* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand® * Proudly sponsored by International Entertainment * www.magicnewzealand.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #904 Date: Sunday 11th March 2012 Editor: Alan Watson www.watson.co.nz E-mail: editor@magicnewzealand.com ================================ Hi here is the latest news ================================ 1. Editor's Message 2. VANISH - International Magic Magazine - Issue 1 April/May 2012 3. FISM Africa In Cape Town - Glorious Fun! 4. iPad Magic Demonstration 5. The Soma Show 6. Remarkable Magic. #24 - Nick Lewin 7. Alan Watson's YouTube Channel - #248 - Kyle Peron 8. Tony Brook in Conversation with John Palfreyman - Part 2 9. 2012 MINDvention 10. Yoo Hyun Min Lecturing Melbourne, Australia 11. Looking To Buy Asrah Illusion 12. An Evening With Rob Zabrecky 13. Orlando Flea Market/Auction/Dual Lecture 14. Dedicated To World Famous Hypnotist Peter Reveen 15. Branson Magic Bonanza 2012 16. e-zine Archives 17. Privacy Policy and Copyright Notice -------------------------------------------- 1. Editor's Message -------------------------------------------- Six years ago Paul Romhany talked me into doing an interview with him on camera about what I thought were the seven secrets to my success as a professional magician. They are now free to all magicians and entertainers on YouTube. For more information go to item 7. Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: Editor@MagicNewZealand.com -------------------------------------------- 2. VANISH - International Magic Magazine - Issue 1 April/May 2012 --------------------------------------------- Message by Paul Romhany - Editor We are proud to announce that the first issue of VANISH will be available for download at the end of March. This is a FREE Magic Magazine for magicians around the world that you can download and read on your computer, iPad etc. This issue features a story about comedy entertainer Chipper Lowell plus photos from his career. The magazine is packed with articles on the business side of magic, marketing, reviews, illusion ideas and a wide variety of styles of magic. Other articles by JC Sum, Mark Parker, Richard Webster, Nick Lewin, Randy Charach, Cris Johnson, Wayne Rogers, Ken Ring, Bizzaro, Ben Robinson, Tony Chris to name only a few. If you would like to go on a mailing list to find out when issues become available then visit www.paulromhanymagic.com and 'subscribe'. You will then be sent a personal email letting you know when it is ready to download. We will also let readers know closer to the time of publication when the magazine is available for download. -------------------------------------------- 3. FISM Africa In Cape Town - Glorious Fun! --------------------------------------------- Message by Auke You may be interested in some photos from the past week-end's FISM Africa in Cape Town. It was a wonderful event! Amongst the guests were Eric Eswin, Lee Cohen and Wayne Houchin. It was also the South African Magic Championships, arranged by the College of Magic and expertly produced by Craig Mitchell and Chad Finlay. The pics over the three days are here: http://www.psychohistorian.org/display_article.php?id=201203022343_fism_africa_day1 http://www.psychohistorian.org/display_article.php?id=201203050036_fism_africa_day2 http://www.psychohistorian.org/display_article.php?id=201203050246_fism_africa_day3 ------------------------------------------- 4. iPad Magic Demonstration -------------------------------------------- Message by Joel A Moskowitz M D I would think your readers would enjoy seeing a master magician using high tech to sell. ------------------------- You don't have to speak German to appreciate the sales pitch magician and performance artist Simon Pierro is giving to these prospective Apple iPad customers. Simon displays some wonderful sleight of hand skills during this digital magic performance of the iPad. He has won several prestigious awards, including 2002 Magician of the Year, 2003 Vice-World Champion of Magic and 2004 Siegfried & Roy Award in Las Vegas. http://biggeekdad.com/2012/02/ipad-magic-demonstration/ ------------------------------------------- 5. The Soma Show -------------------------------------------- Message by Soma My name is Soma. I'm the previous FISM grand prix winner. I started a funny and magical internet show: The Soma Show. It is about conventions, personal experiences, places I visited, tricks, magic and other fun stuff. I'm planning on making new episodes twice a month. The video is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhsAQ3BesXg -------------------------------------------- 6. Remarkable Magic. #24 - Nick Lewin -------------------------------------------- Message by Nick Lewin (US) Shows, shows, shows-- part one. The whole city of Las Vegas seems to be awash in magic shows at the moment. I have watched the growth of the four-wall market show for magic shows with a great deal of interest. I thought it might be a good topic to talk business rather than personalities in the magic area for a column or two. Let me begin by saying with a certain modest pride that I was one of the very first people to launch a one-man magic show in Las Vegas that met with critical and commercial success. It was called 'Comedy Magic' and played at the Maxim Hotel and Casino from June 1995 until the Casino closed. It was the first one-man day show in Las Vegas, with shows at 1:00 and 3:00pm. In effect the show continued with Mac King at Harrah's and is successfully running to this day. When I co-created 'Comedy Magic' I did so for a very specific reason-I wanted to get off the road and be working in one city so I could be with my wife and two young daughters. For nearly five years this worked really well and it was, over all, a good experience. I received a salary from the hotel and made nice bonus cash with sales of my VHS and DVD products. We were NOT a four-wall deal. At this point I know many of my readers are going, "What the hell is a four-wall' deal? Let me try and make it simple. For this kind of deal, the hotel rents the performer the four walls of the showroom, and everything within it. The performer is then responsible for paying the personnel within the room and backstage. He is also responsible for the advertising costs of promoting the show. Sometimes he also gets a percentage of the drinks sold in the room, but generally the door charge is his source of income. Now while that last statement is basically the facts of the matter a multitude of variables can come into play, not to mention the issue of three and two wall deals! Add to these possible variations the fact that it is unlikely for two couples seated next to each other in a showroom to have paid the same price for their tickets as it is for two unrelated people on an airplane flight to have paid the same amount for their ticket. It gets very complicated and very cut-throat! The greatest change in Las Vegas in the last 15 years is the fact that hotels now find it profitable to rent out their showrooms as many times a day as they can, without much interest in whether the shows make a profit or not, There is a never ending stream of performers who find it worthwhile taking a chance on mounting a show in Vegas-even if it is just for the residual benefits of saying they starred in a Las Vegas show. Originally, and still in some cases, the casinos produced the show themselves (or worked with established producers), and worked hard to assist in filling the showrooms. If you spent a few million dollars on a show you were not as cavalier about its success because you wanted your investment back! Now, for the maximum chance of success, it has become more viable to look to a world famous concern like 'Cirque du Soleil,' and have a big name in the entertainment field to hedge your showroom bet. Cirque is to Vegas what the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' franchise is to Disney. In Las Vegas the Criss Angel vehicle 'Believe' was the first crack in this successful formula. The company changed its tactics over this project and reduced its involvement to avoid damage to the franchise. This development has left a very big gap and distance between the kinds of shows that are populating the Vegas strip. To compound the difficulties in the Vegas show market is the fact that there are fewer visitors, and they are spending less money on entertainment. Good news for the 'small' shows one would think, until you realize the immense increase in discounted ticketing to the 'big' shows. Along the way, and well worth mentioning, are shows such as 'V' (an excellent show) that have a vastly inflated ticket price, with a large slice going to independent ticket sellers who broker the tickets. This is a very savvy and successful way to market a 'real show,' how successful it is for selling a single and relatively unknown performer is another matter. Next week we will continue in this series of columns about the economics and realities of staging a magic show in a market as specific as 'Sin City.' We will also look at the way some magic shows, such as Chipper Lowell's 'Blink' and 'It's Magic' tackle marketing in a less confined target zone. Email me at nicklewin1@mac.com -------------------------------------------- 7. Alan Watson's YouTube Channel - #248 - Kyle Peron -------------------------------------------- Message by Kyle Peron (US) magic4u02@aol.com http://www.kyleandkellymagic.com As many of you know, I would not be here today if not for one person. YOU would not be reading this right now if not for one person. This person is none other than my very good friend, Alan Watson. Alan spends a good part of his life giving back to magic and never asking anything in return for it. The ability to send out an ezine around the world to thousands of magicians every single week would have caused many to give up a long time ago. Alan has done this for years and continues to do it every week with no end in sight. Much of the news in magic we hear first through Alan's commitment to get information out to the masses. It is this desire to educate and empower others that made me very excited to check out Alan's newest YouTube Channel. What an amazing place to be able to view the works and the information shared by a man who has literally done it all. The YouTube channel is http://www.youtube.com/user/AlanWatsonMagician Alan's first videos were posted in mid-February and each video has already received well over 3,000 unique views to date. That is simply amazing and just goes to show you the value of what I KNOW you will gain through watching them. The first videos in the series is an interview of Alan by Paul Romhany and is titled "Alan's Seven Secrets to Success for Magicians and Entertainers." Even if you watch only one video in the series, you will have gained a wealth of information that would have taken years to learn and master. The information shared is just that good. Alan breaks down the 7 secrets to success in 7 unique videos. This way you can watch them individually and is easier for you to find information afterwards. Trust me, you will want to refer back to them time and again. Alan's seven secrets to success can be defined as find the real you, identify your market, welcome change, M.E.M.E, KISS, advertising and publicity and show business. These seven secrets are a gold mine of information that CAN and WILL change the way you think about your magic for years to come. I cannot begin to tell you just how many great tips and techniques Alan shares in this video series. You would have to pay a small fortune or perform for many, many years in hopes to even gain half of what is shared here. The best part about this video series. It's 100% FREE. Alan is giving it to you and to the magic fraternity. How amazing is that? Now YOU have the ability to learn from a master magician and entertainer who has traveled the world being a true success in everything he has done. I hope that you would take time this week to sit back and relax and enjoy these videos. Gain much from them and put them to usage in your life. I know I have and I cannot begin to thank Alan for it. As always, I encourage you the readers to let me know your thoughts. So if you have any thoughts on my articles or suggestions or comments, please feel free to e-mail me directly at magic4u02@aol.com. I would love to hear from you. Kyle Peron Magician and Family Entertainer http://www.kyleandkellymagic.com Entertainers, please visit: http://www.kpmagicproducts.com -------------------------------------------- 8. Tony Brook in Conversation with John Palfreyman - Part 2 -------------------------------------------- Message by Anthony Darkstone Brook - Europe/USA ADB: Of course ..you should ..please do continue . JP: Well, in that case let's add that I was Chief Steward. I was PRO when Bob Hayden was British Ring President. Assistant Executive Secretary. Organised "The Dealers Fair" Produced Badges and Convention Envelopes. Worked on The Registration Desk. And was the Registration Officer. At one time, I was "volunteered" to Deputise for The Treasurer at a Convention. At the 1986 American I.B.M. Convention at Long Beach, I was "volunteered " again and was pulled in to look after "Sound and Lighting on The Queen Mary for 2 events and 1 Stage Competition Heat, also with the late Peter Laing, I was a Judge for two of the Stage Competition Heats. ADB: That's very impressive list of Posts & functions but it doesn't end there does it there are also a few other noteworthy Magical organizations that you have been extremely active in ... JP: Well yes Tony . when you put it like that I have indeed been actively involved over the years .let me see . Past Member & Former Committee Member. News Letter Editor & Hon. Secretary of The London Society of Magicians. Did quite a few shows and lectures there as well. I was a Founder Member, and now, an Hon. Life Member, Past Chairman of the Committee and Past Meetings & Annual Dinner Organiser for The Surrey Society of Magicians. Member & Competitions Organiser for The Shropshire Magical Society. Past President of The Northern Magic Circle and an Honorary Member of The Medway Magical Society. Naturally, at all of these I performed in many shows and gave many lectures. ADB: Speaking of lectures , you have gained quite a reputation for your lectures over the years .share with us some of the lecture topics . JP: I'll be happy to Tony. I enjoy lecturing and apart from the Magical organisations I mentioned earlier, I have given lectures to lay people as well . I call this The History of Mystery . This is a talk on the History of Magic from 5000 BC. to present day Magical Entertainment. The major lectures are :- Palfreyman Party Pieces. - So you are at a Party and the host finds out you are an entertainer and persuades you to entertain the guests - you have nothing with you so you do tricks with items found around the house) The Many Faces Of "Just Chance A collection of Magic Effects that are all based on "Just Chance" Mainly Mental Magic A talk which delves into the various styles of Mental Magic Out Of The Loft Everyone buys Tricks and never uses them, this is a selection of 15 items of mine that are within this category Out Of The Loft (Second Time Round) As above with another 18 items. If It's Old It's New I took a lot of "Present Day" dealers' items which were in some aspects similar to some of the antiquarian ones in my collection and showed "like - for - like" Entertaining Children My Way A talk on my presentation of "Standard Children's effects" together with a presentation of my own items. Old And Unusual Magic Tricks from my Collection of antiquarian Props. The Mechanics Of Magic This talk delves into the many mechanical devises used to present a trick End - Part 2 -------------------------------------------- 9. 2012 MINDvention -------------------------------------------- Message by Danny Archer (US) Here is an update on the upcoming MINDvention mentalism convention taking place in Las Vegas from November 11-13th. Many thanks to Elton Kelly, who had been the webmaster for many years. Danny Archer has taken over those duties and the newly designed site is up and running (www.mindvention.net). Please bookmark the site and check back to see the latest news regarding the convention. We are also tweeting so please make sure to follow us on Twitter and friend us on Facebook. The big news is that we have changed dates from October to November (October is such a busy month for mystery entertainers). We have also started to book some really great talent for the convention. Presenting will be; Kenton Knepper, Larry Hass, Patrick Redford, Max Krause, Roy Zaltzman and Colin McLeod with more great acts to be announced (more details on the website). I want to give you a brief overview of the 2012 MINDvention. Robert Allen and I are working hard to make this year's MINDvention a fascinating three days of learning, sharing and exploring the Art of Mentalism. Mentalism is really the purest form of magic that there is. At MINDvention, we peel back the curtain on this fascinating art form. Some people wonder (especially magicians with little or no mentalism experience), if this convention would be good for them to attend. The easy answer is yes. MINDvention attracts attendees from all over the world and with different skill levels, from full time performing mentalists to people just starting to explore this most fascinating topic. If you have any interest in mentalism, than this is the place to be in November. The events we offer are similar to what you might see at a magic convention. we have lectures, shows, dealers but we also have some events you won't see elsewhere. We have Panel Discussions where top pros discuss and dissect various topics. We also have several attendee shows where people get the chance to perform their effects and routines for the whole crowd. And there is plenty of time for sessioning and cruising the latest and greatest effects and props in the dealer's room. We are assembling a roster of mentalism stars that is sure to make this a convention to remember. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at danny@dannyarcher.com. Hope to see you in Las Vegas! -------------------------------------------- 10. Yoo Hyun Min Lecturing Melbourne, Australia -------------------------------------------- Message by Tim Ellis (Aust) People have been asking what Yoo Hyun Min will be lecturing on here in Melbourne, Saturday March 10 at 5pm. It will be the same lecture he has just presented at the Blackpool Convention two weeks ago and it's called '!dea' The lecture is filled with his original magic for close-up and parlor magicians (with some effects inspired from other performers). '!dea' includes card magic , sponge balls, coins and his eye-popping effect '4th Dimension'. (Inspired by Jerry Andrus) Take a look! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3jQ6pL_wG0&feature=player_embedded Don't forget to book in for Yoo Hyun Min's lecture at 5pm this Saturday at Arrow on Swanston, 488 Swanston St, Carlton http://www.trybooking.com/BCDE -------------------------------------------- 11. Looking To Buy Asrah Illusion -------------------------------------------- Message by John Carney (US) Looking to buy a new or used Asrah table and form (Servais Le Roy's floating, vanishing lady) on the continent of Australia for a small touring show in late 2012, early 2013. If you have one, or know where to get one, please contact Kerryn @ Spoon Tree Productions. ------------------------------------------- 12. An Evening With Rob Zabrecky -------------------------------------------- Message by Rob Zabrecky With Very Special Guests: Derek DelGaudio & Helder Guimaraes, Tina Lenert, and the Goodnight Ladies (Liberty Larsen & Shayne Eastin). Directed by: Jack Lovick Rob Zabrecky presents a one-man variety show quite unlike any other. After several recent sold-out performances, Zabrecky's show returns with a revised program featuring highlights from his award-nominated Magic Castle act, song & dance, conversations with outmoded satellites, audience interaction, absurdist parapsychology, and more. "Rob Zabrecky - the name means 'Abracadabra,' sideways" -LA Weekly "Zabrecky's art often involves opening a door on the mysterious and the bizarre and walking people through it. These new shows, at The Steve Allen Theater, allow Zabrecky to combine his many talents - acting, music, magic and dance - into one highly entertaining bundle with a distinct point of view." -LA Times "A fascinating and entertaining unique persona. One cannot help but wonder, however, just how much of the strange fellow on stage is the real Rob and how much is acted by design." - Magic Magazine ------------------------------------------- 13. Orlando Flea Market/Auction/Dual Lecture -------------------------------------------- Message by Rick Del Vecchio Fame of Greater Orlando IBM Ring 170 Presents Saturday, March 10, 2012 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Magic Flea Market / Auction 2 Free Lectures Great Fun Great Deals New & Used Magic - Plenty of Free parking - Rent table space and sell your old unused magic. For full table $15.00, plus $15.00 per person admission. E-Mail: CraigFennessy@Gmail.com to reserve a table. Payment at the door. General Admission: Only $15.00 !!! Schedule: 8:00am - Flea Market Load-in & Set-up 9:00am - Flea Market Opens 10:00am - 11:30am - Private workshop, Bob Swadling! (Workshop is limited to first 12 people, $25.00 extra. Reservations recommended) 11:30am - 12:45pm - Rob Moreland!b FREE lecture, in workshop room 12:00pm - Flea Market Closes 1:00pm - 2:30- Bob Swadling, lecture in main room, Free with admission, 2:30-4:30pm - Auction - Bob Swadling 5:00pm- Event ends Food & Drink available on site Location: Christ the King Lutheran Church - Barnabas Hall (4962 South Apopka-Vineland Rd., Orlando, Fl 32819) Call: 407-947-1182 for more info. Take I-4 to Exit 74A-Sandlake/International Dr. exit Turn west onto Sandlake Rd. go 1.3 miles to Apopka-Vineland Rd. Turn right onto Apopka-Vineland, go north 3 miles (4 traffic lights). First left driveway after Woodbreeze Rd. traffic light. Workshop: Robert Moreland The optional workshop with Bob Swadling is up close and personnel. This workshop covers material not included the main free lecture. Do not miss this incredible one on one opportunity. Additional :$25.00 per person - limited seating.. Email: CraigFennessy@gmail.com for optional workshop and table reservations -------------------------------------------- 14. Dedicated To World Famous Hypnotist Peter Reveen -------------------------------------------- Message by Paul Stone Innovention 2012 is definitely going to be the one Convention in 2012 not to be missed! Dedicated to Master Magician and World famous Hypnotist Peter Reveen who is suffering from ill health, this will be a few days of magic and entertainment you will never forget! We've limited the numbers to just 275 to keep it intimate and special, and many of Peter's friends will be appearing in the Shows and Workshop sessions. Already confirmed are The Great Tomsoni & Co, Fielding West, Michael Goudeau, Murray, Paul Vigil, Bob Kohler, Michael Holly, Ben Stone, Scott Land, Farrell Dillon, Joel Ward and Scott Alexander, and many more have promised to come ... we'll update performers names every week in Magic New Zealand. The venue is the Gold Coast Hotel & Casino, the home of the Vegas Magic THEATRE, located just off the Las Vegas Strip, where the facilities are excellent and with locked in accommodation rates of just $34 per room per night, and the value is unbeatable. Innovention 2012 will be unlike ANY other Convention, and the talent and the production will be unrivalled, but remember once we've reached 275 registrations, there will be no more spaces. So hurry and contact info@innovention2012 NOW for full details and to register! -------------------------------------------- 15. Branson Magic Bonanza 2012 -------------------------------------------- Message by Marty Hahne (US) Get close to the stars at the Branson Magic Bonanza to be held April 26 - April 28, 2012. Marty and Brenda Hahne, of Dazzling Magic, proudly present the Branson Magic Bonanza. Three days of fun, friendship and magic! Featuring five lectures, all-star show, Branson show, an evening with Levent, an evening with Tom Burgoon, dealers, magic fashion show, dessert every night, two optional gospel lectures and more! Talent includes: Levent, Tom Burgoon, Greg Wilson, David Ginn, Jim Snack, Jason Hudy and Steve Varro. It all takes place at the Camden Inn Conference Center, with a low room rate of just $49.95. Includes 20 item hot breakfast! Come early or stay late and enjoy all that Branson MO has to offer! For more information, go to www.bransonmagicbonanza.com -------------------------------------------- 16. e-zine Archives -------------------------------------------- Back issues of the Magic New Zealand e-zine go to: www.magicnewzealand.com click on the red button center right "Archives" When you enter the archive the e-zines are in issue order in folders for each year and are Coded, e.g. 001 Nov06 1999.txt first three numbers (001) denote issue number, then the date (Nov06) and the last figures the year (1999) --------------------------------------------- 17. Privacy Policy and Copyright Notice -------------------------------------------- Our subscriber list is NOT made available to any other companies or individuals. We value every subscriber and respect your privacy. You can subscribe to or unsubscribe from the Magic New Zealand® E-zine at: www.magicnewzealand.com Magic New Zealand® E-zine is published each Sunday. The opinions and statements expressed therein are those of the individual contributors and not necessarily those of Magic New Zealand®. Neither Magic New Zealand® nor Alan Watson vouch for the accuracy or reliability of any opinion, message, statement, or other information reported via Magic New Zealand® E-zine. Subscribers to this publication and authors who contribute to it by doing so agree they will not hold Magic New Zealand® or Alan Watson, jointly or individually liable or responsible in any way for the opinions or statements contained therein. Magic New Zealand® reserves the right to alter, correct or disregard any articles submitted. Readers are encouraged to submit timely articles or news items which may be of interest to subscribers. By submitting articles to this e-zine, the authors grant Magic New Zealand® the right to publish such articles and such authors confirm their copyright of the material submitted. All works published by Magic New Zealand® are protected by international copyright legislation and articles must not be published for profit by anyone other than the individual authors without the written permission of Magic New Zealand®. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this publication may be freely redistributed, but not sold, to other magicians if copied in its entirety, including the copyright notice below and the above disclaimer. © Copyright 2012 Alan Watson www.magicnewzealand.com www.facebook.com/magicnewzealandnewsflash http://twitter.com/#!/magicnewzealand www.watson.co.nz www.corporatemagic.co.nz www.magician.co.nz www.magicianz.com www.balloon-twister.co.nz