Andrew, I can't think of anything to add to your wonderful post on the Splice issue. All I can do is link towards it... hopefully getting you more traffic.
Showing posts with label Winner. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Winner. Show all posts
Thursday, 7 March 2013
Tuesday, 26 February 2013
Wednesday, 13 February 2013
Winner Rick Merrill
Today: Rick Merrill
I love a good display of sleight of hand. And those who practice often seems to forget that having some sort of presentation also is a necessity in order to be entertaining. Rick Merrill has understood that. His magic is funny AND full of killer material. It's magicians like him with self-ironic twisted humor that leave a good impression on laypeople. It is people like Rick Merrill, who work constantly on the public image of magic.
He is a joy to watch, even as a magician. His act is littered with tiny references to the know-it-all. He will fool you most of the time. This is not a "must" in order to be appreciated among magicians, but it sure helps. Take a look as some pieces of his act. This is pretty old footage. His comedic timing is much better now, but it still gets the point across.
The constant misdirection is a great way to have a "magic theme" in your show. To real people, it shouts "skilled" which is exactly what I think he is going for. It's no magic, but it looks like magic if you are nerdy enough to practice and not have any friends. And because the image is prevalent in the public perception of magicians, tackling that issue is a welcome change to those who constantly refer to themselves as the best thing since bread came sliced. He acts humble in great contrast to his displayed skill. And that I love. He is a winner. In more than one way.
Winner Eric Mead
Today: Eric Mead
It maybe that I completely miss the point here. But I think that Eric Mead had a perfect act when it comes to performing for scientists.
Basically he is brain fucking them into believing they see a lecture, when in reality they not only not learn anything, but he also misdirects them from the real solution. And all under the great contextual veil of bringing mystery back. Awesome! Watch the act and you will see what I'm talking about.
Eric manages to fill 15 minutes of time with 3Fly and and Invisible deck. He makes people think that the two phenomenons he describes prior have something to do with the effect. In fact he claims that the explanation of the phenomenon is the solution to the actual magic effects. What a load of bull crap right into the scientists faces. Great. Really great. The simple fact that he hides his trickery with the veil of science. Neuroscience! That seems to be an overshadowing theme that is going on. His other act is mainly mentalism. Of course he doesn't read minds, no he gives them "the convincing the illusion of psychic powers." And even though there is some truth in it, it is not true at all.
Eric Mead seems to live that lie and truly embraces it.
Winner FL!P
Today: Flip Hallema
Flip's style takes some getting used to. But once you do it is quite enjoyable. An overgrown Dutch child doing some devastating and strong magic. Every now and then a sudden burst of joy. A calm demeanor most of the time and then without warning a really fast motion as he whips the rope around his body. Some funny business paired with deep philosophical implications. Most would be unable to pull this off in a convincing manner. Flip succeeds doing so and even surpasses the initial expectation of the audience who is told that an award winning magician will perform.
When you see him perform you don't go all out laughing. Flip is not the funny guy. But he is an entertainer and manages it to keep his audiences entertained.
His contributions to magic are numerous. My own rope routine has drawn many influences by Flips amazing rope work. Today rope routines seems to all makes use of the same gimmick. Flip is different. You need to check out his rope stuff. It's good. Even though some of his stuff is very personal and you see little use in that it will eventually get you on the right track to becoming a good rope magician without resorting to becoming a clone of Richard Sanders (which of course is George Sands' stuff rehashed.) Flip, I like you!
Winner The Inner Glow
Today: The Inner Glow
This is a request post. But I agree so much.
Here is a story of a father who did a magic show for his daughter. For her first birthday party ever. Years later she is going to get married. And the proud father does it again. Framing the life of his beloved daughter with a magic show.
The act he is doing consists of mediocre magic tricks. Yet it is one of the better magic performances out there, for he has the "inner glow".
What is the "inner glow". Well it's that spark of enthusiasm for magic and for doing magic. It is a gift that not all possess. It's what makes a bearable performance to a memorable one. It is honesty, humility and the absolute positive joyous affirmation of life itself.
The inner glow is essential for a good performer. It turns a trick into a magic moment. An event into an experience. The inner glow transcends language barriers and turns reality into this one precious memory.
It also saves a card manipulation from being a bore fest.
Check out An Ha Lim I think he's got the inner glow.
Back to the father who does a cut and restored rope for his 29-year daughter. Him having the inner glow does more for the public perception of magic than any kid having thought of yet another card control, offering it as a download. That is what makes a winner.
Tuesday, 12 February 2013
Winner Roy Walton
Today: Roy Walton
Do I have to write this? Isn't it clear that Roy Walton deserves a big spot among any magic winners?
When it comes to card magic and somebody is pressed to name the most influential card magicians of the last century, you can easily judge his knowledge and devotion to the subject by looking for Roy Walton's name. If he is among them you got somebody in front of you who knows card magic. If his name is not in the list you are standing in front of a hack. The numerous contributions to many, many different magazines and other magic related pamphlets stand as a statue of the man. If you are looking for solution to certain problems, check out Walton. If you look for interesting plots check out Walton. If you are looking for self workers, check out Walton. What about knuckle busters, memory demonstrations, practical and efficient sleights and principles? Well, check out Walton.
Here is a sketch of Roy Walton by John Helvin
Roy has been a mentor to many great magicians like Jerry Sadowitz or Peter Duffie. But if you count the one-sided experience of many young magicians reading Walton's tricks and thoughts, he has certainly mentored hundreds. I'm one of them. I couldn't be more thankful.
Winner Kevin James
Today: Kevin James
When it comes to having strange imagery being the catalyst for strange magic routines Kevin James is just one of us. But being able to actually implement those brain children into actual working routines is a different beast. And this is where Kevin James shines the most. Over the years Kevin James has contributed to the magic community with a whole bunch of routines. Most notably the Floating Rose and the Bowling Ball trick. But let's talk about Kevin James' magic. It is comedy with a little bit of surreal gross out moments. There are jokes, and no so serious not so deceptive visual gags and of course really cool wtf moments that leave the audience speechless and feeling even somewhat uneasy. Watch his act:
Giving yourself an esophagogastroduodenoscopy to reveal a chosen card is pretty far a away from the traditional ways of doing magic. This is dangerous territory. The chance to alienate a big chunk of the the audience is there if you cannot back it up with a likable persona. But it's either this or the chance of being boring and like all of the others. So I applaud Kevin James for creating and living yet another weird facet of magic.
The only bit of caviar I feel to mention is this: What the hell is his character? Is he a magic doctor, or a magician who pretends to be a doctor. It really doesn't come across. Is there some sort of antagonistic force working or.... I am over thinking this! Am I? Ohhh, look at that... there's a guy with a hole in his body. What was my point again? Oh yeah, Kevin James is a magic winner.
Monday, 4 February 2013
"I never guess. It is a shocking habit — destructive to the logical faculty"
I'm fascinated by Indian street magicians. I have studied many videos of those guys doing magic. Mainly the Cups and Balls. They are all pretty good. Then I stumbled upon the following video, where the guy is speaking English:
It's a horrific magic act. The timing is way off, the magic moments are reduced to a mere challenge. It is repetitive as hell and there is no climax but the reveal of the main principle of being one ahead.
But here is what I like about it: The fact that the timing is way off, that the magic moments are reduced to a mere challenge. The repetitive nature and the actual reveal of the method.
And here is why! His timing is purposefully designed to create suspense. He fumbles around in his bag to get people interested in what he is doing. This gathers crowds. You gotta understand that he is not doing a magic show, but demonstrating sleight of hand. He tells the audience to "catch" him. Try that when doing the cups and balls. (I did, by showing one of the final loads and telling the audience that I will try to sneak the big ball under the cups near the end of the trick. That nicely foreshadows the final loads) Then he does this feint in the beginning and the audience catches him doing it right away, falling into his trap. That means that his audience is very, very bright and up for a challenge. To enter such a challenge and to get away with it... is not, as many magicians want to make you believe, making the audience look stupid. They like that. They want to get fooled... under the scrutiny of their own awareness. That is why the repetitive nature of the effect is actually an advantage instead of a drawback. This performer is so damn good, that he can not only live up to the challenge, no he can get away with spoiling the method, disguising it as an extra effect (the production of a fifth ball). That takes balls. Major props to this performer.
The audience kind of has to exclude sleight of hand, because they are convinced that they have been watching very carefully. The usual excuse of "He misdirected me!" doesn't apply here. And what else could it be if not tricky business? Quoting Sherlock Holmes not only as the post title:
It's a horrific magic act. The timing is way off, the magic moments are reduced to a mere challenge. It is repetitive as hell and there is no climax but the reveal of the main principle of being one ahead.
But here is what I like about it: The fact that the timing is way off, that the magic moments are reduced to a mere challenge. The repetitive nature and the actual reveal of the method.
And here is why! His timing is purposefully designed to create suspense. He fumbles around in his bag to get people interested in what he is doing. This gathers crowds. You gotta understand that he is not doing a magic show, but demonstrating sleight of hand. He tells the audience to "catch" him. Try that when doing the cups and balls. (I did, by showing one of the final loads and telling the audience that I will try to sneak the big ball under the cups near the end of the trick. That nicely foreshadows the final loads) Then he does this feint in the beginning and the audience catches him doing it right away, falling into his trap. That means that his audience is very, very bright and up for a challenge. To enter such a challenge and to get away with it... is not, as many magicians want to make you believe, making the audience look stupid. They like that. They want to get fooled... under the scrutiny of their own awareness. That is why the repetitive nature of the effect is actually an advantage instead of a drawback. This performer is so damn good, that he can not only live up to the challenge, no he can get away with spoiling the method, disguising it as an extra effect (the production of a fifth ball). That takes balls. Major props to this performer.
The audience kind of has to exclude sleight of hand, because they are convinced that they have been watching very carefully. The usual excuse of "He misdirected me!" doesn't apply here. And what else could it be if not tricky business? Quoting Sherlock Holmes not only as the post title:
"Eliminate all other factors, and the one which remains must be the truth."So I guess it's magic then.
Saturday, 2 February 2013
Mad Props Dude
I have seen many XCM videos. This one is full of really cool ideas and unique displays. Pred, "a dimensional traveler" is pushing himself to the limits with cardistry!
I like it!
I like it!
Thursday, 31 January 2013
Winner Apollo Robbins
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 to do. A cups and balls routine is a secure time tested routine. You can rehearse the shit out of it. You can do it without an audience. But when you try to load a coin under somebodies watch you need to have balls. Big balls. The quality of the next clip is shitty at best. But you magicians can still figure out what is going on.
There is a certain grace in the little moves he does. His understanding of misdirection and his technical skill make him take the total control. The audience can hardly describe what is going on, yet they are entertained as hell. I have seen other "pickpockets" doing routines. Greg Wilson comes to mind. And as much as I like Greg, his "stealing" is pretty invasive. And don't ask me about David Blaine's handling.
Apollo Robbins comes across as a genuine con artist. But the good kind. I like him.
Saturday, 11 February 2012
Winner Michael Ammar
Today: Michael Ammar
There are those who are born performers and then there are those who are born teachers. The later are seldom.
Michael Ammar has been around for ages. And you can tell. Watch his looks, as he teaches his Encore stuff and compare it to today. You can see time at work there.
Watching him perform makes me think of better performers. His girlish laugh which doesn't stop his grinning. All too much for my taste. But I do appreciate his perverse ability to teach magic. He somehow seems to know what the core things are that need to be taught and what doesn't. I have seen magic teachers who go way too much into detail and those who don't teach you at all.
Another great thing is his choice of material. There is always a little stroke of brilliance in there. One moment you think, what the hell? Really? A grown man with a balloon. But then it turns into a magic fest. Two years ago David Letterman had a "magic week". Michael Ammar was one of the guests. Somehow Michael Ammar chose exactly the right material for that very special gig. Observe:
There you can see it all. His laughter, the grinning but also a freaking good choice of material for that event. Not over the top, but also some risky things to keep oneself alert and "present".
Being a good magic teacher also has some risks. That being the many clones of Ammar. You can tell who learned mostly from him. They move the same and their way of relaxing is the same. Ammar's performing character is nothing to strive for. But his own material and the ones he chooses to teach are top notch. Bravo.
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