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Michael Kaminskas V.I.P. 117 Posts |
I'm interesed in knowing from all of you what your passions are in magic. Not just a genre but say a little more specific. For example, many of you know or could have guessed that even though I perform platform and stage magic, my passion is close up magic. More specifically, I love coin magic.
Everyone has a natural affinity towards money, so the vehicle for the magic is a common item even if it is over a hundred years old as is the case with my Morgan silver dollars. Most magic with coins is very visual making it a good choice in a noisy environment where talking is not always an option. So, while I love performing all types of close up, if you see me with a handful of silver you know that I'll be smiling inside as well! |
MagicMason Loyal user 300 Posts |
Hi Michael - It was interesting to hear about your passion for coins. Can you talk about that a little more: What kind of coin magic / effects do you like? What kind of coin magic do you find spectators really like? What do you try and stay away from? Prefer gaffed or non-gaffed?
Thanks Michael... and welcome to the Café! Tom Mason Vienna Austria |
jarro_2783 New user Sydney, Australia 56 Posts |
I haven't been studying magic for that long, but I already have a few things that I find interesting.
I am intrigued by cups and balls. It is such a simple idea, yet the scope of possibilities is amazing, and I am fascinated with what can be done with just three cups, three balls (at least that's what they think) and a wand. I also like the idea of close up magic. I don't even see myself performing on a stage that much. I would much rather do things right under the noses of friends, family and other people whom I meet that make them go wow! that's amazing. I like packet tricks, and anything that isn't just "you choose a card and I find it in yet another way". Coins fascinate me too. It seems to me that there is a large learning curve with coins, which one day I hope to master. But in the meantime I can try to learn some good stuff with cards.
Jarryd Beck, Sydney, Australia
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Michael Kaminskas V.I.P. 117 Posts |
Tom, my passion for coins started with the day I picked up BOBO's coin magic....This was my first experience with real coin magic..I loved the technical aspect of it and how a simple coin vanish and reproduction can be more powerful than some of the most extreme and elaborate illusions. My favorites actually span the globe and like all of my magic evolves over time.
Mullikins Transpositon, Kennedy's Translocation were among some of the classics that fooled the heck out of me the first time I saw them. They were and still are beautiful and magical. The question of gaffed verses regular...tough question for me. It is frustrating for me to see someone do a three fly routine or coins across with gaffed coins. I love how magical it looks but I feel like I've wasted 20 years of my life working on classic sleight of hand. Just kidding... Honestly, I think the most powerful coin magic often involves a combination of methods....gaffs and sleights to create the desired effect for our audiences...I think this is true of all my close up magic. If I ring in a gaffed coin or switch decks or even add a gaffed card to a deck, I don't feel this degrades the magic as long as the overall effect on the audience is maintained. I will say, the new gimmicked coins are truly awesome and when combined with classic sleight of hand can be the ultimate weapon on the assualt on your audiences perceptions of reality. As for what the audience likes in the coin magic realm...the classics are that for a reason...coins across, coins thru table, copper silver, and variations thereof. I try in all my coin sets to get the coins in the hands of the audience as much as possible. So if I start with a visual sequence such as a version of Chris Kenners 3 fly, I make sure to follow it up with something that involves me putting the coins in their hands. Magic should be excite our senses..and to that end, touch is one that is ofen overlooked. Currently, I have been doing a rendition of John Carney's version of John Ramsays Coins in Cylinder in my one man show IMAGINE. For me, this is one of the highlights of the show...to showcase a coin piece to fifty spectators....solid silver, a piece of cork. and a room full of dropped jaws when the coins vanish and reappear under the piece of cork. It really is not suitable for strolling magic, but in small venues, it is probably my favorite piece of coin magic to perform. |
Michael Kaminskas V.I.P. 117 Posts |
Jarro,
Welcome to our wonderful world. It has often been said that no man or woman for that matter can call themselves a magician without the mastery of the cups and balls. Michael Ammar equates it to the scales for a musician...I agree...It is pretty much required reading in my book. Probably not for the sleights as much as the audience motivation and direction. In the short time I've been here you can probably already tell that I love presenting classics of magic. But I also love creating new material as well....the beauty of the cups is that it is Jazz magic....like a good old jam session, we can mix and match moves to create a virtually unending possiblilites. I would encourage you to expose yourself to as much magic as possible. Don't ever be afraid to fail as that seems to be what holds many talented performers from reaching their true potential. I hope one day to be reading and learning something from you as well. Thanks for stopping by...I really do appreciate it! |
MagicMason Loyal user 300 Posts |
Thanks Michael! Very helpful. I am sure you are a lot of fun to watch... with the coins!
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Andy Tauber Regular user Vancouver WA 106 Posts |
My passion is close-up magic, especially when done in the spectators hand. Being a grandparent I also love working with kids. I was out of magic for about 35 years then my grandson expressed an interest and I fell in love again. I am loving taking a journey through the world of magic with my grandson and he too enjoys close-up.
Andy Tauber
www.magicalmischief.org Twitter: @AMagicMischief “Children see magic because they look for it.” I used to think I wasn't a morning person, but things never got better after lunch! |
Mike Maturen Inner circle Michigan's Beautiful Sunrise Side 2726 Posts |
I would have to say that my passion is the same as that of Doug Henning...to bring a sense of wonder back to the kids and (perhaps even more importantly) the adults of our modern world.
Mike Maturen
World of Wonder Entertainment The Magic and Mayhem of Mike Maturen 989-335-1661 mikematuren@gmail.com AUTHOR OF "A NEW DAWN--Weekly Wisdom From Everyday Life" member: International Magician's Society |
Michael Kaminskas V.I.P. 117 Posts |
When I think of Doug Henning, I think of rainbows and other magical things...His props set the stage his personality and magic sealed the deal...If there was ever anyone who truly believed that magic could change the world I believe it was Doug...with or without Veda land!
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motown Inner circle Atlanta by way of Detroit 6127 Posts |
One of my great passions in magic is for books. And not just books filled with tricks. All kinds. History, biographies, theory, technique, performance, close-up and stage. Books by performers from around the world. Pretty much anything you can think of. I get so much enjoyment out of reading about are art. Knowledge is a never ending process.
"If you ever write anything about me after I'm gone, I will come back and haunt you."
– Karl Germain |
Michael Kaminskas V.I.P. 117 Posts |
I'd say it's safe to say that I concur a thousand percent!
In my estimation, the more you surround yourself with all aspects of magic you not only become more knowledgeable about the art form but I find it crosses over into your performances as well. I've found that my audiences really love to learn some of the history of magic as well. To be able to relay a true story while performing the actions reinforces the magic while also making it much more memorable. Ricky Jay was the first magician I really saw do this with his magic and his presentation of the cups and balls which he calls the "History Lesson" serves to illustrate my point. I'm sure you've all seen it but here's a link to it in case you haven't. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hgm4wZCACYg |
motown Inner circle Atlanta by way of Detroit 6127 Posts |
That's a great example. His 52 assistants show was fantastic.
"If you ever write anything about me after I'm gone, I will come back and haunt you."
– Karl Germain |
Michael Kaminskas V.I.P. 117 Posts |
I enjoyed the show so much I saw it twice...lol..
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motown Inner circle Atlanta by way of Detroit 6127 Posts |
I wish I could have seen it twice. I wish it was available on DVD, but still have a VHS copy from when it was on TV.
"If you ever write anything about me after I'm gone, I will come back and haunt you."
– Karl Germain |
charliemartin Special user Rapid City, SD 779 Posts |
My passion is comedy magic. But I also love close up magic. Trying to combine the two, pack small but play big.
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Michael Kaminskas V.I.P. 117 Posts |
Have you ever noticed how many effects acts actually have in them? Take an act that you admire...look at the quantity of effects and see that often times less is more.
What it does is allow for more communiction, verbal and non verbal to your audiences...I've always found that the audience has to like you before they can love you! |
Tom Fenton Inner circle Leeds, UK (but I'm Scottish) 1477 Posts |
My passion is also cups and balls.
To me, it is a true classic effect of magic. I find that classic effects are open to the performers personality. Each performer can, with work, make it their own. Just have a look at, for example, Whit Hayden and his Linking Rings, Bebel's cups & balls, Harry Anderson'd Monte routine. You can see that they have put their personal "stamp" on these effects. In fact, I find myself moving more towards the "Classics" as I get older. The Linking Rings, 3 Card Monte, Two in the hand, one in the pocket and others are all effects that I love to perform. Books are another passion. History of magic, theory of magic are what I prefer over effects books. By the way, I have just "liked" your page on Facebook Mr. Kaminskas. Many thanks for your time here. Tom Fenton
"But there isn't a door"
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Michael Kaminskas V.I.P. 117 Posts |
I read that post and thought it was something I typed at first...lol
Seems we have similar tastes in our art Tom. |
Tom Fenton Inner circle Leeds, UK (but I'm Scottish) 1477 Posts |
I am honoured that you said that Michael.
Thank you. To be honest, I think that quite a few magicians come to the conclusion that The Classics are worth the effort. By the way, I forgot a couple. The Egg Bag, Ambitious Card and Coins through the table spring to mind.
"But there isn't a door"
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Michael Kaminskas V.I.P. 117 Posts |
Classics are that for a reason!
I have such a fond place in my heart for them...there is nothing I love more than to see a beautiful cups routine, or Ambitious card sequence, or coins across...and for the past 5 years I have put a ton of study and work into my egg bag routine. For a really long time, the routine didn't appeal to me for...well, for the reason being that I only saw really poor routines...since looking into it, the egg bag has become one of my favorite effects to perform. It has it all...the best part of the egg bag is that it allows the performer to showcase themselves and establish a repoire with the audience. I've used it as my opening effect for a few years in my stand up venues and it certainly does the job. Thanks for your thoughts Tom. |
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