Hi Jay, I’ve purchased some of your DVD’s and also Beyond Secrets book which I found very informative. It gives great insight into what magic is really about.Will you put something out as far as the business side of magic such as types of contracts for Bars and Restaurants things you should know if you want to start up a magic business? What I’m trying to get at is the real specifics that a working magician should know prior to start-up thanks Jay you feedback would be greatly appreciated. Joe V
I was just talking to a buddy about the whole “I wish we had brought the kids!” thing. I must say that it also works the other way around sometimes…
I have had many adults who have seen me want me for their younger child’s party just because THEY enjoyed the magic. They say,”Oh just do what you did for us at the restaurant, we loved it!”. On a couple occasions the kids were quite young and a lot of the magic sort of flew over their head. I work mostly for adults but do a few kids parties(usually 8 and older) here and there. I think a lot of kids like the type of magic we do because its not “dumbed” down for them. Kids these days can smell cheese from a mile away!
Anyway, good post Jay! I just re-read “Beyond Secrets” a while back so i’m glad I stumbled on to your blog. To be honest with you I’m more interested in your theory and what you have to say than the latest trick you have released. Keep the good food for thought coming!
Jay, I really appreciate the insights you offer here and also in your book “Beyond Secrets” which I read not too long ago. I was intrigued by the article “A New Magic” in that same book. I think last years “America’s Got Talent” show may have given us a taste of that with the black-art group “Fighting Gravity”. Clearly no one was fooled, that was not the point, but it was a magical experience. Audiences were entertained by originality of self-expression and a keen focus on theatrical effect over mechanical method. Hopefully this was a small push in the right direction. Odd that this should come from such an old methodology.
Thanks Hart. I can totally relate to having people ask me to ‘show something’ to their 2-year old. Goan. Sure, I can do a quick vanish of a coin, pull it out of the diaper (a little worse for wear) but that’s def not the kind of performance I enjoy. Still, I do like a challenge, and there are indeed MANY ways to have fun engaging even very young children.
When I heard part of the explanation for “Bending the Real” where you said there is not that much difference between the Master and the Beginner and that too many of us get trapped in the “Magic for Magicians” phase of our career, you made me realize “HEY, Thats ME!” I am at the point in my career where I view magic, not from spectators point of view, but from mine. I am truly excited for BTR and how it may change my thinking and doing. Since the talk of BTR started, Ive been asking people, after my shows, what they liked most. The answer I got shocked me….My most SIMPLE thing (and I mean MOST simple) was seemingly the hit of the show. My favorite is totally different. My favorite is the one I worked hardest on, perfecting the secret slight of hand move that took a year to get down where i can use it confidently in front of a crowd. But you know what? Nobody ever sees that move, therefore leaving it appreciated ONLY by ME!
Anyway, Jay, You have been a great influence over myself and all other magicians I know. Thank you, and Ill see you April. 1, 2011 for my order of BTR.
Hi Jay – I have enjoyed your DVD’s and Beyond Secrets. I got away from magic, distracted by acoustic guitar playing. Your blog has renewed my interest & I know I’ll be getting back to magic in the near future. I saw a parallel between music and magic in the “stick to your weaknesses” discussion. During a productive practice, I’ll try to work on the “shaky parts” more than the things that come easy. Thanks for the inspiration.
Hi Jay, I’ve purchased many of your dvds and your work has helped me out a lot in my career as a performing magician. I am doing work at the Toronto Bridal Show this weekend, and I was wondering if there are any of your tricks that you would strongly suggest for this particular type of event? Also, if you would like to come visit, you are definitely welcome
Finally I received your videos by mail – Hardcore, Insider, and Sleight of Hand with Cards.
Man, you’re the most entertaining magician I’ve ever seen, keep up a good job!
Can I get a piece of advice from you? I’d like to practice with cards too and have few decks. Just trying to workout my fingers, shuffling with one hand.
What type of cards do you prefer? Fully plastic, paper?
Any advices on a size of a deck as related to a palm size?
There is a subtle equilibrium which I can’t achieve yet – to have them shuffle/spread smoothly but not slippery Of course, practice makes pefect.
I’ve been a big Bicycle card guy (poker size) for decades. They are the world’s most recognized pack of cards and people always assume they are ungimmicked. I just don’t see why anybody who wants to be seen as a REAL magician would use any of the much more suspicious-looking decks. Familiarity can be such a huge ally when trying to inspire trust. Stick with it. It always takes longer than you expect, but it WILL happen.
Hey jay. I’m interested what made you come up with the gimmicks lab,and what would be your favourite featured gimmick and favourite effect from the 8 bonus effects.
I go through phases like any artist. I’ve gone through ‘purist’ phases, and now I’m very keen to explore the magic of gimmicks. Of items that look so ordinary, but are actually secret assistants. My favorite gimmick of the collection…hmmm, that’s tough. I really have fun with all of them. But maybe Max Capacity and Metamorph are my favs. PURE magic. All the best, and thanks!
Jay that’s interesting thanks for answering my question. I’ve just had an idea why don’t you think about making a gimmicks lab sequel sometime in the future.I would be very interested in such a project.Also something I forgot to ask you in my previous post is what made you put in the infiltrator gimmick in the gimmicks lab pack and not release it separately on its own next year.
I finally tracked down the original small sized Tic Tac containers. Your labels are for 18 g, but the stores (to my limited search) now sell only the Big Pack (29g) recently absent the “Big Pack” designation (which makes me think this larger size is here to stay). Through Amazon.com I ordered a bunch of the 16g size which seem identical to the gimmick. Perhaps the commodity itself is less dense but the container matches the Gimmick. The source was Candies Delight in Brooklyn.
While playing with the gimmick I noticed that if you hold a real container against the palm with the gimmick in front of it, the increased depth is not detectable. Therefore I cut an original box about in half (just below the label) leaving the bottom of a real container sans top (call this the “fake”). This can easily be held against the palm and later palmed out while the gimmick is placed in front of it. I start with the “last two” Tic Tacs in the small fake. Aligning the bottoms of the fake and the gimmick now allows the two TT’s to be shaken as if within the solid gimmick. The gimmick tab on top can be opened and the two TT’s “poured” out, actually just being dumped out of the small fake behind the gimmick and into the open palm of you or audience or onto table, etc. The gimmick can be handed off for transformation to solid in the spectator’s hand(s) while the small fake is palmed off, etc. This seems to be a good way to turn Maximum Capacity from “just” a (brilliant) gag into real magic. No doubt you can develop better handling than I.
Hey Jay! I’d LOVE to see some material addressing the newest “lay” fad, Texas Hold’em. Gimmicked or not any effect would certainly lend itself to an “emotional” response in the spectator, since it is something that people know about and do.
A shot in the dark – are there any plans for you to tour Australia this year? The majority of your lectures are in Canada/US, but I moved from Hamilton in to near Brisbane 15 yrs ago. I’d LOVE to be able to attend a lecture, as I’ve been a fan for many, many, many years now. I can recall a very young (16-ish?) Jay on CHCH TV, as well as other appearances on B’fast TV etc. many moons ago now.
January 23rd, 2011 on 12:59 am
Great post Jay. I’ve wondered about this too – when is the right time to perform an effect. Good to hear the thoughts of a professional.
January 28th, 2011 on 10:06 pm
Hi Jay, I’ve purchased some of your DVD’s and also Beyond Secrets book which I found very informative. It gives great insight into what magic is really about.Will you put something out as far as the business side of magic such as types of contracts for Bars and Restaurants things you should know if you want to start up a magic business? What I’m trying to get at is the real specifics that a working magician should know prior to start-up thanks Jay you feedback would be greatly appreciated. Joe V
February 11th, 2011 on 5:10 am
Hi Jay. I’m so happy to see you are blogging. Thanks for being a true leader and inspiration for folks of all ages.
February 18th, 2011 on 9:26 pm
Great post Jay!
I was just talking to a buddy about the whole “I wish we had brought the kids!” thing. I must say that it also works the other way around sometimes…
I have had many adults who have seen me want me for their younger child’s party just because THEY enjoyed the magic. They say,”Oh just do what you did for us at the restaurant, we loved it!”. On a couple occasions the kids were quite young and a lot of the magic sort of flew over their head. I work mostly for adults but do a few kids parties(usually 8 and older) here and there. I think a lot of kids like the type of magic we do because its not “dumbed” down for them. Kids these days can smell cheese from a mile away!
Anyway, good post Jay! I just re-read “Beyond Secrets” a while back so i’m glad I stumbled on to your blog. To be honest with you I’m more interested in your theory and what you have to say than the latest trick you have released. Keep the good food for thought coming!
Hart Keene
February 21st, 2011 on 7:37 pm
Jay, I really appreciate the insights you offer here and also in your book “Beyond Secrets” which I read not too long ago. I was intrigued by the article “A New Magic” in that same book. I think last years “America’s Got Talent” show may have given us a taste of that with the black-art group “Fighting Gravity”. Clearly no one was fooled, that was not the point, but it was a magical experience. Audiences were entertained by originality of self-expression and a keen focus on theatrical effect over mechanical method. Hopefully this was a small push in the right direction. Odd that this should come from such an old methodology.
February 22nd, 2011 on 6:17 pm
Thanks Hart. I can totally relate to having people ask me to ‘show something’ to their 2-year old. Goan. Sure, I can do a quick vanish of a coin, pull it out of the diaper (a little worse for wear) but that’s def not the kind of performance I enjoy. Still, I do like a challenge, and there are indeed MANY ways to have fun engaging even very young children.
March 8th, 2011 on 2:39 pm
When I heard part of the explanation for “Bending the Real” where you said there is not that much difference between the Master and the Beginner and that too many of us get trapped in the “Magic for Magicians” phase of our career, you made me realize “HEY, Thats ME!” I am at the point in my career where I view magic, not from spectators point of view, but from mine. I am truly excited for BTR and how it may change my thinking and doing. Since the talk of BTR started, Ive been asking people, after my shows, what they liked most. The answer I got shocked me….My most SIMPLE thing (and I mean MOST simple) was seemingly the hit of the show. My favorite is totally different. My favorite is the one I worked hardest on, perfecting the secret slight of hand move that took a year to get down where i can use it confidently in front of a crowd. But you know what? Nobody ever sees that move, therefore leaving it appreciated ONLY by ME!
Anyway, Jay, You have been a great influence over myself and all other magicians I know. Thank you, and Ill see you April. 1, 2011 for my order of BTR.
March 17th, 2011 on 9:37 pm
Hi Jay – I have enjoyed your DVD’s and Beyond Secrets. I got away from magic, distracted by acoustic guitar playing. Your blog has renewed my interest & I know I’ll be getting back to magic in the near future. I saw a parallel between music and magic in the “stick to your weaknesses” discussion. During a productive practice, I’ll try to work on the “shaky parts” more than the things that come easy. Thanks for the inspiration.
March 18th, 2011 on 1:37 pm
Hey Jay, nice to hear from you. Thanks for the kind words. I’d LOVE to be able to play guitar.
September 22nd, 2011 on 12:57 pm
Where can I find your lecture schedule. Are you coming to the southeastern US anytime soon?
November 1st, 2011 on 4:55 pm
Hi Jay, I’ve purchased many of your dvds and your work has helped me out a lot in my career as a performing magician. I am doing work at the Toronto Bridal Show this weekend, and I was wondering if there are any of your tricks that you would strongly suggest for this particular type of event? Also, if you would like to come visit, you are definitely welcome
November 1st, 2011 on 8:38 pm
Howdy Jay, greetings from Finland!
Finally I received your videos by mail – Hardcore, Insider, and Sleight of Hand with Cards.
Man, you’re the most entertaining magician I’ve ever seen, keep up a good job!
Can I get a piece of advice from you? I’d like to practice with cards too and have few decks. Just trying to workout my fingers, shuffling with one hand.
What type of cards do you prefer? Fully plastic, paper?
Any advices on a size of a deck as related to a palm size?
There is a subtle equilibrium which I can’t achieve yet – to have them shuffle/spread smoothly but not slippery
Of course, practice makes pefect.
Thanks!
November 1st, 2011 on 9:22 pm
I’ve been a big Bicycle card guy (poker size) for decades. They are the world’s most recognized pack of cards and people always assume they are ungimmicked.
I just don’t see why anybody who wants to be seen as a REAL magician would use any of the much more suspicious-looking decks. Familiarity can be such a huge ally when trying to inspire trust. Stick with it. It always takes longer than you expect, but it WILL happen.
November 1st, 2011 on 9:22 pm
Sorry, no plans to travel that part of the world anytime soon- but THANKS!!
November 9th, 2011 on 8:14 pm
Hey jay. I’m interested what made you come up with the gimmicks lab,and what would be your favourite featured gimmick and favourite effect from the 8 bonus effects.
November 9th, 2011 on 8:56 pm
I go through phases like any artist. I’ve gone through ‘purist’ phases, and now I’m very keen to explore the magic of gimmicks. Of items that look so ordinary, but are actually secret assistants. My favorite gimmick of the collection…hmmm, that’s tough. I really have fun with all of them. But maybe Max Capacity and Metamorph are my favs. PURE magic. All the best, and thanks!
November 10th, 2011 on 12:26 pm
Jay that’s interesting thanks for answering my question. I’ve just had an idea why don’t you think about making a gimmicks lab sequel sometime in the future.I would be very interested in such a project.Also something I forgot to ask you in my previous post is what made you put in the infiltrator gimmick in the gimmicks lab pack and not release it separately on its own next year.
December 30th, 2011 on 5:58 pm
Re: Maximum Capacity
I finally tracked down the original small sized Tic Tac containers. Your labels are for 18 g, but the stores (to my limited search) now sell only the Big Pack (29g) recently absent the “Big Pack” designation (which makes me think this larger size is here to stay). Through Amazon.com I ordered a bunch of the 16g size which seem identical to the gimmick. Perhaps the commodity itself is less dense but the container matches the Gimmick. The source was Candies Delight in Brooklyn.
While playing with the gimmick I noticed that if you hold a real container against the palm with the gimmick in front of it, the increased depth is not detectable. Therefore I cut an original box about in half (just below the label) leaving the bottom of a real container sans top (call this the “fake”). This can easily be held against the palm and later palmed out while the gimmick is placed in front of it. I start with the “last two” Tic Tacs in the small fake. Aligning the bottoms of the fake and the gimmick now allows the two TT’s to be shaken as if within the solid gimmick. The gimmick tab on top can be opened and the two TT’s “poured” out, actually just being dumped out of the small fake behind the gimmick and into the open palm of you or audience or onto table, etc. The gimmick can be handed off for transformation to solid in the spectator’s hand(s) while the small fake is palmed off, etc. This seems to be a good way to turn Maximum Capacity from “just” a (brilliant) gag into real magic. No doubt you can develop better handling than I.
Best in 2012.
John
January 1st, 2012 on 11:56 pm
Hey Jay! I’d LOVE to see some material addressing the newest “lay” fad, Texas Hold’em. Gimmicked or not any effect would certainly lend itself to an “emotional” response in the spectator, since it is something that people know about and do.
January 11th, 2012 on 6:12 pm
A shot in the dark – are there any plans for you to tour Australia this year? The majority of your lectures are in Canada/US, but I moved from Hamilton in to near Brisbane 15 yrs ago. I’d LOVE to be able to attend a lecture, as I’ve been a fan for many, many, many years now. I can recall a very young (16-ish?) Jay on CHCH TV, as well as other appearances on B’fast TV etc. many moons ago now.
January 15th, 2012 on 3:32 pm
No plans for OZ this year. Darn shame too. LOVELY country!
January 15th, 2012 on 3:32 pm
Good idea. The big challenge is always to make magic relevant- solid thinking!