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MField2000 Special user Hastings, East Sussex, England 590 Posts |
I get to talk to Stan off line, so I thought I'd step back and let others get in some questions. But there's one thing I haven't seen mentioned yet, so here goes.
Way back when, I used to read Genii, the New Tops, Magic Manuscript,the Linking Ring and M-U-M, plus a few other, smaller, publications like Apocalypse. Then I heard about something called "Inside Magic" put out by Stan Allen and I subscribed for a year. It was a "who's where" for the magic world, well researched and produced, but not of great interest to me, since I was locked in New York City working as a radio broadcaster. Then MAGIC burst upon the scene. I'm looking at the September 1991 issue, Vol. 1, No. 1 with Lance Burton on the cover. It's a clean, dramatic photo. Inside there are articles about FISM, the Dr. Silkini ghost shows, magic in Boston, columnists Richard Kaufman, Max Maven and Michael Weber, and the masthead includes a list of distinguished Contributing Editors. I'll quote from Stan's first editorial: "Part of the reason for publishing this magazine is to have an effect on the ever-changing world of magic. Hopefully, make a statement, raise a question, create a stir that evokes some serious thinking about our entertaining art. For too long, the let's-try-to-please-everybody theory has reigned supreme in magic. I'm not trying to please everybody every month. I am looking to cover the art of magic, good and bad." That was 17 years ago, almost to the month. Reading between the lines, I think Stan was saying that it's important for a magic magazine to speak honestly about the state of the art, not color everything nice and rosy. He has, I think, succeeded admirably. But perhaps the biggest impact MAGIC made was to bring contemporary graphic design to the magic world. The magazine featured large photos and, especially as the years passed, wonderful layouts as oppopsed to the look of all other magic magazines of the day -- a kitchen table, do-it-yourself look. MAGIC looked like it was taking the art seriously, and pushing it into toward the 21st century. MAGIC pioneered enclosing premium items with the magazine, such as the Joshua Jay Overlap Card. It carried on with the Inside Magic information, initially as a column within the magazine, then as year-long convention calendars and reporting the schedules of magicians in local appearances nationwide. Stan's innovative work led to redesigns of several other magic magazines, and a change in the look of magical advertising. We should acknowledge with gratitude the great contribution Stan Allen has made to our art. Oh ... he's got a great act with a rabbit puppet, too. Matt Field |
Mick Ayres Special user Hilton Head Island 998 Posts |
Matt,
Man, oh man, do I agree. Stan's magazine caused a great maturing among the magazines which was desperately needed...and perfectly timed. (At the time, I was about ready to give up on The Larsen Family Chronicles...uh, I mean, Genii.) When I opened that first issue of MAGIC, I remember thinking, "I really hope this isn't more of the same." But when I read Stan's editorial and realize he fully intended to call a spade a spade when needed (and the world of magic REALLY needed it). No offense to the guys who came along later, but I still miss Michael Weber's eloquent book and product reviews. He never got on a soapbox...just told you about the product from a practical, user-friendly, well-informed point-of-view. Now, the content of ALL the magazines has dramatically improved and are a pleasure to read. Best, Mick Ayres
THE FIVE OBLIGATIONS OF CONJURING: Study. Practice. Script. Rehearse. Perform. Drop one and you're done.
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