America’s Got Talent’s relationship with magic on again, off again |
Share the love. ![[Post to Twitter]](http://blog.ellusionist.com/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/icons/tt-twitter-micro4.png){kind=icon} |
July 2, 2009
For a long time, the magic world offered only a few promises, similar to that whole death and taxes thing:
- Your pass will never be perfect.
- There will always be a heckler.
- America’s Got Talent hates magicians.
But is that last one changing?
Consider last week’s impressive performance of Drew Thomas, which has already netted him interviews on iTricks and the Magic Newswire. This week, it was Jay Mattioli who earned rave reviews from the judges.
Add to this a performance by Joseph Constantine, which led to what Entertainment Weekly’s PopWatch column labeled as “this season’s most interesting moment.” (Anytime a column uses Lost references, it’s going to get our attention.) Judge for yourself in the video below (lovingly pilfered from Dodd Vickers):
During the judge’s assessment, David Hasselhoff says he’s seen the trick before. Sharon Osbourne responds by saying she has seen the trick before, but never saw Constantine do it before. Eventually, the judges push him through to the next round. But judging from the segment NBC aired, it’s fair to ask whether the judges were moved by his performance or his story. We’re hoping for the former.
Keep in mind that AGT has some of the weirdest, oddest sound editing, with applause and raspberries at the weirdest, most unrealistic moments. Also keep in mind that this is a TV show, meant to be filled with dramatic moments, and produced so. There are good magic acts out there, and bad acts. But a good act may get shoehorned into a bad situation. Good acts can be misrepresented as something else. And despite this newfound love for magicians, AGT has no problem mocking them.
Instead of trying to figure out AGT’s mind, it’s better to take the obvious lesson from it. And that’s a little something we like to drive into your skulls every possible moment: CHARACTER MAKES THE MAGICIAN, NOT THE TRICKS. Remember what Osbourne said about Constantine? Also, let’s look at that Jay Mattioli vid, and pay special attention to what all of the judges say:
David Stone’s ‘Window’ shatters reality |
Share the love. |
June 29, 2009
Click the picture above, and prepare your jaw for immediate detachment.
David Stone, Jean-Luc Bertrand and Mickael Chatelain have teamed up to produce the most incredible card-through-window effect to date. Beautifully simple, incredibly easy and amazingly effective, Window is a perfect combination of visual elegance and utter amazement. In other words, this effect speaks for itself, and uses only two words: “holy” and “crap.”
What, don’t buy our florid prose? Fine. Just watch for yourself. (Warning: Link contains a mind-blowing trailer.)
Window is now available exclusively from Ellusionist for $69.95. It includes a killer DVD packed with presentational ideas and a precision, handmade gimmick. Also, we have a couple of sweet podcasts:
- Stone and Bertrand will talk at length about their creative process, the magic scene in France and how Window was developed.
- Brad Christian, founder and president of Ellusionist, will give you some presentation ideas and talk more about the effect.
Blaine invades your iPhone, to appear on ‘Ellen’s Bigger, Longer and Wider Show’ |
Share the love. |
June 26, 2009
The latest to join the craze of magic iPhone apps is none other than street magic legend David Blaine.
Blaine and software company Partners 1993 have re-created one of the tricks from his groundbreaking “Street Magic” special. Called “Street Magic: See a Card,” the app creates a virtual deck of Split Spades Lions playing cards on your iPhone or iPod Touch and lets you perform one of his favorite card tricks. The release comes a mere few days after Blaine asked fans on Facebook if they have an iPhone.
“This is my favorite piece of magic,” Blaine said in a press release. “It was pivotal in gaining my first TV special.”
Here’s the basic effect: You load the app, which presents a 3-D deck of cards on your iPhone or iPod, and present it to your spectators. They “riffle” the cards by touching the screen; you ask if they saw a card. After taking the iPhone or iPod back, you shake it, and the card they saw appears. The basic effect is jaw-dropping on its own, but imagine the things you could do with an app like that and a regular deck of cards. Our minds are spinning with ideas already.
If you want to see what Blaine does with the app, a little bird has told us to tell you to watch the Ellen Degeneres special “Ellen’s Bigger, Longer and Wider Show,” at 9 p.m. Eastern tomorrow on TBS.
Time warp slows down Smith’s thrown cards |
Share the love. |
June 24, 2009
Holy crap, this is cool:
Found on The Cuso: The above video of Discovery’s Time Warp, featuring Ricky Smith, Jr. and his record-setting card throwing. We winced at the hot dog, and geeked out at the gas-filled balloon.
Blaine drops hint about next stunt |
Share the love. |
June 23, 2009
David Blaine’s Facebook page has been busy today — apparently, he’d like to ask you some questions. Among them:
- Do you have an iPhone? (Funny… we didn’t see Justin Robert Young’s affirmative answer in the comments.)
- Can you guess what his next stunt is going to be? It’s starting to come clear in his mind, and it is insane, according to posts on the page. Here’s another clue: “‘Here’s a riddle: No cage for me. can u guess what i’m training for, that’s assuming of course that they are still’-db” Some of the guesses are quite entertaining.
- Have you seen the below video of him dancing with his nephew?
Angel sued by magician for royalties |
Share the love. |
June 22, 2009
In the midst of filming season five of Mindfreak, Criss Angel is facing a lawsuit alleging that he owes royalty payments to another magician.
Jacob Spinney, a psychological illusionist based in Phoenix, filed the suit alleging that Angel has withheld about $250,000 in royalty payments for the use of three illusions, which were featured in episodes of Mindfreak and the DVD “Masterminds Vol. 2: Self-Levitation.”
Angel, according to the above report from the Las Vegas Sun, is in Mammoth, Calif., filming for the latest season of Mindfreak. According to a press release from the U.S. Air Force spotted by iTricks (and has since been removed), part of the season involves walking across a minefield. The upcoming season will debut on Aug. 12.
Vintage videos discovered of Christian, Angel |
Share the love. |
June 21, 2009
A couple of interesting vintage videos unsurfaced themselves last week. Check out this video of Billy Joel’s “Big Shot,” especially at :53 in:
Forum user DaveyG made a special, edited version of Christian’s appearance in the video.
Also, forum user Brandon Sheffield sent us a link to a video that we had no idea existed. Mindfreak fans, get ready to see Criss Angel rock it out
’80s-style, complete with magic tricks:
Welcome to The Next Level: Ellusionist introduces new podcast series |
Share the love. |
June 19, 2009
Welcome to The Next Level. This is a new podcast series from your friends at Ellusionist.
The Next Level is a regular mini-lecture with some of your favorite names in magic. We’re going to talk about a bunch of different subjects, including palming, starting a business, writing patter and storylines and much more. Some of the subjects will be on the beginner side of the scale, some might require some basic knowledge of the Erdnase one-handed shift. Most will be in the intermediate range. You’ll get to know more Ellusionist artists, and even a few of the forum’s Moderators and Elites. And you’re going to hear much more from Brad Christian.
Best of all: You’ll get to have a say in future content. In the podcast forums, you can respond to the current episode, request future topics or ask questions for the next episode.
Actually, this is the best of all: It’s completely free. All it costs you is the time to click on a play button. Or download it to your MP3 player. Do whatever you want. We’re not the boss of you.
This week, in the first edition of The Next Level, Brad Christian talks to us about some of the finer points dealing with performing for complete strangers. You’ll hear where some of the best places to perform are, how to spot the best spectators and what to do when you blow a trick. Plus, you’ll hear about the first time Brad performed for strangers. It’s an epic story.
Future episodes will come out once every two or three weeks. Next time, Aaron Fisher will join us to talk about palming cards.
Bottom line: We’ve always been about helping you improve and grow as a magician. We want you to get the kinds of reactions you see in the trailers for our products. Whether you’re a hobbyist content to perform for friends and family, or someone with aspirations of breaking through to the big-time, these podcasts will help you reach the next level of your performance goals. Enjoy, and be sure to leave your feedback in the Podcast forums.
iTunes subscription link coming soon.
Bullets: Vegas media on Gans, Burton’s new deal, Cyril’s new special, new stuff from E |
Share the love. |
June 18, 2009
How are ya this fine Thursday? OK here. Let’s shoot some bullets:
- Spotted by Dodd Vickers at the Magic Newswire: Japanese street magician Cyril Takayama will film his first special outside of Japan. This gives us a great excuse to post this Cyril video:
- Steve Friess, of Las Vegas Weekly, has an in-depth study of the sudden death of Vegas magician Danny Gans, the lack of information until a coroner’s report and how the media reacted without the influence of tabloid journalism. It’s an interesting read.
- iTricks reports that Lance Burton has signed a new contract with the Monte Carlo for another two years. Burton in ‘94 signed a 13-year deal worth $110 million with the casino, and is credited with ushering a new magic age in Vegas.
- Keep an eye on the blog and on the forums over the next few days. We’re going to drop a surprise on you.
Angel filming season five of Mindfreak |
Share the love. |
June 15, 2009
How’d I let this one slip by?
Criss Angel is filming magic tricks, illusions, stunts and more for season five of the A&E series Mindfreak, according to an update last week (really? Last week? I’m slackin’) from Vegas reporter Robin Leach. In the midst of a six-week schedule of 18-hour days, Angel told Leach that the season will “push the envelope” again:
“The things we are working on will be the best we’ve done in all four previous seasons, really the best to date. I can assure you each show will close with one truly incredible illusion that people will talk about all week long.”
He has already filmed a segment with Carrot Top (who has been featured in past episodes). One of the stunts, probably the season closer, involves him being chained and anchored to concrete blocks, then chucked into Lake Mead. Leach said that stunt will break a promise Angel made to his mother. Mind your mother, Mindfreak.
Also, Angel fans: iTricks’ Justin Robert Young has discovered Criss Angel’s real Twitter account. A few months back, a sophomoric squatter had some immature fun with the domain. Criss has it now, and he’s dishing during the filming.
Ninja 2: Weapons
Get immediate results with the rare moves and heart stopping tricks
Tags
- Aaron Fisher Adam Grace Believe Brad Christian Celebra Cadabra Celebracadabra Contest Criss Angel Custom playing cards Daniel Garcia David Blaine David Copperfield Dive of Death Ellusionist Ellusionist Forums Frozen Hal Sparks Jeff McBride Lance Burton Las Vegas Magic on TV MindFreak Paul Harris Penn & Teller Rich Ferguson Wayne Houchin iTricks magic magic performance magic training magic tricks mentalism playing cards street magic stunts