How to do Magic Tricks

Advice and Support for Magicians

Watch Alan Rorrison Perform Deceptus on a Spectators Hand

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With Deceptus about to released worldwide, we thought it would be nice to sneak out another look at presentations for the trick.

Here's a video of Alan Rorrison performing Deceptus on a spectators hand:

 

This method is taught on the magic DVD that comes with Deceptus. It's one of the most popular ways to present the trick, as it's visually striking, has great audio effect, and makes the magic happen right on the spectators hand. What's not to like!?!

Huge thanks to Johnny Royall for filming and sending us the footage.

As you start using Deceptus, we would love to hear about your experiences, how how have decided to present it, the reactions you are getting, and any tips and advice you have for others about to discover it.

 

Deceptus. Borrowed object insode soda can

How to put items inside a soda can – News about Deceptus

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Deceptus By Jimmy Strange

By Dominic Reyes

The Merchant of Magic are just about to release Deceptus by Jimmy Strange. It's one of the best object penetration effects I've seen in a very long time.


The gimmick allows you to throw common borrowed objects straight into a soda can. Rings, signed coins, lighters, folded playing cards etc.

As you see in the demo, you can show the can completely, take an object, slam it in, then show the can as you rattle the object inside.

They have been keeping this to themselves for quite a long time now at the MoM as they perform it commercially. However, feedback and requests for its release at Blackpool this year, together with interest in the effect for TV lead the MoM team to agree its release.

The borrowed object really is inside the can, which is able to be inspected before and after the penetration. The spectators can see their item through the drink hole, the only way to get the item out? Cut open the can!

Ben Williams presents and teaches multiple handlings for all skill levels, including an instant reset taught where you melt the borrowed item out from the can without having to cut it open.

It includes extra presentations if you want to wear a PK ring, but you don't have to. I actually prefer the methods without using a PK ring myself.

The DVD that comes with the gimmick includes a "60 second" overview, so you can start playing with it right away. You can then watch the full DVD to get all the extra tips, techniques and presentations. I'm a huge fan of that, as it's frustrating having to watch a full DVD before you can start playing.

Do you need sleight of hand? Nope! If you can throw an object at a soda can, you can perform this.

We had great feedback from Alan Rorrison (Consultant for Dynamo and Troy), who was performing this with us late at night in the Ruskin at the 2014 Blackpool magic convention. After playing with the gimmick for just a few minutes, this is all he had to say: "I fricking love this thing!"

Here's a video I took late at night in the Ruskin at the 2014 Blackpool Magic Convention. We told Alan Rorrison about Deceptus, showed him the gimmick and this is what he did with it:



Check out the guy reflected in the mirror behind Alan. He physically jumps back. That's not what magicians do 🙂

Merchant of Magic are releasing it at the end of the month. Expected retail is US $39.99 UK £29.99 (Inc V.A.T)

I'd love to hear your opinions

When is it OK for Magicians to Teach Spectators a Magic Trick?

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Teaching magic secrets

I'm often asked if I can teach a magic trick to one of the guests when I'm performing at a party or wedding. What should I do? I'd like to show them a simple magic trick that they can  do, but at the same time I don't want to expose magic secrets. – John

That's a good question and one most magicians asked themselves. Teaching a simple magic trick is fine as long as you are very careful about what you teach. As magicians we promise not to disclose secrets, we also don't want to reduce the impressiveness or importance of our own magic by showing that it is just a collection of easy to master magic tricks.  However, there is a good way to approach this. You can show them something that is not too technical, advanced, or the work of another magician. It's absolutely fine to teach them a magic trick as long as it is in the public domain, and doesn't reveal one of the core principles of magic technique. So what sort of tricks are OK to teach?

The perfect magic trick to teach a spectator is one where the secrets of a magic trick is revealed as part of the ending anyway. Bar bets or  proposition cons are ideal examples of this. The conclusion of the trick automatically shows and teaches the method so you're not exposing any  secrets. There is a huge range of magic tricks like this that you can use, they may not be magic in the strictest sense of the word, but they are entertaining and will satisfy your spectators curiosity and desire for a trick that they can do themselves.

Pushing an object through a cup.

A simple spur of the moment magic trick that you could teach spectators would be a demonstration of how you can push an object through a cup. You  take a coffee cup and place it on the table, You announce that you will be able to push a large borrowed object (such as a mobile phone) through  the small handle of the cup. It seems totally impossible. The huge object, such as a phone, or maybe a wine glass couldn't possibly fit through the small handle of the cup. When they ask you for the solution, you simply place the object in front of the cup, put your finger through the handle hole, and push the object with your finger. There.. you pushed the object through the cup!

It might not be a stunning example of sleight of hand, no real magic is taken place, but it will satisfy the spectators, entertain them and give them something to try out on their friends  later.

There are lots of books and DVDs which teach bar bets or puzzles like this, and you'll be able to find them free of charge at your local public library. Being armed with just a few small easy to learn magic tricks that you can teach will mean that you never have to disappoint spectators or reveal the real secrets of close-up magic.