Hi, I just watched a few clips of Rick Merrill. He's the 2006 FISM Grand-prix winner. Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlseDwiNJ8Q&feature=related

I just want to know if anyone can recommend a book or maybe even a DVD where I can learn some of the moves used here. Or did Rick invent his own moves?

Suggestions anyone?

I believe it is in his "Home Schooled Lecture Notes."

http://www.antinomymagic.com/rickmerrill.htm

Hope this helps some.

RevJohn

Now, that's a fun and funny routine!

I've known Rick for years. Although some techniques have been published elsewhere, it seems to me that his take on them is quite unique. I still remember sitting at a table with him and several other magicians, before a magic lecture, and he was doing drills with a pen.

In some early competitions, he got low skill scores, but I think that was because the judges didn't want to admit that they were ill-equipped to judge parts of his performance. They probably had no clue as to what he was really doing. Normally, magicians wear a jacket when doing similar moves to what he does - what he does has to be much harder.

Wow! That is a very nice routine. Thanks for posting the clip, eugenio.

I love Rick Merrill´s routine. But swedish magician Johan Ståhl also hasood take on the same plot:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rz5AMF_6hJY&feature=related

HÃ¥kan
:wavey:

That's not the same plot. Just the same prop.

Plop...prot...you´re right. Prop is the right word.

HÃ¥kan
:wavey:

Hasood??? Must´ve taken the wrong pills today.

HÃ¥kan
:wavey:

Just watched the two routines. You can't even compare. Johan Stahl routine is far stronger then the FISM winner's routine.

Nah man, Rick Merrill's routine is my fav! His use of sleights is far superior IMHO.
The other routine is ok but Rick's got it down!!

I suppose everyone sees things in a different way. Don't really care who's use of sleights is superior. Johan's routine is entertaining, plus he smiles.

Johann's routine won first place in close-up at WMS last year. He's a super guy with great talent.

The youtube-link doesn´t show the whole routine that Rick Merrill does. I saw it at FISM, and it´s really good. And funny. Johan does another type of routine, with some similar sleights. Two different presentations, two very nice routines with the same PROPS

HÃ¥kan
:wavey:

I saw Rick do his routine at the IBM-SAM convention this past summer. He blew the audience away with it. It's funny, all the sleights are clean -- no tells. No tells on the sl--ving at all, if, in fact, he actually does it. In his hands, it looks like magic.

I agree Bill. It does look like real magic in his hands.

I saw Rick perform at Blackpool from a few feet away. Talk about pick my jaw off the floor. A true charismatic, skilled, funny guy.

FISM world champion?? You gotta be kidding me.

I love Rick Merrill. I think he is one of those guys either you get him or you don't

I had the opportunity to meet Rick and see him lecture this past May in Zell am See, Austria. His magic really blew them away. His lecture was really top notch and funny as well.

The thing about Rick is that he is so laid back and natural that, basically, the work is over before the magic happens.

You don't notice the work.