Greetings from all of us at Hank Lee’s Magic Factory. What a week! When we got to the office on Wednesday, it felt like Friday, like the week was almost over. I can’t explain it, other than the fact that by the end of the day Tuesday we had already shipped more orders than we normally ship in a full week during the holiday season. And, we were all a little tired. So, now that it’s really the end of the week and we have shipped a record number of orders, I can tell you that we are just plain pooped.
The weather people promised us snow for Thursday, and they were right. I have already armed Lucas with the new shovel and pointed him in the direction of the driveway. We are promised a Nor’Easter for Sunday. Oh, boy! The good news is that Aron will be home on Saturday, and the two boys will be able to shovel, shovel, shovel. Of course, I will supervise to make sure they do a good job. They love it when I supervise.
Hanukkah came and went this year, and not a present was exchanged. We decided that since Aron was coming home on Saturday, we would hold off on the presents until he was here to join in. He is thrilled with the idea. Lucas not so much.
As usual, the new magic keeps pouring in the door. We try and pick the best items to show in our Hotlist. The ones we don’t choose to advertise, you really don’t want, trust me on this!
Anyhoo, as you know, we are not having any major sales events during the holiday season, but, as our holiday gift to you all, we are offering:
FREE SHIPPING: Until Monday, the 24th of December at midnight, we are offering free ground shipping on any order over $25.00 to anywhere in the US, including Alaska and Hawaii! Just enter the special code SHIPMEFREE in the Discount Coupon Box at the bottom of the first page of the online checkout at www.magicfact.com. We will happily pick up the ground shipping charges on your order. Of course, if you want your order sent Fedex Three Day (Express Saver), Second Day or Next Day, you will just have to pay the difference. Note: Your email confirmation from our online system will still list the shipping as free, but we will charge the difference when we ship your order. Overseas customers will save as well! We will pay one-half of the Air Post shipping charges on your orders until the 24th! Just remember to enter the special code SHIPMEFREE in the Discount Coupon Box, or let the person taking your phone order know when you place your order at 800 874 7400.
Now, let’s take a look at this week’s Hotlist
The Dance – Brad Henderson: Back in print! Catch the tidal wave of demand for performers who can divine an audience's innermost thoughts and feelings. The Dance is the most advanced work on the subject of Cold Reading to date. Where many of the manuals in the past have told you what to do, The Dance teaches you the ins and outs of how to do it!
Topics include ethics, reading onstage, misses into hits, skeptics and two professional mind reading routines.
Few teaching texts have been released to the performance community of theatrical mind readers and 'psychic entertainers.' Many are small pamphlets of 15-20 pages, which when available can command prices as high as $80-200. Unlike these 'traditional' texts, The Dance focuses on cold reading not as a product but as a process. The hows and whys of cold reading are presented to the student in a clear and concise fashion. Many books try to teach you what to say, The Dance teaches you how to say it, when and where.
Though a rather advanced book, The Dance asks key questions which every potential reader should answer before embarking on their studies. Sections of The Dance include:
The Myth of the Cold Reading: There is a common perception that there exists one very general script that will hold true to most people. The Dance is one of the only texts written on the subject which abandons such a notion in favor of teaching the real techniques used by successful psychics. Also, The Dance explores the ethics of misrepresenting to our audience that what we do is "real" and offers for the first time a reading paradigm which is both engaging and ethically sound.
What's My Motivation?: One of the more frightening revelations begins as a discussion of the personality types naturally drawn to the pursuit of Psychic Readings. Control, power, and ego fulfillment which pervade the industry. The Dance advocates a new approach deviating from the Classic Svengali - the dark, mysterious, power hungry character who knows all and sees all.
Sections include: How to Ask a Question, Does This Make Sense, Multiple Choice, Negative Question and the Method, Beware the Stereotype, Tricks of the Trade (data collection), We have Ways of Making You Talk, Back Pedaling, Projectile Missiles, Celebrity, and Recapitulation.
Finally, we close with performance pieces. Here are two show stopping presentations straight from Brad's working repertoire. Both will give you the opportunity to showcase your readings skills.
An incredible value. 121 pages of professional quality material designed for the working performer. $39.95 (BK01305)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=7006&cat=0&page=1)
Shred Of Evidence: One of the most unique and talked about routines to come along in ages! It’s all here! Fun, comedy, audience participation, surprise after surprise and more.
A volunteer is asked to participate in a new style “game show.”
Tell him that he can win a $100.00 bill but must be willing to loan you a ten or twenty dollar bill to use in the game.
Explain that he will get his money back at the end, with the chance of winning an extra $100.
The game begins. His bill is mixed with a number of fake bills in sealed envelopes. During the game, the envelopes get shredded in a paper shredder (or burned to a crisp) until only one envelope remains.
Open the last envelope. Oops! The volunteer's bill is not there!.
Offer the spectator a consolation price. It’s an elegant travel kit. When he unzips the bag, he finds another bag, smaller than the first one. This is repeated over and over until a tiny zippered bag about the size of a small coin purse is produced. This bag is opened and inside is the volunteer's previously signed bill!
A real reputation maker.
You will not believe the impact on the audience.
Comes with the nest of purses, special dice and complete easy to follow routine. You supply a small paper shredder and regular envelopes. $75.00 (10.1434)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9182&cat=0&page=1)
Bug Magic – Jim Kleefeld: This summer millions of kids will be going to their local libraries to Catch the Reading Bug!
Will you have a program to present? You can get started right now with Jim Kleefeld's Bug Magic.
A great new eBook filled with two dozen great new tricks, routines & ideas for magic with an insect theme.
* Helpers magically choose a bug book and a bug puppet that match!
* Ants tunnel out a prediction message!
* Bees fly out of the hive with a volunteer's selected flower!
* A Tarantula magically finds its missing mate!
* Bees and a jar of honey are produced from an empty hive!
* Invisible fireflies are collected and turned into a light bulb!
* A silkworm magically fills his home with yards of silk!
* Butterflies appear in an empty net!
* Earthworms grow and shrink in size!
* Plus more, more, more!
In addition to the 48-page pdf book on CD, you'll get
* Complete directions on how to make numerous insect tricks.
* Over 75 original pieces of artwork to create your own tricks.
* Over 80 large royalty-free insect photos.
* Over 15 nifty bug and insect fonts.
* Several bug fact sheets.
* Four pages of bug jokes and gags.
* Resources for bug magic tricks, bug puppets, & bug props.
* Huge fiction and non-fiction bug bibliographies.
Works on both PC & Mac. $39.95 (CD0055)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9183&cat=0&page=1)
Switcher - Richard James:
" The most visual card switch ever invented. "
Richard James brings you his range of Mind Blowing Magic.
* Rip up a signed card and it restores itself back to normal!
* Take a blank card and watch how it prints itself.
* Change a card from a red-backed card to a blue-backed card in an instant.
* Show a prediction, someone selects a card and your prediction is wrong. By simply rubbing the cards together your prediction magically changes and matches their chosen card!
So many tricks can be performed with Switcher
Switcher comes complete with a free instructional DVD
$49.95 (301284)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9176&cat=0&page=1)
Pocket Space: A spectator cuts an invisible deck of cards. He tells you how many cards he cut off the deck. You remove a business card and a playing card from your wallet. The spectator takes the business card and turns it over. Printed on the back are all 52 cards of the deck. In a random order. With no repeats! He sees what card is at the cut number. (You don't know-really!) He turns over the playing card. It is the same card!
Reset? You put the two cards back in your wallet (ungimmicked wallet). Next table? Different number, different card!
No sleights. No gimmicked cards.
Plus, it takes up almost no space and gets a great reaction.
"Think of it as a combination of acaan and card to wallet. I came up with it after playing with acaan. But I hated all the dealing and extra decks and all the preparation and fussiness plus all the space they took up.
So I showed this to several people such as Jack Carpenter, John Mendoza, Chad Long, Jason Dean and Todd Lassen. They all gave Pocket Space a unanimous thumbs up.” - Tony Miller
$24.95 (30.1282)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9171&cat=0&page=1)
Retro-Sight – Devin Knight: Two different effects in one!
Something totally unique, combined with a new principle in mentalism that will delight even seasoned pros. This is release five in Devin Knight's Psychic Sight Series
Mirrored Thought:
Two spectators are brought on stage. Neither is a stooge nor has there been any pre-show work.
The first spectator freely selects a word from the stack of word cards. There is no force of any kind and you really do not know the word selected. The first person is asked to think of his word. You then pass the cards one at time in front of a mirror while the spectator looks away. Explain that a psychic ability known as Retro-sight sometimes allows a person to know what is not known by viewing words printed in reverse in the mirror. Ask the second spectator to look into the mirror and see if he gets any psychic flashes regarding the thought of word. Believe it or not, the second person correctly names the selected word and is puzzled as to how he knew it. You don’t whisper or secretly cue the person. You really do not know the thought of word until the second person reveals it. Can instantly be repeated with a different word.
One of the most ingenious things you will ever see and will fool anyone who doesn’t know the secret. Nothing like this has ever been done before using this method.
Bonus Effect: Dimensional Transposition
In the second effect you are able to cause word cards to transpose with those inside a mirrored dimension. Introduce a set of word cards from the well-known game Word Chase. Show the cards freely front and back. Nothing but a set of cards with a different word on each. Explain that another dimension exists inside any mirror. To prove this, you hold the cards one at a time in front of the mirror to show how the mirror reflects the printed word on the card as a mirrored image. Further explain that you will make the word cards in your hand change places with the ones in the mirror.
Suddenly all the cards in the mirror appear normal and can be read. For a kicker, you show all the cards in your hand are now printed in reverse mirror images. Repeat the effect using your business card. Suddenly, the card reflected in the mirror becomes normal and can be read. The card left in your hand is now printed in reverse and is left with the spectator as a conversation piece.
No short or long cards, no rough and smooth, no double faced word cards, no sticky stuff on the cards and the packet of cards is not switched.
Comes complete with set of word cards from the game Word Chase, vinyl holder for cards and complete directions detailing every nuance. $24.95 (40.602)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9175&cat=0&page=1)
Scripting Magic - Pete McCabe: Pete McCabe and 26 other guys show you the art of scripting magic. Includes 45 scripts, 13 essays, 7 interviews, and 1 flowchart to make you a better magician.
Contributing magicians include: Michael Ammar, Jon Armstrong, Bruce Barnett, Rafael Benatar, Eugene Burger, Michael Close, Bob Farmer, Paul Green, Eric Henning, Guy Hollingworth, Larry Jennings, Mark Joerger, Kenton Knepper, Jonathan Levit, John Lovick, Max Maven, Eric Mead, Sean O'neill, Gary Ouellet, David Regal, Jim Steinmeyer, Vic Sussman, Jamy Ian Swiss, Teller, Joe M Turner and Larry White
Excerpt from the book:
"They did it because they believe that scripting your magic will make you a better magician. They all believe that scripting can make you more effective, more entertaining, more dramatic, and most of all, more magical." -Pete McCabe
$39.95 (BK01555)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9184&cat=0&page=1)
3510 – Luke Jermay:
From the Introduction:
“As I write the introduction to this book I am on a flight from Las Vegas to Los Angeles. I am presented with exactly forty-five minutes to sum up my feelings about the book.
A lot has contributed to the style in which this book has been written; among other things a recent transatlantic relocation from the UK to the USA to make a home in Las Vegas. Vegas is a town that has in the short while I have lived here already deeply affected my approach to magic and mentalism. Las Vegas really is the best place in the world to see both great and terrible magic.
The bulk of this book was written as I lived and worked as a traveling performer. There really is a great advantage to having a mobile office.
The book was written in this fashion with my thoughts being collected in essay form while on the road. Now, looking back over it, I find it a genuinely nostalgic read. The task of elaborating on my traveling essays to make them more complete and lucid was much like reading an old travel journal or diary from years past.
The one thing the ideas presented in this book all have in common is that they were formed in part because of the countless “bad” magic and mentalism shows I have encountered on my journeys. From live performances to certain recent “TV Stars,” bad magic is simply bad magic.
It is these “bad magic/mentalism shows” that are the true inspiration for this book. Without having witnessed so much bad magic and mentalism I would never have been moved to examine my own performances at a deeper level.
It is my hope that you enjoy what is presented in this book. You will of course not agree with everything I have written, and this is the whole point! The best thing I could ever hope to achieve with this book is to encourage you to question your own performances in the same way I have questioned my own. Together with our love for the art that has given us so much, we now have the chance to give it something back. Lets keep magic and mentalism as exciting to our audiences as it is to us.
Enjoy your journey and maybe our paths will cross along the way.
Luke Jermay”
Chapter One:
Developing Compelling Demonstrations.
This chapter outlines my own personal beliefs on presenting contemporary mentalism. From the structure of an effect to building a routine and a show. Each point is complete with working examples from my own repertoire.
Chapter Two:
A Working Example Of My Guidelines.
In this chapter we handle a working example of all the guidelines outlined in Chapter One by creating and applying these rules to an effect.
Chapter Three:
An Approach To Prop-Free Mentalism.
A brief look at performing modern mentalism without the aid of apparatus and props of any kind.
Chapter Four:
The Devil Is In The Details.
This chapter outlines the attention to detail that I feel is needed to make a truly compelling performance.
Chapter Five:
Presentational Touches.
A collection of presentational additions that can be added into many effects that you already perform as well as all the effects featured within this book.
Chapter Six:
Touching On Hoy – The Real Work.
This chapter features possibly the strongest, prop free demonstration of mind reading available to the mentalist.
Chapter Seven:
Hail Dunninger – A Principle And An Effect.
In this chapter I take a closer look at the “Dunninger Ploy” and describe its use in relation to a card effect using a prop you almost certainly already own.
Chapter Eight:
A Look At TV Magic/Mentalism.
Here I share my personal thoughts on the world of TV magic. From selective editing to pre-show work and dirty “camera tricks”.
Chapter Nine:
Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants.
This chapter is a work inspired by my influences. As performers I truly think we are building everything we perform on the work of greats from the past. Here I share three routines that I feel are directly inspired by Canasta, Dr. Jak’s and Koran.
Chapter Ten:
Mentalism With Playing Cards.
Chapter Eleven:
Suggestion.
A chapter featuring effects that mix the classic methods of magic and mentalism with suggestive techniques to create bold and new effects never before possible.
Chapter Twelve:
A Brief Journey Into The Bizarre.
No skulls, altars or sacrificed goats, rather Mentalism with a surreal twist.
Chapter Thirteen:
Zeroing In.
Methods to zero in on the correct spectators for your effects.
177 pages. Hardbound. $49.95 (BK01554)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9174&cat=0&page=1)
Street Magic Magazine – December 2007/January 2008:
From the folks who brought you the Dracula Book Test, Sherlock Holmes Inductive Test, Harry Houdini Book Test and many more
Street Magic Magazine is a trick!
The magazine is gaffed! The newest issue of Street Magic Magazine is out and hitting the shelves. And unlike any other magic magazine in history, this issue is also a trick.
That’s right, it has one full effect built in that you can use to amaze spectators. The real cover comes off to reveal a mock-up magazine underneath with another cover that is called “Skeptic Monthly Magazine”. We even purchased www.skepticmonthly.com to set up a fake website just in case a spectator sees the URL and wants to check the magazine out.
But what’s even cooler about that real cover is that on the inside is one of our models wearing SM gear and a 2008 calendar that can be hung on your wall to mark off all the great things you’re going to do this next year. $8.95 (SM005)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9180&cat=0&page=1)
Back 2 Front – Richard James:
This is one of Richard’s personal favorites. It’s strong, powerful magic at its very best. The magic happens in their hands to everyone’s total amazement!
Highly visual, very easy to perform and never fails!
A spectator selects a card from the deck.
The card is shown front and back and placed in the spectator’s hand.
The spectator places their other hand on top, sandwiching the card.
Another card from the deck is shown front and back.
You simply wave your card over their hands.
Turn your card over; you have the back of a card on both sides!
The spectator opens their hands; they have the face of their card on one side and the face of your card on the other side!
Back2Front comes complete with a free instructional DVD $34.95 (30.1285)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9179&cat=0&page=1)
Jumbo Coincidence: Aldo Colombini kills magicians and lay people with this electrifying routine which fools, entertains and causes a frenzy.
Two packets of Jumbo half-cards are mixed. A spectator freely selects a card from one of the packets and leaves it protruding. You then simultaneously turn the top cards of both packets face up showing the cards are different. Continue until the selected card is reached. Amazingly, it matches the card in the other pile. A perfect match!
As a kicker ending, both packets are turned face down and when you start dealing the cards face up, each and every card matches.
Mere words can't describe this true miracle.
Ungaffed, examinable and very easy to do. Comes complete with all the necessary Jumbo Bicycle cards and photo-illustrated instructions. $20.00 (30.408)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=1303&cat=0&page=1)
George McBride- The DVD: Finally legendary Scottish magician George McBride has made a DVD. And it's a scorcher.
George is notorious among his fellow magicians as a card man of devastating caliber. (Indeed, he is part of the underground Scottish Magic Mafia alongside luminaries such as Peter Duffie, Jerry Sadowitz, Roy Walton etc). And on this DVD you'll get the chance to learn eleven of his very best routines.
But not only that – you'll also get instruction in some of the most lethal moves in card magic.
This material is truly jaw dropping.
* Ace De Triomphe
* Bar Room Blues
* Cutting The Aces
* Double Swap Sandwich
* Open Assembly
* Reversal Of Fortune
* Immediate Ace Spelling
* Hotel Mystery
* Discrepancy Assembly
* Flight Path
* Triola
* Bonus - The Twist Shift
A master class in routining, sleights, sleight of hand, misdirection, audience management and general, all-round coolness. Are you ready to take your magic to the next level? $34.95 (DVD00804)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9177&cat=0&page=1)
The Classics DVD - George Mcbride:
Legendary Scottish magician George McBride has put down on film his very favorite handlings for some of magic’s best loved plots. Covering cards and coins, this is a veritable master class in magical excellence.
The DVD features nine routines and a false cut.
* Slow Motion Aces
* Purse Frame Coin Production
* Coins Across
* 2 Card Transpo
* Spellbound
* The Bounce Change
* Coins to Glass
* Thinking of Koran
* Merlin’s Lost Ace Trick
* George’s Favorite False Cut’
But let’s make this clear, if you’re watching this DVD, you’re not just learning nine fantastic routines. You’re getting expert tuition on moves and sleights like:
- Second Dealing
- Push off Double Deal
- Multiple Palming
- Gamblers Cop
- ER-Aced (Vernon)
- Top Card Cover Pass
- Ovette/Kelly Master Move
- Double Deal (Merlin)
- Multiple Coin Vanishes & Moves
- Pinch Steal (Baker)
- Coin Pass (Vernon)
- Revolving Coin Pass (Carney)
- Bounce Change (Dingle)
- Coin Vanish (Leipzig)
- And loads more!
This DVD will really help you take your magic to an entirely new level.
$34.95 (DVD00803)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9178&cat=0&page=1)
And, that’s this week’s hotter than hot Hotlist. Great stuff for yourself. Great stuff for those on your “magical” gift list. And, no problem getting it to you in time for the holidays. As for me, I’m very excited that Aron is coming home for the break. And not just because two shovels are better than one! As always, I hope you will find some time to spend with us either online at www.magicfact.com or in person at our suddenly crowded showroom at 102 North Street in Medford. Either way, we love your company!
Hank Lee
