David Blaine finally breaks World Record…
April 30, 2008
He’s nothing if not persistent!
After falling somewhat short of breaking the world record for the longest time spent holding breath underwater, during his Drowned Alive special last year, Blaine finally cracked it - this time live on the Oprah show.
David Blaine in his glass bubble from the Drowned Alive special.
The record was previously set at 16 minutes and 32 seconds by Switzerland’s Peter Colat, now stands at a frankly astonishing 17 minutes and 4 seconds.
In the record attempt, Blaine was permitted to inhale pure oxygen for up to 30 minutes - though he apparently only required 23 minutes of that time.
After realising his lifelong dream, he surfaced and after a few short gulps of air, proclaimed that he felt great.
Next up for Blaine is another record attempt - staying awake for 13 days, to break the current record of 11 and a half. Guiness no longer officially recognise this record, due to it’s inherent danger.
Celebracadabra, Episode 1 & Max Maven’s new “do”
April 30, 2008
Now that the dust has well and truly settled from the first episode, let’s take a look back and see what we can actually take away from Episode 1 of the VH1 reality show.
Sometimes - whether you’re a beginner or a professional - things go wrong. Sometimes they go a little bit wrong, but sometimes…they go A LOT wrong. There’s not much that one can do about it, as it’s simply going to happen at some point. But what we do to get over it when they *do* go wrong, now *That’s* the mark of distinction.
One of the celebrities recovered from the faliure by coming back and knocking the same effect out of the house the next time he performed it… The other came back a different way and performed it in a very much more introspective way.
Which is right? Both.
Which is right for you? Only you can say.
As for the rest, I personally found it very interesting to see the sorts of presentations (both basic and more involved) that the celebrities performed, from the simple reformation of a bill that turned out to be mis-made… To the edgy presentation of the floating dollar bill - that could *really* have ended up poorly - Kudos to C. Thomas Howell for having the nerve to put himself and his skills out there like that.
Kim Wyatt’s Card to Broken Bottle was another highlight for me, as the apprentice magician made it seem so smooth and flowing.
The judges were fair, and, for my money, right on the mark with their assesments of each celebrity.
Speaking of the judges… Although Max Maven wasn’t in the first episode, there was an extremely short clip of him, prior to the opening titles.
If anyone can name a magician who could carry off that hairstyle as well as Max, I’ll buy them a beer (Courtesy of the Kim Wyatt school of beer bottle management)
And some magician’s wax.
More information on Celebra cadabra
April 25, 2008
This is taken from an official release about the show, for those who may not know the celebrities, or indeed magicians involved…
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Celebra Cadabra: Sneak Peek
April 25, 2008
With Celebracadabra due to hit your TV screens April 27 (this Sunday at 9pm EDT), many of you are probably wondering what the show will be like and how it will compare to previous “TV Magic Shows.” We really think that after you see just how awesome the magic really is, it will surpass expectations. If you are really curious to know what the show has to offer, then you can check out a five-episode mini sneak peak series on the VH1 Celebra Cadabra website.
Go here to check out the others and get pumped!
Celebracadabra Video clips
April 22, 2008
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Second Edition Black Ghost Deck NOW RELEASED!
April 22, 2008
The second edition Black Ghost Playing Cards are going on release here in an hour and ten minutes
Don’t forget, the first 52 orders to make it through checkout WILL RECEIVE A KILLER FREE GIFT IN THEIR PARCEL
Good luck!
Collectability, or, Black Ghost Decks and Me.
April 21, 2008
With the release of the much heralded Second Edition Black Ghost Deck now less than 24 hours away, I’ve been thinking about collectability vs function, about just what it is that sets the Black Ghost Deck apart from it’s every rival.
Is it that untill very recently, they’ve never been officially offered for sale? Is it due to the extremely small quanitity ever produced? Or, is it maybe that the deck itself was just *right*?
When I was asked to be the guest blogger for this post, I realised that the timing was perfect for my sphere of knowledge, you see, I’m a collector. I’ve been collecting various things for most of my life (from Autographs to Star Wars Figures, from Trading Cards to Movie Props), and I’m now almost able to tell whether something’s going to take off in a big way, or be resigned to the broken toy shop in the sky.
Or at least, I thought I did.
That all changed with the release of the original Black Ghost Deck Giveaway, back some 3 Christmases ago.
I remember now, reading the forum post that laid out the rules. “If you spend $350 or more, we’ll give you a brand new, extremely limited edition Steel Case Enclosed Black Ghost Deck” was the essence of the post, and I don’t mind admitting that I was a little dubious at the time.
I’d not ordered anything for a while though, and at the time, seeing that I was using the regular Ghost Deck, and wanted to replenish a few other items, by the time I’d finished adding everything up - I wasn’t too far off the target.
Now, the other thing about me is, that if you tell me something’s free - but I have to spend another $50 to get it, I most likely will do. I know it sounds strange, but I’ve got to have it, whether I need it or not.
Order placed, I waited for my parcel to arrive.
Between Christmas and the New Year, it finally did, and I unpacked everything excitedly, unable to contain my joy at managing to get all the giveaway prizes that year.
Any and every concern I had regarding the point of the Black Ghost Deck vanished when I saw it sat nestled in it’s steel frame. It almost sat there winking with a certain gleeful malevolence, just daring me to open it up and take a look.
Honestly, it didn’t take me long to do just that - despite having promised myself that I wouldn’t. After all, there was only ever 5000 of these decks made, surely it had to be worth something one day!
(I wasn’t too far wrong with that, as the decks have sold on ebay for… well, take a look)
I removed the deck from it’s box and sat there agog as I spread through the cards. These were literally only the reverse of the cards I was currently using, but that’s like saying that a Ferrari is only a couple of buckets of parts.
There was just something about the deck that captured me, some part of it’s essence embedded itself within my psyche.
I reluctantly replaced the deck back in the box, replaced the box in the steel frame, and sat the frame on top of my book case in my office. In fact, it’s there now - just 8 feet behind me and to my left. (Please, don’t believe for a second that it remains untouched since then, although I may be able to count on my fingers the times I’ve unboxed it, there’s some certain amount of joy that spreading through that deck brings me - almost like a cocoa on a winter’s day)
Fast forward to near the end of last year, and news surfaces that there *may* be a Second Edition Black Ghost Deck on the horizon.
I didn’t know how to feel.
All in one, I felt elated - that I’d be able to get hold of more of these cards, and I felt upset - that now just *anyone* could own them.
Fast forward a little bit more, to a few mere weeks ago, and I managed to catch a glimpse of the gallery for the Second Edition.
I don’t mind telling you, I’m as excited now, as I was the first time I held the Black Ghosts in my hands three years ago.
For the very first time (in my personal opinion), the Jokers are just *perfect* to the vibe of the deck.
Why though? Simple. They show the Black Ghost himself - the dark phantom who’s power seems to purvade the very fibers of the cards, the apparition who maybe even called the cards into being, and the all powerful mage who’s able to project the name of a spectator’s card into his hands*
The same quality artwork, the same love and care that goes into every deck, and the same awesome quality card stock and finish that goes into every Ellusionist deck is gracing these Second Edition decks too, meaning that I’m even closer to the edge of my seat waiting for tomorrow.
I don’t know how you feel about the new alternative coloured and styled playing cards that seem to hit the markets with an alarming frequency these days, but there’s one thing *I* know.
If it doesn’t say Ellusionist on the box, it doesn’t go in my cart.
Brendon Selley.
*Take a look at the jokers, you’ll see what I mean…
All views in this blog entry are the opinion of the author, and may not necessarily represent the views of Ellusionist or any of it’s employees or subsidiaries.
Celebracadabra Theme Tune…
April 21, 2008
What a wonderful place the internet is… A quick trawl through the regular sites pointed me to this file - The theme tune for the upcoming VH1 show Celebracadabra!
The lyrics (possibly penned by, and certainly rapped by Chris “Kid” Reid, one of the hopeful celebrities appearing on the show) are:
So amazing, it’ll make you slap yo mamma
First up, the king of the drama
Add to the mix a wonderful songbird
A voice guaranteed to calm nerves
But strong words come from the mouth of the actor
Magic even got clout with a legendary rapper
And a beautiful lady who brings laughter
Question, would you take a chance and risk it all
And go head to head with a Pussycat Doll?
Even a man with Soul in his past, gotta find a new role for the cash…
Celebracadabra!
source www.itricks.com
Celebracadabra, Exclusive News and New Pictures…
April 17, 2008
We can now exclusively reveal just which magician will be mentoring which celebrity, on the upcoming VH1 Reality Show…
Celebracadabra
Carnie Wilson will be mentored by Simon Lovell
Ant will be mentored by Asi Wind
C. Thomas Howell will be mentored by David Regal
Hal Sparks will be mentored by Rocco Silano
Lisa Ann Walter will be mentored by Silly Billy
Chris “Kid” Reid will be mentored by Derek Hughes
and finally, Kim Wyatt will be mentored by the lucky lucky Murray SawChuck.
Pussycat Doll Kim Wyatt caught inbetween filming.
Hal Sparks showing his latest deck throwing technique (?!) to Brad Christian.
Lisa Ann Walter filming on the streets with Silly Billy.
And finally…
Hal Sparks showing off the goods!
UltrGaff RE-LAUNCH: WEDNESDAY APRIL 16th at 1PM Pacific / 4PM Eastern
April 15, 2008
Due to an overwhelming response and sheer volume of orders, the Ultragaff launch only lasted for 15 frantic and order packed minutes.
We wholeheartedly apologize for this, and ask our faithful customers to bare with us for a short while whilst we put things right.
All orders placed in the 15 minute window that included the three dvds *will* include the FREE Ultragaff Deck, whether it was shown on the order screen or not.
All orders placed within the first 15 minutes *will* also be entered into the prize drawing for the 50 signed Ultragaff Decks and 5 signed Ultragaff Uncut Sheets, as will all orders from the first 45 minutes of the re-launch.
The re-launch will be: WEDNESDAY APRIL 16th at 1PM Pacific / 4PM Eastern
For more news on this, please check HERE