Magic New Zealand® E-zine

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* Magic New Zealand®
* Proudly sponsored by International Entertainment Ltd (New Zealand)
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Issue Number: #1404
Date: Sunday 8th October 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. Couple Locked In Las Vegas' MGM Theatre
3. Important Update For Vanish Magazine
4. Vanish Magic Magazine October 2017
5. The Magic Word Podcast - Orson Bean
6. Paul A. Lelekis - How Do I Control My Spectators?
7. Who Are You? - #464 - Kyle Peron
8. Monday Night Magic November Schedule
9. Philip Morris, Businessman And Magic Entertainer
10. New Editor For M-U-M Magazine
11. UK's Champions Of Magic Is Touring The USA And Canada
12. E-zine Archives
13. 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-2017/1404-Oct08-2017.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. Couple Locked In Las Vegas' MGM Theatre
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Message by Phillip Peters

nzherald.co.nz

Couple locked in Las Vegas' MGM theatre with illusionist David Copperfield during shooting

Honeymooners were forced to stay in a Las Vegas theatre where they had been watching David Copperfield's live show for several hours longer after concertgoers were targeted in a mass shooting nearby.

Christchurch woman Meg Hawkins and her Australian husband Michael were watching the illusionist at the MGM Grand when they noticed the security guards running towards a door yesterday (Sunday night US time).

With only about 10 minutes of the show to go, Meg said the magician was among the crowd trying to pull someone up to the stage when they saw this happening.

The 23-year-old said Copperfield tried to distract the audience and pull their focus back to the stage.

"I thought it was a bit weird at the time. He did this massive finale and then he came back out on stage and he did just about 10 or 15 minutes of little stunts."

Copperfield then told the audience to stay seated because there had been a shooting outside and the hotel was in lockdown.

"People were laughing and he was like 'no, no, no - it's not a joke. Please stay in your seats'."

For the balance of the article go to:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11929231

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3. Important Update For Vanish Magazine
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Message by Paul Romhany

Brand new feature just added: You can now get every issue of Vanish delivered direct to your e-mail each month - so you never miss an edition again.

Simply log on to the latest free copy (October 2017) and click on Subscription - you can do this on your phone or computer. This is a brand-new feature we have just added and makes it so easy now for you to get your favourite magic magazine delivered directly to you.

To get the latest copy visit www.vanishmagazine.com and click on the latest edition.

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4. Vanish Magic Magazine October 2017
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Message by Paul Romhany

The latest copy of Vanish Magic Magazine is out now - and it's our Halloween Edition featuring Bundy & Morgan. Two of the greatest character acts in magic today.

Magic Routines by Wayne Rogers, Wayne Fox, Colin Underwood and Louie Foxx and Diamond Jim Tyler

Nick Lewin talks about Video and Sales of Performance and Magic

Product highlight includes brand new release by Juan Tamaris and another by David Penn & Wayne Fox

Harrison Carrol shares his story about performing for Mahammad Ali

Charles Bach interviews Matthew Fallon on going from an illusionist to a hypnotist
Ventriloquist Mark Wade talks about using puppets for kids shows

Ben Robinson introduces us to world champion knife thrower Adam Celadin

Magic Reviews
and so much more ….
www.vanishmagazine.com

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

This week's episode is a bit of a diversion from our normal chats with well-known and lesser-known magicians. This week we visit the home of celebrated television legend, the iconic comic story-teller, Orson Bean. Joining us on the podcast is his lovely and talented actor/wife, Alley Mills (best known as the mother on the hit TV show in the U.S., "The Wonder Years"). We visited their home while in Los Angeles this past June and this podcast wraps up this year's "Castle Chronicles".

This may seem like a wild left turn from our usual chats with magicians, but it was actually carefully planned for many months. The chat itself was a long time coming. I remember seeing a copy of a 1963 cover of a comedy album with Orson Bean standing alongside a newspaper "fir tree" (or, as we erroneously called it throughout our conversation, a "Joshua Tree"). I though Orson had a relationship to magic and perhaps some roots in the art. I was right. He is a member of the Academy of Magical Arts and through them, I was able to make a connection and arrange a chat.

We have a delightful conversation talking about magic but also many of his celebrated friends and places where he has worked down through the years including, of course, his numerous appearances (88) on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, which he hosted on a few occasions.

You can enjoy our chat plus hear an excerpt of the new two-person play ("Alright Then") that they (Orson and Alley) performed live for me on the podcast. You can watch a video of his complete one man act "Safe At Home" that was presented at the Pacific Resident Theater (in its entirety), see some candid photos taken during our chat, read the blog, listen online and download the MP3 file at: https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/387-orson-bean

If you enjoy the podcast and want to help us continue with broadcasting this kind of material, then please consider becoming a Friend of The Magic Word and helping us with a donation or a monthly pledge. With your monthly pledge, we have added new "perks" that help make your contribution worth even more. For information on how you can help, please visit: https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/fotmw/

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6. Paul A. Lelekis - How Do I Control My Spectators?
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Message by Paul Lelekis (US)

How Do I Control My Spectators?
(Part 2)

Paul A. Lelekis

Below is a list of ideas I have employed over the years!

I) The children are your primary concern! Children love to have fun and they love to see magic! Children provide easy access to tables for performance.

When I approach a table with a child or children, I first acknowledge the adults there with eye contact and a quick "Hi!" and then I immediately address the children.

Children will be very interested in you and what you are doing. I address only the children at this point and pretend as though the adults are not even there! Trust me - the adults will love the attention that you give to their children!

II) Many times, you'll see a table with people who are drinking a lot. They may even seem in control of their faculties - but don't let this fool you! Imbibed patrons can be a Nightmare! Stay Away From Them! Remember - the spectator(s) will become be even more inebriated and bolder as you perform!

Spectators under the influence will often have only one goal - to make your life miserable! This is not always the case, but you and I can't tell which! Do NOT try to make these types of spectators, your project - it's a "no win" situation!

Sometimes a table of inebriated patrons will ask the waitress to get me to come over and perform magic for them! O.K.! Sometimes you can't avoid them!

First figure out who the "head drunk" is and get him or her directly involved in your performance! Don't perform anything complex or anything that will allow the person or persons to become "grabbers".

Example of 'Grabbers": You don't want to (let's say) perform a double turnover and then place the top card (supposedly the selection) onto the table! Why? Because they will try to turn the card over and look at it! Get the idea?

If you keep your cool and play the right effects, you will often be surprised at the tip you'll get! One time a table of inebriated spectators asked the waitress to bring me over to their table. I couldn't say 'No!' so I performed a simple effect.

One of these patrons was a heckler and interrupted me throughout my performance. He tried to "explain" every move I made along the way! I kept my cool and performed the trick with a smile on my face.

When I left that table the heckler approached me and gave me a $48.00 tip and then said, "Man! I have NO idea how you did that! That was great!" True story! This tip wouldn't have happened had I lost my cool or if I, too, became verbally combative!

Another method that I've employed as soon as a heckler starts "running his/her mouth", is to say (sparingly and very tactfully) "Thank you for your candor sir, my mind needed the rest!" This will get laughs but must seem like a "joke"!

I've even been known to say to a heckler before (with a big smile on my face!) "Oh! You're a heckler! I haven't seen one of you guys in a while!"

This a harsh way to deal with a spectator - but it absolutely works! This type of response should only be administered in a cabaret setting - Not close-up!

III) If you see a table where people are engrossed in their conversation - Stay Away! They might be discussing important business, discussing something that is important to them, or they may even seem to be perturbed about something!

Let me give you an example: This is a funny story about Senator Clark Crandall, a comedy magician with amazingly sharp wit! One time he was table-hopping in a restaurant with several magicians. Sen. Crandall walked up to the table where a man and a woman were apparently having a "subdued" argument.

When Senator Crandall reached the table, the man looked at Clark and said, "If you don't leave now…I'm going to kick your ass!" Without saying a word, the Senator calmly retreated and re-joined the other magicians. When one of the other magicians sarcastically asked him, "What happened Clark!?" Crandall retorted, "Oh, they asked for you!" The rest is history!

IV) Tourists are pretty easy to identify. When you find a table of tourists, approach them confidently because they very probably want to be entertained! They're on vacation! They're out of their element, so to speak, and are very amenable to fun!

As a side note, this is the kind of situation where you want to perform your best magic! You'll probably never see them again and they are often big tippers!

V) Finding a table of people having an enjoyable time (like performing for children) is a good indicator that these people want to have fun! When you find a table of people who are having fun, wait until they stop having a good time!

You do NOT want you to interrupt their fun! When there's a lull, approach them with a big smile, introduce yourself, and ask everyone their names.

VI) There are some people who hold the notion that you are there, only to fool them! I personally think this is some sort of social or mental disorder - but I'm not here to analyze. Often these types will be stand-offish and it is unlikely that they want to participate. This is good!

I've learned how to eke these types out by watching their behavior. This is not an easy thing to do and you certainly don't want to alienate your spectators by ignoring the wrong people!

So just leave these types alone until you figure out how to handle them. There's no one way, and most times they'll be quiet and just let you finish.

VII) The above type of spectator is one of the main reasons why I never (well almost never!) use the words "trick" or "fool" when I perform.

I use the words "effect" and/or "experiment" when setting the spectators up for whatever scenario that I am providing.

If you use the above words, this may cause these particular types of spectators to make a comment. It's best to avoid these types of unnecessary stimuli!

VIII) if you are new to table-hopping, let me give you this basic and very important tip - do not approach a table and ask, "Hi - would you like to see a magic trick?" They will say, "No!" - well, at least most of the time!

When I see a table that I'm sure I can approach, I walk up and say "Hi!" and proceed! This is a bold approach but will put spectators at ease! You are taking charge!

X) I would also like to address when to approach tables at restaurants. I've heard a lot of different opinions on this subject, but I've tried them all and I think I know best - well, at least for me! I've table-hopped for many years in every possible type of restaurant - from Hot Dog stands to 5-Star restaurants.

Wait until the spectators have finished their main course! A good waitress will notice when her customers are finished, will come over and clear some of the dishes and then ask if they want dessert. This is your "cue"!

There will be a break in their conversation, the table will have more room on it and you will be less likely to get in the waitress' way! You do not want to impair the waitresses job! Stay out of their way!

XI) Alright, for my last rant, whenever you start performing at a restaurant - have an informal meeting with the wait-staff. If you don't they will resent you!

I tell the waitresses that I will try to stay out of their way because I know their job is a tough one and is primary in this restaurant!

Then, and most importantly, I tell the waitresses that, "I will not take your tips - in fact I guarantee that you will make bigger tips because of what I do!"

This is a bold statement - but it is absolutely true! Soon the waitresses will "sell you" to their patrons because you are putting more money in their pockets!

Heed the above advice because it will make life much easier! You don't want the waitresses against you! They will make you lots of money if you befriend them!

Table-hopping will provide many opportunities for other work! Plus, you'll have woman after woman asking you "…do you perform for children's birthday parties?" Then it's a Bonanza!

Once, I even performed six children's birthday parties in one day! I made a lot of money…but I'll never do that again! I was bushed! But my point is…I received all those jobs from table-hopping!

I have performed well over 1,000 birthday parties over the years, but almost all (not all) of those birthday jobs came from table-hopping!

I have performed in many restaurants over the years…and most of them were owners or managers from restaurants who asked ME to perform at their restaurants!

This is absolutely true…so always be on your very best professional behavior - and money will "rain down" on you!

I hope I have provided some insights and ideas for your future ventures into this wonderful, lucrative world!

Go out there and entertain the world!

Paul A. Lelekis

NOTE: Paul has written 45 e-books at Lybrary.com with some of the most insightful and provocative magic imaginable. Click on link below to check them all out! Improve your game!

http://lybrary.com/paul-a-lelekis-m-163788.html

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7. Who Are You? - #464 - Kyle Peron
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Message by Kyle Peron (US)
magic4u02@aol.com
Kylekellymagic@gmail.com
KPmagicproducts.com

Who are you? Not the first thing you want to hear upon arriving at any gig. However, too often this becomes a common statement. It results in an awkward moment between you and the person you are meeting. It also wastes time as you try and explain and get the details straight. Even then you often end up having to tell the story to a few more people as they pass you around to others.

I call this the "hot potato" principle. No one wants to take responsibility for having to talk and coordinate with you, so they pass you off to someone else as quickly as they can.

So why does this happen? Well for starters, it can happen simply because the person who booked you is not at the event yet. It also occurs because of total miscommunication. No one knows anything about you being there except the client you coordinated with. Furthermore, the person who booked you may not even be attending the event in the first place. Whatever the reason may be, it is safe to say that as a performer, you need to address issues like this before they become bigger problems.

There are several things I try and make a practice of doing so that I can avoid unpleasant situations like this.

- The first thing you have to realize is never to assume that the person you are dealing with to book the show is the same person who will be your contact at the event. In most cases, they will be. However, we can never assume this. Always ask ahead of time who will be your contact at the event. Will it be this person you are dealing with now, or will there be another person?

- When I ask for the contact person, I always ask for a cell phone number or phone number that I can use on the day of the event. This is so that I have it in the event I need to contact them. Having this information can be so valuable.

- I can also call the contact as I am approaching the venue. This lets them know that I am arriving on time and also gets them in the general area so they are ready upon my arrival. In the event that the person is not around, I can use this phone number to make contact with the person to iron out any changes of plan and to keep things running smoothly.

- If the contact at the event is not going to be the same person who booked you, I always will ask for the contact's name, email address and phone number. This way I can make contact with the person prior to the show. No one likes to be barraged on the day of the event. By contacting them ahead of time, I can introduce myself and go over any details with them. This saves you both time and ensures things run smoothly upon your arrival at the venue.

- Always get things in writing. This means to get the contact information and all arrival details down on paper ahead of time. It means having that contract and agreement signed and approved by the client long before you actually do the event itself.

- It also is a good idea to always make a confirmation call or send a confirmation email to the client a week prior to the event date. I always do this because I know details for events do change and this is my opportunity to double check all my facts with the client. I will list what we had agreed upon and ask them to verify it and any changes that may have come up. This is the time to double check your contact.

- Always ask where your contact will be upon arrival at the event. Many events have the client running around trying to tackle numerous issues that come up. Trying to find them is often not easy and you simply do not want to waste time trying to locate them. So, I will always ask them where I should go to meet them upon arrival. I can also ask them this if I make my phone call to them as I am arriving at the venue. It saves a lot of time and makes things run smooth.

- You can also make things easier on yourself by never assuming the people who meet you know you are the entertainment. You may even be dressed to a point where you think it is quite obvious. However, you can never assume they know. When greeting anyone at the event, I will always state my name and that I am the magical entertainment for the event. By doing so they immediately will at least know why you are there and more chance to 1) assist you themselves or 2) hunt down the proper person who can.

A lot of these items above are simple tips that can be utilized to really help you to have an event run the way both parties intend it to run. It also makes you perceived as a professional. After all, it is this professional level that you want to carry with you all throughout the client relationship.

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 kylekellymagic@gmail.com. I would love to hear from you.

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8. Monday Night Magic November Schedule
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Message by Peter Samelson (US)

(All Performers Subject To Change)

November 6th: Torkova, Anthony Blake, Harrison Greenbaum; MC David Corsaro;
Close-up: Noah Levine, Matias Letelier

November 13th: Ines la Maga, Rafael Benatar, Camilo Vázquez; MC TBD;
Close-up: Patrick Davis, Eric Brown

November 20th: Mike Patrick, Throwdini, Chris Capehart; MC Todd Robbins;
Close-up: Richard Cohn, Peter Samelson

November 27th: Alexander Boyce, Francis Menotti, Harrison Greenbaum; MC Ben Nemzer;
Close-up: Jason Suran, Eli Bosnick

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9. Philip Morris, Businessman And Magic Entertainer
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Message by Dennis Phillips

Philip Morris (Philip Morris Smith) died Sunday September 24th, 2017, in Charlotte, North Carolina after a long illness. He is survived by wife Amy, son Scott and daughters Terri and Sandie and many grandchildren. Morris was influential and encouraging to countless magicians and performers, as well as one of the creators of modern Halloween business.

Phil was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on June 5th, 1935. He became interested in magic and ventriloquism as a boy and performed with his dummy "Smitty" on radio. Soon he moved to magic and with his young girlfriend, Amy, began doing larger magic illusions and "Ghost Shows", which were popular in the 1950s. They would fill the seats in a downtown movie theater and use spooky magic tricks to set the mood and then shut off all the lights. By using theatrical scare tactics, they would frighten the crowd into seeing ghosts and goblins.

Soon local circus promoters and booking agents invited Philip and now wife, Amy, to join them. That led them to travel all over the country and eventually his agent brought them to Charlotte where his ghost show was popular with Southern rural audiences and the circus and carnival outdoor business had a longer playing season.

Morris returned part time to broadcasting and worked at WBTV television doing a live and local Saturday Night Horror show based on his "Dr. Evil" stage character. On TV, he was also "Captain Phil" and on Bozo's Circus.

In addition to providing circuses with costume spectaculars, Phil also was a frequent ringmaster for the Royal Hannaford Circus. Lacking a source for gorilla suits, he began manufacturing them and one was secretly bought and used in the infamous and well-known Bigfoot footage.

In the mid-1960s he began producing family fantasy themed magic shows. His first was The Wonderful World of Fantasy which he toured with 6 people. Later came a series of family themed shows. Tickets were sold and theaters filled by an innovative telephone marketing campaign in every town.

In 1965 Amy was busy raising their children while Phil was on the road. She wondered what else they could do with their basement and attic full of costumes. At Halloween, people who knew them wanted to rent costumes and buy makeup. So, she began a small rental business out of their house. Within a couple of years, they bought an empty building in a business district and Amy added ballet and dancewear as well as theatrical makeup and Morris Costumes was created. That business grew to fill a massive warehouse complex and become one of the world's largest suppliers of costumes, magician's supplies and theatrical needs.

In 1979 Philip and Dennis Phillips co-wrote a textbook, which is still in print, on "How to Operate a Financially Successful Haunted House". It continues to be the reference manual for the Halloween Haunted House industry.

As Phil's health declined from Alzheimer's, his wife Amy and son, Scott, and daughter Terri took over the family business.

One of Phil's legacies is he is known as one of the fathers of the Modern Halloween Holiday as we know it. The well-stocked, one-stop Halloween party store was his creation.

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10. New Editor For M-U-M Magazine
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Message by George Schindler (US)

The Society of American Magicians has selected Alan Howard to succeed Michael Close as the Editor of the M-U-M magazine. Mr. Howard was previously the editor of Juggle Magazine and associate editor of MAGIC Magazine.

After a rigorous two-month process, Mr. Howard was selected from the six applicants and has been contracted to begin in October 2017 to assemble his staff and work with Mr. Close to transition the publication's editorial responsibilities. Mr. Close's last issue will be the December 2017 issue, with Mr. Howard's first issue the January 2018 issue.

The Society cannot thank Mr. Close enough for his over 9 years at the helm of the M-U-M, bringing interesting features, diverse informational columns, tricks and magic product reviews to our compeers. Mr. Howard will work to assemble his design team and columnists. He expects to continue the longstanding high-quality magazine that the members expect from our flagship publication.

Welcome aboard Mr. Alan Howard.

Dick Bowman
National President (2017-2018)
The Society of American Magicians

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11. UK's Champions Of Magic Is Touring The USA And Canada
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Message by Mandy Davis (UK)

Just to let you know that the UK's Champions of Magic is touring the USA and Canada from this week onwards!

Check out their website to see some of the best of UK's Magicians including: award-winning double act Young & Strange; Ed Hilsum (who some of you will have seen at one of the SAM National Conventions when he was a teen performing in the Stars of Tomorrow Show) and the amazing and incomparable Fay Presto!

The link for the dates is:

http://www.championsofmagic.co.uk/Champions-of-Magic-Tour-Dates-North-America.html

it's a great show!

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12. 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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13. Privacy Policy and Copyright Notice
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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.

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