Saturday, May 01, 2010

Live From Gainesville!

Greetings from all of us at Hank Lee’s Magic Factory. If it’s Friday, this must be Gainesville. And it is. Yesterday, I flew from Boston to Gainesville, Florida for Aron’s big moving day. Aron has finished at the University of Florida and is moving back up North. This summer he is taking a couple of courses in UF’s International Program, but other than that, he is ready to graduate! The original plan was for me to fly down, help him pack up, rent a van and drive back. But, it turned out that it was just as cost effective to pack him up, have a mover bring all his stuff home and the two of us fly back on Saturday. Let’s see. Drive 1200+ miles in a van filled with Aron’s stuff or fly home? Not a tough decision. So, we will be home tomorrow.

I am sure you have been wondering what the kids are doing this summer, right? Well, as you know already, Aron is taking a couple of course in UF’s International Program. He will be in Florence, Italy for a few weeks then in London, England for a few more weeks. I know he has to study and write some papers, but it sure sounds like a great summer to me. Maybe he should stay home and work while I go abroad for the summer. Sadly, life does not work that way. Lucas has been accepted in the University of Toronto’s summer Opera program, which is also in Italy. He will be living in a small town 90 minutes East of Rome, and will be singing for four weeks. Is there a better place than Italy to sing Opera?
People have been asking about Little Man, the new Paul Harris release. The latest news, as of the beginning of this month, is that Little Man is being made right now. Parts are being machined and assembled. So, we believe that the finished product is not far off. I want to thank those of you who have pre-ordered and waited patiently. You will be among the first to own this amazing product. The long wait will be worthwhile.
And, that’s all from here.
Aron is telling me that there a few more boxes to pack up before the movers arrive. And, he just can’t do it without me! So, off I go.
Now, let’s take a look at this week’s excitement.

Until Friday, the 7th of May at midnight, we are offering free ground shipping on any order over $30.00 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 7th of May! 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

(1) Moving Head Illusion: Tora’s Moving Head Illusion is a real audience shocker!

Have your assistant walk onstage toward you. Comment that he isn't looking very well and that you can help him.

Hold his head in your hands, moving it back and forth a little. Suddenly you move his head down to the middle of his chest!

Move the head up and down, as it speaks to you. Then return it to its proper place! The assistant says that now he feels much better!

While the effect is very dramatic, it is easy to set up and perform in any situation.

Very little practice is needed and the prop is made of the finest material

$700.00 (60.1665)


(2) Rune’s World – The Magic of Rune Klan: Written by Joshua Jay - A departure from any magic book you’ve read. Part instruction, part theory, part graphic novel, this new volume will challenge you to think in new ways, about new possibilities with your magic.

Rune Klan is the most famous magician you’ve never heard of.

An extremist in nearly every way, Rune is a walking contradiction: among magicians he has gained an international reputation as a guru of coins. Yet Rune has achieved celebrity status in his native Denmark exclusively for stand-up comedy magic.

Rune Klan is the rarest kind of magician: he is an artist working without restrictions and with little compromise. His only concern is the end result. This is the thematic element that connects Rune’s boisterous stage magic with his refined close-up. Whether his objective is to transfer a coin stack from hand to hand (Rune goes through the cracks between each finger) or how to tear and restore a porno magazine (Rune tears a bikini-clad girl’s picture to pieces, removes a real bra from the packet, and restores the pages to show the same girl nude), all of Rune’s effects have been streamlined with the effect in mind. His effects range from standard to bizarre to illegal, but the effect is always paramount to the method. Every trick has Rune’s stamp on it.

Rune’s World explores both the close-up and parlor magic that makes Mr. Klan such a dynamic force. Part magic book and part graphic novel, this is an innovative 180-page collection unlike any other in both form and content.

Comes with a free companion DVD (subtitled performances, interviews in English, and some tricks performed and explained that are not in the book). This is a huge value. Printed on low-gloss paper.

$60.00 (BK01704)

(3) Three Pieces Of Silver DVD– Rune Klan: Rune Klan has become a public sensation for his comedy magic, but before that he was recognized by magicians as an exemplary coin technician. In 1998, a young Danish Rune Klan surfaced with a collection of coin effects unlike any that preceded it. The rules were simple: Rune used no gaffs, and seemingly only three coins. Yet with the simplest of props, he did inexplicable and visual coin tricks.

This collection contains revolutionary coin magic as difficult as it is amazing. If you're looking for a challenge and a reward, look no further.

This DVD almost wasn't. The master copy was destroyed in a fire, and the footage has been out of print for nearly a decade. Recently rediscovered and recaptured from VHS, we are happy to have this neo-classic available again. $30.00 (DVD01131)


(4) Essential Magic Conference Registration:
The world's first web conference for magicians. 33 speakers over 3 days of conference streamed live worldwide. Register to attend today - access passes are limited.

The EMC will take place on the 15th, 16th and 17th of July 2010. The entire conference will be broadcast via the internet. It features lectures and demonstrations by some of the most important thinkers in magic. You can watch the lectures live from your computer. Or you can view the lectures on-demand immediately following their broadcast. There are opportunities for you to interact with and question the conference speakers. As an additional bonus, every subscriber receives a set of DVDs containing every lecture. And we want you to be part of it.

Speakers include:

Luis de Matos

Marco Tempest

Topas

Max Maven

Lennart Green

Gazzo

Barry & Stuart

De'vo vom Schattenreich

Gaetan Bloom

Cyril Takayama

Bill Stuart

Richard Wiseman

and more!

$75.00 (EMC01)


(5)
Square – Patrick Redford:
Powerful impromptu mentalism with a deck of cards!

As part of a 5 comic book series, Square is a comic devoted to mental feats with a deck of cards. As usual, all of the material is 100% impromptu.

Imagine being able find the card a spectator is thinking of after quickly looking through the deck at rapid speed., and give your subjects the power to do the same.

Imagine a 10 card poker deal routine that allows the subject to choose both his hand and your hand from face-up cards and still lose.

Imagine being able to sense the instant someone thinks “stop.”

Imagine an ESP card match routine that requires almost no sleights or one-ahead techniques.

Stop imagining and get Square, now.

Artist Jesse Rubenfeld signs back on for this third installment of the shape series and his artwork is unmatched. Join Patrick G. Redford at the Paper Moon Saloon in the old west for an adventure that's impossible to forget.

Each effect requires only the most basic sleight-of-hand skills and are virtually self-working.

You'll also learn some never-before released card sleights:

The Fishman Shuffle: One of the best full deck overhand false shuffles for the mentalist.

The Fishman Switch: A moveless, sleight free packet switch that's as easy as squaring a deck of cards

Tetrad Switch: Redford's four object switch strikes again.

The PGR-PM Principle: A virtually self working, totally hands off looking card control that positions a card at any position you wish.

$40.00 (BK01703)




(6)Super Big Dice Frame:
One of the most visual items from our friends at Tora Magic!
Produce 12 large dice!
Show an empty frame to the audience and produce three big dice from inside.
Again show the empty frame to the audience and then make another three dice appear!
Continue to do this until there are twelve big dice on stage!
Perfect for both parlor and stage performances
The production of twelve big dice which are 5 inches X 5 inches from an empty cube will make your audience say "Wow!"
$350.00 (60.1666)


(7) Ultimate Paddle:
A new and original paddle effect for you from the creative mind of Joe Porper.
Never before has anyone created a paddle with five changes. Never!
Nothing could be simpler, or easier to perform. A small paddle is introduced and shows three blue spots on both sides. A flick and the spots change color to yellow. Another flick and they change to white. One more flick and they change to green. And yes, another flick and they change to red!
Like all of Joe’s creations, you can immediately hand it for examination. Nothing can be found. Beautifully machined in the quality you have come to expect from Joe Porper. $64.00

(8) Introduction to Flash Products DVD – Scott Penrose

Scott Penrose is a professional magician from London, England. He's a council member of 'The Magic Circle' and magic adviser to many of the top west end theatre shows

The use of a 'flash product' is the perfect way to enhance a magic trick. Yet, there is very little written or recorded about how, when and where to use these products. On this DVD, Scott Penrose gives an in depth teaching on everything you'll need to know - including how to store, how to handle, how to use and even how to tell the quality of products available. There's performance and explanation with many uses for both close up and stage magic. There are many effects shown and taught in this lecture by Scott, but most importantly, he shows you how to add some sparkle and surprise into the magic effects you already perform!

Silk Production

Cane to Silks

Cut & Restored Rope

Clipped & Restored Note

Goldfish Production

Banknote in Watch

Vanishing Cane, various methods

Vanishing Candle

Gypsy Thread

These are all great professional effects, but with the added touch of some flash products , Scott turns them into powerful and stunning magic tricks!

$30.00 (DVD01132)

(9) Cartificios DVD – Luis Otero: Luis Otero is one of Latin America's most respected professional magicians. He has been a featured performer at the famous Magic Castle, The 4F convention, Jornadas del Escorial in Spain (where Master Juan Tamariz invites just 40 of the top minds in card magic), FISM, and numerous other performances and lectures worldwide.

On this DVD, you will find well thought out stunning routines that are the result of countless hours of Luis Otero studying and amazing with pasteboards.

"Cartifice" Luis Otero demonstrates and explanations the details that make every one of the pieces in this DVD set real gems. This will be a tremendous treat for advanced card lovers.

Here is a sampling of what Luis shares with you:

Hot Side Faces: A very visual, stunning, and magical change of two selected cards.

Re-Sandwiched: Two selected cards appear between two kings, one at a time. A sandwich effect that will fool you badly.

That's How They Are: An engaging effect with a devilish combination of principles.

Metamorphosis: Houdini's incredible effect for close up, impromptu.

Progressive Oil and Water: A highly visual and amazing oil and water routine.

Name Empathy: A beautiful effect with a very strong magical moment.

Photogenic card: A very commercial plot... take an imaginary picture of a thought of card.

ACAAN: Two very useful techniques applied to this classic of magic... really a great contribution to your sleight arsenal.

Cold Spelling: The ultimate spelling routine with a great climax.

Blind Estimation: A masterpiece of principles, numbers and magic combined in an extraordinary multi-climax routine.

Be prepared to be fooled over and over after watching Luis Otero's Cartificios and then be delighted to learn the wonderful secrets behind these card miracles.

$34.95 (DVD01133)



(10) Russian Roulegg:
Russian Roulette with an egg, to be performed to any kind of audiences! The magician shows 3 closed paper bags on the table, he puts an egg into a fourth bag and the bags are mixed up. The magician invites a spectator to find out where the bag with the egg is, by pointing to any bag (no forcing, no magician's choice, it's a free selection).The spectator points to a bag, and the magician begins to crush the other bags over the spectator's head. Only one bag remains closed on the table. The magician, showing his hands completely empty, lifts the last bag very slowly, takes the egg from it and breaks the egg into a clear glass. $55.00 (60.1667)

(11) Reel Magic Episode 16 – Max Maven

Feature: Max Maven

Max Maven talks with John Lovick about the state of Mentalism today and how people will believe anything.

Columns:

Small Things, Big Difference - Jon Armstrong

Gambling moves for the non-gambler; a great use for the Second Deal.

Try This At Home - Garrett Thomas

A better way to use the Magician’s Force.

Kid Show FUNdamentals - David Kaye a.k.a. Silly Billy

Mumbles about Mouth Coils.

Be My Guest – David Roth

The finer points of the Shuttle Pass.

Reviews:

Tricks of the Trade - David Regal

“You again?” New versions of old ideas.

Choice Cuts - Wayne Kawamoto

Wayne reviews some pleasant surprises

Simon Said It! – Simon Lovell

Simon rants about disappearing magic shops.

Tricks:

"Ring & String" - Dan Fleshman

"Card To Pocket – Mark James

"Flush Cut" – Cliff Bumgardner

"Okito Box Routine" - Jason Wethington
Move Monkeys:

"Undercover Pass – Derrick Ostavani

"The Diagonal Shift" – Jeff Marcus

"Cleaner Coin Vanish" – Kenny Shelton

"Off The Elbow" – Jeff McBride

$9.95 (DVD01130)


And that’s this week’s On The Road To Gainesville Hotlist. Great stuff. Free Shipping. What more can you ask for?

As always, we thank you for taking time out from your busy schedules to spend with us either online at www.magicfact.com or in person at 102 North Street in Medford. Either way, we love the company!

Hank