TAM Reviews: Blackout! by Brian Platt

This is a quick one for ya:

Recently got a chance to play with the new Blackout! by Brian Platt. I’m gonna break down the DVD (without giving away too much) and what I think.

The DVD begins with an explanation of the gaff (that’s all I will say), it’s history, how to use it, and how its made. As with most DVDs about a single gaff I wonder why this section is here. It half teaches you how to make it but is half just convincing you that you couldn’t.

The Tricks:

Blackout comes with several routines from a simplistic one coin routine, to a devilishly good Tenkai Pennies routine. Overall the effect that the gaff lends is the same. You can vanish a coin.

Dont take this lightly. The ability to vanish a coin with clean hands (not clean LOOKING but actually clean) hands is priceless and Platt has thought of some good uses for it.

The downside? Platt himself is a slightly clumsy handling the gaff and I’ve already seen people do it live better than he does in the DVD. I dont think I give too much away when I say that after you vanish the coin you must be cautious of movement afterwards. If you want to keep working with the gaff UNTIL you can openly put it away then you’ll be fine.

All and all I think this DVD is a great product that you’re going to have to make your own way with. This isn’t the case. You buy DF’s for Mac’s Aces. You’re not usually going to “think of” a better routine. This is not the case with black out. You may get some IDEAS from the DVD but dont expect to have the perfect use handed to you. PLAYING with this is how you will get the most out of it.

As usual your best magic will come from when you DONT know.

-TAM

Jeff McBride!!!!

Jeff McBride is a master performer and past recipient of Magician of the Year by the renowned Magic Castle in Hollywood. Millions recognize McBride from appearances on NBC’s World’s Greatest Magic, ABC’s Champions of Magic, TLC’s Mysteries of Magic and Criss Angel’s Mindfreak, as well as his full performances at some of the world’s greatest theaters and arena’s including Caesar’s Palace, Radio City Music Hall, Her Majesty’s Theater and The Mikado and most recently as one of the celebrity judges on the VH-1 hit Celebracadabra. 

He is also highly regarded as a foremost innovator in contemporary magic with his original creations as well as the definitive work on card manipulation with his Art of Card Manipulation video series. His stage presence and knowledge acquired from over twenty years of spanning the globe to study from masters of the ancient arts knows no boundaries. As a result of his lifelong work in magic his performances, lectures and workshops are always highly anticipated by magicians and by those who enjoy exciting and astonishing magic.

Fantasma Magic is very proud to present a weekend of opportunities to enjoy watching this true master of the craft perform for you live and to tap into his incredible wealth of knowledge!

June 12th:

Public Show: 7:30pm- $35.00 Gen Adm. $45.00 day of event, $50.00 VIPLecture: 9:30pm – $35.00 Gen Adm. $45.00 day of event, $50.00 VIPShow/Lecture Combo – $50.00 Gen Adm. $90.00 VIP Seats for both events

June 13th:

Master Class (Secret Sessions) from 1-5pm- $125.00 

check it out at fantasmamagic.com

David Blaine Poster Sale!!

Limited Time ONLY – Get 6 David Blaine signed posters for the unheard of low price of ONLY $99.99! David Blaine Signed Poster Extravaganza. In honor of our very good friend David’s recent birthday we are offering our biggest sale to date. All of David’s beautiful and highly collectible posters are now at incredibly reduced prices. These posters were designed by the renowned artist Mark Stutzman who is also the designer for David Blaine’s Split Spades playing cards. They have been produced to the highest quality standards using the finest quality inks, digitally offset on heavy window stock and have a matte finish. 

www.fantasmamagic.com

check them out and enjoy!

Everybody Loves T and A

Well the time has come. Paul Harris’ True Astonishment is here. There hasn’t been a series of DVDs with more expectations than this in the last year or even 10 years.

And now we have it…in the store. 

So far the reviews for this have been phenomenal and having now watched the entire series I have to agree. I could go through the tricks and talk about the variety but you can see that yourself in the description. The fact is there is NOTHING like it. THIS is that thing you’ve been saving up for and I cannot recommend it highly enough. 

I know…you’re wondering what we’ve cooked up to make it even better.

Right now when you buy TA at Fantasma you get UV Nightshades by Mark Allen and Paul Harris ABSOLUTELY FREE. Paul has asked that we not discount this product below his price to make this available to everyone so we’re just going to give you more. I dont know what you’re waiting for check it out on our site right now!

http://shopping.fantasmamagic.com/proddetail.php?prod=4513

Post a comment about how much you love it cause we know that you’re going to!!!

We’re mad about Harry Lorayne!

Hey Folks, Were happy to say that we’ve just put up five new Fantasma Digital Downloads of Harry Lorayne doing some awesome effects. You can check them out on our home page or go right to our download site. www.fantasmamagic.org But that’s not all. Because we love you you can use the code #IMWILDABOUTHARRY to get 2.99 off each download if you use them separately. You can’t beat that! Check them out. Let us know what you think!

But that’s not all! We also have some of Harry’s best work on DVD and in print with a limited number of copies signed by Harry!

 

 

 

#1954 – Harry Lorayne – The Classic Collection Vol. 1 – $89.95

This volume according to Harry contains Omissions, Additions, Decisions, Revisions, Upgrading and Updating for and of Close-up Card Magic, Personal Secrets, Favorite Card Tricks and Deck-Sterity. Plus a bonus – The Epitome Location, Plus an extra special bonus of new stuff! Hardbound- 442 pages & Signed by Harry!

 

 

# 4499 – Harry Lorayne – The Classic Collection Vol. 2 – $89.95  

This volume according to Harry contains Re-Writes, Additions, Decisions, Revisions, Upgrading and Updating for and of Reputation-Makers, Rim shots & Afterthoughts Including Lots of New Ideas, Thoughts and Concepts

Hardbound -451 pages & Signed by Harry!

 

 

#1959 – Harry Lorayne – The Best of Friends Vol. 1 – 64.95  

Over 120 card effects by some of the best in the business including Tom Mullica, Ed Marlo, Ken Krenzel, Herb Zarrow and many more! Signed by Harry!

 

 

#3249 – Harry Lorayne – The Best of Friends Vol. 3 – 79.99

More awesome tricks by more awesome greats in magic including Michael Ammar, Joshua Jay, Bob King, Simon Lovell and many others. Signed by Harry!

 

 

#4500 – Harry Lorayne – The Best Ever Collection Four Volume Combo Pack – $119.99  

Each one of these DVD’s is a gem, but together they are indescribable. Each volume is signed by Harry!

 

Volume 1 includes: HaLo Cut and HaLo Aces, Quadruple False Cut to Table, Lorayne’s Poker Deal #1, The Great Divide, and that barely skims the surface!  

 

Volume 2 includes: Four Ace Opener, Estimation Aces, Aces and Kings, Cointrol, One-Hand Coin Vanish, Spell All, Lazy Man’s Card Trick, and a treasure trove of more!

 

Volume 3 includes: Monte Plus Plus, The Ambitious Card Routine, Reverse Faro Ending, Color-Changing Deck, Vanishing Deck, Lorayne Bluff Count, and a whole lot more!  

 

Volume 4 includes: Easy Indicator, Six Card Royal, Two-Card Trick, The Ultra Move, No Get Ready Double Lift from 4 Cards, The Universal Reversal, The Ribbon Spread Palm, and a performance of his famous Memory Demonstration!  

 

Get 5 FREE Apocalypse magazines with each Harry Lorayne order.

 

These are original issues from Harry’s own personal collection. Each issue is $3.00 retail, so you are getting $15.00 worth of merchandise absolutely FREE!  

 

NOTE: Please make sure you write “send me 5 Apocalypse FREE” in the additional info box if you are ordering on the internet!

BUT WERE NOT DONE THERE

We’ve got the Carl Williams Flim Flam Box this month as well!

No one makes collectible magic like Carl Williams. His products are sought after by magicians and collectors alike and all have appreciated over 50% in the secondary market. Now is your chance to get this limited edition (only four of 20 left) beautiful Flim Flam production box.   The box is shown empty with the front and back doors open. Close them, say a magic word and produce a silk hanky! Show the box empty once again and then produce a real glass of wine!  

 

Don’t wait on this, when they’re gone, they’re gone forever!

WHAT’S THAT YOU SAY? STOP? ITS TOO MUCH? YOU CANT TAKE IT IN?

Too bad because our beautiful Harry Houdini wands are still available and those cannot be missed. With this much in the store and on the site this month. It is not to be missed!

Come in and see or or visit us on the web any time from the site you came from 

wwww.fantasmamagic.com

And as always…Stay tuned for even more!

 

Happy Holidays from Fantasma!

Hey Folks,

Well that time of year has come once again for our store to be flooded and the recruitment to begin. Soon enough kids will be opening up one or a series of eight magic kits, tricks, DVDs, and books from our store and there, as Penn and Teller said, is where the addiction begins Everything from seasoned pros finally treating themselves or being treated to the latest and greatest to kids with their first Svengali pass through our door this season. Its our favorite part of the year. We want to take this moment to thank all our customers from all over the world online and by phone and our regulars in our store. If you’ve never come to see us this time of year is one of the best to start! Your continued support of Fantasma makes it possible for us to bring you the latest in magic, show magic to the public, and bring in fantastic lecturers to help forward this art so many of us share. Because of your support we are able to sponsor the International Brotherhood of magicians Youth Contest where we fly the winner an all expense paid trip to New York or Las Vegas. It’s one of the pieces of REAL magic we get to do with your help. We hope your holidays are magical in their own way and that this year is a great one!

-The Fantasma Magic Family

imagic

hey folks,

A new product I just found out about and that I’m a big fan of is the DVD iphone magic. With the craze of the new iphone coming out its the perfect opportunity for those who are fans of impromptu and street magic for several reasons. The first is recognizability. Nobody to this day has said, “Do you want to see this thing on my iphone?” and gotten a no. The tricks are quick and easy to do and can move a casual conversation into a chance for you to show your skills. I have the iphone and can tell you that when people say, “Show me a trick” and you pull out a pack of cards it can seem too prepared. But pull out an iphone and do some magic your achieving a rare combination of the everyday and magic. Produce a coin, a piece of popcorn, or pour liquid into a glass. The options are endless and awesome. So check it out. Get your 399 worth!

DIGITAL DOWNLOADS ARE HERE!

Hey Folks,

As you know the digital downloads have finally been released and they are amazing. I say this not just from the perspective of someone who works at Fantasma but as a connoisseur as well. I’m proud to say we have some of Shoot Ogawa’s best material on the site, things that otherwise you would have to go to a lecture to find. The downloads are affordable and contain every kind of magic. If you can’t find something or someone you’re into TELL US and we’ll make it happen. We want to hear what you think and what you want. Don’t forget you’re getting 2.99 off your first purchase with our coupon code of VIP07 So you’ve got no reason not to dive in!

So…Can We Talk About Shoot Ogawa

Hey everyone,

If you check the forum or the website, penguin, ellusionist, theory 11, mymagicforums, the cafe or several truck stops around the New York area. You’ll see posted that Shoot Ogawa will be doing a lecture and work shop thursday and friday the 29th and 30th. However when my posting spree was done I must admit I still felt incomplete. Possibly because I had so little time and space I didn’t get to properly be what I feel alot of magicians are at heart…a big fanboy Let me tell you. You need to see Shoot to believe the things he can do. After talking to David Roth about him (David by the way is a huge influence on Shoot Ogawa and he always says so) and hearing that DAVID is impressed I checked some links and found some truly amazing stuff in my video annals (it means collection people) that I thought you’d like. I reposted some as an admin at youtube for a short time so I could share them with you. Here are some great things for you to watch:

Single Coin Work I do in my dreams:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRuCfyV8Q4k

Go ahead watch this again and again…you wont get it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEHr3OVey9w&feature=related

This is just insane:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugcgyW7y9IQ&NR=1

Does he do any card stuff?Oh yeah!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQJp4i1ktjM&feature=related

Ok maybe he can just actually do magic:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7TcVjjEqzg&feature=related

So there’s some good stuff. I’ll leave it up for a bit for your viewing pleasure dont miss it!

Simon Lovell speaks!

Hey all,

If you have any inkling of the magic world you have heard of Celebracadabra and saw the first episode last sunday. We have the exclusive word from Simon about the experience and we’re glad to have him. Take it away Simon:

Celebracadabra

 

Roger has asked me to write a blog about the experiences of working on the new VH1 hit show Celebracadabra. I’ll be on three or four of them and, if you’ve seen the first show, you’ll know that my celebrity, the adorable Carnie Wilson is the first to be voted of. I didn’t think she deserved to be but the judges just thought that she wasn’t really a street magic kind of gal. Oh, by the way, to answer those who have already asked me, the card through window is the same card (signed) and no stooges were used. Carnie worked her butt off to get the difficult sleight-of-hand moves down. I’m really pleased with how it looks on the show and am very proud of her for not taking any easy way out! Carnie had problems on the first day due to the heat having the cards stick together.

 

For the most part cast and crew were a delight and many have remained good friends. I say for the most part as Ant was easily one of the rudest and back-stabbing people I have ever met. I wasn’t alone in thinking that by the way! I was also rather disappointed in Asi Wind who just went along with Ant and did his best to interfere with others especially Carnie. I guess that’s good for television but, considering that I spent a lot of time helping Asi with a trick he was considering using for the opening, I was not happy with his antics. There’s a LOT that you don’t see on the show by the way!

 

There was also a rather disturbing incident with Jen Adams, one of the coaches, that led to her leaving the show (through no fault of her own by the way) which put everybody’s nerves on edge. Jen is one of my best friends and it was very sad to her have leave.

 

Overall though it was a great experience and I thank Chris Martin, the executive producer of the show, for letting me be part of what I think will be a fabulous show for magic. It really does show that magic is a difficult art form to learn and that’s hard to do with no exposure of methods. Having watched the first show I think they’ve done a great job! Please post your comments on the Fantasma Forum and let me hear your opinion about the show.

 

Keep watching the show as there are lots of surprises to come and you’ll be amazed at just how good the celebrities become. Towards the end they are as good as, if not better, than many who have studied magic for years!

 

Simon Lovell