Archive for January, 2011
Stuff Magicians Like No. 7 – Name-dropping Famous Locals
Posted by Kris Sheppard in Humor, Stuff Magicians Like on 01/25/2011
I’m sure we’ve all heard the saying “It’s not what we know but who we know!” Therefore it’s always impressive when we mention a famous magician we might be acquainted with, whomever it may be or however well we may (or may not) know them. We always try to make it sound as impressive as possible, yet still nonchalant. It might go something like this: “I had lunch with David yesterday. He wanted to run something he’s working on by me.” Your friend says, “David? David who?” To which you reply, “Oh, Williamson. Sorry.” I mean, what other David could it be? Well, there’s Regal, Blaine… it couldn’t be Copperfield, could it?
We always do it by just using their first name, too. Yup, first name basis, my friends. That way when someone inquires, we make it seem like they should have known all along. “Jack gave me a call. He wanted to know if I could do a week at the Castle.” Or “I got an email from Michael. He’s doing a strolling gig in a couple weeks and needed another magician.” Very off the cuff, yet impressive.
Anyhow, I have to get going. Kostya just called me and I think he wants to talk about some design…
Stuff Magicians Like No. 6 – Naming their Tricks with Just One Word
Posted by Kris Sheppard in Humor, Stuff Magicians Like on 01/21/2011
OK, so I wanted to name this post with just one word, but I guess I’m not creative or clever enough. It is really funny though to see the current trend of people naming tricks they publish using just one word.
So what do we have? Pressure. Thread. Stigmata. Sinful… Look no further than those who have work on Theory11. It seems to be an epidemic that’s effected everyone including even the likes of Jay Sankey! “Poor guy” has tricks called Insider, Lockdown, Descendant, Dough and Earplugs. All. One. Word. Each.
I wonder what it is. It does seem to create a feeling of mystery and intrigue, both very interesting traits to a magician. Could we be helpless against their power? I know that I own more than a few of these one-word-tricks.
Perhaps you’re not cool enough if you haven’t put one of these out. Better yet, your coolness factor goes up a notch if you release more than one! Look at Wayne Houchin and Danny Garcia. They have multiple ones out and look how cool they are! I guess the race is on to see who can turn their coolness up to T11. Wayne and Danny are head-to-head with Mr. Sankey hot on their heels! Go! Go! Go! (My money is on Wayne.)
Now if only I could come up with that one-word-title for this post…
Stuff Magicians Like No. 5 – Putting their Feet in their Mouth…Both of Them!
Posted by Kris Sheppard in Humor, Stuff Magicians Like on 01/19/2011
…and at the same time nonetheless! For some of us, major surgery is required to have our feet removed. That would at least make it easier to get them out of our mouths! Buh-duh-tsch!
Magicians love their puns and “witty” jokes. We’ve heard them all and know them by heart. We love them so much, we have to share them with others. Why else would we use them in our performances? “Do you want to change your mind? No? You like the mind you’ve got?”
Personally, I don’t think that magicians could exist without these fun, clever, tidbits of wit. Not that I use…any…of these…um…
Look! A bird! (Runs away.)
Stuff Magicians Like No. 4 – Loading Your Pockets Before Going Out
Posted by Kris Sheppard in Humor, Stuff Magicians Like on 01/13/2011
My wife always laughs at me as I’m loading my pockets up with some “performing material” before we go out somewhere. Usually it consists of a deck of cards, four half dollars and some rubber bands around my wrist. (More about rubber bands later.) You know… just in case an opportunity to perform arises. Usually they never do, but at least you had some cards to noodle around with!
I guess this title really should have been: “No. 4 Loading Your Pockets Before Going Out Just In Case a Performance Opportunity Arises and Probably Won’t But At Least You Have Your Stuff With You.”
Stuff Magicians Like No. 3 – Getting Playing Cards as Gifts
Posted by Kris Sheppard in Humor, Stuff Magicians Like on 01/11/2011
Question: How many of us get playing cards as gifts from friends and family?
Answer: All of us.
I think it’s funny that I own so many different types of playing cards other than my standard bikes. I literally have cards from Jamaica, Italy, Greece, Texas and many other places I’ve never set foot. These have all been brought back to me from these places via friends and family. What’s even funnier? I absolutely love them!
So there you have it. If you’re looking for a gift for that magician in your family or circle of friends while you’re out of the country, you can’t go wrong with a deck of cards!
You’re welcome. 
Stuff Magicians Like No. 2 – Out-of-Date Coins
Posted by Kris Sheppard in Humor, Stuff Magicians Like on 01/11/2011
When it comes to coins, we really like large out-of-date coins. It makes sense; after all, larger coins are easier to see than smaller coins. I personally use half dollars when I perform with coins. But let’s face it, only young children and magicians carry half dollars around with them anymore.
I always find it humorous when a magician breaks out his Morgan Dollars for a coins across routine. I half-expect him to say something like, “I just got back from 1921 with these awesome coins, except I think my time machine messed with their properties… let me show you what I mean.”
At any rate, I love coin magic just as much as the next conjuror and I will not stop using my out-of-date halves. Period.
Stuff Magicians Like No. 1 – Bandwagons
Posted by Kris Sheppard in Humor, Stuff Magicians Like on 01/11/2011
I’d like to add a little magician humor to my blog just to keep things light and fun every once in a while. Thus begins “Stuff Magicians Like.” In the advent of this new humorous category, I thought it would be appropriate to make the first post about bandwagons.
Magicians like bandwagons. It could be anything. If one magician comes up with a great idea, there will be at least a baker’s dozen lining up to join in. Look at some of the tricks that have come out recently. The following tricks currently have a nice bandwagon going on: Pressure, Extreme Burn, and !Warning.
I have to admit that I, myself, am guilty of jumping on some of the existing bandwagons. I’m not saying that they’re a bad thing. After all, I’m sure that certain genres of magic have come about because of a bandwagon or two. Rubber band magic comes to mind for some reason. (No pun intended.)
So, whatever your preference, either go find one to jump on or sit on the sidelines and watch others jump on and have fun!
Look at me, I jumped on the “Stuff [Interchangable Subject] Like” bandwagon!
Follow The Method!