|
|
sirbrad Inner circle PA 2096 Posts |
Michael,
Thanks for being here, I am a big fan of your work. I got just a few questions. (1) Was there one magic effect in particular that inspired you to pursue your magic journey? One magician? For me it was when a magician performed the sponge ball routine on me at age seven, about twenty-six years ago at a local fair. I was floored. I thought, "wow if only I could do that..." Of course I then made the trip to my local public library the next day, discovered The Amateur Magician's Handbook by Henry Hay, and have been going strong ever since. (2) Do you have a favorite genre of magic? Coins, cards, ropes, mental magic, sponge balls etc? (3) If you were asked unexpectedly to perform one card effect with a borrowed deck, which would be the first one that would come to mind? (4) What was your first professional show, and how old were you when you did it? Was it a close-up show, or stage? I also look forward to purchasing your Complete Worker's series via paperback, I use the same printing company for my own books and they usually turn out great. Your site claims that this is a limited time offer, any idea how long it will last? Either way, I highly anticipate them. Thanks, Brad
The great trouble with magicians is the fact that they believe when they have bought a certain trick or piece of apparatus, and know the method or procedure, that they are full-fledged mystifiers. -- Harry Houdini
|
mclose V.I.P. 306 Posts |
Here are some answers:
1) The trick that absolutely killed me when I was about 5 years old was Hippity Hop Rabbits. I saw Dick Stoner perform it at my grade school in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The two close-up tricks that really nailed me when I was a kid were Wild Card and the Chop Cup (also performed for me by Dick Stoner). I should mention that I never had any intention of doing magic professionally. I was making money playing the piano when I was 17, so I didn't want to have to commercialize my hobby. But, as you'll read in #4, I did. 2) I'm a close-up/card guy at heart. I enjoy doing tricks with cards. Cards are a versatile prop, easily available, and familiar to all audiences. 3) If the deck has been used (that is, is shuffled up) I'll probably do The Shuffles Routine from Closely Guarded Secrets. If it is a new deck, I'll probably do a faro shuffle trick of mine (I don't remember where I published it) where the deck is returned to new deck order with the exception of two selected cards, which are in reversed position. 4) I did lots of shows in the little town of Lebanon, Indiana. I did a show for the entire Junior High School when I was in seventh grade, and I did parties and things like that. I was booked for the 1976 IBM convention in Evansville, which I guess is a professional gig. But I consider my conscience decision to begin to make money from magic to be the Max and Erma's restaurant gig in 1978 The softcover version of The Complete Workers Ebook will stay at its current bargain price until Lisa and I come to our senses, which could be at any moment. Close |
fasr eddie Regular user 182 Posts |
Mike Wrote
. If it is a new deck, I'll probably do a faro shuffle trick of mine (I don't remember where I published it) where the deck is returned to new deck order with the exception of two selected cards, which are in reversed position. Mike its WORKERS 5 page 66 Lets Pretend and its excellent. |
sirbrad Inner circle PA 2096 Posts |
Yeah I also was floored by hippity hop rabbits as a kid, I loved the routine and the sucker element involved that always had the kids screaming, "Turn them around! No the other way!" and practically rushing the stage, only to be left totally awestruck when they actually were. Moments like that in magic is what makes it all worth it.
I still have Dick Stoner's magic video catalog, I absolutely cherished that, and still do; back in the day when there was little magic being demonstrated on VHS. Hippity Hop Rabbits still kills today, and I always enjoy performing it. I still remember spending almost a $100 for the Mak stage set as a kid, and hoping it would be worth it, as that was a lot of money for me back then! Still is lol.
The great trouble with magicians is the fact that they believe when they have bought a certain trick or piece of apparatus, and know the method or procedure, that they are full-fledged mystifiers. -- Harry Houdini
|
mclose V.I.P. 306 Posts |
Dick Stoner is one of my oldest friends in magic. One of the things about Dick that I admire greatly is that he never tried to sell me anything that was beyond my ability. He always steered me toward tricks and books that were suitable for my level of experience.
Just a great guy. Close |
Scott Fridinger Special user Gloucester Pt, VA 893 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-01-13 15:58, mclose wrote: I love that post, after reading your work and seeing you in person, I can't think of much that is beyond your level of experience.
www.JustGreatMagic.com
Sleight of Hand, Sleight of Mind |
mclose V.I.P. 306 Posts |
The time period I'm talking about with Dick Stoner was when I was 6-16 or so. Over the almost 50 years I've been interested in magic I've managed to assemble a toolbox of moves that I can perform competently.
Incidentally, I think it is of great value to get comfortable with the basic sleights of (for example) card magic: palms, controls, shuffles, false cuts, changes, forces, false counts, things like that. If you have a variety of these techniques under your belt, you'll find it very easy to "sight read" a new routine. You won't get stopped in your tracks by a move you can't do. This is why musicians practice scales and arpeggios in various forms. If I'm sight reading a piece of music and I see an Eb harmonic minor scale, I don't have to think about how to finger it; my fingers already know what they have to do. Close |
Scott Fridinger Special user Gloucester Pt, VA 893 Posts |
I knew you meant when you were younger, it just seemed funny at the time.
www.JustGreatMagic.com
Sleight of Hand, Sleight of Mind |
sirbrad Inner circle PA 2096 Posts |
Does Dick still have his Fun Stores? I don't think I received a catalog from him since the late 90's. Yeah I even enjoyed his demos, as he exhibited a very laid back and fun type of personality. I enjoy watching him perform.
The great trouble with magicians is the fact that they believe when they have bought a certain trick or piece of apparatus, and know the method or procedure, that they are full-fledged mystifiers. -- Harry Houdini
|
mclose V.I.P. 306 Posts |
I'm sure Dick still has the store on Harrison Street in Fort Wayne. For a while he had some stores in Indianapolis, but I don't know if they are still there.
On another topic from this thread: I wanted to mention that Jim Swain published a verion of Let's Pretend in his excellent book 21st Century Card Magic. His trick is called Tongue in Cheek. It may be of interest, because it reduces the number of faro shuffles necessary. Close |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The January 2007 entrée: Michael Close » » Inspirational Effect » » TOPIC IS LOCKED (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.02 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |