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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
I get all kinds of PM's from members about good sources of manipulation magic and if they should sign up for the Chavez Course in Manipulation and Showmanship. Here is the long answer to these questions about a good source of study.
It was in the 1960's that I became interested in Manipulation magic. At that time the code was upheld to the letter. Never tell a secret of any trick or method in this art of magic. The only way one could get this information was from books. These were not complete books on manipulation, but one move here, and one move there. I stumbled upon the Ganson's Books Routined Manipulation. He did describe his routine in Billard Balls and his small booklet on card production was the only source easily obtained, even though they were from England. Many times I would just buy one book, for in it was a new way to produce cards. I get very excited when I discover a new way of doing a production or vanish of different articles in Balls, Coins, Playing Cards, Cigarettes, and Thimbles; and at one time dove manipulation. I have spent hundreds of dollars for a collection of informative information of sleights for using on stage, to enhance the total routine. Now we have come to the age of video machines and some performers have taken there skills to tape and DVD to have something to sell for profit. Throw out the Code, it no longer applies. I cannot say if this is good or bad, as it makes knowledge readily available to anyone interested in a form of this art we call Manipulation Magic. I knew that if I wanted to learn these secrets, I had to take the only course of action available to me, and that was the Chavez Course. So after 3 years in the Army I had the fortune of seeing and meeting Marion Chavez, I signed up for the course. This gave me the basics and a basic routine on which to build an act in manipulation. So when someone ask me do they need the Chavez couse, I honestly have to tell them no as they can get everything for what is a very small investment in a few DVDs on the market. Jeff McBride teaches all the basics and more. Jeff Sheridan shows how card catching is supposed to look like, by pulling them out of the air with the greatest of ease. Romaine shows you how it use to be done, and what creating a character is about in your presentations. Shimada shows how to enhance your presentation by using simple 'outside the box' tools. I could go on but this is not a list of DVDs on the market. Most recently, Shoot Ogawa has put out his DVD on Thimble Manipulation, after you learn Jeff McBride's material, diffently get Shoot's DVD, it is wonderful. His routine is the best I have seen and it is possible for anyone willing to put the time in to learn manipulation magic with Thimbles. Now, Marc DeSouza has put out a DVD set, but the only thing I am interested in learning about is his version Kap's Diminishing Bill Routine. So we are kind of coming back to the original way I started, I have to buy a complete DVD for one item of interest to me. Of couse, we cannot forget Levent, he has been compiling a DVD on Billard Balls currently and his Miser Dream DVDs are for anyone interested in the presentation of magic with coins on the stage. This guy goes overboard with the every piece of information about a move or effect. I personnally like the added information, but sometimes he feels he has to tell you right now, in the middle of doing something else, before he forgets. His Roy Benson book is like that, so I have scanned many of the routine and cut out all the informative material to have the subject matter at hand flow so that I can easily follow it while learning a section. For you that don't know, Shoot Ogawa has put out his wonderful wand routine on DVD as well, now there is another reference besides the Flip DVDs covering this very magical vanish and production of wands. I really wish Paul Gertner would publish or video his wonerful routine on flip magic with a wand, short and amazing. So do you need to take the Chavez course, again not really, but remember besides move and secrets, you need stage showmanship to enhance any presentation. So after you have put together a routine, get some information on this as well. It will only help you become a better performer. Then you can put your act on YouTube. I use to think that having a skill that everyone else could not do was setting me out from the rest. Now with YouTube and sites like this, you will become only E-PLURIBUS UNUM. So now we have to find, what sets, what we do in manipulation magic apart from the others. Remember, practice, practice, practice. |
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JamesTong Eternal Order Malaysia 11213 Posts |
Beautifully said, Bill and I fully agree with you.
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hugmagic Inner circle 7655 Posts |
Very, Very well said, Bill.
Richard
Richard E. Hughes, Hughes Magic Inc., 352 N. Prospect St., Ravenna, OH 44266 (330)296-4023
www.hughesmagic.com email-hugmagic@raex.com Write direct as I will be turning off my PM's. |
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Thank you for your support concerning my comments. I am not a master with words as many see when I respond to some strings, but I hope you can see that this is coming from a different place within me.
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JamesTong Eternal Order Malaysia 11213 Posts |
And that, Bill, comes from your passion in magic.
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graywolf Special user South carolina 631 Posts |
Very nice..As a Chavez grad I agree..Cordially,Howard
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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
I also agree as well. I have taken the Chavez course and my belief is that a student of magic and manipulation learns from many sources. You never stoplearning but always open your eyes and mind to new things.
Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
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Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
Having met Benny Chavez and visisted his school was fun for me, but I couldn't afford it.
What struck me is that three very successful, famous magicians all studied with Chavez. And, unlike so many clones he produced, these three gentlemen all came out with totally different acts. Channing Pollock, Don Alan and Norm Nielsen.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-09-23 16:08, Pete Biro wrote: I dislike that term 'clone' as we are all clones by that terminlogy, we go to school and all learn the same things reading, writing, arithmatic, and then we go out in life and become unique individuals. Once you have the basics, it is up to you to create and grow, as these famous professionals you have listed have done, just as it should be done. |
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Michael J. Douglas Inner circle WV, USA 1645 Posts |
I agree to the point of being able to learn the sleights from other sources. However, the Chavez Course isn't simply a collection of sleights. Out of all the resources I have the pleasure of owning, it's the only one I would even consider calling the apt name "Course". The Chavez Course teaches about stage deportment and mastery, microphone technique, acting and mannerisms, theatrical terms and terminology, applause control, ethics in entertainment, routining an act, routining a show (for various types of audiences and with other acts), using music and lights, booking your act and making contracts, instructing assistants, emceeing.... There's even primers on using doves and other livestock and make-up for stage and screen. For would-be manipulators, there's so much more than what I've found elsewhere.
Michael J.
�Believe then, if you please, that I can do strange things.� --from Shakespeare�s �As You Like It� |
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Don Loyal user 215 Posts |
Well said Michael. I refer to my course all the time for these subjects. Plus you get personal instruction something you won't get on a tape as well as the instructor getting to know you,your style,mannerisms and making suggestions.
Don |
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Kent Wong Inner circle Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 2458 Posts |
This is an extremely interesting thread for me. I've always considered the Chavez course to be a specialty course designed for stage manipulation. After having read this thread, it seems to be so much more than that. In fact, many of the topics that Michael pointed out really jump off the page at me. Now, I'm not a die-hard manipulator, but I do have quite a few years of performing experience. How proficient should I be with card/coin/ball manipulation before considering to take this course?
Kent
"Believing is Seeing"
<BR>______________________ <BR> <BR>www.kentwongmagic.com |
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Signor Blitz Elite user 419 Posts |
Hey Kent!
Sometime little to no experiance is best. You are a clean - ready to learn it correctly and don't have to go thru the hassels of breaking bad habits. That is a problem with dvd's. You don't have a critical eye guiding you. There are 2 locations - Dale Salwak in CA and Chris Jakway in Michigan The 2 schools are independent of each other and have very unique perspectives and approaches. |
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graywolf Special user South carolina 631 Posts |
Do not forget Neil Foster...Howard
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hugmagic Inner circle 7655 Posts |
Neil has been deceased for over 15 years. I don't think Chris is teaching the course.
Richard
Richard E. Hughes, Hughes Magic Inc., 352 N. Prospect St., Ravenna, OH 44266 (330)296-4023
www.hughesmagic.com email-hugmagic@raex.com Write direct as I will be turning off my PM's. |
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Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
If anyone ask me if they should read the "Bill Course", I am going to tell them "Yes. Go on the themagiccafe.com and read all of his words."
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Jeffrey Korst New user SF Bay Area 92 Posts |
Thought I'd chime in on this one, also.
I took the course from Neil in the early 80's. I was in the same class as Chris Jakway. At the time, I had already been doing a manipulation act for a couple of years. I found out about the Chavez course from a man named Ray Korell. He had taken the course from Marion shortly after Ben died. He took me under his wing, spending several very long nights polishing what I was doing. It was clear that there was a whole lot more to learn than the productions and vanishes. I took the course for the polish. Knowing many of the basics, I was able to concentrate more on the presentational aspects. Getting to spend all that time with Neil was a big bonus, too. Dale would also be well worth it. There are plenty of places to learn the basic sleights. There are very few places to learn the routining and stage presence. Best regards, Jeffrey |
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Signor Blitz Elite user 419 Posts |
Richard,
Yes Neil is dead but the Chavez Studio in Michigan is still fully alive and working. It is a thing of beauty. Chris Jakway keeps a low/no profile in the magic community. He has become very selective on who he accepts as a student. Ironically, his students tend to keep a low/no profile in the magic community - focusing their attention on making it a vocation instead of a hobby at the local magic club. Jeffery - Very well put! There is way more than vanishes and productions. I've worked with Neil, Channing, Dale and Chris and I gotta say, Neil is still the best. |
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Signor Blitz Elite user 419 Posts |
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
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