* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* Magic New Zealand®
* Proudly sponsored by International Entertainment Ltd (New
Zealand)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Issue Number: #1606
Date: Sunday 14th February 2021
Editor: Alan Watson QSM
www.watson.co.nz
E-mail: editor@magicnewzealand.com
================================
Hi here is the latest news
================================
1.
Editor's Message
2. Vanish Magic Magazine Free Valentines Special
3. The Magic Word Podcast
4. CW'S Masters Of Illusion - Calling For Submissions
5. Magical Women With Connie Boyd
6. Still Thinking'n Syncing - John Carey #110
7. Potter & Potter 2021 Spring/Summer Preview
8. The Inside Story - Chapter 3 - Mark Wilson
9. The Orchante Saga - Beginnings
10. E-zine Archives
11. Privacy Policy and Copyright Notice
--------------------------------------------
1. Editor's Message
--------------------------------------------
If
you would like to read the Magic New Zealand e-zine in HTML
format
go to: http://www.magicnewzealand.com/ezine-archive/2021-Jan-to-Dec-2021/1606-Feb14-2021.html
If you would like to write a regular column for Magic New
Zealand or have some magic news drop me a line:
Editor@MagicNewZealand.com
--------------------------------------------
2. Vanish Magic Magazine Free Valentines Special
--------------------------------------------
Message by Paul Romhany - Editor Vanish Magic Magazine
After
many months of work a free special edition is available
for everybody to download and share from the team at Vanish
Magic Magazine.
Female
Magicians Through The Century - written by Sébastien
Bazou, Connie Boyd and Paul Romhany. We go back to the beginning
of time and look at female magicians throughout history
with stunning photographs and pictures.
This
is a special edition for everybody to share with friends
in and out of magic. This will also be available as a printed
magazine from www.vanishmagazine.com
You
can download the PDF direct from here ....
https://www.dropbox.com/s/lddw32wt77itdak/SPEICAL.pdf?dl=0
Those
who subscribe to VANISH can get your copy in your library.
-------------------------------------------
3. The Magic Word Podcast
-------------------------------------------
Message by Scott Wells, M.I.M.C. with Gold Star
Luna
Shimada, Ken Scott and Tim Wise on The Magic Word Podcast
Two
weeks ago we traveled (virtually) to Las Vegas to talk with
the next generation of the Shimada magic dynasty, Luna Shimada.
She discussed her childhood of growing up on the road and
in dressing rooms, hotel rooms and the back seat of cars.
It was not an easy life but it taught her a lot and molded
Luna to be the creative and "driven" performer
that she is today. She came from the school of "hard
knocks" and has learned a lot which you will learn
in this episode. You can listen to this episode wherever
you get your podcasts, or you can visit: https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/luna-shimada
From
Las Vegas, we traveled (again, virtually) to Atlanta, Georgia,
to visit with one of Atlanta's most awarded kid show entertainers,
Ken Scott. Later this summer at the I.B.M. convention, Ken
will be inducted as the International President of the organization.
He has served on various committees over the years plus
he knows a thing or two about conventions. He hosts his
own Atlanta Harvest of Magic each Fall. And you can register
on the website for a chance to win a free registration to
this year's Harvest (convention). To listen to the podcast,
watch videos, see photos, and register for the contest,
please visit: https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/ken-scott
This
week we go back to Vegas (yes, virtually) to visit with
Tim Wise. Tim is the host of Jeff McBride's "Wondergound"
and is also the Genie in Las Vegas, performing at hospitals
and other events. Tim started early in his life by basically
leaving school and home in his teens to travel on the road
with Dennis Loomis and his touring magic show. He finally
settled in Las Vegas where today he is working with his
new platform for magicians called Abra.TV. You can listen
to this episode wherever you get your podcasts, or visit:
https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/598-tim-wise
--------------------------------------------
4. CW'S Masters Of Illusion - Calling For Submissions
--------------------------------------------
Message by Gay Blackstone (US)
Performers/Magicians:
A reminder that the eighth season of the CW Network's Emmy
nominated Masters of Illusion television program will be
shooting sometime this March (dates to be determined and
depending upon any Covid restrictions).
Submissions
are still being accepted. The producers need segments from
90 seconds to four minutes in length. No tails or tuxedos,
please.
Please
send video links to Gay Blackstone at gay@associatedtelevision.com.
--------------------------------------------
5. Magical Women With Connie Boyd
--------------------------------------------
Message by Connie Boyd
Today's
guest on Magical Women Gay Blackstone
Let
us know what you learn from Gay's frank and honest insight
into Masters of Illusion's casting and more.
We
are very grateful Gay has shared so many helpful tricks
for success.
Ed
Alonzo makes a cameo appearance and discusses "the
Queen of Magic".
Watch
it here!
https://youtu.be/YERhIDFOkh4
-------------------------------------------
6. Still Thinking'n Syncing - John Carey #110
-------------------------------------------
Message by John Carey (UK)
http://www.johncareymagic.co.uk/
In
my previous books I've had versions of the following piece
of card Mentalism. It's a plot I'm truly addicted to. I
sincerely hope you enjoy the following fix.
Hand
out the deck to a spectator and ask them to give the deck
a shuffle, you miming the actions of an overhand shuffle.
Mention that all day long, for some peculiar reason, you
simply can't get a card out of your head. Take back the
deck and secretly glimpse the bottom card, say Six of
Spades. I get my glimpse during the action of an in the
hands riffle shuffle. As you flex the cards in the hands
prior to riffling them off into two halves you will get
a very nice clear glimpse of the bottom card. Retain it
on the bottom with your shuffle and table the face down
deck.
Ask
your helper to cut the deck into two halves. "Ava,
in a moment I want you to put the thought of a card in your
mind. But when I ask people to do this you would be amazed
how many think of the Ace of Spades or the Queen of Hearts.
So with that in mind, let's do this under test conditions
from this deck you shuffled." Comment that a playing
card is made up of a value or number and a suit. Ask the
spectator to look at the face card of the packet containing
your glimpsed card, in this example the Six of Spades.
Direct
her to lock just the value of that card in her mind. Next
ask her to pick up the other packet and look at its face
card and focus on just the suit depicted. Let's say it's
a Heart. "Now if you combine the value you saw with
the suit you are basically just thinking of a card that
not a soul could possibly know right?" Get confirmation
and then have your helper assemble the deck and then shuffle
it.
So
we secretly know the value of their card but we do not know
the suit. We will use a gambit I've used in my previous
versions of this effect that I've always associated with
Max Maven. "Be honest, Ava, you're not thinking of
a red card are you?" I smile as I say this. If she's
says yes I reply "me too." However if she replies
know I respond "me neither." Be casual and relaxed
in this moment. It's a cunning subterfuge. Let's say she
said yes to our sly question.
Mention
that you will make a commitment. Take the deck and spread
it with the faces towards you. Take out the first red Six
you come to and table it face down near you. Hand the spectator
the deck and ask her to remove her thought of card. Two
scenarios will arise. She will say she
can't find it, in which case you ask her to name her card
and you then reveal that your thoughts were gets, turning
your card face up. The second outcome is that she will remove
a card. In this instance you comment on how you both simply
thought of cards and that you had a feeling there
was a connection between you. Have her turn her card over
revealing a red Six. A moment later turn your card over
to reveal its perfect mate and conclude this meeting of
two minds.
--------------------------------------------
7. Potter & Potter 2021 Spring/Summer Preview
--------------------------------------------
Auction
dates:
February 27 - Select Secrets? Rare & Important Magicana
March 13 - Fine Books & Manuscripts
April 24 - Magic Collection of Bill Trotter
May 15 - Vintage Posters
May 29 - Coin-Op & Advertising
June 19 - Magicana
June 26 - Circus, Sideshow & Oddities
July 30-31 - Disneyana & Pop Culture
August 28 - Fine Books & Manuscripts
We
welcome 2021 with a big piece of news, and an exciting slate
of auctions. This month we relocated to a larger building,
with a far more spacious gallery, at 5001 W Belmont Avenue
in Chicago. The calendar above outlines the diverse array
of sales we will conduct from our new
space. Hopefully, before too long, we'll be able to see
some of you there.
This
year presents bidders and consignors more opportunities
than ever to buy or sell with us. We encourage you to contact
us about consigning to an upcoming auction, and look forward
to bringing fine and compelling collections to the market.
Our
gambling memorabilia auction, featuring the collection of
Robert Eisenstadt, will be held on January 30th at 10am
CST.
Place
your bids now at potterauctions.com
-------------------------------------
8. The Inside Story - Chapter 3 - Mark Wilson
-------------------------------------
From the Magic New Zealand ezine archives
.
Written by the late Mark Wilson (US)
I
flew back from Los Angeles to Dallas and Nani and I got
to work. Taking everything we had learned over the years,
we put together a new presentation designed to sell a network
series. We put in new photos, copies of those great ratings,
testimonial letters, premium concepts, and a lot of other
things. We spread everything all out on the living room
floor and put it together into a presentation book. We decided,
if there was a fire, after son Michael was safe, the presentation
book would be the next thing we would move outside. A friend
in Dallas gave me the name of an account executive with
the Foote Cone and Belding Advertising Agency in Chicago.
I made an appointment by phone and flew to Chicago.
I
walked into his office and explained why I was there. He
asked, "Are you sure you want to do this? Are you sure
you want a network show?" I said, 'Yes. I'm determined
to do it." He said, "It may not be what you think
it is. It will be very difficult and full of hardship and
perhaps heartbreak." "I don't care. I must do
it." He smiled and said, "All right, I'll help
you."
Since
Foote Cone didn't have any clients who were prospects for
children's programming, he referred me to the Leo Burnett
Advertising Agency... which was also located in Chicago
and
represented the Kellogg Cereal Company. He called a friend
at Leo Burnett and made an appointment for me.
That
first contact with Kellogg's advertising agency was in 1958.
I didn't make the sale then. It took two more long years,
during which I called on just about every potential sponsor
for a network children's television series in the United
States. I saw all the major cereal companies, candy companies,
toy companies and shoe companies. Some were interested,
some were not.
3M
(Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company) in St. Paul
was very interested. They liked magic, they liked the show
and I guess they liked me. But before committing for a network
run, they wanted to test the show. 3M agreed to sponsor
a thirteen week test for which we were to produce thirteen,
thirty-minute shows. The shows were titled "The Magic
Circus". The test was to run in six separate cities
across the United States. Baltimore, Denver, Philadelphia,
Boston, Houston and Dallas. 3M told me the programs were
to be produced and distributed on a new television medium,
video tape.
Video
tape recording was just beginning to revolutionize the television
industry. This was in 1958, 3M was the world's largest producer
of video tape stock. In addition to evaluating Magic Circus'
popularity, the test would demonstrate for 3M the practicality
of video tape syndication. In fact, our show would be the
first television series ever syndicated on video tape. If
the test was successful, to reach the family audience they
desired, 3M planned to air the show on Sunday afternoons
on one of the three major networks.
We
signed a contract. We were to shoot the test shows in Dallas.
In addition to the fee for the test shows, 3M would supply
us with the blank video tapes, which they would send to
our office in Dallas. Since the shows were to be aired in
six markets for thirteen weeks... they were to send seventy-eight
half-hour video tapes. In those days each video tape was
two inches wide, packaged on a twelve-inch diameter reel.
In its shipping container, each half hour tape weighed about
10 pounds.
Our
"office" was our small apartment. The doorbell
rang one morning... it was the tapes. We had video tape
everywhere. Remember, the stations were just beginning to
buy those giant Ampex video tape machines. I think we had
more video tape stock than all the television stations in
Dallas combined.
We
shot the shows at the Dallas CBS affiliate, KRLD. The studio
was about the size of a three car garage. The Magic Words
to make the tricks work were, "Scotch Brand Cellophane
Tape." We designed a self-liquidating premium of paper
and cardboard magic tricks based on our Magic Circus theme.
"Just send in two of the plaid starting ends from rolls
of Scotch Brand Cellophane Tape and thirty five cents and
we'll send you this Magic Circus Magic Kit."
The
Magic Circus test went well, the ratings were good, a lot
of magic kits were ordered. 3M was happy. We were delirious.
3M approved the expenditure for a twenty-six week network
run.
Remember, they wanted the show to air late Sunday afternoon
to reach the whole family.
3M's
advertising agency, Benton and Boles in New York City, kept
us posted on their progress. The only time slot available
on Sunday afternoon was on NBC. Two other sponsors wanted
that same time period. One was GE College Bowl, hosted by
Allan Ludden. The other was a golf show, hosted by Bob Crosby,
Bing Crosby's brother. NBC would make the choice.
We
waited in Dallas. The test had been a success, the sponsor
had allocated the money, all we needed was that time slot
on NBC. We were so close.
We
had arranged for Andy Sidaris, who was the chief television
director at WFAATV, to direct the 13 test shows we shot
at KRLD. I had one of those miniature footballs. Andy and
I threw that ball back and forth as we waited for the results,
which would greatly change all our lives.
NBC
made the decision, they selected the golf show. 3M said
they were very sorry... they wanted to put the show on the
network, but... maybe next year.
We
were crushed. This had been our great opportunity, and now
it was gone.
As
I reflect on it now, I don't think it was a hard decision
for the network. No one had ever heard of Mark Wilson. I'm
sure some of their experts said, "And, magic won't
work on television anyway." So NBC played it safe and
selected the golf show.
(I
wonder how many "experts" told the guy trying
to sell the very first television golf show, "Golf
will never work on television. Viewers wouldn't be able
to see the little white ball. Where will you put the cameras?
What if it rains? The game is just too slow...")
But
wait a minute... the 3M test proved the public liked magic
on television. We were right and NBC was wrong. We've just
got to do it all over again.
So
it's back on the road again. During that two year selling
period, I would travel to cities where potential sponsors
were headquartered, make my pitch, return to Dallas, make
enough money to
cover our living expenses, send out more presentations,
and then leave town again to make more sales calls. We would
prepare the presentation for each prospective sponsor with
examples of why our show would sell their product, samples
of premiums for the products, how magical commercials could
be built around their product, how there would be product
identification throughout the show and much more, all of
which we ended up doing for Kellogg's on the Magic Land
of Allakazam.
And
then it happened! The Leo Burnett Agency called and said
Kellogg's wanted to put our show on Saturday morning on
the CBS Network in the fall, less than three months away.
They would like us to produce the show at CBS Television
City in Los Angeles. Wow!
When
Leo Burnett notified us of Kellogg's decision, I happened
to be in Los Angeles making a sales call. Three months was
a short lead-time, but we were not about to let this one
get away. I packed my bags and flew immediately to Chicago.
The next morning I was in the Leo Burnett office to conclude
the details of the contract.
To
be continued
..
-------------------------------------
9. The Orchante Saga - Beginnings
-------------------------------------
Written by the late Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)
-
Special Edition -
Congratulations Alan and Michele for your fantastic DRAGON
Award - of 2002
Demonstrating
outstanding talents in the categories of: Drama, Romance,
Artistry, Glamour, Originality, and Necromancy! (MAGIC)
You
have joined the ranks of other famous New Zealanders; Dame
Kiri Te Kanawa, Edgar Benyon, Sir Edmund Hillary, Tex Morton,
John Rowles, Ngaire Marsh and Franquin. These, to name just
a few, famous New Zealanders have, in their particular fields
of endeavour, proved
to the world that our country - New Zealand, with a population
of only 3.6 Million, produces an amazing array of internationally
recognised skills and talents.
I'm
very proud that I am a (part Maori) 'Kiwi', and they have
all made it very easy for me, over the years, to pronounce
to the world that: "I am a 'Magical' New Zealander".
Now I can say that with even more pride:
Due
To Your Outstanding Efforts!
Thank You
Alan And Michele Watson.
Tom
And Veronica Orchard ('The Amazing Orchanté' &
Kim - retired)
Alan
Watson and I first met when he flew over from New Zealand
to Australia (where Veronica and I was living at the time),
to attend the 18th Australian Convention Of Magicians, that
was held in Sydney at the 'Shore Inn' Artarmon, from April
9th to the 12th 1982 - presented by the 'International Brotherhood
of Magicians', Maurice Rooklyn (late Int'l Vice President)
Ring 102, with special International guest artistes: Dick
and Diana 'The Enchantress' Zimmerman; I don't suppose 'the
Amazing Orchanté and Kim' counted (because we were
residing in Aussie) - although we are New Zealanders therefore
International, and performed on the Public 'International'
Wonder Show Of Magic', Dick, Diana, Veronica and I were
the only four International artistes on the show!
Alan
scored some great publicity for himself while in Sydney.
On his return to Auckland New Zealand he sent me 'The 8
o'clock' newspaper dated Sat.20th 1982, with an interview
- complete with two photographs, one of himself seated at
a table with E S P (Zener) cards in front of him. The other
shows myself eating a wine glass! You can 'Mark The Measure
Of The Man' for yourself, by his unselfish generosity when
he, Alan, made sure that I got the headline!
'It's
Magic! He Swallowed A Wine Glass To Silence A Sceptic'!
Fire
Eater, sword Swallower and expatriate Kiwi magician extraordinary
Orchanté rocked a sceptic in a flash Sydney restaurant
by calmly eating his wine glass. His critic was momentarily
speechless. Orchanté merely smiled as the critic
recovered his poise and said: "Mate - you must be the
best magician in the world
. Or the biggest fool"!
Orchanté had simply reached across to his detractor's
wine glass, picked it up, popped it in his mouth and, started
chewing! It was real glass, too", reports Auckland
magician Alan Watson in telling how Orchanté astounded
onlookers with his act.
Orchanté,
the stage name for former Aucklander Tom Orchard, is a top
artist on the magicians' circuit in Sydney, specialising
in sleight-of-hand, swallowing objects, and "psychic
surgery" on
himself. He certainly won the attention, and admiration
of Alan Watson who, as President of the New Zealand Society
of Magicians, recently attended an international congress
in Sydney for magicians.
"He's
the highest paid magician in Sydney. His standards are high",
says Watson, of Orchanté. Alan Watson was also impressed
by Dick and Dianna Zimmerman of the 'Magic Castle' in Hollywood
- recognised as "two of the finest magicians around".
Magicians, he says, have
updated their acts and the old top hat and tails are out.
These days, the tricksters wear mod gear. And they're talking
of doing away with traditional magic dice for the popular
Rubik cubes.
.
Watson himself says he specialises in psychokinesis - moving
objects by thought alone. He scored a personal success with
the Sunday Telegraph newspaper in Sydney by communicating
telepathically with his wife in Auckland. The newspaper
reported that it tested him with
six cards he produced with symbols specially designed by
psychic researchers. Watson asked a reporter to point at
one, at will. Meanwhile, another reporter in another office
was on the phone to his wife, 2100km away in Auckland. On
a hand signal, he asked her which image Alan was "broadcasting".
She was right each time on four attempts. The newspaper
assured its readers there was no way he could have made
any signal she could have heard.
The
feat helped Watson earn the Peter J. Shield Award at the
congress for an outstanding contribution to the Art of Mentalism.
Watson's explanation of mentalism; "I assume the role
of a psychic, but do not accomplish feats through supernatural
powers but through the powers of magic." He says some
people have psychic gifts and abilities he doesn't understand,
but agrees many charlatans are inflicting themselves on
the gullible.
The
'flash' restaurant in Sydney that was referred to in the
write-up was the 'Spice Islands' owned and operated by Tom
Hughes, also a New Zealander. I had contacted him when he
first opened and 'sold' him the idea of close-up sleight
of hand table magic. It was very
successful. At Tom Hugh's invitation, Dick & Diana Zimmerman
as well as Alan came for a meal and, to watch me work my
'magic'. Again, typical New Zealand hospitality!
It
was through that meeting that Alan eventually 'worked' for
Tom Hughes himself, at his other very popular restaurant,
Fisherman's Wharf, situated under the Harbour Bridge in
Auckland City, back in New Zealand. Alan performed his 'magic'
there for a total of: 5 years - 1423 nights: No wonder he
got good at it! I'M rather proud that Alan calls me, 'His
Mentor'!
I
Am Very, Very Proud Of You, Alan.
Dear
me, that was - 22 years ago! I'm looking at the photographs
in the newspaper and Alan and I both look like 'kids', I
have black hair and Alan is a slim, good looking young man.
Oh dear me Alan, just look at what the ravages of time and
those 22 years have done to both, well - all of us.
Once
Again, congratulations
'D
- R - A - G - O - N'S'
--------------------------------------------
10. E-zine Archives
---------------------------------------------
Back issues of the Magic New Zealand e- zine go to:
www.magicnewzealand.com
Click
on the red button centre right "Archives"
When you enter the archive the e- zines are in issue order
in folders for each year and are Coded, e.g. 001 Nov06 1999.txt
first three numbers (001) denote issue number, then the
date (Nov06) and the last figures the year (1999)
--------------------------------------------
11. Privacy Policy and Copyright Notice
--------------------------------------------
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the above disclaimer.
© Copyright 2021 Alan Watson QSM
www.magicnewzealand.com
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www.watson.co.nz
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