Sometimes last week I came across one of the blogs of Mr. Glenn Bishop.
http://glennbishopbishthemagish.blogspot.com
If you have not heard of Glenn Bishop then I will tell you a little about him now. He is a famous sleight of hand artist, award winning close up magician and hypnotist. He has over 25 years of experience as a magician and he performed in numerous places, one of which being the famous Magic Castle. I recommend looking him up if you haven't already done so. Go check out some of his videos and DVDs. I personally recommend his first "Tested Card Work For Card Sharp Magicians" DVD (it teaches you some really cool card tricks).
Now back to me...After I spent some time on a couple of his blogs (go and check them out), I e-mailed him kindly asking for a link exchange. The next day he replied to my e-mail in an article on his blog:
This e-mail just in...
"Dear Sir,
I love your work and if you don't mind, I would like to add a link of your blog:
http://glennbishopbishthemagish.blogspot.com/
to my own:http://magic4you.blogspot.com
If you would like to return the favour, I would deeply apreciate it.
Thank you very much,
George
P.S I could also write a review about you on my blog. :)"
Dear George,
I just gave your blog a visit and I like it. It is very good and very positive in my opinion. I would add to it as a suggestion to your blog a little bit about your personal adventure’s in magic. Visits to magic shops, conventions, lectures, magicians you find good, interesting and why. Your own personal shows or a magic effect you do for people. And how people react to it and the magic you do for them.
Keep up the good and positive work for magic.
And if you want to link this blog to yours it is OK with me. And if you want I will link your blog to this one - sometime next week when I have the time.
Best wishes for your continued success in magic and writing your blog.
Glenn Bishop
That was very nice of him, wasn't it?
To Glenn Bishop:
Thank you sir for your kind review and helpful advice. It has been very useful and in my future articles I will talk about my personal magic experiences.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Should magic secrets be revealed?
I was just browsing theInternetyesterday and I stumbled upon a website that revealed quite a few magic tricks. There were quite a few complaints about the revelations, but there were also people that appreciated them. I agree with both.
I agree that the Internet is a medium through which information should be shared freely. Some magic secrets could be revealed, but not most of them. I have no problem with some outdated magic tricks being revealed. The problem is with the newer tricks and the gizmo used to perform. The only way I would agree with that is if the targeted audience could be controlled and there is no way really to do that unless you would have to pay for that information.
Why I don't agree to reveal most of the magic secrets? Well, because if anyone knows the secrets then soon there will be no magic left.
I am sure pretty much everyone knows about Blaine's levitation trick. I think you all remember the first time you saw that on TV. You could not believe your eyes, right? I think it still impressed you the second time you saw it as well. After you knew the secret though, you really think it is a silly trick, right? It does not do anything for you anymore. Same logic applies to any other magic/illusion trick. Once you know the secret, you can't see past it and you stop enjoying it.
As a magician, that is the curse. You have to know the trick in order to perform the magic. The only joy you get from this is when you perform it to someone and you amaze that person. It is a good trade.
Therefore I agree for the secrets to be revealed to those that apply them to amaze other people, but I don't agree for them to be known by people that are just curious.
I agree that the Internet is a medium through which information should be shared freely. Some magic secrets could be revealed, but not most of them. I have no problem with some outdated magic tricks being revealed. The problem is with the newer tricks and the gizmo used to perform. The only way I would agree with that is if the targeted audience could be controlled and there is no way really to do that unless you would have to pay for that information.
Why I don't agree to reveal most of the magic secrets? Well, because if anyone knows the secrets then soon there will be no magic left.
I am sure pretty much everyone knows about Blaine's levitation trick. I think you all remember the first time you saw that on TV. You could not believe your eyes, right? I think it still impressed you the second time you saw it as well. After you knew the secret though, you really think it is a silly trick, right? It does not do anything for you anymore. Same logic applies to any other magic/illusion trick. Once you know the secret, you can't see past it and you stop enjoying it.
As a magician, that is the curse. You have to know the trick in order to perform the magic. The only joy you get from this is when you perform it to someone and you amaze that person. It is a good trade.
Therefore I agree for the secrets to be revealed to those that apply them to amaze other people, but I don't agree for them to be known by people that are just curious.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Criss Angel - Season 3
Are you ready?
Finally, the day we will all be waiting for: Tuesday, June 5th 2007. Criss Angel - Season 3 premiers on A&E, 10 PM /9C.
What will be new? Well, it is already known that the master magician and illusionist will be seen levitating 500 feet above the ground over Las Vega's Luxor Hotel and Casino. It will be an impressive illusion since he will levitate inside the 800-degree light beam of the pyramid.
What else should we be expecting for? According to the A&E website he will also make a Lamborghini vanish at high speed. Not too much info on their site, but I found more on wikipedia. According to them, here are some of the upcoming episodes:
Luxor Light: Criss opens his third season with a one-hour hair raising special. He levitates in the light of the Luxor pyramid 500 feet above the Las Vegas strip and transforms a motorcycle into a beautiful woman. Then he gets tied up by Dog the Bounty Hunter and dropped into a pool of water. Can he escape before drowning? Plus, we get a look at Criss's fabulous penthouse home where he entertains surprise celebrity guests.
Quad Drag Escape: Distracted by news of his mothers emergency heart surgery, Criss finds it hard to concentrate before a dangerous stunt. But the show must go on, so Criss goes through with the amazing ATV drag escape where he's bound and then dragged through the Excalibur arena at high speed while crowds cheer and mud flies everywhere.
Animal: Criss loves animals - and loves to amaze us with his incredible animal illusions. Last season, Criss made an elephant vanish, and in this episode, he'll try to make the pachyderm reappear. Criss also visits Siegfried and Roy's Secret Garden, where he turns a cage handler into a full sized-tiger, and transforms a full-grown dog into a cuddly puppy.
Car Crash Escape: Hang onto your seat, because Criss will be chained to the side of a parked car filled with explosives, and then try to escape before a second speeding car plows into him. Also, he'll make a chopper bike appear from nowhere in the middle of an empty parking lot.
Underwater Car Escape: Criss takes Sully from Godsmack's watch, and smashes it to bits with a hammer; he then produces that same watch, undamaged, to the relieved Sully. More mayhem in the arcade when Criss draws a picture that starts talking to startled kids. Criss convinces Carrot Top that a trick has gone wrong and mistakenly chops off his finger. Then he shows an adoring Luxor employee his superhuman strength as he levitates a heavy manhole cover hovering below one hand. The episode culminates as Criss remembers his uncle who drowned as his car slid off the road into a watery ditch. In a tribute to his uncle, Criss is tied in the trunk of a car as it is lowered into a lake. Criss must escape or face the same doom as his uncle.
Remember: June 5th! Don't go anywhere that day.
Finally, the day we will all be waiting for: Tuesday, June 5th 2007. Criss Angel - Season 3 premiers on A&E, 10 PM /9C.
What will be new? Well, it is already known that the master magician and illusionist will be seen levitating 500 feet above the ground over Las Vega's Luxor Hotel and Casino. It will be an impressive illusion since he will levitate inside the 800-degree light beam of the pyramid.
What else should we be expecting for? According to the A&E website he will also make a Lamborghini vanish at high speed. Not too much info on their site, but I found more on wikipedia. According to them, here are some of the upcoming episodes:
Luxor Light: Criss opens his third season with a one-hour hair raising special. He levitates in the light of the Luxor pyramid 500 feet above the Las Vegas strip and transforms a motorcycle into a beautiful woman. Then he gets tied up by Dog the Bounty Hunter and dropped into a pool of water. Can he escape before drowning? Plus, we get a look at Criss's fabulous penthouse home where he entertains surprise celebrity guests.
Quad Drag Escape: Distracted by news of his mothers emergency heart surgery, Criss finds it hard to concentrate before a dangerous stunt. But the show must go on, so Criss goes through with the amazing ATV drag escape where he's bound and then dragged through the Excalibur arena at high speed while crowds cheer and mud flies everywhere.
Animal: Criss loves animals - and loves to amaze us with his incredible animal illusions. Last season, Criss made an elephant vanish, and in this episode, he'll try to make the pachyderm reappear. Criss also visits Siegfried and Roy's Secret Garden, where he turns a cage handler into a full sized-tiger, and transforms a full-grown dog into a cuddly puppy.
Car Crash Escape: Hang onto your seat, because Criss will be chained to the side of a parked car filled with explosives, and then try to escape before a second speeding car plows into him. Also, he'll make a chopper bike appear from nowhere in the middle of an empty parking lot.
Underwater Car Escape: Criss takes Sully from Godsmack's watch, and smashes it to bits with a hammer; he then produces that same watch, undamaged, to the relieved Sully. More mayhem in the arcade when Criss draws a picture that starts talking to startled kids. Criss convinces Carrot Top that a trick has gone wrong and mistakenly chops off his finger. Then he shows an adoring Luxor employee his superhuman strength as he levitates a heavy manhole cover hovering below one hand. The episode culminates as Criss remembers his uncle who drowned as his car slid off the road into a watery ditch. In a tribute to his uncle, Criss is tied in the trunk of a car as it is lowered into a lake. Criss must escape or face the same doom as his uncle.
Remember: June 5th! Don't go anywhere that day.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Luke Jermay's 10 Card Poker Deal
This card trick is simply incredible.
Trick: You shuffle the deck, then deal down the first 10 cards on the table. Your "victim" can shuffle them all he/she wants. You pick up the first card and the he/she picks up his/her card. Anything that you pick will be the winning hand.
You can really convince your audience that you are influencing them in what to chose.
Watch this video here at you tube:
I really recommend it for beginner to pro, for magician, mentalist or amateur. It is a shocker!
Trick: You shuffle the deck, then deal down the first 10 cards on the table. Your "victim" can shuffle them all he/she wants. You pick up the first card and the he/she picks up his/her card. Anything that you pick will be the winning hand.
You can really convince your audience that you are influencing them in what to chose.
Watch this video here at you tube:
I really recommend it for beginner to pro, for magician, mentalist or amateur. It is a shocker!
Self tying shoelace trick
This self tying shoelace is incredible.
Imagine walking down the street and someone notice that your shoelace is untied. You say thank you and instead of bending down to tie it you just shake your leg and in a matter of seconds your shoelace ties itself. The person that told you about your untied shoelace will remain astonished. Anyone that sees this will be amazed. Just think about it. Your shoelace ties itself just by shaking your foot.
Take a look at this video here:
It is the best street magic trick I have seen so far. I actually own it and it is amazing. The package includes a special gimick and a DVD that will walk you through all the details. Either you are a beginner or a pro, anyone can do this trick. Easy to reset.
Imagine walking down the street and someone notice that your shoelace is untied. You say thank you and instead of bending down to tie it you just shake your leg and in a matter of seconds your shoelace ties itself. The person that told you about your untied shoelace will remain astonished. Anyone that sees this will be amazed. Just think about it. Your shoelace ties itself just by shaking your foot.
Take a look at this video here:
It is the best street magic trick I have seen so far. I actually own it and it is amazing. The package includes a special gimick and a DVD that will walk you through all the details. Either you are a beginner or a pro, anyone can do this trick. Easy to reset.
Card trick behind the back
Effect: Tris is a very easy card trick. A spectator shuffles a deck of cards and hands it to the magician while his back is turned. The magician holds the deck in front of him, showing the bottom card of the deck to the audience only, and the audience to name that card. The magician does this a few times, shuffling the cards behind his back and showing the bottom. After the about the third time, the performer begins announcing the names of the cards himself. This is repeated several times, the magician is always right!
Secret: While the deck of cards is behind your back, pretend to shuffle the deck and take the top five cards off. Flip these cards over, face-up, and lay them back on top of the deck. Hold the deck up for the audience to see, without looking at the bottom card. Looking at the back side of the deck, remember the card that is flipped over. Put the deck of cards behind you again, turn the top card you just looked at over and place it on the bottom of the deck. Now show the bottom of the deck again, this time announce the card you just remembered. Note the card on the back as before, and repeat the process until all five cards have been turned over.
Secret: While the deck of cards is behind your back, pretend to shuffle the deck and take the top five cards off. Flip these cards over, face-up, and lay them back on top of the deck. Hold the deck up for the audience to see, without looking at the bottom card. Looking at the back side of the deck, remember the card that is flipped over. Put the deck of cards behind you again, turn the top card you just looked at over and place it on the bottom of the deck. Now show the bottom of the deck again, this time announce the card you just remembered. Note the card on the back as before, and repeat the process until all five cards have been turned over.
Twenty Card Magic Trick
The Effect: The magician sets twenty randomly selected cards
on the table, face up. While the magician is out of the
room, each of the spectators mentally select a different pair
of cards. The performer randomly places the cards in rows
of five. Each of the spectators point to the two rows that
their cards are in, and the magician immediately picks up
their pair of cards.
Secret: The cards are not actually placed at random and
instead a formula is used to place them in a special self working
pattern. Imagine that you see these four rows of
words spelled with big letters across the table: start, bells,
brooz, and dazed. Start by placing the first pairs of cards
on each imaginary S, then on each T, and on each A and R.
Continue going down the rows, placing the each of the
pairs of cards on the next pair of letters in the formula.
Now as the spectators point to the rows their two cards are
in, you pick up the only pair of cards in these rows.
Method: Practice placing the cards in this formula, until
you can do it fast enough to look natural. Place the twenty
cards in pairs on the table first, leave the room, and ask the
spectators to select their pair of cards. Do not put them in
their special order until you have re-entered the room. This
will also give the spectators less time to over think the
entire process. When you enter the room, pick up the cards
and quickly lay them in the special order. Now if they say
their item is in the first and last row you know it is the
object in the place of the letter A. If their item is in the
second and third rows, then the letter B will be your key.
You will notice that you do not necessarily need to use the
letters to find the pairs, simply use the formula to place the
cards in their self-working location.
on the table, face up. While the magician is out of the
room, each of the spectators mentally select a different pair
of cards. The performer randomly places the cards in rows
of five. Each of the spectators point to the two rows that
their cards are in, and the magician immediately picks up
their pair of cards.
Secret: The cards are not actually placed at random and
instead a formula is used to place them in a special self working
pattern. Imagine that you see these four rows of
words spelled with big letters across the table: start, bells,
brooz, and dazed. Start by placing the first pairs of cards
on each imaginary S, then on each T, and on each A and R.
Continue going down the rows, placing the each of the
pairs of cards on the next pair of letters in the formula.
Now as the spectators point to the rows their two cards are
in, you pick up the only pair of cards in these rows.
Method: Practice placing the cards in this formula, until
you can do it fast enough to look natural. Place the twenty
cards in pairs on the table first, leave the room, and ask the
spectators to select their pair of cards. Do not put them in
their special order until you have re-entered the room. This
will also give the spectators less time to over think the
entire process. When you enter the room, pick up the cards
and quickly lay them in the special order. Now if they say
their item is in the first and last row you know it is the
object in the place of the letter A. If their item is in the
second and third rows, then the letter B will be your key.
You will notice that you do not necessarily need to use the
letters to find the pairs, simply use the formula to place the
cards in their self-working location.
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