What Is Magic?

Hello again everyone! This is my second blog post, about what is magic. I asked this question a couple of weeks ago, and the responses were pretty minimal. This post is a longer post, because it’s a bigger question, and the question is answered based on what I learned at Magic-Con, and what I got out of it. For those of you who didn’t go, the post has extremely valuable information, for those of you who did go, check it out to see if you got what I got out of it.

My next few posts will be all about great points, tips and lessons I learned at Magic-Con, because I honestly don’t view magic the same anymore. After almost six years of being a magician, three days changed everything.

Exo Blog 2 from Austin Fields on Vimeo.

See you guys next week!
Austin Fields

Ellusionist

Today I am going to share with you one of my most prized secrets in magic. No, its not the secret of an illusionist, but rather a secret of one Ellusionist. Some of you may not know this, but the infamous Ellusionist actually keeps two servers on the internet. One, Ellusionist.com, which you most likely allready know, and the other, much more discreetly, is where they appear to keep allot of their media files. On this alternate server is a plethora of some really great digital media and if you know what your looking for, you may just dig up a surprise or two. In the past I have found high-resolution images of many of their original gaff decks as well as hi-res images of the “stained skin tattoos”. I’ve even come across an early look at a promo video or two as well. All of which I will provide you with links to along with my methods of search so that you may start pillaging through the server should you feel so inclined. Now there is really no reason to have a link referral show up in their server logs, so I will be posting everything in plain-text and its up to you to populate your bookmarks with the locations. Ok on to the goods.

The server in question?

• elusionist.com

Yup, thats it. Notice only one “l”. Now just going to this server will only display a “we have moved” page but as Exo artists, you know better than to be fooled by appearances. So how do we find the goods? Thats where Google comes in. If you are a savvy surfer, you will already know that google has a feature under the “advanced search” link that allows you to search within a site or domain. For those that have never done so, simply click on “advanced search” to the right of Google’s search box, and when the next page comes up, you should see a box towards the bottom called “Search within a site or domain”. Go ahead and pop the url mentioned above in there and you are ready to begin your excavation adventures (you can also just do a regular search with “site:elusionist.com” at the begining). One more quick tip, try leaving the search criteria blank, hit the search button, and when the search results come up, click on the “show options” link towards the top of the page just under the search box. On the left you should see some options, and you can now filter these results by date to see whats been posted or updated within a certain period of time. I like to set it to “Past week” and check in once a week. Do this and you will never be out of the loop. You may also wish to do some manual exploring by clinking on links and subtracting the html file at the end of the url and do some parent folder snooping. Enjoy Exo brothers and sisters and be sure to share your findings in the forums.

Here are the links I promised.

• UltraGaff: http://www.elusionist.com/galleries/UltraGaff_Gallery/
• Black Ghost 2nd Edition: http://www.elusionist.com/galleries/BlackGhost2/
• ShadowMasters: http://www.elusionist.com/galleries/shadowmasters/
• Stained Skin Tattoos: http://www.elusionist.com/galleries/stainedgallery/

-Mat

Hey guys! This is my first post on this blog, I’m very excited to be here, and I’m looking forward to seeing your comments/questions/genius etc.

Exo Blog Intro from Austin Fields on Vimeo.

This effect looks promising….
A Touch Of Glass by Master of Illusions
For $54.95, you receive a complete and clever wine bottle production system, that is simple, easy to use, easy to set up or reset, that allows you to perform an elegant and visual production of a REAL and OPEN bottle of wine (or other bottle varieties).

All you will need is some very basic practice and a jacket, vest or over shirt to conceal the special system. The system has built in safety features, and even has an ‘Anti-Flashing’ system so there there is no fear of the bottle making a pre-mature appearance before the magic is supposed to happen while you are performing other effects.

The system has the ability to deliver the bottle to you in several different ways that allow you to use this with many different types of productions, whether you are producing the bottle from an empty newspaper, silk or visually from a ball of fire. In addition the bottle can be produced lightning fast from the ball of fire, or by using Peter’s unique handling, you can make the bottle appear slowly as seen in the demo video starting form the neck down, materializing itself visually from top to bottom making it look like REAL MAGIC, or something you would see in a Harry Potter movie.

What does ExoMagic think?

Check out the Splash Bottle production. (Which is what this effect looks like it is based off.) If you want to see it in action and learn how to use it…check out David Stone’s AMAZING DVD set, The Real Secrets of Magic.

Nice Video of Blaine talking about his stunts, focusing on the record breath hold…

It explains a few things you may have wondered about during the under water stunt. Enjoy!

If you didn’t already know…

ExoMagic is trying to collectively raise $10,000 to provide supplies and assistance to areas that need it the most in Haiti. Along with the basic necessities that we must bring in order to help the area remain safe.

ExoMagic’s founder, Alex Hess, will be departing in the second week of March with a veteran surgeon and volunteer who within 72 hours of the quake had set up a make shift operating tent in Haiti. Alex will be in the front lines, volunteering to help Haiti and it’s many families that have been put out of their homes and left to the elements. He is headed down with “Boots On The Ground,” the international Emergency Assistance Group.

Alex will be making Blog posts, taking photos and telling us first hand accounts of what will be happening down there from day to day.

We are asking for our fellow Magicians to help us provide the much needed assistance that these people are in dyer need for. Any donation amount towards these objectives are appreciated and can be made here. Please take the time to check out the site and pass the link on to you family and friends.

This is a chance to donate money to the doctors who are in Haiti.

If you have any questions check the donation page or contact Alex Hess personally at Alex@ExoMagic.com

www.ExoMagic.net/Haiti

Interesting video with Teller, telling you how it happened…

Let us know what you think.

Hey ExoMagicians!
It’s getting close to that day. (Feb. 14th for those who are like me and always forget dates.)

So whether you have plans or not…like any “holiday” you should always take advantage or people’s mind sets to take your Magic to the next level!

So what effects do I recommend for you to use this Valentine’s Day and the days leading up to it?

Simple. Here is a list of great effects to help you out…(Puns free for you to use too.)

First! FireStarters. Sankey has AMAZING effects and this DVD is no exception to learn some amazing Magic that will put a SPARK between you and your spectator. (Don’t forget the Flash Paper to heat things up!) Or Mesika’s Electric Touch to show off the REAL SPARK between the two of you…

Another thing to keep in mind… girls love the cute things in life. Butterflies actually fall under that category. Check out Caterpillar Love. It’s a sweet twist on Jim Pace’s The Web. Also, check out the effect; Life by Daniel Garcia (found on the Guerilla Guide to LOOPS VOL. 2). It’s an amazing routine, and if you want to learn how to work it without buying the whole Loops DVD at Ellusionist. Check out the source that Garcia learned parts of it from and was part of his inspiration; Folding Money Fooling. (Don’t forget to buy the Loops needed to make that butterfly…FLY.)

Why not show that special someone how they make your pulse race…or even…stop it dead in its tracks when they stare into your eyes. They really can take your breath away and your heart beat skip ALL its beats with CONTROL 2.0.

Wanna get something into your spectators mouth? HAHAHA! Or maybe just a kiss? FRENCH KISS! An amazing IN THE MOUTH transpo that will get your spectator thinking about swapping spit next.

I know! You want to impress that special someone by showing off your money. Don’t you? Hand Out 500 will allow you to do just that!

And my personal favorite love story… This effect works all the time. Girls get all excited about this one. Twilight Angles by Paul Harris. You can get the cards HERE. For learning how to use the gimmick and the routine…two sources. The Art of Astonishment Books or the amazing True Astonishment Project.

If you have any more ideas or thoughts…HIT THE FORUMS and let us know!

Enjoy your Valentine’s Day!

The World Magic Seminar

February 28 – March 3, 2010

Registration – $295.00

A friend sent me this after a convo about Flash Paper.
Only the best kept secret in Magic…and the coolest. Fire? Yes please.

(Don’t try this at home. “Safety… We thought about it…and we will get back you.”)