magician.org.uk weblog

IBM British Ring Convention 2008 - Eastbourne 24-28 September

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 23:32:35 +0100

Just an early heads up, I will be attending the above convention, and will be live-blogging the events I attend for Magic Convention Guide I will still post short posts here (probably just the first parts of each post) with links across to each post at MCG, so you will be able to find the reports over there. Thanks to Andrew Webb for letting me do this, it looks like a great week and an excellent and packed programme I just hope I can keep up! Remember watch here or better yet over at Magic Convention Guide starting Wednesday.

Howcast Magic Videos

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 23:23:57 +0100

Howcast offer how-to videos and guides, as part of their site they have produced a play-list of magic how-to guides. Dave Horowitz from Howcast says “We created some cool how to magic videos that I wanted to share with you. Much like a good act, they both entertain and are accessible on top of being informative. Please check out the full playlist.”

Here is an example guide for a simple coin vanish:

New Video Website Helps Entertainers Shine

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 23:11:45 +0100

Recently launched Talentainer.com allows entertainers to post videos of their latest and greatest acts in hopes of landing new gigs. Since the site debuted, it has attracted award-winning comedians, magicians and other “event enhancers”.

Talentainer.com is a new video-centric website offering live entertainers an opportunity to showcase a bit of their magic, placing it before legions of event planners who are searching for world-class entertainers to populate corporate events and gatherings, to entertain stadiums filled with fans during half-time shows, to fill cruise ships with masterful entertainment, and to fulfill other venues.

Talentainer.com allows entertainers to post videos of their latest and greatest acts in hopes of landing new gigs. Since its debut on July 2008, the site has attracted award-winning comedians, mimes, circus entertainers, disc jockeys, masters of ceremonies and other “event enhancers” interested in giving the world a sneak peak at their performances, rates and geographic parameters. In fact, within weeks of the launch, a number of famous acts have signed on who have appeared before the Queen of England at Buckingham Palace and on “America's Got Talent” and “Late Show with David Letterman.”

Overall, the entertainers posting profiles and videos on Talentainer.com are hoping to increase bookings and bring a smile to the world. Landing gigs has never been easier. What's all the buzz about? Visit www.talentainer.com and find out!

Paul Daniels Tesco Compare Ad

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 23:05:20 +0100

Paul Daniels performs a nifty magic trick.

Dynamo Works his Magic on a Nokia

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 23:02:17 +0100

Some people are born with magic in their fingertips. The rest of us have to download it...

Check out the full length film on the Nokia Connectors site, where you can also uncover the secrets behind the magic, download free tricks for your phone, and win a Nokia 6220. Amazing!

Magic teaches us about human cognition

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:05:45 +0100

Another story from BoingBoing about a paper just published in Nature Neuroscience about the way that magic tricks illuminate the inner workings of human perception — the paper is co-authored by five magicians, including Teller of Penn and Teller. You can read more in an article from The Boston Globe and the actual article can be found here.

“Psychic” Uri Geller loses YouTube battle

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:03:26 +0100

From boingboing gadgets professional psychic Uri Geller and his company Explorologist Ltd., filed a DCMA takedown notice against the creators of a 13 minute YouTube video debunking Geller's supernatural powers... a video which happened to contain a ten second copyrighted clip of one of his performances. Fair use, in other words.

The EFF representing Brian Sapient made Geller withdraw, and settled their legal battle and also they made him license the clip in question as non-commercial Creative Commons so as to freely aid the efforts of other skeptics.

More details on the EFF site.

Jack Parker Video Marathon

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 14:13:22 +0100

Tomorrow marks a year ago on the 30th June 2007 that Jack Parker passed away. To celebrate his magic Andi Gladwin is running a week long Jack Parker Video Marathon. Every day he will share a video of Jack's magic including videos of tricks that Jack only shared with two or three magicians.

Andi's blog post tells you more and the video's can be found here, with a great one to start the series:

Jack Parker Video Marathon.

I've seen some of these when Jack initially posted them to TSD but am still really looking forward to re-watching them, I remember at The Session Andi played a couple that I hadn't seen in a while, and all over again I got that feeling of being totally fried and fooled with Jack's magic, you too can have that feeling of being a layman again, by heading over to the Jack Parker Video Marathon for the next week!

Losander Needs Our Help

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 00:25:35 +0100

Straight from Dirk Losander himself:

I Need Your Help. Our little baby “Ione” was born 6 days ago. Today we found out she needs a heart operation and our insurance is not going to pay for it. I am not writing you this to beg for money but if you need to buy something from my website now would be the time to help us out. Every Dollar counts and we really need all the support we can find right now! So if you feel like supporting this cause, go to my website and find your self some great magic and make this operation happen for us. www.losander.com

Even if you are a non magician, we just came out with a new dvd “Las Vegas Greatest Magicians” teaches you easy to learn magic. You can find it right here
or if you just want to donate some money for us please send it via pay pal to losander@mac.com or just keep us in your prayers. Thank you so much for your support.

Dirk Losander
9850 S. Maryland Pkwy Suite A5#190
Las Vegas NV 89123
702 501-9973

Magic Channel Launches

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 22:30:44 +0100

Foreign BBC correspondent and magician Geoff Harrison has launched what is claimed to be the world's first magic channel, tvmagicians.com.

The site, part of Global Digital Broadcast's IPTV network Play TV UK, will feature magicians' showreels, effects demonstrations, industry secrets and related material.

The site will host sub channels on jazz, independent films, nightclubs and other entertainment. Content will come from Harrison's company TV World Productions and magic specialists Party PR, Club Chiva and Penguin Magic.