I Can’t Figure This Trick Out…

http://www.pubtricks.com/?trick=pub-dartboarddeception-trick.wmv&id=452

It looks to me like someone could take this idea, add some presentation skills to it and have a really strong routine.

Any thoughts?

- Timmy D.

Best Magic Book Ever…No Joke

I just finished reading the best magic book I’ve ever read.

I’m NOT kidding.

I knew it was the best magic book ever by the time I got to page 31.

It beats Royal Road to Card Magic, Mark Wilson’s Course, Bobo’s Modern Coin Magic, The entire Tarbell Course, and anything else I can think of.

If you can think of a better magic book…feel free to comment below.

If I could, I would buy every magician I know a copy of this book.

But I can’t (I know over 80,000 magicians) so I’m going to do the next best thing.

I’m going to give you 20% off your next order and with the money you save, I want you to buy this book.

I’m serious. You NEED this book.

Deal?

So, What IS the book?

“Maximum Entertainment” by Ken Weber

THIS is the book I wish I had written.

It doesn’t contain any single trick, but it is full of GOLD when it comes to how to PERFORM magic and how to TRULY spread wonder.

If every magician read this book, magic would be elevated to a whole new level. Please. Help our art and spread the word.

I’m hitting Twitter with this, FaceBook, my blog, and my email list. Magicians need this book and I want to do everything I can to help them get it. How about you?

To get your 20% off, use the following coupon code at checkout:

MAXENT

Use the money you save and GET this book.

Go spread some wonder!
- Tim David

P.S. What products are included in the 20% off deal? Almost all of them…

INSTANT DOWNLOADS:

- Motion (The crazy spinning pen trick)
http://www.TheMagicTeacher.com/motion.html

- Solid Breath (The crazy smoke from mouth trick)
http://www.SolidBreath.com

- NUTTY (The crazy mind-over-matter trick)
http://www.TheMagicTeacher.com/nutty.html

- Solstice (The crazy color changing card trick)
http://www.TheMagicTeacher.com/solstice.html

- Unmake (The crazy complete coin vanish)
http://www.TimDavidMagic.com/unmake.html

- Symbiotic (The crazy restaurant closer)
http://www.TimDavidMagic.com/symbiotic.html

DVDs:

- High-Impact Coin Magic (Includes Unmake, Symbiotic, and 7 others)
http://www.TimDavidMagic.com/hicm.html

- Numismatic (The crazy coin through glass trick)
http://www.TimDavidMagic.com/numismatic

- SOS (The crazy coin DVD)
http://www.TimDavidMagic.com/sos.html

ONLINE COURSES:

- The Sly Art Of Misdirection
http://www.TheMagicCollege.com/slyart.html

- CardTrickInsider Yearly Membership
http://www.CardTrickInsider.com

How 1-Trick DVDs SHOULD Be…

Fairly recently, there’s been a wave of magic DVDs that teach just a single trick.

You pay your money, and you learn one trick.

A lot of magicians don’t like this, but I think there are some GOOD things about these “1-trickers”.

- You get an opportunity to learn a trick inside and out.

One trick DVDs typically cover EVERYTHING there is to know about properly performing a trick.

You just don’t get that kind of in-depth learning experience from a book that has 100 other tricks.

- The tricks are just plain better.

If the DVD teaches only ONE trick, then that trick is probably pretty darn good.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…

“I’d rather perform one GREAT trick and leave them breathless then perform ten good tricks and leave them bored.”

1-trick DVDs often teach you a GREAT trick.

For example, I recently got Aaron Fisher’s “Search And Destroy DVD (featuring the Nowhere Pass)“.

This is how a 1-trick DVD should be done.

At over 85 minutes long, it’s an absolute CLINIC on performing real card magic for real people. (Includes other lead-in effects and the KILLER Nowhere Pass.)

Aaron has obviously performed this trick thousands of times for real people. When I was done watching this DVD, I felt like I had performed the trick thousands of times too.

So I expected great tips and advice and I wasn’t disappointed, but what about the effect itself?

The Search & Destroy effect is top-notch.

It is a show-ready piece of magic that you can literally take as-is and add it right to your show or your walk- around set.

Or you can do what I did…make it the trick you do when people say, “Hey, do a trick with this deck of cards.”

It happens in the spectator’s hands so the effect is very strong. I’m liking the reactions I’m getting!

So I say, keep those 1-trickers comin’!

Just my 2-cents.

Go spread some wonder!

- Tim David

P.S. Aaron Fisher’s Search & Destroy DVD is available here:

http://www.TheMagicTeacher.com/sad.html

Let’s Straighten This Out Once And For All…

I’ve been getting a lot of comments on YouTube and some emails saying that the trick “Motion” is done with magnets.

(To see “Motion, click here:)
http://www.TheMagicTeacher.com/motion.html

I don’t know how else to say it…

There are NO magnets used. (That’s my wedding ring in the video…I never take it off.)

* BORROW a pen (no switches)

* BORROW a water bottle (or beer or soda bottle)

* Move the pen with your mind.

Now that we’ve got *that* straightened out, let’s get something else, even more important, straightened out:

Nothing…*NOTHING*….is more important than your audience’s perception of your performance.

…Not your tricks

…Not your sleights

…Not your patter

…Not your methods

For example:

Even though “Motion” doesn’t use magnets, it is my responsibility to MAKE SURE the audience knows that I don’t use magnets.

They can’t even *think* about magnets. Once they do, the trick might as well be ruined.

It’s the same with every trick you perform. Your audience needs to know that what you’re doing is apparently impossible, with no conceivable explanation.

Any explanation they come up with…even if it is the wrong one…ruins the illusion.

Suggestions for those who have and use “Motion”:

Make it move in different directions (both towards and away from your “ring hand”).Re-affirm that it is a borrowed pen. Let them examine everything.

Suggestions for those who DON’T have “Motion”:

Buy it. Seriously. Today. It’s a great trick.

http://www.TheMagicTeacher.com/motion.html

Go spread some wonder!

- Tim David
http://www.TimDavidMagic.com

Which Beginner’s Magic Book Is Best?

People ask me all the time…

“I want to get started in magic, what should I buy?”

Surprisingly, I DON’T always tell them to buy my tricks!

(You’ve got to walk before you can run.)

Instead, I usually recommend the following…

GENERAL MAGIC BOOKS:

“Mark Wilson’s Complete Course in Magic”
“Amateur Magician’s Handbook” by Henry Hay
“The Tarbell Course in Magic”
“The Klutz Book of Magic”

CARD MAGIC:

“Easy to Master Card Miracles” by Michael Ammar (DVD)

“The Royal Road To Card Magic” by Jean Hugard and Frederick Braue

COIN MAGIC DVDs:

“Modern Coin Magic” by JB Bobo (4 DVD set):

http://www.TheMagicTeacher.com/bobo.html

“Revolutionary Coin Magic” by Jay Sankey:

http://www.JaySankeyMagic.com

That should keep you busy for a while!

Once you master the basics and you’re ready to “upgrade” to the next level, then you might be ready to try a few of my DVDs and downloads.

In the meantime…

Go spread some wonder!

- Tim David

Dave Matthews Does Magic?

Recently, I learned that Dave Matthews does magic!

Okay, maybe he’s not THE Dave Matthews of “Dave Matthews Band” fame, but he is still a pretty smart magician.

How do I know?

Because THIS Dave Matthews sent me the following email:

“Tim,

I have been puzzling over the SOS coin production for weeks and have now purchased the download version I did come up with a few ideas of my own none as clean as your idea.

You have great imagination and excellent handling of it. I have watched your demo video once so far and even though I know how you still have a slick handling which still fools me. This tells me that it is a very good effect.

The dream everyone has to produce Money from thin air, your effect is the closest I have
come to in all my years of magic. It is what I consider the nearest thing to real magic.

Congratulations on an excellent mind and presentation. It is refreshing to see a younger member think a routine through as well as you do.

Keep up the excellent work.” – David Matthews

Awww shucks David…

I’m humbled by your words of encouragement.

And don’t worry, NO ONE has figured out the exact method I use for the S.O.S. production.

I’ve gotten a LOT of “guesses” from some very talented magicians, but no one has been able to duplicate the effect.

It is a magician fooler to be sure.

I can’t say much more about it, but when you learn the secret…you’ll be blown away.

(And if you like this one, you should see the other 8 tricks on the DVD…)

It looks like the word is starting to spread about the magic on this DVD.

…And the word is good.

Seeing other magicians use this material to bring wonder to people’s lives makes the years of work that I put into this project all worthwhile.

If you don’t have this DVD yet, then you’re missing out on something special.

Get it now at:
http://www.TimDavidMagic.com/sos.html

Use it to spread some wonder!

- Tim David

P.S. I think the DVD is becoming more and more popular because of the poor economic
conditions.

People want to make money appear and this is the most natural way to do it.

Give your spectators what they want…

http://www.TimDavidMagic.com/sos.html

Infant by Shaun Dunn

I don’t know what to say about this effect, so I’ll just let the video speak for itself…

I don’t know about you, but I laughed. Of course, before I laughed, I made damn sure that no babies were harmed during the making of this film. I love babies.

Magic Trick of the Year

Last night I watched the season premiere of 24.

I’m not a TV person, but MAN I love this show.

I haven’t watched it since season 3, so I’ve got a lot of catching up to do.

Sooooo…..I went on Amazon.com and ordered seasons 4, 5, and 6 on DVD!

Amazon.com is great.

They have tons of feedback from the people who have bought the product that you are looking at.

That is SO helpful. It’s changed the way I buy things.

Even magic tricks (No, I don’t buy my magic from Amazon.com!)

In fact, before I buy ANY magic trick, I look for feedback from several other magicians who own the effect or prop.

I’ve been burned buying crappy magic before and it doesn’t feel good.

Right now, I’m investigating “Election” by Eric Ross. I’ll let you know.

- Tim David

P.S. One trick that just about everyone agrees on is “Pimpin” by Nate Kranzo.

It was nominated for “Trick of the Year” for 2008 and magicians flat-out LOVE it.

If you haven’t seen it yet, take a look…

http://www.themagicteacher.com/pimpin.html

This baby gets great reviews from magicians as well as spectators!

P.P.S. What is YOUR favorite magic trick of 2008?

Comment at my blog and tell me which trick is your favorite of 2008:

http://www.TimDavidMagic.com

(Before you vote, you better check out Pimpin’ – www.themagicteacher.com/pimpin.html)

Looking back on magic in 2008

As we move into the new year, I look back on how 2008 has been for the magic world.

A lot has happened in 2008. Some good for magic, some not so good.

I remember the NBC reality show about mentalism called “Phenomenon” (and the Criss Angel fight).
- GOOD for magic

Criss Angel’s Cirque du Soleil act.
- NOT good for magic

A TON of new tricks were released to the magic fraternity
- GOOD for magic

A TON of new tricks were released to the magic fraternity
- NOT good for magic

Here at TheMagicTeacher.com, I’ve been busy, busy, busy…

- I released a few tricks and DVDs:

(Unmake, Shelled, the Numismatic DVD, and the S.O.S. DVD)

- I’ve developed a web site community for serious card magicians:
(www.CardTrickInsider.com)

- I’ve written a book for beginning card magicians: (http://www.HighImpactCardTricks.com)

- I’ve maintained my professional performing schedule.

- I’ve had a ton of FUN with magic.

For 2009, I’ve got some pretty big dreams – Including becoming THE BEST and MOST POPULAR magic teacher on the Internet.

Can we do it America? YES WE CAN! (Sorry, I couldn’t resist!)

I want to inspire others to make great magic and spread wonder the way that Mark Wilson’s Complete Course In Magic inspired me.

I want the next Criss Angel, David Blaine, Doug Henning, or David Copperfield to be a student of me, Tim David.

Hey, maybe it will be you?

I hope so, because I’m going to do whatever I can in 2009 to help you achieve your dreams in magic.

Deal?

Go spread some wonder!

- Tim David

P.S. Did you check out Steve Fearson’s new trick that came out yesterday? It’s pretty good mentalism:

http://emagicsupply.com/137-MentalDirectory-51-custom.html

Guess What I’m Doing Today???

Happy Monday.

I hope your Holiday season has been going well and I hope you were able to use your magic to make someone’s day brighter during the season.

For me, this entire month has been A TON OF FUN!

Except for the fact that my New England Patriots did NOT make the playoffs for the first time in six years.

But hey, I’m not ashamed of an 11 and 5 record. Especially because they went out strong and won the last four games of the season.

Sometimes, even though you do everything right, things just don’t work out for you. All you can do is come back next time and try just as hard if not harder.

Jim Rohn tells the following story:

“A farmer plants his seed. Right before harvest time, a hailstorm comes and wipes out his entire crop. Does he plant his seed again next year?

Yes! I can’t promise you that another hail storm won’t come, but I can promise you that if you DON’T plant any seed, then you won’t even have a chance.”

If YOUR 2008 did not go as planned, if the “hail” rained down on your crops, then it is my hope that you come back and make 2009 your best year ever.

Which is exactly what I’m doing today.

My December was amazing because I MADE it amazing. I planned for it way ahead of time and then I stuck to my plan – regardless of how I felt that day.

Today, and for much of this week, I’ll be planning my entire 2009.

I have BIG dreams and I KNOW that I will accomplish them regardless of any economic climate.

2008 was great, but 2009 will be my best year ever.

How about you?

Go spread some wonder!

- Tim David
See me on FaceBook:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Tim-David/44503187521

P.S. I also bought the new book test effect from eMagicSupply today. It’s a pretty cool idea that I haven’t seen before. Very practical and usable.

It’s also one of the funniest tutorial videos I’ve ever seen.

You have a prediction in an envelope.

Someone picks a page in a phone book and looks at a word.

Your prediction is 100% correct.

See it here…

http://emagicsupply.com/137-MentalDirectory-51-custom.html

If you like mentalism, you’ll love this routine.