Close up Illusions, By Gary Ouellet

This book is published by Camirand accademy of magic Inc. It is quite an interesting piece of work. As the title implies, it's focus is on close up illusions.

First, a word about Gary Ouellet. He was chosen as one of the century's 100 most influential magicians by MAGIC Magazine. He has produced many magic shows, including World's Greatest Magic, Champions of Magic to name just a few... Obviously a man who not only loved the art, but also brought a lot to it. This book is a very good example.

In it, you will find quite a few close up tricks, ranging from coins to cards, to dice stacking, to sponge balls, etc...

But the most useful things in it, in my opinion, are the various close up hints at the end of some chapters. One of them gives the recipe for a hand lotion that you can make yourself, and is great if you have dry hands like me.

There is also a lot of information on presentation. For anyone wanting to know how to improve his/her performance, there is some very useful wisdom in these pages.

Here is the listing of the chapters:
1- Close up Theater ( presentation ideas..)
2- Greatest effect in magic (Finger palm, vanish, eye movement...)
3- Flashy Wonders (Flash deck, deck vanish,..)
4- Double Trouble (Break system, DL, Crook Concept, ...)
5- Secret of the Three ( Toss transfer vanish...)
6- Sponge ball miracles
7- Magic Lecture
8- Classic Force
9- Eureka! ( essay on piracy and theft of ideas...)
10- Paradise count
11- Final coin Flight
12- The infidel Change
13- Coin drops
14- Silverdust Routine
15- Paste Board Pageant
16- Touch Force
17- Ambitious Card
18- The silver sequel
19- After dinner speech
20- The slider ( Top change..)
21- Challenge factor
22- Finger on card revisited
23- Showcase
24- Rock and roll dice stacking
25- Miracle signed card to purse
26- Words to a beginner
27- Japanese jewels
28- For Ascanio
29- Hint Heaven ( series of hints...)
30- Netherworld
31- Anxiety factor
32- Northern sleights
33- Enigmas for posterity
Special bonus: The angle Pivot system ( an other DL...)

As I previously stated, this book is more than just tricks. There is some definite inspiration and wisdom in these pages to help you build a better presentation. These hints come from a man who has worked with magicians like David Coperfield and Lance Burton. It is not just theory from someone who has never performed. It is help from a person who "has been there, done that". All in all, I very much enjoyed this book, and I believe you will too.

Have a nice day!

Louis Jutras
Magicien montreal / Montreal Magician
fete enfants

Raven, the

The Raven is quite an interesting apparatus. It is this wonderful tool which David Blaine used to vanish a coin in a spectators hand. Basically, you can wear a short sleeved shirt, show your hands empty, take a coin, show it, vanish it in front of your audience, show your hands empty again. There is no doubt it is a beautiful vanish. There is some talk among magicians, however, that the same effect can be achieved with sleight of hand, such as the revolution vanish. Personally, I like the raven. While there is no question that good sleight of hand technique can achieve similar effects, the Raven is still a useful tool. More than just vanish a coin, it can also be used to vanish other things, such as dollar bills, cards, etc... Yes, you do have to "prepare" cards and bills so that they can vanish, but it is easily done. The raven can also be used to do some PK effects, such as stop watches, but it is not necessarily where it shines. To use it to it's full potential, I recommend getting the Raven DVD. It gives very good information on how to wear it, show your hands empty, and most importantly, good effect ideas.

Have a nice day!
Louis Jutras
magicien montreal / montreal magician
fete enfant