Auction nets $8K for cancer-stricken XCMer

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November 6, 2009

This is partly news because it’s rare to hear XCM creator De’vo vom Schattenreich give an audio interview. And it’s with Justin Robert Young, the prolific workhorse behind iTricks and the hardest working guy in the magic media. But the real story is the subject of the interview between them — it’s featured in the latest edition of iTricks’ Magic Stars Podcast.

A recent fundraising auction netted more than $8,000 to benefit a member of the Handlordz community afflicted with cancer. The auction included a bunch of rare items from Schattenreich’s and Jerry Cestkowski’s personal collection, including the knife used in a controversial video. The story behind the auction-winner of that knife, and what the winner decided to do with it, is pretty cool.

Posted by Joe Hadsall | Filed Under Artist Interviews, General

Brumbalow interviewed for design blog

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November 5, 2009

Most of you know that Jason Brumbalow, general manager of Ellusionist, is a crazy-sick designer and artist. Anyone who has look at an Arcane deck knows exactly how good he is. The secret is getting out to the design world: JBone was featured in an interview by James Donaldson of the Paragon Muse. He talked about how to succeed as a graphic designer, what he did before signing on with E and how you can learn more from your victories than your failures.

And speaking of the Arcanes: Wonder what 6,000 decks looks like before it heads to the mail? A lot like the picture below, featuring expert warehouse troopers John, Evelyn and Jeand’elle after our record-breaking first day of sales. They are the reason so many of you got your decks so quickly. And they are hacker-proof.

Posted by Joe Hadsall | Filed Under Artist Interviews, Ellusionist Products, General

Artist Interview: DeSouza talks deceptions

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November 2, 2009

Editor’s note: The following podcast was recorded on Oct. 23, several days before the start of the World Series. For reasons you’ll hear in the podcast, the editor is feeling pretty lucky that the Phillies dodged elimination by winning Game 5 tonight. Ellusionist supports neither the Yankees or the Phillies, but fully supports the idea of Joe shutting his trap about sports. That is all.

After almost 50 years, there’s not much in magic that Marc DeSouza HASN’T done. Outstanding close-up magician? Check. Worldwide respect? Got it. Awards from magic’s two largest international groups? He has a bunch. Creator of one of the most widely used sleights in magic today? Absolutely (along with Oscar Munoz, he is quick to point out).

Marc Desouza stopped by for an Artist Interview a few days ago. He talked about the era in magic’s history that is his favorite, what it takes to take your act to the stage (or in a magic competition), how he developed his ability to routine and his new 4-DVD set, “The Master Works of Conjuring.”

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If you somehow missed his video for the Arcane deck, see it here. Also, there is a discussion about a routine based on Alice in Wonderland. The video is below.

Posted by Joe Hadsall | Filed Under Artist Interviews, Ellusionist Products, General

Artist Interview: Larry Wilmore talks about Daily Show ‘ambitious race card’ routine

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October 16, 2009

Larry Wilmore doesn’t mind tellin’ you… his classic pass is terrible. He usually messes with a deck of cards when he gets the chance to practice. But he is well versed in magic: He can tell you about Ascanio, Marlo, Jennings and he can even tell you why he performs like Vernon.

Wilmore, senior black correspondent for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, took the time to catch up with us about magic — mostly about that incredible “race card” routine he performed on the show last week. The author, writer and actor also talked about his upcoming work with Steve Carell and Paul Rudd, the importance of being yourself when you perform and how people have seen a lot of magic — but haven’t seen a lot of sleight of hand.

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Posted by Joe Hadsall | Filed Under Artist Interviews

Podcast: Ferguson talks about Serial Biller

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September 25, 2009

We’ve talked enough about Serial Biller, the latest effect from Rich Ferguson. You’ve seen the trailers and release date, but it’s so much cooler to hear the details from him. Fresh from a European stop with Full Tilt Poker.net (pictured above), Ferguson spoke about his latest release, how he discovered the crazy method behind it and about all the details of this video that aren’t in the trailer.

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p.s. This is what I get for hassling B. Smith about making up a word. I made up a whole new frickin’ town: St. Louis Obispo. Find THAT, Google Maps.

Posted by Joe Hadsall | Filed Under Artist Interviews, Ellusionist Products