Overall, I enjoyed my first FISM, including meeting Simon on the train to pick up our packages. Howdy Simon!

I do have to say that some of the negatives were stressful to me. I didn't like it when Eric Eswin was booed and I didn't like it when China was announced as the winner and several loud people booed and whistled. There is no excuse for that kind of behavior from so-called grown-ups. (Though we are talking about magicians, after all). The debacle with the close up show tickets was also an avoidable disaster that seemed to be caused by the organizers trying to please everyone by changing their minds, but in the end, causing chaos and pleasing nobody.

Despite the stresses, I mostly enjoyed FISM, and as Simon said, the individuals that I met were, for the most part, wonderful. I was absolutely touched by an older Japanese gentleman I met on the train. He waited for his wife and my girlfriend to get off the train and would not exit before I did, despite the fact that I was much younger than he. We talked on the way to the convention hall and, in parting, he presented my with a simple business card. This gentleman was none other than the founder of Tenyo. I also had a chance to talk with Ali Bongo, Cellini, Jeff McBride and shared a table at the banquet with Wayne Dobson, his lovely wife and two very nice step-sons. Despite the hassles, the individuals made it very special. The Swedish hosts really tried hard to make everything right and I felt sorry for them, at times, when they were dealing with obnoxious convention-goers. (And not just Americans I should add).

Approximately, how many people attended FISM?

It seems not many USA winners.

2700 attended.
152 acts took part in the competition.

In America, hitting, spitting and even shoving are potentially criminal acts. Though assault (verbal abuse) may be difficult to prosecute, striking or spitting at anyone is battery and an offense that can land you in jail. Perhaps those who committed criminal behavior should be identified and banned from future events, or, at the least, be required to make a public apology and/or demonstrate rehabilitation.

I, for one, would be deeply offended to hear of ANY American delegate who behaved in this manner. I understand that in other cultures, socially acceptable bahavior varies. This, however, is not an issue requiring one to keep an open mind. It is simply wrong to behave in this way. In an international event, we all represent our country of origin and should be expected to conduct ourselves in a professional manner at all times.

Was this about the stage-finals? I went back to the hotel after the Close-Up Finals. I'd had enough... I was NOT among those who booed, nor did I leave until the "ceremony" was over.
The booing during the Close-Up Finals was NOT directed against the recipients. If the TV-people had got their way, all the chairs directly in front of the stage would have been removed, do you think that would have helped?
Of course spitting, giving the finger etc. is not acceptable behaviour "in Europe", no matter what you may think.

Bjørn

Let's take a look at the good points.

(Please note: I didn't attend ANY of the contests, at such a large event, you have to make tough choices...)

VERY smooth registration process.

Lots of good seminars.

Juan Tamariz' One Man Show.

Well organized Dealer-room.

The banquet show was somewhat marred by sound-problems, but concidering the amount of people to be fed, it went rather smoothly.

Please note: I'm Norwegian, and our relations to the Swedes are somewhat akin to the Scots vs. the English. Nevertheless, I tip my hat to SMC (Swedish Magic Circle), for a job (mostly) well done!

Bjørn

Did anyone go to the Corporate Presentations session? What was it like?

I didn't see it personaly, but a friend of my did, and he said it was enjoyable and very fun, in particular Banachek and Bill Malone was hillarious...

Bjorn pointed out:


VERY smooth registration process.

Lots of good seminars.

Juan Tamariz' One Man Show.

Well organized Dealer-room.

The banquet show was somewhat marred by sound-problems, but concidering the amount of people to be fed, it went rather smoothly.




I agree 100%. I also would like to add:


Excellent back stage help to contestants,

Wonderful photo and poster dislays,

Great signage,

Beautiful programme,

Sensational Gala Stage Show,

Classy City Hall Welcome,

Excellent FISM photographer http://www.vistaphotoagency.com/index.php?query=fism

Is there any site where I can read a review of all the acts?

Mafedi,

You can read a review of all the close-up acts on my blog:

http://www.magician.org.uk

I believe Tim and Sue will have a review of all the acts up soon on their website:

http://magicunlimited.typepad.com

Richard Morrell updated his Blog daily from Stockholm with his thoughts and reviews of all the different acts in the Close Up Competition, lectures and main shows.

Tim Ellis and Sue Anne Webster also updated their Blog daily and are going to review all the competition acts as soon as they can get it all typed up.

Opus Magazine have also got a blog with their own, somewhat unique thoughts of events at this year's FISM.

Finally, I even have a blog which I will be updating with general thoughts of what went on, as well as my own thoughts on the acts in the Close Up compeition. I'll be updating this once I get a chance (I don't have a laptop, so had to make do with waiting until I got home!).

Hope you find something of interest to read there!

Best wishes

Peter
:)

Richard

AARGH!!! I was busy looking for your url when you posted!

Great to have finally met you face-to-face. Maybe see you at the British Ring Convention in Eastbourne?

Best wishes

Peter
:)

Bonjour my litle magic chums,

That was my first FISM. I thought it was amazing. I am still trying to catch up on lost sleep. It thought for what appeared to be quite an expensive country, the conference was still very good value for money.

I have only one minor grumble about the whole event. If your biggest theatre holds 2000 people, then the number of registrants should be capped at 2000. End of all problems relating to moaning magicians.

Simon, It was great to meet you and share a few jokes and beers. I look forward to seeing your Monday night show next time I'm in New York.

regards

Andy Reay

Other thoughts:

Nick Nickolas had a great POKER game going in the Magic Bar at FISM with Gazzo, Danny Archer and many others testing their skills against each other. Could this somehow become an official FISM event?

AWARDS SHOW - It would be brilliant if, when winners were announced, their names and clips of their acts could be shown on the big screens as they came up to the stage. Also, their names need to be read out one at a time so they can receive the acclaim they deserve, and it would be nice to give them a moment or two on the mic to say thanks.

It was a good idea of FISM 2006 to show old clips on the screens during the Banquet. Maybe next time China could show clips of performers from the competition. It would really add an interesting buzz in the room as people wait to see clips of their friends, acts they missed, and highlights or lowlights of the competition.

CLOSE UP GALA - If acts are to be broadcast on the big screen, give them the option of a monitor they can see so they can have a little more control of what the audience does and doesn't see of their act. Michael Vincent had no idea that the audience couldn't see any of the cards during his act. With a monitor he'd be in much better control.

In Melbourne we had an official 'Convention Host' who introduced shows, did warm ups, made announcements, co-ordinated lines and kept people entertained. He was the face of our convention, people went to him with issues and he directed them on to the staff they needed to speak to. Maybe China could consider hiring a popular performer to take on this role?

Thanks, and what about stage magic? any review?

I was to attend FISM this year and it would have been my first. Reading the posts here, I am glad that I did not attend as I "had visions of sugarplums dancing through my head" I felt that this would be almost surreal.

In reality, I doubt that however it went that it would have matched my dreams. That is the beauty of dreams. They are flawless.

The cameras have to be there to make those who did not get to attend drool and wish they had. They have to show excitement so that the next time more people will attend. It seems that they were more of a hinderance however and more logistics should have been taken into consideration. IE: the lack of cameral coverages on the "Bar Magic Tables". If they can have cameras for the World Poker tour that can cover the table, why not use them here ... it would have added to the excitement and enjoyment.

Ah, well, I look forward to your letter, Peo.
The only thing I truly missed it seems is being with you.
Perhaps we can go to China.... :0)

Raey great to hang out with you too ... I'll look forward to seeing you in NYC! Monday Night Magic is on Monday's (Doh!) which I do every 10 weeks or so. My show, Strange and Unusual Hobbies, is every Saturday night.

Tim the poker was great fun though I'll never forget Danny Archer taking me out of the game when we both had trip aces (he had the higher kicker)and we were both 'all in' ... he is so going down at the next game ... be warned young Archer!

Simon

Simon, I am thinking you have been winning some money from me in the poker game and am leaving me broke.

I was having to hitch-hike back to spain thank you very much!

I think I was something drunk and wasn't paying attention in the game but you are a good player and I don't think you was using some sleight of hand techniques.

But you have been writing a book about cons so I am thinking you know them all. Ha ha.

I had a great time at FISM, but sadly didn't get to see much since I spent most of it behind the Mesika Magic booth demoing his products as well as my "LBB" and "LP3". I wanted to say thanks to all the people that came by and helped my FISM the most successful convention I have ever sold my products at. It was amazing to me how many top pros I got to meet, and how many of them were really cool, down to earth people.

One suggestion for next time would be to have more going on when the dealers room is closed so that dealers can see some of the competitions. Iether way, I had a blast!

Lincoln
http://www.lincolnworld.com/products