I don’t really perform a lot of mentalism – there’s only so much writing things down and raising eyebrows that I can do before the thought settles that I really should be trying a bit harder. One of the regular tricks I do use though, is Phill Smith’s Humint – it’s just cool. A mate of mine said ‘I like …
One of the toughest things of performing and teaching magic on DVD, is seeing yourself do things that are wrong, or not effective at all. One of the better things is getting to actually notice and remedy things. So here’s a list of bad habits I have had myself, and now pass on to you. Not engaging with misdirection. This …
I came up with this idea for a customer, who had picked up Mark Leveridge’s ‘Key-Volution’ – and to be honest, that gaff makes the whole thing pretty much self-working. However, it’s unavailable, but the basic idea can still be applied. So, the effect is that you show an uncut key, and then take a nail filing board, and slowly …
This isn’t really relevant to magic, or tricks, but more of a business thing that I’ve recently adopted, and has had good results. Of course, if you are a professional performer, or a magic dealer smaller than Kaymar (as in, nobody) then you might find it equally useful. Part of being self-employed is the ups and downs. A non-regular income …
I’m a lover of card tricks, I think that much is probably clear to all by now, but I’m particularly fond, when working for people, of card tricks that don’t use cards. ESP cards, Tarot Cards, Rune Cards, Game Cards, Art Cards etc… This is based on the fact that whilst a fair number of magicians exclusively use only card …
WARNING – This is only for proper card trick nerds. Not even, like, people who really like card tricks. But the proper geeks (like me) that love not only card tricks, but how they are constructed (like me) and who scrutinise them all in far more detail than they were ever meant to withstand (like me) and who genuinely consider …
Jamie Daws ‘The SEER’ envelope is a clever thing, and after playing with it for a bit, I realised it was perfect for an OLD routine of mine, so I’ll detail it here for you fellow ‘seers’ (or owners of similar apparatus). Effect wise, your spectator writes their birthday on a business card, and seals it in a black envelope. …
It seems that there’s plenty of methods for everything now – it’s pretty fair to say that whatever effect you are trying to achieve, you are covered. Usually by Ed Marlo. Unfortunate turn of phrase – don’t close your eyes. It won’t help. What there is always a shortage of, overall, is cool revelations. How do you show the magic …
The PATEO force is a weird thing – it’s deceptive (just about) and the big selling point for me is the ‘interactiveness’ of it – there’s a process, but it’s kinda fun. There’s been lots of attempts to justify the procedure, and whilst generally I adhere to the Law Of Bannon regarding procedure (Law of Bannon – Don’t justify procedure …
Mark Elsdon had a great eBook, called Hidden Gems, in which he pointed out 100 items in print that you might have missed, and where to find them. Ever short on blog material, I have unashamedly stolen his idea. I’m just investing 3% of the effort though, and pointing you towards 3 of my hidden gems… sorry, buried treasure! Transmutation …