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Steve Brooks Founder / Manager Northern California - United States 3780 Posts |
John,
With the upcoming release of your new DVD set Bullets After Dark from BigBlindMedia, perhaps you could share with our Café community a little bit about how this project came to be.
"Always be you because nobody else can" - Steve Brooks
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John Bannon V.I.P. 152 Posts |
Steve,
Wow. Where do I start. I had decided not to do video unless it could be done non-traditionally. Different from the mainstream and the just-as mainstream "street nonsense" styles. That said, the important parts are the trick and the explanation--not much you could do about that. The Fractals were an initial foray. I specifically asked that the shoot and the editing be done "Hollywood," not "documentary," style and I thought they came out great with not much more direction than that. The editing was for the most part, fantastic. Movie-like without losing the content. Then, I was sent a review copy of Josh Jay's DVD from Big Blind Media and was very impressed with the direction, editing and sheer style. I decided that, if I were to do a trick DVD, I would want to do it with BBM. At that exact moment, there was a figurative knock on my door and BBM's principal and auteur, Owen Packard, asked me if I would be interested in doing a DVD with him. There were some tricks from DMF I wanted to put into the video space, and I had a few new routines I wanted there, too, so . . . . Overcoming all video inertia on my part, the wheels were set in motion. It was a real kick to work with Owen and his crew. In June, I flew my family over to London, then said goodbye when Owen said he thought four days of shooting should do it. Four days for one DVD? All three Fractals were shot in a day. I hear three-volume DVD sets are shot in a day and a half. The period emphasizes the care and the detail Owen brought to the project. He wasn't kidding either; we shot four full days--I did get to spend the weekend with my family. Bullets After Dark is tricks and explanations. The explanations are more expansive and detailed in terms of plan and theory than I usually would have done. Then, the explanations are periodically enhanced through short interview clips. Finally, the whole thing is top-notch "Hollywood" simply oozing with style. Thanks to Owen, Bullets After Dark is a fabulous-looking piece of work. Elsewhere, I've talked about the title. Owen was going for a backlit, shadowy "noir" look (and achieved it). "Bullets [a/k/a Aces] After Dark" is as "noir" as it gets. (As you know, I am not afraid of obscure titles--Dear Mr. Fantasy, anyone?) So, there's the short version of how B*A*D came to be. I hope you all have as much fun watching it as I did filming it. John
"And although this art is so wonderful, still it is held in no honor . . . The reasons are various, it seems to me; first, the art is concerned with useless matters; second, it is practiced by men of low degree."
G. Cardano on card tricks, De Subtilitate, 1554 www.johnbannonmagic.com |
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Steve Brooks Founder / Manager Northern California - United States 3780 Posts |
Thanks John - I look forward to seeing the result of all your hard work.
"Always be you because nobody else can" - Steve Brooks
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wsduncan Inner circle Seattle, WA 3619 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-10-25 22:33, John Bannon wrote: I'll see your DMF, and raise you my first title: The Edge of the Stage. It's a line from a song rather than a song title... and way more obscure than Tubthumping. Very much looking forward to B*A*D*, even if it doesn't have a song reference in the title. |
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Aaron Smith Magic Inner circle Portland, OR 1447 Posts |
These dvd's are going to be brilliant, I just know it. I don't believe I've been more excited for a release.
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John Bannon V.I.P. 152 Posts |
Bill,
All in with "East St. Louis Toodle-oo." Obscure title, obscure trick, obscure location. But apropos. John
"And although this art is so wonderful, still it is held in no honor . . . The reasons are various, it seems to me; first, the art is concerned with useless matters; second, it is practiced by men of low degree."
G. Cardano on card tricks, De Subtilitate, 1554 www.johnbannonmagic.com |
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Shodan Special user Isle of Man 663 Posts |
Hi John,
Just wanted to jump in and say that I received "bullets after dark" today and just sat down to watch the whole thing. Brilliant DVDs! I'm particularly taken with Watching the Detectives - I think the choreography of the whole thing is great, especially the efficiency of the moves in the first phase. I know this one will be going right into my repertoire, its simply too good NOT to perform. The origami trick is also a fantastic realisation of the "potential behind the principles". It was also great seeing you perform some of the DMF tricks - I don't think I ever really appreciated the true potential of your Daley's Aces presentation until now - another one which I will be working into the repertoire as a result. Thanks for working on such a great release. Cheers, David.
"You don't go up to strangers with a stick and come at their head...introduce yourself first, then come at them with a stick." - David Williamson
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Thomas Okey New user Lakeland Florida 50 Posts |
You got your already??
Darn! I'm going to the mailbox now!! |
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Cameron Francis V.I.P. 7025 Posts |
These dvds are GOLD. One of my favorite dvd sets. All of the material is fantastic.
MOMENT'S NOTICE LIVE 3 - Six impromptu card tricks! Out now! http://cameronfrancismagic.com/moments-notice-live-3.html
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shomemagic Inner circle Missouri 2232 Posts |
Everything John puts out is GOLD..because they are all workers..not pipedreams!
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John Bannon V.I.P. 152 Posts |
Thanks for the kind remarks. I just received my allotment of B*A*Ds and I hope to get them in the mail soon.
Okay, now I guess I see how the buzz unpacks as you actually get and watch the DVDs. So far, so good . . .
"And although this art is so wonderful, still it is held in no honor . . . The reasons are various, it seems to me; first, the art is concerned with useless matters; second, it is practiced by men of low degree."
G. Cardano on card tricks, De Subtilitate, 1554 www.johnbannonmagic.com |
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Cameron Francis V.I.P. 7025 Posts |
I think the good buzz will only grow as more people see this set.
MOMENT'S NOTICE LIVE 3 - Six impromptu card tricks! Out now! http://cameronfrancismagic.com/moments-notice-live-3.html
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Shodan Special user Isle of Man 663 Posts |
Just to chip in one more time, I took the time away from the DVDs to peruse the lecture notes, and am currently sitting here in awe of Riverboat Poker. This is just THE perfect poker deal as far as I'm concerned - combining an ingenious presentation with the sheer impossibility of the second phase, with the additional twist of giving the spectator a decent hand too...its almost unfair how good this routine is.
I can't wait to unleash this on people - its going to be an absolute blast! Cheers, David.
"You don't go up to strangers with a stick and come at their head...introduce yourself first, then come at them with a stick." - David Williamson
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wsduncan Inner circle Seattle, WA 3619 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-10-26 22:22, John Bannon wrote: Fold :) |
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John Bannon V.I.P. 152 Posts |
Ellington funeral tune. Jazz Aces variant. In my only Linking Ring Parade.
Robin Robertson mentioned this trick on the Café and I did not have a copy and could not for the life of me reconstruct it. He graciously sent it to me.
"And although this art is so wonderful, still it is held in no honor . . . The reasons are various, it seems to me; first, the art is concerned with useless matters; second, it is practiced by men of low degree."
G. Cardano on card tricks, De Subtilitate, 1554 www.johnbannonmagic.com |
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MField2000 Special user Hastings, East Sussex, England 590 Posts |
Here's my review from the November issue of The Magic Circular.
Matt Field -------- Bullets After Dark by John Bannon 2 DVDs, total 2 hrs., 32 mins. £24.99 ($35) plus p&p from http://www.BigBlindMedia.com or your favourite dealer. Reviewed by Matthew Field I'm a big fan of the card magic of Chicago magician John Bannon. I edited one of his books, Smoke and Mirrors, but I don't think that has influenced my editorial criteria. John's magic is somewhat cerebral. By that I mean that much if it demands that spectators are alert enough (and sober enough) to be willing to pay attention to what's going on. As John says on these videos, he wants to devastate the spectators, leaving them clueless as to method. There are 14 items on these DVDs, shot in a studio setting with explanation sequences featuring British magicians including Magic Circle members Andi Gladwin and Iain Moran. Many of the tricks are from John's highly recommended book, Dear Mr. Fantasy. Some of the highlights are "Dead Reckoning", in which a selection is lost in the deck and the magician deals cards as the spectator silently spell's the selection's name. Sure enough, when the magician stops, on a "psychic impulse", he's stopped on the selection. It requires a set-up, bt it's very good. "Power of Poker" has the spectator making all the choices as he deals five cards to himself and the magician, and not only does the magician's Poker hand win, he has predicted the outcome. "Bullet Train" is actually three versions of an Ace assembly that comes to a denouement long before anyone is expecting anything of the sort. And "Bannon Triumph" is actually his "Play it Straight Triumph", from his first book, Impossibilia and, while it requires a set up is very strong and has long been a part of my own repertoire. Some of the tricks require Faro Shuffles and a small-packet Bottom Deal, not difficult, but not for beginners, either. However some, like the powerful "Einstein Overkill" are virtually self-working. In other words, there's something for every lover of card tricks. The production is absolutely first rate, and throughout the tricks and sleights (John teaches his "J.B. Flytrap False Cut") is interspersed bits of John giving good general advice about the performance of magic. One missing credit, about which I've written to John, is that the Tap False Cut he uses repeatedly was invented by our own Bobby Bernard. This is a DVD set that any card lover will enjoy, with a wide variety of tricks I think you'll want to add to your repertoire, from a soft-spoken, very talented magician. |
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pcummins V.I.P. 169 Posts |
B*A*D rocks. Awesome routines, interesting presentations, clear, thoughtful and thorough explanations, and there's no one who combines and balances subtleties with sleights quite like Mr. Bannon. Among other things, I've been using the spectator's crossed hands presentation for Dr. Daley's Last Trick since prior to the release of DMF as it is just a wonderful and fun way to involve the spectator. Bravo, John!
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John Bannon V.I.P. 152 Posts |
Matt and Paul,
Thanks mucho. I sure appreciate the review and extra thanks for bringing them here during my Café week. John
"And although this art is so wonderful, still it is held in no honor . . . The reasons are various, it seems to me; first, the art is concerned with useless matters; second, it is practiced by men of low degree."
G. Cardano on card tricks, De Subtilitate, 1554 www.johnbannonmagic.com |
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Rpascual Special user USA 667 Posts |
Do any of the tricks require a perfect faro or can they be partial?
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mimo67 Veteran user France 322 Posts |
Dawn Patrol does, but it's the only one, don't worry about that.
I have to say I spent a wonderfull afternoon enjoying the DVDs which came to France here this morning ! Wonderfull stuff, subtleties, tricks, well shot, nice young lady as always with John ;-) etc. etc. Highly recommended !
~~~~~~~~~~~~~MiMo~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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