Magic New Zealand® E-zine

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* Magic New Zealand®
* Proudly sponsored by International Entertainment Ltd (New Zealand)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Issue Number: #1482
Date: Sunday 9th December 2018
Editor: Alan Watson QSM
www.watson.co.nz
E-mail: editor@magicnewzealand.com
================================
Hi here is the latest news
================================

1. Editor's Message
2. Death By Magic
3. Houdini's Last Secrets
4. The In Transit Force - John Carey #24
5. The Magic Word Podcast - Jonathan Levit
6. Potter & Potter Auctions
7. Children's Magic: A Fun Simple Prop! - #512 - Kyle Peron
8. Magic Monday Continues For Two More Weeks
9. The Assembly Convention 2019, Brisbane, Australia
10. MS Treatment For Jason Dean
11. Privacy Policy and Copyright Notice
12. E-zine Archives

--------------------------------------------
1. Editor's Message
--------------------------------------------

If you would like to read the Magic New Zealand e-zine in a HTML format
go to: http://www.magicnewzealand.com/ezine-archive/2018-Jan-to-Dec-2018/1482-Dec09-2018.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

---------------------------------------
2.
---------------------------------------
Message by Peter Phillips (US)

Bustle

'Death By Magic' Host Drummond Money-Coutts Is A Longtime Magician With A History Of Stomach-Churning Tricks

Are you craving a dose of magic, with a side of fear and anxiety? Don't worry (or do) - Netflix has just what you're looking for. The streaming service's newest series, Death by Magic, is all about magic tricks that were made famous by killing the illusionist who attempted them. It's a risk, but Death By Magic's host, Drummond Money-Coutts, a.k.a. DMC, has a history of being fascinated with magic, and he seems up to the task.

Balance of the article go to:
https://www.bustle.com/p/death-by-magic-host-drummond-money-coutts-is-a-longtime-magician-with-a-history-of-stomach-churning-tricks-13198453

-------------------------------------------
3. Houdini's Last Secrets
--------------------------------------------
Message by Michael Jones (US)

The Hollywood Reporter

Science Channel Greenlights 'Houdini's Last Secrets' Docuseries (Exclusive)

Magicians, engineers, illusionists and more have assembled to discuss some of Houdini's most famous death-defying stunts.

Houdini's Last Secrets, a docuseries about famed magician Harry Houdini's methods, is coming to Science Channel.

The show will feature commentary from magicians, engineers and illusionists, as well as a descendant of Houdini's, in an attempt to uncover the science behind some of his most mind-boggling stunts.

Magician Lee Terbosic, stunt-builder Steve Wolf and Houdini's grand-nephew George Hardeen will participate in the four-part series, which seeks to unravel the mystery around the man who caught a speeding bullet, survived live burial and imprisoned himself inside a water tank, spurring celebrity and conspiracy theories. The show will also look into the late magician's personal life, through authentic scrapbooks, letters and pictures, to piece together his legacy.

"Harry Houdini is the definition of mind-blowing," said Science Channel GM Marc Etkind in a statement. "He was clearly ahead of his time when it came to using engineering to accomplish his stunts, so much so that his methods continue to be debated by today's master magicians. It's no wonder that just the name Houdini still stirs the imagination of people, nearly a century after his death."

Each episode in the series will focus on one of Houdini's death-defying tricks, with the premiere centering on his famous water torture cell escape. The remainder of the episodes will explore more stunts, including burning alive, live burial and catching a bullet.

Houdini's Last Secrets is set to premiere Jan. 6 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.
The series is produced by Megalomedia for Science Channel. Executive producers for Megalomedia are Jonathan Zowaradan and David Barsky, and Wyatt Channell are executive producer for Science Channel.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/science-channel-greenlights-houdinis-last-secrets-docuseries-1162661

-------------------------------------------
4. The In Transit Force - John Carey #24
--------------------------------------------
Message by John Carey (UK)
https://carey-scene.com/jc-main

Here is a nice card force that requires motivation. It is also a good example of an in-transit action as Ascanio would have said.

Your force card is on top. False shuffle retaining it there. Hand to hand spread for a spectator to touch any card. Once they do so, separate both hands with loosely squared packets in each hand. Push off the top card of the left-hand packet and say you will put it under the card box.

As both hands are full you apparently take the card on top of the right-hand packet so the left hand can pick up the card box. In reality you pull the card back square on top of the left-hand packet, just like a false count. Without hesitation the left hand reaches down to the table and picks up the box. Deal off the force card from the right-hand packet and then drop the box on top as an in-transit action.

As I said at the outset, this force requires a motivation. I use it for some prediction effects where a card is put sight-unseen on the table.

-------------------------------------------
5. The Magic Word Podcast - Jonathan Levit
--------------------------------------------
Message by Scott Wells, M.I.M.C. with Gold Star

MAGIC Live! is undoubtably and consistently the largest magic convention in the U.S. And two of the "big names" at the event who is seen and heard more often than Stan Allen, the organizer, are Julie Eng and Jonathan Levit who host the General Sessions each day. This week we sit down with Jonathan Levit to talk about creativity and what he does to "keep moving forward" with alternate streams of revenue.

Jonathan Levit is a modern-day Renaissance Man with multiple skill sets and he juggles them all equally well. Of course, he is a performer but also, he is an actor having played parts in both television and film. And he is a consultant not only for other magicians but also for TV and movies, like "Burt Wonderstone" and "Now You See Me". He is also a host (compere/emcee) on stage and television and a web designer. His most recent creation is an app called "The Stranger" which has just been released for the iPhone.

You can hear our fascinating conversation plus hear a review of the newest, hottest product "Balance" this week on The Magic Word Podcast through all podcast carriers. You can also see a video from Jonathan performing at the Magic Castle and his work on the "X Files" TV show, read the blog, see some candid photos, and download the MP3 at: https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/464-jonathan-levit

Be sure to subscribe to the Magic Word Podcast through the RSS feed or iTunes, Tunein, Stitcher, Spreaker, Feedpress, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And while you are on our website, be sure to subscribe to our weekly newsletter telling you who's on this week and who will be upcoming next week. Finally, this holiday season, please click the banner at the bottom of our website to buy anything on Amazon.com. As an associate of Amazon.com, The Magic Word receives a portion of whatever you buy ONLY if you access your account through the banner.

Thank you.

-------------------------------------------
6. Potter & Potter Auctions
--------------------------------------------
Message by Rebekah Kaufman

I am excited to tell you about Potter & Potter Auctions' upcoming December 15th online only magic auction. We will be presenting over 200 choice magic collectibles, including posters, books, ephemera, apparatus, and other conjuring finds.

This event will have all the hallmarks of a regular live sale, but with no live floor or phone bidding. Items can be previewed at our gallery, but it will be online only (live, one lot at a time, per the norm) on auction day.

You can check out the sale catalog today at https://auctions.potterauctions.com/Catalog.aspx?auctionid=77

There's magic in the air with these great highlights:

1. Lot 208, a Wu-Ling Pagoda Mystery, made in Los Angeles by F.G. Thayer & Co. in the mid-1940s.
http://auctions.potterauctions.com/Wu_Ling_Pagoda_Mystery_-LOT14935.aspx

2. Lot 198, a disembodied wooden rapping Hand, made in New York by Hornmann around 1918.
http://auctions.potterauctions.com/Rapping_Hand_-LOT14925.aspx

3. Lot 183, a Walter Sheppard 1990s era head chopper stage illusion with quality paint and a dragon motif.
http://auctions.potterauctions.com/Head_Chopper_Stage_Illusion_-LOT14910.aspx

4. Lot 163, an Insull for Lewis Davenport 1950s era talking skull prop.
http://auctions.potterauctions.com/Talking_Skull_-LOT14890.aspx

5. Lot 129, a Stanislaw Miedza-Tomaszewski for Cyrk "Sawing in Half Poster" from 1967.
http://auctions.potterauctions.com/Cyrk__Sawing_in_Half_Poster_-LOT14856.aspx

6. Lot 113, A c. 1900 Casino de Paris color litho of Annie Abbott, known as the "The Little Georgia Magnet," alongside vignettes depicting her feats of strength.
http://auctions.potterauctions.com/Annie_Abbott__Casino_de_Paris__L_Inexplicable_Myst-LOT14840.aspx

Gabe Fajuri, President of Potter & Potter Auctions, is happy to speak with you in greater detail about this sale. He can be reached at gabe@potterauctions.com or 773-472-1442.

My contact information is below if I can be helpful in any other way.

Cheers and best,
Rebekah Kaufman
Potter & Potter Auctions
rebekah@potterauctions.com
617-955-7215

--------------------------------------------
7. Children's Magic: A Fun Simple Prop! - #512 - Kyle Peron
--------------------------------------------
Message by Kyle Peron (US)
magic4u02@aol.com
KyleKellyMagic@gmail.com
http://www.facebook.com/perondesign
http://www.kpmagicproducts.com

I thought I would share an interesting and simple prop I use at my shows that is really not magical in nature at all but serves several purposes. I was talking to a friend about it the other day and thought I would share it with you all.

It is interesting to note that when doing children's magic, it is often the journey you take people on that is often times more fun for the audience then the main effect itself. This tends to be the nature of kid show performances. Kids want to have fun and the journey you take them on should be as much fun if not more fun than the main trick itself.

With this in mind, I love the use of funny props or comedy props used in the course of the show that really have nothing to do with magic but are used to make the journey and experience a fun one for all who are watching, both kids and adults. If we are there to entertain, then we do
not always have to spend 100% of our time entertaining with just magic alone.

There are also times in a kid show performance where you know people are going to do certain things. This cannot be any truer than when performing for a birthday party. You just know from the nature of a birthday party performance that certain things will happen in the course of the show by the adults or parents. These are often things you cannot control and are not in nature wrong by any means but can slow down the performance.

One of these situations that happen for me all the time is when people want to take photos during the performance. When little Joey is up on stage, mom and dad are inclined to want to snap photos left and right. This really does not bother me at all because I am there to make Joey
and his parent's day the most magical possible while solving the problems they hired me for.

I started thinking that there must be a way in which when this happens, I can be prepared so that I can add humor to this moment and not cause the show to slow down the pace. I wanted to devise a way in which the situation was prepared for by me in some fun manner.

When parents did take photos during the show, the problem for me became that the shots and flash would go off leading to a kind of bad photo because the parent has no idea when to snap a good shot. This happens simply because they do not know the show or what I am going to do next. I tried to figure out a fun way to give them a cue to take a good shot but have it play for laughs and be entertaining to the show format itself.

The solution was a simple clapper board used in movies. I got mine at a novelty store for a few bucks. You can probably find them most anywhere if you keep your eyes open. Now I place my stage name on the board and my website URL. I keep this behind my table at all times and I am ready to go.

This can be used in several ways. If you see someone about to take a shot, you can scream, "WAIT"! then run back get the clapper board, pose and get the laugh and a decent shot at the same time. The other way is if the parent does not know when a good shot might be there for the
birthday party child. This is when you can cue them and take out the board, pose and say, "Kodak Moment Take One!". In both ways it gets a laugh but serves a purpose.

Now I have created comedy in the show and the show still flows even when a situation like this comes up. It not only helps the parents, but it shows how much of a professional I am that I have thought of something for the situation when it occurs.

Also, the beauty of having your name and URL on the board is that now every single photo that is taken is branded with your information. You know they will show the picture around long after you leave. This is effective marketing done in a fun manner. Long after you are gone, the photo on the fridge will be marketing you and anyone they show the photo to.

It is a fun little prop that I have had a lot of fun with and hope you all may as well. Enjoy.

-------------------------------------------
8. Magic Monday Continues For Two More Weeks
--------------------------------------------
Message by Kent Cummins (US)

Magic Monday, the weekly Facebook Live show selling items from the Jim Baldauf collection, will continue for two more weeks this year.

Go to Kent Cummins Facebook page at 10:30 am CST on Monday to get the first opportunity to buy these one of a kind items. Those items that do not sell on Monday are listed at www.MagicHotline.com, with PayPal links.

Jim Baldauf, a lifelong magician, is alive and well, but living in a Veterans facility. All proceeds from the sale go directly to benefit Jim Baldauf.

---------------------------------------------
9. The Assembly Convention 2019, Brisbane, Australia
---------------------------------------------
Message from Sean Piper (Australia)

June 21, 2019 - June 23, 2019 · Eatons Hill Hotel · Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Here at The Assembly HQ, we're putting the finishing touches on our Saturday night stage show which promises to be a spectacular line-up of both local and international talent.

If you haven't already registered for the convention, what are you waiting for? Early Bird rate is available only until the end of January 2019, and includes no less than:

- 4 x lectures
- 3 x intensive workshops
- 2 x world class stage shows
- 1 x amazing venue
- and a partridge in a pear tree*

What better Christmas gift to ask for than a ticket to the greatest weekend of magic Brisbane has seen in over a decade.

https://www.theassemblycon.com.au/

Numbers will be limited due to the size of the venue, so ensure you get in early or you might miss out!

---------------------------------------------
10. MS Treatment For Jason Dean
---------------------------------------------
Message by John Carey (UK)

Jason Dean
I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 13 years ago after I went blind in one eye (Optic Bulbar Neuritis). It was a battle for sure and I've since got my eye sight back. It is not 100%, but I'm happy to see again.

Balance of article go to:

https://www.gofundme.com/ms-treatment-for-jason-dean?fbclid=IwAR1DyO05_-QL3A_H7D36M-lwfbVIUo03sPdDdUlc18DGtmNe-0w6seiqWmI

---------------------------------------------
11. E-zine Archives
---------------------------------------------
Back issues of the Magic New Zealand e- zine go to:
www.magicnewzealand.com click on the red button centre 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)

--------------------------------------------
12. 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 QSM 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 QSM, 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.