Can I place a rant here?

I used to own a copy of Slydini's T&R Newspaper. Not quite as flashy as Anderson's, but a lot easier to put together. I lost my copy and had to rebuy it from Tannen's. When it came in the mail, I discovered it was in two parts. One was a highly detailed description of how to prepare the papers, the other was a series of badly moired, tiny photos of Slydini tearing the paper with a note on the first sheet that we should "follow the illustrations" on tearing and restoring the paper. We can't see what Slydini is doing! We can't see which way he's turning the paper, we can't see where his fingers are in relation to the various pieces. The illustrations might be useful in highlighting a point in the instructions, but by themselves, they're just bloody frustrating!

Mandrake01,

Some rants are too kind! Useless photos are not instructions. Back in the days of hot type, printing photos was very expensive. Even so, I have plenty of books and instruction sheets with old photos and I wish the publisher had saved even more money. The photos are useless for the purpose for which they were intended.

Be grateful that the technology has changed. I remember when the big step forward in the 70s was when I transferred some of the SAM film library to video tape. Wow! how old fashion! (And they thanked me anyway! I hope that they are on DVDs by now.)

Think, now I can carry my music on my keychain. They plug it into the computer and we're set to go. (I used to have to carry at least a drummer and a piano player. Of course they got into my pocket too.)

Just think, one day we will have to explain sword through neck! People will wonder what can be done with a sword.

You have my sympathy. I had to learn from bad printing and bad photography too. I guess that is really why we become magicians. Ultimately we have to rely on miracles.

Hang in there.

Bob
Magic By Sander

Joe Bauer's paper tear is good and reset quick but he talked a lot in the video.

I heard something about having to wipe your hands off on a wet towel after you do the trick. Why not add the wet towel into your routine? (E.G. make a dove production from the wet towel OR have something really big appear from the towel). Things that you make appear from the towel might get wet, but it is just water right? If you were to do a dove production from the wet towel, I suggest using luke warm water just in case the bird gets more wet than you think he/she will.

Tommy,

I like your thinking. There is a world of difference between magic act and a trick.

Bob
Magic By Sander