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* Magic New Zealand®
* Proudly sponsored by International Entertainment Ltd (New
Zealand)
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Issue Number: #1375
Date: Sunday 30th April 2017
Editor: Alan Watson QSM
www.watson.co.nz
E-mail: editor@magicnewzealand.com
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Hi here is the latest news
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1. Editor's Message
2. Happy 103rd Birthday Moi-Yo Miller - Dante's Assistant
3. IBM/SAM Youth Seminars
4. The Magic Secret! Adding Texture and Dynamics To Your
Show
5. Robin Leach On The Magic Word Podcast
6. Scripts And Patter - #444 - Kyle Peron
7. The Exciting New KIDshow Voices At KIDabra
8. European Magic History Conference 2017
9. The Davenport Collection Website
10. Update - New Zealand Magic Convention - Wellington
11. e-zine Archives
12. Privacy Policy and Copyright Notice
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1. Editor's Message
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If you would like to read the Magic New Zealand e-zine in
a HTML format go to: http://www.magicnewzealand.com/ezine-archive/2017-Jan-to-Dec-2017/1375-Apr30-2017.html
If
you would like to write a regular column for Magic New Zealand
or have some magic news drop me a line:
Editor@MagicNewZealand.com
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2. Happy 103rd Birthday Moi-Yo Miller - Dante's Assistant
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Message by Bill Bowers (USA)
To
one of the world's most beautiful women, star of the golden
age of magic, and as a principal assistant to the stage
magician Dante, we wish Moi-Yo a very Happy 103rd Birthday!!!
In
1981, Moi-Yo Miller was honored by the Magic Castle with
a Special Fellowship Award and is also a recipient of the
DRAGON Award.
Before
returning to live in her homeland, Australia, she was invited
by Jim Steinmeyer and Johnny Gaughan to attend 1997 History
Conference and in her talk, she mentioned that during her
years touring with Dante's "Sim-Sala-Bim" magic
show she estimated being sawed-in-half 11,800 times!!!
Happy
103rd Birthday to a wonderful magical lady!!
Bill
Bowers
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3. IBM/SAM Youth Seminars
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Message by George Schindler (US)
Our
youth are the future of magic and the IBM/SAM Youth Seminars
at our convention are designed to be the best magic experience
for attending young magicians. Special events beginning
on Monday July 10 and Tuesday July 11 have been arranged
for young magicians ages 7- 19 with super star honorees
Lance Burton and Mac King and a host of magic dignitaries
offering their expertise in many categories of our art.
These
are tailored to educate and excite the young people in attendance.
The
Tuesday evening Red Carpet Event showing of the "Billy
Topit" movie will be available free to all registrants.
For
a preview of the special seminars and the celebrity presenters
see the link at https://www.ibmsam2017.com/youth
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4. The Magic Secret! Adding Texture and Dynamics To Your
Show
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Message by Nick Lewin (US)
www.lewinenterprises.com
Part
Two
One
common fault when watching comedy magicians, who haven't
had a chance to perform enough to perfect their craft, is
that the pacing and general tone of their act does not vary
enough. It is not uncommon to see a performer find a pitch
and pacing for an effect and then repeat it for every trick
in their show. It is just as common to see a show where
every trick runs about the same length. This kind of thing
certainly achieves a kind of consistency but really can
make for an uneventful show lacking in true theatrical impact.
While
consistency in your performing persona is a sign of assurance
it is just plain boring to be repetitive in what you do
with your material. I have seen performers present several
routines in a row that require bringing assistants onstage
- this becomes a crutch. A little re-thinking and adjusting
the running order might make the show a lot more interesting
and less formulaic. Maybe for one of those effects that
requires bringing assistants onstage the performer could
go into the audience and perform a trick front of house.
Breaking the fourth wall in this manner would be a surefire
way to add texture and variety to the show.
In
a well-balanced show you need to add texture and dynamics
to paint a truly vibrant picture. Some effects need to be
longer and some shorter in order to keep the mix interesting.
Not every effect can be "killer;" you need to
manipulate your running order to maximize the effect of
each item. In a fancy dinner, they often serve a sorbet
between main courses to cleanse and refresh the taste buds
and you can do the same in your show. Variety is the spice
of life, and this applies especially well to a variety act!
Look at the tone and approach of each effect and make sure
you are not falling into the trap of being repetitive in
tone or content. Shaking things up visually, verbally and
mentally quite simply make you a better and stronger performer.
If you talk a great deal in your show it could benefit you
greatly to perform an effect that is silent or backed just
by music. If you perform wacky comedy then perhaps one more
serious effect can create a contrast that will heighten
the impact of the lighter material.
This
concept of texture and dynamics is a somewhat more abstract
idea than is generally discussed in articles on comedy magic,
however, in my opinion it is a vital one to consider. There
is a great deal of emphasis placed in magical theory on
Robert-Houdin's quote, "A magician is an actor playing
the part of a magician." While valid on a certain level
I feel this statement needs very careful re-examining. I
think it has lost something in the translation, and often
seems to lead to an element of self-importance and preciousness
entering into a performance.
It
is more important to be a good magician with a strong act
than a half assed actor. Let's balance Robert-Houdin's quote
with a little Shakespeare; "The play is the thing!"
It is no good working at being an actor unless you have
a worthwhile vehicle to act in. Focusing on texture and
dynamics is a splendid way to turn an act into a genuine
performance and before you know it you end up with an arc
and a subtle storyline to improve your show.
Check
out my online store of really great comedy magic items and
routines at
www.lewinenterprises.com
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5. Robin Leach On The Magic Word Podcast
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Message by Scott Wells, M.I.M.C. with Gold Star (US)
Robin
Leach, host of the long running "Lifestyles of the
Rich and Famous" television show has been a Las Vegas
resident for many years. He has seen the evolution of magic
in "Sin City" and become friends of many of the
"big time" magicians. In this week's podcast,
we continue our Las Vegas Chronicles and talks with Robin
about his love for magic (do you know that he even has a
rather extensive library of magic?) and many of his "magic
idols" like Bill Malone and Ricky Jay.
You
can see some photos, read the blog, enter the new contest,
listen to the podcast, and download the MP3 files at: https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/354-robin-leach
Of course you can listen through iTunes, Stitcher, Tunein,
and many other popular podcatchers.
Congratulations
to the winners of last week's contest for a copy of "Nick
Trost's Subtle Card Creations Volume 4" (compliments
of H&R Magic Books): Tony Baronio and Wayne Taylor.
Be sure to visit the blog today to enter the new contest
for a chance to win one of two copies of Volume 5.
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6. Scripts And Patter - #444 - Kyle Peron
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Message by Kyle Peron (US)
magic4u02@aol.com
http://www.facebook.com/perondesign
http://www.kpmagicproducts.com
Often
as magicians we can fall into the bad habit of rehearsing
and scripting our routines so much that every little thing
we say and do is planned in advance. Now some may say this
is what a professional does. Some may state that this ensures
a proper routine or act every time out. These may very well
be true statements. However, there also runs the risk of
you becoming so fixed on the script that you miss golden
opportunities or become extremely stale.
When
I state about missing opportunities, I am talking about
the ability to improv off of situations that happen in every
single performance. No audience is ever the same and certainly
no helper ever reacts the same way. There are golden opportunities
to go "off script" when moments present themselves.
We have to see these moments and go with them. By doing
so, it shows the audience how versatile you are. It also
adds a level of personal fun to the entertainment experience.
It is you customizing the script to the situation at hand.
Often
times these improv moments can and often do get great reactions.
When they happen this way, it is a wonderful opportunity
to make that a part of the new script. To me a script for
any routine is never done or set in stone. It is always
evolving and I am always open to the opportunity to make
it better. If something happened at a show that got a great
reaction, I will seek to add that into my script going forward.
Having
too rigid of a script can also lead to a stale performance.
What tends to happen is that we get so used to the moves
and the patter that we tend to end up in this "auto-pilot"
mode. Things happen and are stated but they lack any substance.
There is no pizzazz to what we are doing or saying simply
because we are so used to doing the same thing the same
way every time.
Audiences
are not stupid and we should never lose our respect for
them. An audience can sense when you are simply "dialing
it in". If you are not in the now, they will know and
they will let you know by their lack of response or interaction
with you. We must always remember that every time out there,
our script needs to come across as fresh as the very first
time we created it.
So
what one can do is to create a script that is more of an
outline approach. It is like writing an essay or term paper.
In order to get your thoughts in line, you often will write
an outline first. This becomes your "roadmap"
that guides you through the writing of the paper.
As
magicians, we can take this outline approach to the scripting
we create. Instead of trying to recite and recall every
single word and every move to what we do, we can instead
create an outline of the important key spots. These key
spots are what is essential to the audience understanding
and enjoying the routine. As a magician, it allows us to
simply know where we need to be at a certain time.
However,
this also gives one the amazing flexibility to be a bit
more open and relaxed in the script. It is not so rigid
any longer. The patter and the moves can change and adapt
as long as you know where you need to go. In a way it is
like a map. As long as you know what your key stops are,
you can get to these stops in numerous ways. They may not
always be the same route. This allows one to be a bit more
fresh each time out.
Sometimes
the road less travels can be quite a fun journey for not
only your audience, but for you as well.
As always, I encourage you the readers to let me know your
thoughts. 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.
--------------------------------------------
7. The Exciting New KIDshow Voices At KIDabra
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Message by Mark Daniel (US)
Three
of the hottest New Names in KIDshows are Christopher T.
Magician, LA, Mario the Magician, NY, and Scott Green, from
Chicago. You'll find all 3 at KIDabra this year!
"Just
for Fun" is the brand new book from Christopher T.
which is winning World Wide Raves! At KIDabra, the very
creative Chris presents a brand new lecture for us called
"A Show for All Seasons."
Mario makes his first appearance with us lecturing and performing.
He has a unique approach: part retro, a little Steampunk,
a little Street, and beautifully intertwined in the Maker
movement that simultaneously embraces technology and tradition.
He is garnering praise for his work and TV appearances at
the highest levels and you'll be beyond inspired by him
for your own work!
Scott
Green is a busy KIDshow Magician, and Game Show enthusiast
in The Windy City. Scott is a brilliant writer, and creator
whose fresh thinking breaths life into old props, just for
you! All three build on the foundations of the powerhouse
creatives around them, as they propel the art-form of entertaining
kids and families forward!
This
Wonderful Trilogy of New KIDshow Voices converges in one
place this Summer!
You're Invited to Spend Quality Time at KIDabra with Christopher
T. Magician, Mario the Magician, Scott Green, plus Jay Johnson,
Ken Scott, Niels Duinker, Barry Mitchell, Hiawatha, Max
Howard, Gary Shelton, Carisa, Chris Weed, Jim Kleefeld,
Hiawatha, Jeff Wawrzaszek, Dave Risley, John Bobik, Tate
Elliott, your hosts Mark and Tami Daniel and a Host of Extraordinary
People at The Amazing KIDabra!
KIDabra
Conference is August 7-10, (The dates also allow folks to
travel from Abbotts or to Magic Live) in one of the World's
Top Family Entertainment destinations: Pigeon Forge, home
of Dollywood, Terry Evanswood, Barry Mitchell, and Darren
Romeo. A popular show/tourist area, Pigeon Forge/Sevierville,
Gatlinburg, and The Great Smoky Mountain National Park,
are a family performers study arena whose "magic"
settles on you like a warm comforter.
KIDabra
is The Global Epicenter for KIDshow and Family Performers!
It is the go to gathering place, and resource center for
the KIDshow and Family entertainment world. Performers arrive
from all over the world to share in this important week
of the KIDshow community and industry! Make your plans to
join us today!
We are never complete until you're there!
Register
Here http://www.kidabra.org/register-kidabra-tn-b
Schedule http://www.kidabra.org/2017-schedule
Hotel/Travel http://www.kidabra.org/hoteltravel
Full info www.kidabra.org
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8. European Magic History Conference 2017
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7th European Magic History Conference, Torino, Italy, 24-26
August 2017
We
are pleased to announce the first Guest of Honour at EMHC:
Arturo Brachetti, the world's greatest quick change Artist
will be honoured at EMHC and will give an exclusive talk
about the history of the art of Quick Change, from Fregoli
to the modern scene.
Brachetti
started to perform magic and quick change professionally
in 1978, touring all Europe (France, UK, Germany) and quickly
became a major international star. With a long career in
theatre, as a performer and a director, Brachetti still
tours his own brand of magic and quick change, attracting
thousands of spectators to his shows: his production The
Man with a Thousand Faces was presented more than 1000 times
and sold more than 1.5 million tickets.
EMHC
will be a unique occasion to learn about the history of
quick change from somebody who has been doing it professionally
at the highest possible levels for a lifetime! Don't miss
this opportunity and Register Now!
More Speakers
Two
more speakers have been added to this event, two historians
who will present the results of their research and expand
our knowledge of the history of magic.
It
is with great pleasure that I welcome to the European Magic
History Conference two German magic historians:
Dr.
Steffen Taut from Dresden, Germany, is a professional researcher
and has carried out scholarly research on the art of magic,
from antiquity to more modern times. For EMHC, Dr. Taut
will present a new, exclusive talk on "Deception and
Tricks in Ancient Religion and Belief Systems", that
will reveal hitherto unknown facts on the history of magic.
Wittus Witt is the publisher of the longest-running German
magic magazine, Magische Welt. Wittus is a well-known and
highly respected magic historian, and organized one of the
recent editions of EMHC. In Torino, Wittus will present
his latest research on Fredo Marvelli, in a long-awaited
second lecture on this influential European magician.
Don't
miss the opportunity to listen to these exclusive talks
(and many more) and Register Here.
Magic
Shows
Magic
is a performing art and we cannot miss the opportunity to
show you some. A slight re-arrangement of the program is
allowing us to host not two, but three different magic shows,
one each evening.
In
the next newsletter we will give you more information, but
just to tease you we will have:
Thursday night: Italian Close-Up Magic Gala with some of
the best Italian close-up magicians, well-known stars and
multiple prize winners.
Friday
night: Pinetti Unmasked, a full-evening show about the life
and magic of Giuseppe Pinetti by a star of Spanish television.
Saturday
night: Caffè Concerto Magico, or "Magic Music
Hall", a stage magic gala modelled on the "Café
Chantant" or "Music Hall" from the end of
the 19th century, with some great acts that will take us
from old continental performers to the magic of the future.
The
names of the performers will be announced in the next newsletters
and on the website. All these shows are included in the
registration price, still only €250. Don't miss some
of the best magic of the year, seen live and Register Here.
Where to Register?
For
more information about the Conference, an idea of what the
programme will offer and other details, please visit
www.emhc2017.com
See you in Torino!
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9. The Davenport Collection Website
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Message by John Davenport (UK)
The
Davenport Collection website - a growing resource on magic
and entertainment history www.davenportcollection.co.uk
The Davenports have been accumulating magic, puzzles, jokes,
novelties and related ephemera ever since Lewis Davenport
founded his magic business in 1898. This website is the
latest venture in making material from the collection more
accessible. The website is curated by John Davenport. Phase
1 is now up and running, and includes 300 posters which
are searchable for acts, dates, theatres and towns.
Another section of the website makes available specialist
talks which, once given, are often lost. Already we have
seven illustrated talks in PDF format:
*
Roy Field - The first of 80 British Ring conventions, Cheltenham
1931
* Paul Freeman - Noms de Theatre - stage names for magicians
* Anne Goulden - Wyn Davenport's autograph albums
* Anne Goulden - Intermittently on the halls
* Peter Lane - Magicians' programmes
* David Price - Booksellers, collectors and rogues
* Fergus Roy - Will Goldston - the man and the legend.
We hope that other speakers will contribute their own illustrated
talks - contact the curator via the website if you are interested.
Phase 2 will go live later this year with seven new sections,
including magic, puzzles, catalogues, programmes and other
paper ephemera. We are happy to exchange links with relevant
magic or entertainment history websites.
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10. Update - New Zealand Magic Convention - Wellington
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Message by Nopera Whitley (New Zealand)
20-
23 October 2017
Taking
place in Wellington, the Capital of New Zealand, join us
for the 33rd International New Zealand Magic Convention.
Despite
its somewhat impetuous weather Wellington is loaded with
more bars, cafes and restaurants per capita than New York.
You'll also find arts, festivals and cultural events to
pull your attention and a booming film and performing arts
industry thanks in large part to the success of Wellingtonian
Sir Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings.
You
can fly direct into Wellington from all New Zealand airports
and most major Australian airports including Sydney, Melbourne,
Gold Coast, Canberra and Brisbane.
There
are less than 75 available registrations for the convention
so avoid disappointment and register before it's too late!
Registration
online at www.magicconvention.co.nz
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11. E- zine Archives
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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)
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12. Privacy Policy and Copyright Notice
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