Greetings from all of us here at Hank Lee's Magic Factory, where Fall is definitely in the air. The mornings are getting crisper, the days are getting shorter and long pants are definitely back. Kind of sorry to see summer go.
If you always thought that I was one of the sweetest guys in magic, turns out you were right. Recently, I joined the millions of Americans diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. Living proof that you just cannot eat Krispy Kreme Donuts every day and think you are going to get away with it. Because you won't. Luckily for me, Boston has the top Diabetes care facility in the world, the Joslin Clinic. I have enrolled in a 12 week program called Why WAIT, which is a weight loss and blood sugar control program. Diet, exercise, and healthy living is stressed. In the first week, I lost 10 pounds! I am thrilled, of course. I will let you know how it goes and keep you all informed as I perform the Incredible Shrinking Man Illusion.
Now, let's take a look at the Hotlist at www.magicfact.com!
David Stone DVD - The Real Secrets Of Magic - Discover the backstage life of a professional magician.
Table-hopping or restaurant magic have NOTHING to do with the kind of close-up magic you might perform for your friends: The professional magician has to entertain people who are not expecting him. He has to use simple and commercial tricks in difficult conditions: Lack of lighting, lack of space, lots of noise.
Besides tricks, David Stone, FISM Award winner 2006, gives you lots of tips for starting your career as a professional magician.
Produced and directed by Jean-Luc Bertrand, this DVD offers a new way of learning magic. He found a funny mix between non stop entertaining while teaching magic.
Tricks with: cards, coins, ropes, bottles, glasses, banknotes, napkins, cigarettes, roses, improvised magic and sponge balls.
- Capture and entertain the audience
- Easy to do commercial magic
- Operate in tough conditions
- Tips and advice to start
- Making of short movie ( Grand Prix Las Vegas) $34.95
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=8484&cat=0&page=1)
Devil's Own Oil & Water - It’s the way Oil and Water was always meant to look.
He was in the dark corner of the seediest pub I had ever visited. He hadn't shaved for days, and he hadn't washed for about as long. He was drinking absinthe like his life depended on it. I didn't like him, and I don't think he liked me. He showed me four red cards, four black cards. He mixed them. Fairly, slowly, cleanly. Then he turned them over, and they'd separated. Red on top, black on the bottom. He had filthy hands; grime under his fingernails from who knows what. But the cards just...separated. He drained his absinthe and did it again. And, after I'd promised him a refill, he did it again, with just four of the cards. I was watching him as closely as you are reading these words; I grabbed for the cards, but could see nothing. I looked up, and he was laughing in my face, like...well, like a demon. The Devil's Own; it won't cost you your soul, but it may look that way. Supplied with everything you need with the exception of Brimstone and Treacle! Exceptionally easy to
perform as well.
$14.95
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=8480&cat=0&page=1)
Ghost Vision - Andrew Mayne, creator of Gut Buster and Ghostbills, presents a 21st century paranormal effect. Using an unprepared borrowed camera phone the magician reveals spectral images of ghosts and premonitions from beyond.
Your spectators watch the display as a dark silhouette crosses the room in real time
A thought of word, image or card appears in a photograph of a spectator's hand
A haunted face appears in the shadows
Ghost Vision is a spine-tingling effect that allows you to use a borrowed portable electronics device to create a digital seance that can be saved as photo or movie. It's easy to perform and works with most camera phones.
24 minute widescreen DVD including an extra bonus effect: The Haunted Keys
Comes with everything needed to perform (cell phone not included). $14.95
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=8485&cat=0&page=1)
Ultimate Street Magic - Gary Sumpter - This book covers everything from lighting a match twice to floating on air two different ways!!
Gary Sumpter offers readers a wide range of tricks that will wow the public up-close and personal. From impressive effects involving everyday objects, such as coins and rubber bands to playing cards, he moves on to mind magic and stunning illusions to confuse the street-willed and scare the strong of stomach, with useful tips and advice throughout.
Wherever you work - bars, clubs, markets, restaurants, this book will give you everything you need to entertain, perplex and baffle audiences everywhere.
Awesome Effects
• Restoration - Tear a card into four pieces the fuse them back together.
• The Dextrous Disappearence - Make a card disappear into thin air.
• Cost of Living - Change a high volume note into a low value note & back again.
• Two-to-One - Melt two rubber bands into one.
• Match Revival - Bring a dead match back to life.
• Finger Flash - Light a match using nothing but your fingers.
• Ashes - Make an amazing prediciton appear from the flames.
• Vanishing Thought - Vanish a card that the spectator is only thinking of.
• Lift up - Remove a spectator's strength without touching them.
• Impaled - Push the prongs of a plastic fork through your fingers.
• Glassed - Smash a bottle and eat the evidence.
• Street Levitation & The Jacket Levitation
This book also contains info on flourishes, card shooting, one-handed cut, coin roll, and even more effects not listed! There is even a section on starting and establishing yourself and a word about those pesky hecklers.
David Blaine and Chris Angel have sparked the thought of street magic in the minds of the general public. There is a need for street magicians, even more today than ever! ?8 ½" x 11." 128 pages. Hardbound. $24.95
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=8481&cat=0&page=1)
Cheating At Poker DVD - George Joseph - George Joseph is an authority on gaming protection and cheating. He has served as director of surveillance for Bally, Paris, Aladdin and Dunes casinos in Las Vegas. He is currently the president of Worldwide Casino Consulting, Inc., which oversees the training of casino and gambling security around the world.
Joseph has also trained several law enforcement agencies and has served as an expert witness and consulting investigator on countless casino cheating prosecutions. His television appearances include: Dateline NBC, 48 Hours, America’s Most Wanted, Cheating Las Vegas, Cheaters Beware, Primetime, History Of Las Vegas and many others.
On this DVD he demonstrates and explains many sleight-of-hand techniques that are used to cheat at Poker. You will learn about false shuffles, false dealing, peeking at cards, switching cards, marking cards, controlling cards during shuffles, bend work, culling discards, crimping, palming, cold decking, false cuts, daub work, nullifying cuts, holding out, and much more. Each subject is further covered with demonstrations and discussions about related variations and techniques. This is a crash course in what is possible at the Poker table.
Sold for educational and entertainment purposes only. Millions of dollars are lost every year to card cheaters and we recommend that anyone who plays Poker be familiar with these techniques in order to protect themselves.
Subjects covered include: False Shuffles & Cuts; Overhand Controls; Stocking; False Cuts; Nullifying Cuts; The Anti-Cheat Cut; Second Dealing; Bottom Dealing; Peek; Glim Work; Card Mucking; Holding Out; Marking Cards; Strippers; Marked Cards; Cold Decking
$19.95
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=8478&cat=0&page=1)
Brass Knuckles - Doug Edwards is the 'man behind the curtain' for many performers. His sleights, innovations and magical creations are used by leading card men the world over. He is one of the world's best kept secrets when it comes to original and exciting plots. Brass Knuckles delivers a one-two-three punch that is sure to please anyone interested in hard-hitting dynamic card work. Nothing held back!
Over 60 strong, original effects ranging from new palm techniques, shuffles, shifts, controls, changes, lifts and more. The quality of content is staggering. Doug Edwards delivers lessons that professionals have paid dearly for; offered to you for a mere 81 cents a trick! An incredible bargain at any price. Here is a partial listing of contents:
* Section 1: Palms, Shuffles and Lifts
* Section 2: Cuts, Controls and Changes
* Section 3: Hard Hitting Mysteries
* Section 4: Bonus Items??I honestly can't pick out a favorite among the sixty effects; they are all that good but I know you will use and enjoy of them. There is something for everyone here. The Bonus section has some great handling for the Haunted Key; Sunshine's Color Vision Cube; A great Torn & Restored Bill called 'Made in Japan'; Bead-azzled will be something you will carry with you all the time and for those who do the Vanishing Bird Cage, Doug tips some valuable handling and ideas on this amazing effect. $49.95
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=8476&cat=0&page=1)
Fireball - Play with fire – and leave a burning impression. Fireball is a super sleek high tech device that allows you to produce instantaneous balls of fire.?
• Fling fire balls from any object – a cup, a card box, even your bare hands!
• Silently and invisibly light flash paper.
• Lighten up any effect with an unexpected burst of flame.
Fireball is ready to be used again and again with no reset. It comes complete with the custom-designed Fireball gimmick and complete instructions. Because of the nature of this effect, it can only be sold to adults. Flashpaper sold separately. $50.00
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=8477&cat=0&page=1)
Master Billet Course DVD Vol. 1 - A Great starting place! Simple handlings with devastating results.
The use of Billets in Mentalism is often regarded as a hidden art...until now. Allen Zingg offers this four volume course on the use of Billets. Billets are small slips of paper that information is written on, this is the information that will be the thoughts that the Mentalist will use for the performance. The Mentalist will secretly gain access to this info using the techniques taught on this DVD set.
There are many variations on each of the techniques offered giving the performer many options. In addition to exhaustive teaching on the techniques that make this type of work possible, there are many routines that exploit them.
Volume One Contents Include:
Acidus Novus; Password; Starpower II; The Tibetan Wishing Box; Speed of Thought; Barrie's Double Billet; Billet of El Zorro; Psychic Birthday Card; The Telescope; Barrie's Versatile Billet; A Dollar for Your Thoughts; First Dollar You Earned; Crossword Puzzle; On the Record; Classic Center Tear; Seven Deadly Sins; Free Will
Plus! You'll get a visit with Kenton Knepper and Allen Zingg as they continue to discuss the Five Questions that are rarely asked, but will make all the difference in your performances. Allen Zingg is a highly regarded creator & performer of mentalism. His credits include books, periodicals, and creating tools & effects for working mentalists. He has also consulted for television internationally. Allen's creativity is valued by top names in the field, including Kenton Knepper, Barrie Richardson, Ted Karmilovich & Banachek. $34.95
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=8479&cat=0&page=1)
Chip Tricks DVD - Rich Ferguson - Including 20 tricks never taught before! Poker columnist and Entertainment Award Winner, Rich Ferguson is known around the world for his originality and unique approach to cards, poker chips and more. This DVD is packed with 70 of the hottest stunts and tricks you have seen on television or at a poker game - all explained in detail by Rich! Also included are a dozen tricks by Rich that have never been revealed to the public - until now!
Stunts Included:
Shuffle; Pull Over; Push Down Shuffle; Short Shuffle; Un-shuffle; Butterfly; Fat Butterfly; Roll Down; Butterfly Balance; Butterfly Collapse; Rebound Stack; Peacock; Double Butterfly; S-Fan; Galaxy; Vertical Chip Roll; Anti-Gravity; Muscle Pass; Finger Catch; Ricochet; Reverse Twirl; Twirl; Two Chip Twirl; Twirl Pinch; Chip Stack Twirl; Front to Back; Finger Flip; Thumb Flip; Knuckle Roll; Knuckle Roll Return; Multiple Knuckle Roll; Chip Rol Toss/BC Toss; Spread; Knuckle Roll Transfer; Chip Rolling; Block Rolling; Sweep; In Hand Cascade; Drop; Tilt; Center Cut; Slip Shuffle; Pinch Shuffle; 4-Way Cut; Lever; Backhand Catch; Spiral Stacking; Travel; Drop Bounce Stack; Chip Production; Dribble Bounce Stack; Hidden Bet; Twirl Bounce-back; Toss Bounce-back; Slam Rebound; Push Rebound; Chip Return; Vertical Pinches; Chip Boomerang; Chip Toss; Push Throughs; Horizontal Pinch; Jump Back; J-Toss
$19.95
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=8483&cat=0&page=1)
And, that's all the great new stuff for this first week of Autumn. Enjoy the weather. Enjoy the magic. And, try and find some time to spend with us either online at www.magicfact.com or in person at our retail emporium at 112 South Street in Boston. Either way, we love the company.
Hank Lee
