Magic New Zealand® E-zine

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* Magic New Zealand®
* Proudly sponsored by International Entertainment Ltd (New Zealand)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Issue Number: #1680
Date: Sunday 14 August 2022
Editor: Alan Watson QSM
www.watson.co.nz
E-mail: editor@magicnewzealand.com
================================
Hi here is the latest news
================================

1. Editor's Message
2. The Expert At The Card Table - Looking For Erdnase
3. 704: Abbott's Get Together 2022 - Day Two Report
4. 705: Abbott's Get Together 2022 - Day Three Report
5. 706: Abbott's Get Together 2022 - Day Four Report
6. TAOM Announcement
7. Tales from the Fantastic Magic Center - #5
8. No Stone Unturned - Paul Stone - Article #72
9. You! - John Carey #167
10. News From The Academy Of Illusions
11. Beneath The Trapdoor With Bronson Chadwick - #6
12. E-zine Archives
13. Privacy Policy And Copyright Notice

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

If you would like to read the Magic New Zealand e-zine in HTML format
go to: http://www.magicnewzealand.com/ezine-archive/2022-Jan-to-Dec2022/1680-Aug14-2022.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. The Expert At The Card Table - Looking For Erdnase
-------------------------------------
Documentary Drama | 2022 | 84 Min.

Join the premiere week for 13.99 €

https://erdnase-movie.com

Included in the premiere ticket:
- Stream the movie before the official release
- Exclusive behind-the-scenes content
- Pre-Recorded Q&A session with cast & crew

S.W. Erdnase is the pseudonym of the man thought to be the most notorious card shark of the 19th century. His book "The Expert at the Card Table" is now considered the card conjurer's bible, making it compulsory reading for any magician. It took more than 30 years after its publication for the true value of the book to be appreciated. His true identity is still uncertain and remains a great mystery, leaving even the best illusionists in the dark.

In our film the greatest magicians of our time go in search of the long-lost genius. They talk about the rumors of his supposed suicide and other stories that will chill you to the bone. No proof of the many legends appears to exist, but in searching for him we learn about the true significance of his book. Along the way, we are given valuable insights into the history of deception through the ages and the origin of some of the best-kept secrets of the contemporary world of magic.

https://erdnase-movie.com

-------------------------------------
3. 704: Abbott's Get Together 2022 - Day Two Report
-------------------------------------
Message by Scott Wells, M.I.M.C. with Gold Star

Thursday, August 4th 2022

https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/704-abbotts-get-together-day-two

-------------------------------------
4. 705: Abbott's Get Together 2022 - Day Three Report
-------------------------------------
Message by Scott Wells, M.I.M.C. with Gold Star

Friday, August 5th 2022

https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/705-abbotts-get-together-day-three

-------------------------------------
5. 706: Abbott's Get Together 2022 - Day Four Report
-------------------------------------
Message by Scott Wells, M.I.M.C. with Gold Star

Saturday, August 6th 2022

https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/706-abbotts-get-together-day-four

-------------------------------------
6. TAOM Announcement
-------------------------------------
Message by Bronson Chadwick, Illusionist
BronsonChadwick.com
2022 President - Texas Association of Magicians

The Texas Association of Magicians convention is only a couple of weeks away! On September 2-5, 2022 be sure you're in Fort Worth at the Radisson Fort Worth North at Fossil Creek hotel to experience the magic of Jeanette Andrews, Gay Blackstone, Losander, Trixie Bond, Russell Anderson and countless other acts!

We hope to showcase the best stage and close-up contests of magic that Texas has seen in many years. 10 shows, 12 lectures, free breakfast, and parking!

Don't miss out on TAOM 2022: The Convention of Wonder! Sign up today at www.taominfo.online

--------------------------------------------
7. Tales from the Fantastic Magic Center - #5
--------------------------------------------
Chop and Charlene
by Kent Cummins, Director

Why is everything "Fantastic?"

You may wonder why I call my museum "The Fantastic Magic Center!" Why not, "The Wonderful Magic Center," or some other title?
It started in 1964, when I was doing Saturday Matinee Magic Shows at the Gordon Theatre in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, while attending Louisiana State University. One day I opened the newspaper and saw their ads for my show. For some reason, they called me, "The Fantastic Kent Cummins."

I loved it! Unlike "World's Greatest Magician," the word fantastic had many multiple meanings, not all of them positive. But one thing for sure: fantastic was not boring. I kept the idea for my stage name, and have called myself "The Fantastic Kent Cummins" ever since.

I even started using the word as a catch phrase, away to answer the frequently asked question, "How are you doing?" For more than half a century, I have answered, "Fantastic!" And I have noticed that just saying it makes it seem more real.

When I sold the Kent Cummins Magic Camp in 2005, I felt the need to remove my name, since I was no longer running it. So, they asked me if they could call it "Fantastic Magic Camp" to honor me as the founder. Check it out at www, MagicCamp.com.

When I bought the half-a-duplex in Georgetown, Texas, to house my collections, I vowed not to make it a warehouse. Books were put in bookcases; illusions were set up and displayed. It became a museum and research library, not a warehouse.

And then I turned the two-car garage into a 32-seat cabaret theatre. Of course, I had to call my new magic room "The FANTASTIC Magic Center!"

The Fantastic Magic Center is dedicated to preserving and sharing the art of magic. Check out my free weekly podcast at:

www.FantasticMagicCenter.com
Sometimes, it takes a Magician!
Kent@MagicHotline.com

--------------------------------------------
8. No Stone Unturned - Paul Stone - Article #72
--------------------------------------------
Message by Paul Stone (US)

I just met with Bill Smith and Fielding West for a catch up lunch, and I'm pleased to report that Fielding's knee replacement operation seems to have gone well and he is now getting around fine.

Bill was just back from Abbott's Convention which sounded like it was a blast. One of the highlight's was the act of Artem Schukin from Russia, fresh from his success at FISM in Quebec.

Lance Burton was also there, and from all accounts gave a terrific lecture on card manipulation, resulting in him performing an unscheduled spot featuring all his classic card manips, made even more poignant for Lance's many fans at the convention by some appropriate backing music by Vivaldi. It revived memories of Lance's outstanding Las Vegas career.

Other highlights were performances by Mike Caveney, Tina Lennert and Lucy Darling.

Another particularly significant happening was the unveiling of a memorial to Gary Darwin. Gary was a hugely influential figure for many years on the Las Vegas magic scene, and was a very close friend of Lance Burton.

Lance was instrumental in making this memorial happen, and it was jointly designed by Bill Smith and David Starr. Over 80 people attended the unveiling, and the memorial is located close to that of Harry Blackstone Senior and Johnny & Pam Thompson.

Magic Christian from Vienna in Austria was here in Las Vegas for a few days last week and was hosted and driven around town by none other than Nancy Keener. Nancy is 88 years young, but that didn't stop her joining Magic Christian to see David Copperfield's Show at the MGM, and also visiting David's incredible magic museum until the early hours of the morning. Nancy is a real trooper!

If you're not familiar with the name Nancy Keener, check out 'The Keeners', Ed & Nancy Keener were one of the busiest professional magic acts in 1970's & 80's and toured the world.

Nancy was one of the original members of the Phoenix Magic Club which celebrates its 75th Anniversary on August 13th. The club first met at Easley's Fun Shop and was named 'The Mystic Thirteen' because there were thirteen charter members.

Other well-known members over the years have included Andre Kole, Michael Finney and Diana the Enchantress - aka Diana Zimmerman.

Brad Zinn, another highly regarded Phoenix magic
performer and agent, is the man behind a project, which has taken several years to compile, documenting the history of magic and magicians in the Phoenix area.

Brad has also organized a special celebration on 13th August, at Caffé Vita, a coffee shop and brewery, which now occupies Easley's Fun Shop's original premises. It promises to be a memorable and emotional evening.

-------------------------------------------
9. You! - John Carey #167
-------------------------------------------
Message by John Carey (UK)
http://www.johncareymagic.co.uk/

Following on from the previous effect, I offer you now another interactive piece that you can perform either in person, via telephone or the internet. This effect is another 'Spectator As Magician' piece where this time they magically locate a card you think of. Sounds strong right? Let's get to it...

"Peter, please shuffle the cards. Now, people who study numerology say that nine is a very magical number. Let's put that to the test shall we? Deal nine cards face-up one at a time into a packet and call them out and I will think of a card."

So your participant carries out your instructions and you remember the third card dealt. Let's say it's the Five of Diamonds. Have them pick up the packet and turn it face-down. We will now utilize a beautiful throw-off by the late Ray Goulet to enable our helper to mix the cards and yet retain control of your thought-of card. Ask them to mix the packet by dealing a few single cards into a packet, then say they can mix what remains a little in their hands and deal a few more. Ask them to mix what's left and toc drop them on top of the tabled packet. Our thought of card is third from the bottom but the illusion of chaos is a beautiful one.

Now ask your participant to further randomize the cards by dealing a card to their left and then one to their right. Instruct them to continue this left right deal until the packet is exhausted. Then casually ask them to drop their right hand packet on top, square up and then pick up the packet. We are now set for a very strong revelation.

"So, Peter, you took out some cards from a deck you shuffled. You then shuffled those cards and I merely thought of one. A card that nobody in the world, but me knows. You then shuffled the cards some more and nobody knows where it is right now. But you will use magic to try to find
my thought of card. In fact, please deal cards one at a time and call out the letters of magic, one for each card you deal. The card I'm thinking of is the Five of Diamonds. Please turn the next card over. Congratulations my friend, you are a star!" They do and your mystery is concluded in a pleasing and strong fashion.

--------------------------------------------
10. News From The Academy Of Illusions
--------------------------------------------
Message by Jay Scott Berry (Australia)

My lectures generally begin with a full performance. I then ask, "Who wants to know how it's done?" Naturally, most raise their hands enthusiastically. My next question is 'Who wants to learn how to do it?" At that point, there is some laughter but fewer raised hands. It's quite different, isn't it? To know how it's done is easy. To learn how to do it is often difficult. Most want the former but won't put in the effort to achieve the latter.

Of course, in the lectures, I teach both. In Private Sessions and Mentoring, the focus is entirely on learning how to do it. This usually requires a solid foundation in sleight-of-hand skills, which is why I make that a priority with all of my students. While styles may vary, the measure of excellence in our Art is always based upon skill.

My first criteria in taking on a student is that commitment to excellence. As I often say, "It doesn't matter where you are on the ladder. What matters is always reaching for the next rung." Naturally, I practice what I preach. Last week's Ring & Ribbon ZoomStorming was a good example, drawing upon 44 years of experience while also introducing new moves, ideas and developments. Ideally, creation should be perpetual. That's where the Master to Student relationship is so fascinating. I find that the more I encourage my students to innovate and excel, the more inspired I am to do the same.

As a result, I'm creating new material at a faster pace than ever before. Most of this is only being seen by the students of the Academy. This year alone, I've given over 150 Private Zoom Lessons and 30 ZoomStorming Masterclasses. While most of these focus on my tried and true material, we are always pushing the creative boundaries. In order to do this proficiently, we need that solid foundation of skills.

In the interest of innovation, I've decided that my next ZoomStorming will focus on some of the new effects and routines I've been mastering this year. So, mark the date, August 27th. As always, details can be found on the Academy FB Page and at www.MagicLadder.net

-------------------------------------------
11. Beneath The Trapdoor With Bronson Chadwick - #6
-------------------------------------------
Message by Bronson Chadwick, Illusionist
BronsonChadwick.com
2022 President - Texas Association of Magicians

Do the Magic That Brings You Joy

Recently I was returning to my home from a series of magic events. I was tired of performing and being out on the road. I had one last stop to make at the Illusion Warehouse Magic Shop in Fort Worth and for the meeting of the SAM 138 Assembly that met in the back room there that evening. The meeting agenda was a showcase of famous magicians and their acts. I wasn't particularly excited for this event. After all I could watch magic videos any time I wanted. As a habit, I don't watch very many videos of other performers. I enjoy live shows much more than videos. But I am so glad that we watched these clips that evening. We saw performances of Tommy Wonder, Fred Capps, Don Alan, Channing Pollock and others. For the first time all season I felt revived! I felt a sense of joy and eagerness to rest up and return to the road and continue my performances.
It is the magician's job to be the face of magic to the audience. Too often is that face of magic one of complacency or even boredom! The magician who is careless with their execution of a magic routine is damaging to the art of magic and to audiences.

A magician should never perform any magic with the intent of gaining respect or worship from the audience. Too often do I see magicians perform magic with the attitude of "I can do something that you can't do." These magicians try to impress audiences by looking cool and they approach audiences with an attitude of what they can get from the audience instead of searching for how they can serve the audience.

A magician's goal should always be to serve. Let's honestly consider how much audiences really care that we chose magic as our hobby or profession. They care very little! While audiences hope to see something amazing that you can do, they are searching for an emotional experience, not to be dumfounded, belittled nor to have their intelligence mocked. Most of all, they are NOT there to watch you out of a sense of duty. The audience owes the magician NOTHING, not even pity applause. Would you spend an hour of your evening watching a television show that you despise? No! You would change the channel or do something else with your time.

A magician serves out of joy. Audiences know when a magician is merely going through the motions and not working out of joy for what they do. A performer is CONSTANTLY communicating to the audience. As my college speech instructor would say "You cannot not communicate!" So what is it that you are communicating? If you're not working from a place of joy, then the audience is going to know!

Let's take a moment to define "joy" for the purposes of this writing. I'm talking about a combination of happiness as well as a sense of honor and duty towards the audience. In the English language the word "joy" has been bastardized in recent years and is now synonymous with "happiness." By contrast, you can be "joyful" but not happy. To be joyful in magic is to work for your audience and to choose to promote an air of happiness and beauty to the audience. The word "joy" underscores my mission as I work for my audience whereas the word "happy" merely explains a temporary feeling that I may or may not have.

Furthermore, I use the word "joy" over the word happiness to explain that not all magic performances are designed to make the audience feel "happy." Magic is an art like any other and can be used to portray a wide variety of emotions. When David Copperfield did his Death Saw illusion or his Grandpa's Aces card effect on television the audience may have felt an array of emotions other than "happiness." Through these routines the audience may experience fear, sadness, nostalgia, shock, compassion or a variety of other emotions before feeling happy in the end. Most magic shows have a happy and delightful ending to them (excluding ghost shows, Halloween events, etc.) but ALL performances can be done from a place of joy despite the emotional goal of a magic routine.

Does the film Poltergeist make you feel joyful? Perhaps not. Even in the end when (spoiler alert) the Freeling family successfully retrieves their youngest daughter from the reaches of astro-diminsional limbo and escapes the house built atop a forgotten graveyard, the audience feels less "joyful" as the film fades to the closing credits. But did Steven Spielberg have a sense of joy in his mission to create this film and deliver it to audiences? Yes! It was the filmmaker's sense of joy that brought about the completion of a classic film; however dramatic it may be.

But if joy is a vital ingredient to magic presentation, how does a magician obtain joy, practically speaking? First of all, every performer needs a mission greater than himself. Do you seek to honor God as your mission? Or perhaps you want to serve your audience by welcoming them in and introducing them to new ideas and feelings.

Beyond this, there are then two ways to bring further joy to your audience. First, by doing the magic that makes the performer happy and second by getting feedback from the audience.
The magician should carefully choose magic effects that he or she finds fascinating. These can be virtually any magic trick. Do you enjoy Six-Card Repeat? Then do it! How about the Dancing Cane? Do it! What about the Egg Bag? Then do it! If a certain magic effect brings you joy, then that is the magic you should be doing.

Of course, doing the tricks and routines you enjoy do not guarantee a five-star performance. I may enjoy performing the Zombie Ball but if I perform a routine that is far too long or in a way that exposes the gimmick; it doesn't matter how much joy I get from doing the trick.

Alternatively, if I notice that audiences enjoy my fellow compeer's version of The Ambitious Card, but I don't enjoy doing that trick, I should avoid doing that piece for my audiences. The audience will know that I'm trying to do something I was not made to do.

As you look at your repertoire from a standpoint of joy in magic, here are a few common joy-stealing pitfalls to consider:

o Skill Level. Do you prefer self-working magic or sleight-of-hand? It doesn't matter! Most of the time the audience doesn't care if you're performing with props, with everyday objects, or a combination thereof. If you're using vibrantly painted props with mirrors and trapdoors, just make sure that your portrayal of that magic is still entertaining and relatable to the audience. Also make sure that the props you use to demonstrate your magical ability reflects your magic character. You won't see David Blaine using the same colorful props that Doug Henning used. That's because they don't match the character of Blaine! If you disagree that stage illusions and tricky boxes can't be used to entertain modern audiences, then that is your philosophy, and you should not perform with this kind of apparatus because it will not bring you joy!

o Worrying about what other magicians think. Unless you're performing for other magicians don't spend time concerning yourself with what a magician would think. Magic is for the audience, not other artists. The only times you should consider what other magicians think is if you're in the business of performing at magic conventions or if a fellow performer offers you some "red flag advice" such as gimmicks flashing or other elements of exposure.

o OVERTHINKING elements of showmanship and theatricality. The audience wants to have fun and engage with the performer through an entertaining experience. Don't get stuck worrying too hard about the artistic nature of your performance.

o UNDERTHINKING elements of showmanship and theatricality. Magic tricks don't simply do themselves. Even if I could demonstrate all of the magic that David Copperfield performs it would be little more than a magic dealer's presentation, lacking in emotional and theatrical quality. David put time and effort into using his magic to tell stories and evoke specific emotional reactions. Quality showmanship is 90% of the magic experience.

o Forgetting about the sheer joy of performing. The audience is there to experience MAGIC and not simply to see a trick. Each audience you work for is likely seeing you and possibly even any magic at all for the first time. Don't water down the experience by being a robot. Save bad acting and a lack of enthusiasm for soap opera actors and other daytime television. You are a superhero to your audience!

o Obsessing over getting applause. If you're trying too hard to earn the respect of the audience then you may come across as needy, underconfident or pandering to the audience. Just like a restaurant server working for tips, a magician should gently prompt or cue the audience for applause but never demand it. Upon cue, the audience will applaud as much as they feel is deserving. You can milk the applause once you have it; but don't overdo it. Just as if you would not greatly tip a server for bad service in a restaurant the audience will not clap for you if you don't deserve it.

o Obsessing over the business side of magic. Don't do magic for the sole reason of getting a paycheck! Just like applause, your renumeration is only there as a "thank you" even if your contract with the client guarantees that you'll get paid no matter the quality of the performance. If you're doing a show just to fill your calendar and make ends meet then your audience will detect this and respond accordingly.

o Beating a dead horse. Someone once said that "there is no bad audience; only a bad performer." I believe there is a technical term for that… ah yes, "bull crap!" If you're doing a corporate holiday party gig and the XYZ Corporation audience is concerned about layoffs next month, then they are not going to respond well to your show! When it comes to these bad audiences you have to recall your sense of joy as you perform and serve the audience with your all, anyway.

In conclusion, approach the performance of magic with joy. If you need to remember that sense of joy, then hop on YouTube and watch your favorite classic magic routines. Love your audience and they will love you in return. Go through the mere movements of a performance and experience an unmoved audience.

Tell me your thoughts! Email me at bronsonchadwick@gmail.com You can also

--------------------------------------------
12. 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)

--------------------------------------------
13. 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.