I don’t usually make posts on this site about the current online magic/flourish scene (unless it has to do with awesome new releases, of course), but the recent hype over the revelation of Anonymous (a.k.a. Daniel Garcia) as the new artist at Theory11 has prompted me to come out and express my honest feelings on the subject.
To clarify, the addition of Garcia to the team isn’t what sparked this post; if you think about it, it’s actually makes a lot of sense. What this post is about, then, is this:
The site’s About page pretty much states it clearly: Theory11 is a group of eleven individuals. After all, that is where the name comes from, doesn’t it? Think about it – the Fantastic Four is called the Fantastic Four because there are four people in it. That’s why Spider-Man didn’t join the team – “Fantastic Five” just didn’t have that nice ring to it. True, She-Hulk did end up becoming a member, but that was only because The Thing had quit prior to that – the equilibrium of Four would have been disturbed otherwise. » Read the rest of this entry «
When I met Paul Harris at the LVMI a few years ago, he told me about a huge new project he was working on. Dubbed True Astonishment, it was 10-DVD set with performances and explanations of some of the best effects from the AoA series, plus a plethora of awesome new material that he’d come up with in the decade or so since he put out the 3-volume set. In addition to that, he also planned to include material performed and taught by numerous talented magicians all over the world, all of which would cumulatively make True Astonishment one of the most badass magic investments anyone could possibly lay their hands on. » Read the rest of this entry «
I made this video to demonstrate an application of the Visa Switch from Smooth Operations. While the method for this effect isn’t very practical in and of itself (you’ll know why – I accidentally flash in the video at one point), I hope the visual nature of the routine will inspire some of you to come up with a better, alternative approach.
Special thanks to Allan Hagen for helping me out with the video export settings. Click here to watch it in HD.
While a trailer for a book might seem an absurd concept, we felt that it would demonstrate the visual nature of the book’s material enough for people to want to buy it. Originally, we set out to film the trailer at the Disney Concert Hall (the same place they shot the trailer for Surfaced), but weather conditions led to us abandoning that idea. Instead, we ended up shooting it Dave’s room on a maroon tablecloth – one of the reasons the video was rendered in black and white.
Smooth Operations is available in both book form and PDF, so grab your copy if you haven’t already!
About 5 hours before my family and I had to catch a flight to Australia, I felt a tap on my left shoulder. Turning around, I was greeted by a bright, white light surrounded by turtle doves and Rice Krispees
Archangel Michael : “KEVIN. THE TIME HAS COMETH FOR THOU TO MAKETH A VIDEO OF NEW.”
Now, when the Lord himself sends a messenger to tell you to make a new video, by good golly you do it.
After a moment of intense self-reflection, I decided to film the updated version of an effect I had created 3 years before. Originally, the video had me speaking in it, but after looking at the footage I decided the patter wasn’t that great and put it to music instead. Overall, I was pretty glad with how it turned out… the effect eventually came to be published in my book Smooth Operations, which you should definitely buy 24 copies of to decorate your house with.
