Dan & Dave also known as The Buck Twins will be in Singapore this coming September to give a lecture!

The brothers are known for their unique style of cardistry and card magic. They have authored a number of books and produced the popular “Trilogy” series which have sold many copies worldwide.

Disclaimer: This post may be hard to swallow for some “magicians” practitioners of magic, who use magic as a tool. I acknowledge their arguments and rationale for such practice. However, I am not sorry for this post as this post is not only an expression of my personal philosophy, but has also been validated by research.

I’ve always felt strongly against magicians (or rather, “magicians”) who use magic as a tool to get intimate with women. While I think that magic offers that kind of potential, a serious student of magic would find these “magicians” distasteful. It is one thing to perform magic and share the wonders of magic and another to use it as a means to an end.

Last year, a colleague and I did an academic paper titled “Are magic tricks inherently flirtatious?”, and needless to say we examined the magicians as flirts stereotypes and surveyed the ground. It is pretty remarkable that a large proportion of local students found that stereotype to be true. The data also revealed that they perceive magic as a tool to get close to a girl, to maintain physical contact and sadly, to allow for conversation. I think for these people who are using magic as a means to an end, magic is a crutch to them. One might argue that magic gives them a chance to level against men who are well-endowed with social skills. But the truth is, without magic, what are these “magicians” going to rely on?

So to all these pick up artist classes and course disguising themselves as magic and disguising their purpose as a contribution to increase awareness in magic. I say not. You are probably doing more harm than good. What would be better is to capitalize on these victims student’s existing strength. This is validated by positive psychology research, and if you would like more information, check this facebook page on how to maximize your character strength that you already posses: https://www.facebook.com/TheHappinessRevolution

The nice thing about having such strong opinions was that my opinions were picked up by an NUS student writing for a campus wide publication called The Ridge, and she did an interview in which I shared my thoughts about magic as an art, magic as a flirting tool and how I used psychology in my magic.

If you wish to read the article, check out the scanned copy below:

I am certain that the other camp will have their argument as well, and I am more than happy to engage in an academic discussion. =)

Signing off,

Alexander

About the author

Alexander is a professional magician at www.metaillusions.com . For more booking information and enquiries contact him here: http://www.metaillusions.com/contact-us/

The Trailer

While it has been months since we had a product review, the RDM team will be doing our very best to keep these coming! Let us know if you enjoy reading our articles! We’ll really appreciate that. (:
“Warning” by Kostya Kimlat is a tricky one. Although I won’t go far enough to call it a worker, it has a lot of potential. This article is more than just a product review. I sincerely hope that you’ll read on and find out more. At first glance many may dismiss this as just a smart use of the flash paper. But to others, this is a real gem. The plot is simple, and above all it uses fire!

“I merely always begin with fire and a production. No words, just magic. That immediately grabs their attention, lets them know I’m a magician and prepares them for some entertainment.”
-Jim Pace, Magic for Restaurants

In the real world, it’s challenging to find an effect that is quick, visual and appropriate for an opener. “Warning” is one of those effects that accomplishes all three and on top of that, it packs right in your pocket. What you see is what you get. You can perform this effect in an instant if u know how to execute the simple paddle move and light up a piece of flash paper. There’s little to tell you about the effect. You peel the warning sticker off a lighter, light it up, and it magically goes back onto the lighter. I never thought much of this till I showed it to my family. For the first time in a long while, their eyes literally lit up. It’s amazing! Sometimes we forget about looking at an effect from the spectator’s point of view. It’s a dangerous trap we can fall into if we lose sight of why we’re performing. So always keep that in mind! Sing the songs they want to hear!

Should You buy the effect?
“Warning” isn’t an economical alternative for flash paper. While refills are available at the price of $30SGD for 100 pieces, the shipping cost is just as much. You do the math. To add on to that, this is also an effect that requires a good amount of effort and time to reset. Perhaps I’ve yet to work out the right system to go about with this, but the bottom line is that “Warning” isn’t as impromptu as it may look. For strolling magicians, this may be troubling.

Why did I get it? I really admire Kostya Kimlat. Many would know him for his roadrunner cull. For me, I just can’t help but love his take on restaurant magic. Won’t it be amazing if a system like this could work out locally? Quite a dream for many amateur magicians these days! If you’re one of them, who dream about working as a magician, sign up on his site! Over the weeks, you will receive short clips of the man himself talking about the business side of magic. This will most certainly put you in the right direction and help you progress further in your goals.

Thanks for reading thus far! I hope that you picked up a thing or two from this article. “Warning” isn’t a cheap investment, but it is worth what its price. If you need more information on the product, leave a comment below or email us and I’ll get back to you.

The Illusionists – Live Show

17 FEB – 4 MAR 2012

Location: Sands Theater, Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue, Marina Bay Waterfront, Singapore

Show Description:

It will be the Biggest, Boldest and Most Spectacular magic show ever to be staged in Singapore!

The Illusionists is a World First. 7 of the greatest magicians on the planet are coming together for the first time, bringing with them the very best of their individual acts and a whole team of magical assistants. The result is a brand new show packed with thrilling and sophisticated magic of unprecedented proportions.

From never before seen illusions to jaw dropping acts of levitation, mind-reading and escapes, The Illusionists is revolutionary, bringing the age old art of magic into the 21st century. Cutting edge and contemporary, dont expect rabbits and top hats, but do expect to be mesmerised by these grand masters of magic and illusion, each with their own speciality and mind-blowing signature act.

DURATION: 115 MINS (INCLUDING INTERMISSION)
ACT 1: 47MINS
ACT 2: 50MINS

SHOWTIMES: TUES – FRI, 7.45PM
SAT – SUN, 1.45PM & 7.45PM

Ticket Sales

About the cast:

DAN SPERRY – THE ANTI-CONJUROR
Magic no longer sucks
Presenting the new face of magic, Dan Sperry shot to fame on America’s Got Talent in 2010. Described as David Copperfield meets Marilyn Manson, Sperry’s show flaunts his bizarre and macabre humour. This is non-stop mayhem set to an industrial music score with razor blades, buzz saws, voodoo and more. He’s the youngest musician to headline Hollywood’s fabled Magic Castle and has even performed his shock illusions and sleight of hand trickery privately for Johnny Depp’s family and his childhood hero, David Copperfield.

JAMES DIMMARE – THE MANIPULATOR
The style of Fred Astaire, the cool of Frank Sinatra
Straight out of Hollywood, James Dimmare – the self-styled ‘Fred Astaire of the magic world’ – will bring a touch of glamour and sophistication to the Concert Hall stage. Having performed magic since the age of 14, Dimmare’s award-winning style has won him spots in Vogue fashion campaigns as well as stints performing his well-crafted illusions everywhere from Vegas concert halls to intimate jazz clubs.

BRETT DANIELS – THE GRAND ILLUSIONIST
The Magician’s Magician
Specialising in jaw-dropping illusions on a mega scale – think death defying levitations, appearances and disappearances – Brett Daniels has a habit of making audiences question the most basic laws of physics and gravity. He’s had multi-million dollar bespoke stadiums designed and built to house his shows which have been broadcast up to 1.3 billion people at a time. As well as taking to the stage for The Illusionists, Daniels has been the creative driving force behind the production, casting the show and directing the illusions of his fellow performers.

J C Sum & ‘Magic Babe’ Ning, will embark on their first ever lecture tour covering countries and cities in Asia, Europe and the US. The first stop of their tour will be Penang, Malaysia.

For their upcoming lectures, the duo will share a collection of professional routines & techniques that they have developed over the years for their live shows & for television shows.

The lecture offers a peek into the minds of J C & Ning as they perform and explain choice material for close-up, mentalism and stage.

Routines taught include:

The Olive Cups - A unique two-cup Cups & Balls routine for the solo or duo performer

Shrinko Decko – An ambitious card routine that packs small and plays big

The Red Envelope - An incredible mentalism routine, presentation utility & approach for multiple mentalism routines

The Invisible Bookmark – A new utility for book tests and peeks.

Code of Silence – A stunning two-person act

The Gift Box – A D.I.Y. Illusion Box to Produce a Balloon Animal, Stuffed Toy or Doll

Rings Through Glass Table – A killer linking finger ring routine taken to an amazing new level

Program

1.30pm             Registration

2.00pm             “3 Sides of Magic” Performance/ Lecture Part 1

3.00pm             Tea Break

3.15pm             “3 Sides of Magic” Performance/ Lecture Part 2

4.00pm             Q & A with J C & Ning

4.30pm             Dealers Booth/ Free & Easy

5.00pm             End

Early Bird Prices before 1 Feb 2012

Lecture Fee: RM$80.00

Early Birds will also be entitled to a 15% discount off Lecture Package that will include lecture notes, props and gimmicks.

Prices after 1 Feb 2012

Lecture Fee:  RM$120.00

For more details, please contact the organiser:

Barry Khoo

Barrini Magical Productions
Email: barrini.magic@gmail.com
Mobile: +6 012-4833-420

Tickets are also available from:

Jacky Lee
Top Magic Fun Centre
Lot. 33-3-02 Prangin Mall
Jalan Dr. Lim Chwee Leong
10100 Penang
Mobile: +6 012-4533-064

founder of online video series “Scam School” gives you practical tools for getting around frustrating rules in his talk -”Social Engineering – How to Scam Your Way into Anything.”

The Mind Heist

Location: Sinema Old School, 11B Mount Sophia Singapore 228466

Date: 7 Jan 2012

Start Time: 15:00 Singapore time

For their upcoming stunt, magic duo JC Sum & Magic Babe Ning will try to read the minds of 100 people in one sitting. This will be their first illusion stunt that will be broadcast via live streaming on the Internet.

If you want to be part of this event, sign up to be one of the 100 who will be getting their minds read! You may do so by clicking here.

Beyond the Mirror @ Absinthe Artisan

Lets talk about the show itself. The plots behind the show were intricately designed and textured so that laymen and magicians alike are guaranteed to have some takeaways. This is my first time watching a formal close up magic show and it was definitely one of the most memorable highlights for me this past week.

Photo Credits: Bernard Sim

This is not your ordinary show which features cards and coins tricks. You will start to feel the difference right from the opening of the show which features the use of very unique props. The show then progresses into something very different as the plots transits into a gambling theme with loads of audience participation involved. Obviously not forgetting to blow you away, you can expect JC to delve into your heads and read your thoughts. The most memorable routine for me was JC’s “Morgan Mysteries” routine which features a beautiful plot which is guaranteed to turn your brains into a can of cream. For those who just like visually stunning magic, JC closes the show with his reknowned dice-explosion routine which I witnessed in person for the first time. Nothing more appropriate than closing your show with audible gasps of surprise coming from the members of the audience.

Photo Credits: Bernard Sim

After the show, the members of the audience were actively discussing about different segments of the show. I’m sure JC’s performance left a resounding impact in the audiences in one way or another.

Show Rating: 8.5/10

On a side note, members of the audience get to receive a goodie bag which contains a pack of customised playing cards and a “Jellybird”! The product  is basically a jelly with alcoholic content. It tastes amazing and Im definitely getting more for my own parties in the future. Check out the product by clicking here!

About the author:

Godwin is a corporate magic entertainer who specialises in performing close-up/roving magic to a corporate clientele. To find out more about his professional profile, visit his website at www.ohmygodwin.com

Drop by Little India on your Fridays as there is a series of Magic Shows cum buffet happening every Friday evening.

Date : Every Friday @ 6:45pm

Venue : The CHAMPS Hall, 2^nd Floor. On Top of Balaji Bhawan.

Address : 114 Syed Alwi Road , Singapore 207682

Tel : 91011164 / 81892354

Email : ceo@eparadiz.com

Tickets : $20 (Adults) , $16 (Kids below 12 years old)

You may book your tickets at Balaji Bhawan counters.

“Go with the classics, and it’s hard to get it wrong”. Not impossible, just hard.

The 5 or 6 card repeat is one of the more common routines we’ve seen on stage quite often. And its also an effect where one can easily bore the crowd with.

While there are countless versions in the market, Paul Romhany’s 5 card repeat is a combination of two things. It’s a card repeat plot put together as a “Teaching Act”. Most of us understand this better by associating the presentation style to the classic “Vanishing Bandana” (and also the recently released “Shoe Business”) . Anyone who’ve done enough research on kids market or looked up for stage workers will come across “The Mystery of the Vanishing Bandana”.  It has been performed by several brilliant artist.
Here’s one performed by one of my favourites, Justin Kredible:

As some may say, if Copperfield does it, it has to be worth a try. Having said that, there are several limitations for such effects particularly in our state. In Singapore, not many can relate to the term Bandana, and thus the main punch line is ruined. To add on to that, for the effect to work well, it still requires much audience participation which is not easy to negotiate from some Singapore audiences. It IS a LONG and draggy effect.

So how different is the 5 card repeat?

1) Shorter Routine
As mentioned above, the vanishing Bandana is really a long draggy routine on stage. 5 seconds on stage can feel like 5mins and 5 mins on stage will feel like hours. Paul Romhany’s routine lasts for about 2mins. It’s perfect for an opening and just enough lines to get a laugh. Silly Billy once mentioned that comedians judge their act based on the the laughs they get per session. With this recorded presentation, its easy to gauge the audience response at the right beats.

2) Easy to understand Humour
Personally I feel that the Paul Romhany’s 5 card repeat has a very different comedic effect compared to “The vanishing bandana”. And it works better for us Singaporeans too. For the Vanishing Bandana, people crack up because the magician is having trouble with the instructions. For the 5 card repeat, the magician is frustrated with the the cards and you can see his emotions building up. That reminds me of what Tommy Wonder mentioned in “Wonderized”.

“Everyday theatres are filled to the last place, and people who see the show, what do they see? They see people who have conflict with each other, or with the world,or with themselves & emotions that come out of that. And people pay good money for it…. This principle of emotions and conflict has been around for thousand of years and its still effective. So maybe if we put that into magic, magic will also be effective.”

Putting aside the presentation of the 5 card repeat (which is really what you’re paying for at that price) the handling of the effect is also as worthy.

One of the few reasons why I was never impressed with the effect is with its handling. Many of the methods involves a false count; pushing off a chunk of cards, and counting it as one. We all know a false count when we see one. So that really wasn’t for me. Further more, some versions require you to hold the pack in a rather awkward fashion, just to facilitate  the count. Of course, there are still several outstanding performers using the above mentioned handlings and having much success. A good example would be Michael Finney who uses it as an opener. It’s fast, direct and entertaining to watch. Wayne Dobson too has a good presentation to go with it as an opener. Wayne Dobson’s 5 card Repeat:

You do however need a dynamic personality like theirs to pull it off half as well as these brilliant performers.

Paul Romhany’s 5 card repeat is clean as a whistle. While it’s really a palour/stage effect, I can imagine it done close up with a bit of work. But that’s hardly the point. (P.S. THIS right here is a brilliant performance of the classic plot adapted close up style, thought I’d share it to other hobbyists who really doesn’t care much about palour/stage effects but are still reading.

Paul Romhany’s handling is however a gimmicked version of the effect that allows for a natural handling of the cards for a trade off.

The Gimmick:
I swear I am not exaggerating here. But it took me less than 5mins to gather the materials and to make myself an extra set of gimmick. The construction of the gimmick is included in the teaching. The method can be applied to jumbo cards as well. (One of my main concerns were whether I could make my own refills and apply the method to jumbo cards) Further more, its a perfect way to use up the aged cards. You may have chucked away in your cupboard. I’ve been using the same gimmick over 10 performances including practice sessions and it still works like a charm. To sum it up, the gimmick is flexible, easy to make and almost cost free.

Closing thoughts:
Throughout my performances, many have asked “How did You do that”. While it shouldn’t be the first comment you get from people, since the main focus of the effect is with its comedic presentation. The compliment convinced me even more that the handling is as important as the effect.
There may have been much emphasis on presenting an effect. Having said that, we should also keep in mind that its barely a trick if it fools nobody.
Paul Romhany’s 5 card repeat IMO is a worker. The only few disadvantages would be about the need of a sound system for it to work at your birthday parties or stage shows.

If you’ve ever considered performing the Vanishing Bandana, but held back due to its presentation, choose Paul Rohmany’s 5 card repeat. It packs SMALL, and plays big. (:

WOW Factor: 6.5/10
It is still the 5 card repeat plot which can be mundane. But good enough for an opener to build up the rest of the shows. I never felt that an opening effect should be so perfect that it builds up too much expecation. As how Pambudi puts it across, (one of the few entertaining mentalist who has excellent showmanship put it) “Promise less, but deliver more”. So really, I think this works well enough for an opener.

Durability: 7/10
You have no worries about refills anyway!

Value for Money: 4/10
I’ve always felt that such effects are over priced, You get a dvd with an audio track and it cost you a bomb. Some justify the price by saying that its to keep kids away from the good stuff. While it is a worker, you are still going to feel that you paid a little too much when it arrives.

Overall Rating: 7/10

I probably haven’t addressed all concerns you splendid reader may have. So feel free to leave a comment if you’d like to know more. And I’d be more than happy to have a chat with you, on the subject.
- Jasper Lee,