Tonight is a very busy show with four different corporate gigs in four different venues. It's not easy doing this type of work but fortunately I have a great team including my agent, my wife, driver and our stage hand who come to the shows. We have about 30 minutes between shows to get me off stage, pack the show down, reset and drive to the next gig where I literally walk on stage ready to perform again. This type of schedule really takes it's toll on you as a performer. By the end of the night I am so exhausted and the sweat is pouring off. You have to have a show that is very easy to re-set and can pack in to a small bag so you don't have many props to take around. The crowds vary as well. By the time you get to the last show you find they have been drinking a lot and so are more noisy than the early audiences. Still, it's great to be busy and have so many shows. December is a hectic month with only a few nights off. Before we know it we'll be back in New Zealand and our season here in Asia completed.
Part of being able to do a schedule like this means being fit. Not only do you have to be at the top of your game with your act and organisation, but also you have to be fit and healthy. This is why Natalie and I go to the gym so we can keep in shape and make sure that I am at top performing level.
Yesterday I was honored to be headline lecturer and performer for Redefine Magic:The Gathering. It's a great one day convention put on my Jeremy Pei who did an incredible job. It was such a thrill to meet so many magicians from this part of the world and make new friends. If you go on facebook you'll see loads of photos of me where I am 'tagged'. Got to love facebook:)
Here are some photos taken from yesterday's convention.
Illusion designer from the UK Mark Parker with his new book Vivify - he had the longest line of people at his booth because they all wanted to see his new book.
Here I am at my own booth busy selling products and making new friends.
ROMHANY'S PICKS OF THE WEEK
Vivify by Mark Parker
Mark has raised the bar on illusion designing and is considered one of the top illusion creators in the world today. What I like about Mark's ideas is that he thinks outside the box and brings a much needed breath of fresh air to the illusion business. This book really takes illusion books that were produced in the past to an entirely new level. The quality of this book alone is something you'd be proud to have on your bookshelf - actually it's more of a higher end quality than that! The illustrations in the book are pieces of art in themselves.
There is something in this book for every type of person - for those experienced illusionists to the hobbyist. If you want to add an illusion to your show but don't want to do what everybody else is doing - then you would well advised to get this book and have something built.
The illusions include
Body Builder - a fresh approach and look for the famous Vampire type illusion. A really great looking modern illusion with a very unique concept.
Hiding Place - this is one of my favorite illusions in the book. It's a design for a modern looking desk to hide a person - there is so much you can do with this concept from production, vanish to even using it for something completely different such as to produce a mentalism routine. Very different in approach to my own Desk Illusion.
95% Gone - Perfect illusion for the solo illusionist. This one invloves making part of a spectator vanish - truly a unique illusion that I see being performed by some of the top magicians today.
EMB - This is an examinable Mirror Box!! Yes it's true - the method is so clever and a great effect that could travel and pack down for the magician who wants a very practical illusion - this is very different and something I'd like to have built myself.
Asrah Table - This is Mark's re-work of an Asrah table which makes it look super thing and impossible. If you perform an Asrah then this alone is the reason you should get this book.
Abdomen - looking for a truly amazing illusion for your show. This is so different from anything I've read before. The performer lays down on a table and the audience can see through the table at all times. Suddenly we see a person COME OUT from the magicians torso - magician is then covered and it is whisked away and he has vanished. This is such a cool illusion and would have huge impact on any audience. Again, Marks' design and thinking behind this takes things to a new level.
Dissolve - this is probably my favorite illusion in the book. It's the perfect illusion for the magician who has one assistant. It's an illusion where your assistant is compacted in to a small box until she dissapears - very clever and perfect for all types of performing situations.
Vivisectioned - Mark's famous illusion that was sold by itself. You make your assistants torso, head and legs rotate in impossible directions. This illusions is definitely for the serious illusionist.
Sanction - The spike type illusion with a different method where the performer vanishes and reappears from the back of the room - great for solo magician with one assistant as well.
Motorbike - without a doubt the most incredible motorbike appearance to date. I have a fascination with this effect and have myself researched pretty much every different method on the market. Mark has taken this to a new level and made it so much more impossible. If you ever wanted to make a motorbike appear then this should be the method you use. It's the most amazing and visual - plus the method is so deceptive that it makes it impossible.
This book is not only filled with amazing illusions but Mark also writes a few essays about illusion design and his views on magic and creating. These alone are a great read and I related to a lot of what he says. If you are looking to get yourself that special Christmas present then this could be it. I'm a huge illusion fan and have so many books myself - I would put this one up there with my other favorite illusion book by Robert Harbin.
Here is the blurb from www.hocus-pocus.com
Vivify contains ten original stage illusions fully described and illustrated in glorious full color.
Also included are two thought provoking essays. Foreword by Brett Daniels. Limited to 500 copies individually signed & numbered. Hardbound cover with foil stamping & embossing.
A high end hard back book 144 pages all on high quality paper full color throughout. The cover is black linen with foil stamping gold and red and embossing. The book is a work of art in itself.
Ten original illusions inside and two essays inside foreword by Brett Daniels. Vivify is a limited edition of 500 copies worldwide. All copies are individually signed and numbered by Mark Parker. Destined to be a sought after collector’s item, don’t hesitate order yours today.
Vintage Magic Films DVD Set
This is what magic DVDs should be about. What an amazing chance to have in your library some of the best performers of yesteryear the world has ever seen. I can't even begin to start to tell you who is on this - from HOUDINI, CARDINI, ANNEMANN, BLACKSTONE, THURSTON, AL BAKER, T. NELSON DOWNS, WINSTON FREER, JOHN MULHOLLAND, JACK GWYNNE, FRAKSON, TENKAI, BERT ALLERTON, HAROLD LLOYD, AND DOZENS MORE! Over THREE hours of amazing performers - this would keep by on your couch all the time. What is great about this DVD as that it's not one of the many hundreds we buy and only watch them once. This is something you would watch over and over and use as a reference. This is one of the best DVD collections I've seen in quite some time!!
Here is the blurb from www.hocus-pocus.com
Vintage Magic Films - Silent Films of Early Magic Stars on a 3-DVD Set!
Featuring rare performances by HOUDINI, CARDINI, ANNEMANN, BLACKSTONE, THURSTON, AL BAKER, T. NELSON DOWNS, WINSTON FREER, JOHN MULHOLLAND, JACK GWYNNE, FRAKSON, TENKAI, BERT ALLERTON, HAROLD LLOYD, AND DOZENS MORE! — Over three hours of silent film from the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s — Classic illusion show movies of Blackstone, Thurston, and Jack Gwynne — Cardini in 1928 manipulating cards at close-range — The only existing film of Ted Annemann performing a card effect — Home movies of Okito and Fu Manchu — Rare footage of David Devant, Horace Goldin, Will Goldston, Bess Houdini, and more — The only movies of performances by the brilliant Al Baker and Winston Freer — Houdini in the 1920s demonstrating card flourishes and productions — Early manipulation by Dai Vernon, Tenkai, T. Nelson Downs, Frakson, Bill Baird, Cliff Green, Arthur Buckley, and others — Over 100 performers in all — Over three hours of footage — Digitally remastered on DVD Vintage Magic Films is the most incredible array of early magic performers ever collected on DVD.
See some of magic’s most legendary names from the 1920s to 1940s captured in these rare movies, such as Houdini demonstrating flourishes; a young Cardini performing slick card productions; and Dai Vernon with his Slow Motion Card Vanish. You'll witness the only footage of Ted Annemann presenting a card effect; enjoy the legendary illusion shows of Thurston, Blackstone, and Gwynne; and study manipulation by masters like Tenkai, Frakson, and Downs.
Over 100 magicians are here to watch and study, including the only films of legends like Al Baker and Winston Freer. You'll find manipulation by masters like Tenkai, Frakson, Paul Le Paul, and Bill Baird; stage routines by artists like Ade Duval; coin magic and sleeving; plus great magic by names like U. F. Grant, Bert Allerton, Joe Berg, T. Nelson Downs, John Booth, Burling Hull, and dozens of other prominent magicians of the past...see our contents page for the complete amazing list!
You will also receive home movies of legends like Okito, Fu Manchu, Devant, Goldin, and many more famous performers, plus wonderful casual, fun footage of early I.B.M. and S.A.M. conventions.
All films have been remastered for this DVD set, which we've created in collaboration with William H. McIlhany and the Society of American Magicians.
50th Anniversary Edition Allakazam Hat
This is one of those props we should all own! What a wonderful addition to any collection or any act. This is like the original version made from the same high quality, but this version is smaller standing at 11" x 7.5" wide. This is a great item and perfect for producing all sorts of items, even a small rabbit. If you do kids parties then this is a prop you will definitely want to own as you can produce a birthday present, candy etc.
What I love about this is that it's not only a great prop but when you perform it you get a very special buzz. This is an item that is only available through www.hocus-pocus and well worth adding to your list of items to get.
here is the blurb from www.hocus-pocus.com
Please see our special pre-order price and gift offer below! Order yours now and save $50.00.
Almost 2 years ago, with the permission of Mark and Nani Wilson, we offered a reproduction limited edition of 50 of the original Allakazam Hat. In less than 60 days, we completely sold out of them. Even though we've had many requests to make it available again, no more than the original 50 will ever be made again. They have now become a highly sought-after collector's item.
After speaking with Mark and Nani, due to the overwhelming requests for the Allakazam Hat, we have partnered with them once more to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Magic Land of Allakazam and are now able to offer you a commemorative version of the Allakazam Hat!
Unlike the first version, which was much larger and stood 15" tall x 9" wide, this new version is a smaller more compact size, measuring 11" tall x 7.5" wide, still large enough to produce silks and even a small rabbit if so desired!
On October 1, 1960 many of our lives were changed forever when the first episode of the Magic Land of Allakazam aired. Every Saturday morning, Mark and Nani (Darnell) Wilson came into our homes and amazed and delighted us with unforgettable magic. One of the featured effects performed was the famous Allakazam Hat.
The Allakazam Hat is a stylized, improved version of the Square Circle that became a regular effect on many of the Magic Land of Allakazam episodes that were seen by millions of viewers every week. As a matter of fact, the Allakazam Hat was used to produce Basil, the Baffling Bunny, the live rabbit who appeared in many episodes, and it was occasionally used to produce some of Basil's friends, such as Doris, the Daring Dove, Gertrude, the Glamorous Guinea Pig, Harriet, the Harmonious Hamster, and Charles, the Charming Chicken!
Due to the specialized design of the hat, its brim, and breakfront cabinet, the handling and performance was different than that of the standard Square Circle, creating a more deceptive performance and fooling those who were familiar with the Square Circle principle.
At the end of the five-year run of the Magic Land of Allakazam, because of the vast audience available through the medium of network television, the Allakazam Hat was the one magic prop that had been seen by more people throughout the world than any other magic prop in history!
For years, magicians have asked Mark to make this wonderful prop available. Now, Hocus Pocus is proud to announce, through exclusive arrangements with Mark and Nani Wilson, the 50th Anniversary Edition Allakazam Hat!
Like the original Allakazam Hat, only a limited number of custom made units will be made. Each 50th Anniversary Edition Allakazam Hat was painstakingly recreated by master craftsman Jay Leslie and officially authorized by Mark and Nani Wilson, each unit will be personally signed and numbered by Mark and Nani along with a certificate of authenticity.
As an extra bonus you will also receive with your pre-order an original Magic Land Of Allakazam memorabilia package including a full-color advertising postcard of Mark and Nani Wilson and an original rare Magic Land of Allakazam magic trick promo package.
Now that you understand the versatility of this incredible prop, its uses are merely limited by your imagination. Whether you are a performer or collector, you will be proud to own this beautiful prop and piece of magic history.
The 50th Anniversary Edition Allakazam Hat stands a full 11 inches tall. The cabinet is also 11 inches tall and 7.5" X 7.5" square. There are nine coats of enamel paint in bright colors to insure a professional finish. Trust us, this is one beautiful prop!
Remember, this is a Hocus Pocus Exclusive, which means you'll only find it here, and nowhere else. Please note that this is a non-discounted item and is not subject to any said sales, promotions, discounts, etc. No in-store credits, trades, or gift certificates may be used towards this item.
SPECIAL PRE-ORDER OFFER: Regular price is $250.00, however, you can place your order now before December 15th and receive the 50th Anniversary Edition Allakazam Hat and memorabilia package for only $199.95! So don't wait; let's celebrate 50 years of the Magic Land of Allakazam!
PLEASE NOTE:Pre-order price of $199.95 and special gift package valid until midnight December 15th 2009. No further discount or sales promotion will apply to this item.
Legacy of Al Koran Book by Hugh Miller
Those of you who know me, know that I much prefer books over DVDs. I have to say, this is one book that I am so happy has been released rather than a DVD. Al Koran was one of the greatest thinkers and many of today`s effects originate from his effects or his ideas. What a great job Hugh Miller and Graham Jolley have done to uncover some truly fantastic material and re-write it. This book truly is a gold mine to any magician and the highlights have to include the Headline Prediction and blindfold work. There is a wealth of material in this book and one I can`t personally wait to add to my collection. There is something in here for every level of performer from the beginner to the professional.
Here is the blurb from www.hocus-pocus.com
Announcing Al Koran’s Legacy. At long last this wonderful edition of Al Koran’s Legacy has been printed and is on its way to us now by sea. It will arrive at the end of this month. I have already received a few advance copies by air and I am truly proud of this book.
The book contains most of the original material but virtually everything has been re-written and benefits from the skill of an expert editor. There is a host of additional material written by Lewis Ganson and previously published in the Routined Manipulation series published by Harry Stanley.
Along with my close friend Graham Jolley, I have always been a follower of Al Koran and his amazing material. I missed a great era of magic that was taking place in London in the 50s and 60s while I was living abroad and everything that was happening seemed to be the brainchild of the late Harry Stanley. My way of being in touch with the magic happening in the UK was by reading each month’s copy of The Gen magazine. Al Koran’s name appeared on almost every page. And thanks to Harry Stanley his material has been preserved for future generations to study and use.
I would like to thank Graham Jolley for helping us to unravel a very complex effect in this book. In previous editions of Al Koran’s Legacy the instructions for Headline Prediction were hard to follow but Graham persevered in working out the correct method for the effect. And that is probably why, up to now, he is one of the few to perform this baffling routine. Graham usually closes his act with this effect as it is so powerful. He has written it up for us showing exactly how it should be performed and having seen Graham perform it many times I can confirm it is completely baffling.
Lewis Ganson’s Routined Manipulation series on Al Koran has also been included as a very special added bonus and this includes Al’s Koran’s Miracle Blindfold Card Act. It is one of the finest routines in this book. I have just filmed Brian Barnes’ is method for this staggering routine and it will be released shortly on DVD. Brian has performed this routine for nearly 50 years and I saw it 30 years ago and have never forgotten it. Watch this space for further news.
If you are not familiar with Al Koran you have a great journey ahead of you. He was an original thinker with a great creative mind and a consummate performer.
Speaker Animator by Kevin James
The Kevin James Snow Animator seems like a Rocky Movie - we are now up to Version SIX. The only difference is that each time Kevin comes out with a better version (unlike the Rocky movies). This version now has the fan hidden in a fold back speaker - which is super clever and what makes this version the best yet, is the fact that the fan is silent!! This is what magicians have been wanting for quite some time, a powerful version without the sound of a jet engine. No more having to turn your music up full blast. The speaker is on the floor and is a `normal`looking stage prop - simply a fold back speaker for the performer. At the appropriate time you activate the incredible fan inside and you can start your snowstorm. This is, I feel, the best version, simply because the fan is quiet and well away from your hands - also it shoots it much higher. I must admit that I`ve owned pretty much every snow animator released by Kevin, and I feel this one is the best. In all honesty all of them are great and have their own good points. I know professional magicians who are still using version one in their show and getting great results.
Here is the blurb from www.hocus-pocus.com
The next evolution of Kevin James' Snow Animator effect is the best yet!
This wonderful device sits invisibly at the front of the stage your entire show. Any time you wish, it’s snow time! Snow goes 20 feet high, has great hang time and is very, very quiet! Case included.
Perfect for your holiday shows! ne built in to a chair (no. V) I still felt the fan was too noisy for my liking.
Here, you can perform this almost anywhere and not worry about the noise. Just perfect. If you are looking at performing a snow storm effect using one of Kevin`s animators, then this would be the one (at this stage) to get.
Here is the blurb from www.hocus-pocus.com
