New Products from FUN Inc.

We've got TWO exciting releases that will be shipping within the next week.

Cameron Francis' RED HOT PREDICTION
Spreading a blue deck face up between your hands, you ask your spectator to name any two cards she sees. Placing those cards on the table, you ask her to name any other card (by free choice). Say she names the Ten of Hearts.

You explain that the other day you removed two cards from a red deck and wrote on their backs. The first two selected cards are turned over to reveal a 10 drawn on the back of one card, and a Heart shape on the other!

Includes all the necessary Bicycle cards, plus detailed instructions. Perfect for the table-hopper!

Kirk Charles' BOLTED ACES
Regaling your audience with stories of magic yore, you discuss the story of a competition among magicians: finding the Aces in a shuffled deck. One man in particular boasted to being the fastest, able to find the Aces using any deck. One young con man took him up on the challenge, presenting him with a deck that had been bolted together!

Demonstrating your fable, you show a bolted deck, riffling through it to display the Aces. Explaining your certainty you can succeed where your predecessor had failed, you pantomime removing four cards from the deck, placing them in your pockets.

Fanning through the deck, the Aces have vanished! You casually remove the Aces from your pocket as your audience goes wild.

Look for both these effects to be available at FunInc.com within the next two weeks!

Magic Convention Season Begins

I know there are some who talk down of magic conventions in general, but my experience with them has been overwhelmingly positive.

Next weekend, I'll be heading to one of the 4 conventions I attend annually. Abbott's Close-Up Convention was where I won my first contest back in '05, so I making it back to this convention each year means a lot to me.

When I started magic as a wide-eyed ninteen-year-old college sophomore, I could only afford to do a few magic conventions each year, and they all had to be driving distance from Michigan State University. Fortunately, being in Michigan, I was only two hours away from the Mecca of Magic: Colon, Michigan.

What I enjoyed about the Michigan magic convention circuit was that it was often the same people who attended, as I'm sure it is in other regions. The convention regulars became friends of mine, so attendance became not only a chance to learn from lectures, but also to reconnect with old friends.

What I especially enjoy about Abbott's Close-Up (and the Get-Together) is the closeness of the regulars. Colon resident Dr. Gerry Costello generously opens his home to the attendees, hosting late night sessions and a home-cooked luncheon at his lakeside cottage. Cramming all those conventioneers into the relatively small cottage means you're always within arm's reach of some awesome magicians: just last year, I hung out with Eric DeCamps, Mike Powers, FISM Grand Prix Champion Rick Merrill, and Hank Moorehouse, all of whom were within ten feet of each other. I'm surprised the building didn't explode from the level of awesomeness inside that room.

Like I often tell the kids at the summer camp I work each year, "you get out of this experience what you put into it." When you attend a convention, absorb as much as you can. Ask questions, session with the guys, share your stuff when asked, and ALWAYS take notes.

Andi Gladwin has a great article over at Online-Visions: Andi Gladwin's Convention Survival Guide. Be sure to take a gander before heading to your next convention. You'll be glad you did.

New website coming soon

We have received a lot of feedback that our FunInc.com website is in need of an upgrade. Heard, understood, and acknowledged.

We've been formulating the new design with our web design technician, and have had a few of our customers beta test. Taking their feedback into account, we're making tweaks and changes here and there.

The redesign will encompass an easier navigation system, and will eventually organize our catalog into subcategories, facilitating navigation for the browsing customer. No longer will you have to just know what you want, you can stroll around in our virtual warehouse until something tickles your fancy.

John Bannon's Fractal Card Magic Trilogy

Today I got to take a sneak peek at the cover art for Part II of John Bannon's Fractal Card Magic trilogy. The title is "Duplicity," and promises to be a very popular trick. Remember John's "Twisted Sisters?" John himself says that tens of thousands have been sold all over the world, and it's really no stretch to say Duplicity looks to break that record.

We don't quite have a release schedule set, but rest assured, you can find the latest updates right here on the blog.

Forgotten Goodies from the Magic Factory

FUN Incorporated is a pretty big place. We manufacture almost 300 items and distribute over 2200 products. We get new merchandise almost every day, but because so many NEW products come in, older products tend to get ignored.

The other day I took a look at Cody Fisher's Fifty-Two Thoughts. Ever see this trick? Talk about packing flat and playing BIG! This trick is the perfect pocket mentalism act. Yes, they are disposible, but the effect is so worth it. Plenty of audience byplay, comedy, and the effect is a total fooler! Try one out and thank me later!

Also, make sure to check out the Jupiter's Changing Cards trick. Not only is it extremely visual, but it's pretty easy to do. There's only one move in the whole trick... you do it several times in the routine. The move is a no-brainer, plus the specially made cards make the trick uber-easy to do. Check out my stellar video demo.

In regards to one of my favorite DVDs, I really enjoy watching 10 Years Of Steve Spill. I own this on both VHS and DVD. More magicians should release stuff like this. Even though it's only a collection of performances, you will watch this over and over again. No joke.

Steve's a very funny guy. Watch this, laugh, learn, and wish you were him. In fact, steve's performance of the needle trick is worth the price of the DVD alone. How does he do it? Probably magic. Watching this DVD is kind of like getting kicked in the face by a horse... but in a good way. Two "thumb-tips" way up!!!!

If you're interested in any more "forgotten goodies" please let me know and I will keep you posted.

These Just In!

We received a very large shipment recently with a few new items and a few old items (now back in stock).

Color-Changing Wand: The magician displays an orange wand with brass tips to his audience. Passing his hand over the wand, its body instantly changes to black. Very easy to do, even for beginning magicians. Supplied complete with instructions and special wand.

Lit Candle to Milk/Salt: A candle on display is lit, for some part of another routine, or you can light it for this specific effect. It is covered with a small cap to extinguish the flame. When the cap is removed, the flaming candle tip has vanished, and the candle has transformed into a clear cylinder of milk, which you can pour out, or if you prefer, the cylinder could be full of fine salt or sugar which pours out in an endless stream. It could even be a rolled up white silk!

Mylar Throw Streamers: Tired of colored paper? Try mylar! The flashy reflective substance will definitely add dazzle to your show.

Palm-Fire gimmicks: Long unavailable, now back in a big way. Here is an effect that will capture the imagination of your audience. Fire - first from one hand -- then from both hands. Place the flame in your pocket. It reappears in your hand! Use it over and over again any time during your act. Make the flame seem to leap from hand to hand.

New Products for a Friday

I try to balance the philosophy and theory discussions on this blog with the shameless plug posts. We've had those conversational ones two days in a row, so here come the commercials!

Astor's Paper to Money Plus: Four blank pieces of paper are shown on both sides. They immediately are transformed into four bills when they are counted from one hand to the other!A fantastic new twist on a classic effect. Works with every currency!

Jeff Blum: Stand Up and Deliver DVD: Jeff Blum is a professional magician who specializes in stand-up magic and mentalism that can be presented up close as well as in the largest auditoriums. On this DVD you get to see him perform his favorite creations in front of a live house party and then explain everything in great detail. Along the way he offers his real world tips and strategies, explaining how he earns his full time living using stand up magic and mentalism.

Werry's Transformer: In the early '60s Werry invented a gimmick that blew away thousands of magicians in Europe. Since then, others have not been able to match up to the original. Show a coin, lay it in your outstretched hand or on the table, cover it for a second, and it's gone! Transpositions, transformations, and vanishes are all possible with this ingenious device.

More Reviews for The Royal Scam

After we posted the excellent review of The Royal Scam from Online-Visions, I saw today that Wayne Kawamoto posted his review for Magic.About.com. The arguments are really starting to pile up, so why don't you own one yet?

Five Foot Shelf Up To Date

In Annemann's Jinx, a concept was born: The Five Foot Shelf. The idea is a simple one. If given only five linear feet of shelf space in total, which magic books would you fill it with?

Annemann's thoughts on the subject, published in Jinx #8 (May, 1935):


"Down through the years have come many books on the art of magic and allied subjects. Of late the production of such literature has increased until hardly a week goes by without the appearance of a book, brochure or manuscript. Many are good and many are not. The titles given here is an impartial and unbiased opinion of my own as to what books constitute
a working library on the art of mystifying.

"Every included work has its value and I take my stand now that the shelf of magic as herein listed covers every phase and known principle necessary to a modern performer. There are hundreds of other books, magazines and pamphlets which contain excellent and practical effects but I'm not listing trick books alone. I'm listing what I think are textbooks and if an absolute stranger to magic asked me tomorrow what books he should buy I'd give him this list. Check it over carefully and see if you can think of a subject connected with mystifying that isn't covered with the best book (my opinion) obtainable.

"Books from this list can all be secured through Leo Rullman - 203 West 81st Street - New York City. Mr. Rullman looked this over and estimated the cost of such a shelf at about $125.00. This does not include a file of The Sphinx to date. For thousands of good tricks and for a perfect insight into and knowledge of the trend of modern magic there is no better file to have on hand, but for specialised works take the list as given. I consider the complete file of Stanyon's Magic as the most important followed by Tarbell's monumental course. These two items alone make a working library. From there on it is a matter of speciality.

"Bring me a person who has assimilated the knowledge contained within this list and I'll back him academically against the world of magic to-day.

"Stanyon, Magic (periodical, 15 vols., complete)
Tarbell, Tarbell Course of Magic
Stanyon, The Stanyon Serials,(1-21)
Downs, The Art of Magic
Hilliard, (Sequel to above now being published) [Greater Magic - G.F.]
Sachs, Sleight of Hand
Maskelyne and Devant, Our Magic
Hoffmann, Modern Magic
Hatton and Plate, Magician's Tricks
Clarke, Annals of Conjuring (Magic Wand Nos.121-140)
Houdin, The Secrets of Conjuring and Magic
Thurston, 200 Tricks You Can Do
Thurston, 200 More Tricks You Can Do
Erdnase, The Expert at the Card Table
Annemann, 202 Methods of Forcing
Johnson, The Open Book
Lloyd, Thimble Manipulation
Deveen, Expert Cigarette Manipulation
Hull, Billiard Ball Manipulation (2 parts)
Lippy, Chemical Magic
Houdini, Paper Magic
Hull, 33 Rope Ties and Chain Releases
Gibson, Houdini's Escapes
Hurst, The Georgia Wonder
Houdini, Miracle Mongers
de Laurence, Medical Hypnosis and Magnetic Hypnotism
de Laurence, The Book, of Black Magic and of Pacts
Prince, The Whole Art of Ventriloquism
Roth, Roth Memory Course
Carrington, The Physical Phenomena of Spiritualism
Abbott, Behind the Scenes with the Mediums
Alexander, The Life and Mysteries of Dr.'Q'
Hull, How To Answer Questions
Dusenbery, Making Magic Pay
Glen, The [Magician's] Road To Fame
Funk and Wagnall's, The Practical Standard Dictionary
Globe Book Company, Elementary Grammar"

So ends Annemann's list. The question I often ask is what books should be added to his Five Foot Shelf, and which titles are no longer relevant to the modern magician.

I'm no Ted Annemann, but I have considered the literature of magic, both past and present, and have a few suggestions to make regarding essential texts. Some of the titles below may have popped up in a previous post of mine, but so be it. I love books. That said, here's my short list, which is still a work in progress:

-Steinmeyer, The Complete Jarrett
-Bamberg, Illusion Show
-Gardner, The Encyclopedia of Impromptu Magic
-Wilson, The Mark Wilson Course in Magic
-Waldron, Blackstone: A Magician's Life
-Kaufman, David Roth's Expert Coin Magic
-Bobo, The New Modern Coin Magic
-Hugard & Braue, Expert Card Technique
-Hugard & Braue, The Royal Road to Card Magic
-Annemann, The Jinx (Complete file, 1-150)
-Gibson, The Phoenix & New Phoenix
-James, The Encyclopedia of Rope Tricks
-Rice, The Encyclopedia of Silk Magic
-Corinda, 13 Steps to Mentalism
-James, The Essential Stewart James
-Marlo, Revolutionary Card Technique
-Ganson, The Dai Vernon Book of Magic
-Ben, Dai Vernon: A Biography (Vol. 1)
-Price, Magic: A Pictorial History of Conjurers in the Theatre
-Sharpe, Conjurer's Secrets (Vols. 1-5)
-Giobbi, Card College (Vols. 1-5)

The Creative Process

I often thought of myself as a creative person. Maybe not necessarily handy, but creative. When it came to magic, I usually stick to the classics (cups and balls, linking rings, egg bag) and rely on my personality and humor to make the routine unique.

Working here at FUN gave me a whole new perspective on creating new magic. Ideas can come from anywhere, and usually when you least expect it. People come up with great ideas all the time; it's a precious few who act on it.

Because we have a relatively small staff compared to the number of products and ideas that are sent to us, sometimes things get pushed to the back burner when more pressing matters present themselves.

We've had plans to begin manufacturing an effect from Pat Page for a few years now, but it just kinda got pushed back and back. Recently, I was assigned to "figure out how to make these." I don't want to discuss the effect too much, since we will release it eventually. Identifying the problems with the current apparatus, I first devised a solution, then reproduced the apparatus using the materials we will eventually use in production.

What I liked about working on this project was knowing that I was able to take an idea, then turn it into reality.

How many of your ideas have you put into practice? Do you take time to make gaffs or gimmicks?

To start being a creative magician, I started keeping a "magic notebook." I keep notes from lectures I've attended, trick lists for shows I've done, and other ideas that pop into my head. Whenever I have a show (say, a birthday party) coming up that maybe I haven't done in a while, I can go back to see what notes I made for the last birthday party I did, and duplicate or improve on it.

Try starting your own magic notebook, and see what ideas you can make happen.

Magic Should Fit the Customer

I lead a double life; FUN Incorporated customer service superstar by day, professional magical handsome person by night. I have been performing my magic act for years. I'm a regular at Chicago nightclubs, restaurants, family and corporate events. I even give young aspiring magicians private magic lessons.

Magic lessons are always fun. I usually ask the person (adult or child) what he or she wants to learn. I gather the appropriate information, and make judgments as to what their skill level is.

Of course I want repeat business, so I usually teach magic I know my student can perform. Last night, I gave a private magic lesson to a 9-year-old boy. Apparently he purchased hundreds of dollars worth of magic and can't perform ANY of the tricks.Here are the tricks he purchased:

1. The Raven
2. Pencil through a quarter
3. Floating Dollar Bill
4. Hummer card

5. Appearing cane
6. Loops

A strong selection of magic, to be sure, so I tried my best to teach simple routines with these tricks. I'm sure most would agree these tricks are a little too advanced for the average 9-year-old, but this 9-year-old had a learning disability. His parents told me they purchased the magic from a local magic store. I was disappointed; not in the student or the parents, but in the shop.

After 20 minutes of struggling with the appearing cane (probably the simplest of the 6 tricks), I spoke with his parents in regards to their magic purchases. The tricks were strong, but whoever sold/demonstrated the magic, didn't take into consideration the end user. These tricks require plenty of practice; too much effort for a child with a learning disability. I then taught him several easy impromptu effects he could perform anytime, anywhere. The parents were greatly impressed.

Had I worked at this shop, I would have chosen beginner magic for this 9-year-old boy, effects I knew he could perform, like the ROYAL MAGIC line. Tricks like the Ball Vase, Tree Card Monte, Penetration Frame, Hypnotic Choice, and the Coloring Book would have been perfect for the situation.

I don't think the parents would ever step foot in that magic shop again, which is unfortunate, because it reflects poorly on magic shops in general. The demonstrator may have gotten the sale, but lost any future repeat business. A magic shop clerk's job should be to strengthen an interest in magic, not to frustrate a curious beginner.

The Reviews are IN!

Yes, we have it confirmed by an independent source: we rock.

Well, at least David Solomon and John Bannon do. Online-Visions has posted their reviews of both The Royal Scam and Knaves Gone Wild. To paraphrase their review in a single word: awesome.

Read the reviews for Royal Scam and Knaves Gone Wild, then see if you're not convinced to try them yourself.

FUN facts you probably didn't know

The magic business is fraught with mystery and wonder, so it can be sometimes difficult to get the straight facts. Here's a few FUN trivia facts that I've learned since I started here.

• We own the U.S. patent on the wind-up Talking Teeth. Yes, this classic novelty item, made in America by FUN Inc.
• We also own the rights to the magic Coloring Book. Fun Inc features both full-size and mini coloring books.
• We have over 2,000 items in our warehouse. It took me 2 1/2 months to do inventory!
• Just about every professional trade show magician has had us design custom 3-card montes for their clients. We've done montes for companies like Sherwin-Williams, Dr. Pepper, CourtTV, and Sony, to name a few.
  
• Our factory includes a wood shop, metal shop, and plastic mold injectors, among other things. Talk about a complete one-stop full-service company!
• Back in the day, FUN was the original manufacturer for all of the Cracker Jack toys, stuff that would never pass FDA inspections today.
• FUN Inc. is the exclusive distributor for John Bannon's Fractal Card Magic trilogy, starting with The Royal Scam. The next two parts are coming soon!

My favorite part of working is here is the incredible knowledge base our company has. Each of us on the Blog Team are working professional magicians. We know what product might be best served to fit our customer's needs, because we've been there. Gabe, Tomas, and I are always ready to lend our expertise in answering your queries.

Well-Placed Gaffs

John's post about the venerable Svengali Deck brought to mind a few stories about other gaffed decks.

The one that springs to mind immediately is that, of all people, Guy Jarrett was a whiz with a Stripper Deck. In Jim Steinmeyer's excellent book The Complete Jarrett, he explains how this genius-level illusion designer and builder worked, for a time, behind the shop at Clyde Powers' magic shop in New York City (which was, at one time, an outlet for the Mysto Manufacturing Company of New Haven, Conn.). Jarrett's favorite gaff was the Stripper Deck, and he was reported to have such clever and subtle uses for it that he was able to take in all of the "boys" visiting the shop with it's ancient secret.

My other magic shop-related gaffed card story is probably apocryphal, but still entertaining. I heard it told about Jay Marshall, who once saw a demonstrator at Magic, Inc. trying the old trick in which a deck is dropped flat on the magician's working surface and in the process, one card (the top card of the pack) flips over, revealing itself to be the selection. The dodge involved in flipping over the top card is a finicky one, and not sure-fire, though many beginners know it.

According to the story I heard, the demonstrator at Magic, Inc. was having a hard time getting the flip to work. In fact, he found it impossible to get the top card to do a 180 somersault. Jay approached him and, in an effort to help, began demonstrating the "right" way to perform the effect. Problem was, even with all of his experience, Jay couldn't get the flip to work, either!

The reason: the demonstrator had lured Jay into a trap. On top of the pack was a double-backed card. Its presence made the flip-over an utter impossibility!

Those of you with good memories will recall a story about Dai Vernon working a cruise ship and taking advantage of a deck full of double-backed cards. I won't spoil the tale here, but let it suffice to say that the baffling effect Vernon produced with the pack of gimmicked cards was reputation making (which is why magicians continue to talk about it to this day).

Remember, though you may cast off gimmicked cards as old hat or fodder for the budding bafflers, at the right moment, even the oldest chestnut can garner you amazing reactions from those who are not "in the know."

New Stuff and Old Stuff

After our successful appearance on iTricks.com this week, I've been receiving tons of praise and offers to do other shows. Sorry Oprah, this week's not good for me...

OK, by "tons of praise" I mean my mom listened to it, and by "offers to do other shows" I mean no offers to do other shows. But we are available!

Am I crazy, or has the new stuff been rolling in at a surprisingly fast clip this week? We received a giant shipment from an overseas manufacturer, as well as new DVDs and tricks from other places. Plus, we're continuing work on the remainder of the Fractal Card Magic trilogy and new DVDs coming up from Troy Hooser. Nobody ever said the magic business was easy.

But with all this new stuff, there's an old classic that has recently captured my interest: the venerable Svengali Deck. You may think "Surely, John is a magician of some skill. Why would he want to use a Svengali?" The reason is because these old tricks have a way of staying around, and as I once heard Gazzo say, "a classic is a classic is a reason."

Being relatively new in magic, and having a rapid education, I never really used a Svengali deck in my magical development. So I decided that I would take one home and see what the hubbub was about.

Invented by Burling Hull around 1909, the Svengali came into its own around the 1930s and 40s. It has been sold by pitchmen all over the world (including Chicago's own Marshall Brodien on national TV), and is undoubtedly the best-selling trick deck EVER.

After a few minutes, I could finally see the true genius behind the method. So many options, so little time! But I realized, that with so many magic effects, the key to its proper use in performance was to not over-play it. Perhaps I would perform a card effect with a normal deck, switch it for a Svengali, do a routine, then stop doing card tricks for the rest of the show.

Pitchmen, on the other hand, are working from a completely different angle. They demonstrate the deck showing all different, all the same, selected cards jumping everywhere, trying to entice customers with promises of becoming the hit of the party. That's all well and good, but I say there's still room for the Svengali in the professional magician's repertoire.

FUN Inc. carries several varieties for Svengalis: a Bicycle Svengali, our own Royal Magic brand, and a Svengali Pitch Deck that comes in bulk. We've also got a Svengali DVD and Svengali booklet that's also available in Spanish. The FUN Inc. Svengali Kit includes the booklet, DVD, and a Bicycle Svengali Deck, everything you need to become a Svengali master.

So if you think you're too professional to use this old chestnut, give it a try. You just may look at the Svengali Deck with new eyes.

Freshly brewed magic from FUN!

I am a huge fan of silent magic acts. Especially ones that pack super flat and are easy to perform.

Personally, I've been performing this trick EVERY 15 minutes.

You will love this trick! The perfect addition to ANY D'lite routine. A great opener or closer. Also, the gimmick is very nicely made.
Highly recommended! Watch the Demo!
STRING OF LIGHTS

The perfect companion to your D'Lite routine. After producing and swallowing several small red lights, the performer produces a string of lights from the mouth.The apparatus is diabolically clever, and easy to conceal until the necessary moment. The long-lasting battery will ensure many successful performances.

Oh, and Palm Fire Gimmicks are finally back in stock. Plenty of our customers have been waiting on this item for a while. They were a surprise hit for us.

Another surprise gem was the Color Changing Wand. This trick is a total no brainer! Stock them high, watch them fly!

We've got plenty of freshly brewed magic every day! Make sure to keep posted on www.funinc.com!

Support your local magic shop

Tomas and I traversed the Great White North (also known as western Michigan) to visit Grand Rapids IBM Ring 211 for Tomas' lecture. I tagged along, being from Michigan, and had several friends at the Ring with whom I could hobnob and chat with about my move to Chicago.

I learned that one of western Michigan's few magic shops was closing down. With the recent economic "downturn" combined with the surge of Internet magic shops, the ol' fashioned brick-and-mortar shops seem to be going the way of the dodo.

Don't get me wrong, Internet shops are good for finding great bargains, especially when you don't live anywhere near a real shop. But the brick-and-mortars offer many things you can't get through the Internet, like personalized instruction and feedback from experts. No matter how you slice it, Internet forums just can't beat in-person instruction from a real professional.

Plus, the local shop is in tune with any magic clubs that might be in the area, as well as any public performances that might be happening. Often you can find other magic professionals hanging around, ready and willing to share opinions and advice.

So remember, even though prices might be a little higher at a real shop (they do need to pay for rent, utilities, and many other things), the benefits from a real shop are worth it.

FUN Inc. Blog Team on iTricks
Yes, the podcast featuring Gabe, Tomas, and I went up this morning, and if I do say so myself, we rocked. Check us out chatting with Justin Robert Young at iTricks.com, or download the podcast directly.

Happy One Month Anniversary

Yes, it's our one month anniversary, and I'm pleased as punch. Sure, we all think "it can't be that hard to do a blog," but none of us really know until we start one. Post every day? Yes, 'cause that's what it takes.

So, in the spirit of our success, I'm going to lay down some new items just in:

Zanadu Color-Changing Rope: The original is back. Zanadu's original color-changing rope has been improved to change even faster than before! The instructions include a few different handlings that I think are all very visual.

Nails Through Balloon: Yes, Royal Magic has its own Balloon Penetration, but what this offering from Ickle Pickle provides is an aluminum tube and several nails, all of which are fully examinable. If your balloon is transparent enough, you can look inside to see the nails penetrating through the balloon. We had a lot of fun playing with this when it came in to the FUN compound.

Street Magic by Paul Zenon: This little softcover book is surprisingly powerful. I was very impressed, since it goes beyond magic with everyday objects and describes routines using gimmicks that every magician has. There's some three card monte work, a write-up of the magic square, and a chink-a-chink routine using bottle caps. I'd definitely recommend this book to any beginning to intermediate magician.

At this very moment, we're going through a very large shipment we received with lots of new items, along with items we've had out of stock for a long time. Stay tuned here and on www.funinc.com for new item updates.

FUN Inc and iTricks.com

For those of you who are addicted to the online magic community (the blogs, the forums) you probably are already a regular reader/listener to iTricks.com and their bevy of podcasts.

I'm excited to say that Tomas, Gabe, and I will be guests on next week's episode of Magic Week in Review for iTricks.com. As a longtime listener, first-time guest, I'm looking forward to it. We'll have a link to the podcast once the show is up.

So, visit iTricks.com, subscribe to their feeds and listen to their podcasts.

Keep up the great work, guys!

FUN Prediction Magic!

Tomas Medina's Super Bowl Predictions:

Author’s Note: I realize I am posting this after the Super Bowl was played, but I actually wrote it several days before the game and just didn’t have a chance to post it until now.

Yes, the Patriots have run off eighteen consecutive wins. Yes, they look unbeatable. Most of the sports media does not give New York a chance and have already crowned this year’s Patriots “The Greatest Team Ever.” Don't jump the gun. Don't be so sure.

While they lack the star power of the Pats, they are starting to come together as a team, and it seems that as the season continues the Giants continue to grow stronger.

I am going for the underdogs. I think the New York Giants are going to win this game.
How's that for a magical prediction? Some straight-up Kreskin stuff!

I recently performed this little prediction for some friends. Of course, I sealed my billet in an envelope and performed a thumb tip bill switch as I unfolded the prediction. It was an impromptu effect which wound up getting a surprisingly good reaction. People really did think I predicted the game!

Prediction effects are impressive. Probably one of the best prediction tricks we carry is Edwardo Kozuch's Newspaper Prediction. Ever see this trick?

I saw a local magician once perform this and totally fried everyone's brains. No, it's not a "demo-friendly" effect. However it's a well thought out product. Try one! The secret is diabolical. No one will ever guess the method. Oh, and if you're looking for a stellar walk around prediction effect, Diamond Jim's Sentimental Postcards may be what you're looking for! A novel premise and easy handling, make this trick a winner.

In my next post, I'll mention more forgotten goodies from the FUN Factory warehouse!

On the Horizon

After a semi-spirited post about books vs. videos, I'm here to loudly and proudly announce several upcoming DVD projects from FUN Inc.

Currently in production (and available in the next several weeks) is another excellent card effect from the fertile brain of David Solomon. Called Thoughts Across, the trick is a mind-numbing thought-of cards across effect that requires no forcing or pumping for information. Two spectators each think of one card among ten. These cards then vanish completely and reappear in another packet that has been in full view from the outset of the performance!

Another imminent project from FUN Inc. -- this one not in the card arena -- features master technician/chopmaster Troy Hooser. The DVD, which will cover a wide array of tricks and techniques with an Expanded Shell, will not only be reasonably priced, but include a special bonus item worth more than the DVD itself. This will be a first in the magic industry, and will set this product far apart from others on the value scale. You heard it here first.

Also in the works are the second and third installments of John Bannon's Fractal Card Magic series. Stay tuned for details on these exciting releases. The Royal Scam is already garnering high praise online. Look for reviews in all of the major magazines in the next month or two.

The Pros and Cons of Magic Clubs

I can wholly attribute my rapid rise in the world of magic to a small group of people in my home state of Michigan: IBM Ring 54, Doug Dean Ring: The Magicians' Guild of Lansing.

Because of the camaraderie of my fellow Ring members, I was motivated to continue on in magic, pushing me to learn and practice, and later to compete, all the while creating some meaningful, lasting friendships.

But I also know that not everyone can claim as life-changing an experience as I can. In fact, some people downright hate magic clubs, often with good reason. Things can become more about the politics of running a magic club, and less about the magic.

All too often, I hear clubs who lament the lack of participation by most members, the drop in attendance, and fewer new, young members to perpetuate the club's existence. To attract new, young members, clubs need to offer them a reason to come. Meetings should be organized to create interaction among older, more experienced members and the new members who are eager to learn.

Avoiding the problem doesn't solve it. For members to join a club, then never make any attempt at fixing it while complaining the while accomplishes nothing in the long run.

If you see your club heading down a path you don’t think it should, you should make it known in a diplomatic way. Get involved, step up. Run for an officer position. Bylaws and parliamentary procedure are only tools used at meetings to make them run orderly. The original purpose of the meeting, to learn and perform, must always remain forefront.

The Where and When of Magic

When is it appropriate to perform magic?

Many new magicians are eager to display their skill and abilities at every possible opportunity. The seasoned professional can rely on their experience to tell them when it may be appropriate to bust out the cards or do a quick TT vanish.

My rule of thumb goes something like this: I rarely leave the house without a deck of cards or a TT in my pocket, but I rarely make use of them. Since many of my friends know that I am a magician, I'm often called upon for a quick trick when meeting new people in a group setting. Aside from that, I don't want to be the "annoying magic geek" who pushes performances onto unwilling spectators.

When I venture out alone, to the DMV or some other place where I know I'll be waiting, I sometimes bring out my cards just to keep myself entertained. Practice is essential to good magic, and it's not impossible to practice while watching the news, or while waiting in line. Sooner or later, someone else will start watching me, then strike up a conversation "What are you doing there?" A golden opportunity to perform for a stranger.

If I am end up going to a magic event, I make a point of not bringing any magic items with me. It is extremely rude to perform when someone else has been hired to. I have had an experience where I was performing at a bar, invited a magician friend to come watch me perform, and turned around to see him doing a cigarette vanish while I was still on the clock. I was pretty angry! I invited him to watch me perform, not for him to take over my show. The same can be said of theater-going. It is not at all appropriate to pull out some D'Lites and perform for the folks sitting around you while waiting for the curtain to go up on the illusion show.

Always leaving the audience wanting more. So remember: just because you CAN do magic anytime, anywhere, it doesn't mean you should.

Introducing The Royal Scam

Yes, it's finally here: John Bannon's The Royal Scam, first in the Fractal Card Magic trilogy.

Dealers, be sure to ask us about the special discount for Bannon's "Smoke and Mirrors" book.

Remember folks, this is a FUN Inc. exclusive: your local dealer will only be able to get it from us. If they don't have it, tell them to call FUN!