|
|
Magiguy
Inner circle
Seattle, WA
3760 Posts
|
Posted: May 24, 2009 12:52pm
Fuzzy Logic
Written & Illustrated by Tom Stone
12 pages
http://shop.tomstone.se/
In my review of Mr. Stone’s book, Random Walk, I stated that even the smaller, single-paragraph bits and pieces offered in-between the more fully fleshed out items are of greater value than many of the one-item releases that are gradually taking a sickening foothold on the current magic market. As a virtual proof of this statement, Tom’s latest release, Fuzzy Logic, is an ebook made up completely of these “between the margins" thoughts, ideas and solutions, and at $10 its value is truly understated. It is a collection of notebook ideas and loose thoughts, or, as Tom says, “a bunch of... something."
Having read through the material three times now I have struggled to find a way to give it a proper review, given the nature of the book and the ideas it contains. All-in-all 28 items, ranging from a two sentence thought regarding a plot improvement for Ramsay’s Cylinder and Coins, to a series of exceptionally creative uses for marketed props (one of which you more than likely already own), to more fully fleshed out original presentations, to inspired plots in search of solutions, to essays on magic performance and philosophy. There’s even a tip on an inexpensive item for use in the design of prototypes, and a design idea for a knee servante (yes, you read that correctly). Here are some random thoughts, item by item:
Cylinder and Gosh
Combines John Ramsay with Al Goshman, turning a “quickie" trick into an inspired performance piece.
The Annoying Four
Based on Edward Victor’s 11 Card trick. This would make a great intro to an ambitious card routine.
Magic for Magicians
One of several thought provoking essays in the book. When a performer allows a method to cloud or overshadow an effect, the performance loses its impact and confuses its audience. The method is a means to the effect, but the effect itself is where the true magic (and impact) lies.
Open Cards To Pocket
Inspired by David Roth’s “The Sleeve," here is a brilliant, startling, comical second phase for a Cards to Pocket routine, and a perfect illustration of effect over method, as discussed in the last item, Magic for Magicians.
Prov. 31.6
A near instant production of a filled glass. Very clever!
Orange Osmosis
An example of plot construction and story structure. The linking of actions to further the plot in order to produce a “working" effect.
Imaginary Spectator or Real Artist?
Examines the difference (flaw?) between trying to create material for an unknown audience and creating it for ourselves, based on themes we find personally meaningful as artists. This is examined again, further on, in “Misunderstanding Meaningful Magic."
Incompetent Cards to Pocket
Another “cards to pocket" idea. This time the cards go everywhere other than where they are intended by the magician to go. Nice surprise ending!
Roomtone
This entry epitomizes the Tom Stone thought process for me. Detailed minutia exposing the potential for significant emotional and/or atmospheric manipulation. Sheer brilliance!
Derringer
Great idea for a “one ahead" card prediction, when certain circumstances are present.
A Thought on Identification
Another essay item. How do we overcome the flawed dramatic structure of some tricks that make us feel it necessary to have an object signed in order to prove later on that the re-produced object is the same one we started with?
Ten Cards to Pocket Thoughts
A study of the structure of the routine, and thoughts on making it more dynamic.
Wooden Sign
A signed card vanishes and then reappears, stapled to a wooden board, where it has been in view from the beginning of the performance. Clever use of an easily made Steinmeyer gimmick!
Flying Fruit
I love tricks where the magic happens before you even realize it. This one, where an apple and an orange magically exchange places is another gem.
Math vs. Magic
Basically, a four ace revelation in the hands of a group of spectators.
Micro-Macro WOW, and Twisting the WOW
Two uniquely unusual and clever uses for Masuda’s WOW gimmick.
Cinderella Mentalism 1 and 2
Tom’s ungraciously rejected ideas for a performance piece based on an age-old joke.
White Death 1 and 2
Close-Up and stage versions of a trick (a performance piece, really) whereby freely made choices lead to a practically impossible conclusion.
Knee Servante
The name pretty much says it all.
Mental Sports
A clever routine using a Quantimental Stand.
Celastic Replacement
Just as the title indicates, Tom has found a non-toxic material that is far easier to obtain than celastic, for use in the creation of gaffs and prototypes.
Mating For Life
A charming plot in search of a method.
Misunderstanding Meaningful Magic
An artist’s examination of what we think an audience wants to see versus what we, the artists, want to show them. (Also see “Imaginary Spectator or Real Artist?"
Effect Classifications
A discussion of, and argument against, reductionism as it relates to attempts at grouping effects into a limited number of categorical “buckets."
Camera Gag
A great sight gag, and perfect way to address the flash photographer in the audience.
With Fuzzy Logic we are given another (all too brief) peek into the notebooks of one of magic’s most creative geniuses. What you get here are snippets of true brilliance, leaving the reader with a joyous sense of creative inspiration. I can imagine a day when someone will get a hold of Tom’s notebooks and sell off the facsimile editions in lots of 500 at $200 a piece. If I should live to see the day, you’ll find me first in line.
|
Lawrence O
Inner circle
Paris France
4850 Posts
|
Posted: Jun 2, 2009 11:04am
How many time did we wish we could share an idea with one of the very true geniuses of magic, something that for some reason they will not work into a full routine but have splendid ideas about?
This is exactly what "fuzzy logic" is: the notebook of great ideas by someone who will probably not use them but knows that it's not sufficient enough a reason to let them be lost and is prepared to share them.
Many of these are true reputation makers if worked out in fully scripted routines and... they are all original!
Thank you Tom!
Great seeds to a nice harvest.
Magic is not a performing art where people don't know how situations are reached, it's the art of showing parallel dimensions that can't be reached
|
| The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Ebooks, PDF's or Downloads » » Tom Stone's Fuzzy Logic |
|
|
|
