2008-04-extra Magic benefit in LA

A Magical Night at the Magic Castle
Monday, May 19th
Burton Sperber is producing this special fundraiser at the Castle to benefit weSpark, the charity his late daughter, Wendie Jo Sperber, started to aid cancer patients and their families. The following magicians have volunteered their services: Just Alan, Eugene Burger, Mike Caveney, Bob Fitch, Andrew Goldenhersh, Paul Green, Neil Patrick Harris, Christopher Hart, Larry Hass, Mac King, Jonathan Levit, John Lovick Max Maven, Jeff McBride, George Parker, Peter Reveen, Burton Sperber, Abbi Spinner, Steve Valentine, and Jordan Wright. Tickets are $250, with all proceeds to benefit weSpark. For more information, visit www.weSpark.org.

2008-04-extra New Movie with a Touch of Magic

Opens NYC and LA, May 2nd; nationwide May 9th
Ricky Jay and Cyril appear in David Mamet's new film, Redbelt. Ricky plays the untrustworthy promoter, Marty Brown. Cyril's character is local illusionist Jimmy Sakata, who works his magic on the fighters before their bouts.

A brief synopsis: Set in the west-side of Los Angeles fight world, a world inhabited by bouncers, cage- fighters, cops and special forces types, Redbelt, is the story of Mike Terry (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a Jiu-Jitsu teacher who has avoided the prize fighting circuit, choosing instead to pursue an honorable life by operating a self-defense studio with a samurai's code. Terry and his wife Sondra (Alice Braga), struggle to keep the business running to make ends meet. An accident on a dark, rainy night at the Academy between an off duty officer (Max Martini) and a distraught lawyer (Emily Mortimer) puts in motion a series of events that will change Terry's life dramatically introducing him to a world of promoters (Ricky Jay, Joe Mantegna) and movie star Chet Frank (Tim Allen). Faced with this, in order to pay off his debts and regain his honor, Terry must step into the ring for the first time in his life.

2008-04-extra Magical Home Makeover

Extreme Makeover: Home Improvement
Sunday, May 4th, 8 p.m., ABC
Massachusetts magician David Oliver brought a little magic to ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. "I'm not a big fan of reality shows," Oliver admits, "but this one has a good feel to it and really helps people instead of tearing them down." Oliver was brought in as a magic consultant to a home in Warwick, Rhode Island where the family's young son had an interest in magic. The idea of the program is to give the family's house a complete makeover, and Oliver was asked to help turn the boy's room into a magical bedroom. This included adding some special effects and stocking the room with tricks and books, including the Tarbell Course and numerous Dover reprints of the classics.

Oliver was chosen due to his work with kids. While not a kids' performer, per se, he has been running the Boston SYM Assembly for 22 years and has been a longstanding instructor at Tannen's Magic Camp. Oliver sees it all as his way of "giving back." The episode is scheduled to air May 4.

2008-04-extra Magic on TV

Some upcoming magic on TV

Oprah!
Wednesday, April 30th, syndicated
David Blaine will be promoting his breath-holding record on Oprah!, April 30th. The show, which airs that same day, is syndicated, so check your local listings for times and channels in your area.

The Late Show with David Letterman
Monday-Friday, May 5th-9th, 11:35 p.m., CBS
It's "Magic Week" on David Letterman's show, May 5th through the 9th. Magicians who are scheduled to perform are:
Lance Burton (Monday, May 5th)
Mac King (Tuesday, May 6th)
Dirk Arthur (Wednesday, May 7th)
Steve Wyrick (Thursday, May 8th)
Penn & Teller (Friday, May 9th)

Celebracadabra
Sundays, 9 p.m., VH1
VH1's magic-reality show begins has announced the following schedule:
April 27th - Introduction/Street Magic
May 4th - Children's Magic
May 11th - Comedy Magic
May 18th - Strolling Magic
May 25th - Cabaret Magic
June 1st (pre-empted)
June 8th - Escapes
June 15th - Road to the Finale
June 22nd - The Finale
June 22nd (also) - Magician's Special

Extreme Makeover: Home Improvement
Sunday, May 4th, 8 p.m., ABC
Massachusetts magician David Oliver brought a little magic to ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

2008-04-extra More info about Celebracadabra

The show airs on VH-1 starting April 27th. If you do not have cable or satellite TV, the introduction video can be viewed below. To see the remainder of the show on-line click on the title of this post.


video.vh1.com

2008-04 Famulus Newsltter Ring 170

Newsletter of IBM Ring #170
The Bev Bergeron Ring

Next general meeting Wednesday, 04/16/2008 at 7:30 PM SHARP

Board meeting at 6:30 pm

Meeting theme: (April) Fooler-doolers

Marks Street Center, 99 Mark Street, downtown Orlando

If you visit with us and do not know the room we meet in , please be aware that some of the people in the office at the Senior Center may not be aware we are meeting there! At the last meeting one visitor asked where the "IBM" was meeting and the management apparently thought they were asking for the International Business Machines group! They said that there was no "IBM" on the schedule. So, if you have never been to our ring meeting , please say "magicians" or "FAME" and if that doesn't get the room location , just walk around looking for us. The Senior Center is a public building.

Lunch meetings every Tuesday at noon at Goodings (next to the food court)

Website: http://www.ring170.com/

F. A. M. E. is the Florida Association of Magical Entertainers
*************************************************************
Directory
Craig J. Fennessy – President – CraigFennessy@gmail.com
Chris Dunn- Vice President – Youngdunns@yahoo.com
Art Thomas – Treasurer – Art.Thomas@Disney.com
Dennis Philips- Secretary – Dennis@alliedcostumes.com
James Songster- Director at Large, - JjTjMagic@aol.com
Joe Vecciarelli- Sgt at Arms - talkingmute@tampabay.rr.com
Stefan Bartelski – Editor of “Famulus”- Famulus@illusioneer.com
*************************************************************
GET PUBLISHED!
Got an idea for an article to add to the next FAMULUS? Put it in the body of an email or in a Word document attached to an email. Send it to Famulus@illusioneer.com, and we will get you in print. Please, please, please, use the above e-mail address, your messages are in danger of getting lost if you do not do so.

2008-04 From the editor

Another Easter, another Auction has gone by and so it is almost time for our annual banquet. Be sure not to miss this evening full of good food and excellent magic. And after you have recovered, please do send me your thoughts on this year's event, so that I can publish them in the next newsletter.

Thanks to Dennis and Dan for their contributions this month.

Looking forward to seeing you all soon,

Your editor

2008-04 Ring Report

After reading my previous ring report, Harry Lorayne contacted me to remind me that he was at the beginning of rubber band magic. I neglected to mention his creations. One example is the April 1976 issue of MUM magazine and his Penetrating Bands. More recent creators of rubber band magic include our own Mark Fitzgerald along with Dan Harlan.

Our annual flea-market and lecture day was held on March 8^th. It was a successful and fun day. We extend our thanks to Craig Fennessey and Art Thomas and everyone who made the event a success. Helpful wives also need to be praised. Michael Ammar and Magic Ian lectured. It was good to see Michael, who lives in Central Florida, lecture for the Ring. Magic Ian always has new effects, so never miss his lecture or you will miss his latest creations.

The March business meeting was very short to make room for the evening lecture. We had one guest, Chris Turner. Members Jim and Terry Whaples continue to expand their Creative Arts Store where children’s gospel entertainers and secular performers can find a complete selection of supplies. Once a year they sponsor a conference in Orlando.

For almost two decades, the guest lecturer for this Ring meeting, David Solomon was privileged to be part of Chicago's "Inner Circle" of card magic that surrounded the legendary figure Edward Marlo, and included such respected names as Simon Aronson, Steve Draun, and Bill Malone. David spent untold hours watching and helping Marlo create card effects.

His lecture had something for everyone from the beginner to the experienced performer. It was amazing card magic. The lecture provided novel natural handling with clean, well thought out methods. David eliminates extraneous moves and, through subtlety and devilishly clever thinking, creates fooling card effects.

Eugene Burger said,” You will discover how David's commitment to magical thinking, to taking things apart and putting them back together in new and different ways, has generated some wonderful card magic." Everyone had a great time learning from David Solomon.

Lots of fun activities are planned for the ring for the spring and summer. If you are in Orlando on vacation or business plan to be with us at our Ring activities. Good things are always happening in Ring 170.

Dennis Phillips

2008-04 FMA & Magic on the Beach 2008

Fellow Magi,

In an agreement with Daytona Magic Festival and the Florida Magician's Association, Magic on the Beach is now part of the FMA and will now be considered the Spring Florida Magician's Association Convention and the Daytona Magic Festival will be the Fall FMA Convention.

It was agreed that the FMA continue as an information center for all magic happenings in the State of Florida. The new FMA Officers are Dan Stapleton, President, Irv Cook, Vice President and Robert Schvey is Secretary/Treauser. Irv has agreed to create a new website and offer links to ALL magic clubs throughout the state. For this to happen we need YOU and your club members to email information to Irv.

The 13th Annual Magic on the Beach & 42nd FMA Convention will be held June 6, 7 & 8, 2008. It will be at the newly renovated Ramada Marco Polo Resort on beautiful Miami Beach.
This year's MOB offers a welcome party, Saturday evening awards banquet, Int'l dealers room, contests, lectures, close-up and stage show as well as a junior and spouse events.

This year we feature FISM Winner Pilou, from Paris, France, the Hillarious Fielding West, the legendary Fantasio, the elegant Duane and Mary Laflin, Argentina's ingenious talent Gustavo Raley, plus the dazzling wizardry of "Kopper Top" Karl Hein.

In an effort to generate more interest in the competition, MOB will offer $3000.00 in cash and prizes. We already have contestants from Cuba, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Florida and New York.
Dealers (so far) include Wizards Apprentice, Daytona Magic, Mark Mason, Raley, Laflin Magic and Fantasio.

Attached is a registration form and schedule of events. Please note there will be an FMA meeting Sunday morning from 9am-10am. All Florida magic clubs should send a representative.

I look forward to seing you all there.

Magically,

Dan Stapleton
FMA President

2008-04 Dennis' Deliberations

Another Ring flea market, auction and lecture have passed into history. I don’t know about anyone else, but I had fun. The annual flea market is a yearly ritual where we mostly all go just to see what junk has changed hands and maybe snag something we always wanted to have to collect dust in our closet or to find something too cheap to pass. But there also are some great items that you will use. I am always amazed at the bargains from Orlando local magic shops. Stan and Sandy from Rabbit in the Hat Ranch always amaze me with great things as do Tom and Donna Salvador.

Art Thomas was again the Mad Man of the Insane Deal. He was giving away assets faster than Ben Bernanke. Let me explain: The Ring was fortunate to acquire the magic estate of a collector and Art was spreading that wealth around like a rabid Communist. I am certain the poor widow was just happy to just get rid of the magic “junk”. I know my wife feels that way! A few weeks ago I had a health scare. A kidney stone will do that to you! When I got back from having the doctor looking at my emergency CAT scan and pronouncing that I would live a lot longer, my wife gave me a big hug of relief and within 2 minutes she blurted out, “Don’t you dare die and leave me to clean out your entire warehouse full of magic junk!” So at this flea market and auction I was under the edict that if I brought anything home, I had to get rid of something else. She has no idea what I can store, out of site, in the trunk of my car!

I always love it when I see a trick that originally sold for fifty bucks on a table marked down to five dollars. The usual excuse is, “I never could get anything out of it”. Well, did you think you could get something out of it when you saw it demonstrated? What happened?

When I was a 12 year old kid I bought U.F. Grant’s “Cutie Cow Trick” and used it well into my 20s until the gimmick finally deteriorated. I have never seen anyone else do the trick. I think I have seen it on flea market tables a couple of times over a 45 year period. Nobody seemed to ever get anything out of it but me! The effect is that you show two pieces of cardboard to be perfectly flat. They really are! One is green and the other is white with a cartoon cow stenciled on one side. After showing both sides to be flat and with no body loads you turn the green cardboard flat like a patch of grass and lower the white cardboard on it and in a flash when the cow cartoon is pulled away a glass of milk is on the green board. There is a bit of poetry to be said while presenting the quick effect, “Cute little cow and a patch of grass. Put them together and you have…a glass….of milk!” I then followed it up by producing another glass of milk which I drank!

The method used was a piece of clear curled celluloid with milk spray painted on it. The celluloid would roll out flat and was inserted into the green double cardboard that had a pocket. Under cover of showing the white card the celluloid fake was pulled out of the green pocket and allowed to curl into a glass shape. It is then plopped down on the green board. I think what made the trick work for me was that I followed the first glass with the production of a real glass of milk!

To cover this action I would hold up the green card and say, “I always wondered how a cow could eat green grass and make white milk.” I had a real matching glass of milk in a cup holder (made from a bent coat-hanger) attached to my belt under the left side of my coat. (The method was similar to how Danny Tong steals to brandy glass at the conclusion of his Egg Bag or how John Carney steals the glass of lemonade at the end of Zone Zero.)

I would put the first fake glass of milk on my table and turn slightly to my left while holding the green card up in my left hand. My right hand would bring the cow-stenciled board across to my belt level where I would thumb-clip and pull out the real milk behind the board for the second production! Thus, the actual original part of the trick was really a throw-away and set-up for the second part. I used a large roll-on table so I could load up the glass onto my belt any time during the show by getting behind the table. My presentation was not a part of the original Grant instructions. I don’t think that Grant, now MAK Magic, has made this trick in years. I might find one someday in a flea market.

There are no lousy tricks just lousy presentations. Maybe there is a sort of “connection” that the performer has to have with the effect that is performed. If you don’t believe in the effect, then you can’t put it over to an audience. Jeff Eaton used to tell me he had a dislike for “why” tricks. Jeff meant that when the trick was over you said to yourself, “why?” I think that most tricks can be “why” tricks without a reason to be done. This is where your presentation is the deciding factor. Frequently adding a storyline can justify the reason you are presenting the trick. Body movement and attitude with no spoken words can also work. Lance Burton’s FISM Dove Act is a good example of how a sneer, a glance and Vivaldi’s classical music disarms the audience and entertains them with the idea that they have been fooled by a sophisticated master. In contrast, Greg Frewin or Jason Byrne are energetic and almost give the impression they are juggling props and doves to upbeat music in a circus style.

My wife Cindy and I went to see “Spamalot”, the Monty Python Broadway road show, at the Bob Carr Auditorium. You need to have a feel for British humor and satire to appreciate the verbal parts and storyline. Much of the play is a satire on Broadway itself with bits like a Diva singing a soulful, “Once in every show you have to have a sentimental song like this…” There is a spoof on The Phantom of the Opera. Sir Lancelot and Herbert turn out to be gay and many bits of business are used for that. There is even a whole sequence with a satire on Fiddler on the Roof (using the Jerome Robbins’ bottle dance choreography) about needing Jews to be on Broadway. You must be familiar with Broadway shows to get a lot of the inside humor. It also helps to be familiar with the whole Monty Python catalog of humor from their years on the comedy scene, because much of the show is a rehash of old bits.

The production values and elaborate effects and costumes made it a feast for the eyes. As you may know, there are several magic type effects in the show and the credits listed Marshall Magoon as the magic advisor. Magoon is a San Francisco based performer.

Aside from the use of a Foy Flying rig, there were several magic type effects. The main one was the Black Knight who gets his arms and legs chopped off. This is a signature effect for the Python group. The arms were accomplished by fake arms with the real arms being tucked into the tunic. The armless Black Knight is then backed up to the castle gate with a rotating panel that is attached to a fake torso and legs He pokes his head out and King Arthur lops off both legs. The fake upper torso remains impaled to the castle gate. This is a low tech “Palingenesia” as detailed in the September 2006 issue of Genii Magazine.

They also had an effect, similar to the classic Ghost Show bit, where a Knight gets his head chopped off. Of course, the shoulders are built up and what is lopped off is a fake head and helmet. The vicious beast that guards the Holy Grail is an attack rabbit (puppet). The whole show concludes with the Holy Grail being found in the audience and one embarrassed audience member is brought up on stage for a celebration, certificate and instant photo. If you liked the classic Python song, “Always look on the bright side of life!”, then you will enjoy singing the finale with the cast. The production made good use of video projection.

Our banquet is coming up on the 19^th. It will be a great evening of entertainment. See you there.

Dennis Phillips