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Next general meeting Wednesday, 07/17/2013 at 7:30 PM SHARP
I-HOP Kirkman Road
5203 Kirkman Road, Orlando, Florida 32819
Please join us for dinner beforehand
Lunch meetings in the McDonald’s at 7344 Sand Lake Road, Orlando. It’s two blocks WEST of the intersection of Interstate 4 and Sand Lake Road. We meet every Tuesday at noon upstairs.
Website: http://www.ring170.com/
F. A. M. E. is the Florida Association of Magical Entertainers
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Directory
Craig J. Fennessy – President – CraigFennessy@gmail.com
Chris Dunn- Vice President – Youngdunns@yahoo.com
Sheldon Brook- Secretary – mrbrook33@yahoo.com
Treasurer - Bev Bergeron - Bev@bevbergeron.com
Mark Fitzgerald- Director at Large - markaf1949@hotmail.com
Dan Knapp- Sgt at Arms - danknapp@centurylink.net
Stefan Bartelski – Editor of “Famulus”- Famulus@illusioneer.com
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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.
Monday, July 15, 2013
2013-07 From the Editor
We are already more than half way through the year, how time flies. This time of year is traditionally a quiet time for magic as everyone enjoys summer pastimes. But magic can be found if you look, for example, see below the post about 'Magic Camp'.
Thanks to all this month's contributors and please remember to keep Stan in your thoughts
Your editor
Stefan
Thanks to all this month's contributors and please remember to keep Stan in your thoughts
Your editor
Stefan
2013-07 Ring Report
President Craig Fennessey opened the meeting by welcoming an initial member turnout of seventeen. He announced that five of our members had participated in a Gala affair benefitting the 'Give Kids The World' organization. The event was held at the Peabody Hotel in Orlando and was attended by 2500 supporters of the project. Our members who entertained were Craig Fennessey, Mark Fitzgerald, Jacki Manna with Matilda, Wallace Murphy and Doug Otto.
Craig reminded the membership that Steve Reynolds of New Orleans would be doing a lecture at the IHOP on August 7th and that the Tampa Magic Fest would be held in Tampa, on June 22d.
Dan Stapleton announced that plans for the Florida Magic Convention, to be held here in Orlando next May (2014), were moving along quite well and that a number of Ring Members had already purchased tickets for the event.
Bev Bergeron performed an impromptu Torn and Restored Napkin routine as part of his on-going teach- in instruction followed by Phil Schwartz with Magic History Moment #50, a treatise on collecting books on magic. He mentioned that one of the earliest books published in 1720 was The Golden Cabinet of Secrets. Many of the publications were simply magic catalogs: others, illustrated volumes dedicated to posters of performing magicians. In later years the subject matter grew to include many facets of magical techniques and paraphernalia. Phil ended his presentation with examples of publications from his collection.
Jacki Manna opened the performances by introducing her ventriloquist partner, Matilda, and proceeding to a discussion with a "genie in a vase". Mark Fitzgerald followed with a Card and Coin Matrix Routine expertly performed to music titled 'Shape of my Heart'. Craig Fennessey added to the evening of magic by doing a scratch-off card effect and having a marked quarter disappear and mysteriously turn up in his wallet. Chuck Smith, not to be outdone, demonstrated his mentalism prowess with an ESP pack and ended with a novel 'Tube on a Strong". Ed McGowen was up next with his bag of tricks - its always a treat to see Ed perform. Larry West mystified the members with "Dots Impossible" . Peter Cane chipped in with 'Curse' followed by Jim Zacary with 'Dominoes Delight'. Dan Stapleton was up next with 'Deck Tracy' performed from his huge repertoire of card magic and Charles Pfrogner closed out the evening with a Gozinta Box and Sponge Ball Routine.
Sheldon Brook
Craig reminded the membership that Steve Reynolds of New Orleans would be doing a lecture at the IHOP on August 7th and that the Tampa Magic Fest would be held in Tampa, on June 22d.
Dan Stapleton announced that plans for the Florida Magic Convention, to be held here in Orlando next May (2014), were moving along quite well and that a number of Ring Members had already purchased tickets for the event.
Bev Bergeron performed an impromptu Torn and Restored Napkin routine as part of his on-going teach- in instruction followed by Phil Schwartz with Magic History Moment #50, a treatise on collecting books on magic. He mentioned that one of the earliest books published in 1720 was The Golden Cabinet of Secrets. Many of the publications were simply magic catalogs: others, illustrated volumes dedicated to posters of performing magicians. In later years the subject matter grew to include many facets of magical techniques and paraphernalia. Phil ended his presentation with examples of publications from his collection.
Jacki Manna opened the performances by introducing her ventriloquist partner, Matilda, and proceeding to a discussion with a "genie in a vase". Mark Fitzgerald followed with a Card and Coin Matrix Routine expertly performed to music titled 'Shape of my Heart'. Craig Fennessey added to the evening of magic by doing a scratch-off card effect and having a marked quarter disappear and mysteriously turn up in his wallet. Chuck Smith, not to be outdone, demonstrated his mentalism prowess with an ESP pack and ended with a novel 'Tube on a Strong". Ed McGowen was up next with his bag of tricks - its always a treat to see Ed perform. Larry West mystified the members with "Dots Impossible" . Peter Cane chipped in with 'Curse' followed by Jim Zacary with 'Dominoes Delight'. Dan Stapleton was up next with 'Deck Tracy' performed from his huge repertoire of card magic and Charles Pfrogner closed out the evening with a Gozinta Box and Sponge Ball Routine.
Sheldon Brook
2013-07 Prayer and support request
They found a small (so they say) cancer, supposedly a stage one, in my right upper lobe. But because of my age (80) now and weak lung condition (my stage four COPD, Emphysema), they can only treat it with radiation. The only fear is that the radiation destroys too many lung cells, as I have such a hard time breathing now.
Normally they can give just 5 heavy zaps and that should take care of it, but my tumor is so deep in my lung and very close to my heart, they have to give me a lower dose but many of them. 26 zaps over 26 continuous days with the weekends off.
Today I get my 15th and only 11 more to go. Sure hope they are successful. Please say prayers for me. I really would appreciate it
Stan Lobenstern
Normally they can give just 5 heavy zaps and that should take care of it, but my tumor is so deep in my lung and very close to my heart, they have to give me a lower dose but many of them. 26 zaps over 26 continuous days with the weekends off.
Today I get my 15th and only 11 more to go. Sure hope they are successful. Please say prayers for me. I really would appreciate it
Stan Lobenstern
2013-07 Magic Camp
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2013-07 Bev Bergeron Tribute at FMA 2014
Bev Bergeron, famous for playing his character "Rebo" the Clown on television's Magic Land of Alakazam (Starring Mark Wilson)
will present his rare and final performance as Rebo. This will be the finale of a tribute we will be having for Bev during the convention. You will see rare film footage of Bev on the Red Skelton show, Pillsbury's Magic Circus and Alakazam. Bev will conclude the tribute when he don's his costume and applies his makeup one last time.
It's been a long time since Bev has become Rebo so you won't want to miss this opportunity in being part of this historical moment. "Rebo" will then have photo's taken with his fans, so bring your camera
Time is running out (we have about 20 slots left) to part of the conventions "1st 100 Club" where the first 100 registrants get preferred seating for the shows AND some very cool "extras" (free convention poster, deluxe program, ballroom seating "fast-pass", etc.). See www.fma50th.com for more.
Time is running out (we have about 20 slots left) to part of the conventions "1st 100 Club" where the first 100 registrants get preferred seating for the shows AND some very cool "extras" (free convention poster, deluxe program, ballroom seating "fast-pass", etc.). See www.fma50th.com for more.
2013-07 Magic on the Bayou
Recently Belle Isle Bayou Restaurant has started a comedy night. I had the pleasure of visiting their first night. Count them ten comedians. Two hours later the last comedian ended his act with magic to around of applause. He also sold flaming wallets. Ever other Tuesday's is suppose to be comedy night. Call before you go.
Tokyo import
Steve Marshall fresh in from Tokyo put on a magic show at Wonder Works . It was a full house first show. The top trick was the floating table. 5 plus another 5 Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Clown College Graduates showed up. Almost a reunion.
Last Minute
Why are so many clients waiting to the last minute too book. Jerry Darkey has had the 4th of July booked for months. Then a top resort hotel calls to book a magician late July 3rd for the 4th. Kudos to Jerry for not dumping client even thou it was more money. It is hard to find talent that will stand by their word. Just as hard to find clients that are just as trustworthy. It is something missing in the business world today.
Cable
For those with cable...Turner Classic Movies is running the Johnny Carson shows. I watched The Lucy Show ..Lucy the soda jerk... it had as the customer lady. ..Ruth Crews . She was the Red Hot Mama at Church St. She is still around and sings now and then.
Happy 4th.
Paula Large
Tokyo import
Steve Marshall fresh in from Tokyo put on a magic show at Wonder Works . It was a full house first show. The top trick was the floating table. 5 plus another 5 Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Clown College Graduates showed up. Almost a reunion.
Last Minute
Why are so many clients waiting to the last minute too book. Jerry Darkey has had the 4th of July booked for months. Then a top resort hotel calls to book a magician late July 3rd for the 4th. Kudos to Jerry for not dumping client even thou it was more money. It is hard to find talent that will stand by their word. Just as hard to find clients that are just as trustworthy. It is something missing in the business world today.
Cable
For those with cable...Turner Classic Movies is running the Johnny Carson shows. I watched The Lucy Show ..Lucy the soda jerk... it had as the customer lady. ..Ruth Crews . She was the Red Hot Mama at Church St. She is still around and sings now and then.
Happy 4th.
Paula Large
2013-07 Dennis' Deliberations
Amateur magicians go for finger-flicking, painted boxes, pre-packaged clone routines ( Banana-Bandana, Collector’s Workshop, etc.), the latest trendy effect they saw on You-Tube or TV. Few realize that great magic exists in the mind and the performer creates the enchantment with their attitude and personality. They don’t do magic; they ARE magic. Consider Mac King’s Cards Across, Paul Daniel’s Chop Cup, Jeff Hobson’s Egg Bag. These are effects that almost all magicians have on their back shelf but cannot put across.
If a person cannot go out and do 10 minutes without a prop and entertain with a story, humor and impression, they have no business working with props. Props come after you have learned how to entertain!
The age when “spectacle” could carry a no-name magician is long past. I think it is over for most circuses due to the ante being raised by the Circus-So-Lame franchise. You are never going to outspend them in glitz and spectacle and when you do anything you will be compared. With the rise of video games, movies with computer generated effects and modern TV production, no magicians will be able to sell only spectacle.
After Doug Henning’s abdication of TV specials, David Copperfield was at the top of televised magic in the 1980s, releasing a new special every year (except 1982), complete with a Vanishing Statue of Liberty, Jet Airplane ,The Bermuda Triangle, Imploding buildings and so on. Since 1995, Copperfield has only released one televised special. It's not just Copperfield. Aside from a couple of specials, bizarrists Penn & Teller moved from magic and into Atheism/Scepticism with the show Bulls**t! (concluded in 2010), they have tried Discovery with a show called Tell A Lie, and had a contest show , Fool Us, which ran until last year in the UK. Street magician-turned-television star Criss Angel had his hit show, Mindfreak, cancelled in 2010.
So what happened to magic shows, specials and series on television? I offer a couple of theories.
Maybe we're too cynical to enjoy magic on TV any more. Magic shows require a suspension of disbelief which many viewers, particularly older viewers, can't do. Today , if anyone is interested in seeing a magic show on TV , they will watch the trick TV and spend all their energy skeptically wondering how it works, rather than just sitting back and enjoying the show.
On a cruise ship and in a theme park you have a captive audience. After you have stuffed yourself and lost your last dime in the casino, the alternative is to stand on the promenade deck and watch the fish.
Most viewers consider that knowledge is power. When a magician does a trick, we may feel like magician is using that knowledge on us, belittling us and making us feel stupid and we don't like that. Recall Mitch Pileggi’s tone of narration voice on the Masked Magician expose series? “It’s simple but he knows the secret and makes you feel like an idiot”
Now, you can Google the trick and watch it explained on You Tube.Lastly, magic has a reputation problem. Think about a stage magic-illusion show. You are probably imagining fans blowing hair, fog machines, too much feather plumage and rhinestones, leather morticians coats or straps and nail studs, cheezy synthesizer music and lots of mugging and posturing for dramatic emphasis. You might even be thinking about guys with arrested development; grown men who play with boxes and girls as if they are toys.
One trend that I am hearing about is the revival of the “Home Show”. A Magician is hired to do a parlor sized show in a home for a small gathering. Usually the clients are upscale in the socio-economic level. As the American economy continues with a bifurcation of wealth, the parlor show may be the next source of steady income.
Dennis Phillips
If a person cannot go out and do 10 minutes without a prop and entertain with a story, humor and impression, they have no business working with props. Props come after you have learned how to entertain!
The age when “spectacle” could carry a no-name magician is long past. I think it is over for most circuses due to the ante being raised by the Circus-So-Lame franchise. You are never going to outspend them in glitz and spectacle and when you do anything you will be compared. With the rise of video games, movies with computer generated effects and modern TV production, no magicians will be able to sell only spectacle.
After Doug Henning’s abdication of TV specials, David Copperfield was at the top of televised magic in the 1980s, releasing a new special every year (except 1982), complete with a Vanishing Statue of Liberty, Jet Airplane ,The Bermuda Triangle, Imploding buildings and so on. Since 1995, Copperfield has only released one televised special. It's not just Copperfield. Aside from a couple of specials, bizarrists Penn & Teller moved from magic and into Atheism/Scepticism with the show Bulls**t! (concluded in 2010), they have tried Discovery with a show called Tell A Lie, and had a contest show , Fool Us, which ran until last year in the UK. Street magician-turned-television star Criss Angel had his hit show, Mindfreak, cancelled in 2010.
So what happened to magic shows, specials and series on television? I offer a couple of theories.
Maybe we're too cynical to enjoy magic on TV any more. Magic shows require a suspension of disbelief which many viewers, particularly older viewers, can't do. Today , if anyone is interested in seeing a magic show on TV , they will watch the trick TV and spend all their energy skeptically wondering how it works, rather than just sitting back and enjoying the show.
On a cruise ship and in a theme park you have a captive audience. After you have stuffed yourself and lost your last dime in the casino, the alternative is to stand on the promenade deck and watch the fish.
Most viewers consider that knowledge is power. When a magician does a trick, we may feel like magician is using that knowledge on us, belittling us and making us feel stupid and we don't like that. Recall Mitch Pileggi’s tone of narration voice on the Masked Magician expose series? “It’s simple but he knows the secret and makes you feel like an idiot”
Now, you can Google the trick and watch it explained on You Tube.Lastly, magic has a reputation problem. Think about a stage magic-illusion show. You are probably imagining fans blowing hair, fog machines, too much feather plumage and rhinestones, leather morticians coats or straps and nail studs, cheezy synthesizer music and lots of mugging and posturing for dramatic emphasis. You might even be thinking about guys with arrested development; grown men who play with boxes and girls as if they are toys.
One trend that I am hearing about is the revival of the “Home Show”. A Magician is hired to do a parlor sized show in a home for a small gathering. Usually the clients are upscale in the socio-economic level. As the American economy continues with a bifurcation of wealth, the parlor show may be the next source of steady income.
Dennis Phillips
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