Sleight of Hand"... alright show me that! "NO Switching Decks"... alright show me that! "NO Forcing Card Selections NO Rough and Smooth, NO Misprinted Cards, NO Memorizing, NO Gimmicks of ANY kind and NOTHING is ever written down, Use ANY style deck."... alright alright SHOW me, DON'T TELL me...

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Quote of the Week!

"If you have anything, ANYTHING that is the slightest bit of a disagreement with a magician, they will quickly escalate it to the level that they will try to personally insult you, tear down your career, refuse to do business with you, and perhaps murder your family with a spoon." magicbymccaul...

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Nobody likes Brian Tudor

A few days ago Brian started a thread over at the Green Monster. He was advertising his new website and his new project. He put it in a section of the cafe that most trolls don't go. Yet it got deleted. I don't know what it is, but I like the man. I love it, how he commits a blunder with almost everything he does. May it be his misunderstanding of what magic is (See the Heckler DVD) or his funny inability to teach the flourishes he comes up with. There is some adorable cuteness to what he does. Like watching a kitten trying to makes his first...

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Black & White

Hey, there are some cards in there...

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10 Rules to market magic!

1. The main item needs to fool magicians. I cannot stress the point hard enough. Magicians will not buy what's practical, but what fools them. If they are fooled, they assume it must be good.  2. Make sure the main item uses a very obscure method. Instead of using a Double Lift, use Sticky Tape to achieve the result. Magicians love methods. Even though the audience will not be aware of that.  3. Add filler material, preferably card...

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A very slow W T F

What the fuck is that? Repeat after me...What the fuck is that?... Seriously... repeat: WHAT THE FUCK IS TH...

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Quote of the Week!

"I can't believe this board. Twice a review of a Halloween effect by a certain someone that rhymes with cranky was deleted from this board. They just don't want anyone to know it sucked. It's sad when you try to offer an honest opinion about a product to warn others about it and the powers that be on this board delete it to protect someone that pays for advertising on the board. I've purposely left off the name of the product this time and...

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Random

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Hey Stupid

Dear street magicians. It's called guerrilla style. Not gorilla style! Look it up you morons...

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Video Rant - Liquid Metal 2

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Dear Moderators of the Magic Cafe

Is there anyway to get in touch with you? Or is there anybody out there willing to get in touch with me? I'm planning a serious interview with one of you guys. It will be about the "deleting of threads" on the Magic Cafe. It will be a chance to have your side of the story be heard. Anybody up to the task? I'll be fair! If you want me to your name will be chang...

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Justin Miller's Light Speed

I can't get over this... You take a ring and string routine and apply it to a rubber band. The ability to stretch a rubber band allows for unique phases... But a borrowed finger ring going into the performers mouth? Really? This is not for the professional. Even though it doesn't happen, it seems like it's happening. Peter Mckinnon endorsed the product by saying: "Light speed completely fooled me. And then it fooled me again. Finally a multiple phase ring and rubber band routine that I'll actually use. Well done!" Who is Peter Mckinnon? I...

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Jay Sankey's Third Eye Learning System

I was about to rant a little about Jay Sankey's micro camera that he is selling to spy on people. I was about to tell you how much I think that Jay has run out of magic to sell, so he is selling a system to learn instead. I was about to tell you how much I dislike the idea of secretly recording your audience. How much of a misuse of trust this is and all of that. I won't! Not after watching the video where he praises this thing into heaven!...

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Dave Vaught's Dilemma

So let's go into the great world of proper crediting. Crediting is like the holy rule in magic. You need to credit every single thing you do if you didn't come up with it. It seems to be a unique thing among magicians. I cannot recall an instance within the juggling world. But it's a good habit. It shows how creative processes work and is a really good tool for research. Let's assume the following scenario: You create an effect. All by yourself. A card trick. A gimmicked version of Twisting the Aces ending with a color change of the back of the...

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Sadly this happened!

M: How do I get the spectators card that is inside the deck, which is inside the card case, secretly into my inside jacket pocket? R: Really simple. First you control the card to the top of the deck. M: Okay! R: And then palming. M: What do you mean, paaaaalming? R: Well you palm the card from the top of the deck, use the hand that is holding the deck to open the jacket slightly, get into your inside pocket with the other hand ditching the card as...

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Coterie of Prestidigitation Artists

Coterie of Prestidigitation Artists that sounds like a mouthful. But what is that? "Coterie of Prestidigitation Artists is a society of 110 years history with a distinctive attitude on magical arts." What? 110 years. Did I miss something? Who is the president of the Coterie? "E.S. Andrews, President" You gotta be shitting me right? So what is the Coterie for real? Well just another magic store that disguises itself as a magic club....

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Growing ring, growing awareness!

Paper Crane Magic is selling "Growing Ring" by Dan Hauss. The effect... well a growing ring. Just that! Here is the trailer: Now when I saw this my mind was reacting with a bit of a "Wait am moment, I've seen this before". A little bit of research and voila German magician Jorgos Katsaros has a very, very similar little trick, that he's been doing since 1998. In fact it looks better when he does it. Here it is. At 4:20 Paper Crane claims that this is Dan Hauss' creation. Independent? Perhaps. But awfully close. I maybe wrong and the...

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Dear Illusionist who do the Vanishing Radio

Please stop it. Nobody nowadays owns a radio of that caliber. And the few who do are seriously outdated. Don't be outdated. If you have to do the trick, a vanishing iPod Docking Station makes way more sense and is way more modern. In case you do a period piece, then all of the above does not apply to you. Sor...

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Markus Bender, remember him?

Probably not. Two years ago I awarded him my imaginary WMF title. Now he's done something better. Basically he ripped of Celebrity Smart Ass by Bill Abbott. The whole thing. Of course he sells this in Germany. And the German magic community discussing this on various forums. He sells it as the "Ultimate Baby Gag" There is nothing wrong if you sell a routine that you have made changes to. Changes that matter, that are relevant and make this a...

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Is this for real?

Is Ellusionist so run out of ideas that they sell glowing wristbands? Seriously? On their website Daniel Madison is the poster child for those. Not only is the Ellusionist logo part of the design, not the advertisement strongly points out that the wristband comes in a "Super-cool distressed container". So we are getting something else to wear than those fucking rubber bands. We get fucking glowing wristbands. Having the logo be part of...

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Magic Cosplay

Creating brand awareness and fan boys is a major marketing strategy of T11 and Ellusionist. I wonder if there will be rivalry. Like Horde and Alliance, Beatles and Stones, Pokemon and Digimon. That could turn into such a popcorn fest. I imagine a magic convention and the magic nerds will cosplay their favorite idol magicians. I picture a 15-year-old all dressed in Dalton Wayne outfits with the latest in magic gear. The older guys will dress like...

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Quote of the Week

"It has been said that "practice makes perfect." This is a misnomer unless the methods practiced are basically correct and are adaptable to the end sought. Always make certain that the methods you are about to encompass are the best ones available before seriously commencing to practice, or you may find often to your sorrow that a great deal of time has been lost and many hours are necessary for the undoing." Arthur Buckl...

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Video Rant - On Style and Sleight of Hand

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Quote of the Week

"Beginner TipHow do you get audiences to like you?Easy— start by liking THEM." Chad Lo...

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Damn, Damn... just damn!

 So this is fresh from Wayne Houchin's Facebook page: WAYNE HOUCHIN SEVERELY BURNED IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. A statement from Wayne: Monday while appearing on a TV show in the Dominican Republic, the TV host took a handful of Aqua De Florida, ignited it and intentionally dropped it on my head, setting me on fire. I was not aware he was going to do this. This was not a stunt or part of an act - this was a criminal attack. The fast actions...

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This is a requested post

But I will oblige. Xavior Spades of The Daily Deception asked me to write an article linking to his website. The Daily Deception is currently collecting all the well wishes and prayers that are going out to Wayne Houchin. Here is the link If you are not a bastard or an ignorant person, at least leave a comment in the comment section, which will be forwarded to Wayne Houch...

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WMF Peter Valance

Exposure and all.... well I won't go on a rant here that exposure is bad and in no way is doing a service to magic. Nope not this time. But let's talk about a few different kinds of exposure. Exposure by default: Is done if you have to expose the modus operandi of something in order to make a point that otherwise wouldn't be understood. A magic example would be a second deal demo. The point that is to be made is that how skillful gamblers cheat....

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Goofin' 'round

Nothing to see here. Move alo...

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The Black Club

So what fucking happened the last few days? Nothing much. Nobody got burned, nobody made public exposure and nobody is an asshole. But Ellusionist has a a Black Club that you can be a member of. It's like the top of marketing brand awareness genius. I sincerely applaud Ellusionist for doing such a school book business. So you can be a member of a unique club. How? Not by skill or connections... no by paying money. 147 dollars is the price. And...

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So Justin Miller was in jail

Normally I wouldn't write about personal information such as this, but Justin Miller himself talks about it rather openly. In a bragging kind of way. "As you all know, I was the unlucky surviver of the american "justice" system recently when I was placed into a most luxurious jail in ohio for 30 days. Suffice to say the nightmare that it was is indesrcibable." And Justin uses this to get him some sales. In his newsletter he writes: "Recently I...

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Stuff under Stuff

FreePhotoBank Is it really that hard to come up with creative magic on your own? I cannot be the only one that has no problem whatsoever to be creative. In fact I got the opposite problem. I have so may ideas that I cannot use. Some routines that I come up with do not support my character, some go over my budget and some are too close to other routines that I do. Example: I got like 5 routines floating in my head where stuff ends up under other...

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Is this a revolution in the Cups and Balls?

So Peter Loughran has something new. A table which does all the work for you. Is there seriously a need for that? Are those too lazy to actually practice the Cups and Balls so desperate to perform this, so they have to resort to this? Was the chop cup too damn hard? Aside from those questions... This is like the very first method a layperson thinks of. The little miniskirt the table is wearing screams "load". I don't know why Peter Loughran keeps fucking up when it comes to creating props. The best thing Peter ever released was "Seep". And...

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You have no right

It's weird that some people assume that when a magician releases some of his material he has become a sellout and all of his material should be released. Even the magician in question seems to believe that. "I have released parts of my act and people liked it. Now I gotta release everything, while it's running so well." I have actually talked to a magician on Facebook who told me that he likes to get a copy of the entirety of Luke Jermay's act. To him he feels that he has all the right to know about the routines mentioned but not explained in...

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Random Thoughts

Don't you just love it, when magicians write about themselves in third person on their websites. Normal practise I think. But writing about themselves in third person on Wikipedia... My hands are never dirty. I master the principle of hygiene. Don't you think it is lovely, when magicians start a certain trick as "an observation test" and never follow up on that idea. If you cannot do a technique, you can still show off to your magic buddies, by never performing them, but by openly explaining it right away. They think you got skill. Most comedy...

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What's up with those?

More and more card magicians are wearing those. Each one seemingly under the age of 15. What's up with those. Does the colour point to sexual preferences? If so, what does the combination black and yellow me...

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