Cards-Coins-Dice and Chips

Over the years I have accumulated a massive amount of material, most being categorized for fairly easy retrieval.
After fifty years, I've decided to share this wealth of accumulated knowledge.
The purpose is to help the "novice" quickly address issues that they might have and to better understand areas of Magic that they might find interesting.

The purpose is not to be new or novel, I'm well aware that there is copious amounts of magic posted to the Web, most are horribly performed and executed.
My project is an attempt to rocket the "newby or novice" into the 21st century. Let's be honest not every one will enjoy this, because it will require you to read not watch.

So in the months ahead I will delve into the world of Magic that I enjoy performing and found to be difficult to obtain information on without spending hours of hunting and a small fortune on only to be disappointed when viewed or read.

I am playing the percentages here, the vast majority of individuals interested in Magic are not going to spend their time, hour after hour, practicing some esoteric move only to be let down as soon as thy "flub" it. I will try to present effects, that do require practice, but keep the interest of the performer as well as their audience.

Cards-Coin-Dice and Chips should be fun for all who take the time to read, and comprehendthe value of the Magic presented.
Each new post will have 4 effects dealing with CCDC, these will be starting in July 2010.

JM Newlon

Trick Time

If you read my last entry I spoke of the 'Instant Society' and that fact is not going to go away. That leads me to talk about trick time. What is trick time? It is the amount of time it takes to do an effect. For the sake of brevity I'll chose close up Magic. There are no rules that I know of that tell us how long a trick should be. When a new effect is created the inventor routines the trick, this becomes the guide line for how long the effect will last. A trick can be expanded or shortened depending on the performer, however is anything lost in the presentation? I could be. In any effect there is a build up to that Magical moment, that moment when your audience is startled by the Magic. In the book 'The Art of Magic' by T. Nelson Downs gives running times for all the effects in the book. This was done so Downs knew exactly where he was at any given moment.
I'm sure we have all seen performers where you wonder "Is this guy ever gonna be done?" That's the point don't over do your own ability. The famous line, "Leave them wanting more" is as appropriate today as ever.
A good rule of thumb is this, when your spectators are leaning forward in their chairs, watching everything you do, this is good! But, the moment they lean back, you've lost their attention. Time to pack it up and move on. Leave them wanting more!

Magic Videos

We live in the informational Video age. What has that done to Magic if anything?
I've spent hundreds of hours reviewing and studying Magic videos. There are basically five types of Magic videos; 1."I want to show you my trick". 2."Here is how I do the trick I just showed you, cool huh?". 3.Demonstration of a new effect, put out by a Magic Shop, inventor or manufacturer, these are known as teasers to entice the viewer to purchase the product. 4.Performances of Magicians performing their own show for themselves or for promotional purposes. 5.Old time films converted to digital formatting, these are usually of famous Magicians, some are good quality others are iffy. The point is, there are a lot of Magic Videos out on the net today.
I do not employee videos on my site for a number of reasons. If a person wants my products they need to understand the psychology of the trick. That psychology is gained by reading the material supplied more then viewing a video.
I think videos have there place, however I hear Magicians say they won't buy A TRICK unless they see a video. Let me remind you up and til 1990 there was no Internet as we know it today, there were no videos to speak of no DVD's.
So my question is; How did all the worlds most famous Magicians ever learn anything if they didn't have videos? Would we have ever had a Blackstone, a Houdini, a Downs, a Vernon, Kapps, Slydini or any number of other great that the community holds in such high esteem? Look at the short list I mentioned, each and every one of these men was unique, no overlap, all individuals in their approach, presentation and demeanor to their craft. Where on earth did they get those qualities without VIDEOS? To listen to some that could not be possible.
Videos to me are the 'Lazy Mans Magic. Watch, buy it, rip it, perform it, exactly, even down to the patter as in the video. The path of least resistance!
We live in the "Instant Society", and this attitude has filtered down to our Art.
Does a video make a better Magician or is it just a way to avoid reading complicated instructions? Follow the Video road, it will get you there, wherever there is!
I for one am glad our Magic forefathers had a strong command of the language and the written word,

The Secret

The heart, the essences of every "Trick" every "Effect". Bunk , a secret does not a Magician make. Why is it so important for some? The bottom line is shear curiosity, "So that's how its done"! The problem exists that many who join the Magic ranks only want to know the secret.
As a Magician, "knowing the secret is what makes your tricks tick, you make the craft tick! Most effects are not hard to figure out if you are initiated.
To my knowledge no Magic trick has ever been produced that uses Para-normal means to achieve its end. The point is, 'it's not the secret, stupid'! It is the performer.I saw a video clip of Magic Ian doing one of the most sold and exposed tricks made today, the Ball and Tube. He makes it look unbelievably Magical. Imagine!
If and only if you are truly interested in becoming a "Preformer" not just a 'doer of tricks', I highly suggest the Fitzkee trilogy, 'The Trick Brain', 'Showmanship for Magicians" and 'Magic by Misdirection' these can be found at www.angelfire.com/ musicals/fitzkee/TB.html The trilogy is free to read on that site or order if you wish. I warn you these are a long read and even more study. It will give you a strong fundimental foundation in the Art of Magic.
Human nature tells me that most will not take the time to read and or explore thi Goldmine of Knowledge. I can hear the whine now:"It't too long", "It's too OOOOLD".The real reason is they are to lazy! It doesn't matter what era Fitzkee performed in, the priciples presented are as valid today as they were then. These books will help you understand more secrets then you ever realized.
Background and understanding will give you the tools to use your ability mentally to move forward.
JM Newlon

www.magichicanery.com Is UpAnd Running

I was able to get www.magichicanery.com up and going. Looks pretty good if I do say so myself. Lots of new things on the site. Tricks and effects that are not the norm.
I'm also offering free e-books, so far there are 108 different e-books. These are full versions of the titles. Hundred hours of reading, thousands of trick and effects. Stop by and take a look, you are more then welcome.
JM Newlon

Welcome to Magichicanery

Thank you for taking a few minutes to read our blog. Read what interests you go by the rest.
Magic is not a six sided box, it is more a state of mind. When a person becomes involved in Magic it usually becomes more then a passing fancy, something happens. That something is a quest for knowledge or should I say "The Secret". It took me decades in my quest and after nearly fifty years, I find myself still on the quest. So, enjoy and take a small leg of that trip with me.
JM Newlon

CHOP CHOP BILLS

Coming in August