talkmagic.co.uk

Morning everyone! I've lost track of how many times I've come to TM to fill in an intro - I was a very regular user about six or seven years ago and kept meaning to become a regular visitor again since settling down in a regular job, buying a house and all the other things that happen to you in your twenties.

Well, the regular job just hasn't cut it and after five years there I'm now officially persuing a career in entertaining children with magic.

I talked about it for years, but now I'm actually doing it.

So, here I am. I'm still in my regular job full-time, but looking to cut the hours down as the coming months go by.

I don't just do children's magic - I've always been a student of magic, especially the performance aspects. Darwin Ortiz's Strong Magic is a favourite of my book collection. In my opinion any effect can be made funny or spooky, sad or uplifting by changing the presentation that encompasses the sleights or technicalities we spend so much time as magicians, amateur or professional, learning.

Anyway, I hope to see you all around the boards and hopefully some of you remember me from years ago.

If you've read this far then thank you. Please say hello below and maybe share your favourite book and your reasons why. It'd be great to get to know you all again.

Well, most of you, I'm sure.

Ha ha - maybe even 'Good afternoon' now I've finished writing it!

Hi, welcome back, Zack!!

Hi there Zack, welcome back!

(That rhymes you know!)

Hi Zack, welcome back to TM

The Magic of Michael Ammar is an exellent book if you can find a copy. There is a review on here.

jim

Welcome back Zack. That's two vets returned within a week. Great news!

Who's the other, Dat?

Jim - I had the pleasure of attending a Michael Ammar lecture at the Ipswich Magical Society some years ago, probably 2004 or 2005. He's thoroughly charming, has a genuine and sincere personality and his magic is so strong and audience-friendly.

Zack wrote:Jim - I had the pleasure of attending a Michael Ammar lecture at the Ipswich Magical Society some years ago, probably 2004 or 2005. He's thoroughly charming, has a genuine and sincere personality and his magic is so strong and audience-friendly.

Yes. There are 2 books that made me really think about how i approach magic - one being Absolute Magic, the other the Ammar book. He explains some great routines and goes into detail on the hows and important whys. His teachings on the classic bi** sw**ch and the Crazy Mans Handcuffs are some of the best ive seen. The best parts of the book are the ones that dont actually contain any tricks. His philosophies and theories are brilliant, and he shares his ideas on things like misdirection, timing and rythm, psycology, and even how to practice properly.

jim

Here is the review of the Ammar Book, with the table of content
http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic3279.php

EDIT - Ive just noticed you were on that thread Did you get the book ?

jim

Zack wrote:Who's the other, Dat?

....

Quite possibly me, assuming you are counting Yanks (believe me, being from the Southeastern US, "Yank" is a horrible way to refer to myself...lol)
Then again, I just noticed I wasn't the only one announcing that I was back

I have only just returned this week after several years away from TM. Nice to 'see' you again!