Magic Unlimited with Ellis & Webster: How to win a magic contest

At the movies

Iron Man (2008)
Sensational superhero movie with just the right mix of humour, action, special effects and yet another totally unbelievable plot presented so well you willingly suspend disbelief.
Lars and the Real Girl (2007)
An outrageously implausible plot handled superbly and transformed into a wonderful movie about pure love.
No Country for Old Men (2007)
Great performances, great direction and possibly the most sinister movie villain of all time. A gritty crime tale of suspense and violence with well-written characters and real, non-Hollywoodified situations.
Enchanted (2007)
The perfect film to take the kids to that the adults will enjoy too... perhaps even more! This tale of animated characters crossing over into the real world great return-to-form for Disney and so chockful of injokes you'll have to see it twice!
Live Free or Die Hard (2007)
A total rollercoaster ride of a movie and the perfect popcorn action flick if you leave your brain at the door. Just forget reality and enjoy the non-stop adrenalin rush. It was a long time between DH3 & DH4 but don't be surprised if we see Die Hard 5 popping up soon!
Pirates of the Caribbean - At World's End (2007)
You've got to love this movie. It's scale is massive, it's scope is epic, it's characters are familiar and questions are answered. At almost 3 hours long (the original cut was even longer, I wonder if we'll see it on DVD) it left me still wanting more.
The Prestige (2006)
More than a film this is a magic trick in itself. Some say it is the definitive movie about magic and magicians, while others say The Illusionist is superior. Personally, I think The Prestige is remarkable.
Kenny (2006)
A rare beast, an Australian comedy that's actually funny! Much of this is due to the endearing characterisation of the title character by Shane Jacobsen. The entire movie is also one big product placement for it's financiers 'Splashdown'. I can see this being a great way to find the money to make Aussie films that aren't boring enough to qualify for government funding!
The Ringer (2005)
More a whimsical film than an out and out comedy. I really thought this film would go out of it's way to offend given the subject matter, but it's 'special' actors were really given the opportunity to shine and they did. Knoxville fell down and got hit a lot, but somehow showed his heart was in the right place. (Interesting note for wrestling fans, the director's only other film was the classic documentary 'Beyond The Mat' and this film features cameos from Terry Funk and Jesse Ventura).
Mission: Impossible III (2006)
Better than average popcorn action flick. The usual outrageous stunts and impossible situations but you do end up feeling like you got your money's worth!

Our web friends

* Australian Magic Conventions
A detailed resource looking at Australian National Magic Conventions from 1 to 29.
* Magic Convention Guide
Everything you wanted to know about Magic Conventions gathered togethered in the one place!
* iTricks
A magic news and resource site with podcasts, videos and reviews.
* Handmade Magic Wands
A great resource for magic wands and Harry Potter merchandise.
* Catch the Exotic Magic of Stallion!!!
Move over Rudy Coby... Stallion is now the coolest magician on earth.
* Engrish.com!
If you ever need a good laugh, check this site out for fun.
* 419 Eater
Andrew Wimhurst put us on to this site that tells you how to deal with spamscams and have FUN at the same time!
* Australian TV Guide
Very interactive TV guide you can customise. It even emails you reminders when your favourite shows are coming up!
* Herald Sun: ANDREW BOLT
Opinionated but well researched and extremely well argued columnist from Melbourne's Herald-Sun
* Not Good Enough - Australia's Customer Complaints Website
Got a problem and no-one wants to know about it? Tell them!
* College of Magic
Our good friends in South Africa at the only Magic College of it's kind in the world!
* ApologetiX
Our favourite band. Download music or order CDs here.
* Baptist World Aid Australia
How we hooked up with our sponsor children.
* Trick or Treat Magic Shop
Where we buy our magic from in Melbourne, Australia.
* Magic Fakers
Help stamp out rip-offs within the magic industry. Send all of your friends to this site.
* I Dream Of Jeannie.com
Featuring Sue-Anne Webster!
* Webjet Travel
This is the way to book your own airfares and save big bucks!
* The Internet Movie Database
Our favourite site for movie news and reviews
* Pro Wrestling Torch
Tim's hook-up for all the Wrestling news.
* The Genii Forum
Magicians around the world chat to each other in this forum run by Genii Magazine.
* MagicZooM
The latest in French magic, created by our friend David Stone. (Long Live Lotte!)
* Inside Magic.Com
Tim Quinlan's great site with all the latest news in the world of magic.
* The Magic Cafe Forum
A place where we chat to fellow magicians from all over the world.

Recommended Magic Books

* Penn Jillette, Teller: Penn and Teller's How to Play with Your Food
This book, is truly unique, hilarious, and inspired works in the area of magic and the allied art of practical jokes. We love to play 'The Parsley Game', and the Creamer Trick has become legendary.
* Penn Jillette, Teller: Cruel Tricks for Dear Friends
This book, is truly unique, hilarious, and inspired works in the area of magic and the allied art of practical jokes. We've tried many of them ourselves (ask us about they Sydney Harbour Bridge toll!)
* Penn Jillette, Teller: Penn & Teller's How to Play in Traffic
This book, is truly unique, hilarious, and inspired works in the area of magic and the allied art of practical jokes. Tim even gets a 'thank you' in the book's credits.
* Tommy Wonder: The Books of Wonder
An excellent combination of theory and practical magic effects. Well written and presented, a 'must' for the serious student of the art.
* Derren Brown: Pure Effect: Direct mind reading and magical artistry
This book, along with it's companion volume 'Absolute Magic', are essential reading for those who are serious about learning how magic works.
* Ken Weber: Maximum Entertainment
An excellent book for all entertainers. It will help anyone improve their show. Order your copy at www.ken-weber.com
* Tom Ogden: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Magic Tricks
The perfect book for anyone who'd like to become a magician.

Monday, July 18, 2005

How to win a magic contest - Part 1

This is a question we get asked a lot. Many magicians enjoy the prospect of creating or improving an act in order to compete against other magicians. It's generally not for the glory of winning, but the experience and development you can get by going through the whole competition process.

Over a couple of posts I'm going to give you some ideas and things to consider when you are creating that act in order to help you to get the most from competition at any level.

Today, I'd like to give you one thing to remember, and one piece of homework

YOUR FELLOW MAGICIANS ARE NOT YOUR COMPETITION. This is essential knowledge, not only in a magic competition, but in your life as a magician full stop. They are your colleagues, not your adversaries. We see so many magicians bemoaning that someone else "stole" their idea, or their trick, or their gig. In most cases, unfortunately, their complaints are fully justified. You do NOT steal from your colleagues, you work together for mutual benefit. The same applies in competitions. I know this sounds bizarre to some, but it is the only way that magic will grow. Even at FISM level I have seen acts who are competing against each other assisting backstage in each other's acts. When one wins the other, though disappointed, shares in the winners success because he was a part of that success by helping backstage. When we are able to share in each others successes, and help to pick each other up after disappointments, we will see magic as an artform progress.

Speaking of FISM, by looking at the acts in such a high level competition as the 'World Championship', we can learn so much about how to put together a winning act. Your homework is to read about these acts. You can read reviews of all of the performers at FISM 2000 here and FISM 2003 here. See if you can figure out what element the winning acts had, that the others didn't.

(Part 2 is here)

Monday, July 18, 2005 in Magic | Permalink