* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New ZealandŽ * Proudly sponsored by International Entertainment Ltd (New Zealand) * www.magicnewzealand.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #1231 Date: Sunday 30th August 2015 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 Academy Of Magical Arts Global Magician Membership 3. The Magic Word Podcast - At Home With Lupe & Norm Nielsen. 4. Magic To Thrill 5. Nick Lewin - Remarkable Magic #399 6. Starting Cold - #373 - Kyle Peron 7. Broken Wand - Mike Hilburger 8. Monday Night Magic Upcoming Schedules 9. Broken Wand - Maki Kitami (Kitami Maki) 10. Updates So Far This Week on VanishLive.com 11. Neal Scryer Workshop 12. Band of Magicians New Zealand Tour 13. New Podcast Scamapalooza 14. FCM Announces 2016 Convention Info 15. Cosentino - Twisted Reality 16. 32nd New Zealand International Magicians Convention 2015 17. e-zine Archives 18. Privacy Policy and Copyright Notice -------------------------------------------- 1. Editor's Message -------------------------------------------- We hear that the 32nd New Zealand International Convention in Wellington is very close to being sold out. If you are planning to attend and have not registered suggest you do it NOW. For information go to: Item 6. For all those who would like to read the Magic New Zealand e-zine in a HTML format go to: Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: Editor@MagicNewZealand.com -------------------------------------------- 2. The Academy Of Magical Arts Global Magician Membership -------------------------------------------- Global Magician membership is our newest membership program. Offered to magicians around the globe (outside of Canada and the US). While this new Global Membership offers limited benefits, it's also much more affordable than our Non-Resident Magician membership. Global Membership qualifications: Complete a Global Application form Provide written statement providing intent of membership Provide performance materials: Promo package, DVD, online links, etc. Provide references with contact information Have one AMA sponsor Provide proof of residency Provide identification photo Benefits not offered: Voting privileges of any kind Guest cards (printed, online, or VIP passes) Online Genii Magazine subscription/access To find out more go to: http://www.magiccastle.com/membership/ -------------------------------------------- 3. The Magic Word Podcast - At Home With Lupe & Norm Nielsen -------------------------------------------- Message by Scott Wells, M.I.M.C. with Gold Star I don't know if 250 podcasts is a milestone or not, but I do know that it seems like only yesterday that I started producing The Magic Word. I didn't plan to have any special guest (or guests) for this podcast, but it just turned out that way. After posting the epic podcast last week featuring one legend in magic, Tom Mullica, this week I am featuring another legend: Norm Nielsen. After MAGIC Live! was over, David Sandy, Lance Rich and I drove over to visit the home of Lupe and Norm Nielsen. Lupe told me that there weren't any posters to see because the bulk of their collection has been shipped to Chicago to be auctioned off over the next two years by Potter & Potter. In our chat, Lupe and Norm talk about their collection, how it began, his first poster that started it all, what posters they are letting go and what he is keeping...for now. We also talk about his career including stories from the Crazy Horse in Paris, his association with Okito, his movie debut with Al Pacino in "Bobby Deerfield", and lots of interesting stories along the way. And speaking of stories, as a bonus to end of this podcast, David Sandy shares Mac King's favorite story. It is about legendary Kansas City magician, Faucett Ross and his cat and their deaths. You can watch a video, see some photos of Norm's collection (some pictures I took in 2007 at Norm's home), listen online, and download the MP3 at: http://themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/250-lupe-and-norm-nielsen Of course you can download the podcast through iTunes and a variety of other podcatchers and platforms. This week I introduced a Premium feature for "Friends of The Magic Word". For those who donate to The Magic Word, I am sending out short videos from behind the scenes during recordings and conventions plus announcements about upcoming podcasts before they are released to the rest of the community. And for those who make monthly pledges through http://Patreon.com/TheMagicWord I plan to send longer videos with additional content including tricks taught by some of my guests and other special material. If you would like to receive the Premium Content, then consider donating or pledging your financial support today. You can find out more on The Magic Word at: http://themagicwordpodcast.com/fotmw/ and to make a one-time donation, click on the Donate button at the top left of the web page. Thanks for listening, -------------------------------------------- 4. Magic To Thrill -------------------------------------------- Message by Paul Lelekis I have a new e-book coming out this Wednesday at lybrary.com and I think it is a very important one for the performing magician. The cost is a mere $10 and contains a huge amount of workable magic and instruction. It includes a YouTube link which is a video of me teaching and performing Strike Second Deals and Stud Second Deals for use with an included magic effect that utilizes the Strike Stud Deal. The e-book is called Magic To Thrill!, and includes 8 excellent effects, a fairly in-depth study of the Second Deal, and two other included videos of the Herrmann Pass and Steve Draun's Midnight Shift, teaching these two passes associated with one of my tricks. The introduction is a treatise on bringing your spectators into you "magical universe" and how to make your magic about them ... and not the performer! -------------------------------------------- 5. Nick Lewin - Remarkable Magic #399 -------------------------------------------- Message by Nick Lewin (US) www.lewinenterprises.com Remarkable Magic #400. Looking at visibility. Another landmark, as my Magic New Zealand column hits the 400 mark. Actually it was about a year before I started to number my columns so it is considerable more than the 400 number! I really don't know how I have managed to fill up column nearly every week for so long, there has been many a Wednesday that left me facing a blank screen on my computer with an equally blank mind. I am now planning to slow down a bit and only write a column, now and then, when I really have something to say, rather than make a weekly deadline. This week I am going to write a very brief column about a very important topic. Visibility. For all the hundreds of articles written detailing tricks you will never learn and moves you can never master, this is a topic that is seldom mentioned and it deserves to be at the front and center of every magician's attention zone. Whether you perform stand up, close up or strolling magic one simple mega rule applies; if they can't see it then they won't like it. There are a few other very simple rules I would like to propose. 1 If you are performing stand up magic in a nightclub or banquet environment make sure you hold up those props at least chest high if humanly possible. The lower you hold the props the tougher the visibility factor. If you are dealing with a small object like a treasury bill or a playing card, then try to display it at almost face level. If you follow this rule the audience can not only see the prop you are displaying but they can also observe your facial gestures too--- a big bonus. 2 If you are working close-up magic at a table, realize that if there are audience members seated in front of you in rows, usually only the front row (and not always even them) have a clear view of what is happening on the table. Of course there are exceptions, however, these are usually only working areas that have been designed to showcase the close up magic worker. The sight lines are great in the Close-Up Gallery at the Castle or Warren & Annabelle's in Maui but these are the exceptions to the rule. 3 If you are performing at a table, it is much more visual, and better for visibility, if you stand up rather than sit down to perform. This way it becomes much easier to display props in your hands, which allows you to really scan the objects towards the audience when displaying them. Of course, standing up makes lapping items a lot tougher, but you sometimes have to give up a little to gain visibility! 4 Are you using the biggest props that you can to achieve your chosen effect--- are you performing the coins across with dollars or half dollars? It really does make a difference if you are using a 12-inch silk or an 18-inch silk. A little bit of thought, and perhaps some work on the handling, can make a huge amount of difference to how commercial your act is. Whoever said size doesn't matter definitely wasn't talking about sleight of hand props. 5 Not all cards are created equal. When you display a playing card to the audience, some cards are a great deal more visible than others. Black cards are generally more visible. A two of clubs is a delightfully visual card. From a distance any high spot card or court card looks almost indistinguishable from all of its counterparts. It may be worthwhile in a card trick (even when a free choice is possible) to loosely force from a block of 'visible' cards. 6 If you need to get a playing card signed during your show, try and get a "clean" looking card like a 2 or 4 of the apposing color from the Sharpie you are using for the signing. A court card only allows a tiny signature along the side of the card, while a seven thru ten make visibility tough from any distance. These are small but important details. 7 Be very aware of the color that is behind you when you are working if there is a chance that one of your props will "disappear" into it. If you are onstage with a red curtain behind you and perform the Untying Silk with a red handkerchief then you are lessening your chance of reaction and visibility. Have some duplicate props ready to substitute as circumstances dictate. That same red handkerchief will look great in front of a black curtain, but having a white Untying Silk will improve things in the red curtain scenario. It is actually really just all about being a professional. 8 If you are doing something with props where you feel that visibility might be an issue, then tell your audience what you are doing while you do it. The old golden rule is "Tell them what you are going to do, tell them when you are doing it and then tell them when you have done it." It makes a lot better sense to do this than making them guess what the hell is going on. I could probably add to this list at some length, but you probably get the idea already. A little specific thought about your own act will probably be of more use to you than my doubling the length of this list! You can check out my online magic store at where there are full details of my Ultimate Gypsy Yarn and Color Changing Silks routines! Both items sold out their initial releases within days or hours, but they both are back in stock. Go to www.lewinenterprises.com for video performance footage. -------------------------------------------- 6. Starting Cold - #373 - Kyle Peron -------------------------------------------- Message by Kyle Peron (US) magic4u02@aol.com http://www.facebook.com/perondesign http://www.kpmagicproducts.com Over the years my wife and I have developed terms and phrases that we use to sum up situations at events. It is these codes that help us communicate important information without saying something that could be perceived wrong by the client. One such set of terms is the phrase "Starting Cold vs Starting Hot." What we mean is that every event is different and you will always face different challenges based upon situations you find yourself in. As much as we like to be prepared for everything, you just never know how much you are going to be forced to adapt at any given time. Starting cold or hot refers simply to the interaction you have with the audience prior to the show starting itself. If you start cold, it means to us that we have little to no interaction with the audience prior to the show starting. If we start hot, it means we have had a chance to interact in some way with the audience before the show starts. Why is this important? I feel it is important because it really does effect the show and how you handle it. If you are forced to start cold, it simply means you may have to work a little harder in the beginning to 'warm up" the audience and to get them to know who you are and what you are about. Starting cold tends to make the audience evaluate you more in the beginning of the show to get a feel for you. If you are starting cold, you may not want to just race right into the show or to an audience participation effect too early on. You need to establish yourself to them and then go into that type of a routine once that has happened. So you can see that starting cold can certainly work and in many cases we are forced to. You just need to be aware that the show may need to be adapted to account for this. If I have an option, I would much rather start the show hot. By doing so, I feel I do not have to work as hard because the audience is already warmed up to me. They have already interacted with me earlier and in so doing, have a sense for what I am about and the type of experience they may be seeing. When I start hot, the audience is usually much more responsive early on in the show and this tends to lead to a much better audience interaction and reaction. So how does one start hot? Well for me, there are many ways in which I can do this and a lot or very simple. It just requires you to be willing to extend yourself and make yourself available. For example, get to an event early so you are not forced to rush. When I get to any gig, I always meet the client/s, shake their hands and show a deep interest in them. If we are celebrating a child or honoring a person, I will always greet them and show interest in them and their special day. It seems simple and it is. But doing this gets you interacting early. They get to see who you are and what you are like and start to get comfortable with you. If you are done setting up, why not go around and just talk with folks and show a sincere interest in them. By doing so, it shows the folks you are accessible and friendly. If you get a chance to (and it is appropriate) do some close up or strolling magic for folks. Now even if you are not getting paid for it, this makes a HUGE difference. It does not mean you have to do it for a long period of time. It means seeing an opportunity to connect. When I do things like this, it also helps me a great deal when it comes time for the show. I can scope the audience out as I am interacting. I can sense who might be a great helper or who I may want to avoid for one reason or another. I get a sense for who is outgoing and can realize they may be perfect for certain routines. I also always ask their names. This is a HUGE thing I learned in business. When you network, make it a habit to ask for a name and remember it. People tend to feel much more at ease when you call them by name. It is a show of respect but it also says that you are a friend. It lets the audience know that you are connected to them. When selecting a helper, if I am starting hot, then I can select the helper by calling out their first name and bringing them up that way. Usually it gets a much better reaction then saying, "um how about the guy in the red shirt in the second row." Business folks know the importance of learning names and the power it creates. One example of how this entire theory works happened just a few weeks ago. I was asked to do a gig for a Lion's Club kid's night. When I got there I could easily see a huge age range of people. You had young kids, preteens, teenagers, adults and seniors. When walking in I could sense a feeling that the adults felt the show was just for the kids and the teens seemed to have a look on their face as if thinking that magic would be too childish for them. This is where a starting hot principle kicks in. I knew that I needed to get out there and warm the audience up prior to the show start. I first talked to the client and then to the board members. Just shaking hands and showing an interest in them. Already I could see a change in perception. I then started to do some simple strolling magic for the younger kids. By doing so, I peeked the teens interest and drew them over. The adults could see what I was doing had skill and everyone seemed to just lighten up, relax and realize better who I am. When the show started, it started hot. I already knew names, already had a report with the crowd and had a good idea of who I was selecting. It literally changed a possible average show into an amazing show experience. *** I have a new book out I would like you to know about all about working the Festival market. If you would like additional and detailed information on this topic, please see my book/eBook at: http://www.kpmagicproducts.com/Festival_Magic.html ; 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. -------------------------------------------- 7. Broken Wand - Mike Hilburger -------------------------------------------- Message by Joan Caesar (Canada) Mike Hilburger died August 11 after a courageous fight with cancer. He was 75. Mike was a devoted husband of 48 years to Judy, and father to sons Jonathan, Andrew and Steven. He was a world traveler and canoeist, and taught his sons to love and respect nature. Mike was a retired history teacher and athletic coach, loved by his students because of his warmth and great sense of humour. He was an active member of Buffalo I.B.M. Ring 12 for many years, was president of that Ring and helped with their annual Hare Ball. For many years Mike worked at the Forks Hotel in Buffalo, performing magic at the bar with legends such as Eddy Feckter, Gene Gordon, Karl Norman and many more. It was there he first attended the newly formed 4F convention. Mike was a valuable member of 4F, the international close up convention, which he attended for 41 years. He was a member of their Board of Directors, and an invaluable help to the running of the convention both before and during the event. Mike will be missed by many people around the world. -------------------------------------------- 8. Monday Night Magic Upcoming Schedules -------------------------------------------- Message by Peter Samelson (US) Schedule for September and for October: Monday Night Magic - September Schedule - http://mondaynightmagic.com/ Every Monday Night at 8PM; The Players Theatre, 115 MacDougal St., New York, NY 10012 September 07: Alexander Boyce, Chris McDaniel, Chris Capehart; Emcee - Ben Nemzer Close-up: Joe Maxwell, Michael Chaut, September 14 & 21: Monday Night Magic is Dark - closed for the Holidays September 28: Will Shaw, Jon Armstrong, Peter Samelson; Emcee - David Corsaro Close-up: Noah Levine, Jeffrey Kellogg, Monday Night Magic - October Schedule - http://mondaynightmagic.com/ Every Monday Night at 8PM; The Players Theatre, 115 MacDougal St., New York, NY 10012 October 5: Torkova, Marcus Monroe, Jeff Moche; Emcee - David Corsaro Close-up: Mike Patrick, Matias Letelier, October 12: Alexander Boyce, Throwdini, Michael Chaut; Emcee - Ben Nemzer Close-up: Noah Levine, Joe Maxwell, October 19: Dave Chandler, Chris McDaniel, Harrison Greenbaum; Emcee - David Corsaro Close-up: Eric Brown, Jason Suran, October 26: R.J. Lewis, Steven Brundage, David Oliver; Emcee - Ben Nemzer Close-up: Michael Chaut, Richard Cohn, = -------------------------------------------- 9. Broken Wand - Maki Kitami (Kitami Maki) -------------------------------------------- Message by Geoffrey Hansen (US) I just received word that famous Japanese magician MAKI KITAMI (Kitami Maki) has died of cancer. This is very bad news. I am sure you know that Norman Bigelow, one of the most famous escape artists in the world died last week. -------------------------------------------- 10. Updates So Far This Week on VanishLive.com -------------------------------------------- Message by - Mick Peck (New Zealand) Online Content Editor www.VanishLive.com Latest updates on VanishLive.com include: - Magician Takes Anti-Bullying Message To Schools - UK Magician Proposes On Stage - Merge by Paul Romhany - Blind Magician Riding Subway To Bigger Stages - Naked Magicians Wave Wands In Hong Kong - The Matrix Pad by Richard Griffin - Promotion by Kyle Purnell - Chris Funk Lands On Vegas Stage - Carbonaro Tells Us How He Does It - Still Magic After All These Years Video of the week: Samurai Hayashi at 2006 FISM. Magic news, articles from around the world and product reviews from working professional magicians. Visit us today at : http://www.VanishLive.com - Mick Peck Online Content Editor www.VanishLive.com -------------------------------------------- 11. Neal Scryer Workshop -------------------------------------------- Message by Richard Webster (NZ) Neal Scryer will be presenting a three-day workshop in Berlin, Germany, from November 6th - 8th. This workshop will take your mentalism to a whole new level, as Neal will teach you his best techniques as well as his eight signature routines that have been tested and honed over many years. In addition, he'll teach you new routines that have never been published anywhere before. He'll also teach you how to develop your own routines and readings. Full lecture notes will be provided. The price is 695.00 Euros. Early Bird Discount price until August 31st is 495.00 Euros. To register visit: www.moonstonelectures.com/registration, or email events@moonstonelectures.com. -------------------------------------------- 12. Band of Magicians New Zealand Tour -------------------------------------------- Message by Adam Mada National tour schedule below. Taranaki http://www.taft.co.nz/artsfest/artsfest-welcome/Band-of-Magicians.html 8/29 - Sat - x 2 8/30 - Sun - x 2 Auckland http://aucklandlive.co.nz/bandofmagicians.aspx 9/9 - Wed - 7:30 9/10 - Thurs - 7:30 9/11 - Fri - 7:30 9/12 - Sat - 2pm, 7:30pm 9/13 - Sun - 11am, 5pm Christchurch http://isaactheatreroyal.co.nz/shows/band-of-magicians/ 9/17 - Thur 9/18 - Fri 9/19 - Sat - x2 -------------------------------------------- 13. New Podcast Scamapalooza -------------------------------------------- Message by Nicholas Johnson (Australia) I thought your readers might be interested in the new podcast, Scamapalooza. Each episode I interview a magician, con artist or expert on the art of deception and fraud. The first three episodes are up now. In the first episode I talk to comedian and magician Lawrence Leung about his television show Unbelievable. In the second, Glenn Hester speaks about his 28 years shutting down crooked carnival games. In the third, ventriloquist Sarah Jones reveals the dark side of 'belly talking.' Upcoming interviews include guests such as Pop Haydn, Rob Zabrecky, David Kwong as well as card counters, forgers, authors, historians andfraud experts. http://www.conman.com.au/tag/podcast/ -------------------------------------------- 14. FCM Announces 2016 Convention Info -------------------------------------------- Message by Dennis Schick (US) The Fellowship of Christian Magicians (FCM) has announced details for its 2016 International Convention. It will move back to July (25-29), so mark your calendars. It will still be in Nashville, Tennessee, and on the campus of Trevecca University, as it was this year. But next year it will be held entirely within the spacious Trevecca Community Church on the campus. The theme for 2016 will be: "A Year of Second Chances," based on the Biblical verse 2 Corinthians 5:17. The emphasis throughout the five days of the convention is learning, teaching, and sharing the performing arts of magic, clowns, ventriloquism, juggling, puppets, face painting, balloons, and drama/story-telling/chalk art. Of course the emphasis is on applying each of these to spreading the gospel. There are workshops, nightly shows, hospital visits, inspirational talks, exhibitors, and even a flea market and an auction to sell your unwanted things and stuff. For more information about the international Fellowship of Christian Magicians, go to their Website, www.fcm.org ------------------------------------------- 15. Cosentino - Twisted Reality -------------------------------------------- Cosentino - Twisted Reality Cosentino is taking his magic to New Zealand for the first the ever!!! New Zealand believers get ready for the 'Twisted Reality' Tour.... Saturday 29 August | 1.30pm and 7.30pm ------------------------------------------- 16. 32nd New Zealand International Magicians Convention 2015 -------------------------------------------- Message by Nopera Whitley (NZ) Join the Wellington Magic Club on Labour Weekend 2015 for three days of magic is heading towards a SELL OUT. When: 24th - 26th of October, 2015 Where: James Cook Hotel, Wellington City, New Zealand Registration is Open Register online at www.wellingtonmagic.co.nz or to download the registration form go to: http://www.wellingtonmagic.co.nz/register.pdf Venue and Accommodation The convention will be held at the Wellington James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor. Headliners already confirmed include: - Phil Cass and his partner Philippa - Charlie Frye and his partner Sherry - Nick Nickolas - Paul Romhany - David Merry - Mike Bent - Reg Blackmore - Lukas New confirmed headliner - Lukas "Poetic. Artistic. Lukas elevates the art of magic with every card he produces." - Jeff McBride In 2011, Lukas Lee took the world by storm winning the FISM Asia Stage Magic Championship and then placing second in Manipulation at FISM 2012 Blackpool. His expert sleight-of-hand is a marvel to witness and he is fast becoming one of the most sought-after magic acts around the globe. Lukas is a Professor of Magic at the Dong-Ah Injae College and has been a Magic Director in South Korea for over 10 years. In his live lecture he revisits stage techniques of the past and brings them into the modern age. He will give tips on practising magic, structuring magic acts and much more. He will also be performing his award winning stage act at our public gala show. "Lukas is one of those rare souls who elevates the art of magic to the level of fine art. Prepare to be inspired!" - Charlie Frye For more information, or to get in touch, visit us at www.wellingtonmagic.co.nz -------------------------------------------- 17. 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) --------------------------------------------- 18. 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 ZealandŽ E-zine at: www.magicnewzealand.com Magic New ZealandŽ 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 ZealandŽ. Neither Magic New ZealandŽ nor Alan Watson QSM vouch for the accuracy or reliability of any opinion, message, statement, or other information reported via Magic New ZealandŽ E-zine. Subscribers to this publication and authors who contribute to it by doing so agree they will not hold Magic New ZealandŽ or Alan Watson QSM, jointly or individually liable or responsible in any way for the opinions or statements contained therein. Magic New ZealandŽ 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 ZealandŽ the right to publish such articles and such authors confirm their copyright of the material submitted. All works published by Magic New ZealandŽ 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 ZealandŽ. 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. (c) Copyright 2015 Alan Watson QSM www.magicnewzealand.com www.facebook.com/magicnewzealandnewsflash http://twitter.com/#!/magicnewzealand www.watson.co.nz www.corporatemagic.co.nz www.magician.nz www.magician.co.nz www.magicianz.com www.balloon-twister.co.nz