Random Magic Related Rants ere

[Cain]

Originally this was going to be a rant against the L&L audience, where I mentioned my most recent DVD purchase "Talk About Tricks" with Joshua Jay. Then I went on this diversion about how I did not much like Josh Jay (as I have learned in life, confirmed on this board, people with the initials "J.J." are not much good).

First the audience: They suck. Who do you hate the most? I have to go with John. He's the curly haired guy with the mustache who looks down when he claps his hands together like an idiot and says, "Oh, man." I also hate Scotty for his hoopin' and hollering. I sometimes wonder if David is actually retarded. They keep using the same people over and over and over again. On the "Talk Tricks" DVD Joshua Jay talks **** about them a couple of times, which is refreshing. Too bad that guy also sucks balls.



How did this guy get anointed? I subscribe to GENII rather than MAGIC, so I cannot say I am familiar with his "Talk Tricks" column, but his performances are, to me, unremarkable. I have the third disc from his "Close Up, Up Close" series, haven't watched it in ages, but his magic in there was not too memorable. His contributions to Lorayne's BOF III were similarly uninspired and unremarkable, much like his instant downloads on Penguin. Yet this grinning jack-ass is somehow a big deal. Admittedly, he seems to be a genuinely nice person, whereas I am an *******. But still. He's so blah.

Theory 11: Who knew this website would be at the epicenter of the magic underground? I like some of the guys involved, even if Lee Asher's videos are not nearly as good as he thinks they are. It's as though Ellusionist stole magic tricks and marketed as their own, and then these guys stole Ellusionist's business model to market their own magic. Nicely done. Maybe I can get some official Wayne Houchin guy-liner now. I like the idea of a collective run by the "artists" themselves, but the hype, stylings and offerings make this project a colossal dud. I am also predicting that 12 months from now at least one of the founders will have left. At that time we'll see if this is a real business or more of a Halo 3 clan.

Jim Swain: I desperately want to get my hands on a copy of 21st CENTURY CARD MAGIC but it has been out of print. I personally hold Jim Swain responsible, even if he's not responsible. What's the deal? Everything good is under-supplied, and everything that sucks is readily available (except for first edition "Guardians" from T11).

[AgeGap]

I am not posting this as a reply but I am posting it as my own rant, as per the title of the thread. Good use of tags though Cain.

On Jerry Sadowitz's magic show he had Alex Elmsley as a guest. JS was sincere and respectful to AE, I have no problem with that. My problem is that on what must be one of a very few occasions when you get a magical genius on a show that performs a trick using a technique he invented, the camera manages to miss all the action. Jerry Sadowitz is the best magiacal performer ever and I feel mean criticizing his show. It saddens me that what would have been the best magic clip ever ends up as mearly disappointing.

No celeb should comment on politics. It just make tham look like an idiot. I call this the Paul Daniels effect.

[Dinsdale Piranha]

Re: Theory 11. At the Cafe' there's a major dustup regarding BJ Bueno's Digital Dissolve being a ripoff of a Steve Dusheck gaff:
http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/v...&forum=202&254

I'd also like to get my hands on Swain's books. Don't know if/when they'll ever be reprinted, though. At least I got my copy of Cardshark when Darwin Ortiz reprinted it recently.

[Cain]

Argh, what a shame about a thread title.

-I still can't believe Jerry Sadowitz even had a television show. Age, your post inspired me to re-read his Wikiepdia entry:

Quote:

-"I have a lot of admiration for rapists as they have to work alone in the dark".
-"I know what it's like for victims of the tsunami as I drank a glass of water really quick once".
-"Now keep your eyes on the cards, like the ****ing McCanns should have done."

Dinsdale,

After making a mildly critical remark about T11 a long while ago someone immediately PMed me bringing up the Dusceck routine (I know coins like I know astrophysics). That's an amusing thread. I did see a copy of 21st Century Card Magic (used) on Amazon.com for only 250 dollars. Good call on CARDSHARK though. I'm buying that after sending this message off.

[Dinsdale Piranha]

Originally Posted by Cain

Dinsdale,

After making a mildly critical remark about T11 a long while ago someone immediately PMed me bringing up the Dusceck routine (I know coins like I know astrophysics). That's an amusing thread. I did see a copy of 21st Century Card Magic (used) on Amazon.com for only 250 dollars. Good call on CARDSHARK though. I'm buying that after sending this message off.

I'm glad I waited for a Cardshark reprint. I got an autographed copy directly from Darwin Ortiz. It was going for outrageous prices on ebay, too. I wonder how some of those buyers feel now that it can be had at a reasonable price?
I'll just have to wait and see if any Swain books are reprinted. I'm not paying those ebay prices.

[Cain]

OK, I have topic to rant on: Jamy Ian Swiss. What do you think of the guy? In some ways I see a lot me in him: he seems like an a-hole who does not suffer fools gladly. He's also a hard-nosed skeptic, and I know some of you have seen him at TAM. On another forum somebody posted his withering critique of Ellusionist, and honestly, it made me kind of hard, even if the criticisms were not new and the topic unimportant. Still. I vaguely recall hearing someone say Joshua Jay criticized him in the August issue of MAGIC (I subscribe to GENII). My problem with Swiss is that he seems to take himself too seriously. Perhaps people with personal experience will attest that he's actually a "great guy."

The mention of Joshua Jay is not completely random. I do not doubt the guy is passionate about magic but, unlike JIS, he lacks a point of view (at least from what I have seen, heard, read). I prefer someone who is opinionated, transgressive. I suppose this is why Sadowitz is refreshing and important. When JIS speaks or writes there's a forcefulness of perspective that elevates his passion beyond magic. Maybe key term I am flailing to identify is personality. It's like Jules says, "Personality goes a long way."

[T'ai Chi]

The people who desperately try to convince others that we should listen to magicians as if they have matters of expertise outside of entertainment.

If people like them, fine, they are oif course entitled to their beliefs. But I mean, I just don't why others should be expected to worship or respect entertainers. I really think it is sour grapes that most magicians do not make a lot of $ compared to other entertainers.

[Bob Klase]

Originally Posted by T'ai Chi

The people who desperately try to convince others that we should listen to magicians as if they have matters of expertise outside of entertainment.

Yeah- kind of like saying that we should listen to musicians as if they have matters of expertise outside of entertainment- matters like music.

Originally Posted by T'ai Chi

If people like them, fine, they are oif course entitled to their beliefs. But I mean, I just don't why others should be expected to worship or respect entertainers.

Interesting how you make a claim about some unknown people saying you should "listen" and then you exaggerate that claim to say "worship or respect".

Much worse to listen to those people who have no expertise in anything but their own uninformed opinion.

Originally Posted by T'ai Chi

I really think it is sour grapes that most magicians do not make a lot of $ compared to other entertainers.

Care to find some evidence of that being true? How much does the average singer make compared to the average magician? How about the average comedian, juggler, actor and other entertainers? Or are you just pulling stuff out of your butt again?

[aofl]

Originally Posted by Cain

First the audience: They suck. Who do you hate the most? I have to go with John. He's the curly haired guy with the mustache who looks down when he claps his hands together like an idiot and says, "Oh, man." I also hate Scotty for his hoopin' and hollering. I sometimes wonder if David is actually retarded. They keep using the same people over and over and over again.

Couldn't agree more about the audiences. Scotty and David are pretty bad, but John...well, you know that trick where someone passes wind and points at the dog? Even that one fools John.

Originally Posted by Cain

Jim Swain: I desperately want to get my hands on a copy of 21st CENTURY CARD MAGIC but it has been out of print. I personally hold Jim Swain responsible, even if he's not responsible. What's the deal? Everything good is under-supplied, and everything that sucks is readily available (except for first edition "Guardians" from T11).

How desperate are you? Desperate enough ... to kill a man? Even someone who deserves killing? Because that's my price. I think I'll go home tonight and learn a trick out of my copy of James Swain's 21st Century Card Magic. I might spend the whole weekend poring over it.

A

[firecoins]

Originally Posted by Cain

OK, I have topic to rant on: Jamy Ian Swiss. What do you think of the guy? In some ways I see a lot me in him: he seems like an a-hole who does not suffer fools gladly. He's also a hard-nosed skeptic, and I know some of you have seen him at TAM. On another forum somebody posted his withering critique of Ellusionist, and honestly, it made me kind of hard, even if the criticisms were not new and the topic unimportant. Still. I vaguely recall hearing someone say Joshua Jay criticized him in the August issue of MAGIC (I subscribe to GENII). My problem with Swiss is that he seems to take himself too seriously. Perhaps people with personal experience will attest that he's actually a "great guy."

The mention of Joshua Jay is not completely random. I do not doubt the guy is passionate about magic but, unlike JIS, he lacks a point of view (at least from what I have seen, heard, read). I prefer someone who is opinionated, transgressive. I suppose this is why Sadowitz is refreshing and important. When JIS speaks or writes there's a forcefulness of perspective that elevates his passion beyond magic. Maybe key term I am flailing to identify is personality. It's like Jules says, "Personality goes a long way."

I have met both JIS and JJ. JIS is an excellent magician, very passionate about the art but he is can off a bit like an a umm word I can't use here. I think he means to come off this way. He knows people think this of him and does little to nothing to reduce this.

JJ is a nice kid. I use the word kid despite the fact he no longer isn't. I have known casually for a long time. He is talanted in terms of the ability to perform very complicated sleight of hand extremely well. He does lack a personality when he performs. I find this to be true of most magicians. I think its because magicians in general try not to offend anyone.

Professional magicians can make alot of money. Magicians perform at cocktail hours of weddings, bar mitzvahs, holiday parties, sales meetings and award ceremonies. They table hop a restaurants, night clubs and cruise ships as well. Comedians and musicians also do similiar events. Some magicians act as comedians to make themselves more marketable. Of course they have to be funny.

[Cain]

Originally Posted by aofl

How desperate are you? Desperate enough ... to kill a man? Even someone who deserves killing? Because that's my price. I think I'll go home tonight and learn a trick out of my copy of James Swain's 21st Century Card Magic. I might spend the whole weekend poring over it.

I don't suppose you would give me your street address. Argh, I want to get my hands on that book. What the hell. Is it good? Is it really good?

Quote:

JJ is a nice kid. I use the word kid despite the fact he no longer isn't. I have known casually for a long time. He is talanted in terms of the ability to perform very complicated sleight of hand extremely well. He does lack a personality when he performs. I find this to be true of most magicians. I think its because magicians in general try not to offend anyone.

I think "personality" is often emphasized too much, and I hope I did not overwork that point in my original post. However, if we're talking about professional magicians, the best-of-the-best, then I want to know what Joshua Jay has done to win so much critical acclaim because I don't see it. His own tricks do not impress me, and his "style" (or lack of it) does not impress me. He's so very blah. I am willing to revise my opinion. I used to think Darwin Ortiz (based only on videos I have seen) was a bland performer, and to an extent I suppose he is. But watching him again and again, I must conclude he's not nearly as bland as I once thought.