Camera Tricks has now released in the UK. It’s created quite a stir amongst the magic community in the United States, with good reason. Take a look:

Dominic Reyes caught up with Casshan Wallace to talk about Camera Tricks, how he invented it and some tips for getting the most out of your magic.

Dominic Reyes : How did you get into magic?

Casshan Wallace : I got my interest in magic at the very young age of 5. I started trying to perform miracles by the age of 6. My grandpa showed me a few magic tricks. The one trick that sparked my interest was an ambitious style card magic trick with a story trick about four jacks. The four jacks would be placed into the middle of a deck of playing cards and they would all jump back to the top.

Dominic Reyes : And that gave you the ‘magic bug’?

Casshan Wallace : Yes. After seeing that magic trick, I tried making up my own methods.

Dominic Reyes : What made you start working on the paper clip principle in Camera Tricks?

Casshan Wallace : I’ve always been a big fan of paper clip magic tricks, and making them link. They are easy to carry with you, everybody knows what they are, and I know I can get good reactions with them.

Dominic Reyes :  So you studies the classic methods first?

Casshan Wallace : I went about learning probably every method of linking paper clips ever conceived (well probably not, but it sure feels like it). The way I started creating my methods was because of school. Teachers don’t like me having cards out and coins are too loud, so paperclips are another way to go.

I just started trying to make a way for them to look like my vision. Once I got into the position of making the paper clips look linked, I just had to make it so I could have them unlinked from start and then link the clips while they watch them closely.

Dominic Reyes : The focus on the presentation in Camera tricks seems to be a slow, smooth and clear. How did you develop that as a goal and why is it so important?

Casshan Wallace : I wanted Camera Tricks to be slow because I feel that magic happens too fast sometimes. I want to slow the moment down for the spectator so they don’t feel like they are missing anything. I think its better for the spectator that way. So I really hit on that when I was making the methods. The effects in Camera Tricks happen slowly so they can’t use the quote “you moved so fast, so it was probably sleight of hand”. Ah the silly things spectators say

Dominic Reyes : Do you have any more tips that will help magicians learn and perform?

Casshan Wallace : Practice and relax, the magic trick is slightly knacky. Watch the over-the-shoulder view many times cause its not easy. Some stuff you will get better at, the more time you practice because its something you don’t really know. It’s hard to understand at first, so just really work at it. Also make sure you’re good at entertaining your audience so you don’t have to rush your set up. Just relax and have fun.

Dominic Reyes : What are your three favourite magic books or DVD’s?

Casshan Wallace : I thoroughly enjoyed Stars of Magic book and DVDs, Paul Harris Presents – Art of Astonishment collection, and Strong Magic. All very creative and innovative work

Dominic Reyes : Where do you see your magic going in the future?

Casshan Wallace : I see my magic definitely going into a more commercial approach. I want to make stuff that you can add to existing routines that can make certain magic tricks better. I also want to try to make new concepts and not just new methods. That’s what magic needs, more concepts. We have enough magic tricks as it is, so creating something new to magic is key. A spectator sees one concept and one method so they won’t know what’s different. I see my magic getting more and more creative and original in the future.

Dominic Reyes : What’s next from Casshan Wallace?

Casshan Wallace :  I have many things that I’ve been working on over the years and they are about ready to be revealed but I’m going to give it some more time. Exciting things are to come!