Scare Tactics

Every now and then, some creative pranksters, concoct stories to scare the community at large.

They then spend inordinate amount of thought and energy on making the stories viral.  In just a few days, the whole country is quaking in their shoes in fear. Over what?

Over imaginary goblins.

The Discovery of a Gem of a Book

I wrote about the subject of how buying magic books from local book stores can pay good dividends.

Today let me write something similar.

For some time now, I have been meaning to buy the Magic of Alan Wakeling. However, I have been dragging my feet to do the one thing a sensible magician should do right away.  I stiffened my Scrooge-like resolve not to part with my money, even though I know the book is a good investment. Even though the book is not expensive.  Even though I have been itching to get hold of a copy.

Hoop, Hoop, Hurray!

How do you prove that a levitating lady is unattached to a thread or string?

Why, of course, you prove it by passing a solid hoop through the lady’s body while she is floating in midair.

Busy Week

My apologies to the readers of this blog.  I have not written an article for over a week.  I’m up to my neck with activities these few days, and I just didn’t have the inclination, nor time to spare, to pound articles on the keyboard.

Now Selling: Egg Bag

Today I stumbled upon an ad copy of Jeff Hobson’s Egg Bag.

As a magician in the Philippines performing for Filipino families, I read the ad in awe.  I’ve read it before with nary a reaction. But now, after reading it again, I’m in awe, stunned even.

Unfamiliarity Breeds Disdain

Wednesday’s Performance Tip: Master Your Act. If you have not yet gotten your act down pat, don’t perform it.

The audience deserves better than a half-baked presentation. If you give them less than your best, they would know.  They would feel it in their sinews if you are bluffing through your performance, pretending you know what you are doing.

Long Winding Magic: A Deadly Performance Killer

Lengthy introduction is a surefire attention killer.

It kills interest in your speech, if you are an after-dinner speaker.  It turns off potential buyers, if you are a sales person. It sends people to dreamland, if you are a product presenter.  It bores audiences, if you are mentalist or magician in the Philippines.

Turning and Tossing on the Dove Toss

Dove magic is one of the most beautiful manipulative acts to perform.  It is elegant, amazing and entertaining.

Many magicians in the Philippines love to perform dove magic. Leodini is one of them.

Yet, launching oneself into dove magic is a difficult enterprise. First, you have to buy those doves—not just any type of doves, but the kind that God made for magic.

Slowly and Unsurely Turns Off the Audience

Wednesday’s Performance Tip: Don’t Drag Your Feet

Dragging is the opposite of rushing. They are  equally boring. If you perform at supersonic speed, you will leave your audience wondering what the heck you are doing. Your performance will be a blur.

On the other hand, a snail-pace performance can put people to sleep.

Signature Act

Words of wisdom from superstars don’t always apply in the Philippine  magic scene.

Take for example signature acts. Someone I idolize has been spreading the Gospel of building a signature act.

A signature act is something a performer has been doing so long that he has mastered it. It has become identifiable with him.

For example, Jeff Hobson, Egg Bag. The Pendragons, The Metamorphosis.  Leodini, looking like Mel Gibson.