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cpatchett Veteran user My current prediction is that I have 337 Posts |
I just finished reading the iPad version of August's Genii and was really disappointed. The cover story (one of the weakest cover designs in years, BTW) is on RealSecrets.org and, frankly, reads like a poorly disguised, multi-page pitch for the $180/year site. I'm not passing judgment on the site (to be honest, I like their approach), but the story just seemed completely out of place, at least as a cover story. Is it just me?
Magician: Someone willing to spend $15 to learn how to make $1 disappear.
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Richard Kaufman Inner circle 2532 Posts |
We're really proud of the cover design and the way the word "REAL" seems to float above everything when you look at sideways.
As for the article, are you a Real Secrets member? Will you still feel the same way once you've received the print issue with the free Matrix Receipts trick in it and fooled the hell out of some people with it? |
cpatchett Veteran user My current prediction is that I have 337 Posts |
As I said, I have nothing against Real Secrets, and in fact the article did stir up enough interest for me that I joined the site a couple of hours ago. And I think the Matrix Receipts trick is excellent and look forward to receiving it. What I question, and I apologize if I didn't make it clear, is whether or not the coverage of MS was justified as the cover story. It would have made more sense to me to do a cover story on the impact in general that the internet is having on magic through the various forms of exposure and mention Real Secrets as one attempt to counteract that (then run a review of RS elsewhere or as a sidebar). As it is, the issue comes across as a promotion for the site.
I stand by my criticism of the cover as well...when I first saw it on the iPad I thought it was a placeholder for the actual cover. BTW, if I didn't like Genii I wouldn't post these comments...my intent is not to bash but to offer feedback (and I admit I may have failed at that in my original post). As the former editor-in-chief of two national publications, I know that sometimes it becomes difficult to see what you publish through unbiased eyes.
Magician: Someone willing to spend $15 to learn how to make $1 disappear.
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AltonThrash Special user Meridian, MS 589 Posts |
I personally like the cover story since RK is giving everyone a better understanding of what Secrets is about especially after all the comotion it caused due to unknowns. I hadnt requested a membership due to all the unknowns but after seeing what they provide and a little better understanding of what they are accomplishing, I will. I like the materials provided. Thanks RK
The props and method are worth more than the mag. price 2 or 3 times over easily. Just my thoughts. |
Tim Hannig Inner circle Chicago area 1147 Posts |
Got my issue today and the trick is very cool. Now I'm tempted!
(gotta read the article first, though!)
Author of PERFORM, the 2020 Magic Cafe Book of the Year
"I loved this book!" Ken Weber "4 out of 4 stars!" Nick Lewin "This will be a classic of magic!" Mark Pocan performbettershows.com |
Terry Owens Inner circle Ft. Wayne, Indiana 1707 Posts |
I have actually reworked the presentation of the Matrix Receipts to make it play big for a stage show. If you're interested I'll share some of my changes with you...just pm me.
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Richard Kaufman Inner circle 2532 Posts |
Cpatchett: I appreciate your comments. Everything is relative, and beauty is always in the eye of the beholder. I just stated that we were pleased with the almost three dimensional effect we were able to achieve on the cover. We thought the cover we did of Yumi earlier in the year was one of our best, and someone emailed me and said it was the worst he'd ever seen and thought it looked like an Asian fashion magazine. You can't please everyone, but at least I get 12 times a year to try.
The guys over at Real Secrets are very reluctant to say anything about what they're doing--their goal is to sell stuff to lots of people, but their attitude is sometimes at odds with their goal. I found that interesting and, as you can read in the interview, they answer some questions and avoid others. The basic question is after reading the article and trying the trick, do you think it's worth $15 a month to get one trick and a bonus either in the mail or online. To me, in this age of $25 to $40 one-trick DVDs, I think it's an incredible deal. It's fun not to know what's coming in the mail, or what the bonus prop is until you get those instructions later on, and I like the free routines that pop up on the website with no announcement. I wouldn't have given Real Secrets the space if their products didn't seem to give genuine value. And because they're so secretive, and the existing members can't discuss the tricks with anyone, I would not have given them the cover and story if they didn't include a trick with props in the issue--seeing the Matrix Receipts, reading the instructions, and performing the trick on someone (which you can do literally five minutes after you read it) pushes home what Real Secrets is trying to achieve more clearly than anything that can be said about the product. That's my thinking behind the whole thing. |
jprace Inner circle 2209 Posts |
I got the latest issue from my local shop earlier today and read everything over. Great!
I thoroughly enjoyed the article. I was afraid it was going to be a sales pitch, but it turned out to be a in-depth look at their goals and philosophy. I have been a member of Real Secrets and have received all of the installments, so it was nice to learn more about what they are about. It's also worth-while to have some extra props handy for the included trick. I'm sad the Genii convention doesn't appear to be possible for me this year, but I know the Real Secrets get together will be a blast! I wish I could be there. To those who either don't have the magazine or aren't a member of Real Secrets... get both! |
cpatchett Veteran user My current prediction is that I have 337 Posts |
Thanks for your thoughtful response, Richard. I appreciate the opportunity to understand your perspective on things and can now see where you're coming from. I'll attribute my initial response to the inherent cynicism that comes from having been a part of the publishing industry for so many years!
Craig
Magician: Someone willing to spend $15 to learn how to make $1 disappear.
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Scott Fridinger Special user Gloucester Pt, VA 893 Posts |
Wait a minute now, you can't talk about Real Secrets...Hmmm
Actually, I liked the article, as an original member it gave some insight I didn't had before, yet it still left the bit of mystery that drew me to RS to start. Interestingly, I was one of those who didn't realize stuff was going up and down so fast, as mentioned in the article. I missed something, but it won't happen again (it is now my homepage!), so I think the article even helped existing customers. I can't wait until Orlando, all will be revealed... ...Or maybe not.
www.JustGreatMagic.com
Sleight of Hand, Sleight of Mind |
Jamie Ferguson Inner circle Alba Gu Brà th 3640 Posts |
I thought the RealSecrets story was a real scoop for Richard but at the same time I thought it was double standards from the RS team and their 'no exposure' rule.
I actually think Genii is getting better and better and I love the fact that are able to see a video of Richard every month with lots of interesting things to show and talk about. It makes the whole magazine feel more human and easier to understand in terms of where the editor is coming from. I used to wonder what Richard was really like, now I feel I know him a little bit better. He has embraced digital publishing moreso than many other monthly magzines (magic and non-magic) and I for one would give him an award of some sort for his efforts.
When the chips are down, the duvet is uncomfortable.
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Atom3339 Inner circle Spokane, WA 3242 Posts |
I didn't learn anything new about Real Secrets that I hadn't already found out here on the Magic Café. Still don't care for their approach on selling magic. Just my opinion.
TH
Occupy Your Dream |
IanL New user Washington State 84 Posts |
OK, so you can't talk about the tricks, but what's with the extra receipt? Is this a mystery to be revealed later?
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videoman Inner circle 6732 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-07-19 18:19, cpatchett wrote: Is it possible in this case that the cover in question looks better in print than on the iPad? Richard mentioned something about viewing it from the side and it appears to be floating above the rest of the cover. Just a thought. |
Richard Kaufman Inner circle 2532 Posts |
I would say that videoman's comment is a perceptive one that I hadn't actually considered. When looking at the cover on the iPad or my computer it does look flat. Only the printed copy gives the dimensional experience we were aiming for.
My wife's a pretty good graphic artist, but it's quite difficult to generate so many good-looking pages every year. Our staff consists of only 3! Me, my wife, and Margret who runs the office. I'm pretty pleased we actually get the issues out early every month! |
LobstaJohnson New user 48 Posts |
Well, I found this issue of Genii on my desk unopened a couple of weeks ago; I kicked myself for not reading it the day it came in! The trick was very clever and I immediately signed up for RS on the strength of the effect and the article. Thanks, RK! and thanks RS!
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<BR>credo che tutti gli uomini siano fratelli |
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