What a week it's been. I took last week off to spend time with my family. We are in our home now, bags unpacked and had a lovely Easter together. It's nice to just take time out to relax and enjoy being together. We are slowly settling in down under here in New Zealand. Today I was able to plant a few fruit trees. That is something we have been wanting to do for some time now, get back to New Zealand so we can plant lime, orange and lemon trees.
This week has seen Vanish - International Magic Magazine reach the 30,000 download mark! The magazine went viral all over the Internet and has become an instant hit. I have tried to keep up with all of the e-mails but time just got away from me. You can still download the FREE MAGIC MAGAZINE from this website (www.paulromhanymagic.com). The second issue is well under way and promises to offer more effects, essays and reviews - I'm particularly looking forward to the cover story as it's one of my favorite actors AND magicians. If you'd like to know how to go from a magician to TV and movie Star this might shed some light.
Well the new book is FINALLY finished and available. It has been several years in the making, and completes the HUGE body of work on Performing Mentalism for children.
This is the latest in the series of great and easy to do mentalism for
children. For many years this was incorrectly overlooked as a way to
entertain, but no more. This volume has 300 pages and over 55 routines PLUS more essays and articles on performing for kids. What many have discovered is that a lot of the material can also be performed for adults as well as children. The effects range from close-up, walk around to parlour and even stage routines! There is such a huge variety in these books.
If you combined BOTH VOLUMES together you would end up with over 600 pages PLUS over 100 routines and effects. This really is quite the body of work and I'm very proud of it. It wouldn't be possible without all the wonderful contributors so I would like to thank them all.
Contributors for Volume 2 includes:-
Contributors includes:
Bill Abbott,Greg Arce,Danny Archer, Christopher Berry, Reg Blackwood, Greg Britt, Ken Dyne, Martin Duffy, Andrew Gerard
Jim Gerrish, David Ginn, David Harris,,Barry Harvey, Michel Hout, Matthew Johnson, Cris Johnson,Jim Kleefeld, David D. LaRue,Anthony Lindan, Larry Lipman, Isaac Louie, Endre Løvås, Lon Mandrake, Nick Morton, Mark Paulson, Kyle Peron, Ken Ring, Wayne Rogers, Paul Romhany, Dal Sanders, Professor Spellbinder, TC Tahoe, Christopher Taylor and Richard Webster.
Volume 1 was one of the hottest selling Mentalism books of 2011. There is a huge movement towards performing without props, yet still making it entertaining. This is what the essays talk about, and show you how to go about doing it. For me some of the best material in both volumes includes the essays.
My new Pro-Series books have just come out. This is number eight in the series and again, these are doing incredibly well. This time it's my Headline Prediction routine PLUS a really amazing version by my good friend Cris Johnson. I first discovered Cris's routine in his outstanding "Murder By Magic" and knew I had to include it in the Pro Series. I was so glad he wanted to be part of it because it really offers several different versions of doing a Headline Prediction. Anybody who has received FREE NEWSPAPER publicity will tell you the BEST way to get it is by doing a headline prediction. The best way I like to use it is when I turn up to a new town to perform and need to get free publicity. By involving the local MP or Mayor, as well as newspaper it's a sure fire way to get Radio, TV and news coverage.
This has the exact method I use, plus Cris's version and another version I have performed on stage. There is also a little bit on using my Dream Prediction for a headline prediction.
This is something that both mentalists and magicians will get use out of.
Effect: The magician posts a sealed envelope to the client a week prior to the show.
At the show the client confirms it is sealed, and has not been
tampered with. The performer brings out three different daily
newspapers, and a spectator is given a choice of one. The spectator
takes the newspaper with sealed envelope, and sits down for the
remainder of the show. For the finale, the magician asks the spectator
to bring the newspaper and envelope on stage. The spectator opens up the
sealed envelope, and reads out the letter, which not only predicts
which newspaper the spectator would choose, but also the daily
headlines, and certain results of things that happened during the show.
BONUS - Cris Johnson also shares his favorite
Headline Prediction routine called, ‘ConFab Headline Prediction.' This
is the exact routine and method that Cris performs in his professional
corporate show that uses headlines from the daily papers that are chosen
by the audience.
Effect: A sealed FedEx envelope is handed out to
someone at the beginning of the program. At the end of the program,
several local newspapers are handed out to audience members. At the
appropriate part of the show, the performer encourages the audience to
select their own headlines, phrases or even individual lines of an
article out. Upon opening the sealed FedEx envelope the spectator finds
another sealed envelope and inside is an index card that has all of the
audience-selected material on it in as much detail as the performer
cares to have.
Both versions are practical and can be used under any working condition from intimate settings to stage work.
ANOTHER BONUS ROUTINE
Finally Paul Romhany shares a unique version using a prediction
rolled up inside a poster tube, that can be used for a headline
prediction or any type of prediction effect. This was used by Paul and
his wife on board cruise ships for the past twelve years, as well as for
solo headline prediction style routines. This unique method uses
something most magicians own but Paul uses it in a very different way.
Hot Picks of the Week from www.Hocus-Pocus.com
Slomotion by Joe Litvinchuk
I have been reviewing magic for many years, and can only tell you this is one of the BEST items I've ever reviewed! Let me also say that I never leave home without this gimmick. I have performed this so many times now - usually using a borrowed finger ring - and it NEVER fails to get gasps. I have performed this right in front of magician's noses and they still have NO idea. I love doing this in short sleeves for magicians because they are so used to the $300 versions where the magician has this huge gimmick running up his arm attached to a big box etc. This is the most practical version bar none!
There is no doubt about it; it was the biggest selling item in 2011.
Then, the production completely sold out and it became unavailable. Not a
day has gone by when we haven't received numerous requests for this
item. After working very closely with the manufacturer, we are happy to
announce that SLOMOTION is BACK!
"I love this thing. Rarely, do I ever put a trick in my pocket to carry
with me in the event of an "impromptu" performance. Now Slomotion is the
only trick I have with me at all times."
- John Mendoza
It's another Hocus Pocus exclusive!
I am proud to announce that my good friend, Joe Litvinchuk, the owner of
Phantom Magic, has chosen Hocus Pocus to be the EXCLUSIVE distributor
for all Phantom Magic products.
His effect, Slomotion, is the cleanest version of Psychokinetic Energy
we've ever seen! The performer uses a lifesaver and straw, both can be
borrowed, and threads the lifesaver on the straw. Then, at the
performers command, through apparent pyschokinetic energy, the lifesaver
starts spinning. But, then the performer can stop the spinning at will
and reverse the direction! When finished, the objects can be left
behind, because everything is borrowed and completely examinable.
Perform using actual items found available in a live setting (coffee
shop, bar, etc.) to confirm you are not using trick items; they are
fully examinable. Spectators will not believe their eyes when they see
this up close! Hands are shown empty before and after. This effect can
be repeated immediately.
Perform wearing casual attire (no sleeves required)
No magnets, threads, or wires
All objects are borrowed
Instant reset; no set-up necessary
Perfect for close-up, walk around and street performers
You will perform immediately right out of the package
Easy to perform
No static electricity
Supplied with instructional DVD
Works automatically
Shift - Self Bending Key by Ellusionist
I am a big fan of the Self Bending Key that Ellusionist released a while back - I used it on TV and combined with other bending spoons and forks when you finish off with it bending in their hand it kills. Like Fork - this is a key that BENDS in the spectator's hands. It doesn't get any more visual and mind blowing than this. Again, I combine it with another one of my favorite key bending routines by Andrew Gerard, and together you have the ULTIMATE key bending routine bar none!! This really is the Rolls Royce of Key Bending effects.
Self bending metal is the next evolutionary step in PK Magic. If
traditional metal-bending was an Ape, Shift: Self Bending Key would be
Modern Man with an iPhone 7 and a Jet Pack.
Shift is the epitome of 'Packs Small, Plays Big.'
You can now perform the impossible action of bending a a key INSIDE your
SPECTATOR'S HAND, in plain view, for the world to witness every surreal
moment.
The key itself has been manufactured from a patented alloy, similar to
the Self Bending Fork, and will stay in its 'set' condition, even
hanging on your key chain - so you're ready to perform at a moment's
notice.
Shift: Self Bending Key activates it's bending movements using ONLY your
spectator's body heat. You can manipulate the molecules of metal
without touching the key as is slowly bends in open view.
In a breakthrough of technology, Shift: Self Bending Key is the lowest
priced self bending metal effect in history. Not to mention the ONLY
engineered the gimmick to stay straight in room temperature UNTIL you
place it inside the spectator's hands.
Shift will remain unbent, unnoticed, and unassuming until the moment you
place it into the spectator's hands. From that moment on, your work is
done and the real phenomenon begins.
You now have the tool for a surreal performance. A physical impossibility is now within your reach.
Sweet Treats Wonder
Finally this week, an amazing effect for the children's performer. This is so well made and will really fool the kids. There aren't that many new kids routines on the market these days - and this one is something every kids performer should have. It's an old idea but updated and extremely well made. The routine is great and it has an ending that will fool adults and children alike.
SWEET TREATS -- A new version of the classic U.F. Grant Mystery of the Pyramids effect.
An item you can take down from the shelf and perform at a moment's
notice; no set-up necessary, completely self-contained and fools them
every time!
Ingenious Manufactured Method!!
Presented, is a stack of five brightly colored blocks on a base and rod
to represent a roll of candy. The stack is covered with a cylinder and
turned upside down repeatedly.
Upon removing the cover, the blocks are always upright.
Present it as the first magic trick you ever performed as a baby by
showing a stack of wooden circular blocks on a rod/platform and a tube.
You can casually show the top blocks to be separate and drop them back
on the stack. You then cover everything with the tube, and turn it over
in your hands. When you remove the tube, the stack is still right side
up!
Repeat until they start throwing things at you!
VANISH INTERNATIONAL MAGIC MAGAZINE NUMBER TWO June/July 2012 -