talkmagic.co.uk

Name of Event: James Brown Lecture @ Farnborough Association Of Magical Entertainers

Venue: (Please state exact address and postcode) St Marks Church Hall
Guildford Road East
Farnborough GU14 6PX
01252 370 351

Date: 13 Sept 10

Time: (start and finish) 1945 hrs (2000 start) End at 2200hrs

Entrance Fee: £5 non-members

No. of places available: N/A

Contact: Me - Lyndon

Website: http://www.fame-magic.co.uk/

Comments: “James is a master of misdirection and timing”
Luke Jermay, consultant for the DERREN BROWN Show.

Many thanks to Lyndon and FAME for organising this lecture. What a great evening!

This was a very different type of lecture. Most magicians already have more books, DVDs and tricks than they need for a lifetime so, rather than show us a succession of routines, James spent most of the time talking about the philosophy and psychology of magic. He started by explaining the background to his "Professional Opportunist" tag and why "magic" is good but "magician" is bad. There was then a discussion about the all important "wow factor" and a number of entertaining and enlightening anecdotes about how JB first got into magic, discovered magic clubs, saw a goldfish bowl (complete with water and fish) appear out of thin air and some "I shouldn't tell you this, but..." stories about Derren Brown.

James showed us a great peek that led into a "thought of poker hand" routine. We also saw a demo of "Cerebral Steal", a snappy coin routine and, of course, a classic JB watch steal.

There were also lots of great nuggets about misdirection, spectator management and attitude. James talked about a key moment when he realised "I can get away with anything!" and that, just like Gary Jones, his philosophy to ballsy moves is "Just do it!".

At the end of the lecture James sold his last few copies of the ProfOpp DVDs (officially the best magic DVDs of last year) and then, despite the prospect of a lengthy drive home, hung around for another hour showing us more magic. Watching his perfect Roadrunner Cull up close is a great incentive to practice practice practice. And he told us more stories of what he's been up to with the big names of magic (rock climbing with Banachek anyone?).

An absolutely first-class lecture and a real inspiration to take your magic to the next level.

I'd second all the comments made by Stoner - it was an inspirational event. I love hearing people who have actually put some proper thought in to their magic - and there was much to learn from James. Excellent stuff.

Nice to put a face to a name to Mr Stoner (I was the guy who's card appeared under another man's watch!)