Quick Tip 1

Here is a quick tip for anybody reading (just you then).  When doing an ace cutting routine or finding 4 of a kind, let the spectator shuffle. It makes the effect a lot more powerful in their eyes.

Creating Magic

Hello.  Yes I am still alive.  Should probably write down my thoughts and opinions a bit more on here, or at least more often.  On the plus side I am sharing an opinion today and that leads me onto another point.  Everything I post on here is my own opinion.  Now most of these opinions may (and most definitely) have been influenced by other magicians but it is still only an opinion.  It doesn't mean that it is right or wrong (although I'd like to think that I can make a strong case of arguing why most of them are at least partially right) and I'd love to hear from you if you have a differing opinion in anyway.

Anyway creating magic.  My opinion on this, is that it something should only be created to fill a gap.  Essentially, there is no point in creating a version of triumph, if it looks like another version but is less efficient.  (Obviously all versions of triumph look similar to a degree but you get the idea) For me I haven't created too much, although I do plan on changing that soon.  I feel that know I am at a good position to start creating a few things.  I feel that I know have a firm grasp on many sleights and techniques and although I'm learning all the time, creating is becoming more natural to me.  Again, I don't sit down and think 'I want to create something' I usually look for something I don't like about a plot, or methods and then try and fix it.  For example a lot of sandwich routines have the horrible faze where the card needs to be positioned in between the other two cards.   I feel that this is a horrible part of most sandwich routines and I managed to come up with a few ways that don't have it.

Most of the stuff I've created just happens.  I mean I'm just playing around with cards and I suddenly get a cool thought try it and it works.  Most of the time this happens late at night (it seems to be when a lot of magicians are most creative http://journalofsecrets.com/manifesto ,definitely think that every magicians should read that manifesto and use it) and as written in the manifesto "nighttime breeds creativity".

Exposure

After seeing this video today, I felt it would be a good time to share my views on magic exposure.  But before I do that, I'd like to say that, that kid is a prick, he is also wrong and he really does care what magicians think of him (that's just basic psychology).

I feel that I have a slightly different view to exposure compared to most magicians although I will start by saying:
EXPOSURE IS WRONG

There is no need for it.  If you like and effect the least you can do is acknowledge and respect the creator.  Cross their palm with some silver, its the least that they deserve.  Lets be honest if you actually perform, you'll get more out of it than the £15 you spend on their trick.  Even worse than exposure is YouTube exposure. It is terrible in every sense.  For a start, its not their's to expose. Secondly, is it really that difficult to take the time to perform it well?  Essentially its shit magicians who want 200 views on a YouTube video to "pay the bills" (What the fuck does that even mean, he looked about 14) and get great comments from other "magicians" praising them for their great job.

Now exposure is wrong but I do feel that magicians get too obsessed about it.  It's not going to effect you at all.  Your spectators won't figure out how you did your triumph by searching for it on Youtube, unless you tell them that the trick you are doing is called Triumph by Dai Vernon, which is dumb in about 99% of situations.

And finally that guy needs someone to show him how much of a dick he is being. He should learn to respect and appreciate magic, its methods and its many great magicians.