When creating an original effect or presentation each of us will naturally approach such an undertaking from a different avenue.

That said, which streets do you travel that ultimately help you arrive to that final destination?

Hi Steve,
First of all, let me say thank you for having me as a guest on The Magic Café! I truly consider it an honor, and I truly consider you a good friend.

With that said, there are many avenues in which to take when creating a new effect.
As in my reply to j.g.sager (First step in building) the first thing I always ask myself is will the audience enjoy the effect? That is of upmost importance to me.

Also I would like to mention that I am really a performer who builds....rather than just a builder. Much of my life has been spent performing and when I design or build, I approach it from a performing standpoint first.

Again, I have found through the years that the simpliest answer to a problem is usually the best. I spend many hours in R&D and many ideas end up not working, and I go back to the drawing board and figure out how to make something work. It is always funny to me because the final result is usually so simple that when people see it, they automatically say, "Oh, of course, I would have done that!"

In the end I will inevitably put it in the show, if it works I keep it, and eventually
try and share it with the magic world.